Results 281 - 300 of 657
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: stjones Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
281 | Is civil disobedience OK when... | Prov 3:13 | stjones | 105220 | ||
Hi, Ed; You're right, of course; it was only an imperfect analogy, not an equivalence. Two minor points - God's advice is not always found in the Bible and I think he likes to see us make correct choices using "the mind of Christ" he has given us. Jesus taught his disciples then sent them out, expecting them to do the job without running back to consult him every time they had to choose. They sometimes failed, of course, but they learned and grew spiritually. Grace allows us to continually exercise our renewed minds. Christian maturity is, in part, the ability to know God's will without asking. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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282 | virgin birth | Is 7:14 | stjones | 72109 | ||
Hi, consider; I assume your question is about Jesus' deity. Simple answer: The implication is that the person does not believe what the Bible says about Jesus. Since the Bible is the only authoritative source of information about Jesus, this person would have no reason to believe anything about Jesus. More complicated answer: As I have explained in another thread, I don't think Isaiah 7:14 is a prophecy about Jesus. But that doesn't matter; both Matthew and Luke make it clear that God - not Joseph or any other man - is Jesus' father. Luke says "The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'" (1:35) I suppose that the Holy Spirit could have come upon Mary even if she weren't a virgin. But there are two problems with that. First, the passage in Isaiah establishes virgin birth as an extraordinary sign from God (even if it didn't directly foretell Jesus' birth). Second, there would always be room to question Jesus' paternity. Like any woman who sleeps around, it might be difficult to establish who the father of Mary's baby really was. Mary's virginity leaves no room for doubt. The angel's words sum up the dilemma: if this person believes that Jesus was the son of a man, then he or she cannot simultaneously believe that he is the Son of God - except in some vague, symbolic sense. The rest of the NT leaves little doubt that a vague, symbolic son would be an inadequate savior. Ultimately, if there is no virgin birth, there is no savior. Further, I think it's completely irrational to assume that God could not accomplish a virgin birth. I think it's entirely reasonable to believe that God would choose a virgin birth to bring his son into our world of space and time. So if this person can believe anything about Jesus, I can't imagine why the virgin birth would be a problem. Hope this helps. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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283 | Isa. 7:14 -- "virgin" or "young woman"? | Is 7:14 | stjones | 104487 | ||
Hi, kalos; I posted a few messages about the relationship between the virgins in Isaiah and Matthew some time ago. You participated early in the thread, but you may not have seen any of the later stuff since at some point it was removed from the home page. Anyway, I provided some information from a class I was taking. You may find it relevant to the interpretation of the NET Bible. I have to say that rendering the woman in question in Isaiah a "young woman" rather than a "virgin" would probably make my comments more palatable to some forum members. If you're interested, search for message #71993. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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284 | Isa. 7:14 -- "virgin" or "young woman"? | Is 7:14 | stjones | 104519 | ||
Hi, kalos; Thanks for the kind words. I run into that attitude a lot - sometimes in myself. - Indy |
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285 | A choice of what to refuse or choose? | Is 7:15 | stjones | 106820 | ||
Hi, Makarios; I agree that Isaiah is referring to the time when the boy reaches maturity, but I think it goes beyond that. I think Isaiah is stating positively that the boy will choose good over evil. Perhaps this is just intended as further confirmation of the prophecy's authenticity. But I think there are two reasons why Isaiah is saying, in effect, that the boy is destined to make the right choice. First, the boy is a sign from God and evidence of God's presence in that place and time ("God with us"). As a chosen one of God, we would hope that he would choose wisely; Isaiah says he will. Second, and more importantly, the boy Immanuel is himself a prophecy that will be brought to perfection in Jesus. The boy was a SIGN of "God with Us" for Ahaz and Israel at that moment in history; Jesus IS "God with us" for all and forever. Peace and grace Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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286 | A choice of what to refuse or choose? | Is 7:15 | stjones | 106824 | ||
Hi, Makarios; Yes, I agree. A friend and I were discussing this passage last night, so it was on my mind. I guess I was seized with a sudden urge to pontificate; I should learn to lie down until the feeling passes.... ;-) A blessed Christmas to you, my friend. - Indy |
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287 | Child or child? Boy or boy? | Is 7:15 | stjones | 106833 | ||
Hi, Ray; I'm not sure what to make of it. The NIV and NASB, among others, leave it lower case. - Indy |
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288 | Two Christmases? | Is 9:6 | stjones | 106373 | ||
