tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post8704448067527387700..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: What did Jesus (not) say about... God?Phil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-8936495124803584492010-11-24T02:41:48.444-08:002010-11-24T02:41:48.444-08:00Jesus said, "I have not come to destroy the T...Jesus said, "I have not come to destroy the Torah, but to fulfull/uphold it."<br /><br />In so saying, he affirmed that everything that the Torah says about God should be a part of our database of God knowledge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-63052153163746353972010-11-16T18:27:15.911-08:002010-11-16T18:27:15.911-08:00BTW (one last ramble from me; I've already hig...BTW (one last ramble from me; I've already higged too much space), The "He/She/It/Them" expression is one often used by my aikido sensei (an American) in private chats I've had with him about spiritual matters. He's not hostile to Christianity, but like most people he doesn't embrace the Bible as the only true Word. I've told him the facts (to the best of my meager ability)but--and I've told him this-- it's God who causes people to see the truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-54608748926119288062010-11-16T15:09:28.748-08:002010-11-16T15:09:28.748-08:00I dont think that because he is god and our work i...I dont think that because he is god and our work is to do <a href="http://www.christianforums.net/store/christian-music/praise-worship.html" rel="nofollow">praise & worship</a>Milindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132584312790744341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-20124076632120498402010-11-16T14:05:46.992-08:002010-11-16T14:05:46.992-08:00Thanks, Dan, for the reply to my comment regarding...Thanks, Dan, for the reply to my comment regarding 12-Step programs. You're right about all of that; I confess that I still occasionally attend AA meetings due in large part to the open candor you mention and to my "felt need" to unwind from whatever I've been going through--by sharing a few general spiritual principles.<br />True, AA is not Christian, but its principles do come from the Bible --surrender, confession, repentance, restitution, prayer --and I think that's why they work to effect the limited goal of freedom from alcohol. (Many historians say that AA's parent organization, Frank Buchman's Oxford Group, was a cult rather than truly Christian, and that may well have been the case. But it, and early AA, did draw heavily from Jesus's teachings and the epistle of James.) In this, of course, I realize such programs have common ground with false religions, which also convey surface benefits such as more peaceful interpersonal relations, freedom from various "addictions," etc.<br />From childhood (I was raised Roman Catholic) I always believed in the existence of God--which may be why I had no qualms about joining AA. But as I said, I had never before heard such principles (at least, not put that way) explained in church. When I did start reading the Bible, I began to attend a Baptist church (at the urging of some work colleagues) and was pleasantly surprised to find, in Bible studies and Sunday school, the same sort of "principle sharing"(minus the cuss words, of course) that I found in AA. It was a welcome change from the rote prayers and rituals of the Roman system which represented "church" to me before.<br />It was a while, though, before I learned more about doctrine. All of these "tools for living" are nice--helping people navigate and cope with tough personal circumstances--but they are a dim second to the core fact of salvation. I had no problem with the idea that getting to heaven (like sobriety) is solely by God's action and volition (sovereign grace), not mine, but at first, I think, looking back, I didn't comprehend its significance well enough.<br />When I moved to my present city and job in 1990, a work colleague told me about Reformed teachings and the five points of Calvinism and I started attending a Bible study with other Reformed believers. The idea of predestination didn't bother me because it made sense that God, being beyond humans' linear concept of time, would know we would choose Him--and--if He were fully sovereign (as He must be, to be all-powerful and deserving of worship) must therefore have orchestrated this.<br />I still attend a Bible-believing (independent Baptist) church but my work schedule (evenings) prevents me from attending most of its prayer meetings.<br />AA's talk of oddball higher powers irritates me sometimes and I don't attend meetings as often as I once did. (Actually I went 10 years--1993 to 2003--without attending any.)God got me sober, and better yet, Christ grants me salvation. Christianity offers that AND all those "life coping" tools (which these days are overemphasized in popular Christian teaching.) So I don't "need" AA or meetings. I know of others who found Christ as I did and have abandoned "the program" completely. <br />I am by no means a "model Christian." I react badly to many frustrations; I am still too selfish. (In recent weeks I've been listening to a lot of sermons by John MacArthur, Phil Johnson and Don Green and such topics and on the "main point," salvation. I should be a better witness.<br />But there it is. And thanks, as they say at meetings, for letting me share.<br />I find all the Team Pyro blogs inspiring, enjoyable and well written. Thank you and keep up the good work.<br /><br />--Mike MittelstadtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-46469887687631839582010-11-16T06:44:42.261-08:002010-11-16T06:44:42.261-08:00Correction, that piece was from March of this year...Correction, that piece was from March of this year.Strong Towerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834108238546908018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-20718066609702392952010-11-16T06:42:46.746-08:002010-11-16T06:42:46.746-08:00"Early in their report, Dennett and LaScola p..."Early in their report, Dennett and LaScola point to a problem of definition. Many churches and denominations have adopted such fluid and doctrineless identities that determining who is a believer and who is an unbeliever has become difficult. Their statement deserves a close reading:<br /><br />'The ambiguity about who is a believer and who is an unbeliever follows inexorably from the pluralism that has been assiduously fostered by many religious leaders for a century and more: God is many different things to different people, and since we can’t know if one of these conceptions is the right one, we should honor them all. This counsel of tolerance creates a gentle fog that shrouds the question of belief in God in so much indeterminacy that if asked whether they believed in God, many people could sincerely say that they don’t know what they are being asked.'"