Results 41 - 60 of 77
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: alienresident Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 132180 | ||
Tim: I've made the case for Christian neutrality with Scripture. You said: "By the way, Rom. 13:1 literally says, '...for there is no authority except from God'. So, this verse certainly doesn't say that God only allows rullers to rule. He is the source of their authority." If this is the case, I don't see how your voting or my not will matter anyway. It only matters if I'm correct that elections are a worldly matter and a result of man exercising his freewill. If we can't agree on that, there's really no way all the Scriptures in the world will persuade you. I'm still scratching my head - voting for a person whom God selects? Don't quite see the need or benefit. Does God also dictate the subsequent actions of those he "elects?" Wouldn't he then bear all responsibility? What if we tried to remove or replace someone God has appointed? Aren't we then fighting against God? Please, speak to me as to a child. |
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42 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 132163 | ||
It may seem preferable to have a command for every decision we face as Christians, but principles guided by accurate knowledge of God's will and purpose are clearly superior. "For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." (Rom 15:4) The history of God's dealings with Israel and the example of Jesus and the early Christians speak volumes to the 21st century Christian. Of course, our own imperfection and Satan's deception, including false religion, may attempt to veil our vision. John 18:36-38 states: "Jesus answered: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” Therefore Pilate said to him: “Well, then, are you a king?” Jesus answered: “You yourself are saying that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him: “What is truth?” I'm sure not going to "fight" to elect any human rulers if the disciples never fought to elect Jesus. Satan offered all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus. Do you think he still has such control? Christians cannot be ignorant of how the Deceiver causes people to constitute themselves enemies of God. We must be careful that our affiliation with one of Satan's kingdoms doesn't approach worship by our excessive allegiance. The political process begins with voting, which doesn't seem excessive, but it will ultimately sidetrack our seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness. 1 Cor 5:12,13 states: "For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do you not judge those inside, while God judges those outside?" Let God judge the sins of unbelievers. We need to only concern ourselves with our own conduct and others that make up the Christian congregation. I just heard a minister say today on the radio that "abortion will only end when God intervenes." Do you agree? When will he intervene? I say at Armageddon, when the time for people to seek God and exercise their freewill to obey God comes to an end. God has allowed humans to practice lawlessness, not to see if we can stop it, but to prove that individuals will choose to serve him despite overwhelming pressures. Israel never elected their kings, although one of David's sons (Absalom) tried a little politicing to usurp his father. (2 Sam 15:5,6) Romans 13:1 says "there is no authority except by God." I don't believe this means He specificallly appoints rulers, but rather, He allows them to rule. However, I do believe that if God needs a change in order to accomplish his will, neither my vote, non-vote nor anyone else's will be able to stop Him. My vote would have cancelled your's anyway, so don't worry about my not voting. As history attests, you'll have enough frustration dealing with all the broken election promises. |
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43 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 132087 | ||
See my last response. | ||||||
44 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 132086 | ||
"Jesus said he did not come to take us out of this world but to make us salt and light to this world." Jesus next statement is "they are no part of the world, just as I am." What does this mean? Can we look to the nation with the largest weapons arsenal or the greatest wealth and personal freedoms for salvation, or is that spiritual adultery? It was for Israel. Why not for the Christian? If I filled out the write-in line on a ballot, it would read "Come Lord Jesus." Now tell me what difference that would make. Will he come any faster? Will I affect the outcome of the election? My non-vote allows me to remain separate from the world, serving one Master, but does not impact my subjection to Caesar. All Christian requirements are met. |
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45 | Is the 7th "day" still going on? | Heb 4:6 | alienresident | 132085 | ||
I agree God rested, not completely, but from his creative works. I won't get into what works we are to rest from, but only say that works are required, just not the fleshly works we might choose, but rather, those that Christ commanded.(Acts 26:20; 2 Cor 7:11) We both agree that the fact of creation is clearly stated in the Bible. But is 144 hours of creation occurring some 6,000 years ago in harmony with scientific evidence found in astronomy, physics, chemistry, geology and biology? There's been some embarrassing moments in history when taking the Bible literally in the wrong places has stumbled many. Could this be another regrettable one? |
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46 | How is Adam's sin different? | Rom 5:14 | alienresident | 132077 | ||
