Results 1141 - 1160 of 1239
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: jlhetrick Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1141 | how can suicide be the same | Eph 5:29 | jlhetrick | 155804 | ||
Hi Mark, I appreciate your described way of thinking but caution that this approach can sometimes be faulty. "Acting" based on ones "state of mind" can have disastrous consequences and even be dangerous (as I have attempted to demonstrate in previous posts here). And thanks for explaining how you see the bible with a "black and white kind of mind set". I don't criticize this statement because I think I know where you are coming from. That is, trying to demonstrate that you believe in the inerrancy of scripture. This I applaud and assure you that we hold this in common. But God expects us to do more than read His word. We are to read it and understand it in the context of all that has been given therin. Black and white thinking isn't sufficient in the study and discernment of God's word to us. A deeper, thoughtful approach is necessary. (please see 2 Tim. 2:15) I accept your appology in not meaning to bring offense by your pointed question, but then you offend me in the next paragraph. Again, I feel you twist my statments and meaning in order to, well, accuse me of blasphemy. You write: "you had already made clear that you did not accept that verse as having the plain, face meaning of the scripture" I shall expect an apology for this statment. Sir, I ask you to assign "plain, face meaning of scripture" by heading 2 Tim. 2:15 and reevaluate the verse in context of the passage and the rest of scripture. And as to why you asked the question in the first place, I believe that I did and do understand that. If you carefully read Doc's post to your original question and them carefully read mine, I think you might discover that I was actually giving opinion and belief that supported your original thoughts on this while throwing caution to some of what Doc had written, that is; that "suicide is ultimately rooted in self-love" which contradicted your premise articulated in your question. Finally, in having the bible allow for the verse in question being a generalization, I believe that the vers in Job very directly opposes the black and white thinking that absolutely no human being can or will "hate his body" or himself. In fact, you articulated in your original post that you yourself do not even believe this. One final attempt to make my point here. Let me try to give a short example from scripture of how a seemingly definative statement might actually represent a generalization. 1 Cor 7:29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none NIV Mark, I am a married man. Shall I get up from my computer tonight, go to bed, rise in the morning, and live the rest of my life as a single man? Would that be taking the scriptures at "plain, face value"? Sincerely, Jeff |
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1142 | how can suicide be the same | Eph 5:29 | jlhetrick | 155785 | ||
Hi Mark, No, I don't agree with this argument. This is the argument that Doc offered you. Again, this is the "all or nothing thinking" that requires us to have definitive Yes or no answers to questions that are more complex than yes or no. While there is no such thing as "relativness" regarding truth, there is relativneness regarding circumstances. You may hate your neighbor and want to see him "suffer" and be all sorts of miserable. Therefore, you would want to suffer if you hate yourself? Not a logical argument in my opinion. There is a significant difference between what I might think and feel about myself and what I might want to experience as a result of that thinking. For example. I have learned that I was a sinner deserving judgment and eternal separation from God. I am saved now though I continue to sin from time to time. I know this and I absolutely hate this about myself. but I do not want to punish myself with what I deserve in order to enhance my hatred toward my sin. With that said, let me add. There are people that I work with that do very intentionally cause harm and suffering to themselves and in some cases it is the result of being dissapointed with themselves to the point of believing they need to be punished. Sometimes it is more of an impulsive act done while agitated. These people are very very different from the suicidal patient. finally, you wrote: "If not for self-love, why do I seek better for myself?" As I have said, this is the "all or nothing" way of considering the question. For the unsaved it is most often (in my opinion) the love for self that motivates bettering oneself. To answer your question specifically, that is regarding you yourself, I would hope that the answer is your love for God and not self. Jeff |
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1143 | how can suicide be the same | Eph 5:29 | jlhetrick | 155784 | ||
