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Author Topic:   The Tension of Faith
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 1486 of 1540 (826333)
12-29-2017 8:21 AM
Reply to: Message 1484 by Percy
12-29-2017 7:40 AM


Tension from Faith about faith and works
Personally, I try not to use scripture without understanding to some degree the context for which it was intended.
I also seek information from others on subjects and then make my initial conclusion. Some may call this as weak, but I dont simply divide the world into believers and unbelievers as I perhaps used to do to a greater degree.
Lets use a bit of scripture here to make my point more understandable.
Note Matthew 23, which you referred to. Jesus was addressing teachers and Pharisees. Why was he angry with them? What was it that they were doing that caused this anger?
As for the critics of the Jesus Seminar I had to look up information in context and see what all of the fuss was about from both sides. Apparently, according to this first article,
quote:
This criticism is based on the knowledge that the Jesus Seminar eliminates any evidence they cannot explain using modern scientific principles.
The critics of the Jesus Seminar point to the fact that since God works outside the natural realm, you cannot eliminate the documented evidence of what Jesus did ( the miracles), and what Jesus said (His teachings) if you are going to make an accurate assessment of finding the truth of who Jesus said He is (the Son of God).
Sounds a bit like our own EvC discussion on The science of Miracles.
The seminar was founded by the Westar Institute and had a twofold mission, according to Wikipedia.
quote:
The Westar Institute, founded by Robert W. Funk in 1985, is a member-supported nonprofit educational institute with a twofold mission:
To foster collaborative, cumulative research in religious studies
To communicate the results of the scholarship of religion to a broad, non-specialist public(...)Because of its emphasis on historical foundations over against dogmatic faith, Westar Institute has been criticized by evangelical and fundamentalist-leaning organizations. This criticism has appeared "almost from the moment that they published their first paper on the life and death of Jesus Christ.
So we again get back to our core debate regarding imparted revelation(regarding Gods nature, floods, and any other miracle...as well as the origins of Calvinism and the question regarding inerrancy of scripture) vs facts and evidence.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Paul was probably SO soaked in prayer nobody else has ever equaled him.~Faith

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1484 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 7:40 AM Percy has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
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Faith 
Suspended Member (Idle past 1444 days)
Posts: 35298
From: Nevada, USA
Joined: 10-06-2001


Message 1487 of 1540 (826345)
12-29-2017 9:11 AM
Reply to: Message 1483 by Percy
12-29-2017 7:06 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
Then look at your doctrine.
Just to be clear, are you saying my doctrine is traditional Christian doctrine or not? Farther down you refer to my "mistaken version of Christianity" but it's hard to tell if you regard it as mistaken just because you prefer some other interpretational system, such as the Jesus Seminar or you actually think it's not the traditional doctrine.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1483 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 7:06 AM Percy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1488 by jar, posted 12-29-2017 9:17 AM Faith has not replied
 Message 1491 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 10:02 AM Faith has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 1488 of 1540 (826348)
12-29-2017 9:17 AM
Reply to: Message 1487 by Faith
12-29-2017 9:11 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
Roman Catholicism is the traditional Christian Doctrine. No other Chapter of Club Christian can claim preeminence.

My Sister's Website: Rose Hill Studios My Website: My Website

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1487 by Faith, posted 12-29-2017 9:11 AM Faith has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1489 by Phat, posted 12-29-2017 9:20 AM jar has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 1489 of 1540 (826349)
12-29-2017 9:20 AM
Reply to: Message 1488 by jar
12-29-2017 9:17 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
I would argue that the Eastern Orthodox have as valid a claim as Rome. Christianity originated in five cities officially and Rome broke away from the other four. At least according to what I have read.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Paul was probably SO soaked in prayer nobody else has ever equaled him.~Faith

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1488 by jar, posted 12-29-2017 9:17 AM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1497 by jar, posted 12-29-2017 11:10 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
Faith 
Suspended Member (Idle past 1444 days)
Posts: 35298
From: Nevada, USA
Joined: 10-06-2001


