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7 Day creation- literal or figurative?

Speedwell

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That took place hundreds of years after the Church age had begun. Minor detail for you?
Church age? Not even a minor detail--it smells too much like Dispensationalism.

What happened during those 300 years of not being challenged?
Christology was a constant source of controversy in the early church. That is why the Council of Nicea had finally to be assembled.
 
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Aldebaran

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Paul spoke of those who were maturing in Christ. Your version indicates an instantaneous transformation into the image of Christ. All the whacky thinking Christians we have amongst us refutes your theory. That transformation spoke of an ongoing process. One that came with spiritual maturing. Not all Christians mature. Many do not. That does not have to be the case. But, lazy pastors who refuse to study seriously and teach soundly are producing dumbed down believers.

You speak with some amazing insight! I'm probably one of those whacky Christians you mention. I've been saved for 28 years and it's obvious even to me that I'm not where I should be.
 
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Radrook

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Paul spoke of those who were maturing in Christ. Your version indicates an instantaneous transformation into the image of Christ. All the whacky thinking Christians we have amongst us refutes your theory. That transformation spoke of an ongoing process. One that came with spiritual maturing. Not all Christians mature. Many do not. That does not have to be the case. But, lazy pastors who refuse to study seriously and teach soundly are producing dumbed down believers.
I don't hold the view that Christians are instantaneously transformed into beings who are a perfect representations of a sinless God.
 
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Radrook

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That took place hundreds of years after the Church age had begun. Minor detail for you?

What happened during those 300 years of not being challenged?

Even rabbis before the church age knew of the Trinity. They were OT saints. Long before the church began! No one jumped all over them. Why? Since there was no controversy? It not make the pages of history for everyone to take note.

If their destiny is destruction they cannot be saved.
That is totally self contradictory.



1. The teaching of the Trinity is Found in Jewish Targums (O.T. in Armaic) and commentaries such as the Zohar. These Jewish sages taught that God appears in the form of three persons of the Godhead, three manifestations or three emanations.45/93-94


2. This fact indicates that the Jews rejection of Christianity up until the second century was not because of the teaching of the Trinity. They understood that the Messiah would be the Son of God. That is why so many Jews did accept him. It was not until the rebellion against Rome in AD 135 that this changed. During the three years of battle for Jewish independence led by the general Simeon Bar Kochba, many of his followers (including the famous Rabbi Akiba) declared that Bar Kochba was Israel’s true messiah.
45/93-94 This forced Jewish Christians to withdraw from the Jewish forces fighting against Rome since they could only follow and give allegiance to the true Messiah: Jesus. Jewish Christians who took this stand were considered treasonous and therefore no longer welcome in the synagogues. This division between Jews and Christians has lasted for 2,000 years.

http://www.layevangelism.com/qreference/chapter10e.htm#Top of Page

I am glad to know that you have recognized Christ as Savior.
I am sad to know, however, that you refuse to concede that same privilege to Christians who disagree with you about the Trinity Doctrine. But that is between you and the Creator not between me and you.

Addendum:

Apostolic Creed preceded the Nicene

English translations
Ecumenical version
Apostolic Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic and apostolic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.


Athanasius challenged the Apostolic Creed by proposing that God and Jesus are one and the same and based on that Creed Arius considered the idea heretical..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq8_ah7mBt8



BTW

Jesus calls God his God even after being resurrected and glorified:
Since when does God have a God?

Revelation 3:12
"He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name." (Revelation 3:12).
 
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GenemZ

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Church age? Not even a minor detail--it smells too much like Dispensationalism.

Christology was a constant source of controversy in the early church. That is why the Council of Nicea had finally to be assembled.
Not one statement you made is true. Diversion is a tactic for those who have no real answers...

The Church brought in an entirely new way of spiritual life. One that is not to be lived under the Law. The OT believers were NOT new creations in Christ. Therefore, OT believers needed a forensic restraint of Law for the believer's sin nature.

Is that too much for you to comprehend, why there are dispensations? Probably is.... Sounds like you have been propagandized by some denomination's bias from the get go.
 
