Are all Christians as bad as this guy

[prophecystudent]

I am certainly happy that you have discovered that not all Christians are like that mis-informed person you cited in your original post.

There are certain denominations that believe lots of "strange" things that are not supported by the full weight of scriptural context. Some take portions of scripture out of context and base faulty beliefs on it. Like the person you mentioned.

Sickness is real. Certainly, God can heal you of your illness and will do so if it is part of His plan for your life.

The Apostle Paul had a long term problem and asked God to relieve it. God responded and told him that His (God's) grace and love were suffiecient. As far as is known, Paul lived his entire Christian life with this problem, and God healed him when He took Paul to be with Him in heaven when Paul died.

Find a good church and join it. By that I mean find a church that meets your spiritual needs and that teaches you about the Gospel of Christ in its entirety not just some scaled down version that fits the needs of the pastorate.

Good luck in your search, and many, many prayers from members of this forum are with you.

Fred

 

[RealSorceror]

I'm really upset after talking to a Christian recently.
Thing is I'm bi-polar and he said that theres really no thing as mental illness. How could he say that? Is that what Jesus teaches?
I tried to explain to him but he just said that psychiatry is just materialism and is plain wrong.
Aarrggghhh! I could scream I'm so angry!
Then he invited me to his church where my 'problem' would be 'fixed' by healing!
This sounds like something from the middle ages, or voodoo or something. Driving out demons!
Come one, its 2006! surely this guy needs a soft couch to lie on for a while.
My illness is real! I need all sorts of pills to keep me in check. Without them I, well I dont wanna think about it.
How can someone who says God loves be so ignorant, so full of hatred for people who suffer?
I cant imagine I'd ever think god real after this.
I feel sick.

Sometimes it can feel like all Christians are a bunch of jerks.
However, that simply isn't true. Extremists like the one you met are a minority. Christians in general are great people and many of them are trying their hardest to make this world a better place.

Blessed be,
RS.

 

[jenny1990]

Your welcome, and I hope that you find in your heart to forgive him.

That will take a little time

 

[YankeeJeff]

Thats pretty bad.
But there are lots like him (even on these boards).
They go for pseudo-voodoo african 'preachers' and its really witchcraft.
Most things pentecostal/revival/healing ministries are pretty bad.
Just follow Jesus, not some hysterical, screaming profit-seeker.

 

[Paddington]

Mental illnesses are a very real problem. Healing by prayer DOES occur, but God also gave us the health service and modern medicine for a reason! They're an answer to prayer as well.

 

[FallingWaters]

I'm really upset after talking to a Christian recently.
Thing is I'm bi-polar and he said that theres really no thing as mental illness. How could he say that? Is that what Jesus teaches?
I tried to explain to him but he just said that psychiatry is just materialism and is plain wrong.
Aarrggghhh! I could scream I'm so angry!
Then he invited me to his church where my 'problem' would be 'fixed' by healing!
This sounds like something from the middle ages, or voodoo or something. Driving out demons!
Come one, its 2006! surely this guy needs a soft couch to lie on for a while.
My illness is real! I need all sorts of pills to keep me in check. Without them I, well I dont wanna think about it.
How can someone who says God loves be so ignorant, so full of hatred for people who suffer?
I cant imagine I'd ever think god real after this.
I feel sick.

I don't blame you for being angry. He obviously offended you by his coarseness. Unfortunately, there is a small school of people like him around. They think everything is caused by demons. Surely that is not true. He should not have told you that your sickness is caused by a demon. Are broken legs caused by demons, too?

Having said that, do you not believe in supernatural occurances? I was once healed of an incurable disease. Do you think if Jesus walked into your room right now that He wouldn't be able to heal you, or want to heal you? I think He would.

Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit so that the power of God would be available to us here in the earth. I believe in healing. If I knew where healing was happening, I would go there, and get healed. Just like when Jesus was here, and people from everywhere went to Him and brought the lame, the sick and the blind to Him, so that He would heal them.

The Bible says:
Mar 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
Mar 16:18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." [ESV] bold and underlines mine

It is a reproach on the Body of Christ that we do not do these things more often.

 

[FallingWaters]

Mental illnesses are a very real problem. Healing by prayer DOES occur, but God also gave us the health service and modern medicine for a reason! They're an answer to prayer as well.

I agree completely.