PeaceLikeaRiver
Inactive
No one would pray to then if they thought they were dead. So it's just a matter of different beliefs regarding resurrection.There's hope brother. If they're not alive it's because they haven't been resurrected.
Confidence In God And His Word.
- Thread starter Mitspa
- Start date
So... One fun little piece that helped me....
Every single time anyone IN the bible quotes scripture - they take the text very seriously....
For example... Daniel praying to God concerning Jerimiah's prophecy of 70 years of captivity (Jer 29:10, Dan 9:2).... or Daniel READING the passage of Isaiah about Cyrus directly to Cyrus the Perisan (Isaiah 44 and 45.. Josephus records that Daniel presented Cyrus with a scroll of Isaiah and this prophecy when he captured Babylon and that's why Cyrus sponsored rebuilding the temple).....
Or.. Look at Jesus alluding to Daniel - EXPECTING the Temple Leadership to know exactly what day the Messiah was supposed to arrive per Daniel (Luke 19:42 referring to Daniel Ch. 9)
On the other hand... There's only ONE PERSON in the bible twisting scripture to mean the OPPOSITE of what it says... or trying to twist scripture to destroy and condemn the maximum number of people... and I will give you one guess who that is...
Patricia, a person is canonized (recognized) as a saint usually after an extensive investigation into the person's life, seeing if they exhibited the heavenly virtues, remained faithful until death, etc. Especially if they were martyred this becomes very good evidence that they are in heaven. In the RCC, they also must have documented proof of at least two posthumous miracles taking place on the person's behalf after someone has prayed to them to intercede. After that, the Church makes an infallible statement that so-and-so is a saint, which means that they are, without a doubt, in heaven. Such practices have a very long tradition in the Christian faith.
Most of our disinclination towards praying to saints comes from our puritan heritage. They were separatists from the Anglican Church, because everyone in England hated them because they were so uptight.
If it were so easy, why don't more denominations do it? Shall I even bring up the book of Revelations? How many different interpretations are there of that?
Most denominations believe in the Trinity and the major items, but what about something like divorce?
The RCC absolutely forbids divorce, even for adultery, because Christ uses the term "pornia" instead of "moicheía" the former means fornication or immorality while the latter means adultery. The reasoning being, that Christ meant divorce was only permitted if the marriage was invalid (that is it was really just "pornia"). Most protestants translate it as adultery. But even this opens up a whole can of worms, did Christ mean this as an absolute provision or only just generally? For instance, can a woman divorce if her husband beats her? It all depends on one's interpretation.
What About Genesis 1:1??
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth".
What is the other possibility that is being communicated by that verse? Just asking?
Although the RCC forbids divorce, does it not permit annulments of marriages on a regular basis.
The Eastern Orthodox Church permits divorce and remarriage in church in certain circumstances.
All of the Protestant churches I am aware of discourage divorce except as a last resort, but do not actually prohibit it through church doctrine.
For sure, God hates divorce! But He loves divorced people. IMO He hates divorce because of what it does to the families involved. He sees the broken lives, He feels their pain.
Newsweek Magazine did a special several years ago where they tracked children from divorced families over a period of years to see what made the difference in the ones who were successful and those who wound up dysfunctional. That research found that in every single case they found that the people who made it, that is grew into responsible adults, had a responsible family unit in their lives who came along side of them to help out and encourage them during their lives.
Personally I am against divorce. However, there are situations where abuse, or adultery on a regular basis must be considered.
PeaceLikeaRiver
Inactive
Does "heavens" refer to the heaven we go to after we die, or does it mean the "heavens" as in the solar system and night sky?
Heb. 9:15
"Therefore he (Christ) is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant."
1 Tim. 2:5.......
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus".
IN the context of the verses, what do you think it means.
Do you think that Moses was writing about where we go when we die, or creation?
I do not know about anyone else...but for me, I accepted Christ as my Saviour because I realized that I was a sinner and I wanted to go to heaven not hell.
1. No. We just need common sense to grasp that the bible is God's word translated into human vocabulary. When it says God is good. It means, God is good. The word ''good'' being an easily understood human term. The intention of God penning His word for us would never be to confuse us. God does not lie. God does not deceive.
2. By judging oneself 1 Cor 11:31 in fear and trembling Phil 2:12 on what we know scripture to be Rom 2:14-15. Whilst I like to think that truthful self judgment in fear and trembling will cause us all to know that scripture never excuses continuing in mortal sins, the sad reality is that some minds are so twisted and lost that for them it actually does. That is where as Christians we have moved on with the Holy Spirit. Where verses in Rom 2:14-15 are now replaced by the latter verses 18-20 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
I'm glad you're back @Major
Thanks man.
Amen brother!
I am on your side!
Without the Word of God and His promises we would not know what to believe or even expect from God. We would not know what He thinks about us and we would forever be lost in a sea of doubt. The Word of God gives us something to hold onto in the sea of life.
IF we remove the Word of God then we are left with the traditions and explanations of man we then the most pitiful of all creatures. We would be left at the mercy of sinful man and we all know where that will lead us to.
To me, the Word of God is pictured as a sword because of its ability to overcome the attack of our enemy. By renewing our minds with the Word of God we are able to recognize the lies that set us up for sin, and the lies we would otherwise use to rationalize our sin.
I agree with you!
I have found that people who tell us to just accept things, or encourage you to accept traditional teachings, tell us that because they either don't know the answer and don't want to admit it, or, they just do not want to put in the time to search for the answer. Then there are some that even when presented the truth will still reject that truth because they like what they know and do not want to learn anything different even if what they know is wrong.
We should all do the research on our own if you aren't satisfied. There are many, many books on Christianity and the Bible itself, and I'm positive that any question anyone has, will not the the first time it has ever been asked.
God gave us brains to use. He wants us to gain understanding of Him and Creation and our very lives and that IMO is why He gave us His Word.
I have always asked questions and challenged meanings, but I have never ever come away from the Word of God where it was wrong and I was right.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
16 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
PeaceLikeaRiver
Inactive
I really have no idea what Moses meant, and that's the point of what I'm saying. People are terribly sure about a lot of things that I don't really see that it's possible to be terribly sure about. Which is why I tend to be very suspicious of people who claim to know 100% about them. We are dealing with the passage of a lot of time, translations, retranslations, mistranslations. Best we can do is to make our best guesses and remain open to the possibility we are incorrect about them.
If that is what you think....fine with me.
When I read the context of what Moses wrote it seems clear to me that he was talking about Creation.
When it comes to fundamental, essential doctrinal teachings, IMO it is real good to be 100% right. I do not want to guess on essential doctrinal matters which is why I depend on God's Word more than mans opinions. Now that is just me.
PeaceLikeaRiver
Inactive
I am not calling anyone wrong. I am stating the importance in allowing yourself to BE wrong, especially when we are talking about matters as old as this where absolute true meaning is difficult, if not impossible, to know.
I find I get a lot more out of having discussions with people who are searching for the answers than people who claim to HAVE them, in matters of faith.
I'm sure of nothing except the word of God and still I wrestle with it. The word speaks against what we see and experience, but that only means I am wrong, not the word of God. It's a silly example, but for two years I wrestled with the seeming contradiction between Acts 7:4 and Genesis 11-12. Two years I couldn't reconcile the dating. But I knew there had to be an answer because I really believed that the word of God was (is) without error, but I couldn't figure it out. Then I found the truth and I had my reconciliation. That is what faith is, evidence of things not seen. I knew the word of God is true, I just needed faith, and patience. The Holy Spirit helped me. Let Him help you. We can only give you ideas, but God knows what you need. Trust Him, not us.