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Originally posted by nan29:
Hi Andy,

I agree with you (you're not alone). Many people read the bible and interpret it differently. I think God speaks to each of us personally (individually) which is why we get a different message. Sometimes I may read a passage, gain an understnding of it but then read some of the comments here and they are totally different then how I understood it. I don't think either of us are wrong. I think God gave us a different message. I agree that the Bible is inspired by God, not dictated. That's why it's important to read the Bible and spend some time reflecting on what God is telling you, it's not the same for everyone. I also agree that miracles aren't just miracles because they cannot be explained by science. I've read that when Christ died the sky blackened. Many people say there was a solar eclipse at that time. But I would ask who made the eclipse? God of course. Just because science can explain somethings doesn't take away the fact that God was the one who initiated it.

Nan

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Posts: 290 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged | 

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Originally posted by nan29:

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Originally posted by nan29:

or read it but don't take it literally,
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Let's not go there - if you want to start a debate on this wonderful gem (which will inevitably start slowly and radipid descend in to a debate about creationism), let's start another thread. From what I've read I'm heavily outnumbered on this forum regarding this topic

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Let's go there

I'm pretty new to this so I don't know what the general consensus is or what your position is.

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I may regret this, but oh well:

From what I've read, the majority on the boards would describe themselves as what I would term 'literalist', that is someone who believes that every word in the bible, new and old testament, is literaly true. So, they believe that the earth was created in seven 24 hour periods, that the flood and noah's ark happened exactly as said in the bible and that we really shouldn't wear a garment weaved of two cloths

Needless to say I'm not in this camp - I believe that the bible is the inspired word of god, and the new testament is literally true as it is a testament to Jesus's time on earth and God's new covenant with us. However, I believe that the Old Testament, while being the inspired word of God, contains history (Judges for example), rules for the old covenant (Leviticus for example), parabals to teach us lessons (the creation story in Genesis for example), example prayers and songs (e.g. Psalms) and notes on how we should live our lives (e.g. proverbs and Song of Solomon).

I also believe that there is no conflict at being able to provide a rational explanation for supernatural events in the bible with those events being God inspired. We do not have to provide a rational explanation for everything, but if it is there it does not take anything away from the miracle.

For example, studies have shown that there were potentially several comets passing by at the time of the birth of Jesus that could (or could not) explain the star of bethlehem. However, is it a coincidence that Jesus would have been born at exactly the right time in the right place for the comet in the sky to lead the shepherds and the three wise men to him? I think not.

A miracle does not always require God to undertake supernatural events. Sometimes all it needs is a 'push' to make sure that all the required events line up. The miracle is not that the individual events happen, it is that they are all there in the right place at the right time to ensure the desired effect. Whether or not you believe it is a miracle or an act of random chance is an act of faith and belief, but then that's what christianity is all about.

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Cheers

Andy

Posts: 290 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged | 

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HOWEVER, there are plenty of messages in the bible that tell you once you have truly repented that you should follow God's teachings, keep his rules, provide a great example to those around you and try and spread the word. Being baptised, reading the bible, going to church etc are great ways of doing this and you should think long and hard whether you are doing all that God wants you to do without taking any action to try and keep you on the right path.

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Posts: 38 | From: New York | Registered: May 2006  |  IP: Logged | 

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quote:
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Originally posted by nan29:

or read it but don't take it literally,
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Let's not go there - if you want to start a debate on this wonderful gem (which will inevitably start slowly and radipid descend in to a debate about creationism), let's start another thread. From what I've read I'm heavily outnumbered on this forum regarding this topic

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Let's go there

I'm pretty new to this so I don't know what the general consensus is or what your position is.

Posts: 38 | From: New York | Registered: May 2006  |  IP: Logged | 

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Originally posted by nan29:
Okay, but how about those people who call themselves Christians but aren't devout followers of Christ.

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Originally posted by nan29:

or read it but don't take it literally,

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Let's not go there - if you want to start a debate on this wonderful gem (which will inevitably start slowly and radipid descend in to a debate about creationism), let's start another thread. From what I've read I'm heavily outnumbered on this forum regarding this topic

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Cheers

Andy

Posts: 290 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged | 

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Originally posted by Eduardo Grequi:
I trully believe if 2 or more are gather in collection, Jesus, The Holy Spirit is there. Can one not go to church, be truly saved!

Of Course!!

Salvation is based upon Jesus the Christ and not any tradition of man.

Some people belief, you need not to be baptizee. I do not agree with that. Jesus in his own words said, "He that believes and is baptized is saved, he that believes not is already condemn.

All Coverts of the bible were immediately baptized, except the theif to the right of Jesus at Mt Golgatha. However, Jesus lead the example.

Trully take time and write out the words of Jesus and see how much they different from the Mosiac Laws.

The law came to convict of sin- which it has done rightly so, but Jesus came to bring light thru the law. If your salvation is true, it stands to reason that you will desire to be like him, even unto death.

The Christians in the 10/40 window die for their faith. We as believers of Christ here in Westren Civilization are becoming a minority.

There is a nominal Christian (traditionalized Christan) and a Christian who is motivated by shear faith to be like Jesus and non-selfish, unbiased.

Truly as people from all walks of life have an inante desire to know God and to become Him or earn his beneviolence.

The Islam, The Jew, The Christan, are all followers of a montheist God. For awhile Coptic Christians,Menonites Christians, Jews and Muslims all lived in harmony superficially speaking until one day, the crusades occured.

The first term ever used for a believer of Jesus, was Cultic Jew. The first extra-judiac word for a follower of Jesus was Christian in Antioch of Syria.

Remember many nomadic people did not recognized borders as we do today.

Can you believe in Jesus and not go to church!
Of Course

I perfer fellowship in a house or even at Dukin Donuts over a heavy habit.

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Posts: 5 | From: belgica | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged | 

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Originally posted by giel:
can one be more like jesus if one follows the rules of the curch. I wonder because jesus was a jew and he followed their rules.

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Posts: 290 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged |