Results 61 - 80 of 106
|
||||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: gbennett76 Ordered by Date |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
61 | let him ask of God, who gives to all | James 1:5 | gbennett76 | 94497 | ||
The Prophet Joseph Smith’s own words about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon are: “On the evening of the . . . twenty-first of September [1823] . . . I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God . . . . “While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. “He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrists; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom. “Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me. “He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. “He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants; “Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted Seers in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book. “Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spoken—for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled—I should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it. “After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so, until the room was again left dark, except just around him, when instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended until he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light had made its appearance. “I lay musing on the singularity of the scene, and marveling greatly at what had been told to me by this extraordinary messenger; when, in the midst of my meditation, I suddenly discovered that my room was again beginning to get lighted, and in an instant, as it were, the same heavenly messenger was again by my bedside. “He commenced, and again related the very same things which he had done at his first visit, without the least variation; which having done, he informed me of great judgments which were coming upon the earth, with great desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence; and that these grievous judgments would come on the earth in this generation. Having related these things, he again ascended as he had done before. |
||||||
62 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94491 | ||
Even More Fuel: Ten Reasons Why "Sola Scriptura" is Impossible, Illogical and Foolish: 1)If the Bible is complete, why does it not say so? Sometimes people point to verses that say "all scripture is given" – a very forced and unnatural interpretation. The first such passage is in Deuteronomy 4:3, which says (in effect) "do not add to this." So why don't believers in "sola scriptura" throw out the whole New Testament and all the Old Testament that was written after Deuteronomy? 2)Bible interpretation depends on the words of prophets. 3)Bible interpretation depends on having an accurate copy of the original texts. No such copy exists: All we have are copies of copies. The earliest copies show that whole passages – e.g. the last 12 verses of Mark – could be in doubt. 4)The current Bible canon was decided by Catholic theologians: So Protestants base their faith on uninspired men from a church they reject as apostate! 5)Scripture has to be interpreted: In practice, "sola scriptura" means that everyone interprets the scriptures for himself. So we have scriptural chaos. At the very least, the individual becomes the final judge of exactly what the scripture means, which places man above God. 6)Even the greatest thinkers will disagree over how to be saved: For example, "Luther thought Zwingli was "damned" because he denied the Real Presence in the Eucharist. If Luther didn't even regard him as a brother in Christ due to doctrinal disputes, then obviously they didn't agree on how one is saved! Clearly, Luther thought that the Eucharist was crucial to salvation. In this he would differ from Calvin as well, and the same thing applies to baptism, because Luther believed in baptismal regeneration, whereas Calvin (and, I believe, Zwingli) denied it." 7)There are many different ways of harmonising the Scripture. ALL can be defended indefinitely: So it is not enough to use one scripture to explain another. Calvinists have one way of doing this. Arminians have another way. Baptists have another way. They all come to different conclusions on significant questions. So do Lutherans, Anglicans, Nazarenes, Presbyterians, Methodists, Plymouth Brethren, Seventh-Day Adventists, Mennonites, etc., etc. 8)Believers in "sola scriptura" rely on outside evidences: The idea is that the believer listens to churches, pastors, books, professors, commentaries spiritual experiences, traditions, creeds, hymns, etc., and then makes up their own mind. But this implies that these outside influences suggest possibilities that the believer would not have come up with on their own. In other words, he relies on them. 9)Believers in "sola scriptura" place their own subjective beliefs above the authority of the Bible: Luther recognised that some key teachings could not be reconciled from the Bible alone. For example, Paul seems to teach salvation by grace, and James appears to teach salvation by works. So Luther developed a concept known as the "analogy of faith." In other words, if Paul seemed to contradict James, Luther looked at his overall beliefs regarding Christ. But where do these overall beliefs come from, except from these same texts? Luther liked Paul better than James, so he (Luther) decided that Paul was more important. He wrote: "To sum it all up ... St. John's Gospel [not the synoptics], and his first epistle, St. Paul's epistles, especially those to the Romans, to the Galatians, and to the Ephesians, and St. Peter's first epistle – these are the books which show you Christ and teach everything which is needful and blessed for you to know even if you don't see or even hear any other book. ... Wherefore St. James epistle is a true epistle of straw compared with them, for it contains nothing of an evangelical nature." See Biblical Theology and the Analogy of Faith for references and further discussion. 10)"Sola scriptura" was the attitude of the scribes and Pharisees: Jesus and his apostles were different. They spoke with authority. They could back up their words for scripture, but the churches of the day did not accept their interpretations. Many years ago I was reading the Bible and came across the following verse: 1 John 2:15: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." This struck me as odd, because I had been brought up with another well known verse by the same author (the apostle John): John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Is it good to love the world? Yes? No? At that point, I began to realise that the Bible has to be interpreted. There is no getting away from that fact. The End |
