How to prove that Christianity is superior?

[Bible Highlighter]

In other words, it is not just Protestants who believe the Bible alone. There are other Christians who claim to be Christian who believe the Bible is their sole authority alone. Some of these are non-demoninational churches (that while they reject the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches), they do not feel it is necessary to have the label of Protestant because their belief existed before the Protestant Reformation. They also prefer not to associate with Luther (Who is believed to have started the Protestant reformation) because his beliefs tend towards the unbiblical teaching of Once Saved Always Saved or a "Plan to Sin Again and still Be Saved" type doctrine. In other words, there are others Christians who believe in Sola Scriptura who are not Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant.

See this link here for those Christian groups (Who believe in Sola Scriptura) who do not believe in Once Saved Always Saved.

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130724151825AAYqdCE

As for Protestantism:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism

...

 

[Deadworm]

As I've said, the Bible is not self-authenticating, but a genuine encounter with the Risen Lord by the power of the Spirit IS self=authenticating, even or especially for Muslims:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...E2EDD28232DE0C1555CDE2EDD28232DE0C1&FORM=VIRE

This Muslim woman's emotional testimony on how Jesus appeared first to her, then to her family in a vision, and then miraculously healed her just might be the most moving video testimony I've ever seen:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...71EA3FC27BFC4DA529AE71EA3FC27BFC4DA&FORM=VIRE

Muslim visions and dreams have made Iran the center of the fastest spread of the Christian faith in the world:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...8A4E8AD1B90D917F08ED8A4E8AD1B90D917&FORM=VIRE

 

[Righttruth]

Dear Right Truth:

By what you said so far, I believe you still need to be convinced that God's Word is truly the Word of God that is divinely inspired and is perfect (and without error).

I agree the Bible is divinely inspired compilation of writings. However, it is wrong to say it is perfect because a mortal man cannot produce something perfect. That is why, hearing the Holy Spirit is spiritually superior to reading. The writings have been manipulated, mistranslated, verses and words added and deleted with varied versions available. Which version and in which language you consider to be without error? Added to this is none of the original manuscripts neither in the OT or NT are now available. Which version and in which language is perfect and free from error? Any such claim(inerrant) is tantamount to a false and blind claim.

Forget the people for a moment. Think about the Bible that God had provided to man. First, most false religions try to add to God's Word long after it was completed (with the book of Revelation).

Such false addition have taken place in the Bible also. Not only that, deletion verses can be seen in different versions.

Second, the Bible itself warns gainst any additions to Scripture within the end of Revelation. So no additional Scripture is to be accepted. Third, the Bible itself is superior to any other document in human history of being accurate and true in many categories of evidences.

It is man-made arrangement. Who decided to remove books from the Catholic canon?

The Bible has been internally verified, historically verified, and scientifically it has been verified.

For there are many great Biblical evidences that back up the Bible. Such as...

You are missing the most important aspect of the Bible, namely, it contains the words of Jesus that lead to eternal life.




Perhaps, you may not be aware of the fact that the Ten Commandments represent the cross. The first six represent the strong vertical fellowship with God the Father and remaining four our represent our relationship with others symbolizing the horizontal fellowship

Jesus is real and the Bible is real and they can change your life if you just repent of your sins and accept Christ as your personal Savior.

That is not the end of the story.

For Women:

You Have a Date...
...

Dating arrangement is not supported by the Bible.

 

[Righttruth]

Agreed. Jesus said, "they will know you are my disciples by your love for one another".

That itself will not make one religion superior. Jesus commands us to love our enemies too. That makes our religion superior.

 

[tickingclocker]

It is very clear, without saying, that I consider myself as a sinner and an imperfect man. But many believe that they have become perfect in believing Jesus and stay put. So, you are not happy with earlier seven churches quoted in the Revelation. Practically all churches have become social clubs basically meant for arranging marriages for gathering money for the coffers and for the last rites to the dead.



God molds a yielding spirit not a complacent one.



Yes, we need His help to change. No transformed life, no salvation. Remember the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.



