Results 121 - 140 of 155
|
||||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Curtnsally Ordered by Date |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
121 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32347 | ||
I had forgotten that... thanks for the reminder Tim! Blessings, Curt |
||||||
122 | Born on the way to destruction ? | Matt 7:13 | Curtnsally | 32346 | ||
The root question is this... at what point is a person saved? Is it when they first trust God... or is it when they trust God always in every part of their life... or is it some other point... or is it a process over a period of time? I believe that the answer may be "all of the above"... that is, God works in different people's lives in different ways. Paul surely had a conversion experience that occured at a particular point in time. The disciples, on the other hand, seem to have a conversion experience that was much more of a process. They followed Jesus, yet often did not understand Him and even denied Him (which indicates a lack of trust). Even after the Resurrection, we have "doubting Thomas" who needed physical proof that Jesus was who He said He was, showing a lack of faith (ie, faith defined by Jesus as "believing what we have not seen"). The answer to your question is this... I don't know! But I opened this debate to make a point: I think Christians have to be careful about judging the salvation of fellow seekers, as often God takes people on a faith journey that leads a person to profess Christ, but does not include a dramatic point where the person reaches that conclusion. Just as it is difficult to tell exactly when each of the disciples made a decision to trust God, it is often difficult to know the same about the rest of us. The important issue is that we profess Christ, however God brings us to do it, and that we grow in our faith to trust God in all things. Thanks for the input! Blessings Curt |
||||||
123 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32343 | ||
Interesting history, some of which I knew... some not. While it is clear to believing Christians that the god of islam is not the God of the Bible, I think we need to learn more of the things you have pointed out to be able to provide clear answers as we proclaim the Good News. Thanks! Curt |
||||||
124 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32313 | ||
Couldn't agree more. I often postulate to Muslims... if God is God (which they believe very strongly) and He wanted to manifest Himself in three ways, could He? They can't say no, otherwise they would make God out to be less than God. At that point they can't argue the theology of the Trinity, only the source of information... and we win that battle (one guy's word -- Muhammed -- against 6000 years of theological harmony in Scripture). Grace to you as well! Curt |
||||||
125 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32312 | ||
Thanks... If you look up verses on BibleGateway.com ... once the verse comes up, there are languages listed at the top of the page. By clicking on the language, it will convert the verse to the language you selected. In arabic, it actually converts it to arabic alphabet and all. Pretty amazing! What fun is how fast you can do it during an online chat setting. Someone can ask a question and within a minute I can look up a verse convert it to arabic, clip it and paste it into the chat window. It gets their attention. By the way, I also use an online searchable Koran and will find relevant verses to support Christian principals. For example, the Koran says: [2.87] And most certainly We gave Musa the Book and We sent apostles after him one after another; and We gave Isa, the son of Marium, clear arguments and strengthened him with the holy spirit, What! whenever then an apostle came to you with that which your souls did not desire, you were insolent so you called some liars and some you slew. (FYI, Musa is Moses, Isa is Jesus, and Marium is Mary) I follow that with... Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. In Arabic (if it works here) ÝóÃóÌóÇÈóåõ íóÓõæÚõ: «ÃóäóÇ åõæó ÇáØøóÑöíÞõ æóÇáúÍóÞøõ æóÇáúÍóíóÇÉõ. áÇó íóÃúÊöí ÃóÍóÏñ Åöáóì ÇáÂÈö ÅöáÇøó Èöí Then I ask... If jesus (Isa) was a prophet, and He claimed to be God... why don't you believe Him? Makes for a lively discussion on the Islamic chat line! I, too, love all people and enjoy sticking my neck out when the Spirit leads. Cheers, Curt |
||||||
126 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32311 | ||
Thanks again! I saw Josh McDowell at a Young Life weekend retreat in 1972 (when he and I were a lot younger)... he was a major influence in my decision for Christ. I still have my original "Evidence" that I got that weekend, and have worn it out. I also have the "More Evidence" book, and have used it likewise. While we're on book reviews, one that is current that I highly recommend is "The New Reformation" by Greg Ogden (Head of the DMin program at Fuller seminary). The thesis is this: now is the time for the completion of the Reformation started by Martin Luther... "all Christians are gifted, empowered and called to ministry by the Holy Spirit". I believe this book could be the foreward to a real reawakening as churches take this message to heart. I am well aware this has been said many times before, but having seen real change through the Holy Spirit in my own church in the past few years, I am very encouraged (you have to understand I am in a PCUSA Presbyterian church... not exactly the first denomination that comes to mind when you think of Holy Spirt fired churches). Yet our church is on fire and really seeing fruit, primarily based on Ogden's New Reformation concept (which isn't really new... just Biblical principals applied in the current setting). Anyway, if you haven't seen it, check it out... its really good stuff! Cheers, Curt |
