For the sake of argument, let's say God exists

[Inan3]

Are you afraid to answer my question? Man up already. It's a hypothetical.

Man up??? Is that like putting on a "man coat"? God forbid that I would ever have to "man" up. No I just think I will stay as I am. Oh and I do know what you meant by that ... it just sounded so funny for you to say "man up" to a woman. Anyway, I "man up" and hopefully answer your questions below.

No, as a Christian right now, if a Hindu came up to you and said those words, what would you think?

Let me repeat it:

I know what it is like to be a Hindu...to be born of Vishnu and to know him. I know what it is like to be led of the Spirit of Vishnu. I, also, know what it is like to be a non-Hindu...unsaved, lost, and without Vishnu and that is what it like to be an atheist or a Christian or a Muslim etc. Vishnu for ALL humanity. Vishnu is it.

I would honestly say, "what are you talking about? This is not what Hindus believe!"

But I think what you are trying to find out from me is can I understand how you feel or think when I say those things to you or possibly a Hindu about my faith. To that I say YES, I can understand.

Now I ask you did you understand that I was saying? I've been in both places, as a Christian and as a non-Christian. In saying that, I am saying, I believe a non-Christian is without God. When I say God, I am talking about the God "I" believe in. I think all atheists would agree in that case they are without God. I believe a Muslim and a Hindu would agree that they do not believe in the God I believe in and so they would agree they are without God, also.

I hope that answers your question. I hope I have finally "manned up!"

 

[Lion Hearted Man]

Man up??? Is that like putting on a "man coat"? God forbid that I would ever have to "man" up. No I just think I will stay as I am. Oh and I do know what you meant by that ... it just sounded so funny for you to say "man up" to a woman. Anyway, I "man up" and hopefully answer your questions below.

...

I would honestly say, "what are you talking about? This is not what Hindus believe!"

But I think what you are trying to find out from me is can I understand how you feel or think when I say those things to you or possibly a Hindu about my faith. To that I say YES, I can understand.

Now I ask you did you understand that I was saying? I've been in both places, as a Christian and as a non-Christian. In saying that, I am saying, I believe a non-Christian is without God. When I say God, I am talking about the God "I" believe in. I think all atheists would agree in that case they are without God. I believe a Muslim and a Hindu would agree that they do not believe in the God I believe in and so they would agree they are without God, also.

I hope that answers your question. I hope I have finally "manned up!"

Well you're trying to move the goal posts. How about I change the religion. I am trying to make a specific point...

What if I said to you...

I know what it is like to be a Muslim...to be born of Allah and to know him. I know what it is like to be led by Allah. I, also, know what it is like to be a non-Muslim...unsaved, lost, and without Allah and that is what it like to be an atheist or a Christian or a Hindu etc. Allah for ALL humanity. Allah is the One True God.

Would you find my testimony convincing?

 

[Inan3]

Mentioning again that it would be a courtesy to all if you would use a different font colour. Its difficult and somewhat painful to read this one.

I'm not ready to do that, yet. I think, though, I will extend one courtesy to each one who asks. This is yours.

 

[Inan3]

...



Well you're trying to move the goal posts. How about I change the religion. I am trying to make a specific point...

What if I said to you...

I know what it is like to be a Muslim...to be born of Allah and to know him. I know what it is like to be led by Allah. I, also, know what it is like to be a non-Muslim...unsaved, lost, and without Allah and that is what it like to be an atheist or a Christian or a Hindu etc. Allah for ALL humanity. Allah is the One True God.


Would you find my testimony convincing?

Well, as I was reading your 1st question (before I saw your last question) I was thinking if someone really said that to me I would think "well, whatever, I disagree", and then I would try to find a door open to talk to them about Jesus.

BUT......

When I saw your question "Would you find my testimony convincing?" I thought he must want some OTHER answer. So this is what I have to say about the last question. IF you mean do I think you would sound "convincing/sincere" I would say, "yes." BUT IF you mean would you "convince" me to believe it your way by that statement, I would say "no".

Does THIS answer you question? If not, I'm not getting it, so please tell me what specific point you are getting at.

 

[Lion Hearted Man]

Well, as I was reading your 1st question (before I saw your last question) I was thinking if someone really said that to me I would think "well, whatever, I disagree", and then I would try to find a door open to talk to them about Jesus.

BUT......

When I saw your question "Would you find my testimony convincing?" I thought he must want some OTHER answer. So this is what I have to say about the last question. IF you mean do I think you would sound "convincing/sincere" I would say, "yes." BUT IF you mean would you "convince" me to believe it your way by that statement, I would say "no".

Does THIS answer you question? If not, I'm not getting it, so please tell me what specific point you are getting at.

