Do you ever wish?

[Monna]

I don't care about the righteousness part I care about the regardless of what they did, God still was with them.

Exactly!!!!

And He is with you! (Your conscience wouldn't be bothering you otherwise.)

 

[Vyrzaharak]

Jesus is who he claims to Be,

That may or may not be, but it doesn't excuse the objective reality that Christianity is nothing if anything about Yehshua proves to be a lie.

 

[LostChildinTheMidst]

That may or may not be, but it doesn't excuse the objective reality that Christianity is nothing if anything about Yehshua proves to be a lie.

The father and Jesus Christ are one christianity IS, because Jesus Christ was and is God.

 

[Vyrzaharak]

The father and Jesus Christ are one christianity IS, because Jesus Christ was and is God.

Nothing you're stating changes the point that Christianity is absolutely nothing without Christ. Everything Christianity ever has done or promoted, it all depends solely on Yeh'shua... that if there is no Christ, there is zero reason for Christianity's existence.

 

[LostChildinTheMidst]

Nothing you're stating changes the point that Christianity is absolutely nothing without Christ. Everything Christianity ever has done or promoted, it all depends solely on Yeh'shua... that if there is no Christ, there is zero reason for Christianity's existence.

lol I'm agreeing with you on that. Jesus Christ IS CHRISTIANITY

 

[Monna]

Jesus Christ IS CHRISTIANITY

More specifically, the physically resurrected Jesus Christ is Chrstianity.

 

[ananda]

Please friend, Buddhism isn't the way.

How do you figure that?

 

[ananda]

That is, sadly, Christianity's biggest flaw. Knowing that if Yeh'shua is not what he claimed to be, that the entirety of Christianity itself comes crashing down.

I agree. And, I have not met him. I have no direct knowledge if he is exactly what the Bible claims him to be, if he was something else altogether, or if he never really existed.

 

[Monna]

I wish I could say I met Christ (the person), and know with a certainty of his existence and nature, but I do not. That was one reason why I embraced Buddhism.

What better proof do you have that Buddha existed? And since you seem to be content with a religion that is not based on a personal relationship, why would it matter to you that you never met Jesus?

There is as much evidence that Jesus lived as there is for many other people of the same time.

But the real point of the Christian faith (as opposed to the Christian religion) is faith, belief. The scriptures make this clear. Those who come to God, those who hear his voice, must believe that He is.

 

[ananda]

What better proof do you have that Buddha existed? And since you seem to be content with a religion that is not based on a personal relationship, why would it matter to you that you never met Jesus?

There is as much evidence that Jesus lived as there is for many other people of the same time.

But the real point of the Christian faith (as opposed to the Christian religion) is faith, belief. The scriptures make this clear. Those who come to God, those who hear his voice, must believe that He is.

What compelling reason is there to have faith in Jesus, and not in Zeus, or Allah, Thor, Ahura-Mazda, or Aten?

I have no proof that Buddha existed. Since early Buddhism is not based on faith in the Teacher (Buddha), details about his/her/its existence is largely irrelevant. Instead, what matters far more to Buddhists like myself are the Buddhist teachings "to be seen here & now, timeless, inviting verification, pertinent, to be realized by the wise for themselves."

On the other hand, since faith in the Teacher (Jesus) is paramount in Christianity, the truths regarding his existence, acts, sacrifice, etc. are supremely important. Evidence for his alleged existence does not equal proof of his existence, nor does such evidence conclusively verify his acts, sacrifice, etc.

 

[Monna]

That is, sadly, Christianity's biggest flaw. Knowing that if Yeh'shua is not what he claimed to be, that the entirety of Christianity itself comes crashing down.

No my friend, that is not a flaw. You make the conditional "if Yeshua is not what he claimed to be," without exploring the opposite ... what are the real implications "if he actually did rise from the dead?" That's the rub. It's easy to believe he didn't, and let life go on. But "if he did" its a total game changer. And that is what his true followers believe and experience. You can find many people who know Jesus and find him to be far more than they ever expected.

Jesus himself said, "blessed are they who believe in me without ever seeing me." Paul was very upfront about the immense importance of the resurrection of Jesus, saying that if it wasn't true, followers of Christ are the most deluded of all people. Of all the apostles he was the most educated, he had never met Jesus before Jesus death, he was a sceptic, but he believed so intensely after his encounter with Jesus that he endured more than you or I probably ever will. If Jesus was a fraud and his resurrection wasn't actual, why would the other eleven apostles and hundreds of other people in their company go through the persecution and final execution (except John)? Very soon after the crucifixion and the collapse of all his hopes, Peter returned to fishing, his former profession. But he met the resurrected Jesus and abandoned his profession (again) and ultimately died for it. Why, if it was all nonsense? It doesn't make sense if the resurrection didn't happen. And Paul makes clear that believing the resurrection is fundamental to Christian faith.

Trust, belief in God to the extent that it affects your behaviour (i.e. not simply mental assent) has been the key from the very beginning. It was the failure of Adam and Eve (and we are all Adam and Eve) to believe that what God said was true that was the cause of the broken relationship. And only a return to that belief, that trust, is going to restore the relationship (and all relationships). If you rest your relationship on "scientific evidence" you may achieve mental assent, but you won't achieve a relationship that is enduring. No true relationship will survive if there isn't trust.

 

[LostChildinTheMidst]

How do you figure that?

Because Jesus is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the father except through him

 

[Vyrzaharak]

No my friend, that is not a flaw.

