Do you believe in God,Heaven or Hell?

[Teng]

Finally, a president that isn't afraid to say things like this.

https://www.facebook.com/TheDeclarationIJR/videos/10156330634612971/

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

Hopefully I don’t mess up the formatting of this reply—these massive chunks of text are getting difficult to manage in the tiny text box! Instead of quoting the whole chunk again, I’ll try my best to remember.

No worries. I don't even attempt a reply unless I'm on my laptop and can type/edit properly.

There is nothing reasonable when emotion is used as defense—the same reason why it doesn’t work when people hold up signs and yell “Believe in Jesus or go to hell!” It’s sad.

When I was young, there was a guy that stood on the corner on Saturday nights, screaming into his bullhorn that we were all going to Hell. I doubt he convinced anyone.

However, even though they don’t believe the same thing, I find that I love them the same. I don’t find the need to separate myself and look for others. They are still human beings that God created who share the experience of life with me.

Same. We're all in this together. We can be friends or assholes.

I do believe that God is good and only good. Let me explain.

Before you do..."I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”, and "God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him."

Again, omni-xxxxxx.

There is a big key missing here—it is the greatest deception. The greatest deception is that Satan wants everyone to believe that he does not exist. I know it sounds too convenient like “oh great, not God but a devil who God created...and by the transitive property it is still God”.

God and Satan are intrinsically tied at the hip. You can't believe in one without the other, nor can you dismiss one without dismissing them both.

And yeah, it is a might convenient arrangement of good cop, bad cop.

Ultimately, Satan is a handy vehicle for the chaos in the world, but he's allowed to exist because he plays an important part. His story is a lot like that of Loki. He took a lot of punishment for the things he did, but at the same time proved to be a valuable ally to Odin when he wasn't busy being a dick. Even at his worst (tricking someone into killing one of Odins sons), Loki was never killed for his behavior, just beaten half to death and/or locked away.

Yes, God knew that this would happen and created Satan anyway. Why did He do this? We would only know in Heaven. However, I do have some guesses limited by my human understanding but hinted in the Bible. In order for us to have the emotion of love, we have to have an opposite as well. In order for there to be good and to choose it, there has to be an opposite of that. Satan is that source and has used his power in a way that points all the fingers back to God. We believe that the devil is the second most powerful entity after the Godhead.

As the ultimate power in the universe, God is ultimately responsible for everything. Omni-xxxxx.

I bet you're tired of seeing that. :ror:

If my family dies tomorrow even endless prayer and God does not spare us, we trust that He had a reason. We are okay with that because we don’t believe it is anything to be that sad about.

Or there is no reason other than death is the inevitable result of life, and the odds against you increase with every breath you take. Trying to find any further reason is trying to find some smidge of control, of which you have exactly none.

If my daughter becomes 40 years old (or even much younger than that; she is but a newborn) and still would not become independent, work, and become a responsible adult, I will not continue to let her live at home because of how much I love her. I want the best for her.

I would do the same, however, because of my unconditional love for my child, I would always be there for them when they really needed me if I can, regardless of our relationship.

Gods love is supposed to be greater than anything we could imagine. Therefor I hold his love to a higher standard than my own.

Now, this is a whole other debate but there will be many in heaven who were not believers on earth. How can this be? Christ came to earth to be our substitute and example—he died to take the penalty of our death. He was baptized even though He was a perfect being and did not need to. What does this mean? There are many in life who, under their circumstances, did not believe in God. Even all those in other religions—a Buddhist monk never hearing about Christ but spent their entire life neglecting his pride and selfish desires to live a life with good reports from his fellow community. Individuals growing up in difficult circumstances, environments, and influences.

If you have not heard the gospel, you are automatically exempt. Your ignorance is your saving grace. If you have heard and decide to reject, you're boned, no matter how good of a life you lead. To me, that shows that God is much more interested in you worshiping him than how you lived your life.

Unless....


....go back far enough and you'll find that the earliest Christians did not believe that. Christ saved everyone universally and unconditionally. That ideology survives today, we in the West know it as Universalism. A fair amount of Christianity in the middle east is also based in Universalism, but is more true to form than the Western version.

God does not blame us and it is as you say. If you cannot believe in Christ because you don’t know the entire truth of it (or in no way can believe it logically) then God knows it is very reasonable.

You're proclaiming to know the mind of God there. It's a nice thought, but I'm not sure you're qualified to make such a statement. :ror:

If I'm wrong and I end up in Hell, I'll go honestly. I've done everything I can with the exception of tossing logic and reason out the window.

The Trinity is definitely three separate entities but in one harmonious accord. They agree with each other completely in will—one Godhead. Polytheism doesn’t share this and if they did, I suppose then they would be theologically monotheistic.