Message 1490 of 1540 (826354)
12-29-2017 9:45 AM
Reply to: Message 1484 by Percy
12-29-2017 7:40 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
To clarify: I originally quoted Matthew 23:33-35 to show that Jesus doesn't fit the portrait of blanket lovingness so erroneously imputed to Him here. He saves sinners by paying for their sins, which is certainly loving the sinner but far from ignoring or condoning sin, and eventually He will come in judgment against those who don't repent. That, I'm claiming, is traditional Bible-inerrancy Christianity. Are you saying it's not traditional, that I made it up, that I personally "latch onto" such passages for some purposes of my own, or it IS the traditional belief system as I said, but you think it's wrong, or what?
Edited by Faith, : No reason given.
Edited by Faith, : No reason given.
Edited by Faith, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1484 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 7:40 AM Percy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1493 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 10:26 AM Faith has replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 1491 of 1540 (826357)
12-29-2017 10:02 AM
Reply to: Message 1487 by Faith
12-29-2017 9:11 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
Faith writes:
Just to be clear, are you saying my doctrine is traditional Christian doctrine or not? Farther down you refer to my "mistaken version of Christianity" but it's hard to tell if you regard it as mistaken just because you prefer some other interpretational system, such as the Jesus Seminar or you actually think it's not the traditional doctrine.
I don't prefer any Christian "interpretational system", but of course the Jesus Seminar comes closer to my views because they don't take the Bible literally. But they take it much more literally than I do. For instance, they think Jesus was a real person.
The reason I think your Christian views mistaken is because they cause you to view so much of the human race in dark and even sinister terms when the primary message of Christianity is to love our fellow man. That message emerges unambiguously when you examine the words of Jesus that the Jesus Seminar has judged genuine, and all your justifications for vipers and vengeance just melt away. Your studies have built you a house of hate, and that's not the message of Christianity
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1487 by Faith, posted 12-29-2017 9:11 AM Faith has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1492 by Faith, posted 12-29-2017 10:04 AM Percy has replied

  
Faith 
Suspended Member (Idle past 1444 days)
Posts: 35298
From: Nevada, USA
Joined: 10-06-2001


Message 1492 of 1540 (826358)
12-29-2017 10:04 AM
Reply to: Message 1491 by Percy
12-29-2017 10:02 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
Thank you for clarifying, though you did manage not to say whether you regard my views as traditional or not.
I'll just say it again: there is no hate for anybody in anything I've said. We're ALL fallen, we're ALL sinners, and Jesus came to save, not condemn.
Edited by Faith, : No reason given.
Edited by Faith, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1491 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 10:02 AM Percy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1496 by PaulK, posted 12-29-2017 11:06 AM Faith has not replied
 Message 1498 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 5:35 PM Faith has not replied
 Message 1501 by Stile, posted 01-09-2018 10:10 AM Faith has not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 1493 of 1540 (826360)
12-29-2017 10:26 AM
Reply to: Message 1490 by Faith
12-29-2017 9:45 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
Faith writes:
To clarify: I originally quoted Matthew 23:33-35 to show that Jesus doesn't fit the portrait of blanket lovingness so erroneously imputed to Him here.
Jesus as originally conceived never said Matthew 23:33-35. Obviously in the early years of Christianity as various evangelists attempted to influence the course of Christian belief, Jesus was the voice of authority, and what better way to persuade than to put their own message in Jesus' mouth.
He saves sinners by paying for their sins, which is certainly loving the sinner but far from ignoring or condoning sin, and eventually He will come in judgment against those who don't repent.
It is for some reason very appealing to you that people who don't repent will be punished.
That, I'm claiming, is traditional Bible-inerrancy Christianity. Are you saying it's not traditional,...
No, I'm not saying it isn't traditional evangelicalism, but your emphasis on these hate portions of evangelicalism is not how most evangelicals would characterize their religion. I think if you had the same conversation with evangelicals that you're having with us here that they'd respond, "Your views are out of balance. You stress too much the venom and not enough the love and compassion."
For an example of how you differ from most other evangelicals I offer your response to when I said we should "follow our hearts." Instead of taking the clear meaning you found a hateful Biblical passage that called the heart "deceitful above all things."
...that I made it up,...
I think your views are unbalanced toward the hateful.
...that I personally "latch onto" such passages for some purposes of my own,...
I think the Biblical passages that you stress so often are a reflection of who you are.
...or it IS the traditional belief system as I said, but you think it's wrong, or what?
If by "traditional belief system" you mean traditional plain old Christianity that you can find in any Methodist or Congregational church, then from what I've experienced they seem to be spreading Jesus' message of love.
If by "traditional belief system" you mean the evangelical belief system, then I think it's an exclusive, xenophobic religion and that to the extent they promote those attitudes instead of love and inclusivity that they are wrong.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1490 by Faith, posted 12-29-2017 9:45 AM Faith has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1494 by Faith, posted 12-29-2017 10:47 AM Percy has replied

