Results 201 - 220 of 281
|
||||||
Results from: Notes Author: Parable Ordered by Date |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
201 | question to smoke pot or not | Gen 1:12 | Parable | 54774 | ||
The following statement is irrefutable: "All known addicts tried their drug once." This does not imply that every person who tries or casually uses a drug will become addicted, but it is well established that the risk of addiction associated with illict drugs is great and the cost of addiction are high. The Lord instructs us to pray "lead us not into temptation". Risking addiction by the use of a powerful drug is to enter into temptation. Addiction is bondage or servitude to a substance and is to me a form of idolatry. As Christians, we are to serve only God. Addicts serve their addictions. The only true cure for addiction is surrender to God, dying to the addiction and rebirth as a non-user. If the next question is, "what if a person is not an addict?", it's probably just a matter of time until the meaning of "addict" becomes clear. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. |
||||||
202 | What is the most used word in the Bible? | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 52562 | ||
statistical satisfaction? | ||||||
203 | The Bible and Science, #3 | Ps 102:26 | Parable | 52245 | ||
I'm not sure what you mean by anti-chance, but I agree with you that the 2nd law seems contrary to the chance assembly of life-sustaining complexity. Contrary to popular belief, the 2nd law is a mathematical summary of practical experience rather than an exact conclusion derived from first principles. In this sense it is quite different from the 1st Law, which states that the energy of an isolated system is constant. Also, the second law assumes a closed system, so it does not hold for open systems, i.e. those in communication with external energy sources. The way scientists get around this problem for cosmology is they redefine their new system to include whatever energy source was outside of the original system. If taken to the infinite limit, this means the 2nd law holds for the universe as an unbounded but closed system. To me, this is a paradoxical situation. Materialisms suggests that life could form spontaneously if the decrease in the local entropy, represented by the formation of a complex organism, was countered by an increase in the entropy of the overall system, represented by increased disorder someplace else. Chaos theory models how this could happen, i.e. order can arise from disorder so that energy can be dissipated efficiently. An example is the complex structure of a lightening bolt that discharges lots of energy quickly. Yet, how this redistribution of entropy works for life-forms is not clear, but in principle, its supposed to be the explanation. That's all well and fine if you accept the idea the universe is closed. As someone who knows that God is with us, I do not believe this. God is the ultimate energy source. Furthermore, His Creation is the basis for our understanding of thermodynamics, not vice-versa. This is similar to the idea that many people err when they interpret Scripture in the light of their experiences, rather then interpreting their experinces in the light of scripture. Parable |
||||||
204 | Yes, but are we to judge others in this? | NT general Archive 1 | Parable | 51996 | ||
Searcher, I was agreeing with you. I should have indicated that my exposition was directed at the practice of excluding others, rather than ourselves. Sorry for not clarifying my intent. Parable |
||||||
205 | The Bible and Science, #3 | Ps 102:26 | Parable | 51765 | ||
One way to exress the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics is: "The entropy of an isolated system increases during any natural process." Entropy is understood in two ways: 1. In terms of energy, it is the amount of energy used to move energy from one place to another, i.e. the cost of doing business when moving energy around, like the fee you pay to a stockbroker to buy/sell stocks for you. 2. In terms of the randomness of a system, the natural progression is to go from order to chaos, i.e. from low entropy to high entropy. I think both meanings witness to spiritual issues. Clearly, by His death on the cross, Jesus paid for our sins, i.e. He paid the fee for us to move from spiritual death to eternal life. As for the other meaning, that all things decay, consider Psalm 102:25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26a They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. and Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Parable |
||||||
206 | when is literal interpretation wrong? | Job 12:7 | Parable | 51561 | ||