<br /><br />from Al Mohler's recent post.Strong Towerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834108238546908018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-89540360287968051842010-11-16T04:33:36.038-08:002010-11-16T04:33:36.038-08:00You aren't the only one, mittelstadt, in whose...You aren't the only one, mittelstadt, in whose case God used AA's requirement of a merciless self-inventory and the idea of surrender to "God's" will to bring folks to Himself. It isn't a Christian organization, but God has used it as a stepping-stone apart from AA's own intent.<br /><br />God graciously used me to point a fellow heavily involved in AA's related organizations to Christ. What was hard for him afterwards was going to church rather than relying on AA's "spiritual" meetings, since the latter exhibited so much more open candor than the former.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-48257626769624766602010-11-15T20:25:44.405-08:002010-11-15T20:25:44.405-08:00This seems to work--sometimes--for staying sober i...This seems to work--sometimes--for staying sober in 12-step programs, but I'm not sure how, especially long-term. (Self-hypnosis? A placebo effect?) Also this belief in a generic Higher Power will never keep anyone out of Hell.<br />Having said all that, though, I must admit that it was from AA that I got my first notion of surrendering my will to God's. And, thank the Lord, my sponsor, a Christian, urged me to read the Bible, by which I found the true God. (Or rather, of, course, He drew me to a saving faith.)<br />I stayed sober on the "all religions are the same" notion for my first year (going on 28 now) but now I THINK I understand many people's struggles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-29006740954038955612010-11-15T02:18:55.100-08:002010-11-15T02:18:55.100-08:00I'll need to check my gender-neutral bible. I...I'll need to check my gender-neutral bible. I know it's around here somewhere....Steve Bervenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02137453259611119361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-75703373597690044692010-11-13T21:32:20.387-08:002010-11-13T21:32:20.387-08:00John 6:66 "From that time many of his discipl...John 6:66 "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."<br /><br />Jesus: "Hold on, hold on, hold on. We can work this out. Just come back and I'll tone it down a bit. I don't want to get rid of you, just hang around and maybe we can reach some sort of compromise. Just do whatever you feel is your best, invite your friends, and we'll get this baby growing. I mean, what could I possibly do with just these twelve guys over here?"bbqjasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04252814381513672901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-46458674104898397812010-11-13T21:20:38.913-08:002010-11-13T21:20:38.913-08:00You mean idol worship is still the norm for Americ...You mean idol worship is still the norm for Americans? Maybe they'er not bowing down to a graven immage, but many have created a God to suit themself.thomas4881https://www.blogger.com/profile/16839685480671937969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-56762869445403164802010-11-12T16:41:04.539-08:002010-11-12T16:41:04.539-08:00"All that really matters is that you believe ..."All that really matters is that you believe in God, however you conceive of Him/Her/It/Them."<br /><br />You will know wut evuh and wut evuh will make you wut evuhngelical.Strong Towerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834108238546908018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-91476908085954948602010-11-12T07:59:02.674-08:002010-11-12T07:59:02.674-08:00Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, be...Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." John 8:58<br /><br />Jesus said, "I am the Alpha & Omega..." Rev.21:6<br /><br />Significance: God is not a liar.philnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04393311811604119321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-59993123554896696662010-11-12T07:40:00.050-08:002010-11-12T07:40:00.050-08:00Jesus didn't say, "All that really matter...Jesus didn't say, "All that really matters is that you believe in God, however you conceive of Him/Her/It/Them."<br />But this is exactly what the Mason's say and require before becoming a member. But what's interesting is that a person seeking membership as a Mason becomes automaticly ineligible/disqualified if he believes Jesus Christ is exclusively God.philnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04393311811604119321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-9379699266819516522010-11-12T07:17:31.684-08:002010-11-12T07:17:31.684-08:00Do it!Do it!DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-63060693142222967602010-11-12T07:09:11.025-08:002010-11-12T07:09:11.025-08:00I might just steal the concept for a sermon series...I might just steal the concept for a sermon series entitled "What Jesus Did Not Say."Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09045435425352838499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-69406250319122705062010-11-12T04:46:43.220-08:002010-11-12T04:46:43.220-08:00Wow, Frank goes to Disneyland and it’s like he sta...Wow, Frank goes to Disneyland and it’s like he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express or something.JackWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16384160992033491748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-19257114423960259012010-11-11T21:31:39.800-08:002010-11-11T21:31:39.800-08:00What Jesus did say: "I am the way and the tru...What Jesus did say: <i>"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me</i>.<br /><br />Jesus also explained the gap between what he didn't say and what he did say.