Please go to some of these deviations: Pentecostal based churches, such as, Assembly of God, Spirit filled, charismatic where loud shouts are considered as voice of God. Then you will understand my plea. I don't mind telling them, but CF rules don't permit.



Preaching without practice is an empty vessel that makes too much of noise.



Why not with full backpacks on them?



You need to attend them to find out what is going on in the Christendom. Otherwise, one would like a frog in a deep well thinking that is the whole world.



Good thing you accept His judgement. All kinds of prayers are being done for worldly prosperity and well being ignoring the simple Lord's prayer that He taught us.



What is a hope for an humble believer cannot be a permanent tag attached at this stage of our life. We know the way, and life and the truth through Jesus, and it must be our endeavor to walk, not sit on the armchair.



Right, HOPE, not assured irrespective of our lives.

The mysterious "all, many, they, others" again, huh?

Well, if not allowed to step out on your convictions, why bother discussing them in vague terms? Do you expect everyone to think you are speaking of their churches (except yours, of course), and "feel guilty"? I for one do not. Your assessment does not describe my church. I feel nothing offensive, especially when we prayerfully recite the "simple Lord's Prayer" every Sunday, by faith. I can understand your concern for church body life. There are churches which have become social clubs where Jesus is an afterthought. You are--hopefully--concerned by their waning status--from love of the brethren. Correct? Instead of loftily damning them to hell without first being earnestly convicted to pray for their return to the Narrow Way? Maybe you have. That's what a loving heart would instinctively do. Perhaps it would be wiser to call for prayer for them, instead of attempting to use vague accusations in a forum where not allowed to name them? Of course, prayer should be called for regardless of the venue. That is what GOD recommends when we think we see our brothers and sisters slipping away from His path. Go to God with your concerns. He is able! Or.... is that what you are afraid of? Who knows? YOUR prayers just might be the what God has chosen to "bring them back to the fold" with??? I personally think they never left, but you obviously do not.

I was led to salvation in a Pentecostal church. Blows your negative accusations out of the water right there. I never really knew what a "Holy Spirit" was before then, having seldom heard the term, despite growing up in a religious atmosphere of an outside the fringe non-Christian church. The Pentecostals taught me so much about the HS, opening my eyes to who Jesus Christ truly is. God deliberately led me to that church, to learn the basics of Christianity I had never been taught before. I'm still learning, too. (No, I am not Pentecostal, but they firmly remain my brothers and sisters in the Lord, in serving the same Lord.... just in a different way.)

Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, reserved in the heavens for you, who by the power of God [are] being guarded through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet 1:3-5)

That says salvation is assured for the believer by the power of GOD, not us. I believe what HE says. Never what Man promotes,

 

[tickingclocker]

People may fall away at any time in their lives.

How interesting that you believe the same thing as... Pentecostal churches. Those very same people you accuse of not sharing the Gospel message while speaking "gibberish". They, too, believe you can "fall away".

Isn't this always the case?

 

[Endtime Survivors]

That itself will not make one religion superior. Jesus commands us to love our enemies too. That makes our religion superior.

Sure, loving our enemies, loving our neighbors; I believe all of Jesus' teachings help to make Christianity superior.

 

[Righttruth]

The mysterious "all, many, they, others" again, huh?

If you don't like those words, it might as well be good if you substituted them with you and me.

Well, if not allowed to step out on your convictions, why bother discussing them in vague terms? Do you expect everyone to think you are speaking of their churches (except yours, of course), and "feel guilty"?

I am not defending the non-denominational church I am attending now. In fact, I have published my opinions in their newsletter highly criticizing their beliefs and activities.

I for one do not. Your assessment does not describe my church. I feel nothing offensive, especially when we prayerfully recite the "simple Lord's Prayer" every Sunday, by faith.

I can read how faith has become a tradition of praying by rote.

I can understand your concern for church body life. There are churches which have become social clubs where Jesus is an afterthought. You are--hopefully--concerned by their waning status--from love of the brethren. Correct?

