I Wonder Who I'm Trying to Fool?

[Edward the Theist]

I say I’m not a Christian. I swear I’m not a Christian. I will tell you that I hate religion. But if you ask me point blank: Do you believe in God? I would say, “Yes.”

Do you believe Jesus existed: Yes

Do you believe Jesus was the Son of God: Absolutely.

Do you believe Jesus died for your sins—even if you don’t quite understand it: Yep.

Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead: Yes.

Physically rose from the dead: I don’t know. I wasn’t there, but he sure seems alive in all the right ways 2000 years later.

Do you believe God is a Trinity: Yes, when one understands the symbolism involved in the concept of the Trinity, yes.

Do you think the Roman Catholic Church is the original Christian Church: Yes.

Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God: It’s pretty hard to read it and not come to that conclusion, so, yes, I do. For instance, I would never ever burn a Bible, or deface one—never, not in my darkest most atheist moments would I ever deliberately tear a page out of a Bible.

And as for that, I won’t spell God without a capital G, or Bible without a capital B. Or use any pronoun for God and not capitalize it, like He.

Do I think the mystery of Christ is deeper than I understand or am likely to understand in my lifetime: Yes, yes I do.

What about “The Shack?” You almost became an atheist after reading, “The Shack”: Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian follows Jesus Christ. If I were a Satanist, I’d sure make everyone think I was a Christian. So, to hell with William Young, and I use the phrase deliberately.

So, these are my honest beliefs. So, who am I trying to fool? I don’t know what to think. I hate corrupt Christianity so much that I don’t want anything to do with it EVER!

But I’m not about to give up Christ for it. I mean, seriously. Why should a bunch of idiots take away what God has given to me?

Does anyone feel my pain?

 

[elephunky]

I say I’m not a Christian. I swear I’m not a Christian. I will tell you that I hate religion. But if you ask me point blank: Do you believe in God? I would say, “Yes.”

Do you believe Jesus existed: Yes

Do you believe Jesus was the Son of God: Absolutely.

Do you believe Jesus died for your sins—even if you don’t quite understand it: Yep.

Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead: Yes.

Physically rose from the dead: I don’t know. I wasn’t there, but he sure seems alive in all the right ways 2000 years later.

Do you believe God is a Trinity: Yes, when one understands the symbolism involved in the concept of the Trinity, yes.

Do you think the Roman Catholic Church is the original Christian Church: Yes.

Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God: It’s pretty hard to read it and not come to that conclusion, so, yes, I do. For instance, I would never ever burn a Bible, or deface one—never, not in my darkest most atheist moments would I ever deliberately tear a page out of a Bible.

And as for that, I won’t spell God without a capital G, or Bible without a capital B. Or use any pronoun for God and not capitalize it, like He.

Do I think the mystery of Christ is deeper than I understand or am likely to understand in my lifetime: Yes, yes I do.

What about “The Shack?” You almost became an atheist after reading, “The Shack”: Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian follows Jesus Christ. If I were a Satanist, I’d sure make everyone think I was a Christian. So, to hell with William Young, and I use the phrase deliberately.

So, these are my honest beliefs. So, who am I trying to fool? I don’t know what to think. I hate corrupt Christianity so much that I don’t want anything to do with it EVER!

But I’m not about to give up Christ for it. I mean, seriously. Why should a bunch of idiots take away what God has given to me?

Does anyone feel my pain?

You can have faith without having a religion.

 

[joey_downunder]

Can you identify what you have to lose - change, stop doing/start doing - if you stopped being your own boss and had to please God, be fully accountable to Him and so on?

It sounds like you're in a *won't* believe position right now. luke 14:25-33
P.S. I went through the same battle after my very long backslidden period. Couldn't find an excuse not to believe but didn't want to. Honestly I think I didn't want to give up my sins and my excuses for all of them.

 

[Faulty]

What do you mean by corrupt Christianity?

I notice you didn't address salvation. What is it you believe regarding that? You say you aren't christian and you mention the RCC as the original church. So, do you believe one is saved by grace through faith in the finished works of Christ alone, or also through your keeping the law and sacraments (eucharist, baptism, etc)?

 

[bling]

I say I’m not a Christian. I swear I’m not a Christian. I will tell you that I hate religion. But if you ask me point blank: Do you believe in God? I would say, “Yes.”

Do you believe Jesus existed: Yes

Do you believe Jesus was the Son of God: Absolutely.

Do you believe Jesus died for your sins—even if you don’t quite understand it: Yep.

Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead: Yes.

Physically rose from the dead: I don’t know. I wasn’t there, but he sure seems alive in all the right ways 2000 years later.

Do you believe God is a Trinity: Yes, when one understands the symbolism involved in the concept of the Trinity, yes.

