Results 1 - 20 of 51
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: seeking4truth Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | The Son of Man? | Num 23:19 | seeking4truth | 101471 | ||
First off, please allow me to state that I am NOT saying that Jesus Christ is not God. I have given a considerable amount of time and study to His deity and I have every reason to believe that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully human. Jesus' favorite term that He used to refer to Himself was "the Son of man." He used it repeatedly during His three years of public ministry, more than any other title. So my question is: how do we reconcile our understanding of this reference verse - that God is NOT the son of man - with Jesus' claim that He IS the Son of man? Any thoughts? (Other than burning me at the stake?) seeking4truth |
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2 | Did Jesus teach hate? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101193 | ||
Hi, I understand that the NASB is the most accurate word-for-word translation in the English language, so maybe some of you can help me with this question. This verse says that Jesus taught that his followers should hate their father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters. Given that the 10 Commandments said that we are to honor our father and mother, why did Jesus violate the Law here? As I understand it, Jesus came to fulfill the Law. So why the contradiction? I have looked up this question in the archives and have not seen a satisfactory answer. It was mnetioned that "hate" may be used as a comparative value. But having a face-value approach to the Bible, I feel that if Jesus had meant "does not love Me more," then he would have said so. Can anyone help? seeking4truth |
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3 | I'm skeptical | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101218 | ||
Thanks, George. Yes, the issue about calling no man "father" seems to be another point of contention, doesn't it? As is women keeping silent in the church. I am a skeptic, I will admit that. But I run into alot of "Bible-believing Christians" who, quite simply don't believe the Bible. Jesus said to call no man "father" and we do anyway. Paul said that women should keep silent in the church and I've never seen that exhortation put into practice. If we interpret the word "hate" as "to love less" then it becomes a sticky situation with God loving sin less or God loving divorce less or God loving Esau less. So I struggle with the fact that the Bible cannot be taken at face-value (it doesn't mean what it says). As soon as we open that Pandora's box, that the Bible doesn't mean what it says, then how are we ever to know what it DOES mean? Then it becomes one persons opinion against another and who is to say who is right? Anyway, yes, I am seeking truth. But I have trouble trusting something which people swear is without contradiction, even when the contradiction is as plain as the noses on our faces. And it cases of this sort, it seems like "Bible-believing Christians" pick and choose what parts they want to believe and what parts they don't. Here is another issue that I would seriously like an answer to: God says to love our enemies and to do good to those who spitefully use us. But He swears that He will destroy His enemies. Now I guess God is God but this certainly seems like a "do as I say, not as I do" approach. Any thoughts? seeking4truth |
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4 | Family commitment? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101219 | ||
Thanks for your reply. It is interesting the different viewpoints put forth in the Bible, isn't it? On one hand, Paul says that a man who doesn't take care of his own household is not fit to serve in the church in an official capacity and to love his wife as Christ loves the church. On the other hand, Jesus teaches to leave your wife and children to follow Him. Sure has me confussed. It doesn't sound to me like they were preaching the same gospel. Any thoughts? seeking4truth |
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5 | Family commitment? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101262 | ||
Hank, I stated my reason for coming to this forum in my very first post. I've heard that the NASB is the most accurate translation so I want to understand why there seems to be these contradictions in the Bible. I am seeking truth. To me, that means an ideology that does NOT contradict itself. After all, doesn't God say that he is not the author of confusion? If the ideology about God, Jesus, and the Bible is true (as Christians profess), then it would seem to me that there would be no contradictions in what God says (in spite of the fact that Christians do not practice what he says). So, Hank, if you cannot give an honest answer to my question, then you are not welcome to interact with me. Your post reflects the same kind of close-minded ignorance that drives people away from considering God - "Any serious question towards the validity of God and his Word is ridicule." If it is truly truth, it should stand up to close scrutiny. If Jesus' teaching goes against the Law and tells people to hate their own family, then that is the belief system that is at fault, not my problem. Your response demonstrates the typical tactic used by cults - instead of examining the contradiction, attack those who are examining it. Your response is to ignor the question and question my motives. I have stated them. If you have no solid answer, then please go judge someone else. seeking4truth |
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6 | Any literature? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101263 | ||