Yes, because the salvation is at stake.

Instead of loftily damning them to hell without first being earnestly convicted to pray for their return to the Narrow Way? Maybe you have. That's what a loving heart would instinctively do. Perhaps it would be wiser to call for prayer for them, instead of attempting to use vague accusations in a forum where not allowed to name them? Of course, prayer should be called for regardless of the venue. That is what GOD recommends when we think we see our brothers and sisters slipping away from His path. Go to God with your concerns. He is able! Or.... is that what you are afraid of? Who knows? YOUR prayers just might be the what God has chosen to "bring them back to the fold" with??? I personally think they never left, but you obviously do not.

My approach is direct. Proclaim the truth to those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. I cannot run after them to bring them back to senses.

I was led to salvation in a Pentecostal church. Blows your negative accusations out of the water right there. I never really knew what a "Holy Spirit" was before then, having seldom heard the term, despite growing up in a religious atmosphere of an outside the fringe non-Christian church. The Pentecostals taught me so much about the HS, opening my eyes to who Jesus Christ truly is. God deliberately led me to that church, to learn the basics of Christianity I had never been taught before. I'm still learning, too. (No, I am not Pentecostal, but they firmly remain my brothers and sisters in the Lord, in serving the same Lord.... just in a different way.)

I do recognize that they have some merits. But Pentecostal movement is a relapse of notorious Corinthian conditions. They are a deluded lot claiming the personal spirit's utterances as that of the Holy Spirit. A sure blasphemy. Making mountain out of the molehill based on Paul's crafty solution for mocking people.

Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, reserved in the heavens for you, who by the power of God [are] being guarded through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet 1:3-5)

That says salvation is assured for the believer by the power of GOD, not us. I believe what HE says. Never what Man promotes,

It appears you forgot the word hope

 

[Righttruth]

How interesting that you believe the same thing as... Pentecostal churches. Those very same people you accuse of not sharing the Gospel message while speaking "gibberish". They, too, believe you can "fall away".
Isn't this always the case?

I don't believe all of all churches. How can one share the Gospel speaking gibberish? It is beyond my imagination. Yes, I believe their belief that one can fall away. Did you quit this kind of a church because of this?

 

[Righttruth]

Sure, loving our enemies, loving our neighbors; I believe all of Jesus' teachings help to make Christianity superior.

How many are even aware of Jesus' teaching? How many are guilty of not practicing it? How many are striving to become holy and perfect?

 

[Albion]

How many are even aware of Jesus' teaching? How many are guilty of not practicing it? How many are striving to become holy and perfect?

This really isn't the point, though. It's whether the religion is 'superior' to other ones, or not, i.e. more correct. We can't seriously say that if 65% of professed Christians are holy, charitable, and so on, that the faith of Christ is true...but if only 59% or 45% fall into that category, then the Bible is just bunk, Jesus never rose from the dead, there is no life after death, etc.

 

[bling]

It a great hope, cannot be final assurance of salvation. God will judge finally. Of course, Jesus has shown the way by His life.

“hope” in the Bible seems to have the meaning of: “desired expectation”, you both want it to happen and fully expect it to happen. The “true” Christian not only has promises to be fulfilled by God in the future, but has the promises of the indwelling Holy Spirit right now that assures him, God will fulfill all His promises. The indwelling Holy Spirit is huge and should quench any “doubt”.

That is a presumption to the extreme. You are questioning God on His final judgement.

What? You make the final “judgment” out to be some courtroom argument. “Judgment” also means the “awards assemble” for those that have accepted God’s Love and the sentencing of those that have refused God’s Love. There is no “weighing of the evidence” at the judgment, since everything has been decided by the person’s life here on earth.

What am I “presuming” that I have not been promised? The only thing is: “I am presuming I will not give away my birthright (from my second birth).”

People may fall away at any time in their lives.

People can give up at any time their birthright.

The God will decide on what type of reward you deserve. Striving to become perfect is our responsibility.

The Spirit within us is perfect, so if we allow Him to live through us we are being perfect.

What different types of “rewards” are you talking about and what makes the difference?

 

[tickingclocker]

I don't believe all of all churches. How can one share the Gospel speaking gibberish? It is beyond my imagination. Yes, I believe their belief that one can fall away. Did you quit this kind of a church because of this?

This proves the point that speaking in tongues isn't all they do. It proves the Gospel is still being preached, that they still serve the same Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord as everyone else does. Different isn't always wrong. It is what it is. Different. That is what makes Christianity so amazing, that despite our differences we all worship the same Lord.

What they do may be beyond your imagination, but thankfully the Word of God doesn't operate on anyone's "imagination". It operates by what God desires. Not what we desire.

What they believe of salvation is not why I left. I moved and the Lord led me elsewhere.

 

[tickingclocker]

This really isn't the point, though. It's whether the religion is 'superior' to other ones, or not, i.e. more correct. We can't seriously say that if 65% of professed Christians are holy, charitable, and so on, that the faith of Christ is true...but if only 59% or 45% fall into that category, then the Bible is just bunk, Jesus never rose from the dead, there is no life after death, etc.

Exactly. Even if not a single person who claims to be Christian actually believes it, God is STILL God, and always will be. Jesus Christ is true no matter how many believe or don't believe.

 

[Endtime Survivors]

This really isn't the point, though. It's whether the religion is 'superior' to other ones, or not, i.e. more correct. We can't seriously say that if 65% of professed Christians are holy, charitable, and so on, that the faith of Christ is true...but if only 59% or 45% fall into that category, then the Bible is just bunk, Jesus never rose from the dead, there is no life after death, etc.

Hmm, that's interesting, and I agree with your assessment, except that I can't help but feel a sense of disdain for the word "religion". The Bible says that true religion is to help people in need, and I agree with that, but over time the word has taken on so much baggage that it seems unsalvageable.

In some ways I think that's okay, because I view Christianity as more than a religion, in that any person on earth can act in love and in that sense they are practicing Christianity (even if they are from a different religion).I think it's the same for Christians. To the extent that we act in faith, we are Christian. To the extent that we do not act in faith, we are not Christian.

 

[Righttruth]

This really isn't the point, though. It's whether the religion is 'superior' to other ones, or not, i.e. more correct. We can't seriously say that if 65% of professed Christians are holy, charitable, and so on, that the faith of Christ is true...but if only 59% or 45% fall into that category, then the Bible is just bunk, Jesus never rose from the dead, there is no life after death, etc.

My point is if one considers Jesus' words are superior that leads to salvation, why not prove that by their lives of witnessing that are superior to other religions. Otherwise, any claim related to the Bible will be bunked.

 

[Righttruth]

“hope” in the Bible seems to have the meaning of: “desired expectation”, you both want it to happen and fully expect it to happen. The “true” Christian not only has promises to be fulfilled by God in the future, but has the promises of the indwelling Holy Spirit right now that assures him, God will fulfill all His promises. The indwelling Holy Spirit is huge and should quench any “doubt”.

'Hope' or 'desire expectation' is from your side. One cannot conveniently assume that it is bound to happen. If so, where is the God's part?

What? You make the final “judgment” out to be some courtroom argument. “Judgment” also means the “awards assemble” for those that have accepted God’s Love and the sentencing of those that have refused God’s Love. There is no “weighing of the evidence” at the judgment, since everything has been decided by the person’s life here on earth.

You may have accepted God's love for your convenience. Final God's love depends on your fruit. Otherwise, it like a pauper saying his marriage with the princess is 50% over, only she has to accept.

What am I “presuming” that I have not been promised? The only thing is: “I am presuming I will not give away my birthright (from my second birth).”

God will remove unyielding branches.

The Spirit within us is perfect, so if we allow Him to live through us we are being perfect.

So you need to allow him. It is not automatic.

