Can a non-Christian understand Christians Faith? The answer is no. Paul writes in Romans 10:17 – “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” But not just hearing the Word will give you faith. You must understand what God is communicating to you. Matthew 13:13 – “This is why I speak to them in parables: 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.'” The key is prayer as David writes in the Psalms.
God's response to this plea, a prayer if you will, for understanding in Psalm 49:3 – “My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding.” This understanding comes from God through prayer as Proverbs 3:5-6 indicates, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Posted the following on Opposing Views (http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opinion-church-should-fight-homosexuality-like-it-did-nazism):
Fight Sin versus Oppose Sin
I believe our responsibility as Christians is to actively oppose sin in any form. Just as an infant cannot understand physics a non-Christian cannot understand our faith. We are to educate them, enlighten them and primarily love them.
As Christians we understand that sin is sin. Period. If I steal a pen from the supply room at work, where there are thousands of them, I have just committed a sin that is just as abhorrent as killing 6 million Jews. A non-Christian sees this as absurd, the two cannot be equated. They cannot see beyond this life. It's all they have and they will cling to it with all their might. Christians don't or shouldn't cling to this life. We are merely passing through on our way to heaven. We have an obligation to those around us to teach them the way. To open their eyes and ears to the truth. Some will, some won't but it is our attempt that is important. Matthew writes in chapter 5:13-16 that Jesus said,
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Fighting sin does no one any good. Oppose sin in every form, love your neighbor and above all love God.
In Christ Jesus
TCH
A response was sent and it follows:
analogy
"Just as an infant cannot understand physics a non-Christian cannot understand our faith."
I don't think this is a great analogy. Perhaps if you said "...an unintelligent/ignorant non-Christian cannot understand our faith," it would be a bit more applicable. However, there are many intelligent non-religious people who do understand faith. But instead choose to adhere to logic. A Christian (or any religious person) chooses to have faith in something without conclusive evidence behind such a belief. That is why it is called faith. An intelligent, non-religious person can understand this aspect of faith and choose to reject it in favor of logic. That choice does not indicate that the person is devoid of understanding of what the faith is.
And I'm not trying to be offensive. I was just trying to make the distinction between people who choose to believe in faith and people who choose to abide to logic. Just because somebody chooses the opposite path to you does not inherently make that decision comparable to an infant being unable to comprehend physics. It's the reasoning behind the choice which matters.
My response was as follows:
Logic and Wisdom
If worldly logic can allow you to understand Christian Faith then explain the following:
Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Corinthians 3:18-19
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."
Psalm 14:1
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
Psalm 92:6-7
The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline .
TCH
How do you explain something you do not understand? You learn it. How do you learn about Christian Faith? Read the Bible? No, because there is no understanding just reading the words. You must pray earnestly and ask God for understanding. You must open your ears and eyes so that you can hear and see what God wishes you to hear and see. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Therefore all these are connected, prayer, understanding and faith. You must have all three to understand Christian Faith.
Remember also that there are different levels of understanding. Just as a child does not understand all that a grown person does so it is with the faithful. Some of us study for years and are still infants in the faith. Others are given faith in great amounts to accomplish the work set forth for them by God.
Other thoughts...
Psalm 119:73 – Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.
Psalm 119:144 – Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live.
Proverbs 1:1-7 – The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
TCH
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Anti Semitic Christians
If you think there is something wrong with the title of this article then keep reading. How can any Christian be anti Semitic? Jesus is a Jew. That did not change. He is still the same now as when he was crucified and still the same from when the universe was created. Once a Jew always a Jew. I feel some heresy coming on...
Christians forget that Jew's are the chosen of God. We profess that Jesus is God, therefore Jesus chose to be Jewish and he chose the Jewish people. Part of the problem is that Christian Churches teach that Jews are no longer the chosen of God. They rationalize this because the Jews of Jesus time rejected him and placed him on a cross. So since the Jews rejected Christ Jesus they can't possibly be the chosen people. Christians are the chosen people. Bzzzzt! Wrong answer.
Jesus the one and only Christ chose the Jews. He did not reject them. He did not renounce them or condemn them. He died on the cross for them. Christians are adopted sons and daughters of God through Christ Jesus. Jesus chose us too, to be brothers and sisters but he did not un-chose the Jews. He sent 11 Apostles to the Jews and 1 to the Gentiles. What does that tell you?
So if you're Christian, next time you think badly about a Jew you're thinking the same thing about Jesus.
Christians forget that Jew's are the chosen of God. We profess that Jesus is God, therefore Jesus chose to be Jewish and he chose the Jewish people. Part of the problem is that Christian Churches teach that Jews are no longer the chosen of God. They rationalize this because the Jews of Jesus time rejected him and placed him on a cross. So since the Jews rejected Christ Jesus they can't possibly be the chosen people. Christians are the chosen people. Bzzzzt! Wrong answer.
