The love of Jesus Christ

[InChrist]

Yes, but He anticipated very precisely His death and resurrection on the third day in Mark. Why didn't they take Hm seriously, if they thought He was divine?

So, let't analyze the plausibility of the events:

1) Jesus announces the unfolding of events that will eventually lead to his death and resurrection on the third day
2) The disciples, for some reason, do not take His words seriously
3) the events unfold as predicted. Jesus dies
4) at the time of Hid death, several amazing things happen. An earthquake, an eclipse of the sun, and the opening of several graves followed by spiritual entities wandering about (if the Gospel is reliable)

After that, it appears as if the disciples memory has been zapped away. None of them said something like: wait, didnt He anticipate all this? And were not all those events at the time of His death supernatural? It is not like graves open up and ghosts get out of them every day. Maybe we should wait until the end of the weekend and be ready if the final prophecy (resurrection) occurs.

Nothing. They did not even believe the first accounts of His resurrection. Jesus had to show His face and wounds in order to convince them.

Why doesn't that generate any cognitive dissonance?

Ciao

- viole

There could be many reason why the disciples did not understand or grasp the things Jesus was telling them especially about His death...fear, doubt. confusion, or any other powerful human emotion which occurs in the midst of dramatic life events. Whatever the reason(s) Jesus was not surprised by their human misunderstanding and forgetfulness, as He specifically addressed this with them...

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand…. I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.” John 13:7, 19

After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. John 2:22


He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:25-27


He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:44-45

 

[SkepticThinker]

If He didn't allow it to go on you wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be here, nor your family or friends.

If your god didn't allow this world of sin to go on endlessly, I wouldn't be here? What does that mean?

The only alternative would have been for God to destroy everyone, but God is patience with us, looking at the eternal not the temporal as we do and offering the opportunity to everyone to learn, change and find hope in the love and future He desires us to share with Him.

If that is the only alternative that what you seem to be telling me is that the all-powerful creator of the universe is constrained by some sort of rules that "he" is somehow unable to override.

And I would think that if this god loved us so much and wanted us to be with "him" so badly then "he'd" make his existence much more obvious.

 

[InChrist]

If your god didn't allow this world of sin to go on endlessly, I wouldn't be here? What does that mean?

If that is the only alternative that what you seem to be telling me is that the all-powerful creator of the universe is constrained by some sort of rules that "he" is somehow unable to override.

And I would think that if this god loved us so much and wanted us to be with "him" so badly then "he'd" make his existence much more obvious.

I did not include the word "endlessly' in my sentence, I said...'If He didn't allow it to go on, you wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be here, nor your family or friends". What I mean is that God could have eliminated any and every sinful person immediately, rather than showing patience while allowing each of us this temporary time and opportunity on earth to realize the detrimental effects of sin and repent or turn from it.

I think God is constrained by His own character and God-nature which means that as a perfect and holy Being He cannot override His attributes by allowing sin without consequence and justice.
I think God's presence and love is obvious enough and He makes it more and more obvious for anyone who is sincerely looking.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

I certainly don't claim my interpretation is unique to me. Millions of believers in Jesus Christ over the last couple of thousand years have shared the same views when it comes to the important basic teachings of the scriptures because the scriptures interpret and clarify themselves by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Although, there may be differences in the non-essentials as each person understands at a different rate, all Christians agree on the essentials. I have friendships with many believers from varying backgrounds and perspectives, yet we are one in Christ. and our view on the truths of God's Word. It's not terrible or lonely at all.

Which aspects of your shared beliefs with other are non-essential?

If those aspects of faith are relative to interpretation, which ones are which? How do you tell the difference between the mediated, non-essential aspects of your shared faith from the ones that are guided by the Holy Spirit? Why do you believe in anything that is non-essential?

Do you think your rate of understanding is higher than others? Have you reached the pinnical of understanding, or are there others who have learned at a higher rate than you? Do all Christians agree they are learning at different rates? Do the slow rated learners know they are slower?

 

[Forever_Catholic]

I think God's presence and love is obvious enough and He makes it more and more obvious for anyone who is sincerely looking.