Thanks, DL5. Your response at least gives me some hope. If you have counseled people in these matters, could you recommend some literature or a website that goes in-depth at explaining some of these contradictions. My life, as everyone's is, is important to me. Jesus said that we should consider the cost of following him. I am trying to do that. If I am to fully trust him, then he must stand up to the test of a prophet in not contradicting prior revelation. And that is why I am questioning his teachings. If he truly is the son of God, then his teachings should in no way contradict the prior teachings of God through the other prophets. So I would like a well-reasoned explanation as to why some of his teachings seem to do this. I doubt I will get to ask my questions here, though, as a few of these responses tell me that neither God or Jesus or the Bible are open to serious questioning. Some are insisting on blind faith instead of reasoned faith. But it is blind faith that leads into cults and I have no desire to join one. Can you recommend any literature? Thanks, seeking4truth |
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7 | Purpose of this forum? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101291 | ||
Aixen, I understand your obvious concern for my soul. But can I share something openly and honestly? As to my relationship with God, if/when I am "saved" is between him and myself. This forum is, as I understand it, a Bible study forum, a place to hopefully find some answers to scriptural questions, is it not? Is it a "get saved" forum? I think not. I have read quite a few of the posts here. I don't have all of the answers, obviously. Otherwise, I wouldn't ask questions. I am not trolling to cause trouble either. I am no genius, but if this were a "come and get saved" forum, this would be one of the most confusing places to do so. Why? Because one person would insist that I need to be baptized in water to be saved, another would insist that I need to be Reformed, another would insist that I be an Arminian, another would insist that I join their denomination, another would insist that I speak in tongues, another would insist that I use only the KJV. Some would insist that I am saved for all eternity and some would insist that I can lose my salvation. So what is salvation? What is truth? I made a profession of faith in Christ when I was 12 years old. I ask gently, does that ease your mind? It does not mine. From my exposure to the church, evangelicals are concerned about other's salvation for 2 primary reasons: 1) so that they can have another notch on their gun for bringing another Christian to Christ (more rewards, as I understand it) and 2) so that they are reprieved of the responsibility of having the weight of someone else's salvation from resting upon their shoulders. Either way, their primary concern is themselves. Granted, I have met a few Christians who seem generally concerned for others for more than the sake of achieving a "sinner's prayer." It is these Christians, who actually care about developing a lasting friendship, who have most influenced me to consider Christianity. But the majority have turned me off to God. I will not go into all of the reasons here as it detracts from this topic. So I ask you, gently, to please leave the issue of my personal salvation between me and God. He alone knows my heart. If I am saved, it is to God's credit and glory. And if I burn in hell, it is my sole responsibility. I do not ask nor require anyone to be responsible for my spiritual state. Again, I am getting of the subject. But, in brief, I professed a faith in Christ as a youth. But it was a blind faith exercised out of the fear of burning in hell. It was coerced. Now, as an adult, I am trying my best to investigate the faith that I once professed in order to see if it is worthy of serious consideration. Does that make me unsaved or a ridiculer? Judge me if you like, but God (if he is truly there) is my final judge. And if he is anything like I hope that he is, he is not afraid of a serious question and of my efforts to be a Berean to see if what I have been taught all these years is the truth and stands up to the scriptures. If my approach offends the moderator(s), then please ban me from this board and I will take my questions somewhere else. But I thought, maybe falsely, that a Bible study forum would be the best place to get my Bible-centered questions answered. Was I wrong? Sincerely, seeking4truth |
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8 | Any literature? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101292 | ||
Searcher56, That, sir, is what has lead me to my egnimas. I am looking at Jesus saying to hate your family and God's Law in saying to honor them and Paul's teaching to love them, and, frankly, they don't jive. I am not looking at exbiblical literature. I am looking at the scriptures themselves and they (seem) to conflict. All I want to do is to understand the contradiction. God says to honor, Paul says to love, Jesus says to hate. If all three are true, then it is a truth beyond my ability to understand. I admit that some faith is required. But while Christians claim the inerrancy and infallibility of the scriptures, they seem to ignor any seeming contradictions. If I trust in the God of the Bible, I want to be able to share a reason for that trust, not to just brush aside a question or an issue because it does not fit with my personal theology. seeking4truth |
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9 | I'm skeptical | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101293 | ||
Thank you, Tim, for understanding where I am coming from. I am not searching for differences in minutiae. I am searching for concordance between doctrines. In other words, it is not my goal to take a magnifying glass to the scriptures to ensure that every 'i' is dotted and every 't' is crossed. But it is my search to see if there are significant doctrinal differences. Granted, my "significant" may not be your "significant". But, in this case, I was reading where Jesus said that he came to fulfill the Law. But then he seems to teaching AGAINST the revealed Law and I don't see how (at this point in my search) to reconcile it. If Jesus was born under the Law (Gal 4:4), then why did he seem to go against it and give the Jewish leaders reason to accuse him of violating the Law? I am not expecting a thorough, iron-clad, water-proof defense in detail. But I am seeking something to point me in the right direction. Thanks for your response. seeking4truth |