||||||
63 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94490 | ||
More Fuel Misconceptions held by the majority of this forum: 1)The Bible is so plain that what it means is "obvious." 2)Simply by quoting scriptures, everything will become clear. In doing so, they show very little knowledge of the Bible, or ability to think clearly. This is why: -If every Bible verse can be taken at face value, then the Bible is a mess of contradictions and mistakes. -If the meaning is so clear, then every thinking person would agree with them. But they do not. The truth is that the Bible has to be interpreted. So the great question is, why is one interpretation any better than another? Using the Bible to Test the Bible Circular Arguments: A critic wrote, "If I am shown interpretations other than those I already hold to, which make more sense than mine do in light of the whole of Scripture, I will listen." This belief is comforting but false. What "makes sense" when interpreting scripture will depend on our existing methods and assumptions. What if our view of "the whole of scripture" is faulty (for example, if we think that the Bible is all there is)? Then every other scripture will be judged according to this false standard. The Usual Protestant Rule of Biblical Interpretation: "If we are to believe that God gave us the Bible for a purpose, then it follows that... His purpose is for us to understand it, with His help" Exactly. "With his help." Since internal help would be circular, he must provide external help (the Holy Spirit, prophets, etc.) "Take the Bible literally where it is at all possible" I agree this is a good general rule, but it must not be relied on completely, because: This was the rule the ancient Pharisees used – e.g. they expected a Messiah who would literally be a "king." Consequently they missed Jesus when he came. It is just not practical. It is possible to take almost everything literally, an still be internally consistent. But who does? How many Christians only have one coat? How many give to everyone who asks? It goes against the examples in the New Testament. Right from Matthew chapters 1 and 2, we see prophecies that are not interpreted according to any literal rule, or by looking at the original context. For example, "out of Egypt I have called my son," by this method, must refer to the nation of Israel being led by Moses. "A virgin shall conceive" must have referred to an ordinary young woman in Isaiah's day. I am highly doubtful that most evangelical Protestants do follow this rule anyway. The last time I discussed this matter in any depth with a "Born Again Christian," he sent me a number of audio tapes from his church. One of them was about the Book of Revelation. His minister started by stating that it was practically all symbolic. "If God cannot author confusion, then any interpretative problems invariably arise from the human end (1 Cor 2:14; 2 Pet 3:16), not from the Scriptures themselves" I agree. But humans are sinful. We invariably get it wrong without divine help. This method of interpretation just about guarantees a false understanding of scripture. The verses quoted make clear that the final test of scripture is NOT more scripture. 1 Cor 2:14 suggests the final test is the Holy Spirit. The context of 2 Peter 3:16 (e.g. see verse 2) suggests the final test is the living apostles. (At the time, there was no cannoned New Testament.) The Myth of Context If you ask someone why a passage means one thing and not another, the usual answer is "context." In other words, they look at the surrounding verses and chapters. But this does not help – it is another circular argument. If the verse in question is open to different interpretations, so are the surrounding verses. Context IS important, but it does not give certainty. Which context do we look at? The previous verse? All the surrounding verses? The whole chapter? The message of the whole book? The speaker? The audience? Other similar scriptures? The historical context? The political context? The expected level of understanding? All of these things can potentially lead to different interpretations. Combining them in different ways just multiplies the potential confusion. Conclusion: Can or Should Scripture be Interpreted by Scripture? Scripture should be interpreted in the light of scripture, but this should not be the "first and foremost" way: It contradicts itself. The first thing we discover when we read scripture is that it is written by prophets and apostles. So it follows that prophets and apostles (since they create scripture) must be the preferred source. So the first task of a Bible believer must be to identify the true apostles. (This of course eliminates mainstream Protestantism as a potential source of truth.) |
||||||
64 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94489 | ||
