Random Questions; Bible-based answers
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I am also an old geezer who has been growing spiritually for 50 plus years. I have learned that the HS is truth, but we are not GW, so we may be wrong.
I agree that mature Christians do not habitually sin, because that is the very meaning of maturity. Yes, we learn/become equipped not to sin by learning GW and applying it to our experience of life or cooperating with God's will.
Yes, God uses all our trials and suffering to teach and bless us, although there are some things we wish could be avoided, such as being crucified. Thank God Jesus thought it was worth it all to get us where we are now and will be eternally. :^)
I agree that mature Christians do not habitually sin, because that is the very meaning of maturity. Yes, we learn/become equipped not to sin by learning GW and applying it to our experience of life or cooperating with God's will.
Yes, God uses all our trials and suffering to teach and bless us, although there are some things we wish could be avoided, such as being crucified. Thank God Jesus thought it was worth it all to get us where we are now and will be eternally. :^)
The answer I have been trying to get through folks heads if it kills me:
The kerygma/GRFS should be every Christian’s creed, and only belief in this crucial truth should be viewed as a test for orthodoxy or heresy. As Paul wrote in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Conversely, judgments concerning a person’s spiritual orientation or ultimate destiny should not be made on the basis of didachaic or secondary doctrines. (If any judgment is made, it should begin with a self-examination per MT 7:1&5, 2CR 13:5-8).
A major reason many Christians throughout history [and on this forum?] have not manifested the love and unity of God’s Spirit (EPH 4:3) as well as they should is because of failure to realize this truth. If they did, it would free them to speak honestly and fellowship without becoming unduly upset about relatively minor issues. They would receive God’s blessing as peacemakers, who draw inclusive circles around people based on the kerygma rather than denominational lines between them due to didachaic differences. Jesus prayed for spiritual unity (cf. JN 17:20-23, “May they be one…”).
The normative way of stating the kerygma/GRFS in the NT is “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord” (as in 2CR 4:5 & CL 2:6). The main points of Christian orthodoxy implicit in this statement can be explained or elaborated as follows:
The kerygma/GRFS should be every Christian’s creed, and only belief in this crucial truth should be viewed as a test for orthodoxy or heresy. As Paul wrote in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Conversely, judgments concerning a person’s spiritual orientation or ultimate destiny should not be made on the basis of didachaic or secondary doctrines. (If any judgment is made, it should begin with a self-examination per MT 7:1&5, 2CR 13:5-8).
A major reason many Christians throughout history [and on this forum?] have not manifested the love and unity of God’s Spirit (EPH 4:3) as well as they should is because of failure to realize this truth. If they did, it would free them to speak honestly and fellowship without becoming unduly upset about relatively minor issues. They would receive God’s blessing as peacemakers, who draw inclusive circles around people based on the kerygma rather than denominational lines between them due to didachaic differences. Jesus prayed for spiritual unity (cf. JN 17:20-23, “May they be one…”).
The normative way of stating the kerygma/GRFS in the NT is “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord” (as in 2CR 4:5 & CL 2:6). The main points of Christian orthodoxy implicit in this statement can be explained or elaborated as follows:
- There is a/one all-loving and just Lord or God (DT 6:4, JN 3:16, 2THS 1:6), who is both able (2TM 1:12) and willing (1TM 2:3-4) to provide all morally accountable human beings salvation or heaven—a wonderful life full of love, joy and peace forever.
- Human beings are selfish or sinful (RM 3:23, 2TM 3:2-4, CL 3:5), miserable (GL 5:19-21), and hopeless (EPH 2:12) when they reject God’s salvation or DOD (JN 3:18).
- Jesus is God’s Messiah/Christ or the way (means of providing salvation) that God has chosen (JN 3:16, ACTS 16:30-31, PHP 2:9-11), although pre-NT truthseekers could/can learn a proto-gospel via general revelation combined with conscience.
- Thus, every person who hears the NT Gospel needs to repent and accept God in Jesus as Christ/Messiah the Lord or Supreme Commander (LK 2:11, JN 14:6, ACTS 16:31), which means trying to obey His commandment to love one another (MT 22:37-40, JN 13:35, RM 13:9)—forever (MT 10:22, PS 113:2).
- Then God’s Holy Spirit will establish a saving relationship with those who freely accept Him (RV 3:20) that will eventually achieve heaven when by means of persevering in learning God’s Word everyone cooperates fully with His will (RM 8:6-17, GL 6:7-9, EPH 1:13-14, HB 10:36, 12:1, JM 1:2-4).
Today's RQ is prompted by a book by Alvin Toffler entitled "The Third Wave" I happened to have that proposes earthly history has had three major divisions: the agrarian period before about 1600 AD, the industrial revolution from about that time until the 21st century, and now we are entering a third phase driven by computers and genetics. I wondered: Does the concept of a third wave have any spiritual value?