||||||
127 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32307 | ||
Thanks! I often debate Islamic college students on the web at ummah.com. They have an Islamic chat forum. Its a lot of fun, though fruit is in short supply. I often download Scripture from BibleGateway and convert it to arabic before throwing it on the chat window. They can never figure out how I do this, and I get a few chuckles out of it, but mostly hope I am planting seeds. I'll have a look at the site you recommended, and see if I can use some material for my online escapades. Cheers Curt |
||||||
128 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32305 | ||
Thanks! Excellent use of scripture, and particularly strong for the Muslim, as they believe Jesus to be a prophet. John 14:6 is also strong, as it is Jesus himself speaking. In light of current events, it is important, I think, to have a clear understanding of these things so we can make a case for the Gospel when the opportunity arises. Cheers Curt |
||||||
129 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32303 | ||
Thanks for you response, but consider this... The Muslim (and I suppose Jews for that matter)would love your answer... they think Christians are polytheists, and would use this Scripture to say "see your Bible supports our position... there is only one God". They have a tough time with the concept of the Trinity, "three in one". Muslims see Isa (Jesus) as a prophet, not God. Cheers Curt |
||||||
130 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32302 | ||
Interestingly, I have used John 14:6 to witness many times to Muslims. The question I pose is this... If Jesus (Isa to them) was a prophet and He said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me", was He telling a falsehood or was He really the Messiah of the OT? This confounds their position that Jesus was a Muslim prophet. Of course, they try to counter that He never said that... a position difficult to defend, given the credibility of Scripture. In essense, I'm using the "Lord, Liar or Luniatic argument first postulated (I believe) by Josh McDowell. To the original question posed, I go bonkers every time I hear a talking head on the news say, "we all worship the same God". Though we all claim the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, none of the three religions believes that we worship the same God in the present tense. All believe the others have gone astray somewhere along the line. Another good Scripture: Matthew 16:13-17 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Thanks! Curt |
||||||
131 | One God, many faiths? | Not Specified | Curtnsally | 32262 | ||
One God, many faiths? In light of recent events, there has been much more discussion about religion in the news media. One statement that has been made repeatedly by reporters and politicians is the we (Christians, Jews and Muslims) all worship the same God. Your thoughts? |
||||||
132 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32267 | ||
One God, many faiths? In light of recent events, there has been much more discussion about religion in the news media. One statement that has been made repeatedly by reporters and politicians is the we (Christians, Jews and Muslims) all worship the same God. Your thoughts? |
||||||
133 | Born on the way to destruction ? | Matt 7:13 | Curtnsally | 32261 | ||
Robert I agree with your position. You also had some fine responses from others. Its fun to consider these things in a little more depth than we normally do just in passing. Your question made me stop and think. Thanks! Blessings Curt |
||||||
134 | Church on sunday, why? | Heb 10:24 | Curtnsally | 32228 | ||
I read your post, and wondered whether tammylou was asking "why do we go to church?" (which is what you responded to, or "why do we go to church on Sunday particularly?" (Which is what I thought she asked... but I could be wrong). Anyway, you gave a great answer to the first.... just wasn't sure if that was the intent of her question. Cheers Curt |
||||||
135 | Church on sunday, why? | Heb 10:24 | Curtnsally | 32227 | ||
I go to church on Sunday cause that's when my church is open! On Saturday they scrub the floors, and Lord knows I'm useless for that! Just kidding. Welcome to the faith! Its the greatest adventure you could imagine. Not sure what the precise answer to your question is, so I'll let others take a shot first. Just wanted to say welcome! Cheers Curt |
||||||
136 | What do we think about Uzza’s death? | Gen 19:26 | Curtnsally | 32226 | ||