<br /><br />“<i>Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!</i>’Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15285043747501470199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-45225900533865289752010-11-11T18:42:49.390-08:002010-11-11T18:42:49.390-08:00"And this is eternal life, that they know you..."And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3)<br /><br />Jesus doesn't appear to have much sympathy for the have-it-your-way approach to God. Note the terms he uses to describe God. The "only" God - He's it, folks, you don't get to look at a bunch of options and choose your favorite. There's one, and only one. You either get with His program, or deal with the consequences.<br /><br />And God is the "true" God. There is a God who is true - the God who is. Anything else is a worthless pretender. There is God, and there is not-God. To know God is a blessing so great it's inseparably linked with eternal life. To 'know' not-God gets you eternal not-life.<br /><br />Knowing God is not simply the means to a better quality of life; it is the difference between eternal blessing and eternal wrath. And as usual, the demarcation point is the person of Jesus. As he had previously stated: "Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:23-24) And, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." (John 3:18)<br /><br />But my favorite response to this nonsense comes from Paul. Describing his extremely zealous, extremely wrong Jewish opponents, he says: "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness." (Rom 10:2-3)<br /><br />And what is Paul's response to their zealous ignorance? He desires and prays for them to be saved! (Now that's an exceedingly odd request, if 'righteousness' means nothing more than being aware that you're part of a covenant community, or that God is faithful to his covenant, or whatever it's supposed to mean now. All I know is NT Wright is really, really smart, or something. Whatever.) The point is, even though they had a zeal for God - much more than virtually anyone who's ever made the claim of this post, for sure - their ignorance leaves them condemned and in desperate need of being saved.<br /><br />In conclusion, God is. That's pretty much His name, after all. We can know and love and worship God as He is and be blessed, or we can make our own 'god' from the theological taco bar and suffer the consequences for insolent rebellion against the sovereign, almighty creator of everything but himself.trogdorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452996348717802065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-39801705280176052582010-11-11T17:53:00.174-08:002010-11-11T17:53:00.174-08:00Wait.
Jesus DIDN'T say that?
But I was watch...Wait.<br /><br />Jesus DIDN'T say that?<br /><br />But I was watching MSNBC, CNN and Steven Colbert and that's what THEY say he said.<br /><br />Shoot.<br /><br />Now I'm caught.<br /><br />DJP says that MSNBC, CNN and Colbert are wrong. DJP only has a blog and they're all on TV...and I know that TV is always a better source of information than some random lowly blogger. Bloggers are like the cockroaches of media, right?<br /><br />Okay. It's settled then.<br /><br />I'll have to disagree with you on this one DJP, unless you can somehow prove that you know more about Jesus or God than MSNBC, CNN and Colbert...COMBINED!<br /><br />It would sure help your case if we had some sort of written record of Jesus' words and/or teachings that I could reference in order to know what he DID say.<br /><br />It would be most helpful if it those sayings would be preserved by multiple authors from a variety of backgrounds, and compiled into a sort of "codex" format for facilitating easy transport of those records.<br /><br />It would also probably be helpful if those records were laid out and systematized with some sort of decimal system to help reference specific areas of the work. Maybe some sort of chapter breakdown with sub-chapters or numbered paragraphs or something?<br /><br />Do we have something like THAT?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-74519659452381140032010-11-11T16:56:50.168-08:002010-11-11T16:56:50.168-08:00A thought came to me immediately when reading the ...A thought came to me immediately when reading the comment you posted, and it took me to times when I had an older Jehovahs' Witness meet with me for about a year.<br /><br />Jesus proclaimed Himself the Son of God, and therefore to also be God in this exchange with the Pharisees. (this is a verse to point out to Jehovah's Witnesses that Jesus is not merely an angel, He was the Lord of David and not a physical descendant only).<br /><br /> Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he? They said to him, "The son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,<br /> "'The Lord said to my Lord,Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet'?<br /><br />Help me out here guys...I'm not as deeply studied as many of you....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-12929168949264911112010-11-11T16:28:43.136-08:002010-11-11T16:28:43.136-08:00Luke 12:5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear h...Luke 12:5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!<br /><br />Guess that implies some sort of judging might happen. But I'm such a good person especially compared to that person over there. :(Sonjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12400678595605810974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-80808428300943004222010-11-11T14:04:04.849-08:002010-11-11T14:04:04.849-08:00Come on, the originals were in Shakespearean Engli...Come on, the originals were in Shakespearean English typed in in Times New Roman font. Ask any KJVO'er...Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068196575763786944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-28869340466600435742010-11-11T13:57:04.217-08:002010-11-11T13:57:04.217-08:00After all these years, now we know: Rob has the au...After all these years, now we know: <i>Rob</i> has the autographs!DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-13057032877060336062010-11-11T13:47:13.540-08:002010-11-11T13:47:13.540-08:00Jesus definitely did not use Courier font.Jesus definitely did not use Courier font.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068196575763786944noreply@blogger.com