The point I'm getting at is that the rhetoric you are using to tell us about your faith is not the kind of rhetoric you would accept from someone of a different faith. So why should you expect any of us to believe anything you are saying when you wouldn't be convinced either?

 

[Inan3]

The point I'm getting at is that the rhetoric you are using to tell us about your faith is not the kind of rhetoric you would accept from someone of a different faith. So why should you expect any of us to believe anything you are saying when you wouldn't be convinced either?

Well, just for the record, I'm not expecting you to believe or be convinced about God or the way I believe JUST because I make statements of my faith. I make these statements so you can know who I am and why I believe what I do. I can NEVER convince anyone to believe. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. I can only share my testimony and my faith in God and most importantly, the scriptures on which I base my faith. That's all a Christian is supposed to do. "Give a reason of the hope that is in us."

BTW this is part of what I "believe" so that is the reason I do what I do. In other words, I am doing what I believe in. Can you see that it is part of my faith, to tell others? I don't do it because I think I'm better and want you all to know it. I do it because I believe that is what God and my Lord have told me to do. It is part of my belief.

 

[Lion Hearted Man]

Well, just for the record, I'm not expecting you to believe or be convinced about God or the way I believe JUST because I make statements of my faith. I make these statements so you can know who I am and why I believe what I do. I can NEVER convince anyone to believe. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. I can only share my testimony and my faith in God and most importantly, the scriptures on which I base my faith. That's all a Christian is supposed to do. "Give a reason of the hope that is in us."

BTW this is part of what I "believe" so that is the reason I do what I do. In other words, I am doing what I believe in. Can you see that it is part of my faith, to tell others? I don't do it because I think I'm better and want you all to know it. I do it because I believe that is what God and my Lord have told me to do. It is part of my belief.

But if your testimony, by your own admission, can never convince anyone, why is it important that you keep making these statements?

 

[Hespera]

I'm not ready to do that, yet. I think, though, I will extend one courtesy to each one who asks. This is yours.

Meaning after this you will use pink when addressing me?

 

[Inan3]

Meaning after this you will use pink when addressing me?

Yes, as I do everyone.

 

[Inan3]

But if your testimony, by your own admission, can never convince anyone, why is it important that you keep making these statements?

Well, first of all. You keep asking me questions.

Second of all and most of all, God uses our words to bring men to Him. We are His ambassadors. The scriptures say that GOD has CHOSEN to do this. I find that the following scriptures, although written many years ago to the Corinthian church, are so fitting for today and particularly for this forum. It is almost like it was written just for it (in fact it was).

1Co 1:17 Christ did not send me to baptize. He sent me to tell the Good News, and to tell it without using the language of human wisdom, in order to make sure that Christ's death on the cross is not robbed of its power.
1Co 1:18 For the message about Christ's death on the cross is nonsense to those who are lost; but for us who are being saved it is God's power.
1Co 1:19 The scripture says, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and set aside the understanding of the scholars."
1Co 1:20 So then, where does that leave the wise? or the scholars? or the skillful debaters of this world? God has shown that this world's wisdom is foolishness!
1Co 1:21 For God in his wisdom made it IMPOSSIBLE for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called "foolish" message we preach, God decided to save those who believe.
1Co 1:22 Jews want miracles for proof, and Greeks look for wisdom.
1Co 1:23 As for us, we proclaim the crucified Christ, a message that is offensive to the Jews and NONESENSE to the Gentiles;
1Co 1:24 but for those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles, this message is Christ, who is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Co 1:25 For what seems to be God's foolishness is WISER than human wisdom, and what seems to be God's weakness is STRONGER than human strength.
1Co 1:26 Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing.
1Co 1:27 God PURPOSEFULLY chose what the world considers NONSENSE in order to SHAME the wise, and he chose what the world considers WEAK in order to SHAME the powerful.
1Co 1:28 He chose what the world LOOKS DOWN ON and DESPISES and thinks IS NOTHING in order to DESTROY what the world thinks is important.
1Co 1:29 This means that no one can boast in God's presence.


There is a time coming that will tell it all. God judges us by what we do with what we have heard. We are judged by whether or not we accept what Christ has done for us not for our particular sins. In reality rejecting Christ is basically all that keeps us from God.

 

[Lion Hearted Man]

Your testimony is no more convincing and you have no more evidence than anyone of any other religion. Why should I think you have all the right answers?

 

[Inan3]

Your testimony is no more convincing and you have no more evidence than anyone of any other religion. Why should I think you have all the right answers?