Although Toffler said he is a former Marxist, it appears that his conversion was not to Christianity, and so the book bloviates about how the second wave included the formation of nations and the rise of imperialists that became a global elite, which was dominated by the United States economy. At one point Toffler asserts that during this period God became redefined in terms of justice, love, power and beauty, and secular society preached a new faith in progress with God the prime mover, although in an impersonal or mechanical manner.
However, Toffler does not pursue this topic, and he seems to have no clue about the spiritual war underlying history. Nor does he realize biblical values are the glue that holds families and societies together. Also, the book was written about forty years ago, and Toffler's attempt to foretell the future of the third wave is unimpressive--not indicating he had the gift of prophecy--so I am tossing the book.
Although Toffler said he is a former Marxist, it appears that his conversion was not to Christianity, and so the book bloviates about how the second wave included the formation of nations and the rise of imperialists that became a global elite, which was dominated by the United States economy. At one point Toffler asserts that during this period God became redefined in terms of justice, love, power and beauty, and secular society preached a new faith in progress with God the prime mover, although in an impersonal or mechanical manner.
However, Toffler does not pursue this topic, and he seems to have no clue about the spiritual war underlying history. Nor does he realize biblical values are the glue that holds families and societies together. Also, the book was written about forty years ago, and Toffler's attempt to foretell the future of the third wave is unimpressive--not indicating he had the gift of prophecy--so I am tossing the book.
Now I have a similar RQ about a book by Bob MacGuffie and Antony Stark entitled "The Seventh Crisis" which follows up "The Fourth Turning" by William Strauss and Neil Howe: What is it with all of these preoccupations with numbers in book titles anyhow?
Actually, the book has a worthwhile concern, which is that "Ordered Liberty" is a key element of the U.S. Constitution that is being perverted by an ever-larger government controlled by an increasingly fascist elite class comprised of so-called progressives in both major political parties, who seek to impose political correctness that contradicts common sense morality.
These problematic "progressive" policies include lawfare, multiple genders, rewriting history, Marxist Academia, complicit media and unrestrained and wasteful federal spending that is ruining our economy and allowing Communist China to become a serious threat. This crisis is international in scope.
The authors' solution is to somehow engineer a return to an Ordered Liberty and limited government that reverses these trends. However, instead of developing a way of achieving this solution, the book spends most of its pages bloviating about the causes of the problem in too much detail for someone like me who want to KISS history. Also, their way forward is oblivious to the spiritual revival and Bible-based answers that are needed. Thus, I am tossing this book, too.
Actually, the book has a worthwhile concern, which is that "Ordered Liberty" is a key element of the U.S. Constitution that is being perverted by an ever-larger government controlled by an increasingly fascist elite class comprised of so-called progressives in both major political parties, who seek to impose political correctness that contradicts common sense morality.
These problematic "progressive" policies include lawfare, multiple genders, rewriting history, Marxist Academia, complicit media and unrestrained and wasteful federal spending that is ruining our economy and allowing Communist China to become a serious threat. This crisis is international in scope.
The authors' solution is to somehow engineer a return to an Ordered Liberty and limited government that reverses these trends. However, instead of developing a way of achieving this solution, the book spends most of its pages bloviating about the causes of the problem in too much detail for someone like me who want to KISS history. Also, their way forward is oblivious to the spiritual revival and Bible-based answers that are needed. Thus, I am tossing this book, too.
The definition i gave was solid.. And clear.. If one teaches a doctrine as the Word of God and it is not the word of God then the person is engaging in heracy.. What ever one gives as the world of God must be the Word of God One must understand the teaching they are giving.. Of course a person might not be 100% sure of a teaching and if so they should make sure they are not teaching it as the word of God.. They can give it as their own feeling of personal opinion as a speculation.. But until one is 100% sure of what they are giving they should never preach it as being the Word of God..
Well, I believe heresy is more serious than merely disagreeing about didachaic doctrines that are not required to believe in order to be saved. I call doctrines that are part of saving faith the kerygma. The kerygma/GRFS should be every Christian’s creed, and only belief in this crucial truth should be viewed as a test for orthodoxy or heresy. As Paul wrote in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Conversely, judgments concerning a person’s spiritual orientation or ultimate destiny should not be made on the basis of didachaic or secondary doctrines. (If any judgment is made, it should begin with a self-examination per MT 7:1&5, 2CR 13:5-8).
A major reason many Christians throughout history have not manifested the love and unity of God’s Spirit (EPH 4:3) as well as they should is because of failure to realize this truth. If they did, it would free them to speak honestly and fellowship without becoming unduly upset about relatively minor issues. They would receive God’s blessing as peacemakers, who draw inclusive circles around people based on the kerygma rather than denominational lines between them due to didachaic differences. Jesus prayed for spiritual unity (cf. JN 17:20-23, “May they be one…”).
