As we marvel at the beauty and order of creation around us, we are reminded of Genesis 1:1-2: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." This foundational passage reveals God's sovereign power and intentionality in bringing forth the universe.
However, humanity's journey also includes the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, where they disobeyed God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of disobedience introduced sin and brokenness into the world, disrupting the perfect harmony of God's creation.
In Christian faith, this creation narrative finds its fullest expression in Jesus Christ. John 1:1-3 declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." Jesus Christ, the Word incarnate, is not only the agent of creation but also the embodiment of God's love and redemption for humanity.
Through Christ, we see God's ongoing work of restoring and renewing creation. Colossians 1:15-17 affirms, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Jesus Christ's lordship over all creation brings order and purpose to the universe, revealing God's divine plan of redemption.
Jesus' life, death, and resurrection inaugurate a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." As believers, we are invited to participate in God's transformative work, becoming agents of reconciliation and bearers of God's light in a world marked by brokenness.
To All Believers, Non-Believers, and Seekers:
As we reflect on the wonders of creation and the depth of God's love revealed in Christ, I extend a compassionate invitation to consider the abundant love of Jesus Christ. Regardless of our religious beliefs or perspectives, Jesus invites us into a relationship of love and grace, where we find purpose and fulfillment.
For those of other faiths, I respect and honor your journey and beliefs. May we all seek understanding and mutual respect as we explore our spiritual paths.
For those who do not believe in a higher power, I understand and acknowledge your perspective. May we engage in dialogue with openness and respect, recognizing the diversity of human experience and thought.
In the midst of our differences, I emphasize the transformative power of Jesus' love. His teachings on compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation resonate deeply across cultures and beliefs, offering hope and healing to a world in need.
Let us journey together in faith, celebrating the Creator and Redeemer who bring order, purpose, and hope to our lives and to all creation.
It's amazing how so many people are so eager to believe an ancient ethnocentric Middle Eastern Jewish religious fairytale just because some ancient conman wrote it in a book called the "Bible."
But, Christians are just Jews by religion so maybe that explains why they are so eager to believe the fairytale without a speck of evidence to show that it is true.
@Diotrephes I appreciate your perspective on the Bible. For many Christians, it’s a source of personal faith and hope. I understand that these beliefs might not resonate with everyone, and I welcome the opportunity for open and respectful dialogue about our different views.
I appreciate your perspective on the Bible. For many Christians, it’s a source of personal faith and hope. I understand that these beliefs might not resonate with everyone, and I welcome the opportunity for open and respectful dialogue about our different views.
Thank you for the feedback. I have been discussing the Bible on internet forums for about 25 years. During that time almost everyone who posts about it comes across as ignorant about the Bible. They don't even know the most basic thing, which is what the real Ten Commandments are. They love the fake ones from Exodus chapter 20. They have been totally brainwashed by silly-ass Hollywood movies and conmen preachers. It is the easiest thing to understand if a person will simply read the story and comprehend what he is reading. That is very important because ALL of the stories in the Old and New Testaments illustrate one or more of the real Ten Commandments.
And all Christians, regardless of branch, are simply Jews by religion. They have adopted the ancient ethnocentric Middle Eastern Jewish religious fairytale as their meat and fabric of existence without a second thought. Even ethnic Jews reject some of it but Christians feast upon all of it.
@Diotrephes I respect your long history of studying the Bible and understand that there are many interpretations of its messages. For me, the Bible and the teachings of Jesus offer a meaningful path to understanding God’s love and purpose for us. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to discuss specific topics further.
@Carlam It'll be nice to have an open discussion. Just be aware that IMO the story is BS and for every good point you make I can counter with several others that show it was just an elaborate hoax.
@Diotrephes I appreciate this opportunity for dialogue. While you might interpret the Bible differently, I believe with certainty that Jesus’ teachings provide real hope and life-changing guidance. Who knows? After our discussions, you might experience a 180-degree shift in perspective or even find yourself sharing your own faith journey with another skeptic!
@Carlam As a believer it is important to realize that you are a Jew by religion. Christians are basically slightly modified Pharisees. The Pharisees were openly enemies of Jesus but they both believed in spirits, angels, and resurrection. Christianity is based upon those things. And Christians believe in the Jewish deity and in the Jewish high priest Jesus. So, it is a good idea to start considering yourself and other Christians as Jews by religion.
Remember Esther 8:17 (NKJV) = "17 And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them."
@Diotrephes It’s true that Christianity has roots in Judaism, but it’s also much more than just a modified version of ancient beliefs. While Jesus was a Jew and honored Jewish traditions, His teachings brought a new covenant and a message of love and redemption for all. Christianity isn't just a continuation of Jewish law, but a new chapter in God’s story of grace. 🌟 I see my faith not as a repetition of old laws but as a celebration of new beginnings and hope for all. 😊
You quoted Esther 8:17 (NKJV), so let me offer a New Testament perspective. Matthew 5:17 shows how Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets: ‘Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.’ Jesus’ mission was to bring a deeper understanding and to offer a new path for salvation, which is a key aspect of Christian faith. 🌟
@Carlam According to the fairytale, Jesus was there at the beginning. So, he screwed-up big time by creating a flawed system that he would have to die to correct after forcing countless people to believe in the flawed system.
@Diotrephes From a Christian perspective, the concept of Jesus’s sacrifice is about offering a path for redemption and reconciliation. Historically and theologically, many view Jesus’s mission as a transformative approach to addressing human flaws and moral development.
To put this into perspective, imagine a top-notch car manufacturer known for producing high-quality vehicles. If a driver chooses to use the car recklessly and gets into trouble, the blame typically falls on the driver, not the manufacturer. Similarly, in Christian theology, human choices and free will are central to the faith’s teachings on morality and spirituality.
Do you think there are other ways to understand the role of divine figures in religious traditions beyond the idea of correcting flaws?
