How to have Eternal Life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP only wants to have a "discussion" with people who agree with her.

She insults the others.

Not exactly a shining Christian example, are you, OP?

Perhaps instead of trying to expound on the internet, you should spend the time in a little introspection. Being nasty doesn't suit you.

Sure. It’s really great to have a pile on of someone who has a different value system.

If you don’t agree with my values, why are you discussing this?

I do want to have discussion with like minded. It’s great to discuss your beliefs with people who think as you do.

It doesn’t mean others can’t have their own choices. But the mention of my choices causes uproar.

It’s puzzling; like only people who aren’t biblically Christian are allowed to discuss.

What? Have you ever been on the internet before? Of course people who disagree with you will engage with you! That is the whole point of a forum! If you don’t like it your option is to ignore the posts, not freak out and insult people and hen complain about it! Sheesh!

A pity those who disagree with me cannot take your advice, too.

Op, you have flung a lot of insults on a Sunday afternoon for no reason. I am not sure why you feel so beleaguered when you give as good as you get!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My pastor calls things like OP’s post “Christianese,” or stuff Christians say to other Christians to make themselves feel good. No one who isn’t Christian is going to find the idea of Jesus paying your “sin-debt” compelling. People feel like they have more pressing issues, like how to feel peace, be a good person, etc. And sadly, they are so turned off by people like OP that they never see that the love of Jesus can do amazing things in your life, the one you are living right now.

NP. And I call people like your pastor "lukewarm" and not followers of Christ at all. Christianity is not about marketing itself based on popular polling.

Ok, cool. I’ll make sure to let him know.

My pastor has actually baptized hundreds of people, but maybe you’re right. I can’t say that I understand what you’re trying to accomplish.

Baptized hundreds of people? So have a lot of other so-called pastors who have perverted God's word to their own personal gain and liking.

Ok, and? You’re insulting a person you don’t know. I know my pastor, I know he’s actually awesome, so I don’t really know what else to say. I mean should I go into a lengthy defense of my unnamed pastor because you don’t like something he said that is actually great common sense? A lot of the posters on this thread are getting really testy and insulting and I think that reveals their depth more than anything I have to say.

I'm saying that I think people - particularly pastors - who preach a message that Christianity is about "feeling peace" and "being a good person" have totally and completely perverted God's word, as revealed in the scriptures. You said that about your pastor, not me. Christ said that following Him is anything but a feel-good session. But people like you, and I assume, your pastor, are more concerned about "turning off" other people by telling them the truth - which is that they are sinners and in need of a savior - because they want to "feel good" about themselves and grow big churche$$, I assume. Based on Biblical teachings, God will deal with those people in His own way. And I'd hate to be there to see it. Your pastor is creating a false god and a false idol - himself.

Actually, the Bible says that one of the fruits of the spirit is peace. Paul was very concerned about the conduct of Christians in the wider world. The root word of sin in Greek is “missing the mark” or not being on target. Our target is to be like Jesus, and our failure is sin. This is all in the Bible. You are upset about something you perceive that wasn’t there. Ok, that’s on you. You’re insulting someone you don’t know, and that’s all on you. If this thread was an attempt at evangelism it has failed miserably.

No one can be a shadow of Jesus. Impossible.

Especially if they don’t think He’s important.

Many posters here don’t seem to think He’s important.

But feeling good about themselves is their yardstick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My pastor calls things like OP’s post “Christianese,” or stuff Christians say to other Christians to make themselves feel good. No one who isn’t Christian is going to find the idea of Jesus paying your “sin-debt” compelling. People feel like they have more pressing issues, like how to feel peace, be a good person, etc. And sadly, they are so turned off by people like OP that they never see that the love of Jesus can do amazing things in your life, the one you are living right now.

NP. And I call people like your pastor "lukewarm" and not followers of Christ at all. Christianity is not about marketing itself based on popular polling.

Ok, cool. I’ll make sure to let him know.