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GenemZ

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I am glad to know that you have recognized Christ as Savior.
I am sad to know, however, that you refuse to concede that same privilege to Christians who disagree with you about the Trinity Doctrine. But that is between you and the Creator not between me and you.

I did not know Jesus was God when I became saved. I told you that I grew up a Jew, and never received any teachings from any pulpit, nor read the NT. I got saved in my ignorance. Its not required to know Jesus is also God become saved.
 
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Radrook

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I did not know Jesus was God when I became saved. I told you that I grew up a Jew, and never received any teachings from any pulpit, nor read the NT. I got saved in my ignorance. Its not required to know Jesus is also God become saved.
Thanks for clearing that up. I guess I misunderstood you.
 
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GenemZ

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You speak with some amazing insight! I'm probably one of those whacky Christians you mention. I've been saved for 28 years and it's obvious even to me that I'm not where I should be.

2 Peter 3:18

But continue growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Accurate teachings (knowledge) is essential for the process of maturing in Christ. After all... He is the Word made flesh! He is our spiritual role model. Grace is God's tactical power offered to the believer. Power to 'digest and assimilate' the good teachings to make him strong in Christ.

A person wanting to be a body builder? If he's only eating processed foods? He will never reach the desired outcome. Sound teaching is like God's designed organic and whole food. Eating lazy pastor servings? They are junk food and GMO servings placed on the plate of weakened believers who can not find the inner peace and tranquility that can only come by wisdom and understanding.

If they seek a way out from their illness and weakness in understanding? At first, sound doctrine may be hard to chew on for those so used to fluffy bread. It requires a new required taste with all the excessive sweeteners removed. But when strong muscle in one's faith begins to become evident? Who will still want a sensual experience, that only destroys one's strength? Fat and flabby....sick and diseased? All for a "good feeling" that false teaching may cause for only a moment? ... Which inevitably fades into a state of unhappiness of not being able to function properly? Its like when a person enjoys overly sweet junk food and feels a good emotional feeling right after... But? Then sits around his house for the next week wondering why he has such a terrible sore throat and feeling weak like he has the flu. Spiritually... false teachings makes believers lame and unable to fight the good fight.
 
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Speedwell

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Not one statement you made is true. Diversion is a tactic for those who have no real answers...
Where are you getting your church history? From reputable sources?



Is that too much for you to comprehend, why there are dispensations?
There aren't.
 
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Darkness Flame

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The Word contains what teaches it ..Over time and with additional learning as we grow in the knowledge it possesses. God leaves it up to us to seek and discover what certain things mean. But, never without God's grace. For, only by the Holy Spirit's enabling are we able to come to understand certain truths.

First we need to gain in knowledge that God wants use to bring us forming our own conclusions. That is why its so important to find teachers who have an accurate grasp. Nat teachers simply tell the hearers things they think they want to hear. A good teacher will show you truths you need to know about, but may have you wonder why its something you must know. For God wants to bring us beyond our own understanding about the life He has chosen us for having.

Here is a verse they puts it in a nutshell.

Philippians 1:9

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound
more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.


God's love in us grows according to our knowledge. Knowledge that leads to having insight into God's plan and God's life in us. It must be by sound doctrine that we learn. Too many fakers are out there who wish to appeal to our emotions and human reasoning. Only sound doctrine will build us up in having the Mind of Christ. Sound doctrine can be not exciting at first because it makes us realize how much we do not know. Human appeal teachings feels good because it makes us feel like we have already arrived. Believers will suffer a bit and find it uncomfortable at times, because sound doctrine is taking away from us our old way of enjoying life. Its feeding the new man who must replace our old man in life experience. Many refuse to lose their life so that they can find their life in Christ.

Instead, they will seek out teachers who will tell them what they want to hear so they can keep their old man alive. But, this time doing so with misapplied Bible verses to make them feel like they are pleasing God. Its sad. But, its also good that we see what God desires of us while here on earth. For most believers will not like sound doctrine at first. It will make them uncomfortable if they wish to continue living as they always have. For we all must learn how wrong we were about certain issues that we hold dear to our human position. These ones will quit seeking what God would have them to seek, and find teachers who make them feel good about how they want to see things.