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10 | I'm skeptical | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101297 | ||
Listener, Thanks for your input. Even as I was reading some of these responses that question my own motives for posting here, it occurred to me that maybe we are told to love our enemies because we, being finite, can NEVER see the heart of another and God, being infinite, can. Maybe that qualifies him alone to judge. Just a thought. seeking4truth |
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11 | Any literature? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101298 | ||
Thank you, DL5. I will seek to be fair and non-argumentative. Again, my goal is to better understand, not to debate. And thanks for the book recommendation. Please read a few of my other posts in this thread to know a little more about me. seeking4truth |
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12 | I'm skeptical | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101300 | ||
Aixen, To repeat another of my posts here, I made a profession of faith in Christ when I was 12. Whether it "took" or not is debateable and I do not wish to debate it at this time. Please see my other posts. seeking4truth |
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13 | Purpose of this forum? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101303 | ||
Shalor, ***Some do it (make disciples) simply beacuse they were ordered to do it! Maybe. But, from my studies, I doubt that getting a person to say the "sinner's prayer" and then moving on to the next fish in the sea is a valid interpretation of "discipling." No offense to you, but maybe if I had been discipled when I was younger, I would not have the crisis of faith that I am now experiencing. Unfortunately, those who led me to a profession of faith felt that they were finished after I got "saved." Their goal was achieved. Here I am 30 years later with serious doubts and one of the answers put to me is that if I would only get "saved" again, everything will be alright. I think not. No offense, just my human opinion. seeking4truth |
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14 | Purpose of this forum? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101334 | ||
Hi Tim, Thanks for the input. Our individual exposures to different churches most likely influences some of our thoughts in this area. Personally, I have been in a number of different churches of a few different denominations so I have had a few different experiences concerning evangelism. But I have not been exposed to everything that is taught in this area. My statements concerning evangelism were never "taught" to me as a formal discourse. They were more implied by statements such as these: "God will reward you for sharing Christ." "If you don't tell your friend, relative, coworker, who will?" "You don't want this person to stand before God on judgement day and say that YOU never told them about Christ, do you?" "If you don't witness, this person's blood and the condemnation of his eternal soul will be upon your hands." I have heard these statements. Granted, I may have traveled in the wrong Christian circles (but ALL of them claim to be right and NONE of them claim to have ANY false teaching). I am inclined to believe that if the fate of an eternal soul is left up to my pitiful attempts to share what little I know (and am still unsure of), then God is much smaller than the Bible portrays Him as being. While I don't deny that I may have a command and some good news to share, I am not even sure of my own fate, let alone a positive influence on someone elses. And frankly, I won't share what I am not reasonably sure of. In closing, I don't want to lay the blame for my doubts and my questions solely at the door of this particular church, denomination, or person. What happens to me in my own faith is, to a large extent, dependant upon me to "study to show myself approved." But I often feel more like the Ethipoian who doesn't have a clue rather than like Paul who could convert Hitler if given the chance. seeking4truth |
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15 | Do you want assistance | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101335 | ||
Shalor, I attempted to email you but didn't see your email addy on your profile. seeking4truth |
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16 | Any literature? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101336 | ||
DairyLeader, I just emailed you. Thanks. seeking4truth |
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17 | Resource for "hate"? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101347 | ||
SBF members, In regards to my question on Jesus' teaching on "hating", would most of you agree that the seeming contradiction is directly related to our interpretation of the word "hate"? If I were going to explain this concept to someone else, what resource(s) would I use to substantiate that "hate" does not mean "hate" as we understand it? (Side-note: I am all for literal translations but I suppose that they can sometimes pose a problem.) seeking4truth |
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18 | True Disciples - eternal importance | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101376 | ||