My pastor has actually baptized hundreds of people, but maybe you’re right. I can’t say that I understand what you’re trying to accomplish.

Baptized hundreds of people? So have a lot of other so-called pastors who have perverted God's word to their own personal gain and liking.

Ok, and? You’re insulting a person you don’t know. I know my pastor, I know he’s actually awesome, so I don’t really know what else to say. I mean should I go into a lengthy defense of my unnamed pastor because you don’t like something he said that is actually great common sense? A lot of the posters on this thread are getting really testy and insulting and I think that reveals their depth more than anything I have to say.

I'm saying that I think people - particularly pastors - who preach a message that Christianity is about "feeling peace" and "being a good person" have totally and completely perverted God's word, as revealed in the scriptures. You said that about your pastor, not me. Christ said that following Him is anything but a feel-good session. But people like you, and I assume, your pastor, are more concerned about "turning off" other people by telling them the truth - which is that they are sinners and in need of a savior - because they want to "feel good" about themselves and grow big churche$$, I assume. Based on Biblical teachings, God will deal with those people in His own way. And I'd hate to be there to see it. Your pastor is creating a false god and a false idol - himself.

Actually, the Bible says that one of the fruits of the spirit is peace. Paul was very concerned about the conduct of Christians in the wider world. The root word of sin in Greek is “missing the mark” or not being on target. Our target is to be like Jesus, and our failure is sin. This is all in the Bible. You are upset about something you perceive that wasn’t there. Ok, that’s on you. You’re insulting someone you don’t know, and that’s all on you. If this thread was an attempt at evangelism it has failed miserably.

No one can be a shadow of Jesus. Impossible.

Especially if they don’t think He’s important.

Many posters here don’t seem to think He’s important.

But feeling good about themselves is their yardstick.

I disagree! People need to see Jesus in you! They need to see his love and kindness, his patience and steadfastness.

And I’m not sure why you would feel bad if Jesus is with you. We all feel sadness sometimes but Gods love should give you joy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My pastor calls things like OP’s post “Christianese,” or stuff Christians say to other Christians to make themselves feel good. No one who isn’t Christian is going to find the idea of Jesus paying your “sin-debt” compelling. People feel like they have more pressing issues, like how to feel peace, be a good person, etc. And sadly, they are so turned off by people like OP that they never see that the love of Jesus can do amazing things in your life, the one you are living right now.

You should do both as a Christian.

How does acknowledging Jesus died for us turn you off as a Christian?

Honestly, as a Christian, I find OP’s post to be weird and unnecessary. What is her point? Yes, Jesus died for us but he also lives for us and in us. That is where I try to focus. How can I be Jesus for the people around me?

Weird?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But... I don't want eternal life.

You are singularly simple-minded, OP.

That’s your choice.

Are you religious for other reasons, then?

I don’t see much kindness and acceptance coming from you, and wonder if you dislike and disparage those who have different value systems than you do?

Let me explain it to you, then
I am allergic to people like OP. I like decent people who mind their own business.
My parents come from opposite ends of the earth and each come from a different culture, language and religions.
I was exposed to different denominations of Christianity, as well as my other parent's religions (plural!). The history of religions is a fascinating study.
I have lived, and have family, on several different continents.

I find we all get along best when no one urges one's beliefs on others. Because at the end of the day, we all strive to be good people. You don't need to box yourself into a specific religion to be a good person, and you don't need to worry about continuation after death if you are a good person. Good doesn't mean obeying the strictures of your church, I hope you can understand this one day.

Allergic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP only wants to have a "discussion" with people who agree with her.

She insults the others.

Not exactly a shining Christian example, are you, OP?

Perhaps instead of trying to expound on the internet, you should spend the time in a little introspection. Being nasty doesn't suit you.

I think it reveals a real lack of depth when people do things like this. OP is super randomly posting Bible verses on a religion forum, but when challenged with people who want to discuss how her statements are relevant to them, she and possibly another poster kind of lost it. She literally just wants people to post “amen” and can not tolerate being challenged. It just seems like a really frustrating exercise for her and I don’t really get why people do things like this.

