Precisely WHAT Kind Of A World Is It That Christians Are 'Striving" For?

[KCKID]

As the title suggests.

I personally see the world as being so diverse that, to me, it still remains a place of interest in which to live. I don't much involve myself in who is 'straight' or who is 'gay', who is married or who is unmarried, who has children and who doesn't have children, who is this Christian denomination or who is that Christian denomination or who is no Christian denomination at all, who is fat or who is thin or who is 'normally' built, who dis/likes this kind of food or that kind of food, who believes in a God/Allah,Buddha or who doesn't believe in a God/Allah, Buddha, etc. etc.

We don't live in a world of programmed robots. And this, surely, is the way that a Creator would have intended it to be. Yet, many Christians DO seem to prefer the 'robot' principle. They would have it that EVERYONE in the world adhere to the unswayable principles that THEY have created within their own minds as per the oftentimes misinterpreted/mistaught words of the Bible. To many of them they see the world in black and white (the words from the Bible) and make few allowances, if any, for any shades of gray. Unfortunately it's oftentimes a glaring case of do as I say but not necessarily do as I do. This results in confusion and even anger and frustration for many because the Christian is generally cryptic about the kind of world that is supposedly 'the Christian ideal'. They hear words that are too often meaningless coming out of the mouths of professed Christians. These type Christians - and there are MANY of them - are basically saying that, unless one believes as they do (whatever THAT might entail), that unless one is basically a carbon-copy of themselves, then one is responsible for pretty well messing up this planet.

Please don't be so cryptic. What kind of a world IS the ideal for the supposed Bible-adhering Christian? I'm asking because I have no idea.

 

[radlad72]

I think you are, in actuality, asking a loaded question here. I believe you have more idea than you are letting on and you want to see what people write here to tear them to pieces because it wouldn't agree with your idea.

My answer would be to be the kind of world Jesus wanted. If we were to all follow His examples in the NT, the world would be a much better place.

 

[hsmommyofmany]

i have a question for you...if you believe that anything goes, why do you call yourself a christian? i am not trying to be argumentative or start a fight, i am just curious. i mean why arent you a muslim or buddist or hindu or whatever?

 

[Libre]

I think it's a valid question. I'd like to know the answer too.

 

[Washington]

Aside from a pie-in-the-sky, everything-is-coming-up-roses existence, I think many are looking for a world where everyone subscribes to, or at leasts obeys, the rules of behavior they back. Of course this would vary among Christians, so there wouldn't be any real consensus, but that's the nature of the religion anyway.

 

[FG21]

I, as a Christian, am striving for Heaven. This world that God made is so beautiful but He made it for what it is.

He and I mean He will use us (the whole submitting and using thing I have had such a hard time with!) for His.

In my opinion, Christians are striving for to be like Jesus. Can you imagine a government like Jesus? No politics or money just Good for all. No posturing no arrogance (yeahhhhh...all politicians seem so nice and humble when running for office). If we were all like Jesus, wouldn't that be something?

 

[KCKID]

I think you are, in actuality, asking a loaded question here.

That's alright. This IS a debate forum and such questions are meant to stimulate discussion.

I believe you have more idea than you are letting on and you want to see what people write here to tear them to pieces because it wouldn't agree with your idea.

I can assure you that I have no intent to tear anyone to pieces. If I've done that with ANY of my posts on this forum then I apologize. And, I don't particularly have any 'ideas' except that we all get along on this relatively small planet. Sadly, 'religion' prevents that from happening.

My answer would be to be the kind of world Jesus wanted. If we were to all follow His examples in the NT, the world would be a much better place.

Agreed. So, why is this not occurring?

 

[radlad72]

Agreed. So, why is this not occurring?

That Is the question, isn't it? I really think it is a very hard one. It could be because people are not very good at practising what they preach. Can't really think of any other reason.

P.S. I wasn't trying to be personal, BTW.