Hi, Hank; I'm inclined to think that the second (secular) Christmas was inevitable. There are really two aspects of this second Christmas. One is the obvious gross commercialization that has grown up around it. But I don't think that would be as pervasive if it were not for the emotional - even spiritual - dimension of this second Christmas: People who don't know the origin of the words speak longingly of "peace on Earth" and universal goodwill. Even the Coca-Cola company would like to "teach the world to sing in perfect harmony". I think this emotionalism arises out of our nature, created in the likeness of God. C. S. Lewis once observed that there are many religions with tales and myths that resemble events described in the Bible. There are resurrection myths and incarnation myths that preceded the birth of Christ. Critics point to these myths and claim that Christianity borrowed them. Lewis said that these myths arose out of the deepest longings of the human heart; it's no surprise that God, who knows the human heart best, satisfied those longings perfectly in his son, Jesus. Those myths don't undermine the truth of Christianity; they testify to it. I think the secular Christmas continues to speak to these deep desires - even while it fails to know or acknowledge the truth of Jesus' birth. So, yes, they are compatible in some ways. It is the only time of the year that I can think of where the universal desire for peace and hope is universally expressed. When all the beggars in the world are openly starving for bread, we have an opportunity to tell them that it can be found right under their noses. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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289 | Two Christmases? | Is 9:6 | stjones | 106406 | ||
Too true. Perhaps you saw the question here recently about the "spaceship" in Ezekiel. - Indy |
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290 | Two Christmases? | Is 9:6 | stjones | 106421 | ||
I think maybe it's also a way to harmonize the Bible with the evolutionary theory du jour that suggests life arrived on Earth from outer space. I think it's worthwhile to try to understand why science and the Bible often differ, but I don't think the "Ezekiel's UFO" Theory is a very productive approach. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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291 | Two Christmases? | Is 9:6 | stjones | 106479 | ||
We seem to agree on everything! What fun is that? :-) - Indy |
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292 | lucifer | Is 14:12 | stjones | 27945 | ||
More offten translated as "morning star". Smith's Bible Dictionary (online at www.biblestudytools.net) defines "Lucifer": (light-bearer), found in (Isaiah 14:12) coupled with the epithet "son of the morning," clearly signifies a "bright star," and probably what we call the morning star. In this passage it is a symbolical representation of the king of Babylon in his splendor and in his fall. Its application, from St. Jerome downward, to Satan in his fall from heaven arises probably from the fact that the Babylonian empire is in Scripture represented as the type of tyrannical and self idolizing power, and especially connected with the empire of the Evil One in the Apocalypse. Hope this is useful Peace and grace and a blessed and merry Christmas, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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293 | Searching for the truth | Is 45:21 | stjones | 104872 | ||
Hi, FytRobert; I can only find two mentions of Gabriel in the Bible - helping Daniel interpret visions in chapters 8 and 9 and announcing Jesus' birth to Zacharias and Mary in Luke 1. Where does it say that Gabriel is now opposed to God? Thanks. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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294 | Searching for the truth | Is 45:21 | stjones | 104879 | ||
Thanks for the clarification. I guess I could have assumed Lucifer, but given some of the weird ideas that turn up here from time to time ... well, you never know. - Indy |
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295 | Searching for the truth | Is 45:21 | stjones | 104881 | ||
Hi, FytRobert; This is purely my opinion, not without basis in Scripture, but nothing I believe I can "prove". I think God allows us to do things so we can learn about him and about ourselves. Speaking as a father, there were certainly plenty of times when my kids were younger that I just knew one of them was going to disobey. Rather than stand guard and force them to obey, I sometimes left the room, allowing them to choose to turn on the light after bedtime or snatch a cookie when I wasn't looking. They needed to learn about consequences. It's a lot easier to internalize a rule when you break it and pay the penalty. These lessons must be learned in order to handle freedom responsibly - i.e. when the kids go off to college. God warned Adam and Eve; indeed Eve admitted that "God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" (Genesis 3:3) But knowing a rule - and even knowing the consequences of breaking it - don't necessarily produce an obedient heart. I think the New Covenant shows that God values an obedient heart over mere observance of rules. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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296 | why cant we understand all of god? | Is 55:8 | stjones | 66482 | ||
'"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.' HTH Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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297 | Christian Response To Eastern Thought? | Is 55:11 | stjones | 29988 | ||