A Little Mormon Thought And because my words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible. 4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible•; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews•, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles? 5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have acursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people. 6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews? 7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? 8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two• nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. 9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my bwords according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever. 10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. 11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written. 12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall bwrite it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it. |
||||||
65 | Where are today's visions? | Prov 29:18 | gbennett76 | 94488 | ||
Where are today's visions? If they have ceased as some have claimed than are we unrestrained and full of lawlessness. Perhaps if we had a prophet to guide us with visions and revelations(2Cor. 12:1) the church would surely have more unity. |
||||||
66 | Is this a hint of Universalism? | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94487 | ||
I claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of my cconscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. |
||||||
67 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94486 | ||
I posted my "creed" as I was asked to. All of these questions are pointless. I merely did as I was asked. This was not intended to persuade, convert or debate. Now you see the very reasons I find it unneccesary to state articles of individual faith in this forum. I do agree that alot of my creeds are controversial to say the least. However, that is my concern and not yours. I am not claiming that my path is the only way; I only claim that my path has a way. Therefore I find Pastor Gleen to be out of Line and Morant61 devisive stance beneath me. | ||||||
68 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94470 | ||
It doesnt. These are oral traditions of the early gnostic church. | ||||||
69 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94468 | ||
Answers two your questions: 1)Where does Scripture teach that there is a Heavenly Mother? "The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger." (Jeremiah 7:18) "Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, saying: Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them."Jeremiah 44: 25-27: Wisdom 8:2, 16, 18 tells us that Solomon was seen as married to Sophia. One of the many layers of symbolism attributed to the Song of Songs (also known as Song of Solomon or Canticle of Canticles) is that it speaks of Solomon's marriage to Holy Sophia. Wisdom 9:8-11 even tells us that Sophia instructed Solomon in building the Temple! The Jews revered Sophia. King Solomon even put Her right in the Temple, in the form of the Goddess Asherah. However, after the "reforms" of King Josiah, there was a threat that the veneration of Sophia would come to a halt - there was even more of a threat when patriarchal Christianity took over the world. Even still, thanks to Her continuing presence in the world and Her presence in the Bible, veneration of Sophia continued in the Eastern tradition with the construction of the Hagia Sophia and the Russian Catholic liturgical service to Sophia combined with the assumption of Mary on May 15. The Russian Orthodox Church has also begun a school of "Sophiology" to explore the thealogy of Sophia without contradicting the Russian Orthodox theology. 2)Where is Jesus declared to be 'second' to the Father? For example, the three members of the Godhead were separately manifested at the baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:16-17) and at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:55-56). Peter and Stephen testify that they saw the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. Any person that had seen the heavens opened knows that there are three personages in the heavens who hold the keys of power, and one presides over all. |
||||||
70 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94460 | ||
My Creed Part 7-Scripture and Tradition Scripture Simply stated, the Protestant doctrine of sola scriptura ("Scripture alone") teaches that every teaching in Christian theology (everything pertaining to "faith and practice") must be able to be derived from Scripture alone.An essential part of this doctrine, as it has been historically articulated by Protestants, is that theology must be done without allowing Tradition or a Magisterium (teaching authority) any binding authority. If Tradition or a Magisterium could bind the conscience of the believer as to what he was to believe then the believer would not be looking to Scripture alone as his authority. Thus, according to sola scriptura, any role Tradition, a Magisterium, Bible commentaries, or anything else may play in theology is simply to suggest interpretations and evidence to the believer as he makes his decision. Each individual Christian is thus put in the position of being his own theologian. Not only is the average Christian totally disinclined to fulfill the role of theologian, but if they try to do so, and if they arrive at conclusions different than those of the church they belong to-an easy task considering the number of different theological issues-then they will quickly discover that their right to private judgment amounts to a right to shut up or leave the congregation. Protestant pastors have long realized (in fact, Luther and Calvin realized it) that, although they must preach the doctrine of private judgment to ensure their own right to preach, they must prohibit the exercise of this right in practice for others, lest the group be torn apart by strife and finally break up. It is the failure of the prohibition of the right of private judgment that has resulted in the over 20,000 Christian Protestant denominations listed in the Oxford University Press's World Christian Encyclopedia. Apostolic Tradition I believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.I believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.I believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and I believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God through his prophets and apostles. |