2 Timothy 4:3​

For the time will come when people will not put up/tolerate/endure sound doctrine.
Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers
to say what their itching ears want to hear.


Yes... the flesh is at enmity with the Spirit. And, the Spirit is at enmity with our flesh. Many DO NOT want sound doctrine. They would rather have teachings that cause them to have emotional responses that harmonize with they way they wish to believe in their natural perspectives. No transformation into the likeness of Christ (in their thinking). Only dogmatic stubbornness, or an immovable sweet facade that appears nice, but is filled with dead ideas which substitute for having truth.


Its all adds up to? If you are going to pursue sound teachings? You must deny self and take up your cross. For you will be rejected by those whom sound doctrine will demand you reject. Spirit filled believers must go through some suffering if they are to become closer to Christ through knowledge of His Word. It must sanctify you. Sanctification is being made separate and cleaned from the thinking of the world view. Even churchianity is a form of world view.

Churchianity is a subculture of thinking that has integrated with the world. Its what the world expects from believers. Yet, Jesus said that if you are lead of the Spirit? The world will not be able to know where you are coming from. Nor, know which way you will be heading. But, the world will hear what you have to say when God will have it to be heard.


John 3:8

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where
it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’


So, everything is not going to be broken down for you in some neat logical package that can be comprehended on the same level as one studies for an academic test in the world. God's Word is not studied to take a quiz. Its studied to build up and cause you to become strong in Christ like nutrients are to a body builder.

grace and peace!

I very much agree with you on many of these things. Myself, I don't go to church. I MAKE it, by studying and meditating. But I have been slacking lately. I do want to visit a church now, after having not went for years, aside from one time with my mom, and really listen to the pastors. For my friend/mentor has told me a lot about churches that I never really realized.

Sent from my SM-J320P using Tapatalk
 
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Aman777

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2 Peter 3:18

But continue growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Accurate teachings (knowledge) is essential for the process of maturing in Christ. After all... He is the Word made flesh! He is our spiritual role model. Grace is God's tactical power offered to the believer. Power to 'digest and assimilate' the good teachings to make him strong in Christ.

A person wanting to be a body builder? If he's only eating processed foods? He will never reach the desired outcome. Sound teaching is like God's designed organic and whole food. Eating lazy pastor servings? They are junk food and GMO servings placed on the plate of weakened believers who can not find the inner peace and tranquility that can only come by wisdom and understanding.

If they seek a way out from their illness and weakness in understanding? At first, sound doctrine may be hard to chew on for those so used to fluffy bread. It requires a new required taste with all the excessive sweeteners removed. But when strong muscle in one's faith begins to become evident? Who will still want a sensual experience, that only destroys one's strength? Fat and flabby....sick and diseased? All for a "good feeling" that false teaching may cause for only a moment? ... Which inevitably fades into a state of unhappiness of not being able to function properly? Its like when a person enjoys overly sweet junk food and feels a good emotional feeling right after... But? Then sits around his house for the next week wondering why he has such a terrible sore throat and feeling weak like he has the flu. Spiritually... false teachings makes believers lame and unable to fight the good fight.

Just one question. How can I be saved and go to Heaven? In your opinion?
 
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GenemZ

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Just one question. How can I be saved and go to Heaven? In your opinion?

Like I did. Know nothing, but about the Cross.... and BELIEVE. All the rest to understand? Must follow after regeneration.


"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--...

Acts 16:31a​
 
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Aman777

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Like I did. Know nothing, but about the Cross.... and BELIEVE. All the rest to understand? Must follow after regeneration.


"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--...

Acts 16:31a​

Amen, and that Faith to believe that a man was raised from the dead the third day according to the Scriptures MUST be given by God the Invisible Spirit:

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Was your faith a Gift from God? Some may disagree and THINK that their works make them deserving of Heaven, but that is Religion and not Christianity. Amen?
 
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GenemZ

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Was your faith a Gift from God? Some may disagree and THINK that their works make them deserving of Heaven, but that is Religion and not Christianity. Amen?

