Question for Christians

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Like I said... It's all about control.. Don't let people know too much or have individual thoughts or questions.. Keep them scared and submissive and you can pick their pockets.
 

But QS, The Bible was NOT invented by a man. It is God breathed. Religion on the other hand, is man made. Man just tries to find a way to get to Heaven himself. Man wants to olive the way he chooses, doesn't want anything in the way of his life style. And those that preach for profit and control are obviously false teachers which are also described in the Bible and we are warned to stay clear of them. And yes unless they change their ways they will be in Hell when their day comes.
I am not religious I am just a follower of Jesus Christ and trust in God's Word. You have a nice day .
 
It is not about control. Not at all , not in the least. It is about what Jesus Christ did on the Cross for sinful man.
 

All the books of the BIble were written by man... and man decided what books were to be included and omitted from the Bible.. It is a very nice guide for living using examples and parables.. .. but certainly not the "Word of God"... If anything, It's what man "imagined" the "Word of God" should be.

Organized religion started when Priests decided there was lots and lots of money to be made by preying on peoples' superstitions and fears. If you say.. "God wants this.. or God want's that, and if you don't do it you will go to eternal punishment... HOWEVER, we can help you for a small donation.. you can become enormously wealthy and live like kings.. Just look at the wealth organized religion has amassed... IN addition, If you can convince Goverments to let you keep that wealth TAX FREE.... you have conned everyone..
 
Like I said... It's all about control.. Don't let people know too much or have individual thoughts or questions.. Keep them scared and submissive and you can pick their pockets.

I've certainly seen some of that but it is not my experience where I worship.
I've served as an elder and as Treasurer and I can assure you that there is precious little money in the bank and even less control over the worshippers.

QS, has this been your personal experience or is it just an impression from the outside ?
 
Constantine the Great was instrumental in organizing Christianity, and used Christianity as a weapon of conquest and power for world domination.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great_and_ChristianitySome written works were not included in the "official" Bible, an interesting read here: http://notinthebible.com/

To me, the important thing is Christ's actual words, and not the "eye-for-an-eye" passages from the old testament that modern day in_name_only Christians like to reference. Certain groups of Christians LIKE the idea of saying that they love Jesus, but it is evident by their political views that the DON'T "LIKE" what Jesus stands for..the principles for which he died on the cross.
 
All the books of the BIble were written by man... and man decided what books were to be included and omitted from the Bible.. It is a very nice guide for living using examples and parables.. .. but certainly not the "Word of God"... If anything, It's what man "imagined" the "Word of God" should be.

Organized religion started when Priests decided there was lots and lots of money to be made by preying on peoples' superstitions and fears. If you say.. "God wants this.. or God want's that, and if you don't do it you will go to eternal punishment... HOWEVER, we can help you for a small donation.. you can become enormously wealthy and live like kings.. Just look at the wealth organized religion has amassed... IN addition, If you can convince Goverments to let you keep that wealth TAX FREE.... you have conned everyone..

No That is wrong .. Those men that were chosen by God were inspired by the Holy Spirit God brought the Word to them to write. Anything other than what God spoke to them by anyone else teaching what you believe is all about money is False. Jesus went into the Temple and over turned all the money changers and the selling of offerings to gain money , cheat the people. He said , "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of thieves" Matt 21:12.
He has much to teach about money. And it is not for gain . So lets just agree to disagree.
 
[Christians think: 1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV - For now we see through a glass ...For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.]




That means, you'll figure it out or understand completely when you get there.

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And Dame Warrigal, I think you give short shrift to the thoughts of children when you say: 'IMO, speculation about Heaven and Hell is childish thinking and needs to be put to one side. Our thoughts and energy need to be devoted to building lives that have love as the foundation. Love is stronger than faith and hope put together.'


and I only say this because, Matthew 21:16: '
New International Version
"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise'?"

Somebody cared about what the children (think) and say. In fact didn't he also say (Matthew 18:3) that we should 'change and become as little children so that we can enter the kingdom of heaven'?