I am the "other poster". I am not angry as OP. I do not feel challenged. By like OP I stand rock solid by my beliefs. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. I am certainly not feeling compelled to impress anyone who is not Christian. I am open-minded to discussing Bible verses. However, that doesn't seem entirely possible when a person thinks that Bible is a metaphor and a document of a certain space and time only.

This is a straw man statement.. Recognizing that the Bible is a product of a different time does not mean that you do not believe anything it says or that you take the entire Bible as metaphor. I don’t even know what that means. I really just don’t know why you guys bother. Just don’t bother if you can’t engage without diminishing the person you are talking with.

I don't know why you bother. You are trying to present yourself as an open-minded Christian yet you exude false intellectual superiority with a simmering distaste for evangelical Christianity. I have no quarrel with you. My beliefs are very straight forward, uncomplicated by the doctrines of demons. I believe in the Word of God only (the Bible, as it is written) and the Trinity. I do not believe in anything else nor I ever will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My pastor calls things like OP’s post “Christianese,” or stuff Christians say to other Christians to make themselves feel good. No one who isn’t Christian is going to find the idea of Jesus paying your “sin-debt” compelling. People feel like they have more pressing issues, like how to feel peace, be a good person, etc. And sadly, they are so turned off by people like OP that they never see that the love of Jesus can do amazing things in your life, the one you are living right now.

NP. And I call people like your pastor "lukewarm" and not followers of Christ at all. Christianity is not about marketing itself based on popular polling.

Ok, cool. I’ll make sure to let him know.

My pastor has actually baptized hundreds of people, but maybe you’re right. I can’t say that I understand what you’re trying to accomplish.

Baptized hundreds of people? So have a lot of other so-called pastors who have perverted God's word to their own personal gain and liking.

Ok, and? You’re insulting a person you don’t know. I know my pastor, I know he’s actually awesome, so I don’t really know what else to say. I mean should I go into a lengthy defense of my unnamed pastor because you don’t like something he said that is actually great common sense? A lot of the posters on this thread are getting really testy and insulting and I think that reveals their depth more than anything I have to say.

I'm saying that I think people - particularly pastors - who preach a message that Christianity is about "feeling peace" and "being a good person" have totally and completely perverted God's word, as revealed in the scriptures. You said that about your pastor, not me. Christ said that following Him is anything but a feel-good session. But people like you, and I assume, your pastor, are more concerned about "turning off" other people by telling them the truth - which is that they are sinners and in need of a savior - because they want to "feel good" about themselves and grow big churche$$, I assume. Based on Biblical teachings, God will deal with those people in His own way. And I'd hate to be there to see it. Your pastor is creating a false god and a false idol - himself.

Actually, the Bible says that one of the fruits of the spirit is peace. Paul was very concerned about the conduct of Christians in the wider world. The root word of sin in Greek is “missing the mark” or not being on target. Our target is to be like Jesus, and our failure is sin. This is all in the Bible. You are upset about something you perceive that wasn’t there. Ok, that’s on you. You’re insulting someone you don’t know, and that’s all on you. If this thread was an attempt at evangelism it has failed miserably.

This is correct, but not the full picture. Our target is not just "to be like Jesus," which is impossible anyway.
Our target it reunification with our Creator. He made us, we sin and thus fall short of the glory of God, thus separating us from God. God and sin cannot co-exist.
Jesus is the only way back to God, through his payment for our sins.

The mistake here is to think that all we have to do is try to "be like Jesus," which has become an inane attempt to just be nice to people, feed the poor, etc. as an expression of following Him. This is not enough, and in fact is nothing if we do not ultimately put our faith and trust in Him, ask Him to forgive our sin and accept His grace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP only wants to have a "discussion" with people who agree with her.

She insults the others.