My testimony is designed to lead you to the Word of God. My testimony is that I believed in Christ and received what He did for ME personally. My testimony is that by seeking for truth in the scriptures I found it and found God. BUT my testimony is ONLY to point you in the direction of God and His Word to YOU. Who "I" am is only a tool by which God reaches out to YOU. As I give you my testimony or tell you of Christ, God speaks to you. He calls you. He reaches out to you. I DON'T have all the answers but HE does. I guarantee that if you seek God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son AND you also seek Vishnu or Allah and you sincerely want to know who is real then you will find that ONLY God the Father and Jesus will answer you. They are the ONLY ones that can! The others are not real are not gods. They are made up. There is ONLY ONE GOD LH. Stop fighting Him and pushing Him away. He loves you.

 

[Upisoft]

I guarantee that if you seek God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son AND you also seek Vishnu or Allah and you sincerely want to know who is real then you will find that ONLY God the Father and Jesus will answer you.

It didn't happen to me. No one answered. Much like Allah did not answer to you. You concluded that Allah is just an imagination. Now am I justified to conclude that Jesus is just imagination too?

 

[Nathan Poe]

My testimony is designed to lead you to the Word of God.

let's call it a poor design and leave it at that.

My testimony is that I believed in Christ and received what He did for ME personally. My testimony is that by seeking for truth in the scriptures I found it and found God. BUT my testimony is ONLY to point you in the direction of God and His Word to YOU.

Fair enough -- if this is what you believe your testimony to be.

Who "I" am is only a tool by which God reaches out to YOU. As I give you my testimony or tell you of Christ, God speaks to you.

This always smacks of hubris to me -- if God were using you as a tool to reach out to nonbelievers, wouldn't it stand to reason that He'd make you better at it? You've got fellow Christians doubting your words and motivations, to say nothing of nonbelievers such as myself.

Could it be that this notion of God using you as a tool is less His idea and more of your opinion of yourself?

 

[mzungu]

My testimony is designed to lead you to the Word of God. My testimony is that I believed in Christ and received what He did for ME personally. My testimony is that by seeking for truth in the scriptures I found it and found God. BUT my testimony is ONLY to point you in the direction of God and His Word to YOU. Who "I" am is only a tool by which God reaches out to YOU. As I give you my testimony or tell you of Christ, God speaks to you. He calls you. He reaches out to you. I DON'T have all the answers but HE does. I guarantee that if you seek God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son AND you also seek Vishnu or Allah and you sincerely want to know who is real then you will find that ONLY God the Father and Jesus will answer you. They are the ONLY ones that can! The others are not real are not gods. They are made up. There is ONLY ONE GOD LH. Stop fighting Him and pushing Him away. He loves you.

The funny thing is that it is just such testimony like yours that lead me to abandon religion altogether!

I have witnessed children die of hunger. I have witnessed lynchings and acts of God that destroyed people who actually were very pious Christians. Yet you insist this invisible God loves them?
I believe that Jesus was a real person but just like the early Christians before the synod of Nice; I do not believe he is God. Also I do not believe in any God for that matter.

Hypocrites and Pharisees!

 

[AV1611VET]

I have witnessed lynchings and acts of God that destroyed people who actually were very pious Christians.

It's interesting that that's the very thing that led to Saul of Tarsus getting saved -- witnessing the stoning of Stephen.

Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

Do you know that Jesus is always seen as 'seated' at the right hand of God; but when Stephen is stoned to death, it's the one time in Scripture that you see Him standing.

Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

 

[Lion Hearted Man]

It's interesting that that's the very thing that led to Saul of Tarsus getting saved -- witnessing the stoning of Stephen.

Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

Do you know that Jesus is always seen as 'seated' at the right hand of God; but when Stephen is stoned to death, it's the one time in Scripture that you see Him standing.

Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Saul was pretty ok with the death of Stephen. He held the coats. That didn't convert him. It wasn't until Jesus' divine revelation to him on the road to Damascus did he convert.

 

[Leetposter]

It's called faith, bud

 

[AV1611VET]

Saul was pretty ok with the death of Stephen. He held the coats. That didn't convert him. It wasn't until Jesus' divine revelation to him on the road to Damascus did he convert.

Yes, I know; but it bothered his conscious so much, he eventually did.

His Spirit influenced the heart of this martyr to pray for his destroyers; and could such prayers fail? No: Saul of Tarsus, in all probability was the first fruits of them. St. Augustine has properly remarked, Si Stephanus non orasset, ecclesia Paulum non haberet. If Stephen had not prayed, the Church of Christ could not have numbered among her saints the apostle of the Gentiles. Let this example teach us at once the spirit that becomes a disciple of Christ, the efficacy of prayer, and the unbounded philanthropy of God.

Note also:

Acts 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

 

[Hespera]

Yes, as I do everyone.

'k if you ever do want me to read another of your posts you will know what to do