I think you play on words here which is something I attempted to satisfy with my response. I'll repeat myself. I think/believe that the statement made in the verse "no one ever hated their own body" was a generalization that has nothing at all to do with your presentation here. It was a statement meant to represent the rational or "typical" thinking and behavior regarding the attentiveness shown toward oneself which should be in turn shown toward the wife (which is the point of the passage). The point of the passage is in no way to present an argument that definitively states that the human being is not and will not be capable of hating (or not loving) himself or his body. I believe the verse I quoted from Job demonstrates this truth. you wrote: "Do you think there is a distinction between "loving my life", "loving my self", and "loving my body"? I ask, if you love yourself do you hate your body? If you hate your body do you love yourself? If you hate your body and yourself do you love your life? It is perhapse this type of "reading into" the verse that caused the confusion and original question in the first place. From your question it appeared that you were sincerely seeking an answer to a lagitimate question but then you appear to be rejecting the feedback offered by those who have responded. Leaves me confused about your motives. Finally, you wrote: "When the Bible says "No one ever hated their own body," are you saying that it doesn't really mean that?" Please don't attempt to draw me into that familiar, weak, philosophical argument meant to accuse blasphemy. Questions such as these are only appropriate when the questioned did not offer appropriate explanation for his comment which I have done twice now. Jeff |
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1144 | how can suicide be the same | Eph 5:29 | jlhetrick | 155776 | ||
Hello Bows44, Let me jump in and attempt to give additional insight. I was interested in reading the exchange between you and Doc as you each seem to have an understanding of this issue from different ends of the spectrum. My views are my "personal" understanding of this issue as both a christian and a liscensed professional practicing in the "realm" of mental health. Eph. 5:29 can not possibly be anything other than a generalization (foucsing on the norm) used to make the point of the passage which is that a man is called to love his wife in the way a "normal" or "typical" man would love himself in that he tends to all of his personal needs be they emotinal or physical. Remember context. Job 9:21 says "Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life." (KJV) Job, while not saying that he in fact did despise his life, certainly had the understanding that it is possible that one might despise his life. Jude 1:8 says "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities." (KJV) Now the obvious rebuttle to my argument here will include that the "defiling" of the flesh in this verse actually speaks to the sinful behavior resulting from the sinful loving of the flesh. This argument is missing the point so I "point" it out here. The real focus of the verse in this arguement is "despise dominion". Here, in my opinion, is where the issue of loving verses hating oneself (or despising oneself) might involve the issue of suicide. Before christ, dominion rests in the flesh. To the unsaved person he/she is lord of their own life and choses those things "fitting" as demanded by the flesh. Upon being saved, lordship (that is dominion/authority) is given over to God. The fight cointinues with the flesh however, and we might find ourselves "despising" the flesh. that is, we become unhappy and unsatisfied with our behavior when it is sinful and self-serving. We confess to the authority (God) in our lives and receive forgiveness and hope. But what about the unsaved. He/she too can become unhappy and unsatisfied with his behavior and more specifically the psychosocial stressors resulting. The problem is that he is his own authority and finds himself hopelessly incapable of managing the circumstances by his own devices. He doesn't know the Lord, he has no hope. If relief is not found, the sense of hopelessness can become overwhelming. Depression is a "real" thing. A person who truly feels no hope may see suicide as the "only" hope of escaping their persistant condition. This is the point that people might argue that they "love" themselves so much that they will kill themselves in order to escape the misery. This isn't good logic and certainly doesn't reflect what is really going on regarding the persons thought process and behavior. It is fair to say, (again in my opinion) that suicide is certainly a "selfish" act in that the person, even in their hopeless state, continues to look within themselves for the answer; thus they continue to refuse to acknowledge the God that created them and the only one that is able to save them. But, I would argue that this "selfishness" is a direct feflection of their lost and hopeless condition without the Lord rather than "self love". Hope this helps, Jeff |
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1145 | Freedom | 1 Cor 6:12 | jlhetrick | 155581 | ||
Freedom is in fact the "ability to do as we please", otherwise it would not be freedom. Heeding Gods call on our lives and acting in a Godly manner is a choice that we make and then live out through His help and power. 1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Another good question to ask is: What happens to freedom when it is practiced without acknowledging God and without responsibility? A great answer is a good look at today's united states in light of it's origin and history. We (the USA) have evolved from a people who's laws establish and protect freedom to a people who's notion of freedom, that is, the irresponsible declaration and practice of freedom establishes and sustains the law. Freedom comes from and by God. It is only through Him that we have any freedoms at all. Joh 19:10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Joh 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above:..." So when we take God out of the equation (so to speak) what is left is not freedom; it is rebellion and anarchy. Jeff |
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1146 | God dosn't love everybody???? | Rom 9:13 | jlhetrick | 155514 | ||
Absolutely | ||||||
1147 | God dosn't love everybody???? | Rom 9:13 | jlhetrick | 155513 | ||