The normative way of stating the kerygma/GRFS in the NT is “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord” (as in 2CR 4:5 & CL 2:6). The main points of Christian orthodoxy implicit in this statement can be explained or elaborated as follows:
A major reason many Christians throughout history have not manifested the love and unity of God’s Spirit (EPH 4:3) as well as they should is because of failure to realize this truth. If they did, it would free them to speak honestly and fellowship without becoming unduly upset about relatively minor issues. They would receive God’s blessing as peacemakers, who draw inclusive circles around people based on the kerygma rather than denominational lines between them due to didachaic differences. Jesus prayed for spiritual unity (cf. JN 17:20-23, “May they be one…”).
The normative way of stating the kerygma/GRFS in the NT is “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord” (as in 2CR 4:5 & CL 2:6). The main points of Christian orthodoxy implicit in this statement can be explained or elaborated as follows:
- There is a/one all-loving and just Lord or God (DT 6:4, JN 3:16, 2THS 1:6), who is both able (2TM 1:12) and willing (1TM 2:3-4) to provide all morally accountable human beings salvation or heaven—a wonderful life full of love, joy and peace forever.
- Human beings are selfish or sinful (RM 3:23, 2TM 3:2-4, CL 3:5), miserable (GL 5:19-21), and hopeless (EPH 2:12) when they reject God’s salvation or DOD (JN 3:18).
- Jesus is God’s Messiah/Christ or the way (means of providing salvation) that God has chosen (JN 3:16, ACTS 16:30-31, PHP 2:9-11), although pre-NT truthseekers could/can learn a proto-gospel via general revelation combined with conscience.
- Thus, every person who hears the NT Gospel needs to repent and accept God in Jesus as Christ/Messiah the Lord or Supreme Commander (LK 2:11, JN 14:6, ACTS 16:31), which means trying to obey His commandment to love one another (MT 22:37-40, JN 13:35, RM 13:9)—forever (MT 10:22, PS 113:2).
- Then God’s Holy Spirit will establish a saving relationship with those who freely accept Him (RV 3:20) that will eventually achieve heaven when by means of persevering in learning God’s Word everyone cooperates fully with His will (RM 8:6-17, GL 6:7-9, EPH 1:13-14, HB 10:36, 12:1, JM 1:2-4).
The current estimate of the number of Galaxies in the universe is two trillion.
A trillion is 1,000 x 1,000 x 1,000,000.
Each galaxy may contain billions of stars.
Our Galaxy is a big one; the Milky Way, contains between 100-400 billion stars.
So the number of suns and planets in the entire universe is almost beyond comprehension.
A trillion is 1,000 x 1,000 x 1,000,000.
Each galaxy may contain billions of stars.
Our Galaxy is a big one; the Milky Way, contains between 100-400 billion stars.
So the number of suns and planets in the entire universe is almost beyond comprehension.
Yes there is, and the most important information answers the most important question in life: “What must I do to be saved?” (ACTS 16:30) This question is most important, because—as sinful and mortal souls—we need saving from corruption, both moral and physical. We need saving from physical death if we value or enjoy life, and we need saving from immorality or evil-doing if it results in unhappy existence, especially after this lifetime.
The reply of Paul and Silas was this: “Believe in the Lord Jesus.” (ACTS 16:31) This is God's requirement for salvation (GRFS) in a nutshell. Jesus Himself expressed GRFS even more succinctly using three, four and five letter words: “Ask… seek… knock…” (MT 7:7). As Hebrews 11:6 states: “he [God] rewards those who earnestly seek him” (cf. IS 45:19).
I like to denote GRFS by the use of the Greek word kerygma, meaning proclamation or preaching, referring to the good news (Gospel) concerning salvation to heaven and from a just hell (the Duo of Desirables, cf. RM 1:16, GL 1:6-12, CL 1:21-23). This Gospel was preached by Peter (in ACTS 2:22-24) and summarized by Paul (in 1CR 15:1-8). The salient points include: Jesus was a man, accredited by God (to be Messiah), who died on a cross, but who was raised or resurrected from the dead. Messiah is the Way to heaven.
The reply of Paul and Silas was this: “Believe in the Lord Jesus.” (ACTS 16:31) This is God's requirement for salvation (GRFS) in a nutshell. Jesus Himself expressed GRFS even more succinctly using three, four and five letter words: “Ask… seek… knock…” (MT 7:7). As Hebrews 11:6 states: “he [God] rewards those who earnestly seek him” (cf. IS 45:19).
I like to denote GRFS by the use of the Greek word kerygma, meaning proclamation or preaching, referring to the good news (Gospel) concerning salvation to heaven and from a just hell (the Duo of Desirables, cf. RM 1:16, GL 1:6-12, CL 1:21-23). This Gospel was preached by Peter (in ACTS 2:22-24) and summarized by Paul (in 1CR 15:1-8). The salient points include: Jesus was a man, accredited by God (to be Messiah), who died on a cross, but who was raised or resurrected from the dead. Messiah is the Way to heaven.