Thanks, Pastor Glenn. I will try to keep those things in mind. But in my particular case, I am not a good discerner of what things are of eternal importance and what things are of temporal importance. As I stated earlier, it seems to very much depend upon who one talks to as to the priority of things. Some would list all of these things as of eternal importance: water baptism, speaking in tongues (otherwise you are not indwelt by the Spirit), using a particular translation (otherwise you don't have the Word of God), doing good works (to prove your faith), keeping the Law, being Reformed, being Calvinist, being Arminian. All these are criteria that some use as eternal "measuring rods." I find it difficult to know which ones are truly valid and scriptural and which ones are not. (Side-note: The Calvinist would say that the Arminian is not saved because the Arminian does not believe in a sovereign God. So his "disbelief in the sovereignty of God" is used to prove that the Arminian does believe in the God of the Bible and, therefore, is not saved. I am just using this as an illustration, please don't anyone take up sides here and pursue this subject in this thread. The subject of this particular thread is much more important to me.) But, Pastor Glenn, if I may, can I demonstrate how touchy this subject of matters of eternal importance can be? Humor me here for a couple of minutes and if you have a good, solid answer, please don't hesitate to share it. Jesus gave some criteria for those who would follow Him (i.e. Christians). We can debate all day long on the standards that WE want to use for judging "true" disciples of Christ. But let's consider what Jesus said: "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." - Mark 16:17,18 Here in this passage, Jesus Himself list some of His criteria that true believers would be known by. He lists 5 specific things: 1. They will cast out demons 2. They will speak with new tongues 3. They will pick up serpents 4. They will drink poison without ill effect 5. They can heal the sick by the laying on of hands Forum members, please note that I am NOT saying that these are MY criteria. These are criteria that Jesus Himself said would characterize those who believe in Him. Let's look at a similar passage: "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you." - Luke 10:19 Here Jesus says that His followers can tread on serpents and scorpions. And He notes that they have power over who I would take to be Satan. Again, these are not my words. These are the words of Christ Himself. But I have to ask, is this the same criteria we use to judge whether or not others are believers? I don't think so. I wouldn't (just being honest here). I am not going to try to cast out devils, pick up poisonous snakes, drink poison, step on snakes and scorpions, I have never spoken in tongues, and I am very careful what liberties I take in my "authority over Satan." Now, please allow me to demonstrate my dilema. By the standards of Jesus Christ Himself, I am not a true believer. By the standards of most conservative, fundamental Christian, I am not a Bible-believing Christ myself because I do not personally adhere to this teaching of Christ in the Bible nor would I ever exhort anyone on this board to "prove" his/her discipleship through these tests. So what does that make me? I surely don't know. Yes, I've said a "sinner's prayer." But one cannot find that formula in the Bible. To my knowledge, Jesus never once told someone to invite Him into their heart. He knocks on the door of one of His churches in the book of Revelation but that presumes that He is already in their hearts. So I have to confess to God that I don't exhibit the signs that Jesus gave whereby His true followers and disciples would be known. Pastor Glenn, it would seem that being a disciple of Christ is an eternal issue. But, frankly, sir, I don't measure up to Jesus' own criteria. And to be honest, I don't have the faith to prove my discipleship the way that He demands. What am I to do? Sincerely, seeking4truth |
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19 | George, do you believe? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101378 | ||
Hi George, Thanks for your "exhortation in Christ." What I do know of the original Bible languages is that some of it is Hebrew (OT), some is Aramaic, and some is Greek (OT). Do I know any of these languages? No. I am doing well to understand English. :) Yes, George, I am IGNORANT. Thanks for reminding me. George, you state: "THE Word SAYS WHAT THE LORD MEANS AND MEANS EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS." Can I ask if you truly believe this? Here is the test from another one of my posts here: Jesus said: "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." - Mark 16:17,18 "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you." - Luke 10:19 So let me ask you, George, seeing as Jesus said what He means and means what He says, do you personally: 1. Cast out demons? 2. Speak with a new tongue? 3. Pick up serpents? 4. Drink poison without ill effect? 5. Heal the sick by the laying on of hands? 6. Tread on serpents and scorpions? 7. Exercise power over Satan continually (I think a valid practical demonstration of this would be the complete cessation of sin in one's life)? Believe me, George, if I believe the Bible, I know I will stand before one judgement seat or another. I have been reminded of it for 30 years now and your "exhortation" does nothing to further impress this warning upon my mind. Thanks anyway. But enough about me, my ignorance, and my lack of faith. How about you? Are you a true believer in Jesus Christ by HIS standards? Do you believe ALL of the Bible in this regard? Do you continually prove to the church and to the world that you are a believer in Jesus by demonstrating the signs that He Himself said would follow those who believe in Him? seeking4truth |
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20 | Purpose of this forum? | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101380 | ||
BTW, Pastor, thanks for the link. I will check it out tomorrow afternoon. Confused, seeking4truth |
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