Well said and thank you. And who better to rely on than God. Jeff |
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1148 | God dosn't love everybody???? | Rom 9:13 | jlhetrick | 155474 | ||
Hi Doc, Good point, the brother believed he was doing what he should be doing. I'll need this on Monday and throughout the work day particularly. Thanks, Jeff |
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1149 | God dosn't love everybody???? | Rom 9:13 | jlhetrick | 155469 | ||
Hi Doc, Yes, the Lord Himself. And realized through the living out of those works He calls us to. My comment had come from a conversation I had recently had with my brother (biological). We were talking about how we discover God's will in both major life-changing decisions as well as everyday events. Of course the bible is the first and best answer. Our course must be in keeping with obediece to the truth found in scripture. We include prayer and meditation which is essential. We never rely on our thoughts or feelings (desires) but we consider them in light of what we gain through the reading of the bible and prayer and meditation. Finally we have the responsibility of action, which should always be in faith and sometimes faith is the only thing obvious. So then, the desires of our hearts are certainly not always from God, but those that are can be discerned as such and then faithfully acted on. my thoughts provoked, Jeff |
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1150 | God dosn't love everybody???? | Rom 9:13 | jlhetrick | 155448 | ||
C.S.M. Yes, and each of us approach our calling and service as THE minsitry. Sunday night, after presenting a lesson on salvation an elderly woman approached me at the back of the church. She told me, with tears in her eyes, that the teaching that night had given her answers that she had been seeking for years and particularly since the death of her husband. She told me that the teaching (presented mostly from Romans chapter 5) put things into perspective for her and that she no longer doubted her salvation. Sure made me feel like teaching the adult population was THE ministry. That's why God has created us so differently in regards to our personalities, gifts, skills, and abilities. There is so much work to do. It's true that we may choose to do this or that, but when we are called by God into ANY ministry, it is because, as you know, God chooses you for it. It is this realization that some time ago I gained a new perspective and/or understanding of a certain verse. Ps 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. KJV I had always heard this taught to mean that when one delights in the Lord, He will give you what you want or have desire for. I do believe that this is what the verse is saying. But I believe it is saying something else as well. If you delight in the Lord, the desires that you have in your heart will be there in the first place because HE HAS GIVEN them to you. So, in truth, the guy volunteering at the soup kitchen, or the one mowing the elderly widows lawn, or the one handing out bulletins on Sunday morning has THE most important ministry. It is his/her ministry for the Lord that he/she has been called at that time to do. Again, may God bless your ministry, Jeff |
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1151 | Mat. 24:36 | Bible general Archive 2 | jlhetrick | 155446 | ||
Doc, Thanks for the well researched and presented explanation here and for responding to my questions. Most of what you have stated here I am familiar with (and agree with as well) though I would have had to do some research to list the creeds and statements as linked to their respective denominations. As I am sure you knew all along I was intentionally playing on words because I felt that the dialogue in answer and question form would be beneficial for any who might be interested in the topic. In addition, I very likely would not have been able to articulate it as clearly and well as you did. Once again, thanks, Jeff |
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1152 | God dosn't love everybody???? | Rom 9:13 | jlhetrick | 155445 | ||
Hello again C.S.M. I see your point. God bless you for what you do for the children. It's great that there are those who have been blessed with the ministry of teaching and shepherding children. It is arguably among the most important ministry callings in the church. Good luck and God bless you for your work. Jeff |
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1153 | God dosn't love everybody???? | Rom 9:13 | jlhetrick | 155418 | ||
Hi C.S.M., Great answer and well laid out with scripture reference and easy to understand. Thanks. Observation and remark: You wrote- This is what theologians call "being born again", I call it a.s.k. and you shall receive...John 14:13-14, John 3:16-17. Just wanted to point out that in addition to and prior to the theologians, Jesus used the language "born again". (John 3:3, John 3:7). "asking and receiving" might refer to anything. "Born Again" is scripturally based terminology familiar to most Christians and non-christians alike and therefore, in my opinion, appropriate for use in answering this question. Thanks for including it in your answer. Jeff |
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1154 | Mat. 24:36 | Bible general Archive 2 | jlhetrick | 155402 | ||
