Results 141 - 155 of 155
|
||||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Curtnsally Ordered by Verse |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
141 | Satan's will or God's will | 2 Tim 2:26 | Curtnsally | 32134 | ||
Excellent point, and I think I will stand corrected, or at least refined. I don't think we actually disagree, except in semantics. When I think of Satan's "power" over us, I think in terms of temptation, not in terms of my response to temptation. ie, He has the power to tempt, not to force. You seem to postulate that the power to tempt is not really power over us. I believe it is, but that we have no excuse because God gives us a greater power. Hence the verse which I am sure you are well familiar: I Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. If we must bear temptation, it must be a force in our lives, hence a power, BUT, it is a power that we can withstand because God is faithful and provides us the strength to overcome. Our free will is not a choice of overcoming Satan on our own... I don't think we can, thus the need for a Savior. We overcome Satan by choosing to draw on God's strength as a provision... a way out. Thanks for a thoughtful response! Cheers Curt |
||||||
142 | How much should you forgive? | 2 Tim 3:16 | Curtnsally | 31809 | ||
I think we should take our example from Christ who forgives endlessly, while He calls us to holiness. We must be careful not to confuse forgiveness with tolerance of sin, in our own lives and in the lives of others. 2 Tim 3:16 calls us to use Scripture as our measuring stick, not to hurt each other, but to reprove, teach, train, and correct in righteousness... all for the glory of God. We are called to love one another... and sometimes love requires accountability to each other. Forgive, yes... let sin continue unchecked, no. |
||||||
143 | Infallibility of the Bible questioned. | 2 Tim 3:16 | Curtnsally | 31814 | ||
I believe the Bible is the history of God's relationship with man. It contains everything we need to know about God to choose to follow Him or not. In this regard, it is perfect. The accounts were written by men, and are thus subject to the foibles of men. To illustrate this point, let's use your Genesis example. Genesis is clearly not a "how" story. If God wanted to tell us how He created everything in the universe, it would take a lot more than one book. Genesis is, I believe, a "who" story which tells us "God created". This was the message we were to take from the book, and the accounts agree fully on this. If you read the Bible from this perspective (as history of the relationship God and man), you will see story after story of God teaching us and will come to understand the magnitude of our sin, and the tremendous price that Jesus paid to redeem us. God loves you and me. It's an amazing story! Cheers Curt |
||||||
144 | Infallibility of the Bible questioned. | 2 Tim 3:16 | Curtnsally | 32132 | ||
I did not see your post as graceless, and welcome challenging thoughts, whether we agree or disagree. I, like most here, am a seeker foremost of the truth. I viewed your comments as an assertion of the same. Thanks for the welcome! Cheers Curt |
||||||
145 | 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 |
||||||
146 | 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 |
||||||
147 | 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 |
||||||
148 | EXPLAIN HEBREWS 4:12 WHAT DOES IT MEAN? | Heb 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32672 | ||
Here are some verses about "the Word". I suggest you do a word search for "the word" on Bible Gateway. There are many verses like these. The Bible often explains itself when we look at broad recurring themes. I believe the specific verse Heb 4:12 is referencing the Word as the living God, similar in concept to John 1. Further, I think it amplifies John 1 by indicating that God's Word in Scripture is the divine revelation of God Himself, and that His Word has power over our lives, first in judgment then in grace. I'll let you read more of the verses below and draw your own conclusions... but don't stop there... do the word search and let God paint His own picture. Cheers Curt God, The Word, and Jesus are One: John 1 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. The power of God in word: Matthew 8 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. The Word in judgment and grace: Mark 4 13 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." John 5 24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. The Word as Offensive Weapon in Spiritual Warfare: Ephesians 6 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD. |
||||||
149 | 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 |
||||||
150 | 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 |
||||||
151 | how we ofend others with our mouths | James 3:3 | Curtnsally | 33526 | ||
Scripture also uses the concept of spoken words as a metaphor to describe the heart. For example, Matthew 4:4 - Jesus answered, "It is written: "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." In this case, the Word of God reveals the heart of God. Psalm 59:12 - "For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride." Again, their words reveal their heart. Matthew 12:36 - "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." There are many, many similar verses. Words reflect the heart of man. If our words are offensive, our heart is without love... the greatest affront to the greatest gift. Blessings Curt |
||||||
152 | WHAT ARE THE SCRIPTURES?MATT-REV ARE INS | 2 Pet 3:16 | Curtnsally | 33597 | ||