Is it any different than Lot's wife? Both failed to trust God, certainly symbolic of the gravity for each of us if we do not trust Him. Yes it is harsh, but I think that is the message. Short answer. PS... You might find the New Testament a little more fun! lol Cheers Curt |
||||||
137 | Born on the way to destruction ? | Matt 7:13 | Curtnsally | 32222 | ||
Yes, all humans have sinned and are on the way to destruction (Romans 3 and 6). Unfortunately many people vascillate for some time in the way they are going. I know I did. As to a specific point in time... some have it some don't. I don't. God bumped me at several critical times, and I move a little more in Hids direction each time. Like a shepherd tending a wayward sheep, He didn't strngle me in the process of saving me... He slowly herded me in. I can assure you I am wholly His, but I can't give you a precise moment when that happened. Being a bit of a Calvinist, I am sure I was His long before I knew it! Let me spin the table... can you tell from the Gospel accounts when the disciples became Christians? If you tell me that it happened when they left their jobs and followed Christ, I will ask you "what about Judas?" Clearly, the others did not fully understand who Jesus or what was going on, even in the garden of Gethsemane... late in the ministry of Jesus. Food for thought Curt |
||||||
138 | The Bible: Literal, or Symbolic? | 2 Tim 3:16 | Curtnsally | 32213 | ||
Is it possible to be a Calvinist and at the same time a "real-time dispensationalist"? Hank, I think Scripture is used by God in a variety of ways to speak to us. And I think that Scripture sometimes changes for us depending on where we are in life and what God is doing with us. (This is my loose use of the word dispensational, which I liberally take to mean different at different times.) Clearly, I'm having a difficult time explaining this... Over many years of reading Scripture, particularly Old Testament, I find that at times there are messages which pop out that are in the detail of the story. And yet at another time, I will read the same Scripture and find that the broad message of an entire chapter or book stands out. Often, the difference is the place I am at personally, and the work of the Holy Spirit in my life at that time. Scripture is often a combination of actual fact, symbolism and allegory, woven together in ways only God could do. Often it is this very unusual characteristic that reveals to us Scripture's most divine nature. I don't at all think I answered your question. But I am intrigued by it. I find the Bible to be a fascinating book that continues to reveal in new ways. I attribute this to God's inspiration and to the Holy Spirit. If we trust Him and we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then we cannot be wrong in matters of faith, right??? I know I'm never wrong... ask my wife! (or my 13 year old son) lol Cheers Curt |
||||||
139 | Infallibility of the Bible questioned. | 2 Tim 3:16 | Curtnsally | 32211 | ||
Absolutely... and I believe this is where both scientists and believers get confused. Some scientists try to take micro evolution and turn it into creation. Some Christians try to disavow all evolution as a communist plot. This is, I believe, a serious mistake... for it is untrue, and leads unbelievers to think we are goofy... not very helpful in evangelism. I don't think we have to commit intellectual suicide to be Christians, and further believe that God gives us wisdom to understand the knowledge we collect. To the extent that we can explain the consistencies of Scripture and scientific knowledge (which we know must jive), we gain credibility, in evangelistic service to our risen Savior. We are called to be winsome witnesses. The beauty of our faith is that we don't have to be ostriches. We can examine truth from every angle and know that God makes it all work together. To the world, we can be like Daniel interpreting the dream... piecing together scientific truth and theological truth in one glorious story. Cheers Curt |
||||||
140 | Infallibility of the Bible questioned. | 2 Tim 3:16 | Curtnsally | 32170 | ||
Absolutely! "In the beginning, God...." thus the "when" is established. And I believe that 100 percent. As to evolution, in the study of living things, there is no question that things evolve. That is a far cry from the ill-conceived notion that somehow all living things were created through evolution, which is a non-starter both theologically and in the fossil record. We must be careful not to throw out the baby with the bath water. Just because some non-believers in the scientific community try to (wrongly) assert creation through evolution, we should not assert that there is no such thing as evolution just to prove them wrong. Living things have evolved (primarily within species, I believe), but God created them first. Science and theology are both a search for the truth, and in God's world, they are in perfect harmony. When we seek truth, we should reconcile what we see in science with what we know theologically. If they don't match, we need to review our thinking to see where we are wrong. We should not for for bad or contrived truth on either side, but seek to reconcile both as best we can, not by rewriting but by digging deeper. Blessings Curt |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ] Next > Last [8] >> |