  
Faith 
Suspended Member (Idle past 1444 days)
Posts: 35298
From: Nevada, USA
Joined: 10-06-2001


Message 1494 of 1540 (826363)
12-29-2017 10:47 AM
Reply to: Message 1493 by Percy
12-29-2017 10:26 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
It is for some reason very appealing to you that people who don't repent will be punished.
Has absolutely nothing whatever to do with some personal appeal to me. Everything I'm saying here is a rsponse to the context of the discussion. The discussion was originally about a human law that violates God's law, and then became a discussion of your accusations of me, it is not a general presentation of evangelicalism. There is only one reason for my emphasis on what you call the "hate" passages, and that is to correct the erroneous view of Jesus as some kind of wimpy mushminded tolerator of sin and evil.
No, I'm not saying it isn't traditional evangelicalism, but your emphasis on these hate portions of evangelicalism is not how most evangelicals would characterize their religion.
But none of this is about my CHARACTERIZING MY RELIGION. I'm dealing with a specific context and that is all, the law legalizing gay marriage. That's it. Characterizing the religion in general would be a statement of how we're all sinners and Jesus came to pay for our sins. There'd be no need to mention the law about gay marriage.
,
I think the Biblical passages that you stress so often are a reflection of who you are.
Obviously, because you miss the whole point that I'm talking within the particular limited context of a law legalizing a violation of God's law. It has nothing to do with what I personally prefer to stress in some kind of general sense, it's only to answer the ridiculously erroneous idea that Jesus would condone such a law or condone anything that justifies sin. He DIED FOR SIN, He's not going to condone it. Sin is THE destructive force in the universe. When the human race disobeyed God things started falling apart from that moment on. We started falling apart, we became subject to disease and death, we lost our ability to communicate with God, all our faculties lost their original strength and sharpness, and the entire physical world started deteriorating. This is all due to SIN. There's no way Jesus is going to condone it. HE DIED BECAUSE OF IT SO WE WON"T HAVE TO BE ETERNALLY PUNISHED FOR IT. THAT IS LOVE OF THE HUMAN RACE. Justifying sin would be hating us.
If by "traditional belief system" you mean traditional plain old Christianity that you can find in any Methodist or Congregational church, then from what I've experienced they seem to be spreading Jesus' message of love.
That would be true of any denomination and it would be better to choose a different one, say Baptist, because Methodism has become liberal. What you say would describe a Baptist church too. But they aren't usually addressing a topic like gay marriage. Happen to show up on a day when that comes up in the sermon and you'll get a different idea.
What I said about the human heart being deceitful is quoted all the time by evangelicals as a reminder to us that we can't trust ourselves, only God.; "Follow your heart" is the exact opposite of a Christian message.
There couldn't be anything MORE inclusive than Christianity, that is what is so weird about your point of view.
Edited by Faith, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1493 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 10:26 AM Percy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1499 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 6:17 PM Faith has not replied

  
PaulK
Member
Posts: 17822
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


Message 1495 of 1540 (826368)
12-29-2017 11:01 AM
Reply to: Message 1486 by Phat
12-29-2017 8:21 AM


Re: Tension from Faith about faith and works
As for the critics of the Jesus Seminar I had to look up information in context and see what all of the fuss was about from both sides.
You don’t report looking at any side but the critics.
Wikipedia is probably more even-handed and explains the criteria used for judging sayings attributed to Jesus, which would be those relevant to the point Percy was making.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1486 by Phat, posted 12-29-2017 8:21 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
PaulK
Member
Posts: 17822
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


