Some Christians are Christians without believing that the entire Bible is 100% fact-filled, and there is no Christian Governing Body that can kick them out of the club. Some interpret stories one way, and they are still Christians. Some interpret stories another way, and they are still Christians. Although it’s not my thing, I do understand that it’s more of a “general direction” thing than a “regimented by the book army” thing. Sorry your “Logic” thing can’t compute that.
Well done, now go spread your new Gospel across the land and tell me how it goes ;).
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
“13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
I can see a few different ways to read that, can’t you? It depends how you are looking at what it means by “life” - does it mean eternal life in Heaven? Or does it mean full life here and now (as well as later) in Christ Jesus?
(This is also in Matthew right after Jesus tells people to “do to others as you would have them do unto you” which also seems like a here and now thing - though the sermons of Jesus may have been edited by the author, of course)
Right
And my landlord who owns apartment buildings and liquor stores in the low income part of town can call himself a communist… but is he really a communist?
I mean, afterall… look at how many different interpretations there are/were of Marx’s writings… certainly my landlord can call himself a communist… given that there are so many working definitions of the term “communist”.
Well… yeah. You are trying to make his point?
I would say there is a 95% probability he is talking about the afterlife. But such ambiguity is not really a selling point for the validity of bible.
I was being sarcastic… no credible definition of communism accounts for the exploitation of the poor and it is specifically stated that property is theft.
Engels was one of the richest men in the world, I think.
And here you paint yourself into an interesting corner 
Yes, his family owned textile plants, I believe. So that would make him a hypocrite.
It’s your interpretation, isn’t it? I would, on the contrary, argue that hard and fast rules that apply for all time isn’t really a very good selling point for the validity of Scripture - after all, perfect God, imperfect human writers, imperfect human language. Why we are always like Jacob, wrestling with God (or, in these terms, with what we think His will is).
I find it somewhat interesting that you have set yourself up as an authority on what consists of proper organizational membership for every possible organization.
Not really 108
- I am using this example as an analogy only. I am not claiming to have perfect understanding of Marx or communism. So if there is an error in my analogy look to the main point I am trying to get across.
I find it interesting that instead of looking at a the basic point I am trying to make, and the inherent logic of not trusting contradictory, ambiguous collections of writings… that you would instead focus your efforts on trying to demonstrate my supposed lack of understanding of communism.
I dunno, but just think of how those martyrs are going to feel, after being promised 72 virgins! Ah man, God, he’s such a practical joker! :eek: :smack:
You realize that in my link, Marx explicitly does not accept “property is theft”, right?
I hate to break it to you, but your definition of “Christian” is absolute garbage. It has absolutely nothing to do with believing that the entire Bible is totally factual and must be followed to the letter. According to this(and just about every other) dictionary, you’ve just got to be a follower of this character called Jesus Christ.
Your basic point is pretty narrow minded it seems to me. Just as your understanding of communism is, I’m afraid. You can’t just define words for other people and think everyone is going to go along with you because, I dunno… your force of constantly repeating yourself. I mean, really.
No, we are not like Jacob wrestling with angels. We are much smarter than that.
Nor is god helpless in this situation. If he wanted to correct the ambiguity and contradiction of the bible, he could easily do so. Unless, of course, the christian god does not actually exist. If that is true it would indeed be pretty hard for us to get the amended corrected version ff the bible.
I am using this example as an analogy only. I am not claiming to have perfect understanding of Marx or communism. So if there is an error in my analogy look to the main point I am trying to get across.