For the Christians here: Why do the heathens rage?

.......because they cannot tolerate the words you say about Christ. Those words are foolishness to them.

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"For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish, but to those who are saved it is the power of God" 1Corinthians 1:15

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What is the rationale to continue dialogue with people who are not responsive to what you say - other than to deride you?How do you justify staying in such a place?Christ minced no words when he instructed his disciples (is that not who you are?) when He said:

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"Give not that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again to rend you" Matthew 7:6

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You must have noticed that this is happening in this place?And heed Christ's admonition in Luke 10, starting with verse 10:

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10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

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Does this not apply to you as well?In view of Christ's instructions, why do you stay? Don't you believe him?(Admins, for faith and belief)

Hi, Pecos George! Now...is what you are saying, or asking:
Christians: Why do you stay here at EvC and attempt to convert people? They won't listen!If so, what is your point? Should we stop trying to convince everyone that we are not insane?

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"The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man." - G.K. Chesterson,Introduction to the Book of Job, 1907

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Hi, Pecos George! Now...is what you are saying, or asking:
Christians: Why do you stay here at EvC and attempt to convert people? They won't listen!

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No, I'm asking why they are staying in a place of constant derision, and derision only.

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If so, what is your point? Should we stop trying to convince everyone that we are not insane?

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My point is outlined in the scripture I quoted. It indicates clear disapproval of remaining in a place such as this, constantly under fire for believing, trampled on, etc.I want to know from Christians what purpose it serves - keeping Christ's warnings in mind.Thank you for your response.

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Pascal's Wager......nice try.

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

PG: I stay here because I like to chat with some of the people here. I realize that my views and beliefs are often ridiculed and questioned, but the arguments provide me with greater understanding of how I am able to present my point. What should I do?Declare in a loud voice, "Attention! All EvC forum participants! You have failed to heed the warnings contained within scripture! You will be worse off than Sodom! I shake the dust off my feet and leave you to your hedonistic ways....you will die! I cannot help you!" What purpose would this serve?This message has been edited by Phatboy, 03-22-2005 03:12 AM

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For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

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But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

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When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

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For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

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because to some degree, it is foolish, and it is childish, and a lot of people know it. i don't like paul, but he has a point and this a beautiful passage. it simply means that we don't know: we only have the first clue, but it will all be revealed later....i have a little more than the first clue. not a lot in comparison to what i don't know. but more than most christians. i've taken the time to really study the bible for what it is, and to try to figure out exactly what god is all about.and getting drive-by quoted by random fundamentalists does piss me off too. generally, they're way out of context and blatantly misunderstood. i would hardly call the insight given here on the religious side pearls.added by edit: you also have to remember that christianity has a pretty bad reputation. christians on this board are repeatedly seen in such bigotry as gay-bashing, and acting holier-than-thou. it really doesn't look when the basis of the religion is humility, and compassion, to throw around condemnations.This message has been edited by Arachnophilia, 03-22-2005 02:24 AM

Arach, while I respect your scholarly pursuits of knowing God, I might ask you whether or not God can indeed be "figured out."
I will say that studying the Bible sheds much insight on the Christian interpretation of God as well as the Jewish one. I think that beyond this, there actually is a human interaction with a living Spirit that is not defineable by any sort of logical means.Still, I can appreciate your insights on the narrow mindedness (and hard heartedness, not to mention hard headedness) of the fundamentalist and literalist mindset. I don't know everything and, indeed, I sometimes feel as if I don't really know anything about God beyond my own personal experiences in communion with the Spirit.All that I know is that I like the opportunity to communicate with you and with others here at EvC who are all very different. There are times when I am angry at some of you for the arguments that we all get involved with, but overall I believe that it is not time to shake the dust off of my sandels anytime soon.Pecos, you will never become more skilled at evangelical apologetics by engaging people who agree with you. It is through engaging people who disagree with you that sharpens your effectiveness at communication.When Jesus was talking to the Disciples, perhaps He was referring to them confronting other Jews. Was it not Paul that started the whole
heathen conversion thing? I could be wrong about this...feedback, please.

