Are there others like me, and if so what are they called?

[Truthseeker76]

If I do decide to be a full fledged Christian again I want to be a liberal this time. I am only going to live my life by what Jesus and God said directly and everything else I am just going to use as a reference. I want to believe in God but many of the things that happened in the old testament I think were man inspired and the laws of the land at that time. I do not believe the story of "Job" should be in the bible. I am not against homosexuality or alternative lifestyles. It is hard for me to come to terms with all the killing in the old testament. I do not care if God told me to kill everyone in a village, I am not going to kill a baby. It seems to me there are people who are not Christian who live better lives then some people who call themselves Christian. What about people who have been abused by people who call themselves Christian. what if these abused people are so scared by what these false Christians did, that the mere thought of god scares that person to death? I have many reasons why my spirituality is conflict. I do not want to go to hell, but I do not want to live my life in a way that makes everyone else happy. I am more comfortable being myself. It seems to me that many people who are free spirits are happier then people who are fundamentalist and repressed. Anyone know if there are others like me?

 

[New_Found_Faith]

If I do decide to be a full fledged Christian again I want to be a liberal this time. I am only going to live my life by what Jesus and God said directly and everything else I am just going to use as a reference. I want to believe in God but many of the things that happened in the old testament I think were man inspired and the laws of the land at that time. I do not believe the story of "Job" should be in the bible. I am not against homosexuality or alternative lifestyles. It is hard for me to come to terms with all the killing in the old testament. I do not care if God told me to kill everyone in a village, I am not going to kill a baby. It seems to me there are people who are not Christian who live better lives then some people who call themselves Christian. What about people who have been abused by people who call themselves Christian. what if these abused people are so scared by what these false Christians did, that the mere thought of god scares that person to death? I have many reasons why my spirituality is conflict. I do not want to go to hell, but I do not want to live my life in a way that makes everyone else happy. I am more comfortable being myself. It seems to me that many people who are free spirits are happier then people who are fundamentalist and repressed. Anyone know if there are others like me?

Most Christians are not fundamentalists. The views you have expressed are very similar to a whole lot of Christians out there, and theose people are just called Christians. There are plenty of denominations out there, just find the one God wants you to be in, a Church that brings you closer to God.

And don't sweat literalist interpretations or technicalities. It's fine (wise even) to take a metaphorical interpretation to a lot of OT scripture, and to be aware of the context in which each passage was written.

God Bless.

 

[ephraimanesti]

If I do decide to be a full fledged Christian again I want to be a liberal this time. I am only going to live my life by what Jesus and God said directly and everything else I am just going to use as a reference. I want to believe in God but many of the things that happened in the old testament I think were man inspired and the laws of the land at that time. I do not believe the story of "Job" should be in the bible. I am not against homosexuality or alternative lifestyles. It is hard for me to come to terms with all the killing in the old testament. I do not care if God told me to kill everyone in a village, I am not going to kill a baby. It seems to me there are people who are not Christian who live better lives then some people who call themselves Christian. What about people who have been abused by people who call themselves Christian. what if these abused people are so scared by what these false Christians did, that the mere thought of god scares that person to death? I have many reasons why my spirituality is conflict. I do not want to go to hell, but I do not want to live my life in a way that makes everyone else happy. I am more comfortable being myself. It seems to me that many people who are free spirits are happier then people who are fundamentalist and repressed. Anyone know if there are others like me?

Yes, there have been others who have thought like you ever since our first parents decided to "do their own thing" in the Garden, and God's message to them has not changed in 2000 years:

"These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 'I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--'I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.' "(Revelation 3:14-18)

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[Truthseeker76]

I know you are trying to help, but it is people like you why people do not want to be Christians. Those without sin cast the first stone. Please, do not reply to anymore of my questions. Your ignorant posts are not wanted by me or appreciated.