Polytheism is just a fancy word for "pagan", and pagans of course worshiped more that one god. 2000 years ago, most everyone who had any religion whatsoever worshiped more than one god. It was widely accepted and practiced. Having only one god was practically unheard of, and it was really only practiced by the most devout Jews. Remember that the time of Christ was also the time of the Romans, and the Romans had many gods. Some of the lesser devout Jews adopted the polytheistic viewpoint and accepted Jesus as a separate entity from Jehovah. This was troubling to some because their religion was based on monotheism, and eventually the idea of the Trinity was brought forth to settle the issue. A few hundred years later, even though it was not a popular idea, nor at all theologically accurate, it was adopted as official cannon when Constantine commissioned the New Testament to be constructed at the Council of Nicea.

Constantine was in no way, shape, or form a Christian, and had no interest in becoming one, he just wanted the Christians to stop fighting each other and everyone around them. He brought the eastern and western church leaders together in an attempt to end their feud, and forced them to compromise and settle the matter. Further and increasingly brutal feuding ensued because of the agreement the Council had made, and eventually led a later emperor to convene yet another council to try to once again settle the matter of what was and what was not official church doctrine. The man tasked to preside over the matter was also not a Christian, and had to be given a crash course (influenced heavily the pro-Trinitarian members) and a quick baptism before he could start. Once the decision was made, all other thoughts on the matter were banned by law, the non-Trinitarians were considered heretics, and with their places of worship officially closed, they were driven away or imprisoned.

At no point in the apostles account of the life of Jesus was it ever written or claimed that he was anything other than an ordinary person, or as Jesus put it, a son of man. He never claimed divinity. At least not until he was being tortured, and the whole point of the torture was to get him to admit that he actually was the son of God, which he eventually did, which ended the torture and began his eventual death by crucifixion. That final claim is not sufficient evidence of anything, other than Jesus eventually reaching his breaking point and telling his captors what they wanted to hear. He would have proclaimed that he was a happy little tree turtle that farted rainbows if that was what they were after. So yeah, all things considered, the Trinity is false doctrine.

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

Finally, a president that isn't afraid to say things like this.

https://www.facebook.com/TheDeclarationIJR/videos/10156330634612971/

He is as much a Christian as I am, but with far less understanding.

There is no war on Christmas, and there never has been. Some people just aren't getting the attention they feel they deserve.

 

[Frank211]

What I tell everyone on social media , I like the fact you've been there to witness the making of the book. Anyone that talks about any past. It may be the same , but its been changed throughout life !

 

[tjohanne]

God has blessed us in soooooo many ways!!!!!! I thank God for all that we have and all thats hes blessed us with

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People keep saying that, but how do you know it's not Allah who has blessed you? Or some Hindu god? It's like you just make a choice and then use your own choice as evidence for God's existence.

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[tjohanne]

God IS all so real!!!!!!!! My wife and our babys are living proof of it!!!!!
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That 'proof' is not valid scientifically or in a court of law [emoji23][emoji28]
It's great that you exist, but you're proof of biological life and evolution, not anything supernatural.

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[tjohanne]

I can be convinced otherwise, when presented with evidence that contradicts what I believe, preferably in the form of a falsifiable hypothesis.

Amen! That is because you are an intelligent person with the ability to learn. Unfortunately, many religious people consider themselves above and beyond learning..


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[tjohanne]

Just keep preaching and witnessing for Christ Brother StomperCrawler "thumbsup"

Please.. [emoji28]

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[wings_of_fire]

Science = Logic

God = Hope

 

[tjohanne]

I really like this discussion, but I think it's being lifted to a higher level than necessary. We can philosophise and quote scripture til Kingdom come, but it doesn't bring us one centimetre closer to any objective truth. There is no evidence for the Bible being THE holy book. So I don't see why people treat it as such.

I like the quote 'extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence '.
And until the evidence is there, discussing any claims made by the religion is a waste of time.

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[tjohanne]

My point is that if we don't demand evidence, it's very easy to be talked into or tempted into some religion simply because it sounds good. I've actually heard many good Muslim speakers, and sometimes have had to pinch myself in the arm and remind myself that.. hey, they're just good speakers. So also with many Christians I've heard.

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[Teng]

God never created Satan, Satan is only a group of fallen angels. Satan ( The Lucifer ) was the arch angel of God, but he did not satisfied his own role and position. So he become the head ( Satan = Oppose God ) bring 1/3 of angles to against God.

4Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

15Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

16By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

17Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

18Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

19All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

Ezekiel 28


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[Teng]

13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1 KJV

 

[borock]

For me I do believe in God , Jesus is my Lord and savior . And I do beleave in every word of the Holy Bible. Everyone has a choice to believe and accept Jesus has Lord and savior or not to. Every one has a free choice. But some day every knee shall bow and every tounge shall confess to God.

