• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

The Question?

wayfaring man

Veteran
Jan 25, 2004
7,761
1,176
✟20,645.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Had a similar thought a ways back...went something like -

The question is not "to be, or not to be ?"

'Cause if we're asking questions, we obviously already "are" !

The question is, "where are we heading ?" And, "what will we become ?"

But maybe that's what Shakespeare (or whoever actually came up with the leading question) was referring to, in a somewhat cryptic/roundabout way ?

Peace & Love in Christ,

wm
 
Upvote 0

Jeshu

Bought by His Blood
Site Supporter
Mar 25, 2005
15,422
7,574
66
One of the Greatest Places on Earth.
✟600,278.00
Country
Australia
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Had a similar thought a ways back...went something like -

The question is not "to be, or not to be ?"

'Cause if we're asking questions, we obviously already "are" !

The question is, "where are we heading ?" And, "what will we become ?"

But maybe that's what Shakespeare (or whoever actually came up with the leading question) was referring to, in a somewhat cryptic/roundabout way ?

Peace & Love in Christ,

wm

It could be - though I think that being in his books was understood differently than simply existing, whenever, wherever, whatever or however.

I AM?

is the real question we all ought to ponder on it seems to me.:wave:
 
Upvote 0

wayfaring man

Veteran
Jan 25, 2004
7,761
1,176
✟20,645.00
Faith
Non-Denom
It could be - though I think that being in his books was understood differently than simply existing, whenever, wherever, whatever or however.

I AM?

is the real question we all ought to ponder on it seems to me.:wave:

In my mind, "it" would be "Am I ?" as "I Am" is declarative in nature.

And after looking into the Shakespeare quote a bit, it appears the saying, "to be or not to be", is in reference to something along the lines of this passage of Scripture -

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
<-----> Philippians 1:23+24

Or in other words - to choose to go on living this mortal life, or choose to die and "meet one's Maker". ( Not that Paul was implying suicide...but rather martyrdom.)

May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm
 
Upvote 0

Jeshu

Bought by His Blood
Site Supporter
Mar 25, 2005
15,422
7,574
66
One of the Greatest Places on Earth.
✟600,278.00
Country
Australia
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
In my mind, "it" would be "Am I ?" as "I Am" is declarative in nature.

And after looking into the Shakespeare quote a bit, it appears the saying, "to be or not to be", is in reference to something along the lines of this passage of Scripture -

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
<-----> Philippians 1:23+24

Or in other words - to choose to go on living this mortal life, or choose to die and "meet one's Maker". ( Not that Paul was implying suicide...but rather martyrdom.)

May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm


Thanks for your thoughts brother I appreciate them

however my question stands!

I AM?

Though indeed one could ask - I am - in relation to I AM as well I suppose, but this is not the focus I wish to achieve - as I am is but fading copy of The Great I AM I have in mind here and that is the problem which ought to raise the question.....

I AM?

as all I' ams ought to ponder I AM - and yes I AM is Declarative, but also Existential and above all Timeless in Nature!

:preach:I AM must be found if our I am wants to go on existing you see - so not - to be or not to be - nor am I - but I AM is the question of importance.:)
 
Upvote 0

Jeshu

Bought by His Blood
Site Supporter
Mar 25, 2005
15,422
7,574
66
One of the Greatest Places on Earth.
✟600,278.00
Country
Australia
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Didn't Shakespeare die of syphilis? He rarely supported his wife and cheated on her to. Consider the source of that question (rhetorical question). He was probably considering what woman to visit in the next town and dreaming of Queen Elizabeth.

:)

I feel that speculation will not reveal as much as his statement does - from all perspectives - to be or not to be - misses The Truth of our - I AM by a great divide - and so he displays his ignorance about both right and wrong, as far as I'm concerned.

:wave:
 
Upvote 0

wayfaring man

Veteran
Jan 25, 2004
7,761
1,176
✟20,645.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Didn't Shakespeare die of syphilis? He rarely supported his wife and cheated on her to. Consider the source of that question (rhetorical question). He was probably considering what woman to visit in the next town and dreaming of Queen Elizabeth.

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared
<-----> Psalm 130:3+4

May The Lord Be Feared/Revered !

wm
 
Upvote 0

wayfaring man

Veteran
Jan 25, 2004
7,761
1,176
✟20,645.00
Faith
Non-Denom
:)

I feel that speculation will not reveal as much as his statement does - from all perspectives - to be or not to be - misses The Truth of our - I AM by a great divide - and so he displays his ignorance about both right and wrong, as far as I'm concerned.

:wave:

Well to be fair, it's doubtful that that line from Hamlet is intended to address the universal question to end all questions.

It likely was only meant to address it's own immediate context.

Which apparently was, should I seek to go on living (in pleasure), or seek/ fight unto death.

And in the context of the "play" and/or "tragedy" , this was spoken by a man (Hamlet - Prince of Denmark), who was greatly distressed/perplexed.

As far as questions go - what Pilate asked Jesus may be nearly the ultimate.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?...<---> John 18:38

May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm
 
Upvote 0

Jeshu

Bought by His Blood
Site Supporter
Mar 25, 2005
15,422
7,574
66
One of the Greatest Places on Earth.
✟600,278.00
Country
Australia
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Well to be fair, it's doubtful that that line from Hamlet is intended to address the universal question to end all questions.

It likely was only meant to address it's own immediate context.

Which apparently was, should I seek to go on living (in pleasure), or seek/ fight unto death.

And in the context of the "play" and/or "tragedy" , this was spoken by a man (Hamlet - Prince of Denmark), who was greatly distressed/perplexed.

As far as questions go - what Pilate asked Jesus may be nearly the ultimate.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?...<---> John 18:38

May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm


Like I said......


I AM


is The One we best keep an eye on, when we experience Pilate's dilemma! As not to simply hand Him over to be crucified to the mob missing The Truth, The Light and The Life, bringing judgment on ourselves.:cool:

Don't you think?

:wave:
 
Upvote 0

wayfaring man

Veteran
Jan 25, 2004
7,761
1,176
✟20,645.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Like I said......


I AM


is The One we best keep an eye on, when we experience Pilate's dilemma! As not to simply hand Him over to be crucified to the mob missing The Truth, The Light and The Life, bringing judgment on ourselves.:cool:

Don't you think?

:wave:

Well, to me, "I AM", is more "The Answer", than the question.

I didn't say Pilate had the right answer, but that he asked a very good question.

Of course he probably asked it facetiously, based on his actions to follow, but it's kind of a hobby of mine to see things in a positive light, not to ignore the darkness altogether, but to spend the bulk of my time/energy on and in the light.

... If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. <-----> 1st John 1:7

May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm
 
Upvote 0