Hank, You are anything but common or run-of-the-mill! I have always found your comments to be insightful, helpful, respectful toward others and sometimes funny. Dr. Doolittle, indeed! Parable |
||||||
207 | what understanding DO animals have? | Job 12:7 | Parable | 51549 | ||
Interesting answer. My take on Job is that the animals don't need to read his words because he's saying they already understand the truth. It is we who need to read his prophecy and if we don't believe, he exhorts us to ask the animals. By the way, unlike many who ask about animals, I'm worried about their eternal fate. I know God is just and loving and as far as I know, animals don't sin, so I trust Him to do with them as he pleases and they will be fine. Regarding 1 Cor 9:9, it is clear this is an analogy for people and oxen are merely the device. Yet, to me, this seems quite different from what Job is saying about the animals per se rather than what people do to them. Parable |
||||||
208 | Greetings - (Jesus is Lord?)- instead of | John 4:38 | Parable | 51372 | ||
"Finding Common Ground" is by Tim Downs. | ||||||
209 | The Bible and Science, #2 | Job 26:7 | Parable | 51371 | ||
The Book of Job is thought to be the oldest book of the Bible, written perhaps 4000 years ago. Yet, in 26:7, it is clear that the author understood that the earth is floating in space. Other cultures at that time or since then thought the world was riding on the back of a giant cosmic turtle or otherwise supported by something solid underneath the entire world, e.g. Atlas. Parable |
||||||
210 | when do I spake in tounges | Acts | Parable | 49118 | ||
I agree we need the Word and the Spirit to teach us about our new life in Him. However, regarding the idea that we receive "all that the Spirit of God has", how do you then interpret Rom 12:6 "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly..."? Parable |
||||||
211 | when do I spake in tounges | Acts | Parable | 49106 | ||
In Mt 12:39, Jesus was rebuking the people for asking for proof on demand, which is contrary to faith. The only sign to be given was Jonah in the whale, which of course is a foreshadow of Christ in the tomb. This sign is fundamentally different from that requested of Him in that it demonstrated God's triumph over death, not Jesus ability to do wonderous deeds, which are subject to counterfeiting. Resurrection is totally in God's domain. James also speaks to this unbelief and the possible selfish perversion of God's blessings. "You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." -- James 4:2-3 Finally, the acts you list are miracles, so by definition, I don't expect to see them very often. They are special, delivered to glorify God in a unique way. Miracles are different from the spiritual gifts that are bestowed upon believers for the daily, routine work to be done in the Lord's service. Such gifts are the fruit of faith, not the reason for it and are given that we can do the unique work God calls us to do. Finally, in regard to the gifts, Paul says "For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function..."-- Rom 12:4 and "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly..." -- Rom 12:6 Parable |
||||||
212 | when do I spake in tounges | Acts | Parable | 49101 | ||
Not Paul, but rather Peter, John and/or Philip. 8:14 As I understand you, your point is that there is precedent for the idea that water baptism does not command, direct or trigger the Holy Spirit to enter a believer. I can accept this because I accept that there is nothing we can do to influence God to do anything. Everything He does related to us is grace and mercy. If I may attempt to exposit from this, a possible explanation for why the Holy Spirit did not enter the new believers upon baptism in this case is that He wished to confirm the authority of the Apostles by entering upon the laying on of hands. The point then is the indwelling of the Spirit as an act of grace, with baptism as personal act of faith demonstrating a willingness to receive Him and laying on of hands as an act of intercession on behalf of others and perhaps as a sign for us to be under the authority of church leaders. Regarding Acts 10:43-47, to give evidence that the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, 10:46 says "For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God..." While it is possible that all were speaking in tongues and all were exalting God, it also can easily mean that SOME were doing each of these things. Hence, it does not follow that this verse implies a necessary cause-effect relationship between the outpouring of the Spirit and the gift of tongues for all. Perhaps this is similar to the situation with baptism and entry by the Holy Spirit, i.e. the Holy Spirit will impart tongues as He sees fit, not as a necessarily consequence of His presence. Parable |
||||||