 

[Truthseeker76]

I really like your reply. What are your thoughts on Adam and Eve? Do you think it is a metaphor for something truly worse that happened or literal? I know Adam and Eve disobeyed, but to damn the whole human race for their minuscule mistake seems quite ridiculous. I just feel that there is more to the story and I will not understand how it could make sense until I see God. I feel in my heart that the only reason you would go to hell would be to reject Jesus and not accept him as your savior.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

If I do decide to be a full fledged Christian again I want to be a liberal this time. I am only going to live my life by what Jesus and God said directly and everything else I am just going to use as a reference. I want to believe in God but many of the things that happened in the old testament I think were man inspired and the laws of the land at that time. I do not believe the story of "Job" should be in the bible. I am not against homosexuality or alternative lifestyles. It is hard for me to come to terms with all the killing in the old testament. I do not care if God told me to kill everyone in a village, I am not going to kill a baby. It seems to me there are people who are not Christian who live better lives then some people who call themselves Christian. What about people who have been abused by people who call themselves Christian. what if these abused people are so scared by what these false Christians did, that the mere thought of god scares that person to death? I have many reasons why my spirituality is conflict. I do not want to go to hell, but I do not want to live my life in a way that makes everyone else happy. I am more comfortable being myself. It seems to me that many people who are free spirits are happier then people who are fundamentalist and repressed. Anyone know if there are others like me?

I think as New Found Faith said not all Christians are 'fundies' and I'm sorry if you have only come across people like that.

I can only offer what I've personally found. I've come from a non Christian background and became a believer in my late 20's. Prior to that I was an atheist from the type of existence where I never considered religion, never thought I needed God. I plodded along with life, partied with my friends and enjoyed whatever life threw at me. I use to say that I came 'kicking and screaming' to Christ but that would be an exaggeration Certainly I never thought I needed God.

When I first came to Christ I was very 'conditional' on what I believed. I'm still quite 'binary' about some things. My biggest objection was on the homosexuality issue as I'd met some really cool individuals from my clubbing days who were gay. Now I'm beginning to understand how the Lord sees stuff like this and the fact that God's love is partial to no one human. He loves the 'judgemental religious bigot' as much as the ones the bigot supposedly hates. It's the sin (rebellion) God can't stand because it's like a brick wall in terms of His love trying to reach through to our hearts. In my case it was my anger, jealousy, bull-headedness, profanity (I swore like a Washer woman as we say in the UK), etc...big long list. Those aspects of me did not immediately disappear when I got saved. It took time. It still takes time.

I had a distinct starting point when I first believed. I had distinct and specific views. I can't say I hold all of those views now. As Paul said in scripture we begin to run a race. The state that we're in at the beginning of the race is different to how we are at the end. This is one thing that doesn't seem to be talked about much in the churches. It's the progression or change that occurs from within. I've observed the finger wagging done at my church by some who do not see the stage that an individual is at in their 'personal race' which is cool when one is onto the 'meat' of the Word. But how I was back then (CRIKEY! 14 years ago tomorrow!) I would have argued tooth and nail if someone came to me like that.

I can't speak for anyone else but I've changed very slowly over time as I have come to know the Lord. I've also learnt so much more since being a mom in that I am not afraid to ask the Lord directly. We grow without realising it as the days, months and years goes by after we are saved. We don't lose our love, compassion, caring - if anything it increases as the Holy Spirit increases within us. I've watched my little one as she pesters and asks and asks and asks me stuff that she doesn't understand - she stops when it computes for her. More recently I'm prayerfully doing that with the Lord over His Bible. Whilst I may not agree with some of incidents that I read, I am now beginning to see the bigger picture as to why things happened Biblically as they did. It takes time.

So don't sweat about where you are presently, you're an uncut diamond and in the eyes of the Lord, you are beautiful. As you grow to know the Lord, without realising it, things will fall into place, just keep asking the Lord, like I did when I asked Him to prove to me that He existed.

I'm not sure if I've helped you with this very long post and I don't normally come into this part of the forum but I felt led to share what I shared.

God bless you sis and keep digging.

LP

 

[ephraimanesti]

I know you are trying to help, but it is people like you why people do not want to be Christians. Those without sin cast the first stone. Please, do not reply to anymore of my questions. Your ignorant posts are not wanted by me or appreciated.

MEA CULPA! No offense intended.

A BOND-SLAVE OF CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[New_Found_Faith]

I really like your reply. What are your thoughts on Adam and Eve? Do you think it is a metaphor for something truly worse that happened or literal? I know Adam and Eve disobeyed, but to damn the whole human race for their minuscule mistake seems quite ridiculous. I just feel that there is more to the story and I will not understand how it could make sense until I see God. I feel in my heart that the only reason you would go to hell would be to reject Jesus and not accept him as your savior.

Truthseeker,

You did not quote the person you are replying to, so I hope I am not the one with the post you disliked. If I am, I apologise.

I will assume you liked my reply, and so I will tell you that my thoughts on the creation story are simple; it is a metaphor that contains a whole lot of truth and symbolism.