Are the OT Scriptures the Word of God? (You seem to accept this) Was Jesus God? (if you said no, read Isaiah) If you answered yes to both these questions, at a minimum, the recorded word of Jesus' would be Scripture. Jesus refered to the Scriptures that were known to those he was speaking to (OT). That did not mean that the New Covenant would not be recorded. God has always recorded His covenants. Since Malachi is the last book of the OT, wherein does it say that Malachi is the end of Scripture? Since you use the New Testament to argue that it is invalid (a bit circular, would you agree), I suppose its ok for me to use it to suggest that it is valid: John 1 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. And the most important: 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Hmmmm Curt |
||||||
153 | Will unbelievers be raised from Sheol? | Rev 21:8 | Curtnsally | 31765 | ||
We must draw a distinction between "unbelievers" and "those who never heard" of Christ. "Unbeliever" implies those who have heard of Christ and rejected Him. Scripture is clear that these will not inherit the Kingdom. Further, Scripture says, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20) God reveals Himself in some fashion to all people. It is faith in God that save us from our sin, whether we recognize God in Christ or not. Abraham did not know of Jesus Christ in the literal sense, but Romans 4:3 speaks of Abraham being saved by grace (not works, as was commonly thought in OT times)... "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." He trusted God for His salvation. We do not know how God reveals Himself, but we know that He does. We also know that Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) What, therefore, are we to conclude? First, God gives all people an intuitive knowledge of Himself. Second, all people who are saved from human sin are saved only through faith in God's mercy fully the result of Christ's death and resurrection. There is no other means of salvation... Christ paid the price for all sin for all humans who believe and trust in God. God promises that all who believe will be saved. We trust that God's mercy is perfect, and that, just in the case of Abraham, the faith of the believers will be "reckoned to them as righteousness." It is God alone who will determine those humans who are believers. I am reminded of what Jesus said in Mark 10 :25-27... "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." |
||||||
154 | Will unbelievers be raised from Sheol? | Rev 21:8 | Curtnsally | 31797 | ||
Thanks for some great thoughts! Question... If God reveals Himself to all people, are there really any unreached people? If Paul attests that all are without excuse, then one would think that there must be a means of faith provided with God's revelation to all, otherwise they would have an excuse. I don't think we have enough information to know how God does this, but we often don't know how God does things. We just trust that He does. There are many OT Scriptures where people trust God for their salvation (Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah among others), all looking forward to, but without specific knowledge of, Jesus. Similarly, Jesus does not condemn the woman caught in adultry (John 8:3 et al), though she did not know Him or show a relationship with God in her life. I believe that John 14:6 means that salvation comes only through the substitutionary payment of our debt by Christ, and that this is the all-sufficient means of God's grace. How God reveals this to every human, I do not know. A continuing theme throughout Scripture (OT and NT)is that the righteous shall live by faith, and salvation is only by faith. I am not convinced that God is bound by our understanding of His ability to reveal Himself. I am certain that however He does it, Christ is the only means of salvation for the sinner. I also, for the record, believe that God is relational, and that He desires for us to share in the joy of delivering the Good News to the world. Thus, the Great Commission. But this is a long way from saying that the eternal life of those living in remote places is dependent on our success as missionaries. I ask... is Jesus dependent upon disciples to carry the message? Jesus answers in Luke 19:39-40... "Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples. But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!" God is God, and we don't always understand His limitless capabilities. I thank Him for His grace and that He paid the price for my sin. For others, I pray that I'm not just one of the "lucky chosen". |
||||||
155 | Will unbelievers be raised from Sheol? | Rev 21:8 | Curtnsally | 31807 | ||
Hank Thanks for your note, and kind comment. I think we (you/me/Ed) are on the same page, and I don't disagree with your last comment about the inseparability of the Trinity. One could reverse your theory, though, by saying that belief in any part of the Trinity constitutes a belief in all (particularly if there is no knowledge of the Trinity). I wonder if the real question is whether or not God reveals the nature of the Trinity to every person... of just the existence of God??? Of course, we're treading on the end of the speculation continuum when we get this far out! Clearly anyone who denies Christ or the Holy Spirit denies God. But for the ignorant heathen who has no knowledge of the Trinity, or for the person who lived in OT times before the revelation of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is not faith in the One God sufficient? Scripture, I believe, says yes. I'm not a universalist nor unitarian, believe me, but I do believe Scripture leaves room for God to save whom He chooses. We just can't comprehend His maginitude. Being a good Presbyterian, we could really juice up the discussion by weighing the Scriptures on "free will" versus "election" ... Cheers! Curt |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ] |