My problem with Christianity

[Feathers in Hair]

ok, ok, lol, I am new to doing forums, lol!

Hehee, don't worry. We were all there at one point! Please let me know if there's anything I can help you with.

 

[Sunstone]

I've got no problem with the people who feel I'm going to hell. I figure it's more their problem than mine.

 

[Pah]

you are greatly in error, on every point, you may wanna review your info

You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me!!! Always liked those lines from Taxi Driver.

I'm not sure the disciples were witnessess to the empty grave and the risen Christ. The apostles and assorted ladies (the number dependent on the Gospel referenced) were written by the discplies to have been there. Unfortunetly, the apostles never wrote a gospel.

I had initially thought to comment on the mis-use of the the word "disciples" but I suspect that there is confussion of other matters as well. The witness to the empty tomb is different in the four gospels. That is a fact -the witnesses are different and the scene purported to have seen is different

As to Gospel authorship - from http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/...C5C-D05D-4F72-A225E7304C35FDA7&method=display

The third part of the title gives the name of the person who authorized the particular Gospel. Readers must learn from other New Testament writings who Luke is supposed to be, for example. The same is true with the author names of the other three Gospels. This does not mean that the Gospels were really written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John–this is very doubtful. Probably, whoever was responsible for the final editing process of these Gospels wanted the readers to identify the authors with these significant persons.

http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/...43F-B9B5-485A-840FC267C74EC3D0&method=display

We do not know who wrote Luke and Acts. Like many ancient types of writing, the author normally does not identify himself or herself in the gospels. The common Greek name Luke had appeared in several New Testament letters (Col 4.14; 2 Tim 4.11; and Phlm 24). Many people believe the gospel was written by this Luke mentioned in Scripture, a physician who traveled with Paul. Others disagree because of the writing style and other historical inconsistencies

.from http://www.hccentral.com/eller8/

No one named "John" is to be found (excepting "John the Baptist," of course)--yet the Gospel is quite explicit about just who is the source of its information (and in that sense the author of the work). It is "the disciple whom Jesus loved," whom we hereafter will refer to as "the Beloved Disciple." And it is this person who now is to be the subject of our study as we set out to discover his name, his story, and his thought. In order to keep us from jumping to conclusions before we have seen any evidence, I will always call him "the Beloved Disciple" (never "John") and always call his Gospel "The Fourth Gospel" (never "The Gospel of John").

And unfortunetly indeed is that you seem to have forgotten the Gnostics who disagreed with some of what survies today. Their knowledge documented in the Dead Sea scrolls. What you have today was codified about 300 years after Christ.

Common knowledge

You also seem to be unaware of Bishop Spong who was, I suppose, as scholarly as any other bishop. He has come to that conclusion that the passion story and even Christ's ascension was a myth but with a great truth to be held by Christians.

A New Christianity for a New World, Rescuing the Bible From Fundamentalism, Resurrection: Myth or Reality - just three I have of the many books written by Bishop John Shelby Spong, retired from the Diocese of New Jersey.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

*hopes she'll get an excuse to quote "Taxi Driver" one day, but will settle for "Bambi"*

A New Christianity for a New World, Rescuing the Bible From Fundamentalism, Resurrection: Myth or Reality - just three I have of the many books written by Bishop John Shelby Spong, retired from the Diocese of New Jersey.

I read the first two just prior to my 'discovering I was in the broom closet'. Both were incredibly insightful.

 

[joeboonda]

Hi, Jahlion! Hope you are doing well. I had a chance to read a little of the Holy Piby and the Kebra Negast and some history and background of the Rastafari, and found it to be very enjoyable to learn of your religion/culture. I also agree with most everything I read. I am glad I was never taught the people in the Bible were white, lol, that IS crazy! I am moved by the great pain and suffering that Babylon has inflicted on, well, all of us. I was taught that we were all created equal in God's image. Even Galations 3:28 says: For there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. I have great respect and admiration for Rastafari people, I can see they are very honest and earnest in their desire to follow Jah and to find spiritual truth, and they are good, strong people. I think Haile Selassie was a man of God, and a great leader used of God. I also read that he believed in Jesus, which is wonderful. I am not sure that he was the Messiah, and I only say that because Jesus said when he comes the 2nd time, everyone will see it. Mathew 24:23-27 says: Then if any man say unto you, LO, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. Behold I have told you before. Wherefore If they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth; behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Kinda reminds me of names of different chuches like the Lutheran church named after Martin Luther, or the Wesleyan church for John Wesley, both great men of God, but they pointed to Jesus as the Lord. So, I see where confusion could take place. Paul addressed it in I Corinthians chapter 1. Anyway, I really enjoyed reading and learning more-always do! I enjoyed the writings in the Kebra Negast Concerning His Crucifixion, His Ressurection, and His Ascention 2nd Coming. Thanks for the links, I hope to hear from you soon for more reasoning and overstanding. Jah be praised! (Jah is God-Psalms 68:4 you already know). I and I must go forth! Bye!

