Sgt. Pepper
All you need is love.
Thank you for those explanations. I really like that you back up what you believe.
I’ve also appreciated that you usually post the Scriptures from the Bible whenever they are mentioned! Most don’t put that much effort in, especially when it’s a Scripture that is used by the person you’re debating, which seems to support their side! But you post it!
I have a lot of respect for that! I’ll start doing the same with you, for further clarity.
(By the way, I prefer using the NWT [New World Translation] since it has restored the Divine Name [Yahweh, which is Jehovah in English] to its rightful places, and for its easy-to-understand translation. But I’m willing to use any, to compare and aid discernment.)
One thing you’ll find with me, is that I like to reason on Scriptures, and try tying them in with facts & other verses. That’s what the Apostle Paul did; at Acts 17:2,3 we are told it was his “custom” to “reason” from the Bible….
“2 So according to Paul’s custom he went inside to them (Jews), and for three sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving by references that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and [saying]: “This is the Christ, this Jesus whom I am publishing to YOU.””
(In the NWT, the use of the all-capital “YOU” simply indicates a plural you, ie., a group; nothing more.)
Sometimes he was effective, but many times was not, as Acts 17:4,5 reveal….
“4 As a result some of them became believers and associated themselves with Paul and Silas, and a great multitude of the Greeks who worshiped [God] and not a few of the principal women did so. 5 But the Jews, getting jealous, took into their company certain wicked men of the marketplace idlers and formed a mob and proceeded to throw the city into an uproar. And they assaulted the house of Jaʹson and went seeking to have them brought forth to the rabble.”
The point is, in order to reason on Scriptures, he had to believe it presented a certain viewpoint and did not contradict itself.
You do accept Paul as a literal person and not allegorical, right? Because if not, that would be a problem.
It’s getting late & I have some responsibilities tomorrow, so I’ll quote you here:
“Feel free to tell me about your beliefs.”
Thank you, I’ll be glad to.
And feel free to question me.
Give me until after the weekend, ok? I’ll reply to your other responses, too.
Have a great weekend, my cousin!
We plainly disagree on the subject of the afterlife and earthbound spirits, Hockey Cowboy, but at least you're respectful of others who disagree with you. That is something I believe you should be recognized for. I feel good about adding you to the list of Christians I've met who actually practice what they preach, meaning they live in accordance with their professed beliefs (such as loving their neighbor as themselves and treating others the way they want to be treated). I don't mind saying that you are a good example of what a Christian should be. In my opinion, you don't badly tarnish Christianity's reputation.
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