 

[Teng]

For me I do believe in God , Jesus is my Lord and savior . And I do beleave in every word of the Holy Bible. Everyone has a choice to believe and accept Jesus has Lord and savior or not to. Every one has a free choice. But some day every knee shall bow and every tounge shall confess to God.

Amen Brother. May the Lord bless you as you serve Him faithfully "thumbsup"

 

[DavidH]

For me I do believe in God , Jesus is my Lord and savior . And I do beleave in every word of the Holy Bible. Everyone has a choice to believe and accept Jesus has Lord and savior or not to. Every one has a free choice.
...

This ability to freely choose what to believe, does this apply to yourself?

Can you, right now, choose to believe that gods are only characters in books, and then, say, later this week, choose to believe what you previously believed?

 

[Frank211]

Do you believe in the illuminate ?

 

[Teng]

Question: "What is predestination? Is predestination biblical?"

Answer: Romans 8:29-30 tells us, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Ephesians 1:5 and 11 declare, “He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Many people have a strong hostility to the doctrine of predestination. However, predestination is a biblical doctrine. The key is understanding what predestination means, biblically.

The words translated “predestined” in the Scriptures referenced above are from the Greek word proorizo, which carries the meaning of “determine beforehand,” “ordain,” “to decide upon ahead of time.” So, predestination is God determining certain things to occur ahead of time. What did God determine ahead of time? According to Romans 8:29-30, God predetermined that certain individuals would be conformed to the likeness of His Son, be called, justified, and glorified. Essentially, God predetermines that certain individuals will be saved. Numerous scriptures refer to believers in Christ being chosen (Matthew 24:22, 31; Mark 13:20, 27; Romans 8:33, 9:11, 11:5-7, 28; Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 2:9; 2 Peter 1:10). Predestination is the biblical doctrine that God in His sovereignty chooses certain individuals to be saved.

The most common objection to the doctrine of predestination is that it is unfair. Why would God choose certain individuals and not others? The important thing to remember is that no one deserves to be saved. We have all sinned (Romans 3:23), and are all worthy of eternal punishment (Romans 6:23). As a result, God would be perfectly just in allowing all of us to spend eternity in hell. However, God chooses to save some of us. He is not being unfair to those who are not chosen, because they are receiving what they deserve. God’s choosing to be gracious to some is not unfair to the others. No one deserves anything from God; therefore, no one can object if he does not receive anything from God. An illustration would be a man randomly handing out money to five people in a crowd of twenty. Would the fifteen people who did not receive money be upset? Probably so. Do they have a right to be upset? No, they do not. Why? Because the man did not owe anyone money. He simply decided to be gracious to some.

If God is choosing who is saved, doesn’t that undermine our free will to choose and believe in Christ? The Bible says that we have the choice—all who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10). The Bible never describes God rejecting anyone who believes in Him or turning away anyone who is seeking Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). Somehow, in the mystery of God, predestination works hand-in-hand with a person being drawn by God (John 6:44) and believing unto salvation (Romans 1:16). God predestines who will be saved, and we must choose Christ in order to be saved. Both facts are equally true. Romans 11:33 proclaims, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”

https://www.gotquestions.org/predestination.html

 

[StomperCrawler]

Do you agree that belief is not something that is under one's conscious control?

Belief in God, the ability to acknowledge Him and to humbly seek Him IS ABSOLUTELY under one's conscious control; it is called "free will", and mankind was created with it, which is how Adam and Eve were able to choose disobedience to God (sin/rebellion) and how the world got so jacked up in the first place.

 

[StomperCrawler]

"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”, and "God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him."

Most translations of the Bible translate the Hebrew word "ra" there as "calamity" or "disaster", not "evil". That being said, two important principles of Scripture interpretation are 1) Consider the context, and 2) interpret Scripture using Scripture.

Based on the first principle, I believe God's point as He speaks through the prophet Isaiah (chapter 45 if you'd like to read along) is that the "calamity" of captivity that the Jewish nation had experienced was a punishment for their whoring after pagan so-called "dieties" (which were really only idols made by human hands), and that, having punished them through their captivity, Yahweh was prepared to do good to them if they would serve Him alone.

Employing the second principle, as we search the Scriptures (eg. James chapter 1 which my brother already quoted), we find overwhelming evidence of God's goodness, faithfulness, and abounding mercy, which is juxtaposed to any heretical notion that He might be, in any way, evil. "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5).

Furthermore, logic dictates that neither the judge who hands down a sentence of condemnation on a criminal, nor the warden who holds said Prisoner captive is in any way, shape, or form "evil" but rather, just and right.

1 John chapter 1, for further reading:

"1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.*2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.*3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.*4We write this to make our joy complete.

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.*6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.*7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.*9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.*10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us."