So continue to think childishly folks about the heaven and hell folks because after all, children don't put limitations on their thoughts. To them everything is possible! At least until they grow up and we've taught them 'colour inside the lines'. Besides children with their childish thoughts usually 'love' without bias until we adults teach them otherwise.


Beautifully said Debby. I love the way you interpret.
 
Good questions that are not easily answered.

First question - who determined the biblical canon that we know as the Old and New Testaments?
As they say on Facebook, it's complicated.
Read away.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_canon

As for the assertion that the Bible is the Word of God, that is a much more recent event. Christians generally believe that all scripture is inspired by God but not all believe that it is the word of God. The claim that everything we read in the bible is the "inerrant, infallible word of God" became much more popular when Darwin's Origin of Species was published. It was a reaction to the intellectual challenge the theory of evolution made to some bible stories.

In our church when the bible reading is finished we do not say "This is the Word of the Lord". We say "We remember these stories of our faith". I can assure you that we are all followers of Christ, and therefore entitled to call ourselves Christians.

Very Very well said Dame Warrigal.
 
Well said lovemylittletommyboy. I would just like to say that I really enjoyed the discussion by all participants. Not that my word means anything but I read the complete thread and will reread it later.. Really really enjoyed it.
 
:( Sunny. That is sad. But most will find it amusing I suppose. have a wonderful evening.:)

I agree lovemylittleboy it is nothing to joke about or make fun of like some have done. It is disrespectful and nothing to do with what the USA was founded on.
 
I agree lovemylittleboy it is nothing to joke about or make fun of like some have done. It is disrespectful and nothing to do with what the USA was founded on.

Thank you rickary One day everyone will see Him either for judgment or reward. Whether they believe it or not. It will come to pass
 
Well... No matter what happens.... SOME people are either going to be really suprised... or perhaps really disappointed..

I am sure they will greatly surprised at the fact they made the wrong choices and greatly disappointed that they can't change their minds. The ship will have sailed already. "It a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God. "
 
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I'm interested in the concept of having been visited by extremely intelligent beings from outside our solar system. There are volumes of information to support this idea. One thought is that a planet orbiting our sun only once in thousands of years is the source. A few arrogant astronomers think they know a lot about the universe but they are fooling themselves.
 
I am sure they will greatly surprised at the fact they made the wrong choices and greatly disappointed that they can't change their minds. The ship will have sailed already. "It a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of an (our) angry God."

I cannot agree with that if our lord told us to be as children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, I do not see him as an angry God.
 
I'm interested in the concept of having been visited by extremely intelligent beings from outside our solar system. There are volumes of information to support this idea. One thought is that a planet orbiting our sun only once in thousands of years is the source. A few arrogant astronomers think they know a lot about the universe but they are fooling themselves.

I agree John C. I think man knows nothing of our universe, but I do think that our instructions to live on this planet comes from what we call God. I do believe Jesus Christ was the only Human that lived the way God subscribed. God Jesus loves humanity can I. I can love humanity Jesus God
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Post originally posted by QuickSilver:5

Originally Posted by lovemylittleboy
Christians believe wholly on the written word of God Period. The Bible is not stories....it is the life of Christ. The OT points to the NT. And Jesus Christ. The book of Proverbs is an instruction book on how to live life in accordance with God and His Word. Nothing false or phony about it. The John MacArthur Study Bible is the Best Bible to start with if anyone wants to really know about the Lord and Life.


"Nothing lasts expect the Grace of God by which I stand in Jesus" Written and sung by Steve Green

May I ask WHO determined which books were to be included in the Bible.. ans WHO decided it was the Word of God?

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I Think early church councils met and determined which writings would be included in the bible, sometime around 325 AD and in the fourth and fifth centuries, these council had names, Canacaea or something like that, the council of Trent and another in the fifth century. It's been so long since I've looked at it that I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. The Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Calvinists were involved at some point. But it was Church Councils that got together and made the decision what would be included in the Bible.
 
Calvinists? Is that why we have the Apocrypha?
We have an old family bible that contains the apocryphal books.

A couple of good stories in those books e.g. Daniel and the serpent, but I believe they were left out because they really had nothing to add that was very valuable.
 

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