I would go perhaps a little further, and add that Adam's sin was the most egregious ever committed in light of its horrendous consequences. As indicated, we inherited a condition that makes us prone to sin, as opposed to Adam's created condition - prone to avoid sin and perfectly capable of doing so. The second Adam was born in a like condition, free from sin and perfect like Adam. Could Jesus do what Adam failed to do, keep free from sin? Indeed! That he did, and under far more challenging circumstances. This leads to an interesting topic - the ransom. For what was a ransom required? What would prove a sufficient equivalent? Since Adam was perfect, born sinless, none of his offspring could now provide the ransom for the life he forfeited. (Psalm 49:7) 1 Cor 15: 21,22 states: "For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." God could have put Adam immediately to death and provided the ransom, the death of another perfect man, right then to fulfill his law of justice - eye for eye, tooth for tooth, (perfect) life for (perfect) life. Why then did he allow Adam to have go on living and produce offspring with his sinful wife? There must have been a purpose, some reason. This answers have profound meaning and impact on each of us. Jesus' life involves much more than our personal salvation, and so must our's. The sanctification of God's name was the first thing Jesus said to pray about. This explains why God has allowed the rebellious course of original father to continue for all these years. Even many of Adam's imperfect descendants have proved exemplary with God's spirit, proving Satan's challenge to Job false. We have the awesome privilege of helping to sanctify God's name and sovereignty. What greater meaning could our lives have! Knowing the truth about these matters also makes it understandable why only those exercising faith in the ransom will benefit by receiving the eternal life Adam was created to pass on to us. |
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47 | Is the 7th "day" still going on? | Heb 4:6 | alienresident | 132063 | ||
In the 1980's, an organized crusade attempted to downgrade the teaching of evolution in the public schools through laws requiring that creation be given equal time. In a legal skirmish, a federal judge decided that “creation science” as defined in an Arkansas law did not qualify on an equal basis with evolution. This setback was disappointing to many who hold that evolution does not satisfactorily explain life’s origin. What went wrong? From the testimony given in the trial, it is manifest that the scientific evidence for creation was not really presented in clear confrontation with evolution. Instead, it was lost to sight in clashes over side issues, particularly two tenets of creationism that had been written into the law: 1. That creation took place only a few thousand years ago. 2. That all geologic strata were formed by the Biblical Deluge. Neither of these dogmas is really crucial to the central question of whether living things were created or not. They are merely doctrines held by the members of a few churches, notably the Seventh-Day Adventists, who form the core of the group that sponsored the law. When these sectarian beliefs were written into the law as something that must be taught in public schools, that law was foredoomed to be declared unconstitutional. But does the legal defeat of scientific creationism, as this movement is known, reflect unfavorably on the Bible? Are the doctrines of recent creation and a diluvial origin of geologic strata found in God’s Word? An informed Bible student would answer, No. While the Bible clearly states that the heavens and the earth and everything in them were created by God, it does not say when those things were created. Most of the defense witnesses were shackled by the religious dogma that the six creative days in Genesis were all encompassed in a period of 144 hours. This harks back to an erroneous fundamentalist teaching that was not challenged by the science of the 17th century, but that is no longer tenable in the light of present knowledge. The Bible itself does not set any such time limit on the days of creation. The first verse of Genesis simply says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” If we take this to mean the creation of the starry heavens, the galaxies, and the solar system of which the earth is a part, we are talking about events that preceded the first creative day. The description of the earth’s condition in verse 2 also precedes the first day. Not until verses 3 to 5 do we enter upon the activity of the first day of creation. So no matter how long the days might prove to be, verses 1 and 2 describe things already accomplished, and they fall outside any time frame encompassing the creative days. If geologists want to say that the earth is 4 billion years old, or astronomers want to make the universe 20 billion years old, the Bible student has no quarrel with them. The Bible simply does not indicate the time of those events. The next point to note is that the word “day” is used in many different senses in the Bible. It does not always mean a 24-hour period. Sometimes it means only the hours of sunlight, that is, 12, more or less. Sometimes it stands for a year. Sometimes it means the years during a certain generation. In several references a day is 1,000 years, and in some even longer. No doubt the days in Genesis chapter 1 were very much longer. But the Bible does not there say how long they were. So all the argument in the Little Rock trial about the recency of creation and the attention it received in the news media were entirely extraneous to the question of whether man was created or evolved. The time of creation is not the same as the fact of creation. The two should not have been confused. With the basic point established that the Bible text does not conflict with scientific theories about the age of the universe, we may also leave open the question of the age and origin of geologic strata. The Bible says nothing at all about the formation of sedimentary layers, whether at the time of the Flood or earlier. All the voluminous writings of creationists on this subject, which came under critical examination in the trial, have been motivated by the desire to reconcile the existence of the geologic column and its fossils, dinosaurs and all, with their claim for a 6- to 10-thousand-year age of the earth. If this claim is invalid, all the rest of the argument is beside the point. Even the true version of creation as supported by the Bible may not have convinced the courts to permit its teaching along side evolution in the public schools, but at least it would have had a better chance. |
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48 | Is the 7th "day" still going on? | Heb 4:6 | alienresident | 132057 | ||
