Results 21 - 40 of 407
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Brian.g Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | Mediator | Heb 4:16 | Brian.g | 188994 | ||
Hank My use of the term 'saint' was with a lower case 's' and consistent with the term used in the New Testament about 45 times. The definition of the term of 'saint' is 'consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious'. I believe that definition would also include those who have died and have gone to heaven and are in union with God. Now, if we can ask a living sinner to pray for us, why can we not ask a 'saint' in heaven to pray for us? I am not saying we should worship the 'saint' in heaven, but only to ask that they pray for us. And, I believe my two citings from Revelation would support it. Brian |
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22 | Mediator | Heb 4:16 | Brian.g | 188984 | ||
Doc If you will reread my response, it is about asking the saints to pray for us, in the same manner in which we ask sinners to pray for us. And, I gave two examples from Scripture about the saints offering their prayers to God. I believe I have complied with the letter and the spirit of this forum. Brian |
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23 | Mediator | Heb 4:16 | Brian.g | 188979 | ||
Christian2003 The most basic hope of Christianity is eternal union with God. Our hope is that after we die, we will be allowed into the presence of God, to live in union with God. In His passion, Jesus prayed for the unity of all mankind with Him, with God and with each other. (Jn 17). When Jesus prays for our unity with God that means that we will also be united with the saints, who are already in union with God. The Father has judged these saints to be worthy of union with Him. As Christians, we cannot deny the existence of our brothers and sisters in heaven, whom God has found to be worthy of union with Him. These brothers and sisters of ours do not cease to exist. They do not cease to love us. They do not cease to join Jesus in His prayer for all of us to be in union with God In numerous parts of Scripture, we are asked to pray for other people. In Mt 5:44, we are asked to pray for those who persecute us. In Romans 15:30 and 31, Paul asked the people to pray for him. How can we ask a sinner here on earth to pray for us and believe that that prayer is pleasing to God - and then deny the ability or the worthiness of the saints to pray for us? Do you know how much more pleasing the prayers of the saints are to God than the prayers of the sinners? Rev 5:8 When he took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. Rev 8:4 The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel. St Jerome said: The Apostle Paul declares that two hundred seventy-six souls, sailing with him, were freely given him; and, after he is dissolved (died) and has begun to be with Christ, shall he close his lips, and not be able to utter a word in behalf of those who throughout the whole world believed at his preaching of the Gospel? It is right and proper to ask the saints, the holy ones, including Mary, to pray to God on your behalf. Brian |
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24 | neglecting to talk about God | Ezek 3:17 | Brian.g | 188892 | ||
Cindercat Ezekiel 3:17-19 Brian |
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25 | Is it ok to sell books or eat in church. | John 2:16 | Brian.g | 188513 | ||
Hank As a Catholic, my parish takes a similiar position as your church. However, we absolutely draw the line at people who expect to play Bingo for free. Brian |
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26 | God's Right to Rule. | Ps 2:11 | Brian.g | 188344 | ||
LockN Before we go any further, asking this type of academic-style of question in order to understand the fullness of Christ’s message is fine and acceptable and I have no problem with you asking it. However, to ask the same question as a challenge to the First Commandment is to put ourselves into the role of judging God. We would be judging whether God should be allowed to make this demand of us; whether the demand is fair and just; and we would be challenging God’s wisdom. Regardless of the final outcome of our judgment, we are saying that our intellect, our fairness and our ability to judge, is greater than God’s. And that would be wrong. • In your response you said “Is the mere fact that God created man the only reason why God has a right to rule over men or is there another more legitimate basis for understanding this divine right?” My response that there is a more complete answer to Divine Right. In addition to creating man, God created not just man, but everything including Divine Rights. Who has a greater wisdom for granting and deciding rights and privileges, than God? Nobody. It is God’s right to make any demand He chooses of man and man does not share in that Divine Right to challenge God. • Towards what end or purpose was God’s reason for creating man? My response is for unity with God. This is an important question, because our relationship with God is predicated on His purpose of creating us. In John 17, Jesus