Does anyone here on SC have sincere questions about Christianity? Jesus? Our Father God or the Holy Spirit? I am in a good mood and willing to take on the hard stuff. I have decided, based on a wonderful discussion that started out on bloc's blog with Lidstrom, D6fer and many others...and then I found the discussion and I joined in.
It has developed into a wonderful and complex conversation, marked with intentional respect, that I would like to have the honor of inviting you to join in, as I did!
So, I am adding the links to the previous discussions first of all, for those who wish to "catch up"...or just jump in now. Either way will work just fine.
Ask away, and don't hold back. We never have to hold back when it comes to seeking the Truth, and to understand God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. Most of us want to know who He is, who we are to Him, and our purpose in this world.
Here are the links:
Be kind and respectful and ask away!
Love, love, love,
Truthsayer
ADDENDUM
I decided to add this answer to the comments and questions of D6fer, to the text of my blog, because I believe that this really captures the Spirit of my intent, and the heart of why I do what I do...and hopefully, it will help to shed some light on why God did what He did and does what He does. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I will let the words and heart of D6fer's comments and questions and my response to him, speak for themselves.
hi truth....
Hi D6fer. Thank you for coming into this blog and accepting the invitation to participate. I do my best to answer comments in order. Someone may have posted before you did, but no one's questions or comments were anymore important than yours.
I believe that you have accepted my apology, but I want you to know that I have been instructed in this today: You are my one assignment for the day. You are it. I will not allow myself be distracted again.
You said:
I have always been somewhat of an agnostic type......I really feel there must be a god, but i am not really sure who he is, or just what the plan is.....I feel conflicted with things like.....Leviticus....seems like pretty extreme rules to me, and not any better than those in some other holy books.
You said a mouthful here friend. You probably voiced the concerns of half of all those that are agnostics. I felt the same way during my period of agnosticism.
My Jewish friends, that are practicing Orthodox Jews, follow the law. I am a Christian by definition of my religion, and a true believer in my own words. I use those words to describe my life. I live my faith. I believe in being transparent and "real". I am not perfect, but I am in the process of being perfected by One who is perfect.
Now, as to Leviticus. I do believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. Can I understand it on my own, without God? No. It is impossible. Nothing is impossible with God, many things are impossible without God.
Does that mean that Leviticus is not true? No. But you must understand that the law was written for rebellious people, many who had hardened hearts. It was also written for the aliens, foreigners and strangers that would live with God's people.
Does it mean that since Jesus who was sent by to redeem me and reconcile me to my Father God; that I think God was kidding when He gave us the 10 Commandments, or when He allowed Moses to write the other 600+ laws? No, not at all. God does have a sense of humor, but He wasn't kidding. Could we understand all the reasons for each law? I doubt it. Not here, not now.
Do you have to understand the law to believe in God as Father? Jesus as redeemer/savior? Or even the Holy Spirit? No. You only have to understand that we all sin and have fallen short of the Glory of God. Only the obtuse can talk themselves into believing that they are righteous in their own hearts, by their own might. One needs only to open their eyes, look and see all of the sinful things that happen in the world. We cannot possibly blame God for what we do, can we? Not if we are rational, thinking and truthful human beings. We know, if we tell ourselves the truth, that we think, do and say wicked things all the time. We can "try" to be good...but we cannot "be good". Not without help. We need help. Why would we not admit that we need help, when we so clearly do? Is it wise to act like we do not need help, when we do? I think not.
This is where I may be different from others. I grew up in a family that was so clearly bizarre that I could not pretend to be normal. It would have been like walking around the White House in a clown suit and riding a giraffe expecting others not to notice that I was a little different. Of course I found out later, that most kids came from a "dysfunctional family." But it still helped me to be humble about myself and my family. I was able to love them as they were, without blaming them. I just wanted help. You know?
As for other religions. I have an awesome article I was thinking of posting on sc, about a young Muslim man, a son of a Hamas leader, who converted to Christianity once he started reading the Bible and studying his religion compared to Christianity. If you are interested, I will send it to you, or post a link.