Not exactly a shining Christian example, are you, OP?

Perhaps instead of trying to expound on the internet, you should spend the time in a little introspection. Being nasty doesn't suit you.

I think it reveals a real lack of depth when people do things like this. OP is super randomly posting Bible verses on a religion forum, but when challenged with people who want to discuss how her statements are relevant to them, she and possibly another poster kind of lost it. She literally just wants people to post “amen” and can not tolerate being challenged. It just seems like a really frustrating exercise for her and I don’t really get why people do things like this.

I am the "other poster". I am not angry as OP. I do not feel challenged. By like OP I stand rock solid by my beliefs. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. I am certainly not feeling compelled to impress anyone who is not Christian. I am open-minded to discussing Bible verses. However, that doesn't seem entirely possible when a person thinks that Bible is a metaphor and a document of a certain space and time only.

This is a straw man statement.. Recognizing that the Bible is a product of a different time does not mean that you do not believe anything it says or that you take the entire Bible as metaphor. I don’t even know what that means. I really just don’t know why you guys bother. Just don’t bother if you can’t engage without diminishing the person you are talking with.

I don't know why you bother. You are trying to present yourself as an open-minded Christian yet you exude false intellectual superiority with a simmering distaste for evangelical Christianity. I have no quarrel with you. My beliefs are very straight forward, uncomplicated by the doctrines of demons. I believe in the Word of God only (the Bible, as it is written) and the Trinity. I do not believe in anything else nor I ever will.

Great. Me either. The only difference is I don’t have a problem with your choices. You seem to have a problem with mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My pastor calls things like OP’s post “Christianese,” or stuff Christians say to other Christians to make themselves feel good. No one who isn’t Christian is going to find the idea of Jesus paying your “sin-debt” compelling. People feel like they have more pressing issues, like how to feel peace, be a good person, etc. And sadly, they are so turned off by people like OP that they never see that the love of Jesus can do amazing things in your life, the one you are living right now.

NP. And I call people like your pastor "lukewarm" and not followers of Christ at all. Christianity is not about marketing itself based on popular polling.

Ok, cool. I’ll make sure to let him know.

My pastor has actually baptized hundreds of people, but maybe you’re right. I can’t say that I understand what you’re trying to accomplish.

Baptized hundreds of people? So have a lot of other so-called pastors who have perverted God's word to their own personal gain and liking.

Ok, and? You’re insulting a person you don’t know. I know my pastor, I know he’s actually awesome, so I don’t really know what else to say. I mean should I go into a lengthy defense of my unnamed pastor because you don’t like something he said that is actually great common sense? A lot of the posters on this thread are getting really testy and insulting and I think that reveals their depth more than anything I have to say.

I'm saying that I think people - particularly pastors - who preach a message that Christianity is about "feeling peace" and "being a good person" have totally and completely perverted God's word, as revealed in the scriptures. You said that about your pastor, not me. Christ said that following Him is anything but a feel-good session. But people like you, and I assume, your pastor, are more concerned about "turning off" other people by telling them the truth - which is that they are sinners and in need of a savior - because they want to "feel good" about themselves and grow big churche$$, I assume. Based on Biblical teachings, God will deal with those people in His own way. And I'd hate to be there to see it. Your pastor is creating a false god and a false idol - himself.

Actually, the Bible says that one of the fruits of the spirit is peace. Paul was very concerned about the conduct of Christians in the wider world. The root word of sin in Greek is “missing the mark” or not being on target. Our target is to be like Jesus, and our failure is sin. This is all in the Bible. You are upset about something you perceive that wasn’t there. Ok, that’s on you. You’re insulting someone you don’t know, and that’s all on you. If this thread was an attempt at evangelism it has failed miserably.

This is correct, but not the full picture. Our target is not just "to be like Jesus," which is impossible anyway.
Our target it reunification with our Creator. He made us, we sin and thus fall short of the glory of God, thus separating us from God. God and sin cannot co-exist.
Jesus is the only way back to God, through his payment for our sins.

