Two points, weirddave: Just in case pepperlandgirl tries to look up the word “cannon” and can’t figure out why the dictionary defines it differently from you, the word you mean is actually spelled “canon” (and the adjective describing such a book is “canonical”). I apologize for mentioning a spelling mistake, since that’s generally a no-no, but in this case I’m worried that it might actually confuse people.
Clearly there’s no legal definition for the word “Christian”. Anyone can call himself a Christian without having to prove anything about his belief or actions. The definition that I was talking about (that Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox are orthodox Christians, while Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Scientists, and Unitarians are heretical Christians) is accepted by many people, but many others don’t accept it, including those I characterized as heretical. Yes, there are many who would narrow that definition and many others who would broaden it.
You can define Christian as you like, but don’t expect me or some others to agree with you about the definition. Excuse me for dropping out of this discussion, but I don’t think that arguing about this definition is a particularly interesting way to spend my time.
Amen to all of the above Pepper…my point exactly. The “Christian Church” has changed and evolved over these couple thousand years and most of the decisions about what you will learn were decided long ago by men. (As I stated in my first post.) Don’t worry about it honey…my grandma always said…Ignorance is bliss.
And for all of you guys in here that got so nasty with each other over this when Pepper specifically asked you to remain calm and respectful of each others views…then shame on you.
Most any religion reqires one thing-FAITH. That’s the tie that bonds us all as a whole. I know people who are mormons but know very little about the religion. I am curious if that is the religion that beleives jesus came to america after his death and spoke with the indians?
Anyway, in this day and age it’s amazing people profess their faith at all. I am certainly no saint but religion as a whole seems to be looked down upon in general society. I.E. bible thumpers,carpet sniffers,ceiling scratchers.
For me I don’t care if your from “the church of what’s happenin now” if your cool with me i’m cool with you or the golden rule thing.
I personally find other religions that are different from mine are interesting to learn about and gives me a balanced opinion if not I try to keep my mouth shut./
If you don’t have faith in somthing/anything then what do you have? P.S. GOD LOVES US ALL!!!
One of the examples of why we believe there are three different Gods instead of just One, is because of when Jesus was baptized. Mark 1 9-11. "And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazerath of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straight way coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens open, and the spirit LIKE a dove desceding upon him: And there came a voice from heaven saying, “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Clearly there are THREE SEPERATE Gods there. Jesus, The Son, being baptized. The Holy Ghost coming from Heaven, and God the Father speaking from Heaven.
Secondly, you cannot just accept Christ by saying so, and then go on your merry way because of Christ’s grace. You MUST work for it, and prove your repentence and humility. James 2:24 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith alone.”
Sorry it’s taken me so long, I haven’t really been online that much lately. Give me more time and I will probably find more scripture references.
“Everybody’s got something to hide except for me and my monkey”-The Beatles
“People try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend…” The Moody Blues
“To start, press any key. Where’s the any key?” Homer Simpson.
[newbie enters stage left completely unaware of what he is getting into]
Actually, that’s not quite true. The following is found in Acts 10
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.
13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Obviously, for those that do not believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God then this discussion is moot. Therefore, given that the Bible (OT&NT) is as stated and is also the basis for the Christian belief then:
Galatians 3 says:
23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.
24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
(Upon rereading the post that I first responded to I realize that the author refers to the Gospels and not the NT as a whole. If wierddave was only referring to the gospels then these references are moot.)
Actually, I would say that in a way the Ten Commandments have been invalidated, or, more correctly, superseded by the new covenant through Jesus Christ. Obviously, (or maybe not) it’s still a good idea to maintain the Ten Commandments but it is no longer required per se. This is a subtle point which I think James 2:14(see above) addresses.
Welcome to the SDMB! You bring up some very good points! I look forward to discussing this at length with you, but right now I’m too tired. See you soon!
Cecil said it. I believe it. That settles it.
Relax, I’m not as Dave as I look!- A Wallified sig!
**So, at last we meet!**You are one of those people who used to bang on my door in the early hours of the morning (anytime before 1:00 PM is morning for me) to politely offer to discuss religion with me and when I grumbled muffled obscenities and peered out through the cracked door with bleary eyes, you left me a tract!
Actually, I dunno the real answer to your question. It could be that some people are insecure in their own beliefs or so adamant about them that they feel they MUST convince you differently.
Personally, I have an opinion. If you don’t bug me about my beliefs, then I won’t bug you about yours. Christianity is about the most heavily splintered religion in the world anyhow.
CAREFUL! We don’t want to learn from this!(Calvin and Hobbs)
I have nothing to add to this discussion–I just wanted to point out that Dark Dungeons, the Chick tract about D&D, was the funniest damn thing I’ve read in a while. Where does Chick come up with this stuff? If he really stretched, could he wedge his head any further up his ass?
Dr. J
(PS: That last sentence probably sounds Pit-worthy, but I maintain that saying Jack Chick has his head up his ass is simply a statement of fact.)
“Seriously, baby, I can prescribe anything I want!” -Dr. Nick Riviera