||||||
71 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94459 | ||
My Creed Part 6-Exaltation Exaltation Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) The Greek word for "perfect" is teleios, which means full or complete. Jesus said we should become full or complete, as our Father in Heaven is full or complete. In giving us this commandment, Jesus put into proper perspective the grand purpose of our whole existence. The Plan of Salvation can be summed up in those few words: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:16-17) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:7) We are the children of God and then we become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. One would expect that an heir of God would inherit the things of God. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:2-4) Partaking of the divine nature of God means sharing his attributes and becoming like Him. The Apostle John taught that those who overcometh sin through Christ will inherit all things from God. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:6-7) |
||||||
72 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94458 | ||
My Creed Part 5-Salvation Salvation I believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by faith and obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.All men are saved by grace alone without any act on their part, meaning they are resurrected. There will be a General Salvation for all in the sense in which that term is generally used, but salvation, meaning resurrection, is not exaltation.However powerful the saving grace of Christ, it brings exaltation to no man who does not comply with the works of the gospel. |
||||||
73 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94457 | ||
My Creed Part 4-Sin Sin Sin Has No Existence Except as It Is Created by Mankind, and Man Must Pay the Penalties for His debased creations.Sin does not exist as an abstract thing, but is the result of disobedience to some law whose operations must be pursued in conformity to its creation; and men who violate it must suffer the consequences of such violation. Mortals may not fully realize that every law carries with it a penalty for its violation, and this applies to the smallest law in the material universe as well as to the greatest law in the Spiritual Kingdom. And this penalty is just as sure in its operation as is the law itself. God did not create or permit sin or error to exist, in the sense that it is an independent entity waiting to influence men to do wrong and violate his laws of perfect harmony. Rather, when men, in the exercise of their will (which God will not compel) violate one of his laws and thereby interfere with that harmony themselves, they cause the inharmony to arise, which brings with it the pains and sufferings and sins and errors which are prevalent in the world. I believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. |
||||||
74 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94456 | ||
My Creed Part 3-Man Man Man was a pre-existent spirit. Our origin is that we are procreated children of God, born as spirits in some other realm. In that spirit world existence we progressed as far as was possible, but to become truly like our Heavenly Father we needed to obtain physical bodies. We also needed to learn the difference between good and evil. Since our Heavenly Father has progressed so far that He cannot allow evil into His presence, it was necessary for us to leave Him for some place where we could encounter and overcome evil ourselves. We would be expected to accept the grace of the cross, gain knowledge, educate ourselves, train ourselves. We were to control our urges and desires, master and control our passions, and overcome our weaknesses, small and large through prayer and faith. We were to strive eliminate sins of omission and of commission, and to follow the laws and commandments given us by our Father contained in the gospels. |
||||||
75 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94455 | ||
My Creed Part 2-Incarnations When God and Goddess decided to take the flesh here on earth to get things done (every couple thousand years they seem to do this) they chose Mary as one of the humans they could channel through. You remember she was asked and agreed to the task. The Mother Goddess came and actually dwelt within Mary of Nazareth's body in order to give birth to the masculine god. And then a few years later, somewhere across the Sea of Galilee in a little merchant town called Magdala (still a village in Israel today) perhaps the Great Goddess also came long enough to give birth to Mary Magdalene, the feminine messiah. It is very likely that both Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary were representatives of the Goddess and served as priestesses in a Temple, be it the Second (Hebrew) Temple on the Temple Mount or one of the many pagan temples built by Solomon, the Romans or Greeks which existed and thrived during Yeshua's day in the city of Jerusalem, the province of Galilee and other cities of Israel. We know there was the Women's Court at both Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and we know there is mention of the practice of sending young women there to "work." Mother Mary is said to have been dedicated to Temple work, she lived there, wove tapestries, altar cloths, prayed for the betterment of the people, etc. She is repeatedly called a "Temple Virgin" and apocryphal books tell of her adventures there under the Highpriest Zacharius. [Gospel of the Birth of Mary, written 300's AD, supposedly written by Matthew, and the Protevangelion, written by James, Yeshua's brother, one of Mary's other sons]. At one point another priest, Abiathar, wants Mary, known as a magikally powerful and beautiful priestess, to marry his son. It was custom after their service to the Temple, to give the Temple "Virgins" in marriage to prominent men of the community, usually nobles or priests. The Highpriest is perplexed what to do with Mary, she cannot marry just