The mistake here is to think that all we have to do is try to "be like Jesus," which has become an inane attempt to just be nice to people, feed the poor, etc. as an expression of following Him. This is not enough, and in fact is nothing if we do not ultimately put our faith and trust in Him, ask Him to forgive our sin and accept His grace.

Yes, I agree 100%.

Feeling good about yourself doesn’t save you. Your works don’t save you.

Jesus saves you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP only wants to have a "discussion" with people who agree with her.

She insults the others.

Not exactly a shining Christian example, are you, OP?

Perhaps instead of trying to expound on the internet, you should spend the time in a little introspection. Being nasty doesn't suit you.

I think it reveals a real lack of depth when people do things like this. OP is super randomly posting Bible verses on a religion forum, but when challenged with people who want to discuss how her statements are relevant to them, she and possibly another poster kind of lost it. She literally just wants people to post “amen” and can not tolerate being challenged. It just seems like a really frustrating exercise for her and I don’t really get why people do things like this.

I am the "other poster". I am not angry as OP. I do not feel challenged. By like OP I stand rock solid by my beliefs. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. I am certainly not feeling compelled to impress anyone who is not Christian. I am open-minded to discussing Bible verses. However, that doesn't seem entirely possible when a person thinks that Bible is a metaphor and a document of a certain space and time only.

This is a straw man statement.. Recognizing that the Bible is a product of a different time does not mean that you do not believe anything it says or that you take the entire Bible as metaphor. I don’t even know what that means. I really just don’t know why you guys bother. Just don’t bother if you can’t engage without diminishing the person you are talking with.

I don't know why you bother. You are trying to present yourself as an open-minded Christian yet you exude false intellectual superiority with a simmering distaste for evangelical Christianity. I have no quarrel with you. My beliefs are very straight forward, uncomplicated by the doctrines of demons. I believe in the Word of God only (the Bible, as it is written) and the Trinity. I do not believe in anything else nor I ever will.

Great. Me either. The only difference is I don’t have a problem with your choices. You seem to have a problem with mine.

Yeah, I am really going to lose sleep over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP only wants to have a "discussion" with people who agree with her.

She insults the others.

Not exactly a shining Christian example, are you, OP?

Perhaps instead of trying to expound on the internet, you should spend the time in a little introspection. Being nasty doesn't suit you.

I think it reveals a real lack of depth when people do things like this. OP is super randomly posting Bible verses on a religion forum, but when challenged with people who want to discuss how her statements are relevant to them, she and possibly another poster kind of lost it. She literally just wants people to post “amen” and can not tolerate being challenged. It just seems like a really frustrating exercise for her and I don’t really get why people do things like this.

I am the "other poster". I am not angry as OP. I do not feel challenged. By like OP I stand rock solid by my beliefs. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. I am certainly not feeling compelled to impress anyone who is not Christian. I am open-minded to discussing Bible verses. However, that doesn't seem entirely possible when a person thinks that Bible is a metaphor and a document of a certain space and time only.

This is a straw man statement.. Recognizing that the Bible is a product of a different time does not mean that you do not believe anything it says or that you take the entire Bible as metaphor. I don’t even know what that means. I really just don’t know why you guys bother. Just don’t bother if you can’t engage without diminishing the person you are talking with.

I don't know why you bother. You are trying to present yourself as an open-minded Christian yet you exude false intellectual superiority with a simmering distaste for evangelical Christianity. I have no quarrel with you. My beliefs are very straight forward, uncomplicated by the doctrines of demons. I believe in the Word of God only (the Bible, as it is written) and the Trinity. I do not believe in anything else nor I ever will.