 

[S.gal83]

I am also interested to know what christians look for in the world they found around them?

A 100% christian world, where everyone converted to christianity?

 

[Polycarp_fan]

As the title suggests.

I personally see the world as being so diverse that, to me, it still remains a place of interest in which to live. I don't much involve myself in who is 'straight' or who is 'gay',

This thread became just another gay activist thread at this point.

Just refer to all of the other gay threads here.

The rest? It'll all come back to the gay thing and is more a point to ask liberals. It is their ideology that seems directed to altering the world into one form.

who is married or who is unmarried, who has children and who doesn't have children, who is this Christian denomination or who is that Christian denomination or who is no Christian denomination at all, who is fat or who is thin or who is 'normally' built, who dis/likes this kind of food or that kind of food, who believes in a God/Allah,Buddha or who doesn't believe in a God/Allah, Buddha, etc. etc.

We don't live in a world of programmed robots. And this, surely, is the way that a Creator would have intended it to be. Yet, many Christians DO seem to prefer the 'robot' principle. They would have it that EVERYONE in the world adhere to the unswayable principles that THEY have created within their own minds as per the oftentimes misinterpreted/mistaught words of the Bible. To many of them they see the world in black and white (the words from the Bible) and make few allowances, if any, for any shades of gray. Unfortunately it's oftentimes a glaring case of do as I say but not necessarily do as I do. This results in confusion and even anger and frustration for many because the Christian is generally cryptic about the kind of world that is supposedly 'the Christian ideal'. They hear words that are too often meaningless coming out of the mouths of professed Christians. These type Christians - and there are MANY of them - are basically saying that, unless one believes as they do (whatever THAT might entail), that unless one is basically a carbon-copy of themselves, then one is responsible for pretty well messing up this planet.

Please don't be so cryptic. What kind of a world IS the ideal for the supposed Bible-adhering Christian? I'm asking because I have no idea.

 

[Axioma]

Presumably, Christians are striving for a post-apocalyptic world.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

I can't possibly find a definition that's broad enough to incorporate the aims and goals of all Christians, or even a single denomination.

That said, some very famous preachers (particularly of the Reformed/Calvinist ilk) have denounced humanistic efforts to improve the living conditions and health of the general populace as essentially "Satanic", as such improvements supposedly detract people from focusing exclusively on the Kingdom Come.

If you don't believe me, just check the oevre of A.W. Pink, one of the most odious preachers in the history of Christianity.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I don't believe Christians are 'striving' to create any sort of (perfect, just, fair, peaceful, prosperous, healthy, etc. etc.) world here below. Jesus words, "present evil world" still ring true today. We are hopeful of a future world where all the above will be realized.

What we do is create our own world, as much as is possible, that reflects the coming Kingdom. By doing so we become the "salt of the earth", preserving, if barely, this evil world from it's ultimate destruction by it's own hand, and finally by the hand of God himself.

The Kingdom is "within us" at this time; in our mind and our hopes, and is reflected in our behavior and lifestyle. Worldly people think we are from a different planet. Maybe we are.

owg

 

[Beanieboy]

My hypothesis is that man, not God, wants control. The best way to control people is through threat and fear. Unfortunately, such people want their own freedom, want to be able to worship with Freedom of Religion, but then not grant that same right to others, not allow others freewill, even if that said Religion, or practice, is harming no one. I live with my partner. We love each other very much. Are we spreading AIDS? No. So, then the person has to go to the general gay population, but the heterosexual population in Africa has AID as well. So, they need to start rumors and false accusations, like, the fact that I am recruiting as a teacher, or will bring about the fall of the US, or the reason for 9/11.

I think for some, it has very little to do with the will of God, but of the will man, to tell others how to live, to control others, to bully others into not challenging their beliefs.

The Gospel's account of the Pharisees was very similar. They used the law to burden people, to condemn people, and Christ confronted them, and they accused Christ himself for healing in the name of the devil.