Yes, you’re absolutely right. God does not hide away from anyone who looks for him, and the more a person seeks to know him, the more he reveals.

I consistently see that the more I speak to Jesus, the more he speaks to me. The more I ask for understanding, the more I receive. The more fervently I pray, the more clearly he acknowledges. And he always returns far more in his graces than I am worthy to receive.

The “sincerely looking” part of your statement, or the lack of sincerely looking, is what keeps a lot people from knowing God or seeing how obvious his presence and love are. And not just a lack of sincerity in many cases, but indifference to knowing God as he is in favor of arbitrarily defining him or denying his existence altogether.

 

[Ingledsva]

I just don't understand why so many people aren't grateful or don't appreciate the love Jesus Christ has demonstrated toward humanity which includes each and every person. It seems so obvious to me that we are all selfish and so often only interested in our own desires at the expense of others. The impact of such self-centeredness, which I am certainly guilty of and I think really everyone is, has done its damage in people's personal lives and in every society throughout history. I am just so thankful for a Savior who freely offers new life and the promise of eternal life free from the bondage of selfish sin. Yet so many people either ignore, disregard, or even have animosity toward Jesus Christ and His loving offer. Why?

You have to understand that this is the same as stating -

I just don't understand why so many people aren't grateful or don't appreciate the love Flying Spaghetti God has demonstrated toward humanity which includes each and every person. It seems so obvious to me ....

There is absolutely no proof of this God - or any other.

*

 

[Forever_Catholic]

There is absolutely no proof of this God - or any other.

How much proof do you want?

 

[Ingledsva]

How much proof do you want?

What proof outside your feelings, beliefs, and faith, do you have?

*

 

[Forever_Catholic]

What proof outside your feelings, beliefs, and faith, do you have?

I could go on and on about proof in various forms that makes me so certain, but the greatest proof has been his immediate and unmistakable responses to me, particularly after praying -- not just once or few times, but on a regular basis. It comes in the form of a sudden awareness or understanding, a sudden sense of peace and security in a time of worry or stress maybe. A knowing that all will be well in regard to a situation worth praying about, and then seeing that it is. Sometimes it's an immediate visible sign. Sometimes it has been inaudible words spoken in my head. But in whatever form they have come, these responses have always, always been reliable, which proves to me that they were not imagined or self-generated.

Would something such as this, or even just a new interior knowledge of God's presence be proof to you, or would you need something more profound; something more external, maybe?

 

[Ingledsva]

I could go on and on about proof in various forms that makes me so certain, but the greatest proof has been his immediate and unmistakable responses to me, particularly after praying -- not just once or few times, but on a regular basis. It comes in the form of a sudden awareness or understanding, a sudden sense of peace and security in a time of worry or stress maybe. A knowing that all will be well in regard to a situation worth praying about, and then seeing that it is. Sometimes it's an immediate visible sign. Sometimes it has been inaudible words spoken in my head. But in whatever form they have come, these responses have always, always been reliable, which proves to me that they were not imagined or self-generated.

Would something such as this, or even just a new interior knowledge of God's presence be proof to you, or would you need something more profound; something more external, maybe?

As stated - I would need proof, - not your feelings, beliefs, or faith.

You have no more proof then any of the other thousands of religions in the world.

*

 

[Forever_Catholic]

As stated - I would need proof, - not your feelings, beliefs, or faith.

You have no more proof then any of the other thousands of religions in the world.

No, my proof is not your proof. Because for now, the proof is not for the world; it's for each individual. So what would it be for you?

 

[Ingledsva]

No, my proof is not your proof. Because for now, the proof is not for the world; it's for each individual. So what would it be for you?

Those are merely Words, - not proof.

*

 

[Forever_Catholic]

I'm not offering you proof! I'm asking you what you'd accept as proof, not that you have any obligation to tell me, of course.

As I recall, you are familiar with sacred texts. If you had no interest, you wouldn't read them, right? If you were convinced that God didn't exist, you'd have no reason to read them. Maybe you'd like to be more certain.

