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No, a theological lens simply refers to a theology, which is a system of religious beliefs. You have a theology as well. Theology can also refer to the study of God, but I am using the word in the former sense, not the latter.
Yeah, so where did you get your set of beliefs from? Yourself, or someone else?
I don't care what the Bible says is the standard. The Bible does not dictate our use of words. If Bill, my neighbour, claims to believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son, I will call Bill a Christian. I don't care whether he has repented or not, the only appropriate label for Bill's beliefs is "Christian."
Am I on trial here or something? Why am I being asked to give a full accounting of my religious history?
If Bill had not repented, then I will point him out as a false. This is the Christian standard. If the world wants to misunderstand what a Christian really means with their own definition, they do it to their own confusion.
Am I on trial here or something? Why am I being asked to give a full accounting of my religious history?
No, I am asking you for you to reflect upon yourself. Why are you letting someone else define and influence your beliefs instead of what you experienced yourself?
I'm not letting someone else define and influence my beliefs. Where have I said that? I clearly stated that I developed the habit of examining my faith critically, and that, as a consequence, I gradually lost it.
Ok, I understand what you mean. But I doubt your "examination" has proven that Christianity is false, since you yourself admitted that you had prayers "answered".
Like you also said, the Divine Flame exists, and it is based on that fact that we acknowledge God. So, what more contention do you have against us believing in God (or as you call it Divine Flame)?
No, I said that, at the time, I perceived that they were "answered." I no longer believe that they were.
The Divine Flame is my parody of a certain apologetic. I don't actually believe in the existence of the Divine Flame. I really should make that clearer, since apparently some people are beginning to think that Flamism is a real thing.
Yeah, but I have yet to see how your examination makes the Christian faith false. Not believing does not equate to falsehood.
Not believing does not equate to falsehood.
You certainly didn't say you don't believe when you responded on the other thread to me. I thought it is even more odd then that you would make a seemingly affirmative statement on something you don't believe in.
Is that what you've been waiting for? For me to show you that Christianity is definitely false? Because that isn't what you've been asking me.
Simply believing doesn't make something true either.
That's why it must be read in context.
Yes, because I would deem it a strange thing for someone to abandon a faith if that person had not been convinced that the faith is false. I am curious as to why you left Christianity, that's what I'm asking.
No Christian (I mean true Christians) merely believed. There is a process which will start and reinforce the faith if the person truly became a Christian. This process is the work of God.
I never stated that I "merely believed." I believed. I also went to church, read the Bible, prayed, contemplated, etc.
Did you repent when you first believed and get baptized and then receive the Spirit of God?
Yes, I repented. What part of "I was once a Christian" are you unable to understand? I believed, I repented, I prayed, I went to church, I thought about being a pastor or minister. And yet, having said all that, you still approach the matter inquisitorially as though you are looking for a single fault that you can use to say "Aha! See! You never really were a Christian. All you were was someone who believed, repented, prayed, went to church, and contemplated being a pastor - but not a real Christian."
Yes, I repented. What part of "I was once a Christian" are you unable to understand? I believed, I repented, I prayed, I went to church, I thought about being a pastor or minister. And yet, having said all that, you still approach the matter inquisitorially as though you are looking for a single fault that you can use to say "Aha! See! You never really were a Christian. All you were was someone who believed, repented, prayed, went to church, and contemplated being a pastor - but not a real Christian."
Do you really expect to be treated well by people who think that Christianity works for who want it to?
Yeah, but I have yet to see how your examination makes the Christian faith false. Not believing does not equate to falsehood.
I'm trying to find out what caused a former believer to depart from the faith because I care for his salvation. Is that some kind of maltreatment?
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