Hi, Jensen; What is your friend's attaction to this cult? Emotional? intellectual? Do you think your friend is simply missing some (any) spiritual dimension to his/her life? Why does your friend find the "master" believable? Personal charisma? the message? What button is he pushing? It may not be the eventual deity pitch that's drawn your friend in. I'm asking because I don't think there are any standard approaches. People are susceptible to this cult or that because of some un-met need. (I needed to be shown that Jesus' claims about himself were rational.) I think cults succeed because there are so many of them, every one a little different from the others. Each one has some appeal that will ensnare people who hunger for what it offers. God, on the other hand, is much less specific - he meets all needs. I suspect that it's not at all obvious to some people that a God who meets the needs of Mother Theresa or Kurt Warner can meet theirs. Look at it this way - if you crave chocolate, what will be more appealinig to you? A Fanny Mae store or a department store with a candy counter? If you know that Fanny Mae focuses on selling pretty good chocolate, you may never discover that the department store sells Godiva's (really outstanding) chocolate. I think people are reluctant to believe that God's department store simply has the best of everything - better than every specialty shop and boutique in town. And the best prices too! So they settle for a pretty good shop and ignore the department store. You have to find what your friend is shopping for, then show your friend the department in God's store that offers what he/she needs. Hope this is useful somehow. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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298 | Christian Response To Eastern Thought? | Is 55:11 | stjones | 30248 | ||
Hi, Jensen; God speaks to our brains too. I hope you'll never lose sight of the fact that Christianity is a rational religion - a "reasonable faith" as Tony Campolo, William Craig, and Winfried Corduan have titled their respective books. God is the ultimate intellectual, the ultimate philosopher, and the architect of all reason. As I said in my earlier post, God meets every need including the needs of the intellect. To illustrate, I've been programming computers one way or another for 30 years and spent seven years as a university professor in Computer Science. Nothing approaches what God has chosen to reveal through his Word and his Son for sheer intellectual riches and delight. Isaac Newton invented calculus and a big chunk of physics for the simple reason that he desired to think God's thoughts after him. I've said before on this forum that it was the reasoning of C. S. Lewis and the mysterious summons of the Holy Spirit that led me to faith in Christ. It was not the Bible, which I ignored until after my conversion. Incidentally, it was during my academic career that my brain convicted my heart. So don't despair of being able to use the Bible directly to convince your friend. As you said, use its truth. Anyone who genuinely seeks truth and has the humility to follow the path wherever it leads must end up at God. Disclaimer: I haven't read the books by Campolo, Craig, or Corduan, but they would certainly be worth a look. Another one I haven't read is Josh McDowell's "Evidence that Demands a Verdict". I have read (more than once) "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis and recommend it. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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299 | Is 'Pneuma' really feminine? | Jer 7:18 | stjones | 80639 | ||
Hi, Tim; The Presbyterian Church (USA) has been struggling with this gross heresy for more than ten years. There is a fringe school of radical feminist theology that has been promoting the "goddess" Sophia and denigrating Jesus for a long time. Unfortunately, because some of our leaders are very "open-minded" and gullible, these folks find the dark corners of our denomination comfortable. In addition to their own novel interpretations of the Bible, they appeal to many other authorities - pagan religions, ancient heresies, bogus gospels such as Thomas and Mary, Enlightenment rationalism, sometimes just their own sexual urges - to challenge orthodox Christian belief. One of their leading lights (Rita Nakashima Bock, IIRC) once said of Jesus' atoning sacrifice "we don't need people hanging on trees and blood dripping and weird stuff". I don't know if gbennett76 is part of this crowd or not, though the mention of Sophia along with the rest of it is certainly suggestive. If he or she is an admirer of this stuff, no appeal to reputable scholarship, Christian tradition, or Biblical authority is likely to succeed. They have already abandoned those things. At a human level, I have never understood why they claim to be Christians and choose to infest Christian seminaries and churches. Then I consider that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12) and the driving force is clearly seen. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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300 | shekina glory | Jer 7:18 | stjones | 80676 | ||
Hi, Tim; "Reinvent" is the wrong word. The centerpiece of this pagan philosophy (one can hardly call it "theology" since the Theos is so irrelevant) was the "Re-Imagining God" conference held in Minneapolis in 1993. The title tells you everything you need to know - since we imagined God to begin with, we are free to re-imagine him any way we wish. This link will give you some idea of what this appalling pagan celebration was all about: www.watchman.org/reltop/reimagin.htm Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |
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