Question for Christians.

[FunfGan]

Joshh, have you read john 3:16 or John 14:6? I feel that is very clear on the matter.

[drummerchubbs]

But what if you live a righteous life, being good, passionate, and everything that Jesus represented...but you didn't have a religion? Would you be considered a true Christian? I'm not trying to start anything I'm just curious.

But what is religion? The Pharisees that crucified Jesus were the most religious men in the world. Guess what? They went to hell and despised their savior. Being Christ-like is the only way to be true christian

[ak-]

God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the trinity. They are one in the same.

Again, this is what I don't understand. The whole "one in the same".

"As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.’" Mark 10:17-18

The impression gives that the Lord Jesus is denying he is God since he denies that he is good, in the sense that God is good.

There are 2 other versus I scanned to my computer from the bible that I'll find later with the same stuff.

[cale]

Being Christ like or believing he was the son of God? Many non-theists live peaceful caring lives which would qualify them to meet all the criteria of being a true textbook Christian without faith in anything divine, they live very Christ like lives as he was described in the Bible. Are they just SOL because they weren't persuaded by a book to believe in that which cannot be seen, heard, tested or proven? Pretty sure if the J-man was anything like you guys believe he was he'd put in a good word with pop's and get you a spot, that'd be the Christ like thing to do after all

[FunfGan]

Again, this is what I don't understand. The whole "one in the same".

"As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.’" Mark 10:17-18

The impression gives that the Lord Jesus is denying he is God since he denies that he is good, in the sense that God is good.

I would have to read the context surrounding that, but I see it as something Jesus did a lot; He is testing a persons faith/ beliefs through a question. There is a trend with Jesus being asked questions, He asking a question back, and in the answer to Jesus question is the answer to the followers original question. Make sense? haha

[ak-]

I would have to read the context surrounding that, but I see it as something Jesus did a lot; He is testing a persons faith/ beliefs through a question. There is a trend with Jesus being asked questions, He asking a question back, and in the answer to Jesus question is the answer to the followers original question. Make sense? haha

Not really and alright, let me find the verse I scanned out of the bible where he clearly admits he is not God twice.

[FunfGan]

As in, He is testing his knowledge. There is another verse, from near the end of his life where he asks one of the Disciples why he calls Him(Jesus) a certain name, and he says something to the effect of Him being God. I can help you understand things, but I in no way will get into an argument or try to force anything on you.

[ak-]

As in, He is testing his knowledge. There is another verse, from near the end of his life where he asks one of the Disciples why he calls Him(Jesus) a certain name, and he says something to the effect of Him being God. I can help you understand things, but I in no way will get into an argument or try to force anything on you.

I'm not arguing lol. Just want to learn/ask about it.
My belief is that Jesus was just a prophet like any other one. He just did big thangs and had big thangs poppin' during his time, but in defense to the others, they did as well.
I will, however, keep throwing these things at you till I understand or one of us are stumped.

[FunfGan]

I'm not arguing lol. Just want to learn/ask about it.
My belief is that Jesus was just a prophet like any other one. He just did big thangs and had big thangs poppin' during his time, but in defense to the others, they did as well.
I will, however, keep throwing these things at you till I understand or one of us are stumped.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to imply that we were arguing haha. My point is, most of these threads just turn into nonsensical argument. I'd rather have a real discussion with people, everyone can learn.

[ak-]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to imply that we were arguing haha. My point is, most of these threads just turn into nonsensical argument. I'd rather have a real discussion with people, everyone can learn.

No biggie.

Here's some more. I actually found the pages out of the bible since I saved/referenced them on a paper inside and have it here in front of me.

St. John chapter 20:17
",.. I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

St. Matthew chapter 19:17
"And he said unto him, Why all-est thou me good? there is is none good but one, that is God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."

St. Mark chapter 12:29
"And Jesus answered him, The first commandment is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord."

St. Mark chapter 12:32
"And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he."

[FunfGan]

Here's some more. I actually found the pages out of the bible since I saved/referenced them on a paper inside and have it here in front of me.

St. John chapter 20:17
",.. I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

The Father of the Trinity, is in fact still Jesus' father. He is saying re-instating that while they are one in the same, he is still below the Father in the Trinity. It later goes on to say that Mary had seen the "Lord".