There are certain things to take away from reading the creation story, certain main ideas. In a nutshell, the creation story taught me that:

-God created all things, including man
-Man is created (though imperfectly) in God's image
-Man has inherited a predisopsition to commit sins and make choices that are bad for us
-Our bad choices go against God's will (because they cause us harm and he loves us) and are called sins
-These sins inevitably lead to destruction, and overall negative consequences for mankind

And to be honest, I've been down that path of "well I have to accept Jesus or else God will send me to hell" or the general path of God punishing us for our sins, but really the conclusion that I've come to (and it is simply a personal opinion) is that God doesn't punish us. Our sin is what punishes us.

For example if I steal a car and go to prison, is that God's punishment? I don't think so. It's the consequence for my actions. All actions inevitably cause reactions.

If I have premarital sex at age 17, get a girl pregnant and lose an opportunity to go to college because I have to raise a kid, is God punishing me? No, I've just made bad decisions that are going to have adverse consequences on my life.

I think God just tries to save us, and he can save us, he doesn't try to condemn us. IMO, when God condemns actions or people in the bible it is a personification of the consequences of destructive behavior.

So I guess in conclusion, if I've made my point, I just want to say that there's much more to God, and much more to Christianity than legalism and literalist interpretations of scripture. There's more than one way to look at things.

Just understand that God exists, and he loves everbody. Figure everything else out for yourself, and just remember that if it doesn't smell right it probably isn't. There's more than one side to the story and more than one way to look at things, and you can still be a Christian if you look at things differently on some topics.

Happy New Year, btw.

 

[drich0150]

I want to believe in God but many of the things that happened in the old testament I think were man inspired and the laws of the land at that time. I do not believe the story of "Job" should be in the bible. I am not against homosexuality or alternative lifestyles. It is hard for me to come to terms with all the killing in the old testament. I do not care if God told me to kill everyone in a village, I am not going to kill a baby.

Perhaps, instead of trying to reconcile all of scripture with one foot still in this world and another wanting to follow God, you should focus your efforts on just strengthening your relationship with him first. Meaning find a church that focuses more on relationship and less on the virtues, and literal or figurative translations of the old testament. Without the Holy Spirit to guide or direct you in your thoughts it will be hard to understand all of what and why we have the old testament let a lone reconcile all of the verses, and books that separate Judaism and Christianity. (Like Job..)

A little research, or even if you just plug in some brand name denominations into wikipedia you'll get a pretty good Idea as to what they focus there time on.. Remember this is just as way to strengthen your spirit and help you learn to reconcile your faith. Proper knowledge of scripture is important, but "proper knowledge" is not a set standard, it grows with you. Meaning what one should know as a person seeking answers and Christ won't be the same as someone who is at the end of their journey, and is facing eternity.

There is alot more written after Malachi, and I believe as a person young in the faith more of your time should be spent there, unless you plan on devoting your life to Judaism.

It seems to me there are people who are not Christian who live better lives then some people who call themselves Christian. What about people who have been abused by people who call themselves Christian. what if these abused people are so scared by what these false Christians did, that the mere thought of god scares that person to death? I have many reasons why my spirituality is conflict.

I'm sure you have many valid reason as to why your "Spirituality is in conflict." Just know that religion and true Christianity are not always the same. Religion is mans attempt to worship God apart from, or outside of what scripture asks of us.. As such the "religious" aspect of worship in any church or belief system can be whatever we choose to make of it.. Often times religion comes in the form of spiritual chains and bondage to specific understandings of scripture and/or strict adherence of a specific style of worship.. Just know this is not God's doing, It's ours.


The Holy Spirit can be a great tool used to discern or separate religion from God. The Holy Spirit can only be obtained through a want or relationship for Jesus. If you feel you have this then in Lk.11:5 tells you how to get the Holy Spirit.
5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness[e] he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"



Just remember to Ask, Seek, and Knock on Heavens door in Prayer till you get what you want. (The Holy Spirit)

I do not want to go to hell, but I do not want to live my life in a way that makes everyone else happy. I am more comfortable being myself. It seems to me that many people who are free spirits are happier then people who are fundamentalist and repressed. Anyone know if there are others like me?

In true Christianity, your not living for yourself or others. You Live to Love God. This concept may sound foreign if you've never lived this way before, but once you have found the purpose in which you have been created and live that purpose out with all of your being... Then it won't matter so much what you look like to others. Happiness or Joy comes in the form of contentment.. Not with Just your spiritual life, but with everything else.

---------------------

May I ask a unrelated favor? when you respond to a post click on the "Quote" button in the bottom corner of the post, you want to respond to. I have a very hard time trying to figure out who or what you've been writting to.

 

[Truthseeker76]

I think as New Found Faith said not all Christians are 'fundies' and I'm sorry if you have only come across people like that.

I can only offer what I've personally found. I've come from a non Christian background and became a believer in my late 20's. Prior to that I was an atheist from the type of existence where I never considered religion, never thought I needed God. I plodded along with life, partied with my friends and enjoyed whatever life threw at me. I use to say that I came 'kicking and screaming' to Christ but that would be an exaggeration Certainly I never thought I needed God.

When I first came to Christ I was very 'conditional' on what I believed. I'm still quite 'binary' about some things. My biggest objection was on the homosexuality issue as I'd met some really cool individuals from my clubbing days who were gay. Now I'm beginning to understand how the Lord sees stuff like this and the fact that God's love is partial to no one human. He loves the 'judgemental religious bigot' as much as the ones the bigot supposedly hates. It's the sin (rebellion) God can't stand because it's like a brick wall in terms of His love trying to reach through to our hearts. In my case it was my anger, jealousy, bull-headedness, profanity (I swore like a Washer woman as we say in the UK), etc...big long list. Those aspects of me did not immediately disappear when I got saved. It took time. It still takes time.

I had a distinct starting point when I first believed. I had distinct and specific views. I can't say I hold all of those views now. As Paul said in scripture we begin to run a race. The state that we're in at the beginning of the race is different to how we are at the end. This is one thing that doesn't seem to be talked about much in the churches. It's the progression or change that occurs from within. I've observed the finger wagging done at my church by some who do not see the stage that an individual is at in their 'personal race' which is cool when one is onto the 'meat' of the Word. But how I was back then (CRIKEY! 14 years ago tomorrow!) I would have argued tooth and nail if someone came to me like that.

I can't speak for anyone else but I've changed very slowly over time as I have come to know the Lord. I've also learnt so much more since being a mom in that I am not afraid to ask the Lord directly. We grow without realising it as the days, months and years goes by after we are saved. We don't lose our love, compassion, caring - if anything it increases as the Holy Spirit increases within us. I've watched my little one as she pesters and asks and asks and asks me stuff that she doesn't understand - she stops when it computes for her. More recently I'm prayerfully doing that with the Lord over His Bible. Whilst I may not agree with some of incidents that I read, I am now beginning to see the bigger picture as to why things happened Biblically as they did. It takes time.

So don't sweat about where you are presently, you're an uncut diamond and in the eyes of the Lord, you are beautiful. As you grow to know the Lord, without realising it, things will fall into place, just keep asking the Lord, like I did when I asked Him to prove to me that He existed.

I'm not sure if I've helped you with this very long post and I don't normally come into this part of the forum but I felt led to share what I shared.

God bless you sis and keep digging.

LP

Thank you, so very much ! I am going to try to seek more answers to my questions. I work and go to college so it is hard to find time to do anything. I would like to learn from you if you ever have the time. You seem to have a sound mind and very good insight.

 

[salida]

Liberal christians can tend to pick and chose what they like in the Bible. All the Bible is very important. Many times we read what we want but ignore other parts that are just as important. Its like picking and chosing certain foods that feel good - but is all this food good for you? Its about changing all our desires to be like Christ. He gave all of his life and God expects us to give all of our life. Also, as christians we will be much more effective as salt to the world if we embrace all the Bible. Why? 2 Timothy 3:16 - all scripture is for reproof, correction......

***I would first strengthen your relationship with God first by praying, going to a bible study, reading the Bible daily and surrounding myself with other christians who are whole heartedly for Christ.

The Old Testament was when God was using the Israelites as a nation to the world. And they did animal sacrifices to cover their sins because Jesus didn't come yet. The New Testament which is a fulfillment of the Old Testament - We are saved through grace by faith and all of our sins are taken away because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.

I have prayed for you.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

Thank you, so very much ! I am going to try to seek more answers to my questions. I work and go to college so it is hard to find time to do anything. I would like to learn from you if you ever have the time. You seem to have a sound mind and very good insight.

I give thanks to the Most High for what he has given. That was very kind of you to say that, and I appreciate it very much.

Work AND college brings back 'fond' memories of when I did my degree. You have my sympathies

I will do my best to help you (though I don't have all the answers myself). Drop me a pm when you get the chance. I'd also suggest if you can to keep this thread going so that you can also gain from the more knowledgeable brother and sisters in Christ who frequent these boards.

Keep running the race!

Big Hugs
LP

 

[FredSmith]

If I do decide to be a full fledged Christian again I want to be a liberal this time.

Why do you want to be a Christian?

I am only going to live my life by what Jesus and God said directly and everything else I am just going to use as a reference. I want to believe in God but many of the things that happened in the old testament I think were man inspired and the laws of the land at that time. I do not believe the story of "Job" should be in the bible. I am not against homosexuality or alternative lifestyles.

Then you're not ready to be a Christian. If you don't believe God's word and you're not able to call sin "sin", then Christianity isn't for you.

Besides, if you don't believe the Old Testament, then you're not going to believe the New Testament, either, because the New Testament is based on the Old Testamant.

 

[Truthseeker76]

Truthseeker,

You did not quote the person you are replying to, so I hope I am not the one with the post you disliked. If I am, I apologise.

I will assume you liked my reply, and so I will tell you that my thoughts on the creation story are simple; it is a metaphor that contains a whole lot of truth and symbolism.

There are certain things to take away from reading the creation story, certain main ideas. In a nutshell, the creation story taught me that:

-God created all things, including man
-Man is created (though imperfectly) in God's image
-Man has inherited a predisopsition to commit sins and make choices that are bad for us
-Our bad choices go against God's will (because they cause us harm and he loves us) and are called sins
-These sins inevitably lead to destruction, and overall negative consequences for mankind

And to be honest, I've been down that path of "well I have to accept Jesus or else God will send me to hell" or the general path of God punishing us for our sins, but really the conclusion that I've come to (and it is simply a personal opinion) is that God doesn't punish us. Our sin is what punishes us.

For example if I steal a car and go to prison, is that God's punishment? I don't think so. It's the consequence for my actions. All actions inevitably cause reactions.

If I have premarital sex at age 17, get a girl pregnant and lose an opportunity to go to college because I have to raise a kid, is God punishing me? No, I've just made bad decisions that are going to have adverse consequences on my life.

I think God just tries to save us, and he can save us, he doesn't try to condemn us. IMO, when God condemns actions or people in the bible it is a personification of the consequences of destructive behavior.

So I guess in conclusion, if I've made my point, I just want to say that there's much more to God, and much more to Christianity than legalism and literalist interpretations of scripture. There's more than one way to look at things.

Just understand that God exists, and he loves everbody. Figure everything else out for yourself, and just remember that if it doesn't smell right it probably isn't. There's more than one side to the story and more than one way to look at things, and you can still be a Christian if you look at things differently on some topics.

Happy New Year, btw.

You are one of the people replying that has helped me the most. I was irritated by the older gentlemen who was just trying to bash me with scripture instead of explaining anything to me.

 

[Truthseeker76]

Why do you want to be a Christian?



Then you're not ready to be a Christian. If you don't believe God's word and you're not able to call sin "sin", then Christianity isn't for you.

Besides, if you don't believe the Old Testament, then you're not going to believe the New Testament, either, because the New Testament is based on the Old Testamant.

Wow instead of explaining anything to me, you decide to play God and tell me what I can and cannot do. Does God know you are trying to do his job? I am sorry maybe it was my fault for not being more up front. I would like to speak to educated, freethinking Christians only please and not close minded bigots.

 

[LadyVictoria]

With all due respect Truthseeker, you are being just as closeminded as you claim some others are being. If one person on this thread has told you something you didn't want to hear, you have become very rude to them. By all means, if you didn't want to hear what they thought, why in the world did you ask?

Now, on to my answer (which you probably aren't going to like and you may go ahead and label me a bigot as better labeled a bigot by you than a sinner and unfit for heaven by my Lord ok?) you can't be a full-fledged liberal and a Christian at the same time and I think that is what it sounds you are pushing for. One of the great and wonderful things about Christianity that our society lacks more and more is boundaries. There is right and wrong in Christianity. I happen to fully agree with this as everything cannot be right. There have to be some limits as to what can go on with people. If people can't set them (and clearly they can't), then God should. Of course, He knew this long before we were even here and that is why He did.

I see that one of the main problems you have is the non-acceptance of homosexuality by Christians. Please keep in mind that when Christians shun homosexuality, they are only doing what God precisely told them to do. Nothing more, nothing less. I think that if you will sit and read the bible and take what it says to heart instead of what you want it to say, you will see that the bible is absolutely clear on homosexuality. It says clearly that there is no place in heaven for homosexuals. Now, if they repent, change this sinful behavior, and ask for forgiveness this is another story. But if they do not, then it will be between them and God. Not me & them or you & them. So one thing I will give you advice on is to seek God for yourself, not for a group of people that is filled with controversary.

Truthseeker, I also think that you are wanting someone on here to give you some type of a go ahead to practice Christianity by picking and choosing what parts are ok and not ok to believe. I also doubt that you'll get that. But if you want to practice being a Christian in that way- go ahead. It is all between you & God in the end.

Don't worry to repost to me about being rude or a bigot. I won't be back to this thread. With all due respect, I cannot or will not tell you what you want someone to tell you which is that being a liberal and a Christian at the same time is how it is supposed to be done. Because I do not believe that and I'm not willing to risk my very soul because society tells me that I should believe it.

Best of luck to you.

 

[FredSmith]

Wow instead of explaining anything to me, you decide to play God and tell me what I can and cannot do. Does God know you are trying to do his job? I am sorry maybe it was my fault for not being more up front. I would like to speak to educated, freethinking Christians only please and not close minded bigots.

Umm...all I did was ask you why you want to be a Christian.

If merely being asked why you want to be a Christian makes you flip out like that, then Christianity probably isn't for you.

And just so you know, about your "educated comment", I've got two Masters' degrees and am currently completing a third, and have been in ministry for more than ten years, so I think I know a little about Christianity and what the Biblical requirements are to be a Christian.

If you really want to, I'm sure you can find plenty of liberal churches where you can walk in and just sign up and play at being a Christian. But if you really want to be a Biblical Christian, the kind Jesus taught us to be, then you need to seriously examine your attitude and ask yourself some very difficult questions.

 

[FredSmith]

I see that one of the main problems you have is the non-acceptance of homosexuality by Christians. Please keep in mind that when Christians shun homosexuality, they are only doing what God precisely told them to do. Nothing more, nothing less. I think that if you will sit and read the bible and take what it says to heart instead of what you want it to say, you will see that the bible is absolutely clear on homosexuality. It says clearly that there is no place in heaven for homosexuals. Now, if they repent, change this sinful behavior, and ask for forgiveness this is another story. But if they do not, then it will be between them and God. Not me & them or you & them. So one thing I will give you advice on is to seek God for yourself, not for a group of people that is filled with controversary.

I agree. Not only that, but how can you be a Christian if you don't believe the OT, when the OT is so crucual to the foudations of Christianity. It's like building a house with no foundation.

 

[ephraimanesti]

I would like to speak to educated, freethinking Christians

Pointing out respectfully, my sister, that "freethinking Christians" is an oxymoron.

ephraim

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

I was just wondering if everyone can take a little step back for a moment to this thread.

What I saw in Truthseeker's post was how I was 14 years ago just at the brink of getting saved. I'll be honest and say that if someone said to me, "You're attitude stinks - maybe Christianity isn't for you" I'd have picked myself up off the floor, after finishing laughing very hard and then tell the individual a few anglo-saxon-based expletives before leaving Christianity waaayyy behind. BUT, that was not what the Lord intended for my life. The Lord loves us just as we are no matter what we're spiritually "covered in" when He chooses to call us. It is indeed up to Him to change us and for some of us, it takes His input to alter our initial POV.

I do say this in love as the typed word is no good at expressing emotions. Whilst it is good for us to not hold back on truth, it is not for us as believers to determine who should or shouldn't choose the Lord.

Remember John 15:16, it blew my mind the first time I read that on becoming a Christian because I hadn't chosen to become a Christian primarily due to my objections to the faith and to what I perceived or understood as being in the Bible. But the Lord still chose me - a foul mouthed, ex-night clubbing DJ, who disagreed with anything to do with His Son. And through the last 14 years His Spirit has opened my eyes and made me re-evaluate what I first perceived. I am no longer foul mouthed (He did take a while on this one alas but praise Jesus in the car I am down to just calling the erratic dangerous drivers "stupid-heads"), I no longer DJ, I no longer have the desire to do the clubbing scene etc. To this I give Him thanks.

All that I'm saying is to remember that we all have different starting points. Please therefore see Truthseeker as the Lord sees her and as the Lord saw me. We have no idea as to what the Lord is calling her to start up and do.

Just my little tuppence in love.