 

[Ingledsva]

I'm not offering you proof! I'm asking you what you'd accept as proof, not that you have any obligation to tell me, of course.

As I recall, you are familiar with sacred texts. If you had no interest, you wouldn't read them, right? If you were convinced that God didn't exist, you'd have no reason to read them. Maybe you'd like to be more certain.

As I said - I was raised Christian. I heard the stories, and read the Bible.

When I actually STUDIED the Bible - I realized it could NOT be the word of God, - because of the content.

I studied Archaeology, and took comparative religions, etc.

I am interested in world Myth, the movements of people, the exchange of language, ideas, mythology, etc.

*

 

[Pudding]

I just don't understand why so many people aren't grateful or don't appreciate the love Jesus Christ has demonstrated toward humanity It seems so obvious to me that we are all selfish and so often only interested in our own desires at the expense of others. The impact of such self-centeredness, which I am certainly guilty of and I think really everyone is, has done its damage in people's personal lives and in every society throughout history. I am just so thankful for a Savior who freely offers new life and the promise of eternal life free from the bondage of selfish sin. Yet so many people either ignore, disregard, or even have animosity toward Jesus Christ and His loving offer. Why?

Because people don't believe in jesus christ.

Why do you aren't grateful or don't appreciate the love (insert name of any other religion's God) has demonstrated toward humanity?
Why do you ignore, disregard, or even have animosity toward (insert name of any other religion's God) and His loving offer?

It's because you don't believe in their Gods.

 

[Ingledsva]

Because people don't believe in jesus christ.

Why do you aren't grateful or don't appreciate the love (insert name of any other religion's God) has demonstrated toward humanity?
Why do you ignore, disregard, or even have animosity toward (insert name of any other religion's God) and His loving offer?

It's because you don't believe in their Gods.

There is no more proof of anything the Bible says about God - then for any other religion.

It is ridiculous to keep asking why we aren't grateful for things you don't even know actually happened.

*

 

[Pudding]

There is no more proof of anything the Bible says about God - then for any other religion.

It is ridiculous to keep asking why we aren't grateful for things you don't even know actually happened.

*

I've no objection for what you've said.

I guess the ridiculous you mean, is not directed to me.

 

[Ingledsva]

I've no objection for what you've said.

I guess the ridiculous you mean, is not directed to me.

Nope.

*

 

[SkepticThinker]

I did not include the word "endlessly' in my sentence, I said...'If He didn't allow it to go on, you wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be here, nor your family or friends". What I mean is that God could have eliminated any and every sinful person immediately, rather than showing patience while allowing each of us this temporary time and opportunity on earth to realize the detrimental effects of sin and repent or turn from it.

I think God is constrained by His own character and God-nature which means that as a perfect and holy Being He cannot override His attributes by allowing sin without consequence and justice.
I think God's presence and love is obvious enough and He makes it more and more obvious for anyone who is sincerely looking.

If this god only appears to those who are looking for it, then to me, this god is not doing nearly enough to make itself known to the world. If this god sincerely cared about the well-being of every human being it supposedly created, it should be doing more to make it's existence known to all, whether they're actively looking for the god or not.

 

[Desert Snake]

I just don't understand why so many people aren't grateful or don't appreciate the love Jesus Christ has demonstrated toward humanity which includes each and every person. It seems so obvious to me that we are all selfish and so often only interested in our own desires at the expense of others. The impact of such self-centeredness, which I am certainly guilty of and I think really everyone is, has done its damage in people's personal lives and in every society throughout history. I am just so thankful for a Savior who freely offers new life and the promise of eternal life free from the bondage of selfish sin. Yet so many people either ignore, disregard, or even have animosity toward Jesus Christ and His loving offer. Why?

The love of Jesus is conditional. Xians must follow him, be theists, etc. So, why would people who don't fit that criteria feel this loving way towards Jesus? They face Hell for not adhering to the religious statutes, does that seem very ''loving''?

I suspect you are actually saying, Why aren't people Xians? Am I incorrect? I'm sort of confused by your OP.

Have a nice day.