Verses 6 and 7 read: "It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." This sounds to me like Paul is saying the 7th day of rest has not ended so that the invitation is open to individuals to enter into his rest if their hearts are not hardened. You've probably heard the arguments, both Scripturally and scientifically, for a "day" of significantly longer duration than 24 hours. I thought some might be unaware of this passage's implications. |
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49 | Is the 7th "day" still going on? | Heb 4:6 | alienresident | 132056 | ||
Verses 6 and 7 read: "It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." This sounds to me like Paul is saying the 7th day of rest has not ended so that the invitation is open to individuals to enter into his rest if their hearts are not hardened. You've probably heard the arguments, both Scripturally and scientifically, for a "day" of significantly longer duration than 24 hours. I thought some might be unaware of this passage's implications. |
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50 | Is the 7th "day" still going on? | Heb 4:6 | alienresident | 132040 | ||
Does Hebrews 4:4-10 help prove that the creative "days" were not literal 24 hour periods? | ||||||
51 | How is Adam's sin different? | Rom 5:14 | alienresident | 132038 | ||
What is unique about Adam's trangression that Paul indicates no one else has sinned like his offense? Also, what is the significance of Adam a type of the 'One to come,' Jesus? | ||||||
52 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 132036 | ||
You ask: "If every citizen of these United States followed your example by refusing to vote, what kind of government do you think this country would have?" As long as we're considering the hypothetical, what kind of world do you think we would have if everyone practiced this: "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord" (Rom 12:10-19) Makes even the best this imperfect world can offer sound depraved, doesn't it? The Bible predicts there will be plenty of unbelievers to elect government officials - many of them quite altuistic and intelligent, I might add. Would you agree that the job of government would be a lot simpler if the governed practiced Paul's counsel. Let's do that as we look to the real life, and leave the squabbling over earthly rulers to those that are eating and drinking, for tomorrow they die - in other words, without hope. Perhaps when they see our confidence and the failure of man's rule to provide real happiness, they will be moved to glorify God. |
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53 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 132035 | ||
Like Paul, my "vote" is for God's government. While I appreciate the opinions you are sharing, ultimately it is what God "thinks" and not what you think that concerns me. His son said that if we're faithful in the least things, we will be faithful in much. (Luke 16:10) I am hardly apathetic about my allegiance to God, nor by duty to respect the authorities he has allowed to exist. But I am constantly mindful to only give Caesar what is Caesar's. Misguided zeal is at best futile, but more often, pits individuals against God - like Saul. I know you would never intend to harm one of your Christian brothers, but under the cloak of nationalism, party loyalty, etc., this is usually the result. Will God view such actions as the unfortunate consequence of his requirements? Is there injustice with God? I don't have to tell you the answer. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone alive thought like Paul. Even though they don't now, one day that will be the case. Don't fear those who can kill the body, but be in fear of the One that can destroy body and soul forever. The resurrection was Paul's hope and sure anchor of his faith. For what should a Christians's be willing to give his life? To keep his integrity to God and prove Satan a liar, or to settle a human conflict? If we live, we live for God, and if we die, we die for God - we belong to God! Voting may be a right in the country, but where does it lead a Christian when he exercises it? Has it solved the problems that God promises He will solve? Or, has it lead to divisions among brothers? I would love for you to hear my voice on this topic and me to hear your's. This medium for discussion makes it difficult to learn of your audience's feelings. I'm far from apathetic when it comes to this or any Bible topic, and I'm not unsympathetic toward you or anyone that votes - it's understandable. |
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54 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 131974 | ||
You said: "Actually it did, they cast a silent vote against those that they opposed." I almost wrote the same thing! My non-vote is a vote of "no confidence." You also state: "And since God has placed us under this particular governmental style should we say this is wrong and therefore I refuse to take my rightful position in that Government?" Remember, what holds true now or in one country must hold true later and in any country. Christians have been faced with the death for failure to purchase a political card in some third world nations undergoing civil war. I assure you that neither party best represented Bible teachings and both had innocent blood all over themselves. It's easy to look at things from an American perspective and conclude that God must be using this government. I keep reminding myself that Satan is the ruler of this world. |
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55 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 131972 | ||