Very good response and well explained. Another question if I may. Of course the word "catholic" means by general definition, "universal". Agreed and understood. But what does the word "catholic" mean as defined in today's multi-denominational "church"? Furthermore, in today's "all-inclusive", "any-thing goes" culture that is quickly and firmly establishing, even within the christian church, how is "universal" being defined. My point here is that I have always had a problem with the inclusion of Article #9 in it's current language based on what I think might be the obvious answers to my above questions. I completely agree with your explanation and understanding of Article #9 which I share, though you didn't address the meaning of the 'apostolic' church. Final question; as the Nicene Creed has been changed over time in order to best reflect what the christian church understands and believes as true regarding the biblical teaching of the essentials, might it be time to deal with Article #9? Sincerely, Jeff |
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1155 | Persicution | Luke 11:52 | jlhetrick | 155373 | ||
Hi Humbled, Good response. First you respectfully gave credit to ominous for his/her right to raise the issues he/she did. Then you properly redirected the issue back to the truth. Well done. In your post, you brought up the issue of beginning a dialogue on rebuking a brother. I think that would be a good discussion even for those of us who "think" we might know the biblical teachings in this area. May I begin the dialague by starting with the following bible reference? Matt 18:15-18 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. KJV Now the only way to do this properly on the forum would be some form of private instant message and/or email which would have to be made available. I believe the rest of this process was played out well regarding a resent ongoing interaction between several forum members and one offender. I had considered calling for a halting of the dialogue with a certain formum member (of which I was at least equally involved). I considered this because I believed the above process had reached the point of "binding". Afterall, even a Jedi can be bound if he refuses to hear two or more witnesses of the church. What good can come out of the continuing bickering? The next question might be, if the one is not a "brother" in the first place, how should he/she be handled? Jeff |
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1156 | Mat. 24:36 | Bible general Archive 2 | jlhetrick | 155372 | ||
Hi Doc, thanks for clarifying. I didn't suspect differently of you but thought for the sake of other's who might not be aware of what the Nicene Creed is (or your well established position on biblical truth) that the bible should be pointed out as being the only true authority. And, yes, I am familiar with the Creed and it's history as well as that of "Sola Scriptura" but thanks for posting the information for all to see. Question: What are your views on article #9 of the Nicene Creed? |
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1157 | Mat. 24:36 | Bible general Archive 2 | jlhetrick | 155353 | ||
Hi Doc, well said and with good supporting bible references. I agree completely with the theology you explain here. I would however, like to ask, simply from curiosity, why you chose to use the "Nicene Creed" as the athoritative reference by which to establish Jehonadab's repudiation in your openening statement (rather than the bible). And with that, I would like to ask one more question for clarification. You end your post with the statement: "Please note that this forum strongly supports the truths expressed in the Nicene creed." By "this forum" do you mean the providers and administrators of the forum, or the forum members? Curious Jeff |
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1158 | RESTORATION NOT REFORMATION | Bible general Archive 2 | jlhetrick | 155347 | ||
Hi Kalos, Good points. And I have a question to follow up. Isn't it the Mormons that say that when they pray and ask, the "testimony" they receive is a "burning in the bosom"? They describe this as an actual physical experience as well as an emotinoal one. The next logical question would be, what are the different potential experiences that might leave one with a "burning in their bosom"? Me personally, I know that Mexican food can give it to me real serious like. A CT scan with contrast did it to me once. Then there's sweets and coffee and some have described the symptoms of a heart attach similarly. Most of these causes are easily discerened and explained, however, there is another cause that can be much more subtle and deceiving. You've probably guessed it, that's right, a devil or Satan himself. Yes, those pesky evil ones that can posses the person who is "unsaved" can, as the bible shows in many different accounts, have very significant control and influence over one's body and mind. Wow, to think. One might trust their eternal state to the consequences of eating too much Mexican food. Scary. Jeff |
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1159 | Persicution | Bible general Archive 2 | jlhetrick | 155275 | ||
