How Christian are you? [Spirituality & Religion]

Poll - Total Votes: 10

I believe that every word in the bible is true.

I believe in God and that Jesus is God's son, but I don't believe every thing in the bible.

I believe in God, but I'm not a Christian.

I don't believe in God.

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MrSimons · 41-45, M

@4meAndyou

Thanks for replying. Just a few points.

There is a diversity of opinion regarding the creation stories. The main point of it is that God created the entire universe, including the sun, moon and stars which were often objects of worship. It doesn't have to be a literal six day creation.

Genesis itself gives an explanation for why people don't live to be as old as depicted in Genesis. God is said to have shortened their lifespan following the flood (Genesis 6:3). I can't prove that people lived longer in the past, but it often overlooked that Bible does address the subject, at least partially.

Paul doesn't advocate a celibate priesthood. In fact he says that a church leader should be the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2). 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 is not even talking about church leaders, so how anyone can get celibate priests from that is a bit beyond me. Besides, there is an historical context to this passage. The New Testament scholar Bruce Winter has argued that Paul is addressing a specific situation faced by that particular church at that particular time: there was a food shortage. That is the "present crisis" Paul refers to in verse 26. It wouldn't be a good idea to have children in those circumstances, so remaining single might be seen as preferable.

I think it is better to look for the principle behind Biblical commands and statements, rather than using it like a computer manual.

4meAndyou · F

@MrSimons You are correct, but you also validate my point regarding ancient superstition and myth.

Regarding Paul, I didn't say that HIS words advocated celibacy, but that his words were twisted, at the Council of Elvira in the year 325.

LadyGrace

One either is, or isn't, a Christian. There's no in between . The Lord said if you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth. God does not want half commitments.

Abbenthewarwolf · 18-21, M

Christianity doesn't have a monopoly on GOD. IT'S A Religious organization
Like many others. I'm of the way as simple as that. Y'shua Adonia. (The Lord Jesus Christ) never said name a religion after me or in honour of ME. He said fellow ME. In my ways walk my walk.the apostle Paul is credited for creating Christianity. Which rightly should b called Paulianity. I'M just of the WAY

JeremyT · M

@Abbenthewarwolf A very interesting and thoughtful answer. Many thanks for it!

Abbenthewarwolf · 18-21, M

@JeremyT ur welcome pbwu. 🙂

4meAndyou · F

You don't have an option for me. I believe in God, and I love Him more than I have loved anything in my life. Tears come to my eyes when I think about my feelings for God.

I don't believe everything in the bible is necessarily true. The bible is 2000 years old and some of it is based on ancient superstition and myth.

I love the teachings of Jesus, and I have drawn a picture of him which I plan to turn into a painting. The forgiveness that Jesus offered us is my only path to God, but I believe some of his words were interpreted in the wrong way by his disciples, and a lot of things have become twisted.

JeremyT · M

@4meAndyou Thank you for your interesting answer.

MrSimons · 41-45, M

@4meAndyou Ancient superstition and myth? I don't know what you're referring to there.

How do you know Jesus' words were twisted or interpreted wrong by His disciples? How can you tell which have been misinterpreted and which have not? How do you know it is not the teachings you love which have been misinterpreted?

4meAndyou · F

@MrSimons Genesis, creation of everything by God in seven days. That is what I am referring to. The Old testament was first written in 1500 BC approximately.

It's an explanation, passed down from primitive man, who also had no idea of what really happened but wanted an explanation so someone made one up. Moses may have added to an existing story.

"After many excavations in the Middle East, archaeologists have found Ancient writings called "cuneiform" writings that date back all the way to 3500 B.C. Adam was still alive at that time, and so writing could have gone back even farther. So Adam could have composed his EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN!"
http://www.british-israel.ca/Genesis.htm

Still...all speculation.

Also, Methuselah being 969 years old. 969 months might be believable. The early stories, (e.g. creation stories in Genesis, Noah and the flood, etc) are not meant to be taken literally. Rather they are meant to teach us other lessons.

Here is one example of an apostle inserting his own opinion into the bible, and subverting the teachings of Jesus: "Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, recommends celibacy for women: "To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion." (1 Cor. 7:8-9)"

"But the early Christian church had no hard and fast rule against clergy marrying and having children. Peter, a Galilee fisherman, whom the Catholic Church considers the first Pope, was married. Some Popes were the sons of Popes."

"The first written mandate requiring priests to be chaste came in AD 304. Canon 33 of the Council of Elvira stated that all"bishops, presbyters, and deacons and all other clerics" were to"abstain completely from their wives and not to have children." A short time later, in 325, the Council of Nicea, convened by Constantine, rejected a ban on priests marrying requested by Spanish clerics."

"The practice of priestly celibacy began to spread in the Western Church in the early Middle Ages. In the early 11th century Pope Benedict VIII responded to the decline in priestly morality by issuing a rule prohibiting the children of priests from inheriting property. A few decades later Pope Gregory VII issued a decree against clerical marriages."
https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/696

I believe that is the most blatant example of the teachings of Jesus being overwhelmed or subverted by the opinions of the apostles Paul. His words were taken and twisted and twisted again until we arrived at a great evil. Celibate priests who are asked to live in a way almost impossible for a human.

I don't wish to continue beating these dead horses. But I felt it only polite to respond to you.

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