 

[Righttruth]

This proves the point that speaking in tongues isn't all they do. It proves the Gospel is still being preached, that they still serve the same Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord as everyone else does. Different isn't always wrong. It is what it is. Different. That is what makes Christianity so amazing, that despite our differences we all worship the same Lord.

All kinds of demeaning activities, false claims and animal instincts do not amount to worshiping. Our God is not a God of confusion but of order. Venting of one's emotions once in a week inside a church don't carry any spirituality.

What they believe of salvation is not why I left. I moved and the Lord led me elsewhere.

So you can have a choice of truth?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I agree the Bible is divinely inspired compilation of writings. However, it is wrong to say it is perfect because a mortal man cannot produce something perfect.

First, God's Word claims that it is perfect (Psalms 12:6) (Psalms 119:140) (Proverbs 30:5) and that it will be preserved for all generations (Psalms 12:7) and it will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8) (1 Peter 1:25). Therefore, seeing Scripture plainly states these facts, it then becomes an issue of a test of your faith in God's Word (See the test the devil gave to Eve in Genesis 3:1). For the devil said, "Yea, hath God said?" This was said in regards to whether or not she could trust God's Word exactly or not. Are you being tricked just like Eve in doubting God's Word?

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

In Jeremiah 36, God had another scroll re-written with His words after King Jehoiakim burned the original one. In other words, Scripture is showing here that God was preserving His Word.

Second, ask yourself, if a person cannot trust one word in their Bible, what makes them trust the rest of it? For it is either all correct or it is all false. It's either the Holy Bible (divinely inspired) or it's a holey bible (full of holes and discrepancies). In other words, if God's Word claims to be perfect, we have to believe that there is a perfect Word of God out there somewhere for us today (that we can understand). The way to find this perfect Bible is to do a fruits test. While I believe this Bible to be the KJV (King James), I also use Modern Translations to help update Early Modern English (i.e. 1600's English) to Late Modern English (i.e. Today's English). In other words, I look at Modern Translations sort of like panning for gold. I sift thru the dirt so as to get to the gold that can found in the KJV and the original languages (Hebrew - Old Testament and the Greek - New Testament).

That is why, hearing the Holy Spirit is spiritually superior to reading. The writings have been manipulated, mistranslated, verses and words added and deleted with varied versions available.

Well, the Bible is the only book in human history that has been confirmed by even secular sources for it's accuracy thru out time. The variation of small changes the texts in the major languages thru out history is very minor. As for the Modern Translations that came about in the 1800's, these are not pure translations from the Textus Receptus but they are based upon a different set of texts that were translated by two men (Westcott and Hort) who were more like spiritualists than Christians.

http://av1611.com/kjbp/charts/themagicmarker.html

For...

20 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
(2 Peter 1:20-21).

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"
(2 Timothy 3:16).

So there is a Word of God (Scripture) that has not come by the will of man but the will of God. There is Scripture that has been inspired by God that is PROFITABLE for doctrine, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

For thru out time, there has been a world language.
The world language today is English.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_language
(Please read the second paragraph, it says the world language today is English)

Also, if you were to go to Google and type in, "What is the world language?"
Google will tell you it is English.
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+world+language?&oq=what+is+the+world+language

Now, God realizing this, had made His Word perfectly available in each world language thru out history (with the exception of the language He chose to preserve His Word with His chosen people, which was Israel at one point in time).

Read this article here on the four languages thru out history that God had chosen to preserve His Word.
http://www.chick.com/ask/articles/preservedcopies.asp

Which version and in which language you consider to be without error?

While there were select chosen languages thru out time that God used to preserve His Word perfectly, the King James is the perfect Word of God for the world language today or the perfect Word provided for the past several hundred years.
Yes, it is spoken in 1600's English, but I believe that is just another way to prevent worldly or sinful people from understanding it.
In recent years, there is also the Spanish Translation of the Bible that is faithfully based off the Textus Receptus (like the KJV), as well.