Correct... Jesus said that the poor we will always have with us.

That could also apply to those who are the religious. For the religious will always be amongst us. They will work and beg of God, for what He would freely give if they would only simply believe.

They are too proud not to work for what they could never deserve by works. They want to feel they earned it. That by their abilities they earned something from God. Merit badge collectors, and proud of it.. rather than humbled by the honoring by God.
 
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FaithfulPilgrim

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I have heard of one theory that prior to the Fall, time flowed differently.

This is an interesting thought as if days were longer before Adam and Eve sinned, then that means the Creation Week were six literal days, but lasted longer that the 24- hour day we have now.

Unfortunately, I can't find much on it because I am really interested in their exegesis and how they could back up both Scripturally and scientifically.
 
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GenemZ

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I have heard of one theory that prior to the Fall, time flowed differently.

This is an interesting thought as if days were longer before Adam and Eve sinned, then that means the Creation Week were six literal days, but lasted longer that the 24- hour day we have now.

Unfortunately, I can't find much on it because I am really interested in their exegesis and how they could back up both Scripturally and scientifically.
No Scriptural evidence exists for what someone imagined it could have been like... Most likely, Adam and his Adama, both lived in total freedom from fear before the fall. There was no fear of not accomplishing something before they die, for death was not even a concept in their minds. No illness. Always invigorated and refreshed. Sun started to go down? They began the process of entering into sleep. No concerns. No worries... No sense of time passing them by. They did not think about time. One day could have seemed like a hundred years, and another, like it lasted only a second. They were not bound to time. That only came after the fall, when aging and death was introduced into the experience.
 
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FaithfulPilgrim

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No Scriptural evidence exists for what someone imagined it could have been like... Most likely, Adam and his Adama, both lived in total freedom from fear before the fall. There was no fear of not accomplishing something before they die, for death was not even a concept in their minds. No illness. Always invigorated and refreshed. Sun started to go down? They began the process of entering into sleep. No concerns. No worries... No sense of time passing them by. They did not think about time. One day could have seemed like a hundred years, and another, like it lasted only a second. They were not bound to time. That only came after the fall, when aging and death was introduced into the experience.

I read a quote somewhere that time stops when there are no natural processes happening.

The only real flaw I see in this theory is that our earth take 24 hours to make a complete rotation on its axis. So, it would be hard to justify that the 6 literal days could have been 40 hours or 100 years for each day, unless the earth's rotation was slower then.
 
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tatteredsoul

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I read a quote somewhere that time stops when there are no natural processes happening.

The only real flaw I see in this theory is that our earth take 24 hours to make a complete rotation on its axis. So, it would be hard to justify that the 6 literal days could have been 40 hours or 100 years for each day, unless the earth's rotation was slower then.


Yom is day in Hebrew, and means a period of time. It could be an aeon, an age or a literal day.

If we take Genesis literally, the fact that there were no heavenly bodies until "day" 4 means we aren't dealing with 24 hour days as it is known - not at least until day 4 of creation.

Time is in its raw form an evolution of events. Days were not created until God separated the light from darkness, and called "Or[e]" day, and "choshek" night. Ore means illumination in every way (knowledge, spirit, visible light...) Choshek means darkness - literal and things like corruption, destruction, death, ignirance...

Upon closer inspection, we can see something much deeper going on even on the first day.
 
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Speedwell

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Yom is day in Hebrew, and means a period of time. It could be an aeon, an age or a literal day.

If we take Genesis literally, the fact that there were no heavenly bodies until "day" 4 means we aren't dealing with 24 hour days as it is known - not at least until day 4 of creation.

Time is in its raw form an evolution of events. Days were not created until God separated the light from darkness, and called "Or[e]" day, and "choshek" night. Ore means illumination in every way (knowledge, spirit, visible light...) Choshek means darkness - literal and things like corruption, destruction, death, ignirance...

Upon closer inspection, we can see something much deeper going on even on the first day.
Something much more subtle than the mere presence or absence of photons? Hah! I am right now in the midst of an argument with a Creationist over on the C&ET board who vehemently denies that there is any such wordplay in Genesis.
 
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