Hell Obi, I was one of those that became "aggressive" toward you and for that I fall short and sincerely apologize and ask your forgiveness. While it is my passion for my own beliefs that give way to this, that is no excuse for responding in any way other than with love, patience, and compassion. But that does not mean that I should not and am not absolutely appropriate in presenting "argument" to support my position and or/ discredit what I believe to be inaccurate and/or false teaching. So, let me say, the referred to posts are available for all to see. I believe that any who study them will find several things to be fact. 1. Many of us answered your questions and did so very directly, accurately, truthfully and provided scripture for support. Interestingly, the answers were all consistent which should at least make you stop and consider your position. 2. No respondents twisted your words, however and once again, a study of your repetitive monotonies makes it quite evident that you were intentionally trying to either a). ask a trick question to take and twist a respondents answer to mean what he/she did not say, b). manipulate and/or twist what is clearly printed and expressed in the Holy Scriptures to say something it is not saying, c). assume or declare that scripture gives name and title to "the one true denomination of Christianity" although that denomination did not exist for centuries after the fact. So, please, do not blame others for what in fact your were (and apparently continue to be) doing. And as far as being aggressive and suggestively inappropriate in response, your (being obviously much younger in years to the average poster) referring to the rest of us as "children" was not only inappropriat but also disrespectful. I forgive you. Also, using computer recognized YELLING to refer to the rest of us as the BLIND LEADING the BLIND is once again rude, inappropriate, and downright disrespectful. I forgive you; and no, I am not being sarcastic, I really do forgive you. Finally, Obi, I point out your contradiction here; that you base an entire argument on a single verse in the bible and then preach, that the bible is "incomplete and distored and changed to suit(e) the DOCTRINES of men!" Argument: If this is true of the bible, then you should absolutely refuse to base any belief at all on any part of it. for in as much as it is imperfect or inaccurate, how can you or I determine which part is safe to believe? This point then appears to be your unveiling. It is because that you have no faith in the bible as God's word that you use it to ask questions that are both misleading and intentionally divisive. Furthermore, you have no faith in it and so can receive no answer from it. Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. You see, Obi. The bible if it ever was the word of God, continues to be the word of God. He, the same God that inspired it's words be written down, has not dropped the ball during the ongoing translation process. Your right in assuming that man has not the power or authority to maintain it's purity; therefore we know that it is God Himself who does so. With Love, Jeff |
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1160 | Persicution | Bible general Archive 2 | jlhetrick | 155276 | ||
Hell Obi, I was one of those that became "aggressive" toward you and for that I fall short and sincerely apologize and ask your forgiveness. While it is my passion for my own beliefs that give way to this, that is no excuse for responding in any way other than with love, patience, and compassion. But that does not mean that I should not and am not absolutely appropriate in presenting "argument" to support my position and or/ discredit what I believe to be inaccurate and/or false teaching. So, let me say, the referred to posts are available for all to see. I believe that any who study them will find several things to be fact. 1. Many of us answered your questions and did so very directly, accurately, truthfully and provided scripture for support. Interestingly, the answers were all consistent which should at least make you stop and consider your position. 2. No respondents twisted your words, however and once again, a study of your repetitive monotonies makes it quite evident that you were intentionally trying to either a). ask a trick question to take and twist a respondents answer to mean what he/she did not say, b). manipulate and/or twist what is clearly printed and expressed in the Holy Scriptures to say something it is not saying, c). assume or declare that scripture gives name and title to "the one true denomination of Christianity" although that denomination did not exist for centuries after the fact. So, please, do not blame others for what in fact your were (and apparently continue to be) doing. And as far as being aggressive and suggestively inappropriate in response, your (being obviously much younger in years to the average poster) referring to the rest of us as "children" was not only inappropriat but also disrespectful. I forgive you. Also, using computer recognized YELLING to refer to the rest of us as the BLIND LEADING the BLIND is once again rude, inappropriate, and downright disrespectful. I forgive you; and no, I am not being sarcastic, I really do forgive you. Finally, Obi, I point out your contradiction here; that you base an entire argument on a single verse in the bible and then preach, that the bible is "incomplete and distored and changed to suit(e) the DOCTRINES of men!" Argument: If this is true of the bible, then you should absolutely refuse to base any belief at all on any part of it. for in as much as it is imperfect or inaccurate, how can you or I determine which part is safe to believe? This point then appears to be your unveiling. It is because that you have no faith in the bible as God's word that you use it to ask questions that are both misleading and intentionally divisive. Furthermore, you have no faith in it and so can receive no answer from it. Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. You see, Obi. The bible if it ever was the word of God, continues to be the word of God. He, the same God that inspired it's words be written down, has not dropped the ball during the ongoing translation process. Your right in assuming that man has not the power or authority to maintain it's purity; therefore we know that it is God Himself who does so. With Love, Jeff |
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