I think it’s easy to get a negative view of the average Christian or just the average person. When a good person is doing the Christian things talked about above properly, they won’t get much coverage or notice or attention. But when someone does what Jesus preached against, like be corrupted by power or get rich or any number of things, they will be more notice and covered and attended to.
Doing good works are their own reward. It is not necessary to be rewarded publicly. I think people do know who walks the path and who doesn’t by the fruits they produce as Jesus said.
In post #61, you said:
In post #85, you said:
You didn’t list any churches at all, just broad categories. For the fourth time, which does each of these specific denominations fall in, teaching-wise (fear or love)?
Methodist
Presbyterian
Catholic (or don’t you call that Christian?)
Lutheran
Baptist
Anabaptist
Congregational
Christian Science
Mormon
Evangelical
Episcopal
Quakers
Moravian
Pentacostal
and for the fourth time I answer your question, the ones I listed teach love. Now if you are expecting me to break down your list, forget it. Christian churches that preach heaven and hell preach fear of God if that helps. The ones I listed do not believe in eternal damnation.
The only ones you “listed” are:"… Unity churches…Science of Life churches (not to be confused with Christian Science) Spiritual Churches (these are the psychics) New Age churches, New Thought Churches, most Pagan Churches, and… main stream Christian Churches…"
Looking in my local phone book…and even in this very small town, I see over 50 churches like Lutheran, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Methodist, etc., but I don’t see a single one called “Unity” or “Science of Life” or “New Age” or “Spiritual” or “New Thought” or “Pagan” or “Main Stream Christian”. So if I wanted to take your advice and attend one that preaches love instead of fear, or vice-versa, which of those I listed specifically would I attend?
What you owe us, here in GD, is either a direct answer, or an admission of ignorance. You are free to say, “I don’t know”.
Musicat to lekatts credit, true churches are not normally found in a phone book, nor are they pointy buildings. If you truly seek God He will invite you into His church which is a group of believers, the body of Christ. The ‘churches’ that Lekatt mentions however falls under the category of the occult, and have either taken Christ totally out of their teachings or modified it so much that it is meaningless and unrecognizable.
Lekatt mentions “mainstream christian” churches, and I would consider my list to be exactly that. So either all on my list fall in one love/fear category or just some do. I want to know which is which and I’m not getting an answer.
Yes I would say that the ones you mentioned would fall under ‘mainstream Christian’ category.
As I understand Lekatt all churches that not only believe in God, but also believe that Jesus is our only way to God, or any that believes in the existence of Satan or hell, would fall under the category of preaching fear, regardless if the do or not - as it is very possible to preach Jesus’ total message as we have it with Love only and no fear.
You are not getting an answer IMHO because Lekatt doesn’t want to come right out and say that all the Christian churches are wrong except the ones that distort and lie about the gospel so much that for all practical purposed Jesus has been removed from them.
Both ELCA churches I have in my life preached love and not fear. Start there, if you’re not interested in doing your own legwork. If you insist on a specific reference, I can give you the name and address of the one I most recently attended. Never a word of fear spoken there; just love, compassion, inclusivity and responsiveness.
I think most have stopped preaching fear, the tactic has shifted to denying Jesus the Christ.
I don’t think you’re specifically targetting ELCA churches with this comment, but for my edifiction: exactly *whose * “tactic” is is denying Jesus the Christ? And to what purpose?
Not specifically targeting any church. The enemy’s tactic for the purpose of deception to keep people in darkness and bondage and ultimately destruction.
Actually what they have done is put the teachings of Jesus back into the teachings of the church.
Why don’t you just tell me where you live and I will look up a church for you to attend, that might be simpler.
You have misquoted me, I did not say main stream Christian churches teached only love.
The teachings of Jesus never left His church, again I’m not talking about the pointy buildings, but the body of Christ, man nor devil can not put God’s teachings anywhere, so those are synagogues of Satan you mention.
All 3 from NIV
Funny how you never quote the teachings of Jesus, and Satan is never taught in the churches I mentioned. We are not to judge others until we become perfect.
Love
If you “look up” a specific church, you have to know the denomination, so just answer the GodDamned question already!
But you did say:
and:
Those are direct quotes, not misquotes (look 'em up in the same thread if you doubt me). Once again, you said “There are main steam Christian Churches which have dropped the fear teaching.” Is that a misquote?
You made a claim about mainstream Christian Churches. Are you talking about ALL mainstream Christian Churches or SOME mainstream Christian Churches, and if so, which? You can’t just throw out claims, even if it is an opinion, without backing it up. I’ll calling you out on your claim and if you were serious about it, you should stand behind it. It’s high noon at the OK Corral, friend. Does a Methodist church teach fear or love? Catholic? Lutheran?
Remember, you are free to retract your statement or say you don’t know. You are not free to avoid answering if you want people to believe anything you say, now or in the future. Don’t dance around it, confront it.
Funny how you missed the very first cite, a direct quote of Jesus, and the scriptures do testify about Jesus:
Wait I thought you denied the existence of Satan, if you do deny he exists then you 1: deny the Word of God, 2: would be under deception so wouldn’t know if Satan has taught in those occult churches you mentioned.
I am not judging, just applying the Word of God to your statements, testing the spirits.
What I am talking about here is the teachings of Jesus, He taught to love one another, to forgive, to not judge others, to go the second mile, to resist not evil and that to do these things to all people not just friends and family. His teachings if followed will enable one to live an abundant life full of joy and peace. That is the reason for His teachings. They are for those who claim to be followers of Jesus to follow. This what I am talking about. Now I am not here to compare churches or religions but to point out the real teachings of Christianity. I am aware of those who try to scare people into believing in Jesus and going to church, by using demons and devils and hell, these are not the teachings of Jesus. I hope this helps to clarify. But even if they were the teachings of Jesus I would reject them. God loves all of us equally. There are no special people. The teachings are for us to use to have a good life.