anyone, and so he enters the Holy of Holies and asks the Divine to send a sign. That's how she ends up betrothed to Joseph. Ancient pagan temples of both Old and New Testament times were populated with sacred "prostitutes." But these women were NOT what we consider prostitutes today. They were highly respected representatives of whichever goddess whose temple they served in. The words used to indicate them are not "whore" or prostitute, but Hierodules or Hetera (singular) heterae (plural), meaning sacred dedicant, sacred temple-worker. When Mary Magdalene was called a hetera or prostitute back in the early centuries of Christianity, the people of the time knew perfectly well what that meant, she was a Temple Priestess, serving the Goddess. Perhaps she was such a priestess, the ubiquitous name of "Mary" has been attributed to the fact that it might not be a woman's specific name at all, but might mean a priestess of the goddess religion. Either way, Mary Magdalene did have a life before she joined Yeshua's ministry, but we now know it was not selling her body on the street like modern-day prostitutes. What about Mother Mary? Did she actually sleep with men in the Temple? We will never know, but we do know the story of Pantera, a Greek-born Roman soldier assigned to guard the Temple precinct in Jerusalem. "News" records of the time say he met, and perhaps wooed, a Temple Tapestry weaver named Mary then got her with child, a child later claimed to be conceived of God. This story is historically recorded in the Jewish writings of the time, the Talmud, and even in a Roman record book. Jewish writings from the first century go on to say it was the same Mary who gave birth to the Christian messiah, Jesus. Even more fascinating, in the 1990's, the grave of Pantera was uncovered in Germany, and sure enough he lived during the time of Jesus' birth and was even stationed in Jerusalem at the time! He was the head of a legion in his later years and had been transferred to fight in Germany, but died there in his late 40's. Ian Wilson discusses the Pantera evidence in his book Jesus the Evidence. We know that Yeshua was divinely conceived, but some religionists like to think he still had a human "sperm donor" to make the baby start growing inside Mary's womb. Those of this camp assume that was Joseph, but since he protested having never slept with her, perhaps God used this Greco-Roman soldier with the fascinating name. Pantera may be a mixed form of Hebrew and Latin, Ben-Terra, which means Son of the Earth Goddess). |
||||||
76 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94454 | ||
My Creed Part 1-Deity Deity Divine Nature God refers to a Divine Nature. Jesus refers to a divine person belonging to the divine nature. Nature and Personhood are two entirely different things. God has one nature and three persons. We are humans. We share what is referred to as human nature. Humanity has one nature with trillions of persons. All these persons are individuals and distinct yet are one in nature. I worship one God in trinity, and trinity in unity;For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son; another of the Holy Ghost.But the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the divinity equal, the majesty co-eternal.The Father-Elohim, Jesus-Jehovah and The Holy Ghost are three persons whom share the divine nature. They are distinct and individual without robbing the divinity of the others. Whatever, therefore, was the substance of the Word that I designate a Person, I claim for it the name of Son; and while I recognize the Son, I assert His distinction as second to the Father. The Nature of God requires some degree of belief in a Heavenly Mother, a Queen of Heaven, a Goddess. Ironic that mainstream Christianity uses the phrase "family of God" since it is a dysfunctional family with no females, daughters or spouses. Humans naturally resonate with and respond to both a God and a Goddess. God-the-Mother, wife of God-the-Father, was long ago removed from the Bible. But not quite. Traces of her worship remain in the Old Testament, and are recorded in other ancient writings. We now know she was equally worshipped and revered right alongside her consort Yahweh, Jehovah, El. She was the Mother Goddess, the Nurturer. In Hebrew texts she is referred to as the Shekinah, in the Old testament as Queen of Heaven and Wisdom(Sophia). Early Christian belief suggests that Mary Magdelene was a goddess follower and possible a priestess. Galilee was an area know for its great temples to the goddess. She is revered by her final incarnation Of Mary of Nazareth…. The Blessed Mother. |
||||||
77 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94432 | ||
Why do u want me to declare a creed? Is it so that you can attempt to attack me personally? Do you see this as a solution? Are you being offended that I brought the very question of The Authority of the Bible up in a "STUDY BIBLE FORUM".. Perhaps many of the questions here would never have to be asked were it not for the sola scriptura plague of the modern church. If the church were still led by a qourum of 12 as Jesus instituted than just maybe this forum would be a thing of naught. Do you see this idea as threatening?.. |
||||||
78 | Sola Scriptura-A False teaching | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94377 | ||