(1)
Message 1496 of 1540 (826370)
12-29-2017 11:06 AM
Reply to: Message 1492 by Faith
12-29-2017 10:04 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
quote:
I'll just say it again: there is no hate for anybody in anything I've said. We're ALL fallen, we're ALL sinners, and Jesus came to save, not condemn.
And yet if your sins -or even your intellectual failings - are mentioned you get angry and even look forward to seeing people sent to Hell.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1492 by Faith, posted 12-29-2017 10:04 AM Faith has not replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 1497 of 1540 (826371)
12-29-2017 11:10 AM
Reply to: Message 1489 by Phat
12-29-2017 9:20 AM


a little bit of history
Read more; in particular the Canon 28 from the Council of Chalcedon in 451. It was only after the seat of the Roman Empire was moved from Rome to Constantinople that the Eastern Church was raised to the level of Rome.

My Sister's Website: Rose Hill Studios My Website: My Website

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1489 by Phat, posted 12-29-2017 9:20 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 1498 of 1540 (826387)
12-29-2017 5:35 PM
Reply to: Message 1492 by Faith
12-29-2017 10:04 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
Faith writes:
Thank you for clarifying, though you did manage not to say whether you regard my views as traditional or not.
See the last couple paragraphs of Message 1493.
I'll just say it again: there is no hate for anybody in anything I've said.
The hateful things you've said have been quoted over and over again.
We're ALL fallen, we're ALL sinners, and Jesus came to save, not condemn.
This is just something you accept on faith. The beliefs of all religions are accepted on faith, except for religions like "The sun will rise tomorrow."
I accept nothing on faith (the religious type of faith) except that there's a God who gives the universe purpose.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1492 by Faith, posted 12-29-2017 10:04 AM Faith has not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


(1)
Message 1499 of 1540 (826388)
12-29-2017 6:17 PM
Reply to: Message 1494 by Faith
12-29-2017 10:47 AM


