Clarion Call to Christians in the Freeper Wars: How to Win the Culture War--Who, then, is Our Enemy?

Crisis Magazine ^ | Peter Kreeft

[Brian Kopp DPM]

I was merely highlighting the irony of his/her glee at having predicted correctly the suffering that his/her supposed "friend" went through.

"Glee"??? You know nothing, you cynical ass.

[St.Chuck]

Absolutely outstanding article. Thank you very much for posting it.

If you will look into your heart in complete honesty, you must admit that there is one and only one reason you are not a saint: you do not wholly want to be.

A chilling insight to be certain.

[Jolly Rodgers]

You know nothing, you cynical ass.

You gloat over having correctly predicted the tragedy in another person's life and then call me cynical?

[Kyrie]

I happen to respect the philosophical constructs which serve as the foundation of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. I also respect those who value those teachings, and seek to make them an important part of their lives.

I'm certain you worded this first sentence carefully. Unfortunately, it isn't communicating a clear message. If you want to clarify, could you include a few examples of such "constructs"?

And regarding "respect": is that just the way you feel, or does this "respect" inform your actions? Specifically, if you overheard one of your Christian friends speaking of "demons" or "evil spirits" would you say "boogerman" to his face? Is that consistent with the kind of "respect" you understand?

--still curious.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

FYI, the first attempt at a "New Testament" (he called it the "Good News" was compiled by Marcion in 140 A.D. It was in response to this that the orthodox church began the process of canonizing their own "New Testament," the one we use today.

Although, in 2 pet 3: Peter said people twist Paul's writings as they do the other scriptures, so he felt Paul's writings were scripture. A lot of the NT was recognized as scripture by the early Church, but not canonized because they were too busy staying alive under various persecutions.

Anyway, not that I'm disagreeing with you, but even though you put forward the same opposition you haven't really shown that Marcion was wrong.

The early Church fathers all felt Marcion was wrong. The early Church all felt the OT was scripture, as 2 Tim 2:15 shows "All scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, rebuke, reproof and instruction in righteousness." That refers to the OT>

For example, Jesus said that no one had seen his father at any time, whereas Moses spoke with YHWH face to face.

The answer is Moses saw Christ. Check out 1 Cor. 10:4 And that Rock (that led Israel) was Christ.

In the OT we read that the earth is YHWHW's and the fullness thereof, wheras in the NT we read that whole earth lies in the power of the evil one.

Yes, God owns it all, and Satan runs it, for now, since man choose Satan over God. God is in favor of democracy and leaves Satan in office to punish those who chose him.

In the NT we learn that Jesus' Father is not the author of Confusion, and - well, we all know what Yahweh did at Babel.

I hadn't heard this one before. Yes, He confused their tongues, as a punishment. Certainly more merciful than killing them all.

etc. No wonder Marcion is undergoing a resurgence in popularity. The Bible makes so much more sense when read through that lens.

Where have you heard of this "resurgence"?

[Iris7]

I admire your post, and your self restraint when baited. Looks like there were some swine present when you cast your pearls.

Proud to be Roman Catholic myself. Baptised into the faith at age 44. The Mass is the most perfect thing any person will ever encounter in this life - except perhaps for foretastes of the life to come.

[Iris7]

You are of course correct in your criticism of the Church that many of the Church's seeming members do not take the very serious sin of homosexual behaviour - a sin equal to murder - seriously enough. Only absolute abstinence is tolerable from homosexuals. Removal of contact with young people is only just in order to lessen the sinner's temptation.

[PatiPie]

Yes, according to the Bible, it is true that the real enemy is Satan. Many of us Christians get diverted from the real work of Christ because of the cunning ways the Devil plays with our minds.

One of the most informative books that I was held spellbound is "Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis, a book every Christian should read. It is an invaluable book for spiritual growth!

Thanks for the flag, proud2bRC!!

Like so many others, I was glued to Fox News Channel for the past two days. For some reason, though, I couldn't access FR yesterday. Must have been heavy traffic.

["Bare Ruined Choirs"]

I think one has to keep things in perspective that even when there are not hot "wars" directly involving the U.S. going on, that the struggle against evil remains a challenging task. There were serious problems before the plane bombings in NY. There will be after this crisis is over.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

.

[Taliesan]

bump for Peter Kreeft.

[Taliesan]

Pick up the phone and call your friend. Do not discuss religion. Ask him how he's doing.

[Taliesan]

Specifically, if you overheard one of your Christian friends speaking of "demons" or "evil spirits" would you say "boogerman" to his face?

I think he just did.

Relax. :-)

[Taliesan]

If you will look into your own heart in complete honesty, you must admit that there is one and only one reason why you are not a saint: you do not wholly want to be.

William Law bump.

[Jolly Rodgers]

If you will look into your own heart in complete honesty, you must admit that there is one and only one reason why you are not a saint: you do not wholly want to be. William Law bump.

It is true that I do not want to be, and I do not want to be because some of the attributes of what we call a "saint" are things that I judge to be destructive. In other words, I choose to be something far more worthy than a saint while hoping that all those who strive for saintliness will find the maturity to see the detrimental aspects of that life choice.

[packrat01]

I choose to be something far more worthy than a saint while hoping that all those who strive for saintliness will find the maturity to see the detrimental aspects of that life choice.

Tell us what you're doing that is far more worthy than a saint so we, too, can be mature.

[Jolly Rodgers]

Tell us what you're doing that is far more worthy than a saint so we, too, can be mature.

I'm not interested in evangelizing, especially with you. Thanks for throwing the bait out there, I'm just not in the mood to bite.

[packrat01]

I'm serious in my curiosity. What DOES one do that is far more worthy than a saint? Are you giving sight to the blind? Make the lame walk? Cause the rain to fall on the unjust as well as the righteous?

[Jolly Rodgers]

I'm serious in my curiosity. What DOES one do that is far more worthy than a saint? Are you giving sight to the blind? Make the lame walk? Cause the rain to fall on the unjust as well as the righteous?

I've got news for you, the so called saints aren't doing those things either. Science and a skilled doctor might give sight to the blind or make a lame man walk, but few saints are physicians. As regards making rain fall, well that is a simple fact of nature. Trying to attribute it to some religious miracle is absurd beyond belief.

[packrat01]

Ah. Your works are better and more acceptable than other works.

Thanks for the clarification.