I don’t have a simmering distaste for evangelical Christianity, I think it is completely off the rails, so to speak, at least in America. I belong to a church with such a rich and wonderful history, I feel kind of sorry for evangelicals. They are missing out on so much that gives me joy. I am sorry you feel that I was exuding false intellectual superiority. I thought it was real intellectual superiority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My pastor calls things like OP’s post “Christianese,” or stuff Christians say to other Christians to make themselves feel good. No one who isn’t Christian is going to find the idea of Jesus paying your “sin-debt” compelling. People feel like they have more pressing issues, like how to feel peace, be a good person, etc. And sadly, they are so turned off by people like OP that they never see that the love of Jesus can do amazing things in your life, the one you are living right now.

NP. And I call people like your pastor "lukewarm" and not followers of Christ at all. Christianity is not about marketing itself based on popular polling.

Ok, cool. I’ll make sure to let him know.

My pastor has actually baptized hundreds of people, but maybe you’re right. I can’t say that I understand what you’re trying to accomplish.

Baptized hundreds of people? So have a lot of other so-called pastors who have perverted God's word to their own personal gain and liking.

Ok, and? You’re insulting a person you don’t know. I know my pastor, I know he’s actually awesome, so I don’t really know what else to say. I mean should I go into a lengthy defense of my unnamed pastor because you don’t like something he said that is actually great common sense? A lot of the posters on this thread are getting really testy and insulting and I think that reveals their depth more than anything I have to say.

I'm saying that I think people - particularly pastors - who preach a message that Christianity is about "feeling peace" and "being a good person" have totally and completely perverted God's word, as revealed in the scriptures. You said that about your pastor, not me. Christ said that following Him is anything but a feel-good session. But people like you, and I assume, your pastor, are more concerned about "turning off" other people by telling them the truth - which is that they are sinners and in need of a savior - because they want to "feel good" about themselves and grow big churche$$, I assume. Based on Biblical teachings, God will deal with those people in His own way. And I'd hate to be there to see it. Your pastor is creating a false god and a false idol - himself.

Actually, the Bible says that one of the fruits of the spirit is peace. Paul was very concerned about the conduct of Christians in the wider world. The root word of sin in Greek is “missing the mark” or not being on target. Our target is to be like Jesus, and our failure is sin. This is all in the Bible. You are upset about something you perceive that wasn’t there. Ok, that’s on you. You’re insulting someone you don’t know, and that’s all on you. If this thread was an attempt at evangelism it has failed miserably.

This is correct, but not the full picture. Our target is not just "to be like Jesus," which is impossible anyway.
Our target it reunification with our Creator. He made us, we sin and thus fall short of the glory of God, thus separating us from God. God and sin cannot co-exist.
Jesus is the only way back to God, through his payment for our sins.

The mistake here is to think that all we have to do is try to "be like Jesus," which has become an inane attempt to just be nice to people, feed the poor, etc. as an expression of following Him. This is not enough, and in fact is nothing if we do not ultimately put our faith and trust in Him, ask Him to forgive our sin and accept His grace.

This is yet another straw man argument. Literally no one in the thread said that we are not saved through the grace of God. If you think any Christians on this thread don’t believe this, you need not worry OP and friend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP only wants to have a "discussion" with people who agree with her.

She insults the others.

Not exactly a shining Christian example, are you, OP?

Perhaps instead of trying to expound on the internet, you should spend the time in a little introspection. Being nasty doesn't suit you.

I think it reveals a real lack of depth when people do things like this. OP is super randomly posting Bible verses on a religion forum, but when challenged with people who want to discuss how her statements are relevant to them, she and possibly another poster kind of lost it. She literally just wants people to post “amen” and can not tolerate being challenged. It just seems like a really frustrating exercise for her and I don’t really get why people do things like this.

I am the "other poster". I am not angry as OP. I do not feel challenged. By like OP I stand rock solid by my beliefs. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. I am certainly not feeling compelled to impress anyone who is not Christian. I am open-minded to discussing Bible verses. However, that doesn't seem entirely possible when a person thinks that Bible is a metaphor and a document of a certain space and time only.