prayed for our unity with God and with Jesus. This was God’s reason for creating us. • What compelled God to create man – what was the driving force which caused God to act? o Was it an external force or urge driving God to create man? No, because prior to creation, there was nothing outside of God. After creation, there is nothing outside of God powerful enough to compel or force God to act. o Was it an internal force; some thing or some need within God; driving God to create man? No, because that would imply that God created man in order to fulfill some form of deficiency, incompleteness or void within God. God is whole and complete. o The only reason remaining as to why God created man is compassion. – love. • We have love as God’s driving force for creating man; with the end purpose of God’s act of creation being our unity with God. • With love being God’s reason for creating man, it is safe to say that God would follow through, after the act of creation, in a manner which would be for our continued best interest, including protecting and nurturing man. God would not create man with the purpose of unity with God and then abandon man to the evil one. Ours is a jealous and protective God. • Should our unity with God be on our terms, God’s terms, or someone else’s terms? When comparing God’s terms to our terms for the purpose of union with God, God’s wisdom is infinitely greater than ours. As such, man will experience far greater enjoyment and good from our union with God by following God. As far as someone else defining the terms of our relationship with God, the evil one does not work to accomplish God’s purpose. Brian |
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27 | A three letter word phase which refers t | John 6:51 | Brian.g | 188244 | ||
I AM John 6:48 John 6:51 |
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28 | By What Right Does God Rule Man? | Ps 2:11 | Brian.g | 188078 | ||
LockN This is a powerful (almost overwhelming) question and can be interpreted in numerous ways. Could you help me understand the context of this question. Is it intended as a statement of indignation, or as a question of relative relationships, or something else? I believe this effort on your part will help facilitate an appropriate answer. Regards Brian |
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29 | Looking into the heart for assurance? | Matt 7:21 | Brian.g | 187557 | ||
LookN Greek philosopher Plato’s classic story, ‘Euthyphro’ is a story of an encounter between Greek philosopher Socrates (S) and a fellow named Euthyphro (E). Euthyphro (E) and Socrates (S) meet while E was enroute to reporting his father to the authorities for causing the death of a murderer. The man had died while E’s father was restraining him while waiting for the authorities. E stated that due to his devotion to the gods (piety), he has a moral responsibility to report his father. S asked E if he believed the stories the poets had written about the gods: of the battles, wars, and bitter hatred among the gods. E affirmed his belief. S further questioned that hadn’t the wars, battles and bitter hatred between the gods been caused by gods having different beliefs? E agreed. S then challenged E with a simple question: ‘what is piety?’ After some dialogue, E finally constructs an answer that piety is that which is pleasing to the gods. S further challenged E: if battles and wars are caused by gods not agreeing, then do all gods agree on the exact same meaning of piety? In effect, Socrates was asking Euthyphro – what is the correct interpretation of the moral action of piety (which Greek god will he listen to), and is E acting in accordance with the correct interpretation of truth. This story parallels the spirit of your comments: Ultimately, the question becomes: ‘what is the truth, which is Jesus?' If you turn to John Doe and John Smith as your Teaching Authorities, and at some point, they disagree, who represents the truth - who will you trust. Will you go left with Doe or right with Smith. And at the next crossroads, which way will you go. With truth, there is only one straight path. Look for the 'organic unity' in what they are saying. Truth has no conflict. Brian |
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30 | Looking into the heart for assurance? | Matt 7:21 | Brian.g | 187143 | ||
LookN I mistakenly read your original question as one of measuring piety. I now understand that your question is about quantifying orthodoxy. Sorry. To reiterate your question: am I living and believing what Jesus was actually teaching. Am I united with the Truth, which is Christ? In reality, the question becomes one of who do I trust to help me learn the truth, who will be my ‘Teaching Authority’. 1. There are those who read Scripture and accept that the Holy Spirit will lead each person to a true and accurate personal interpretation without any human assistance. The Holy Spirit is their only ‘Teaching Authority’. Christianity is not a private venture. It is meant to be learned and shared with others. 2. There are those who read Scripture and who will listen to any quack that comes along, including fortune-tellers, mediums, and others. This is their ‘Teaching Authority’. 