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Author
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Topic: FACING UP TO FACTS
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Eden
unregistered
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posted
Cornelius Stam wrote, as posted by WildB quote:
This is where most philosophies and the Bible clash head-on. Most philosophies close their eyes to man's sinful nature. They presume that man is good by nature when overwhelming evidence bears witness that he is sinful by nature. Thus human philosophies offer no salvation from sin and its just penalty. Only "the gospel of the grace of God" does that.
That's true, seeing oneself as a sinner and admitting that one is a sinner, is very peculiar to Christianity. And I think it's true that most, if not all, other "religions" and "philosphies" propose that man is good by nature, whereas the Bible says that in our flesh dwells no good thing:
Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I cannot find.
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ...
In that woeful assessment of the human race, the Bible is UNIQUE (which adds to its credibility).
love, Eden
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Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
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posted
quote:
This is where most philosophies and the Bible clash head-on. Most philosophies close their eyes to man's sinful nature. They presume that man is good by nature when overwhelming evidence bears witness that he is sinful by nature. Thus human philosophies offer no salvation from sin and its just penalty. Only "the gospel of the grace of God" does that.
AMEN!
Colossians 2:8 (NLT)
8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
It is significant that, despite the prominence of philosophy in the entire Graeco/Roman world, this is the only mention of the word “philosophy” (from a combination of two Greek words, meaning “love of wisdom”) in the Bible, and here God warns us against it. Similarly the only mention of philosophers (Acts 17:18) describes the two major philosophical schools of thought, both of which opposed Paul as he preached Christ. Paul may have been thinking mainly of the Epicureans and Stoics when he wrote this warning, but his divinely guided pen simply said to beware of all philosophy. The love of human wisdom characterizes every system of philosophy; they all follow the tradition of men and the elements of the world. Instead, men should love Christ, who is made true wisdom unto us (I Corinthians 1:30) and in whom are stored all the treasures of true wisdom and true knowledge. As Paul had already written, Christ had created and was sustaining everything (Colossians 1:16-17). Any philosophy centered in men or so-called “gods,” rather than in the true God of creation, is bound to be false and harmful.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
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posted
by Cornelius R. Stam
Paul's Epistle to the Romans, Chapters One and Two, present a dark picture of the human race, but acknowledge the facts they record and you have taken the first step to salvation. By nature we shrink from facing up to our sins, but we are better off if we do.
If a man has early indications of cancer, and his physician keeps the truth from him, the patient will die of cancer. A good and wise physician will say: "You have cancer and we should do something about it without delay."
Thus God, in His Word, tells us very frankly about our sinful condition, but only to save us from it.
This is where most philosophies and the Bible clash head-on. Most philosophies close their eyes to man's sinful nature. They presume that man is good by nature when overwhelming evidence bears witness that he is sinful by nature. Thus human philosophies offer no salvation from sin and its just penalty. Only "the gospel of the grace of God" does that.
The Bible says of the whole human race: "All have sinned" (Rom.3:23), and to each individual: "Thou art inexcusable" (Rom.2:1). But the same Bible says: "Christ died for our sins" (ICor.15:3), and "We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, accord-ing to the riches of His grace" (Eph.1:7).
Trust in Christ for salvation and you have accepted God's great message to the world. Then, as you consider that great Book, and especially the Epistle to the Romans, you will say with Fawcett:
"It shows to man his wand'ring ways
And where his feet have trod;
But brings to view the matchless grace
Of a forgiving God."
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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