Christian lied about faith to survive Saudi siege

Reuters ^ | 31 May 2004 14:43:21 GMT | Samia Nakhoul

[Freedom2specul8]

"Because when you literally intrepret passages from the Bible you usually sound like an iliterate."

Only to those who are uneducated. How are they to be interpreted?

[sauropod]

I was responding to the original headline that caused me to think of Matthew 10:23 as has been stated many times on this thread.

My post #6 was a statement of what I believe to be true based on this scripture. My apologies if you think that observation is "arrogant" and "self-righteous."

I will take your words under advisement. 'Pod.

[AndrewC]

The disciples were disillusioned by Christ's death and probably thought they had wasted three years of their life following a false Messiah.

None of what I have said is outside the mainstream interpretation of the Gospels. Don't blame me if you haven't done your homework.

That sure does not look mainstream to me. As far as homework is mentioned, homework is not needed when a simple demonstration of fact is sufficient to disprove an allegation. Matthew 16 is clear evidence that Peter had an idea that Jesus would rise from the dead. A complete refutation of your false assertion. Nuff said.

[Freedom2specul8]

I need to reclarify my statement...

After Jesus died in our place..those who are saved will be in the book of life...and that is the bottom line. IF someone denies Jesus..was he ever in the book of life in then first place.

[sinkspur]

After Jesus died in our place..those who are saved will be in the book of life...and that is the bottom line. IF someone denies Jesus..was he ever in the book of life in then first place.

Someone with a gun to his head?

Jesus never demanded martyrdom of his apostles. Nor does He demand it of us.

As has been pointed out numerous times, Peter denied Christ in much less stressful situations, and he's a saint.

[spunkets]

" Zero ambiguity. "

God knows what's in his heart. So what would be gained by his confession to satan's vicious clowns that wouldn't be swayed anyway? They'd just kill him and no one would know what went on.

When you consider Matthew, there is a purpose in what God is saying there. What is the purpose in this case where it is clear, that all you will gain is death?

[sauropod]

I really shouldn't respond to this, but....

I modified my original position in post #6 by stating the words "it appears" should have been in my original post.

#202: Christian lied about faith to survive Saudi siege To: inflation

I claim to be smart enough to state that he appears to have lost his eternal life.

My bad. My original post should have had the word "appears" in it.

202 posted on 05/31/2004 1:18:59 PM EDT by sauropod (Paleo-cons make better lovers)

I modified my original quote because of course no man knows what is in the heart of another. It is impossible for me to state then, that so and so has lost eternal life.

I did NOT change it because of "pressure."

I changed it to be more exact of what I believe to be true.

BTW, my correction is first in post #202, not in #374 as you claim.

With the modification "It appears" to be added to my original post, I stand by my original post.

And, honey, it's not me that is the waffling hypocrite here.

Examine what you've posted and see if your attitude is the "Christian" one to have. Methinks you would have been yelling "Free Barabbas! Free Barrabas!"

[sauropod]

I dunno. Maybe I'm not smart enough to know if it applies or not because Christ died and rose again for us. What I have been trying to say (maybe not very successfully) is that I would not want to take that chance.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Examine what you've posted and see if your attitude is the "Christian" one to have. Methinks you would have been yelling "Free Barabbas! Free Barrabas!"

There you go again......

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

What is a tribal Christian?

[Zack Attack]

we don't know what we could do in a situation unless we've gone through it. You may very well have refused to deny your faith, even though you say you would. We don't KNOW what we would do. We do know what we would LIKE to do

Very well said. We should all pray every day that we be strong enough to do the right things. Fortunately, we have a merciful God who sees the intent of the heart and offers opportunities to repent when we are unfaithful.

[sauropod]

I see you've devolved to being the Matador waving the red cape in front of the bull.

The gig's up.

[P-Marlowe]

In Matthew 10:33 Christ is not talking about denying that you are a Christian when anti-Christian gunmen are pointing guns at your head. The word "deny" in that verse is properly rendered as disavow or reject. Denying you are a Christian when someone has a gun at your head is not a rejection of Christ. Denying Christ in the way spoken of in Matthew 10:33 must be something you do on your own accord, not under extreme duress at the threat of death. Denial in Matthew 10:33 is an expression of the heart, not the mouth.

Now how should this man be judged? If he was expressing his heart when he denied being a Christian, then perhaps you are right about him losing his eternal life. But if his heart was not in it, then it was nothing more than a lie. And if lies keep us out of heaven, then none of us will be there.

[af_vet_1981]

What is a tribal Christian?

Someone who is born into the religion by virtue of the family/tribe. It was not a personal decision/choice. The ME does not have the same concept of religion as America.

[Jorge]

It seems to me that this man, like all now living, still has the opportunity for salvation.

I wouldn't judge this man as not presently having salvation.

[Lijahsbubbe]

I see you've devolved to being the Matador waving the red cape in front of the bull.

The gig's up.

Oh drats....

[sauropod]

Thank you for your well-thought out reply.

You have given me something to think about. 'Pod.

[mizzmouse]

I agree with your theory......

[isthisnickcool]

I know that you are incorrect.

Do you now? Well, I suppose then we should advise many Christians in NUMEROUS middle eastern countries that countless numbers of them are screwed because they have denied they are Christians. Rather than be killed.

You may think I'm incorrect but as I said before you can't prove it.

Let me ask you this. If a deranged devoid moslem burst into your house tonight and held a gun to your most loved ones head and asked you "are you a Christian?" what would you say? Knowing the loved one would be killed?

[P-Marlowe]

Thank you for your well-thought out reply.

Well, I guess it now APPEARS like it was ME that was being arrogant and self righteous.

Sorry. :-)