3. There are those who read Scripture and look to individuals such as their pastor, TV Evangelist or Theologians for an interpretation. These sources become the ‘Teaching Authority’ for that individual. 4. There are those who read Scripture and then turn to their Church, as a whole – not just a local pastor, as for guidance in understanding. For example, the Catholic Church and the ‘Magisterium’ which is a Latin word for ‘Teaching Authority’. The challenge we all face is how do we separate out the human opinions of our Teaching Authorities from truth or who do we trust to show us the truth in order to choose the best and most accurate Teaching Authority. I can only give you a response from my own personal belief in regard to this question. First, as a foundation, I defined what truth actually is. I believe truth is not created and as such, it is from the essence of God and is never changing, ever. I believe that Jesus is truth, not only his words and actions, but his total being is truth, his divinity being the word of God, his humanity being in union with God. I believe that there is absolutely no deviation in what and who Jesus is and Scripture. Scripture is the printed Word of God and Jesus is the Word of God, made flesh. Scripture and Jesus are one with God. I reject any teaching authority which proclaims, among other things that: • Jesus as anything other than God. • The ‘primary’ purpose of Jesus becoming man, as anything other than mans unity with God and the eternal salvation of our souls. • Belief in Jesus will guarantee us monetary wealth or material goods. • Does not focus first on the worship of God and second, the love of our neighbor. Next, I look for the ‘organic unity’ of the teachings of this authority. Are there any obvious inconsistencies in their teachings today, in comparison to their teachings over the years? Do they completely change or modify what they teach, over time. I believe a teaching authority can expand on a teaching or a thought, but it cannot outright change its beliefs, that action demonstrates that the Teaching Authority does not recognize, understand or teach truth, but instead opinions. Opinions change, truth does not. In their teachings, is there truth building upon and joining with truth – an ‘organic development’. Can the teachings of an authority hold up under scrutiny – true academic-style in-depth examination and not just simple off-the-cuff opinions? Use this as a starting point and build upon it. As a result of this type of examination, I chose the Catholic Church. Within the Catholic Church, there are those who teach their opinions. I reject those people and listen to what the Magisterium of the Catholic Church teaches. You have to make your own decision. Brian |
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31 | Would Adam and Eve have fallen? | Gen 3:13 | Brian.g | 186982 | ||
ebrain I have reviewed your analysis and I would like comment on it. Your comparision of Adam to Jesus is interesting, but incomplete. Jesus never sinned. Adam sinned. Jesus took on the weight of man's sin with the purpose of uniting man with God - but he did not sin. Jesus was united with God and trusted God, he was not afraid to be seen by God. Adam joined with Eve in sinning against God. If his intent was to protect Eve, then it was to protect Eve, against God. Jesus recognized that mankind does sin, but through true repentence and by seeking God's foregiveness we can again unite with God. Adam took a defensive position against God and tried to hide his sin. In Gen 3:8-9, Adam and Eve hid in the bushes. Jesus never advocated hiding from God, but to repent so we can be with God. I hope this helps Brian |
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32 | Would Adam and Eve have fallen? | Gen 3:13 | Brian.g | 186977 | ||
WOS You are correct that I omitted that God calls man first. After which, man will accept or reject God. Thank you Brian |
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33 | Would Adam and Eve have fallen? | Gen 3:13 | Brian.g | 186966 | ||
Steve This is a good reference, thank you Man's desires is a driving force. God says 'this', but my desires say 'that'. Ultimately, man has to decide, by using his intellect, whether he is going to trust in God or is he going to judge God as wrong, by choosing his own opinions. But, man has the ability and the freedom of will to choose God. Thanks Brian |
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34 | How does one know their faith is real? | Matt 7:21 | Brian.g | 186965 | ||
LookN.. Faith in God and Jesus, can at times be very hard. And when it is hard, that is when you will know if you have true faith and trust in Jesus. When we go through life and we have material success, money in the pocket, good home, happy family, new car, the respect and admiration of your friends and peers, it's easy to have faith in Jesus. It is when the pocket is empty and the bills are due, when you have a debilitating illness, when you suffer the loss of a loved one, when in the middle of the night the fear of tomorrow is almost overwhelming, and when God 'hides his face' (Ps 13:1) and you don't feel God is with you while there are enemies all around. When you can face these sufferings without blaming God, without asking why you are being punished, without trying to make a deal with God to get you out of this mess.... without believing that God has abandoned you. And if you can still firmly believe that Jesus is still with you because he said he would be, then you have faith and trust in Jesus. As a Catholic, we believe that God uses our suffering as a test of faith. 1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls. When Jesus, the man, was suffering as they drove each nail into his hands and feet, He never lost faith in God. Unite your suffering with Jesus' suffering, gain the strength of Jesus' faith, and stand firm in your faith and trust and give praise to the name and glory of God. Look into your heart for the truth of what you believe, that is where God is looking. Brian |
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35 | Would Adam and Eve have fallen? | Gen 3:13 | Brian.g | 186963 | ||
Vincent There are two ways to look at this question. First: as you asked it - would Adam and Eve have fallen if the devil never entered the garden Second: Did Adam and Eve have the power or ability to reject sin - whether the devil was present or not. The devil does not have ultimate power or control over mankind. Man has to participate and make the final decision as to whether or not to sin. Gen 4:7 If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master." Mt 4:3-10 ...At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan ... In the first example, God tells us we have the ability to reject Satan.. In the second example, Jesus the man, rejects the temptations of the devil. In both cases, God is telling and showing us, we have the intellect and strength to reject sin, if we desire to. Actually, the third way to look at this question would be: would Adam and Eve used their intellect to question God's command, in the first place - and if so, could they have come to the conclusion or opinion (because this would be an act of the intellect or reason), that God was wrong. Well, I think we see enough actions in this world where people have come to the conclusion that they are more capable of making a proper decision about things than God is and I don't think Satan can take credit for all of those acts, I think sometimes man can do it, all by himself. When man reasons with his intellect that his decision is more right than God's, it is a sign of man's lack of faith and lack of trust in God and Jesus. Mark 11:22 Jesus said to them in reply, "Have faith in God. Brian |
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36 | 2 Natures? | Phil 2:6 | Brian.g | 186913 | ||
Hi John I wanted to expand a bit on your answer... In John 14:6, Jesus said ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’. What is truth? If we look at the simple mathematical statement of 1 plus 1 equals 2, we find out the following about truth: • All truth is never changing – it does not change from generation to generation; from community to community; from person to person (Mt 5:17-18) • All truth existed prior to man – prior to man declaring, judging or opinionating on it. (Jn 17:24) • Truth is not subject to change based upon man’s opinion: it ignores man’s opinion as to whether 1 plus 1 should equal any value other than 2. (Mt 16:13-14) • All truth existed prior to anything physical; such as the planets and the universe. In the darkest voids of space, the truth of 1 plus 1 remains. (Gen 1:1) • All truth will continue to exist after man and for all time. (Rev 1:8 and 1 Jn 2:25) • Truth does not contain deception or fraud (Mk 9:7; Is 53:9; 1 Peter 2:22) Where does truth come from? • All truth is discovered or revealed, not created (Mt 16:15-17) • The source of truth is the essence, reason or rationality of God (Jn 1:14) • If truth had been created by God, then it would be changeable – the artist or storyteller can change his creation. If created, 1 plus 1 could equal some other value (Jn 1:2 and 1 Peter 1:25) • By being of the essence of God, then like God, truth has no beginning, it is never changing and never ending (Rev 1:8 and Rev 1:17-18) • Truth proceeds from truth o as fire proceeds from fire o as light proceeds from light o as speech (words) proceed from reason (Gen 1:1-3 and Jn 1:1-5) John 1:14 And the Word became flesh Like man in every way except sin (1 Jn 3:9; Heb 4:14-15) What is man’s responsibility towards truth? • Man’s responsibility is to: o Seek to truly discover o Strive to understand with his heart o Live, convey and unite with truth, which is the essence of God. o (Mt 13:13-16; Jn 4:22-24 ; Jn 6:45; Jn 17:19-23; Jn 14:6) Brian |
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37 | i just cant find it | Hos 7:8 | Brian.g | 183825 | ||
hosea 7:8 | ||||||
38 | Virgin Mary | Ex 20:4 | Brian.g | 183035 | ||
