Requesting Possible Answers from Christians

[slave2six]

Well since the title of the thread requests answers from Christians, why on earth would you expect to be included in the group mentioned as "we"? Don't tell me that's too complicated for a person of your obviously superior intelligence to comprehend.

Well, dearest, I responded thus because in post #36 I listed some attributes that are characteristic of all humans to whom I referred as "we" as well and I wanted to clarify that he was not saying "we humans" but "we Christians" or whatever "we" to which he was referring. Sorry if that was too confusing for ya.

 

[Katzpur]

Well, dearest, I responded thus because in post #36 I listed some attributes that are characteristic of all humans to whom I referred as "we" as well and I wanted to clarify that he was not saying "we humans" but "we Christians" or whatever "we" to which he was referring. Sorry if that was too confusing for ya.

Dearest? In your dreams, Bozo.

 

[Kathryn]

Because they see me, hear me, touch me and on occasion (when I've been working very hard) smell me. They experience me in all the ways that humans are capable of experiencing the universe we live in.

If I had mailed in my sperm and written a book on how my kids should live and left it to my wife to raise them according to the book while I watched then via video feeds, I would be nothing more than an idea to them. They would each have their own idea of what I am really like and would even disagree on some points that are important and yet I would not be there to set things straight for them or to allow them to discover the truth about me by mutual experience. I would certainly not have a right to claim the title "father" would I?

You know, there is another thread on this forum that discusses the term "personal relationship with God," so I won't go into that whole concept, but I will say this:

As a Christian, I have felt God's love envelope me on many occasions. His tender mercies toward me have absolutely blown my mind more than once. Though my faith doesn't rest solely on my emotions or whether I "feel close to God," on a daily basis, I can assure you that I have experienced the Father's love in a very personal way - and I have no doubt that His grace will sustain me through whatever this life holds.

God's guidance has always been pretty clear to me -when I've taken the time to listen.

 

[Autodidact]

If we are going on personal experience then I have quite a lot to say about God's character through my own experiences as well as many others that I know and most of it is very bad indeed.

My experience is that God's character is non-existent.

 

[PureX]

I tend to imagine that God's "character" is being expressed throughout creation. It appears to me that the universe has been designed to allow for the greatest expression of forms and varieties of 'being' possible. So I imagine that God's character is generous. I also see the universe as being a benevolent place, even though energy forms must compete to survive. The competition insures constant change and variety, yet everything passes away and makes room for more, eventually. It's sort of egalitarian that way. And in the end, all that matter and energy is intermingling, as though it's all part of one body.

I find this character-image comforting. I will pass away but other forms will take my place and use my substance. And I'm fine with that. It's all part of the 'big show'.

 

[Danizar]

I do not believe that only Christians will enter paradise - I believe though that those who actively reject God are probably not going to enter paradise. But even then, I am not interested in judging them or the destination of their eternal soul - I will leave that up to God.

It's my responsibility to live as I best understand that God wants me to live, and to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others (preferably through my actions before through my words) in the hope that their lives will also be enriched. What happens after that is in God's hands.

I do believe that Christ died for the entire world and that each life is precious to Him.

Sounds pretty sound. There are several Biblical references that I do find comfort in:

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy". (Matthew 5:7)
"Do not judge, so that you may not be judged". (Matthew 7:1)
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned". (Luke 6:37)

I'm not a judgmental person, therefore these verses offer a form of assurance. I believe all Christians should seek to adhere to them more. I don't judge atheists, though I do tend to disagree with them.

 

[slave2six]

Dearest? In your dreams, Bozo.

Actually, no. I'm highly allergic to felines.

 

[slave2six]

As a Christian, I have felt God's love envelope me on many occasions.

I really do like you K but I simply have no capacity for making the leap from a positive emotion to being in the presence of God. My wife is simply loaded with that capacity, though, so I've seen it in action. (Maybe it's an estrogen thing or a XX chromosome thing.) I just don't understand the connection. Prozac can have the same effect (or so I have been told by those who take it). Seems to be making more out of neurological chemical reactions than is necessary.

 

[Katzpur]

Actually, no. I'm highly allergic to felines.

I think we might be allergic to each other then. It might be best for both of us to just keep our distance.

 

[Danizar]

I love cats.