And who is the supreme interpreter of the truth of the word of God? Your pastor? You? Is that biblical?
"Optimistic and joyful religion[s]" are what Warren and Osteen preach
I wouldn't know. But I know that Christ came to SAVE THE WORLD, FK. How about that little biblical truth?
If anyone wishes to subscribe to doom and gloom, fire and brimstones, that's their choice, but that's not the message Christ came to proclaim.
The Holy Spirit is, of course. Your side just doesn't believe that the Holy Spirit would give us the time of day. :) We counter and say that the indwelling Spirit actually loves us and helps with our sanctification. Part of that is understanding the word of God so that we can better follow Him and conform ourselves to the image of Christ. We believe that God wants a personal relationship with us as individuals, not an impersonal chain of command.
But I know that Christ came to SAVE THE WORLD, FK. How about that little biblical truth?
It's true! He came and saved every single one of His children. None are lost.
If anyone wishes to subscribe to doom and gloom, fire and brimstones, that's their choice, but that's not the message Christ came to proclaim.
Gloom and doom is what we have without Christ. Praise God for the Good News! Remember that what you're criticizing is exactly the style used by John the Baptist in his preaching, and Jesus certainly approved of that.
If that were the case, then the Apostolic teaching of the Scriptures are wrong when teaching there are those whom God has blinded to the Truth of the Gospel.
Romans 11:
7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written:
“ God has given them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.”
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2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing
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Apparently God has exercises His Free Will to blind those whom He wills, as opposed to your own concept.