Reina Valera Gómez 2010
http://www.chick.com/catalog/books/0264.asp
http://www.reinavaleragomez.com/en/bible/10

Added to this is none of the original manuscripts neither in the OT or NT are now available. Which version and in which language is perfect and free from error? Any such claim(inerrant) is tantamount to a false and blind claim.

If Christ (God) can hold together the universe by the word of His power, it is a no brainer that God can preserve His own Word and would not want it corrupted by men. For again, if there was a loop hole whereby a person could not trust God's Word entirely, then it would give man a reason to reject His Word as not being trust worthy or true. Also, the original manuscripts not being available does not mean that there is not a reliable translation that is not perfect for us today. That would be like claiming you cannot ride in a certain sports car because it is no longer the original model. If the purpose of the car is to get you from Point A to Point B, then the car serves a purpose. The Bible is very much like this. The Bible produces faith that gets you to repent of your sins towards God thru Christ Jesus (Whereby we can have a relationship with Him - walking in His good and righteous ways).

Such false addition have taken place in the Bible also. Not only that, deletion verses can be seen in different versions.

You are talking about the attack upon the Bible with the recent arrival of Modern Translations which are a based upon the work of spiritualists known as Westcott and Hort. Granted, I use these Modern Translations so as to help update the sayings in 1600's English, but I do not treat them on the same level as being perfect and without error like the KJV and previous translations thru out time in other world languages.

It is man-made arrangement. Who decided to remove books from the Catholic canon?

Well, just so that there is no confusion here, I do not believe in Catholicism. Now, if you are using the word "catholic" in the sense of it meaning "original" only and you are not referring to Roman Catholicism, then the answer to that question would be Westcott & Hort and those who decided to create Modern Translations based off their works after the 1800's.

You are missing the most important aspect of the Bible, namely, it contains the words of Jesus that lead to eternal life.

No. All of the words in your Bible would be from the Lord Jesus Christ because Jesus is God Almighty in the flesh.

Perhaps, you may not be aware of the fact that the Ten Commandments represent the cross. The first six represent the strong vertical fellowship with God the Father and remaining four our represent our relationship with others symbolizing the horizontal fellowship

The Old Covenant has been replaced by the New Covenant. Hebrews 7:12 says the Law has changed. In fact, we see a change in the Law made by Jesus Christ Himself. He told us to no longer render an eye for an eye but to turn the other cheek. Peter was told that we can now eat unclean animals (Which is a violation of OT Law). The temple veil was torn from top to bottom when Christ died upon the cross. In other words, the animal sacrifices as prescribed in the Old Law are now no longer acceptable. Jesus is now our perfect sacrifice. Paul says if you seek to be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing (Galatians 5:2). We are New Covenant believers and not Old Covenant believers; And there is no new Command in the New Testament telling us to observe the Saturday Sabbath (like with the Law of Moses). Paul says some regard every day alike (Romans 14:15). For we are not to judge anyone in regards to Sabbaths (Colossians 2:16). In the Old Testament, if one broke the Sabbath, they could be stoned to death (Numbers 15:32-36). To put it to you another way, the Saturday Sabbath is no longer binding. So only 9 out of the 10 Commands in Exodus 20 are still valid for believers in the Lord today.



...

 

[bling]

'Hope' or 'desire expectation' is from your side. One cannot conveniently assume that it is bound to happen. If so, where is the God's part?

God has provided “assurance” to true Christians by providing them with the indwelling Holy Spirit, which they can know they have. If God is provide such a huge wonderful gift as the indwelling Holy Spirit there is little reason to doubt His other promises.

You may have accepted God's love for your convenience. Final God's love depends on your fruit. Otherwise, it like a pauper saying his marriage with the princess is 50% over, only she has to accept.

God’s Love is totally unconditional, but being a free gift which we can possess means it is ours to refuse if we choose to.

What “fruits” is God’s Love contingent on?

God will remove unyielding branches.

The branches withered because they refused to take the nourishment from the vine, it is not the vines fault nor is it the pruner’s fault for cutting off the dead branches.

So you need to allow him. It is not automatic.

We are told we can quench the Spirit.