Personally, I would like a world where we stop acting so selfishly, and help one another, diffusing anger and oppression, and work as one body, rather than a body whose organs are at wore with one another.

 

[Beanieboy]

I can't possibly find a definition that's broad enough to incorporate the aims and goals of all Christians, or even a single denomination.

This is a really good point.

Some Christians are trying to use the bible to justify hoarding wealth, and claim that is the will of God.

Some Christians are trying to bring about Armegedon, and end the world.

Some Christians are trying to be servants for others, to love their neighbors as themselves, as Christ did for man.

Some Christians just live in fear of change, and fight against it, even if it is good.

Some Christians listen to whatever their priest says, and agree, even if they question it, thinking questioning sinful itself.

Some Christians feel the need to share Jesus in missionary work.

Others feel that the best way to witness is to live your life.

There isn't one answer.

 

[Libre]

Presumably, Christians are striving for a post-apocalyptic world.

Unfortunately, too many Christians are striving to enable the return of Jesus, and this generally includes what they call the apocalypse.

I beleive they err, big time. First, we don't bring about any return of Jesus. God does it.

Second, we certainly don't know the timing, and reading prophecies with the newspaper as our guide is really, really bad method - producing really scary policies even by our government.

Third, we don't really know what the rule and reign of Christ looks like. You can't base it on the imagery of prophecy and visions. But many literalists do.

Consider this: The rule and reign of Christ in Christians is not visible but spiritual. The Jews of Jesus' day were looking for a physical kingdom, and Jesus plainly said they were wrong.

Are we making the same mistake? When He returns, and I do believe He will, how exactly will that look? If you want to be great in God's kingdom, the Bible says you have to be the servant of all. Perhaps ruling and judging will be done by serving....

The "kingdoms" of the world are diametrically opposed to the kingdom of God. They will never be joined. The world operates by power over others. And as I alluded to above, the kingdom of God operates by service, the power coming through love.

I believe the kingdom looks like Jesus did when He washed feet. And it looks like what God did when He sent His son.

We are in the kingdom now, but few recognize it. Jesus said that if He cast out devils by the power of God, the kingdom was come.

 

[Tinker Grey]

This thread stirred an idea in my head ... suppose Christianity was successfully spread to the four corners of the earth. Further suppose then that all were willing adherents.

And suppose that Christ did not come back ... then what?

Would all the animosity and witch hunting begin again because clearly the reason Christ has not come back is that there are those that don't hold the right form of Christianity?

 

[Athene]

Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be you name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven... and you know the rest.

That's what I think Christians should strive for, but as has been pointed out already, different Christians strive for different things.

 

[CreedIsChrist]

This is a really good point.

Some Christians are trying to use the bible to justify hoarding wealth, and claim that is the will of God.

Some Christians are trying to bring about Armegedon, and end the world.

Some Christians are trying to be servants for others, to love their neighbors as themselves, as Christ did for man.

Some Christians just live in fear of change, and fight against it, even if it is good.

Some Christians listen to whatever their priest says, and agree, even if they question it, thinking questioning sinful itself.

Some Christians feel the need to share Jesus in missionary work.

Others feel that the best way to witness is to live your life.

There isn't one answer.

I agree with this in a way. But I think the number one goal of a christian is heaven and to tell others the Gospel. To confess Jesus Christ as it says,

"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Romans 10:9".

"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven - Matthew 10:32


They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." - Acts 16:31

"He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. - Mark 16:16



Second would be feeding and giving to the poor as Christ says " Whatever you did unto the least, you did unto me". Third, would be abstaining from sin as Paul says that our bodys our our temples. And lastly, to not be caught up in the things of this world, because if you are a friend of this world then you are not a friend of Christ as James says, "Don't you know that friendship with the world means hostility with God? So whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God".

 

[KarateCowboy]

To be honest, I would be content if people just stopped stealing and murdering. Imagine that!