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Megachurch pastor says Christianity doesn’t hinge on Jesus’ birth, and a debate rages
The State ^ | 12/24/2016 | Kate Shellnut

Posted on 12/25/2016 2:33:41 PM PST by Gamecock

The pastor of one of America’s largest megachurches stirred up Christmas controversy after preaching that the story of Jesus’ virgin birth is not crucial to the Christian faith.

“If somebody can predict their own death and resurrection, I’m not all that concerned about how they got into the world,” Andy Stanley said in a Dec. 4 sermon at North Point Community Church, which draws 36,000 attendees across six locations in suburban Atlanta. “Christianity doesn’t hinge on the truth or even the stories around the birth of Jesus. It hinges on the resurrection of Jesus.”


TOPICS: Religion
KEYWORDS: andystanley; christmas; megachurch; pastors; ybpdln
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To: Eccl 10:2

Read it for more depth ... he is not correct, not even technically. Those who fail to see that God’s Word throughout is about God’s plan for Salvation are reading His Word at too shallow a level, dabbling with it on an ‘intellectual’ level instead of the spiritual.


121 posted on 12/26/2016 7:35:08 AM PST by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for spiritual discernment)
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To: Gamecock

His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection are all key factors.


122 posted on 12/26/2016 9:13:30 AM PST by JimRed (Is it 1776 yet? TERM LIMITS, now and forever! Build the Wall, NOW!)
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To: JimRed

You can actually start with His conception in Mary’s womb ...


123 posted on 12/26/2016 9:15:25 AM PST by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for spiritual discernment)
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To: Kirkwood

Lazarus didn’t raise HIMSELF from the dead. JESUS did.


124 posted on 12/26/2016 9:16:05 AM PST by faucetman (Just the facts, ma'am, Just the facts)
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To: GingisK

I disagree, fully, completely and absolutely.

It is the birth, life, teachings, examples set and then the death and resurrection of Christ that defines Christianity.

The entire package, from start to finish, is necessary. Give up ground on one part or piece to the destructionist filth and they’ll eventually take everything else away from you too.


125 posted on 12/26/2016 10:49:09 AM PST by Grimmy (equivocation is but the first step along the road to capitulation)
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To: Organic Panic
If he refers to the date of birth yes. The resurrection is what is more important for me.

Well said:

1 Cor. 15:14 "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."

We all know that Christ was born, but the details of His birth are, quite simply, far less important that those of His ministry.

I understand very well the point made about "destructionists" chipping away at anything and everything, but Christ's Resurrection transcends all other events in human history in terms of importance.

Every other detail of Christ's life could be dismissed and swept away, but the entire Faith, as the writer of I Corinthians notes, hinges on one lone tenet: the Resurrection.

126 posted on 12/26/2016 11:01:31 AM PST by sargon (The Revolution is ON! Support President-elect Trump!)
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To: Grimmy

I haven’t given up ground on anything. On the other hand, everyone in born, and that is nothing special. Then everyone dies, again, nothing special. Only Jesus rose from the dead of His own; and, that is the game changer.


127 posted on 12/26/2016 11:13:25 AM PST by GingisK
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To: GingisK

With the conception of Jesus, GOD, The Creator of this Universe, took flesh to dwell among us. Look at what Jesus told His disciples the night before He was crucified (John 14). All we humans can see of God The Father Almighty in space and time is where He is in our spacetime coordinate system.


128 posted on 12/26/2016 11:24:00 AM PST by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for spiritual discernment)
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To: GingisK

So, the Christ was just normally born like all the rest of us slubs, huh?

Me and you ain’t gonna agree. So, you can have the last word if you want it, but I’m so done with this particular convo.

PS. And yes. You’ve surrendered ground but simply aren’t aware enough to know it.


129 posted on 12/26/2016 11:33:34 AM PST by Grimmy (equivocation is but the first step along the road to capitulation)
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To: Grimmy
So, the Christ was just normally born like all the rest of us slubs, huh?

Yep, from a woman, no less.

Because of His death and resurrection, which is a good deal more that the rest of us slubs can manage, we can be sure of His Deity. From that we validate His Immaculate Conception and all of His teachings, and so on.

You’ve surrendered ground but simply aren’t aware enough to know it.

Smug little Pharisee, aren't you?

130 posted on 12/26/2016 12:09:57 PM PST by GingisK
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To: MHGinTN

Yes, sure. But His resurrection proves that he is not ordinary, but Deity. All of the rest follows from that. We were not sanctified by His birth. Grace stems from His death where He accepted the punishment of our sins in our stead.


131 posted on 12/26/2016 12:14:23 PM PST by GingisK
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To: ealgeone

Wow. You can rearrange words!

Feeble. And malicious, as always.

The hate you spew makes no converts.


132 posted on 12/26/2016 3:42:59 PM PST by Arthur McGowan (https://youtu.be/IYUYya6bPGw)
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To: Arthur McGowan
There is no such thing as “Catholic logic.”
133 posted on 12/26/2016 3:51:26 PM PST by ealgeone
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To: faucetman; Kirkwood

Plus, at some point, Lazarus died again.

Jesus didn’t.


134 posted on 12/26/2016 5:25:33 PM PST by Gamecock (Gun owner. Christian. Pro-American. Pro Law and Order. I am in the basket of deplorables.)
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To: Gamecock

And there some alive today who will not die ... in the usual sense of it. The Rapture is coming ...


135 posted on 12/26/2016 8:19:58 PM PST by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for spiritual discernment)
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To: ealgeone

Once again, here is a formally valid syllogism. You will pretend that there is something illegitimate about it, proving once again that you are without intellectual honesty.

Sally is the mother of Sam.
Sam is a fireman.
Sally is the mother of a fireman.


136 posted on 12/26/2016 8:20:10 PM PST by Arthur McGowan (https://youtu.be/IYUYya6bPGw)
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To: Arthur McGowan

Oh, please. Not this again. I’ve already shown you what’s wrong with your logic.


137 posted on 12/26/2016 8:33:04 PM PST by ealgeone
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To: Arthur McGowan

Did Sam exist before Sally?


138 posted on 12/26/2016 10:06:36 PM PST by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for spiritual discernment)
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To: MHGinTN

For the catholic’s argument to work a number of definitions and qualifications have to be issued and understood. It’s why this argument fails.


139 posted on 12/27/2016 5:16:46 AM PST by ealgeone
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To: Gamecock

Maybe he is pushing back on the pagan aspects of Christmas.


140 posted on 12/27/2016 5:18:58 AM PST by DungeonMaster (Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.)
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