Baptism for the Dead: The Coptic Rationale [LDS ONLY]

F.A.I.R. Website ^ | June 5, 1981 | John A. Tvedtnes

[Illbay]

What you call "avoiding direct questions," I call "refusing to get into a stupid and pointless argument."

[snerkel]

Ok

[restornu]

When will they play nice?

[anncoulteriscool]

I heard tonight that John Macarthur is going to Washington DC tomorrow to meet with Bush along with some other evangelical christians.

[A.J.Armitage]

Paganism and Gnosticism. What was that about "philosophies of men"?

[Illbay]

The point about Gnosticism is that it was just a different "evolutionary branch" of the Apostasy. Thus, it contained a few seeds of truth, just as "orthodoxy" (a.k.a. the winning side of the argument) did.

[A.J.Armitage]

How... interesting.

Gnosticism is condemned by Scripture, such as 2 John 1:7. Is that a "branch" of apostasy too?

[drstevej]

***I watched the Indy 500, and I was thinking that if they left earlier, they wouldn't have to go so fast.*** - Steven Wright

[RnMomof7]

That is great news..Thanks

[pseudogratix]

24 It might be worth further noting that proxy rituals are not unique in the world of ancient Egypt and of early Christianity. Rites performed for one's ancestors are found throughout the world. Even in Islam, it is possible to perform the hajj by proxy, provided that the proxy has himself already made the pilgrimage in his own behalf.

Many Japanese set food on their butsudan (Buddhist altar found in many homes) for their deceased ancestors---a proxy ritual if you will. Perhaps this custom can be traced back to an ancient Israel custom. Here is a site that has some interesting information on the connection of Israel and Japan: Israelites Came To Ancient Japan

pseudogratix @ ...He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do... (John 14:12)

[Illbay]

No, Gnosticism isn't condemned by "scripture," it is condemned by the faction of christian philosophy that won the man-made debate.

[restornu]

To Ancient Japan deserves a thread of it own! I am sure there are a few mature readers here who would find this very informative!

[Wrigley]

Good, neither do I.

[Ff--150]

bttt

[pseudogratix]

Here you go.

pseudogratix @ ...He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do... (John 14:12)

[fishtank]

"That's not attacking "religious figures." It's criticism of church administrators."

If you're not one already, you'd make a hat trick lawyer.

(Apologies to most of the lawyers out there.)

[fishtank]

As far as the topic goes, here's my take on BFTD:

(1) It receives one mention in the NT.

(2) I can't tell from the context if BFTD is mentioned in a positive or in a negative light.

(3) When the rest of Scripture (OT & NT are the only Scriptures, just to clarify) is consulted, BFTD is not necessary. Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgement."

It's not necessary.

[Illbay]

Okay, explain to me how "Church administrators" = "religious doctrine."

For myself, I believe it is perfectly consistent to be a devout Catholic yet condemn the mishandling of the priest-paedophile scandal.

[fishtank]

You are mish-mashing topics.

I did not write the word "doctrine".

[Illbay]

"Bashing" a religion means to unduly criticize the basic beliefs of its adherents. That is, "doctrine."

It is NOT "bashing a religion" to criticize the administrators of a church, as you seem to allege.