Jesus the one and only Christ chose the Jews. He did not reject them. He did not renounce them or condemn them. He died on the cross for them. Christians are adopted sons and daughters of God through Christ Jesus. Jesus chose us too, to be brothers and sisters but he did not un-chose the Jews. He sent 11 Apostles to the Jews and 1 to the Gentiles. What does that tell you?
So if you're Christian, next time you think badly about a Jew you're thinking the same thing about Jesus.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
When is Murder Not Murder - NEVER!
"Abortion - The George Tiller Story"
I've heard all the arguments and the sone that is used most is that unborn children are potential humans not really humans. Where's the line? I've heard of people being charged with homicide because they killed an unborn child even if it wasn't viable. Isn't that a double standard?
George (hey he's my Brother in Christ Jesus so I can call him by his Christian name) was a sinner. No better or worse than I am. Here is some stuff I got off the Internet about him (remember the source :D)
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Tiller)
He was one of only three clinics that provided late term abortions (defined any where between 12 and 21 weeks) in the United States of America. He had been performing abortions since approximately 1970.
I tried to go to the "Women's Health Care Services" web page (http://www.drtiller.com) but the site is down indicating that this is for respect for the family.
If George had performed one abortion a month then the number of unborn children that he murdered would number almos 500. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church I believe that these chlidren are in Heaven with Jesus. George may have to face a sea of faces behind Jesus as his judgement. Will George be let into Heaven? If he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior he will. We all sin and all sin is the same. My sin is no different than Adolf Hitler's and that's no different from a child that steals a candybar. Sin is sin.
The World hated Christ Jesus and put him to death because he told the truth. I expect no less and neither should have George Tiller. He was a sinner, just like the rest of us. He chose to help by murdering unborn children. That sounds harsh to most of you but any killing is murder. There is no reason to kill. Because we are sinful beings we believe it is necessary to kill in some cases. (Wait for my topic on War)
George knows whether he was right or wrong as he was a Church going Christian. He's read the Bible and he made a choice. Too often Christians get caught up in worldly matters and forget to focus on Jesus, our Lord and Savior. For you Christians out there...I am going to spend infinity in Heaven. I'm here for only a short while and then I will be gone. Any mathematician will tell you that any number divided by infinity is zero. So the percentage of time I spend here, no mater how long, is the same amount as an unborn child. The correlary to that is infinity divided by infinity is one. Which means that 100% of my life will be spent in Heaven. Think about it.
I've heard all the arguments and the sone that is used most is that unborn children are potential humans not really humans. Where's the line? I've heard of people being charged with homicide because they killed an unborn child even if it wasn't viable. Isn't that a double standard?
George (hey he's my Brother in Christ Jesus so I can call him by his Christian name) was a sinner. No better or worse than I am. Here is some stuff I got off the Internet about him (remember the source :D)
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Tiller)
He was one of only three clinics that provided late term abortions (defined any where between 12 and 21 weeks) in the United States of America. He had been performing abortions since approximately 1970.
I tried to go to the "Women's Health Care Services" web page (http://www.drtiller.com) but the site is down indicating that this is for respect for the family.
If George had performed one abortion a month then the number of unborn children that he murdered would number almos 500. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church I believe that these chlidren are in Heaven with Jesus. George may have to face a sea of faces behind Jesus as his judgement. Will George be let into Heaven? If he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior he will. We all sin and all sin is the same. My sin is no different than Adolf Hitler's and that's no different from a child that steals a candybar. Sin is sin.
The World hated Christ Jesus and put him to death because he told the truth. I expect no less and neither should have George Tiller. He was a sinner, just like the rest of us. He chose to help by murdering unborn children. That sounds harsh to most of you but any killing is murder. There is no reason to kill. Because we are sinful beings we believe it is necessary to kill in some cases. (Wait for my topic on War)
George knows whether he was right or wrong as he was a Church going Christian. He's read the Bible and he made a choice. Too often Christians get caught up in worldly matters and forget to focus on Jesus, our Lord and Savior. For you Christians out there...I am going to spend infinity in Heaven. I'm here for only a short while and then I will be gone. Any mathematician will tell you that any number divided by infinity is zero. So the percentage of time I spend here, no mater how long, is the same amount as an unborn child. The correlary to that is infinity divided by infinity is one. Which means that 100% of my life will be spent in Heaven. Think about it.
Westminster Congregational - U.C.C.
"Progressive Traditions - The Pacific Northwest Inlander, June 4-10" ...
What part of "Go and sin no more." does Ms. Johnston not understand. Based on what she said in the article homosexual behavior, in her opinion, is not a sin. What Bible do they use? The California Pick and Choose Bible? Homosexual behavior is a sin. Period, no if's and's or but's. As far as the rest of us minding our own business well that's not going to happen. We have the right to defend our faith. The Christian Church is full of sinners of all types. Homosexuals, thieves, murderers, adulterers, child molesters and many other types. He who is without sin please stand up!