Have we ever had a conversation here? I can't remember an atheist being a christian or any of the evos moving more towards being a creationist? (I remember other shifting the other way).What's the success rate of the christians on here? - I make it 0%.

I put it at 3% and rising....after all, you did respond to my post!

thus the word "try." i've more or less come the conclusion that we as human are not able or indeed ready to comprehend exactly what god is about, to the infinite extent of his being.but that doesn't stop me from working on that. i've also come to the conclusion that alot of this percieved action is strictly within the wirings of our own brains, and god mostly stays out of it.i look at it like we as species are a child learning to walk. a child would never learn to walk if it's always pushed around in a stroller or carried by his mother. it's neccessary for god to stay out of it, for our own development. we'll get the philosophy debates later, when we mature a little more. walking first. don't get me wrong -- i'm a literalist. i just think the people who call themselves literalists are not. they're more concerned with making it literally FACTUAL, whereas i am not at all. we really haven't the first clue, have we? there's just so much more there that fundamentalists are missing. it's a real disservice to god -- blasphemy, really. we all get angry sometimes. for instance, nothing pisses me off more than justifying hatred with christianity.but no, i wouldn't say this the sort of condition that christ spoke of, even though i do see how some might see it that. i've found, as a christian, that if we talk reasonably, listen to other view points, are not condescending or hateful or judgemental, and accept that other people don't believe the same way we do -- there's no problems. as a christian, i'm tolerated by athiests, agnostics, jews, buddhists, pagans, even satanists (really, i've found them to be friendlier than christians, btw).conducting yourself in a reasonable manner, i've found, is evangelism near it's best. when we act like responsible caring people, it's a credit to our faith. disagreement is the key to discussion and knowledge. i wouldn't know anything if it weren't for getting proven wrong, or looking it up to prove someone else wrong. back then, what they were doing was actually dangerous. it could have cost them their lives, and sometimes did. has nothing to do with jews or heathens or philistines, or whatever. it just doesn't work very well if a disciple stays and fights an angry mob and gets lynched. looks bad on the religion too.

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What should I do?

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Hi, Phatboy.
You should do as Christ tells you? Most Christians justify doing as they wish. Let's make a deal with God, he didn't really mean what he said?It isn' about telling Christians what to do, it is about 'Thus says the Lord'.
You decide and God bless.

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Pascal's Wager......nice try.

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added by edit: you also have to remember that christianity has a pretty bad reputation. christians on this board are repeatedly seen in such bigotry as gay-bashing, and acting holier-than-thou. it really doesn't look when the basis of the religion is humility, and compassion, to throw around condemnations.

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Christianity is made of human beings in need of a physician, the Great Physician. I do, you do. When I became Christian, I was a child, then I grew up and learned what it is like to eat solid food.'Thus says the Lord', but I know how to make a deal with him.
If, what I said, is out of context to you, then that is what it is.
No argument.

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Pascal's Wager......nice try.

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Pecos, you will never become more skilled at evangelical apologetics by engaging people who agree with you. It is through engaging people who disagree with you that sharpens your effectiveness at communication.

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When Jesus was talking to the Disciples, perhaps He was referring to them confronting other Jews. Was it not Paul that started the whole
heathen conversion thing? I could be wrong about this...feedback, please.

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When Jesus was talking to the disciples, he was talking to the disciples.........meaning, what are you?
And what constitutes a 'perhaps', when it comes to his instructions to his followers? "Perhaps he means someone else and it isn't about me?"
If you don't know what Paul's purpose was, you need to study some.
Good blessings.

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Have we ever had a conversation here? I can't remember an atheist being a christian or any of the evos moving more towards being a creationist? (I remember other shifting the other way).

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All evos are creationists, up and until they find 'first matter'.

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Pascal's Wager......nice try.

Nice soundbit.