St. Matthew chapter 19:17
"And he said unto him, Why all-est thou me good? there is is none good but one, that is God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."

Again, it seems to be using the Trinity in a singular form.

St. Mark chapter 12:29
"And Jesus answered him, The first commandment is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord."

From going back and reading this verse, he is talking on the subject of the Commandments. In shorthand, the Trinity is often referred to as a singular being. "One Lord" reference's the fact that there is to be no one before, or held greater. There is one God, yet many "gods".

St. Mark chapter 12:32
"And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he."

as I read through these, it all points back to a oneness, or a unity. Referring to God, the Father and the Holy Spirit as one. And in reality, it is said that Jesus was fully human, so in some ways, he isn't necessarily God, but a portion figure of God.

You definitely go straight for the hardest to understand principle haha, with choosing the trinity. For the most part, the trinity is pretty baffling, but I do have some notes from studies that I can find.

Here is a question for you, If you believe that Jesus was in fact real, and a true, good man, than how do YOU deal with the Bible? It mentions him so many times, so it begs the question, if one is true/ false, how can the other not be true, or not be false?

[ohthejosh]

Also from what I have learned that the Bibles true form is written in Hebrew and I may be wrong but the translations of the Bible gets slightly distorted. The true meaning and context to truly understand it is in Hebrew. This in reference to Old Testament of course.

Some phrases just dont work translated from one language to another.

When I was younger, I kinda thought of God and Jesus just like the original YuGiOh lol. IF anyone knows what I am talking about.

[ak-]

as I read through these, it all points back to a oneness, or a unity. Referring to God, the Father and the Holy Spirit as one. And in reality, it is said that Jesus was fully human, so in some ways, he isn't necessarily God, but a portion figure of God.

See, as I read these, it all points to him denying that he is in fact God; in a sense correcting and making sure his followers take the right path in a way, and not to confuse him to be God.
I guess it's left to us to interpret, which brings me to your next question and the point of this thread from OP.

You definitely go straight for the hardest to understand principle haha, with choosing the trinity. For the most part, the trinity is pretty baffling, but I do have some notes from studies that I can find.

Here is a question for you, If you believe that Jesus was in fact real, and a true, good man, than how do YOU deal with the Bible? It mentions him so many times, so it begs the question, if one is true/ false, how can the other not be true, or not be false?

lol baffling.
To answer your first question, I deal with the bible for what it is in a positive metaphoric sense. It's teachings/examples are examples on how to live a good and happy life. Faith basically. Morals.
I believe some people need this, and others may not. Although, whether you do or don't, I know in fact it's a great feeling afterwards hearing a good "story".. One with triumph and good things happening with a good rich ending. You know that feeling right? Like the book/story "The Little Engine that Could", teaching children the value of optimism and hard work. It was goddamn great feeling knowing that little m10 powered train made it over that stupid hill, even though we started doubting.
That's how I digest the bible.

Oh and btw, I'm not Christian if you were wondering.

[Ryann]

I feel like there are fundamental flaws with almost all the things I was exposed to in Sunday school. For example, learning that God is all knowing and thus knew the course your life would take when he set it into motion, yet he somehow simultaneously gives you free will to decide whether or not to love him. Say what? Or how about that Jesus LIVED for 30 some odd years focused solely on showing people exactly how they should be living and treating others and developed a huge following based upon this testimony, yet contemporary Christianity focuses primarily on his DEATH and how it frees us from the burden of the sins which we will surely commit while ignoring everything he taught us. Huh.

I think had I been exposed to more alive Jesus I'd be more apt to accept Christianity. Whether you believe he lived or not, the things 'he said and did' could be directly applied to everybody's lives and the world would be a far better place.

[deansbimmer]

Living a Christ-like life is something that a true Christian would want to do out of respect for his master and his instruction. To expect salvation by strictly living a life according to his teachings would equate to salvation through works, which the Bible states is clearly not acceptable. It can help identify a Christian but is not what makes someone a true Christian. A Christian recognizes his sinful nature and accepts God's gift of life by Jesus' death on the cross, and relies solely on Jesus' promise of eternal life therein. Jesus is the only mediator between us and God. This is why I know I am a Christian, and it's because I love Christ and appreciate his gift to me that I choose to live a life that is pleasing to him.