It is a flaw. Without Christ, there is no Christianity.

You make the conditional "if Yeshua is not what he claimed to be," without exploring the opposite ... what are the real implications "if he actually did rise from the dead?" That's the rub. It's easy to believe he didn't, and let life go on. But "if he did" its a total game changer. And that is what his true followers believe and experience. You can find many people who know Jesus and find him to be far more than they ever expected.

What if you wake up tomorrow, realizing everything you believe about Christ to be false? You won't honestly remain a Christian, because everything in Christianity is dependent on Christ being who he is. You act like I haven't explored the opposite, and I have. It is a flaw, as Paul said so himself.

Jesus himself said, "blessed are they who believe in me without ever seeing me." Paul was very upfront about the immense importance of the resurrection of Jesus, saying that if it wasn't true, followers of Christ are the most deluded of all people. Of all the apostles he was the most educated, he had never met Jesus before Jesus death, he was a sceptic, but he believed so intensely after his encounter with Jesus that he endured more than you or I probably ever will. If Jesus was a fraud and his resurrection wasn't actual, why would the other eleven apostles and hundreds of other people in their company go through the persecution and final execution (except John)? Very soon after the crucifixion and the collapse of all his hopes, Peter returned to fishing, his former profession. But he met the resurrected Jesus and abandoned his profession (again) and ultimately died for it. Why, if it was all nonsense? It doesn't make sense if the resurrection didn't happen. And Paul makes clear that believing the resurrection is fundamental to Christian faith.

Paul is making my entire point.

Trust, belief in God to the extent that it affects your behaviour (i.e. not simply mental assent) has been the key from the very beginning. It was the failure of Adam and Eve (and we are all Adam and Eve) to believe that what God said was true that was the cause of the broken relationship. And only a return to that belief, that trust, is going to restore the relationship (and all relationships). If you rest your relationship on "scientific evidence" you may achieve mental assent, but you won't achieve a relationship that is enduring. No true relationship will survive if there isn't trust.

Nothing of which has any relevance to what I argued.

 

[LostChildinTheMidst]

It is a flaw. Without Christ, there is no Christianity.



What if you wake up tomorrow, realizing everything you believe about Christ to be false? You won't honestly remain a Christian, because everything in Christianity is dependent on Christ being who he is. You act like I haven't explored the opposite, and I have. It is a flaw, as Paul said so himself.



Paul is making my entire point.



Nothing of which has any relevance to what I argued.

Blessed are those who beleive without seeing because they are justified through faith

 

[LostChildinTheMidst]

It is a flaw. Without Christ, there is no Christianity.



What if you wake up tomorrow, realizing everything you believe about Christ to be false? You won't honestly remain a Christian, because everything in Christianity is dependent on Christ being who he is. You act like I haven't explored the opposite, and I have. It is a flaw, as Paul said so himself.



Paul is making my entire point.



Nothing of which has any relevance to what I argued.

My friend, you are saying 'what if' as if there might be an if. Christianity is true, if it was false what would've been true? Buddhism? Islam? There is an obvious after life and there is but one way to get into the kingdom of God. One of these has to be true. So which would it be? Christianity. What do you believe in dear friend

 

[Vyrzaharak]

Blessed are those who beleive without seeing because they are justified through faith

It doesn't change my point, no matter how many times you quote a phrase.

My friend, you are saying 'what if' as if there might be an if.

You're participating in a discussion on a forum, so of course there is an IF.

Christianity is true, if it was false what would've been true? Buddhism? Islam? There is an obvious after life and there is but one way to get into the kingdom of God. One of these has to be true. So which would it be? Christianity. What do you believe in dear friend

What I believe in is irrelevant to what I've stated, and none of them have to be true. It could be all lies, when my point still stands.

 

[ananda]

Because Jesus is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the father except through him

How did you come about to know that is true? (Note, I'm not asking how you came about to believe that)

 

[Vyrzaharak]

What do you believe in dear friend

Oh, and by the way, if you actually used the tools provided to you by this website, you would be able to conclude what constitutes as my core beliefs.

How did you come about to know that is true? (Note, I'm not asking how you came about to believe that)

Even though you explicitly explained what you're asking, they will still confuse the distinction between believing and knowing.

 

[LostChildinTheMidst]

How did you come about to know that is true? (Note, I'm not asking how you came about to believe that)

Well let's see, I'm not your average Christian. I don't even know if I should call myself a Christian, because I'm still living in darkness (sin.) I've been through so many trials, all of which I have failed. I know this is the truth because the Lord has answered my prayers + there was testimonies I've watched from ex Buddhist monks and muslims who have converted. Christianity is not what it used to be, there's so much confusion and God is not the author of that. I have yet to find out who God is and the only way how is through Jesus Christ. I know this is the truth because the bible has already foretold this would happen.

 

[LostChildinTheMidst]

Oh, and by the way, if you actually used the tools provided to you by this website, you would be able to conclude what constitutes as my core beliefs.



Even though you explicitly explained what you're asking, they will still confuse the distinction between believing and knowing.

Dear friend, if you are angry with Christians I am sorry. But don't put your trust in Christians and blame them for leading you unto the wrong path for their actions dear friend find out who God is on your own and you tell me whether Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam is "the way" the Bible explicitly tells us facts, it's up to you whether to beleive or not it's not about "knowing" and there is a distinct difference between knowing and beleiving. But ofcourse, the gospel sounds foolish to those who are perishing. The whole point is not to know but to believe to trust. Because God knows. We are not god dear friend