Otherwise suffice to say that the different "holy books" as you call them, are really not much alike at all. I studied and compared them myself too. People will try to tell you that they all say basically the same thing...but don't you believe them. Buy a Bible and read it. Go to a Bible study. Find one that you like and that you can tell them that you are only studying the Bible, only studying Christianity. If you find the right group of people, they won't brow beat you or humiliate you for your honest search.
Or, find an online study group. You'd be surprised how many there are...and you don't have to hide your questions or your honest intent to learn more about Christianity, more about the Bible. Sure there are some extreme types, but there are more that will accept you for your own honesty, integrity and transparency.
If you cannot find one that you feel accepts you...I will start one on here, if I can get some help from a few other Christian friends. Okay?
Then you said:
Also.....lets take this scenario....lets say there is a woman, who lives a Christ like life.....is totally giving of herself to others.....never sins....prays daily.....but does not believe in Christ.....Where does she end up and why?
Also.....lets take this scenario....lets say there is a woman, who lives a Christ like life.....is totally giving of herself to others.....never sins....prays daily.....but does not believe in Christ.....Where does she end up and why?
Or.....does not even pray.....does not even believe in god period, but lives a perfect life.....where to?
This is the part of your comment that I prayed about the most. The only answer I have for you, is that I don't know. Did she live in a remote area? Did she ever hear the Truth? Did she ever hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If she did not, whose fault is that? The Bible says that if the Lord assigned her to one (or assigned one to her), who did not witness to her, that it will not be her fault...but the fault of the one who failed her.
See, this is huge for me D6fer. Perhaps this is something that scares non-believers, or even many who claim to be Christians; but it is true nonetheless. If I seem too zealous, or too bold...then I would ask you to understand this one thing about me. I am my brother's keeper. I have a duty, and that duty is my joy.
I am expected to be the good Samaritan, or like the Good Samaritan. I am expected to love my neighbor, my enemies and even to pray for those who spitefully use me or persecute me. I believe this. I often fall short...but I believe this is what I aspire to with my whole heart. It isn't easy though. That is why our Lord and Savior Jesus said to "count the cost."
But rest assured, the Perfect Pearl, the Pearl of great price, is worth it all. It is because of Him that I am able to witness to others, pray for people, admit my faults, forgive and receive forgiveness. When He took our punishment as sinners, He brought us Grace. But we cannot force each other to receive it.
Indeed many Christians, even those that are born again, as we are "known", can have a very hard time receiving Grace...and also, not squandering it. We must not use the Grace that Jesus gives us as a gift, as an excuse to keep on sinning. We must never squander anything that God gives us; however extravagent His gifts truly are. Do you understand?
You concluded your thoughtful comment by saying this:
On the flip side....not many years ago, I considered myself to be atheist....i no longer believed that God existed........but something kept nagging me......it was prophecy....revelations.....witnessing the unfolding of these in our times means something......just not sure what.
Prophecy is intended for you and me D6fer. It is so that we cannot say that we 'didn't know', or that even, that we didn't think it was 'time yet'. Only the wise will see it though. So I compliment you for even recognizing it. Most agnostics and certainly athiests, are ignorant of it.
Christians can get caught up in prophecy and still not get passionately into their purpose. They can often just watch it unfold, without witnessing to anyone; more concerned with not 'catching' some 'sinner disease' than they are with helping Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God Himself, to get the Gospel to all who will hear.
Even if the Lord should tarry because He wants that none should perish...even then the urgency, in our lifetime, is just as plain. We only live for a certain number of days to live here...though they are all numbered, we have a certain number of people that we can reach...that we are each assigned to reach with the Truth. Why would I ignore His plea? He said to pray for workers, because "the fields are ripe for harvesting, yet the workers are few." So I pray D6fer; and I do what I can whenever I can.
I hope that this has helped you D6. I really do. I decided that it was so important, that I made it part of the body of my blog. I believe that you spoke for many here. I only pray that I have spoken well for One.
God bless you.
Love, love, love,
Truthsayer
Copyright Truthsayer, August 26, 2008
Copyright Truthsayer, August 28, 2008