Do you think the Roman Catholic Church is the original Christian Church: Yes.

Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God: It’s pretty hard to read it and not come to that conclusion, so, yes, I do. For instance, I would never ever burn a Bible, or deface one—never, not in my darkest most atheist moments would I ever deliberately tear a page out of a Bible.

And as for that, I won’t spell God without a capital G, or Bible without a capital B. Or use any pronoun for God and not capitalize it, like He.

Do I think the mystery of Christ is deeper than I understand or am likely to understand in my lifetime: Yes, yes I do.

What about “The Shack?” You almost became an atheist after reading, “The Shack”: Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian follows Jesus Christ. If I were a Satanist, I’d sure make everyone think I was a Christian. So, to hell with William Young, and I use the phrase deliberately.

So, these are my honest beliefs. So, who am I trying to fool? I don’t know what to think. I hate corrupt Christianity so much that I don’t want anything to do with it EVER!

But I’m not about to give up Christ for it. I mean, seriously. Why should a bunch of idiots take away what God has given to me?

Does anyone feel my pain?

Do you think you would like the underground church in China, where there are no paid positions, each small group of 20 is independent just following scripture? Where they share and Love each other and that Love is what has caused them to grow rapidly?

 

[Edward the Theist]

You can have faith without having a religion.

That’s a very good point, dGirl.

Can you identify what you have to lose - change, stop doing/start doing - if you stopped being your own boss and had to please God, be fully accountable to Him and so on?

It sounds like you're in a *won't* believe position right now. luke 14:25-33
P.S. I went through the same battle after my very long backslidden period. Couldn't find an excuse not to believe but didn't want to. Honestly I think I didn't want to give up my sins and my excuses for all of them.

I’m sorry: what part of all those statements of belief do you interpret as me not wanting to believe? I just posted what I believe. As for sin, spare me: I have so many sins on my plate I can’t begin to count. The one thing I know is that I’m a sinner. Now, at my age, I try to be the best person I can be, but I also accept what I am and never will be.

Am I a sinner—you bet. Can I do anything about it (other than hope God will, in his mercy and love for me, forgive me)? No.

What do you mean by corrupt Christianity?
I notice you didn't address salvation. What is it you believe regarding that? You say you aren't christian and you mention the RCC as the original church. So, do you believe one is saved by grace through faith in the finished works of Christ alone, or also through your keeping the law and sacraments (eucharist, baptism, etc)?

I think one is saved like the thief on the cross next to Jesus. One sees the perfection God intended, realizes they are not that, and then accepts that they deserve what they get. So, I guess I believe in salvation through believing in Christ and confession of one’s sins. I don’t see how it can be any other way. Does that pass the litmus test?

Do you think you would like the underground church in China, where there are no paid positions, each small group of 20 is independent just following scripture? Where they share and Love each other and that Love is what has caused them to grow rapidly?

No. I’m not Chinese. I have no concern what dissidents do there in an attempt to overthrow their government—which is what it’s really all about, isn’t it?

 

[motherprayer]

If I may, what was it about The Shack that made you stop identifying with Christianity?

 

[Tigger45]

So let me get this straight my friend. You title yourself a Theist but you believe in the basic doctrines of Christianity and feel that the RCC represents the closest example of the early church but your main struggle is with the concept of the modern day definition of a religion. Correct me if I'm wrong but you have the same perspective as a lot of Christians have including here at CF. The Bible talkes about a great falling away in the endtimes and that there would be false teachers. I hate what a lot of so call famous pastors and tv evagelist have done to discredit the/my faith. First that doesn't represent Christ to me. Nothing shall come between me and my Lord and second it just varifies the authentisity of the Bible by fortelling things to come. Why not fully embrace Christ and find a local gathering of "Christians" stengthen yourself and that local body of believers?

 

[Edward the Theist]

If I may, what was it about The Shack that made you stop identifying with Christianity?

Here's the book report I did on it:

The Shack: A Review

I could re-type it here, but that report is mine and it pretty much says it all. Except for the truly gutteral reaction I had to the perversity of it. I'm not sure that comes through as violently as it should. Personally, I think it is Satanic.

So let me get this straight my friend. You title yourself a Theist but you believe in the basic doctrines of Christianity and feel that the RCC represents the closest example of the early church but your main struggle is with the concept of the modern day definition of a religion. Correct me if I'm wrong but you have the same perspective as a lot of Christians have including here at CF.

I don't know. I just think the RCC is the original Church.

The Bible talkes about a great falling away in the endtimes and that there would be false teachers. I hate what a lot of so call famous pastors and tv evagelist have done to discredit the/my faith. First that doesn't represent Christ to me. Nothing shall come between me and my Lord and second it just varifies the authentisity of the Bible by fortelling things to come. Why not fully embrace Christ and find a local gathering of "Christians" stengthen yourself and that local body of believers?