Re: Tension from Faith
Faith writes:
It is for some reason very appealing to you that people who don't repent will be punished.
Has absolutely nothing whatever to do with some personal appeal to me.
And yet you keep bringing it up. You even express the hope that we'll get what's coming to us on judgment day. The only one who doesn't recognize what her words say about her is you. You've got a blind spot the size of a Buick.
Everything I'm saying here is a response to the context of the discussion.
Right, and for you the context is how people who don't repent from the sins you define deserve punishment, preferably eternal damnation.
The discussion was originally about a human law that violates God's law,...
God's law is impermanent because it is the invention of man. You can call it God's law if you like, but all religious dictums are just laws invented by people.
...and then became a discussion of your accusations of me,...
I just call attention to what you say.
...it is not a general presentation of evangelicalism.
I wouldn't be so sure about that. A lot of evangelical's support Trump and voted for Roy Moore. In other words, apparently many evangelicals are a lot like you.
There is only one reason for my emphasis on what you call the "hate" passages, and that is to correct the erroneous view of Jesus as some kind of wimpy mushminded tolerator of sin and evil.
You mean like Jesus "tolerating" Mary Magdalene? Being crucified between two thieves? Saying that he who is without sin should cast the first stone? Associating with sinners and tax collectors?
No, I'm not saying it isn't traditional evangelicalism, but your emphasis on these hate portions of evangelicalism is not how most evangelicals would characterize their religion.
But none of this is about my CHARACTERIZING MY RELIGION.
It most certainly is. All your statements in the name of your evangelical beliefs give horrible impressions of evangelicalism.
I'm dealing with a specific context and that is all, the law legalizing gay marriage.
So if your gay friend with bad eyesight needed help picking out her wedding cake, would you help?
Characterizing the religion in general would be a statement of how we're all sinners and Jesus came to pay for our sins.
This is a religious belief that you accept on faith. I accept nothing on faith except that there is a God who gives the universe purpose.
I think the Biblical passages that you stress so often are a reflection of who you are.
Obviously, because you miss the whole point that I'm talking within the particular limited context of a law legalizing a violation of God's law.
You've said many hateful things on many topics (gay marriage, love, the heart, hopes for our eternal damnation, etc.) in this thread and many other threads.
It has nothing to do with what I personally prefer to stress in some kind of general sense,...
The choice to emphasize hateful views and actions were your own. You said yourself that the choice of evangelicalism was one you made personally after much study. You adopted the views you hold by conscious choice.
It's only to answer the ridiculously erroneous idea that Jesus would condone such a law or condone anything that justifies sin. He DIED FOR SIN, He's not going to condone it...There's no way Jesus is going to condone it. HE DIED BECAUSE OF IT SO WE WON"T HAVE TO BE ETERNALLY PUNISHED FOR IT. THAT IS LOVE OF THE HUMAN RACE. Justifying sin would be hating us.
Is there really that much of a difference between condoning sin and forgiving it?
Sin is THE destructive force in the universe. When the human race disobeyed God things started falling apart from that moment on. We started falling apart, we became subject to disease and death, we lost our ability to communicate with God, all our faculties lost their original strength and sharpness, and the entire physical world started deteriorating. This is all due to SIN.
This is a religious belief that you accept on faith. I accept nothing on faith except that there is a God who gives the universe purpose.
If by "traditional belief system" you mean traditional plain old Christianity that you can find in any Methodist or Congregational church, then from what I've experienced they seem to be spreading Jesus' message of love.
That would be true of any denomination and it would be better to choose a different one, say Baptist, because Methodism has become liberal.
Oh, horrors, they've become liberal! Or to translate from Faith-speak, they don't believe the same things you believe.
What you say would describe a Baptist church too.
Baptists span a wide range of beliefs but are largely evangelical like you, so I don't know why you'd say that.
But they aren't usually addressing a topic like gay marriage.
Baptists are not all of one view on gay marriage, so it makes no sense that you're bringing them up. Some Baptist denominations are more liberal than others, and therefore more accepting of gay marriage.
What I said about the human heart being deceitful is quoted all the time by evangelicals as a reminder to us that we can't trust ourselves, only God.; "Follow your heart" is the exact opposite of a Christian message.
As you're well aware, that is not the definition of "heart" I was using. From context I clearly meant capacity for sympathy, feeling, affection. You have no heart.
There couldn't be anything MORE inclusive than Christianity, that is what is so weird about your point of view.
Really? So you'd welcome a gay couple into your congregation?
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1494 by Faith, posted 12-29-2017 10:47 AM Faith has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 1500 by Rrhain, posted 01-09-2018 7:15 AM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Rrhain
Member
Posts: 6351
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Joined: 05-03-2003


Message 1500 of 1540 (826745)
01-09-2018 7:15 AM
Reply to: Message 1499 by Percy
12-29-2017 6:17 PM


What's this about Mary Magdalene?
Percy writes:
quote:
You mean like Jesus "tolerating" Mary Magdalene?
Um, what is it about Mary Magdalene that you think needs "tolerating"?
You *do* know that she wasn't a prostitute, yes? Oh, she had demons cast out of her (by Jesus), but that's not a reason to disassociate from her afterward.
Don't confuse the ravings of Gregory I for what the Bible actually says about Mary Magdalene. The fact that he couldn't read Luke and decided to unfurl his misogyny by claiming that an unnamed woman had to be Mary Magdalene because of some bizarre numerology and a fever dream of women needing redemption doesn't mean he was right.
The Orthodox don't see MM as a prostitute and even consider her to be a virgin. In fact, there is an Orthodox tradition that the reason she had the seven demons is because she was so virtuous that the devil thought she was going to bear Christ and thus possessed her. Heck, even the Catholics figured it out and said she wasn't the sinner in Luke back in 1969. Only the Protestants seem to follow Pope Gregory I's claim...a bit odd, you would think, Protestants clinging to ancient Catholic teachings....

Rrhain

Thank you for your submission to Science. Your paper was reviewed by a jury of seventh graders so that they could look for balance and to allow them to make up their own minds. We are sorry to say that they found your paper "bogus," specifically describing the section on the laboratory work "boring." We regret that we will be unable to publish your work at this time.

Minds are like parachutes. Just because you've lost yours doesn't mean you can use mine.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1499 by Percy, posted 12-29-2017 6:17 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
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