Protestants claim the Bible is the only rule of faith, meaning that it contains all of the material one needs for theology and that this material is sufficiently clear that one does not need apostolic tradition to help one understand it. In the Protestant view, the whole of Christian truth is found within the Bible’s pages. Anything extraneous to the Bible is simply non-authoritative or wrong—and may well hinder one in coming to God. The true "rule of faith"—as expressed in the Bible itself—is Scripture plus apostolic tradition, as manifested in the living teaching authority of the Church, to which were entrusted the oral teachings of Jesus and the apostles, along with the authority to interpret Scripture correctly. But Evangelical and Fundamentalist Protestants, who place their confidence in Martin Luther’s theory of sola scriptura will usually argue for their position by citing a couple of key verses. The first is this: "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). The other is this: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be equipped, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17). According to these Protestants, these verses demonstrate the reality of sola scriptura (the "Bible only" theory). First, the verse from John refers to the things written in that book (read it with John 20:30, the verse immediately before it to see the context of the statement in question). If this verse proved anything, it would not prove the theory of sola scriptura but that the Gospel of John is sufficient. Second, the verse from John’s Gospel tells us only that the Bible was composed so we can be helped to believe Jesus is the Messiah. It does not say the Bible is all we need for salvation, much less that the Bible is all we need for theology; nor does it say the Bible is even necessary to believe in Christ. After all, the earliest Christians had no New Testament to which they could appeal; they learned from oral, rather than written, instruction. Until relatively recent times, the Bible was inaccessible to most people, either because they could not read or because the printing press had not been invented. All these people learned from oral instruction, passed down, generation to generation, by the Church. Much the same can be said about 2 Timothy 3:16-17. To say that all inspired writing "has its uses" is one thing; to say that such a remark means that only inspired writing need be followed is something else. Besides, there is a telling argument against claims of Evangelical and Fundamentalist Protestants. It is the contradiction that arises out of their own interpretation of this verse. John Henry Newman explained it in an 1884 essay entitled "Inspiration in its Relation to Revelation." He wrote: "It is quite evident that this passage furnishes no argument whatever that the sacred Scripture, without Tradition, is the sole rule of faith; for, although sacred Scripture is profitable for these four ends, still it is not said to be sufficient. The Apostle [Paul] requires the aid of Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15). Moreover, the Apostle here refers to the scriptures which Timothy was taught in his infancy. "Now, a good part of the New Testament was not written in his boyhood: Some of the Catholic epistles were not written even when Paul wrote this, and none of the books of the New Testament were then placed on the canon of the Scripture books. He refers, then, to the scriptures of the Old Testament, and, if the argument from this passage proved anything, it would prove too much, viz., that the scriptures of the New Testament were not necessary for a rule of faith." Furthermore, Protestants typically read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 out of context. When read in the context of the surrounding passages, one discovers that Paul’s reference to Scripture is only part of his exhortation that Timothy take as his guide Tradition and Scripture. The two verses immediately before it state: "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:14–15). Paul tells Timothy to continue in what he has learned for two reasons: first, because he knows from whom he has learned it—Paul himself—and second, because he has been educated in the scriptures. The first of these is a direct appeal to apostolic tradition, the oral teaching which the apostle Paul had given Timothy. So Protestants must take 2 Timothy 3:16-17 out of context to arrive at the theory of sola scriptura. But when the passage is read in context, it becomes clear that it is teaching the importance of apostolic tradition! |
||||||
79 | Does Jesus ever feel lonely? | Gen 1:1 | gbennett76 | 94156 | ||
Short Answer No. Jesus is a person of the Trinity. The second in partaking of the Divine Nature. As St. Athanasius stated. There is no dividing of the divine substance. Wheresoever the Father is; so also the Son is. | ||||||
80 | Will heaven include Animals. | Gen 1:1 | gbennett76 | 94154 | ||
Current ecological concern has raised the question of the status of animal life in the universe. The treatment of animals by man has ranged from worship to cruelty. What is the will of our Heavenly Father in regard to animals? When animals were placed upon the earth, our Heavenly Father said that it was good. (See Gen. 1:25.) Since the creation of the earth, man has been given dominion over the animals. That animals are to be treated with kindness is indicated in the law of Moses. The Lord enjoined the Israelites to show kindness to the ox by not muzzling it when it was treading the corn during the harvest threshing. (Deut. 25:4.) Undue strain on unequally yoked animals was forbidden as well. (Deut. 22:10.) The ancient Israelites were also to avoid destroying birds’ nests while working in their fields. (Deut. 22:6-7.) The Lord instructed the Hebrews to help the overburdened animal, even if it belonged to an enemy. (Ex. 23:4-5.) Even animals were to be spared labor on the Sabbath. (Ex. 20:10.) A proverb observed that “a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” (Prov. 12:10.) The prophet Isaiah revealed that during the millennial reign, cruelty to all living creatures would be abolished: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. “And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. “And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:6-9.) The Lord further explained to Hosea concerning the millennial state of animals: “And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.” (Hosea 2:18.) Again the Lord’s concern for animal life is revealed in Luke 12:6, where he states that of the sparrows that are sold, “not one of them is forgotten before God.” Consider these verses as you ponder your question. |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 ] Next > Last [6] >> |