This is a straw man statement.. Recognizing that the Bible is a product of a different time does not mean that you do not believe anything it says or that you take the entire Bible as metaphor. I don’t even know what that means. I really just don’t know why you guys bother. Just don’t bother if you can’t engage without diminishing the person you are talking with.

I don't know why you bother. You are trying to present yourself as an open-minded Christian yet you exude false intellectual superiority with a simmering distaste for evangelical Christianity. I have no quarrel with you. My beliefs are very straight forward, uncomplicated by the doctrines of demons. I believe in the Word of God only (the Bible, as it is written) and the Trinity. I do not believe in anything else nor I ever will.

I don’t have a simmering distaste for evangelical Christianity, I think it is completely off the rails, so to speak, at least in America. I belong to a church with such a rich and wonderful history, I feel kind of sorry for evangelicals. They are missing out on so much that gives me joy. I am sorry you feel that I was exuding false intellectual superiority. I thought it was real intellectual superiority.

Like you, I started in Eastern Orthodoxy and come from a long tradition of it. However, it is not what I believe anymore. I still go to the local church, mostly for community though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP only wants to have a "discussion" with people who agree with her.

She insults the others.

Not exactly a shining Christian example, are you, OP?

Perhaps instead of trying to expound on the internet, you should spend the time in a little introspection. Being nasty doesn't suit you.

I think it reveals a real lack of depth when people do things like this. OP is super randomly posting Bible verses on a religion forum, but when challenged with people who want to discuss how her statements are relevant to them, she and possibly another poster kind of lost it. She literally just wants people to post “amen” and can not tolerate being challenged. It just seems like a really frustrating exercise for her and I don’t really get why people do things like this.

I am the "other poster". I am not angry as OP. I do not feel challenged. By like OP I stand rock solid by my beliefs. I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. I am certainly not feeling compelled to impress anyone who is not Christian. I am open-minded to discussing Bible verses. However, that doesn't seem entirely possible when a person thinks that Bible is a metaphor and a document of a certain space and time only.

This is a straw man statement.. Recognizing that the Bible is a product of a different time does not mean that you do not believe anything it says or that you take the entire Bible as metaphor. I don’t even know what that means. I really just don’t know why you guys bother. Just don’t bother if you can’t engage without diminishing the person you are talking with.

I don't know why you bother. You are trying to present yourself as an open-minded Christian yet you exude false intellectual superiority with a simmering distaste for evangelical Christianity. I have no quarrel with you. My beliefs are very straight forward, uncomplicated by the doctrines of demons. I believe in the Word of God only (the Bible, as it is written) and the Trinity. I do not believe in anything else nor I ever will.

Great. Me either. The only difference is I don’t have a problem with your choices. You seem to have a problem with mine.

Yeah, I am really going to lose sleep over it.

I am excited you took time to let me know what you believe. I’ll be printing it off and carrying it in my wallet for at least 2 years. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

The view that entrance into heaven is on the basis of merit (our works) rather than God's grace is also common. But a works based system of salvation is foreign to the message of Christ. Whether or not one enters heaven is not dependent on a continuum of good and evil, wherein we hope our good acts outweigh our bad ones. While this perspective may be common, it is biblically incorrect. As Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast" (NIV). Grace is God's unmerited favor, demonstrated most fully in the sacrifice of Christ. In short, the only way to heaven is through Jesus, "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6).

Those who argue that all good people go to heaven often suggest that if hell exists, it is reserved for a minority of particularly evil people. But since most people are not so evil, they argue, it makes sense to claim that all good people will get to heaven regardless of any minor lapses in moral behavior. Does this reasoning hold up? It does so only if it fails to take into account the nature of God, the nature of sin, and what the Bible has to say on the subject. As we've noted, God is holy, but He is also just. God's justice requires the reality of hell for the unredeemed. The nature of sin extends, biblically speaking, to everyone. Salvation is not by works, but by God's grace through Christ.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/becoming-a-christian/is-christ-the-only-way/dont-all-good-people-go-to-heaven