WOS In your reply, you referenced Luke 1:46-48. "...from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed" Blessed means to be make or pronounce as holy. To be holy means "perfect in righteousness and divine love : infinitely good : worthy of complete devotion and trust : commanding one's fullest powers of adoration and reverence" To be 'righteous' means conforming oneself to the divine or moral law. Lev 11:44-45 For I, the LORD, am your God; and you shall make and keep yourselves holy, because I am holy. You shall not make yourselves unclean, then, by any swarming creature that crawls on the ground. Since I, the LORD, brought you up from the land of Egypt that I might be your God, you shall be holy, because I am holy. God would not expect man to be holy, if it was not possible. Mary proved it was and is, possible, as did Noah (Gen 6:9) and Abraham (Gen 15:6). Therefore, Scripture did say that Mary was perfect, in righteousness. Which is what we would expect from the perfect disciple of Christ. Brian |
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39 | Virgin Mary | Ex 20:4 | Brian.g | 183012 | ||
To have a picture or statuette of any human being (living or dead) in your home is not wrong. To worship that art form, as if it were a god, would be wrong. To view a form of art in remembrance of how that person lived their life as an inspiration, in the same manner in which the images within the stained glass windows in churches inspire and help us remember, is not wrong Mary is viewed as the perfect disciple of Christ. The perfect disciple of Christ is one who always serves Christ, never betrays or abandons Christ and always leads other to follow Christ. From the moment the angel came to Mary (Lk 1:38 Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid (servant) of the Lord) To the wedding a Cana (Jn 2:5 His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you.") Through the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus Other Disciples: Jn 13:38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times." Other Disciples: Lk 23:49 but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events. Mary: Jn 19:25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala And following the instructions of Jesus to wait in the upper room, in prayer, for the Holy Spirit Acts 1:14 All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. From the very beginning and forever thereafter, there was only one perfect disciple of Christ who never wavered, who was always with Christ and who never denied or abandoned Christ. Mary, the mother of Christ, is that perfect disciple of Christ. Go ahead and put her picture in your home and I hope she inspires you to be like her as the perfect disciple of Christ and to lead others to Christ. Mary is the Christmas star – always leading others to Christ Brian |
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40 | Why did God Provide us with Free Will | 1 John 4:16 | Brian.g | 175683 | ||
Grasshopper Let’s put 'sin' in a different format than simply being an offense against God (although it is an offense). Think of sin as an act which puts distance between us and God. Every sin is one step further away from God. If we were to have the same closeness of relationship with God, as Jesus did, there would be zero distance between us and God. And there would be no sin, no offense against God, no disharmony, only the fullness of Gods love and the wholeness of unity which Jesus prayed about in John 17. In reality, there is distance between each person and God. And God did not create the distance - we did and we do. Each time we act in a manner which moves us away from God, we call that act a 'sin'. And, since God does not force or cause us to act in this manner, that act of separation was freely chosen by us. If you are forced (lack of free will) to act in this manner, it is not a sin; it is not an act of separation between you and God. Maybe we don't always think about the ramifications of our acts, but we, of our own free will, perform the act(s) which puts distance between us and God. Next, think of hell, not in terms of lakes of fire, but in our not being with God - the greatest amount of distance from God, possible. So much distance, that we can no longer be considered ‘with God’ (although God is always with us). The question becomes, did God push us away and send us to hell or did we leave God and place ourselves in hell. God is always calling us to Him. And, think about how terrible and lonely we feel when we don’t feel the presence of God in our lives. It would have to feel like being in a lake of fire, to feel that way for all eternity. In answer to your original question as to why God gives us free will. It is because God is always calling us to Him and His love. True love (our response to God’s call) can only be freely given, never forced. To your second question, why attach us to skin and feelings. If we only had one option to which to give our love, it would not be a true act of free will. When we have the freedom to choose between money, power, and all of our other desires and we chose to respond to God’s love over all other choices, as Jesus did in Mt 4:1-11, then we are freely responding to God. Nobody is forcing us, God is not the ‘only’ choice and our relationship with God becomes our choice. Free will. Brian |
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