213 | what does baptism mean in each verse? | Acts | Parable | 49098 | ||
Jesus-is-God, I agree with what you have said, and yes, I agreee Jesus is the Son being referred to. My question for Grace-and-Truth is why G-a-T feels there is a difference between what happened in Acts and what happens today. Parable |
||||||
214 | when do I spake in tounges | Acts | Parable | 49097 | ||
If no gifts are bestowed on us today, how is it that the Holy Spirit works through us? That is, without spiritual gifts, of what utility are we in the service of the Lord? Parable |
||||||
215 | inmyheart, could Paul be sarcastic? | Acts | Parable | 49096 | ||
Yes, Paul is clear about the spiritual significance of tongues, i.e. tongues are a spiritual gift, and as such, he would that all recieve it, yet also that they would understand and exercise it judiciously, according to the functions and purposes he describes. He is especially concerned that tongues not be a stumbling block to faith for unbelievers or an end in itself for believers. I submit that even though Paul says tongues are the least of the spiritual gifts, his wish that all might receive it need not be sarcasm. Indeed, sarcasm would not be consistent with his own speaking in tongues "more than you all" 1Cor14:18 (unless he is being sarcastic here as well) and the fact speaking in tongues here implies being in the Spirit; Paul wishes for everyone to be in the Spirit. Parable |
||||||
216 | Who was at the Last Supper? | Mark 14:16 | Parable | 49025 | ||
Be sure to let us know when you have finished the book. Perhaps some of us would be willing to review it for you. | ||||||
217 | Who was at the Last Supper? | Mark 14:16 | Parable | 48955 | ||
1 Cor 4:6 exhorts us not to become followers of disciples or apostles by remaining true to Christ alone. I believe Paul's instruction here applies to teachings that distract from the centrality of Christ and lead to divisions in the church. So long as the novel does not diminish the primacy of Jesus or undermine the authority of the Word, and the story is understood to be an exposition of faith as told from the perspective of one close to Him, I suspect Paul might even endorse the effort as a way to deliver the gospel to those otherwise hard to reach. "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." -- 1 Cor 9:22 |
||||||
218 | I'm writing a book, need to know | Mark 14:16 | Parable | 48952 | ||
If you are writing a novelization, I suggest you review two others that I consider significant contributions. The first is an example of what not to do, while the second brings the story to life through descriptive detail and cultural insight. This one is not faithful to the scriptures: "The Gospel According to the Son" by Norman Mailer. In the introduction, Mailer slanders the authority of Scripture by having Jesus say that the gospels contain things He never said or do things He never did, and excuses this by saying the authors hearts' were in the right place. The other, which I consider to be faithful to what we believe, is "The Master: A Life of Jesus", by John Charles Pollock. The writing is smooth and easy to read, the settings are rich with impact and the narrative expands upon what is in the Bible in a way that does not offend. Parable |
||||||
219 | should a christian go into night club | 2 Cor 6:17 | Parable | 48941 | ||
I believe the answer to this question depends on the maturity of the Christian. New Christians have great enthusiasm to prosyletize, but often underestimate what they are up against. As a result, they sometimes rush in, thinking THEY will save the lost, when they should instead be mindful that it is the Holy Spirit who will do this miracle in them in His own time in His own way. The mature Christian, on the other hand, will follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, facilitating opportunities for Him to work through the interaction/relationship between the Christian and the other person. I'm not saying it is not possible to minister to people in a night club, in fact, I know a couple of pastors who have done this effectively. However, they worked together as a team, fully dressed in the armor of God, wary of the subtle ways the enemy works through the night club environment and able to discern who was open to the Spirit. I hope this helps. Parable |
||||||
220 | should a christian go into night club | 2 Cor 6:17 | Parable | 48891 | ||
This question goes deeper than nightclubs. For a biblically-based hands-on approach to living in the world, but not being of the world, in order to sow the gospel everywhere, I suggest: "Finding Common Ground: How to communicate with those outside the Christian community, while we still can." by Tim Downs |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ] Next > Last [15] >> |