I'm not sure who coined this usage, but surely one can see the need to distinguish between authentic Christians and impostors. Of course, anyone that claims to represent Christ and ignores his teachings brings reproach on Christianity, but I am referring collectively to all organizations and their members that claim to be Christian, but betray such a claim by their doctrines and works. Naturally, Christendom will not use such a term to refer to itself, and in fact, I have never really read or heard such usage among those that I would categorize this way. (Each Christian must be able to differentiate the genuine from the immitation, the weeds from the wheat, so I hope no one asks me to be more specific.) Yes, Christendom does meet the definition of an antichrist. And its origins are similar: Acts 20:30: “From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” 2 Pet. 2:1, 3: “There will also be false teachers among you. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them . . . Also, with covetousness they will exploit you with counterfeit words.” Hope this clarifies my position. |
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56 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 131962 | ||
"Wait one minute there is a great distance between exercising liberty by casting a vote and campaigning either positively or negatively for a person. In one your fulfilling your obligation as a citizen the other you getting actively involved in the campaign process which may or may not be edifying for a Christian." So you feel that voting is alright, but campaigning is not. Do you feel that running for office to effect political change is acceptable? Paul's use of the "political process" (namely judicail system) to carry his message is certainly noteworthy, but I fail to see the connection to our discussion. This is merely one aspect of the benefits of government - less anarchy! Christians today have frequently used the judicial process to further the good news, but did not prevail in every instance. Did they stop evangelizing? Methods may have been modified in order to prove "cautious as a serpent, yet innocent as doves," but obedience to God's command to preach was heeded. Like, Jesus' cousin John, Christians do not hold back from exposing sin, even when it involves high officials. They spoke out against Hitler as well as other countries' leaders in spite of the harsh consequences. None of this required voting. Rather their neutral stance gave them freedom of speech. |
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57 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 131960 | ||
How did Christianity go from being such an unpopular sect in the first century to such a mainstream collection of sects in the 21st century? Could it be that changes to fundamental teachings have occurred under the weight of criticism and persecution by the majority? The heads were stuck long ago so that all those that follow in the steps of these blind guides do not see the folly in pledging allegiance to nations that God will soon destroy. Will any nation remain after Armaggedon? Where will God draw the line in judging the nations - with the rulers only or will he hold those that supported them in ungodly acts accountable as well? Cannot a Christian simply obey whomever is in authority as elected by the people that do not know God, as long as not asked to disobey God? As long as he has his head and heart grounded in God's word, will he not avoid being part of the world while showing proper respect for authority? Even if true, the slanderous statements made by professed Christians against some elected officials is wrong according to Paul. Some of these are even known to be their "Christian brothers." Unlike Christianity, it just gets so ugly! |
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58 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 131957 | ||
What people want and need is not the right to vote, but true peace, security and happiness. Wheter we vote or not, whether the opportunity to vote is taken away or not, God's Kingdom will come and do what man has failed miserably to accomplish. I agree with your quote - "pastors" are a poor excuse for Christians. They promote trust in men rather than God and encourage sects and divisions among the flock. Shame on such impostors! Faith is not a possession of all persons. |
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59 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 131956 | ||
If this topic is uninteresting or upsetting to anyone, I suggest they look the other way. Unless you speak for "the rest of us" however, I'll continue to post for any that are interested. SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER: Psalm 146:3 "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save." John 17:16: “They are no part of the world, just as I [Jesus] am no part of the world.” John 6:15: “Jesus, knowing they [the Jews] were about to come and seize him to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain all alone.” Later, he told the Roman governor: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.”—John 18:36. Jas. 4:4: “Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” Why is the matter so serious? Because, as 1 John 5:19 says, “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” At John 14:30, Jesus referred to Satan as being “the ruler of the world.” So, no matter what worldly faction a person might support, under whose control would he really come? Regarding political involvement, what do secular historians report as being the attitude of those known as early Christians? “Early Christianity was little understood and was regarded with little favor by those who ruled the pagan world. . . . Christians refused to share certain duties of Roman citizens. . . . They would not hold political office.”—On the Road to Civilization, A World History (Philadelphia, 1937), A. Heckel and J. Sigman, pp. 237, 238. “The Christians stood aloof and distinct from the state, as a priestly and spiritual race, and Christianity seemed able to influence civil life only in that manner which, it must be confessed, is the purest, by practically endeavouring to instil more and more of holy feeling into the citizens of the state.”—The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries (New York, 1848), Augustus Neander, translated from German by H. J. Rose, p. 168. |
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60 | Denounce militant Islam? | Matt 5:44 | alienresident | 131954 | ||
Simply put: All that glitters is not gold. Likewise, all that profess to be Christians are not. Jesus said by their fruits they would be recognized. All such counterfeit Christians are comprise Christendom. | ||||||
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