I think I'd have to do that online these days. I'm just trying to determine if I'm really a Christian or just think I am.

Isn't there something here on this forum where you state that you believe certian things and that allows you to, I don't know, call yourself a Christian? I should look at that and see where I stand. Yes/no?

 

[motherprayer]

Here's the book report I did on it:

The Shack: A Review

I could re-type it here, but that report is mine and it pretty much says it all. Except for the truly gutteral reaction I had to the perversity of it. I'm not sure that comes through as violently as it should. Personally, I think it is Satanic.

I agree with everything you wrote there. Wow. Brilliantly stated, you actually changed my opinion about that book without even trying. I like your perspective about the plot, and how it portrays God as something He is not. I never looked at it that way.

 

[Edward the Theist]

I agree with everything you wrote there. Wow. Brilliantly stated, you actually changed my opinion about that book without even trying. I like your perspective about the plot, and how it portrays God as something He is not. I never looked at it that way.

Well, then, maybe I do have something to contribute after all.

 

[Edward the Theist]

Okay, here's the questions this site would ask me before letting me be a moderator (if I were applying). I would assume that this would identify me as a Christian or not, at least in the eyes of this forum--which is a very large online site full of Christians and primarily existing for Christians. So here goes:

Do you believe in God?
Yes, absolutely.

Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
Yes, absolutely.

Do you believe in the Trinity?
That can be a complicated discussion, but in short, yes.

To which faith do you belong?
Non-denominational, I suppose. I was baptized in a Berean Church I think.

How long have you've been a ______ and attended the _______church.
I've been a Christian since 1972. I don't attend church anymore. I just can't.

Do you accept the Nicene Creed?

Let me Google it and I'll bet back to you...Okay: Which one? Frankly, I agree with most of it. There is nothing I would say is false, that's for sure. Some of it I agree with very much; some of it, I simply don't understand.

How did you become a Christian. Please share a short testimony about how you came to faith, and your journey since then.
What kind of volunteer work have you done? Are you involved in any ministries at present or hope to become involved in any ministries? What types of ministries are you interested in?
Do you have any prior experience as a moderator or administrator of a forum/board?
Do you understand the chain of command on CF?
Being a moderator can be a thankless jobs at times ... and that is okay because this is our ministry. Sometimes the members can be critical of staff. How do you handle criticism?
Another thing about being a moderator is that we are to remain neutral in the forums that we moderate. Can you maintain a neutral stance, even if you personally disagree?
What goes on in the moderator's area of the board is confidential. Are you able to keep confidentiality?
How much time would you be able to commit to CF?
Do you have any questions at this time?
Do you have any other accounts on CF?
Essay question may be asked.

The rest of these don't seem to have anything to do with being a Christian, per se. So, if my answers are true, am I a Christian in your opinion?

 

[joey_downunder]

I’m sorry: what part of all those statements of belief do you interpret as me not wanting to believe? I just posted what I believe. As for sin, spare me: I have so many sins on my plate I can’t begin to count.

I believe that it sounds you believe in Christian doctrines, I am probably thinking along the Lordship Salvation lines.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! (James 2:19)
Many people who claim to be Christians know all the pat answers and describe experiences similar to other Christians.... but their lives don't show any signs of actual inner change or spiritual transformation.
Faith in Christ -> born again -> changed heart -> sometimes obvious changes in lifestyle and good works, sometimes very subtle inner changes that take time to become obvious

I think one is saved like the thief on the cross next to Jesus. One sees the perfection God intended, realizes they are not that, and then accepts that they deserve what they get. So, I guess I believe in salvation through believing in Christ and confession of one’s sins. I don’t see how it can be any other way. Does that pass the litmus test?

It definitely sounds promising -an awareness of your sins is a very good sign as well.

Compare what you say what you believe with this statement from Romans 10:6-13.
Do you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead?
Have you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is LORD?

Re Nicene Creed- I bet many Christians have never even heard of it!!!

It is a wonderful summary of all Christian doctrines though, a good familiarity with it is very good to have e.g. when having to converse with cultists who claim to be Christians.

 

[bling]

No. I’m not Chinese. I have no concern what dissidents do there in an attempt to overthrow their government—which is what it’s really all about, isn’t it?

I think you missed my point and NO they are far from trying to "overthrow the government". The represive communist government has unwittingly helped Christianity to grow rapidly.

 

[Edward the Theist]

I've told all the atheist groups I'm in that I've returned to being a Christian. I guess I'm done in here. I'm going to check out some of the other forums.

Bye for now.