Posted on 01/25/2005 8:54:53 AM PST by Gamecock
Urban ledgend is not accurate.
I would hope you would be more . . . . accurate.
ledgend = legend
Sounds like you hold to yourself the freedom to post long articles while wishing to deny me that option.
Interesting.
>>Never hesitate to post a lengthy, mind numbing urban legend <<
Can you say "avoid the issue?" ; >
>>when a well thought out Biblical reply is requested <<
Yes, that is what I was hoping for.
I ask for a well thought out response and you Google for, and then post, an unverifiable article from a un-reputable publication the caliber of the Weekly World News.
Even more interesting!
The stories I have are not all religious, and they are from all different religions.
Interesting, very interesting. So according to your source, it doesn't matter who you pray to, so long as you have faith that your prayer will be answered? Seems kind of pantheistic to me...and not at all Christian.
The stories I have are not all religious, and they are from all different religions.
Well praise Allah/Buddha/Brama!
My truth is built on God's word as revealed in Scripture.
Your truth is built on speculation, mumbo-jumbo, and hearsay.
John Lashley has had six strokes and two heart attacks. Twice, he says, he was pronounced dead. "Now, this body of mine has been through an awful lot," he says, "but my faith has been up to the task in every phase because my belief works. The miracle is in what it delivers."
It sounds like Mr. Lashley has faith...in his own faith! He gives not one crumb of glory to God for his miraculous deliverances, but instead pats himself on the back for having uber-faith.
"Prove all things."
While I am willing to believe just about any miracle that is alleged to have occurred, I am unwilling to accept it on face value unless I was there to witness it. I feel that many reports of miracles are in the form of urban legend. They guy who could see with his glass eye is one that really stretches the bounds of credulity and you'd have to count me among the Thomases on that one. I'll believe it if I see it.
I can say that I was once the recipient of a divine healing. I was clearly a witness to that event. I can attest to it, but I don't really expect anyone to build their theology around it, or even to believe it was a divine healing. It wasn't really spectacular, but it sure impressed me.
It wasn't something I was expecting or something that had anything to do with my faith. I had NO faith that God was going to heal me. He just did. And the circumstances were clearly miraculous.
Agree 100%.
I can say that I was once the recipient of a divine healing. I was clearly a witness to that event.
I've seen three now. Two of cancer and one of clinical depression. The hand of God is real, and he often displays it amongst His people. The last one was at a Third Day/Michael W. Smith concert, and according to the person she was saved at the same instant.
I had NO faith that God was going to heal me. He just did.
Bingo! Is that an application for GRPL membership? ;o)
>>While I clearly believe in Miracles and I believe that miracles continue to today, I am skeptical of most reports of divine miracles and I am extremely skeptical of any divine miracle that happens at a "miracle service." <<
Me too. Especially because these services are emotion-driven. When the presence of God or, as some refer to it "the anointing" overshadows a person, one can be deluded into thinking "a pain is gone." I wonder the next day or even a few hours later if that pain isn't back again once one returns to the realm of "the natural."
I have great trouble with the instant "zap" miracle. And I'd like to think that perhaps God doesn't approve of all this grandstanding and throwing of coats (Hinn), theatrics, etc.
Perhaps we read the accounts of Jesus healing people of physical infirmities because, in those days, there were no doctors to dispense medications (that can and do heal), order medical tests to determine diagnosis and treatment, etc.
I've had a pain for sometime .. I'll call it healed now with the help of some medication the doctor prescribed. The source of the pain isn't known yet but I'm "healed" in that the pain is not ever-present and I thank God that He led me somewhere to get some relief and to a doctor that is compassionate, wise and leaves no stone unturned in "working up" patients.
Healing occurs in many ways .. one errs when putting God and healing in a box.
The main concern I have with the evangelists that put on these almost carnival-like "healing events" is that seems to be the emphasis of their entire ministry... healing to the exclusion of any other aspect of the Scriptures.
In some instances, it seems salvation and repentance has taken a back seat to "healing."
Quix is still stinging from the so-called "St. Nilus prophecy" which has yet to be verified.
>>Quix is still stinging from the so-called "St. Nilus prophecy" which has yet to be verified. <<
No comprende! ; >
Please explain. And where can I read a copy of this "so-called" prophecy? Inquirin' minds wanna noe....
I agree. Several years ago, I attended an AOG church with a friend. The "healing/miracle services were conducted on Sunday evenings. I only went to one, I wouldn't go with her again because it scared me so much that I never returned.
A young lady with mental problems that clearly needed medical help was placed in front of the congregation. The congregation prayed aloud, some speaking in "tongues", while the elders placed their hands on the girl who was shaking. The hair on the back of my neck was standing up. I was young but God gave me the wisdom to beat feet out of there. I felt so sorry for that girl. I was sure the church was doing her more harm than good.
Unfortunately, this happens all too often, IMO.
Hmmmmm....I was reading today about King Hezekiah and his boil. The same thing struck me that after Hezekiah ask God to heal him and God said he would, Hezekiah wasn't quite sure it would take place and asked for a sign. God move the sun back ten "steps" just to prove to Hezekiah that He would heal him in three days. (2 Kings 20) God works in spite of ourselves and lack of faith.
Not the only conclusion from the article.
It is also possible from the wording that people of other religion were met miraculously by The God of The Bible at their point of desperation.
Certainly Quix believes it makes a difference--particularly generally--that one seeks help from The God of The Bible.
Certainly it is possible that folks from a diversity of religions seek ALMIGHTY, TOP GOD.
AND GOD SAYS
HE THAT SEEKS ME SHALL FIND ME.
The article is just not clear enough about those details to form conclusions, much less dogmatic ones. I realize dogmatic ones tend to be more the norm for some.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.