There is only one human that was never sinful and he is in Heaven. We Christians are foul able, corruptible and in most ways just like non-believers. What sets us apart is our faith. It's a complete faith, not a pick and choose faith. There is no gray area with God. It's all black and white. The U.C.C. must have tossed out the Old Testament, Matthew's Gospel and most of the letters that Peter, Paul and James wrote. How can they classify themselves as believers when they don't have all the pieces needed? No non-believer can begin to comprehend that faith even by reading the Bible. They miss the point. This is not a physical faith but a spiritual faith. The physical is sinful by nature. I'm sure your thinking, 'wait a minute the Bible says...' but you forget that it's easy for non-believers to quote the Bible. Non-believers take passages out of context or use specific passages as weapons that they cannot begin to understand. As a Christian I expect this to happen because the Devil knows the Bible better than any human.
Has Ms. Johnston actually read what her "Church" believes? (See http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/) Here is what it says,
"The United Church of Christ embraces a theological heritage that affirms the Bible as the authoritative witness to the Word of God, the creeds of the ecumenical councils, and the confessions of the Reformation. The UCC has roots in the "covenantal" tradition—meaning there is no centralized authority or hierarchy that can impose any doctrine or form of worship on its members. Christ alone is Head of the church. We seek a balance between freedom of conscience and accountability to the apostolic faith. The UCC therefore receives the historic creeds and confessions of our ancestors as testimonies, but not tests of the faith. Linked on the right of this page are some of those testimonies."
The key phrase here is "...the Bible as the authoritative witness to the Word of God...", again which Bible? It wasn't Adam and Bob or Eve and Jill in Genesis. Lets take a look (New International Version). Genesis 2:18 "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" Suitable helper, someone compatible with Adam. Let's see if Bob shows up...
Genesis 2:19-24 "Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
So how does a "Holy Union" between two people of the same sex exist? It doesn't. The Gay community wants the label "Marriage" so that they can have their lifestyle accepted as normal. If it was just a question of the same rights under the law then a Civil Union law would suffice but that doesn't make them normal.
What part of "Go and sin no more." does Ms. Johnston not understand. Based on what she said in the article homosexual behavior, in her opinion, is not a sin. What Bible do they use? The California Pick and Choose Bible? Homosexual behavior is a sin. Period, no if's and's or but's. As far as the rest of us minding our own business well that's not going to happen. We have the right to defend our faith. The Christian Church is full of sinners of all types. Homosexuals, thieves, murderers, adulterers, child molesters and many other types. He who is without sin please stand up!
There is only one human that was never sinful and he is in Heaven. We Christians are foul able, corruptible and in most ways just like non-believers. What sets us apart is our faith. It's a complete faith, not a pick and choose faith. There is no gray area with God. It's all black and white. The U.C.C. must have tossed out the Old Testament, Matthew's Gospel and most of the letters that Peter, Paul and James wrote. How can they classify themselves as believers when they don't have all the pieces needed? No non-believer can begin to comprehend that faith even by reading the Bible. They miss the point. This is not a physical faith but a spiritual faith. The physical is sinful by nature. I'm sure your thinking, 'wait a minute the Bible says...' but you forget that it's easy for non-believers to quote the Bible. Non-believers take passages out of context or use specific passages as weapons that they cannot begin to understand. As a Christian I expect this to happen because the Devil knows the Bible better than any human.
Has Ms. Johnston actually read what her "Church" believes? (See http://www.ucc.org/beliefs/) Here is what it says,
"The United Church of Christ embraces a theological heritage that affirms the Bible as the authoritative witness to the Word of God, the creeds of the ecumenical councils, and the confessions of the Reformation. The UCC has roots in the "covenantal" tradition—meaning there is no centralized authority or hierarchy that can impose any doctrine or form of worship on its members. Christ alone is Head of the church. We seek a balance between freedom of conscience and accountability to the apostolic faith. The UCC therefore receives the historic creeds and confessions of our ancestors as testimonies, but not tests of the faith. Linked on the right of this page are some of those testimonies."
The key phrase here is "...the Bible as the authoritative witness to the Word of God...", again which Bible? It wasn't Adam and Bob or Eve and Jill in Genesis. Lets take a look (New International Version). Genesis 2:18 "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" Suitable helper, someone compatible with Adam. Let's see if Bob shows up...
Genesis 2:19-24 "Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
So how does a "Holy Union" between two people of the same sex exist? It doesn't. The Gay community wants the label "Marriage" so that they can have their lifestyle accepted as normal. If it was just a question of the same rights under the law then a Civil Union law would suffice but that doesn't make them normal.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)