Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Neverending Story (The Christian Chronicles)
Associated Press ^ | 3/24/01

Posted on 03/30/2002 7:53:37 PM PST by malakhi

The Neverending Story
An ongoing debate on Scripture, Tradition, History and Interpretation.


Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams

Previous Thread


TOPICS: General Discusssion
KEYWORDS: catholiclist; michaeldobbs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 7,521-7,5407,541-7,5607,561-7,580 ... 65,521-65,537 next last
To: Fury
And again, the name calling starts, unfortunately. Even when Scripture is cited, it't not enough to disagree, it's now a matter of SD not being able to understand because the Spirit has not given SD the understanding. SD having the Spirit unfortunately appears to not meet with Havoc's approval.

And again. Your insecurity shows. Still following Havoc around eh? lol.

7,541 posted on 05/01/2002 10:13:12 AM PDT by Invincibly Ignorant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7535 | View Replies]

To: Fury
So, when you can't discuss facts, logic, reasoning and faith, you take this tack? Wow, you really have a lot of anger, it appears.

You want the truth? You can't handle the truth.

7,542 posted on 05/01/2002 10:14:38 AM PDT by Invincibly Ignorant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7540 | View Replies]

To: gracebeliever
The gospel messages the Apostles taught and that Paul espoused are different. I have been told there are some thirteen gospels in the Bible - no wonder there in confusion in the Body of Christ! The Apostles went back to what Jesus taught them because that was their commission and their message was to the Jews only. Paul took the gospel of the grace of God to the rest of the world, and that's the gospel by which we are saved today.

I don't agree with this analysis completely. Whenever Jesus preached the gospel, it was always the gospel about the coming kingdom of God. The apostles continued to teach the gospel of Christ, but they also began to teach somewhat about the messenger of that gospel, Jesus Christ. The gospel that Paul taught wasn't significantly different than the gospel that the other apostles taught as far as I can see.

In fact, the last verse in Acts confirms that up until the end Paul continued to proclaim the gospel about the coming kingdom of God.

Act 28:30 And Paul remained two whole years in his own rented place, and he welcomed all those coming in to him,
Act 28:31 proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all freedom and without hindrance.

The "good news" was not just that Christ had died for the sins of humanity, but that the Messiah had come and would return, establishing His Kingdom and fulfilling the many prophecies of His glorious reign.

Today though, it's decidely different. Most churches today focus almost entirely on forgiveness of sin. This gets interpeted to mean that sinful behavior by Christians is normal and nothing to fret about because the blood of Christ has it covered. And as you said, no behavior modification is needed or expected.

7,543 posted on 05/01/2002 10:15:31 AM PDT by DouglasKC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7511 | View Replies]

To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
After all these verses why suddenly would you think he starts talking about literally eating him.

Because He says that His flesh is real food and His Blood is real drink. Over and over. Uses the Greek word for mastication (gnawing).

Why would he say it was real food, if it wasn't real food?

SD

7,544 posted on 05/01/2002 10:15:42 AM PDT by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7484 | View Replies]

To: Invincibly Ignorant
You'll gain some great perspective. I didn't find your "perspective" in Scripture, so I concluded it is an invention of Luther and the Reformers. I'm glad that you acknowledge the existence of the church and its necessary role in the transmission of Scripture. Luther wasn't reading from golden tablets when he translated the Bible.
7,545 posted on 05/01/2002 10:18:54 AM PDT by RobbyS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7473 | View Replies]

To: DouglasKC
Today though, it's decidely different. Most churches today focus almost entirely on forgiveness of sin. This gets interpeted to mean that sinful behavior by Christians is normal and nothing to fret about because the blood of Christ has it covered. And as you said, no behavior modification is needed or expected.

That is indeed the spirit of the age. Forgiveness without repentence. I wonder if we flatter ourselves, though, by imagining that it is just the modern world that acts this way?

SD

7,546 posted on 05/01/2002 10:19:25 AM PDT by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7543 | View Replies]

To: Invincibly Ignorant
That's because you disrespect the Bible. I don't even know why you bother. You don't need it. Except for John chapter 6. You don't believe the world was destroyed by a flood which has been confirmed in the NT. Smorgassboard is all it is to you.

Do me a favor, huh? Pretend that you're supposed to treat people the way you would like to be treated. We disagree on interpretation of various things in the Bible. But I don't disparage you that you don't respect the Book.

Why can't we have honest differences without the slurs?

SD

7,547 posted on 05/01/2002 10:21:54 AM PDT by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7537 | View Replies]

To: SoothingDave
And here I thought that one of the tenets of Bible Christians was that the Bible is easily understood. Now we find out that it is a kind of trap, to catch the prideful.

Scripture says it plainly. It's not like it's some new revelation, it's been there for 2000 years. It's just that some don't like it when it's quoted publicly where people are actually made aware of it. It offends the carnal and self-seeking. You can't attack the message so you attack the messenger. Are you a fool in this? Do you not know that attacking the messenger is the same as attacking the message and the one who sent it. Step lightly for your own sake.

7,548 posted on 05/01/2002 10:22:04 AM PDT by Havoc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7528 | View Replies]

To: RobbyS
I didn't find your "perspective" in Scripture, so I concluded it is an invention of Luther and the Reformers. I'm glad that you acknowledge the existence of the church and its necessary role in the transmission of Scripture. Luther wasn't reading from golden tablets when he translated the Bible.

I guess we agree. The Church, not the "Big C" Catholic church. (and don't forget the Jews). I know how you guys love that replacement theology.

7,549 posted on 05/01/2002 10:23:30 AM PDT by Invincibly Ignorant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7545 | View Replies]

To: PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
I have been reading John 6 now for the last few days. When you read the whole thing, (sigh, lol) it is so obvious that Jesus is speaking about our spiritual life, that believeing on Him in a spiritual way will bring everlasting spiritual life, so there will be no more spiritual hungering and thirsting.

Nice analysis on this Becky...

7,550 posted on 05/01/2002 10:23:58 AM PDT by DouglasKC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7484 | View Replies]

To: angelo
You Hebrews have treated the Scripture as a family heirloom rather than as something to be shared with the world.
7,551 posted on 05/01/2002 10:25:55 AM PDT by RobbyS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7536 | View Replies]

To: SoothingDave
Today though, it's decidely different. Most churches today focus almost entirely on forgiveness of sin. This gets interpeted to mean that sinful behavior by Christians is normal and nothing to fret about because the blood of Christ has it covered. And as you said, no behavior modification is needed or expected.

That is indeed the spirit of the age. Forgiveness without repentence. I wonder if we flatter ourselves, though, by imagining that it is just the modern world that acts this way?

It's been a problem since biblical times of course, Paul addressed it in Romans:

Rom 6:1 What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 Let it not be! We who died to sin, how shall we still live in it?

Whether or not it's any worse today or not I don't know. It certainly seems worse because there are so many more people sinning and broadcasting their sins to the world...

7,552 posted on 05/01/2002 10:29:10 AM PDT by DouglasKC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7546 | View Replies]

To: Havoc
Scripture says it plainly. It's not like it's some new revelation, it's been there for 2000 years. It's just that some don't like it when it's quoted publicly where people are actually made aware of it. It offends the carnal and self-seeking. You can't attack the message so you attack the messenger. Are you a fool in this? Do you not know that attacking the messenger is the same as attacking the message and the one who sent it. Step lightly for your own sake.

I have attacked nobody, Havoc. I have been attacked plenty today for daring to ask questions and for pointing out inconsistencies.

Havoc, are you saying that when Jesus said that the flesh profits nothing He also meant His own flesh?

SD

7,553 posted on 05/01/2002 10:29:42 AM PDT by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7548 | View Replies]

To: DouglasKC
It certainly seems worse because there are so many more people sinning and broadcasting their sins to the world...

True. The sense of shame that we once had is no longer. When you think of people like Monica's mother encouraging her in her affair with the President, you wonder what happened.

SD

7,554 posted on 05/01/2002 10:31:52 AM PDT by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7552 | View Replies]

To: SoothingDave
Exactly what we are saying. Jesus provides a way for us to partake of the sacrifice. And you turn it into a play.

You're right, he did make a way and told us as much as did His Apostles. They said Believe and Confess. That is the route. Your clergy has created itself another route because it doesn't understand salvation. One must partake of the sacrifice before one can worthily partake of communion. That's why I called your interpretation DUMB. If one cannot worthily partake of the sacrifice until one has first partaken worthily of the sacrifice, you have spun yourself into rhetorical Paradox. You're own blasphemous ritual is self defeating because by your own admission, it is impossible for anyone to ever partake worthily. It's bad enough you can't see the truth, worste yet you can't even see the end result of your own false philosophical constructs and how wrong they are. The mighty and blind...

7,555 posted on 05/01/2002 10:32:57 AM PDT by Havoc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7538 | View Replies]

To: SoothingDave
Do me a favor, huh? Pretend that you're supposed to treat people the way you would like to be treated.

Ok. But that means you'll have to change your presentation as well.

We disagree on interpretation of various things in the Bible. But I don't disparage you that you don't respect the Book.

Its not just a matter of different interpretation when you dismiss out of hand an historical element in the Bible.

Why can't we have honest differences without the slurs?

Not a slur if it's a fact. Is the historical account of the Noadic flood confirmed in the New Testament or not?

7,556 posted on 05/01/2002 10:35:07 AM PDT by Invincibly Ignorant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7547 | View Replies]

To: Havoc
You're right, he did make a way and told us as much as did His Apostles. They said Believe and Confess. That is the route.

He also said you have to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Why you approve of some verses and discount others is beyond me. Again, where in Scripture is the idea that "Spirit and life" means a metaphor?

Your clergy has created itself another route because it doesn't understand salvation. One must partake of the sacrifice before one can worthily partake of communion. That's why I called your interpretation DUMB. If one cannot worthily partake of the sacrifice until one has first partaken worthily of the sacrifice, you have spun yourself into rhetorical Paradox. You're own blasphemous ritual is self defeating because by your own admission, it is impossible for anyone to ever partake worthily. It's bad enough you can't see the truth, worste yet you can't even see the end result of your own false philosophical constructs and how wrong they are. The mighty and blind...

The things you don't understand about Catholicism could fill a book. There are other sacraments, including one called "Confession." Duh. They draw their power from the Sacrifice and they prepare us to partake of that Sacrifice. Duh.

There's also Baptism. Duh.

SD

7,557 posted on 05/01/2002 10:37:06 AM PDT by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7555 | View Replies]

To: SoothingDave
It's all about whether one believes or not. If one believes Jesus, has faith, then one eats his flesh worthily. If one has no faith, or scoffs at the notion, then one eats unworthily and is guilty.

Bull. It isn't about merely believing. Communion is done as a rememberance By those who ARE born again. Not those that merely believe. If you are partaking and are not born again, your action is one of in your heart crucifying the Lord again. It is mocking what happened. If you are born again, you've already believed and confessed and thus partaken in the sacrifice - for without believing and confessing, there is no spiritual rebirth. And the spiritual rebirth is the fruit of accepting and partaking in the sacrifice. Communion doesn't anywhere enter into that picture - nowhere. Communion comes later as a rememberence of what God has done and what He has brought us out of.

7,558 posted on 05/01/2002 10:38:22 AM PDT by Havoc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7538 | View Replies]

To: Invincibly Ignorant
Its not just a matter of different interpretation when you dismiss out of hand an historical element in the Bible.

That IS</b your interpretation.

Why can't we have honest differences without the slurs?

Not a slur if it's a fact. Is the historical account of the Noadic flood confirmed in the New Testament or not?

I don't think so.

SD

7,559 posted on 05/01/2002 10:39:48 AM PDT by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7556 | View Replies]

To: SoothingDave
Havoc, are you saying that when Jesus said that the flesh profits nothing He also meant His own flesh?

Was the work Jesus did of the flesh or of the Spirit?

Answer that, and I'll answer your question.

7,560 posted on 05/01/2002 10:40:14 AM PDT by Havoc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7553 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 7,521-7,5407,541-7,5607,561-7,580 ... 65,521-65,537 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson