cvanwey
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- May 10, 2018
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I am here to provide the best answers that I can. What you do with it is up to to you.
Thank you
You also cannot control what you believe.
I don't completely agree with that. We can be open to ideas or closed off. We believe all kind of things and some of those things come with experinces and can change given different experiences and the right frame of mind such as trust in others and ourselves. A kid doing algebra can tell themselves they will never get it and close down and become a self fulfilling prophecy.
Even if you only mean belief in God, people have struggled with doubt and overcome and become stronger for it. It's more about not quitting and getting through the dessert. But like the parable said some fall away when hard times come.
Ah, here lies the crux of the matter. I would agree with what you state above. However, we are speaking about differing topics. I'm speaking about your current belief in something. You cannot will a change in that current belief. Some sort of catalyst would need to take place.
You are instead speaking about the ability to either protect a current belief, by not allowing new catalysts to be presented, or, closing your ears to newly presented catalysts because you are lazy or not interested, which might of then also alter your current belief.
You see the difference?
For example: I do not believe Jesus rose from a tomb. I have been open to all sorts of presented evidence. Nothing, thus far, has changed my current conclusion that "Jesus did not rise from a tomb." This current belief is NOT a choice I feel I have studied the presented evidence available, and I cannot simply will a change in my current belief. If you wish to provide some new evidence, for which I have not already heard, be my guest.
And as Scripture clearly states, for which I would also concur..... "and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain."
Your 'justification' is just as circular as the Muslims. They sometimes will quote Surah 4:82.
I am not arguing the fact that it's circular, I already agreed that it is. I can't help that, but it is still the truth.
Why do you think I posted that verse from Hebrews?
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. God rewards those who diligently seek him but first we must believe that he is.
Then you have demonstrated my point. If what you state IS the truth, then you must also accept the Qur'an as truth. They are both equally circular. If you reject the Qur'an as truth, then you must instead adhere to some sort of catalyst/evidence, which then negates your Hebrews Verse(s)
If an agent has the power to imitate others, can also perform tasks that no human can perform, and is motivated to deceive, then you would have no way of knowing the difference. Maybe this is all a ruse.
I would know the difference.
Then you can begin by demonstrating why the Orthodox Jews are mistaken about Jesus, just for starters.
And if you can successfully complete this task, then you might demonstrate the existence of a 'Holy Spirit'. And then, how you can also discern your own thoughts, verses that of any coming from this claimed 'Holy Spirit'. Good luck with all of this...
Furthermore, if the Holy Spirit does exist, I would reckon He has filled many, and not just you. And as @Loversofjesus_2018 has elegantly pointed out, many whom have the 'Holy Spirit' do not interpret God's Word the same as you. Thus, you have to ask yourself...
Where did I say others did not have the Holy Spirit? I will say again, those who confess Christ will have the Holy Spirit and they will have a very similar take on most passages of scripture. As I also said, we are not perfect, we are all a work in progress and like Peter we can sink. Our mind and flesh, our upbringing and culture can derail us. I already detailed all of that. But as a general rule, our take on scripture will be similar.
I don't know Loversofjesus_2018 to know what their take on particular passages of scripture is. Apart from this page, I don't recall if I have replied to them before.
There are certain principles every born again believer would agree on. In my post to Loversofjesus_2018 I answered their question about interpretation, you might want to go and read that. Some people have studied the scriptures for years and others are brand new, we don't all know everything overnight. There is also gifting in different areas so one person may have a ministry in teaching in a particular area of scripture. This is why there are teachers and preachers.
If by interpretation it is really a twisting of scripture or a denial of scripture such as saying Jesus was not God in the flesh then no that person does not have the Holy Spirit.
If it is a division over a small matter such as if a man should have long hair or not then I would say those are squabbling matters.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
There is a difference between heresy and taking a different view over minor matters.
What you state above presents contradiction.
You state all that receive the Holy Spirit will have a similar take on things. Let's test this...
- old earth (vs) young earth
- global flood (vs) local flood (vs) no flood / metaphorical
Reading the first few Chapters, what ARE the answer(s)? You claim to have the 'Spirit'. Please enlighten all of us?
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