Question for Christians.

[nickflic3]

But wouldn't the most fair way to approach a topic like this is from a neutral standing point of view? Not having someone with knowledge (or maybe bias?) teach you, at especially such a young age when you are susceptible to almost believe what ever adults tell you? <- that right there is a totally different discussion, but my point is from the first sentence in this paragraph.

I'd assume the best understanding and interpretation would be from a fully neutral and developed person and not from a person who was exposed so much in their young years, like bible studies.

I'm babbling too much tonight.

I don't know how to be a neutral Christian as I was born in to it and became a believer through it. I think I get what your trying to say though. A Convert might be better able to answer your questions because they would have once had all the same doubts and suspicions as you.

I feel like you categorized all these in the sense of people believing they are all Gods lol. Mohammed is also a prophet of God, accordingly. We all know who Mary is. Baal and the golden calves were idols, or sculptures and what not I think? That's not the point though, I want to ask you this: Then do you believe God, the one and only, is the same God for all three major religions; Christianity, Judaism, and Islam?

I think religion is different approaches at serving one God, inevitably creating the rift as to which is right and which is wrong. Even down to denomination. For example, I'm Christian but I'm also 7th Day Adventist. Technically, 1st day Christians (idk what "normal" Christians are called lol) are wrong for eating Pork, worshiping on the wrong day etc. but we still teach about one God.

[ak-]

As mentioned, the concept will never be able to be covered adequately on a forum. A good non-denominational church that teaches the bible is required to help gain an understanding of the matter. My dad was a life long Christian. He died this summer at 62, trying to understand salvation, teaching, and saving souls in the process. He was the smartest most educated man I know and up until the last minute of his coherent existence he always insisted that his understanding was very humble in comparison to the understanding that he hadn't yet gained. We've all got a long ways to go.

Sorry :(
pbuh

[ak-]

I wish I could take the time to explain more as I feel like I'm rushing my responses. 1 Timothy 2:5; For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. In this context we must consider the Trinity and understand that the "one God" refers to the Father/Son/Holy Ghost, not Mary, baal, mohammed, golden calves, etc. Jesus was God made man, born of a virgin. Completely sinless. It is easy to incorrectly think of him as an individual person or a prophet, apart from the Holy Trinity, but he is God, and therefore the only mediator between us and the Father. Jesus prophesied as well but cannot be classified as only a prophet.

I feel like you categorized all these in the sense of people believing they are all Gods lol. Mohammed is also a prophet of God, accordingly. We all know who Mary is. Baal and the golden calves were idols, or sculptures and what not I think? That's not the point though, I want to ask you this: Then do you believe God, the one and only, is the same God for all three major religions; Christianity, Judaism, and Islam?

[ohthejosh]

Fair enough, post edited.

Thanks for understanding ;)

[deansbimmer]

I'd assume the best understanding and interpretation would be from a fully neutral and developed person and not from a person who was exposed so much in their young years, like bible studies.

Would you rather be taught about gravity by someone who believes that when you jump off a cliff that you wouldn't go splat at the bottom?

[joshh]

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

Can't say as I remember these specifically but I'm willing to read them or read them again. Which I will now do if you recommend them and they're clear on the matter.

[ak-]

It can be really confusing and while some such as funfgan try to answer you, I'll admit it's not the kind of knowledge that can be easily be attained just by a few posts in this thread. It honestly takes a few bible study sessions to grasp them (oh noes!)

But wouldn't the most fair way to approach a topic like this is from a neutral standing point of view? Not having someone with knowledge (or maybe bias?) teach you, at especially such a young age when you are susceptible to almost believe what ever adults tell you? <- that right there is a totally different discussion, but my point is from the first sentence in this paragraph.

I'd assume the best understanding and interpretation would be from a fully neutral and developed person and not from a person who was exposed so much in their young years, like bible studies.

I'm babbling too much tonight.

[deansbimmer]

Yes! This is why I believe he is only a prophet. A mediator(between us and God as you mentioned).

I wish I could take the time to explain more as I feel like I'm rushing my responses. 1 Timothy 2:5; For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. In this context we must consider the Trinity and understand that the "one God" refers to the Father/Son/Holy Ghost, not Mary, baal, mohammed, golden calves, etc. Jesus was God made man, born of a virgin. Completely sinless and therefore able to intercede for us on our behalf. It is easy to incorrectly think of him as an individual person or a prophet, apart from the Holy Trinity, but he is God, and therefore the only mediator between us and the Father. Jesus prophesied as well but cannot be classified as only a prophet.

As mentioned, the concept will never be able to be covered adequately on a forum. A good non-denominational church that teaches the bible is required to help gain an understanding of the matter. My dad was a life long Christian. He died this summer at 62, trying to understand salvation, teaching, and saving souls in the process. He was the smartest most educated man I know and up until the last minute of his coherent existence he always insisted that his understanding was very humble in comparison to the understanding that he hadn't yet gained. We've all got a long ways to go.

[nickflic3]

I think OP's question was quite answerable as it was based on peopl'es opinions. But topics like the Trinity and debate over free will will quite simply never be answered correctly on a car forum :/ It's the kind of theology that us Christians have been taught by pastors and when being baptized and during numerous discussions where we were asking many of the same questions you (assuming) nonbelievers have. It can be really confusing and while some such as funfgan try to answer you, I'll admit it's not the kind of knowledge that can be easily be attained just by a few posts in this thread. It honestly takes a few bible study sessions to grasp them (oh noes!)

[Ryann]

Your point could be made without being offensive is all I'm saying. Thanks.

Fair enough, post edited.

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.

Also part of Jesus' teachings!

[ak-]

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.

Yes! This is why I believe he is only a prophet. A mediator(between us and God as you mentioned).

"In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people."

[ohthejosh]

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 and less other circus sideshow bullshit 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.

Your opinion is respected but to be honest this thread was going quite well until your post. It's extremely disrespectful. Not trying to argue but please have some respect for the beliefs of others whether its in a face to face conversation or over the internet.

Your point could be made without being offensive is all I'm saying. Thanks.

[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.

[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.

[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.