 

[JAHLion]

Joeboonda,

I am filled with joy reading your post! I'm very happy that you read parts of the Holy Piby and the Kebra Nagast, some Christians I've met don't read them and they begin trashing everything about Rastafari when they don't know anything about it. And reading your post, I know you are definitely NOT one of those people! Give thanks for all your kind words, and I'm very happy that you are in agreement with most Rastafari principles.

Beware though, there are a certain 6 prinicples you might come upon in your study, do not believe those. They were made up way back when and are not accurate at all.

It is seen when you said you don't believe Selassie I as the returned Messiah, I don't think I believe that either. I believe that Jah came to Earth in many many forms. Yeshua being one of them, and Selassie I being the last one. That's where I differ from the basic Christian, InI don't believe that Yeshua was the last incarnation of Jah on Earth, seen?

Looking forward to your next post!

Jah Bless.

Lion

 

[joeboonda]

JAHlion,

Nice to hear from you again! It is very good indeed that we can talk and learn more about each other's beliefs. I wish more people would treat each other with more kindness and respect when discussing such complicated issues like religion. We all come from different backgrounds and perspectives, so its good when we can talk and accept each other's differences on things, even if they seem like big things. I think people agree more with others than they realize, at least people that are searching for truth and goodness. So we can agree to disagree on some things and that is ok. We can believe differently about many things, really. I am glad when I hear people speak well of Jesus, who is the one I put my trust in. By trusting, I mean I trust that he paid for all our sins, and offered eternal life as a free gift. That just blows my mind when I think of it. People can have differences in some of their religion, but if they get that right about Jesus, I am very happy. The Kebra Negast seemed to say good things about him, nothing that conflicts with me as far as I could tell, so that was good too. Well, if you think of anything, or questions, or whatever, I will check back in soon. Have a pleasant day!

 

[JAHLion]

Joeboonda,

Seen and agreed! It's a much more positive experience when two people can stay POSITIVE, when people can agree to disagree is a very blessed thing to have!

Looking forward to reasoning with you soon!

Jah Love!

Ras Evan

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Well said, JAHlion and Joeboonda!

 

[Ulver]

I am glad when I hear people speak well of Jesus, who is the one I put my trust in. By trusting, I mean I trust that he paid for all our sins, and offered eternal life as a free gift. That just blows my mind when I think of it. People can have differences in some of their religion, but if they get that right about Jesus, I am very happy.

I'm not meaning this as an attack or argument or anything like that, but I'm sincerely wondering.... if someone does have a different perspective on Jesus then you yourself do, does that alter how you are able to communicate towards such a person? Do you become more concerened with expressing the difference in that opinion rather then discuss other matters (religious or otherwise)?

np: Faith No More- Zombie Eaters

 

[joeboonda]

Hi and Thanks JAHlion, and FeathersinHair! Peace!

Ulver, if someone does not believe in Jesus, of course I still talk to them about anything, I'd have to take a vow of silence otherwise, lol. I have many friends, associates, and family members that believe differently than me, lol my sister is married to an Arab man, and my brother is married to a Jewish woman, and I love them dearly.

Now, being a christian, I naturaly want to share the good news of the gospel with others, so if someone were interested or open to discussion of spiritual matters, I would do my best to share what and why I believe, but I would not force it on them. Hope that answers your question, Peace!

 

[jorylore]

I'm totally for the fact that one must decide for himself what to believe and it's not fair for a christian to force their beliefs down your throat. I hope that I would not do that. But if you came to me with a problem and was looking for advice, the advice I'd probably give would be biblical. I hope that that would not be interpreted as forcing by beliefs on you. As a friend, I would simply want to suggest what worked for me in my life.