What saved me

[Left]

I might not be a Christian today if it wasn't for a fantastic debater I met online. He knew that before you can use Bible verses, you must first prove them philosophically or by other means. He taught me to have the highest standards of proof. And gave me the knowledge my soul so deeply required.

Before we had a disagreement, he taught me a love of learning. And not to sound annoying, but I can only hope to be like him. He wasn't afraid to say "What?" or "Stop railing on me." during a debate when the logic wasn't sound and people were just making points against him to make points it seemed like. I am not really that way so far though. I am too nice and respect people a lot by nature. I need to stop being a pushover without calling people out right and left, because that's bad too.

There are a few other shoutouts I would like to make:

-An artist I once collaborated with who was really, really humble and mature. I saw God through him.

-An enemy of mine who once taught me that opinions are occasionally as important as facts.

And I love and respect you all, but to end this post, I must say, if a person doesn't have time to prove Bible verses they post or prove their interpretation of them, I don't really have the time to listen. Of course there are exceptions. Bible verses can still be used for encouragement. I'm just saying how I am, and how I've been taught.

 

[1watchman]

Some good thoughts there for living in this world, Theory, and we need to learn to take God at His immutable Word over everything, rather than reason about them and debate them (as many souls do). God has told us ALL we need to know about life, death, and eternity; and "life eternal" is His promise to all that receive His "...so great salvation" in His "...beloved Son" ---the Lord Jesus. When one makes the Lord Jesus their best Friend and lord of their life, they will find peace and joy for evermore.

 

[Left]

I've gone through periods of intellectual lazyness, but I might agree with the member Strivax that I will believe in God and use my brain and if God sends me to hell for it, oh well.

They say that God's Word is a Sword, but I think of it more as, it's only a Sword when used correctly. It takes a bit more thinking than just presenting someone with a Bible to help/convert like, half of all people. Though I believe in God/Jesus, that is my stance.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I've gone through periods of intellectual lazyness, but I might agree with the member Strivax that I will believe in God and use my brain and if God sends me to hell for it, oh well.

They say that God's Word is a Sword, but I think of it more as, it's only a Sword when used correctly. It takes a bit more thinking than just presenting someone with a Bible to help/convert like, half of all people. Though I believe in God/Jesus, that is my stance.

It probably also takes just a bit more than human thinking alone, despite whatever high degree it may have attained.

 

[Adstar]

It probably also takes just a bit more than human thinking alone, despite whatever high degree it may have attained.

Yes it takes the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to understand many things in the Bible.. No amount of human intellectual brain power will allow a person to understand the bible fully or correctly..

 

[Left]

Yes it takes the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to understand many things in the Bible.. No amount of human intellectual brain power will allow a person to understand the bible fully or correctly..

I might disagree. To say the Holy Spirit power just comes out and makes you understand leads to many problems.

I might believe that God uses people and their intellectual abilities to help them understand though.

 

[Adstar]

I might disagree. To say the Holy Spirit power just comes out and makes you understand leads to many problems.

What problems ?

 

[Left]

What problems ?

I'll say something like, "It suggests all you have to do is post Bible verses to convince people of something theologically, when that's not always the case, and is in error because this is a world of confusion. If we had the Holy Spirit power guiding us, surely we would all be led to the same conclusions.

Rather, I believe God brought me someone of great intellectual ability to show me the Truth and that's it, for a period of time that was just long enough."

Then I will get attacked the next 20 posts for my opinion.

 

[Adstar]

I'll say something like, "It suggests all you have to do is post Bible verses to convince people of something theologically, when that's not always the case,

If the one giving the Verses is guided by the Holy Spirit to give them.. And the one reading the verses is moved by the Holy Spirit to understand and be convinced by the. then there is no problem...

and is in error because this is a world of confusion.,

For those who are rejecting Gods will.. Yeah this world is a world of confusion..

If we had the Holy Spirit power guiding us, surely we would all be led to the same conclusions.

Not if the Holy Spirit is guiding some and not others...

There is no basis for saying, because the Holy Spirit is not guiding all then the Holy Spirit is guiding none...

Rather, I believe God brought me someone of great intellectual ability to show me the Truth and that's it, for a period of time that was just long enough."

Then I will get attacked the next 20 posts for my opinion.

Such is life... I just gave you my thoughts on the matter and you are now opposing them.. So this happens to all people.. But the truth is the truth no matter if it is accepted or attacked..

 

[2PhiloVoid]

What problems ?

Like explaining why so many Christians throughout history disagree on so many things, despite the fact that most, if not all of them, make some claim upon the influence of the Holy Spirit.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I'll say something like, "It suggests all you have to do is post Bible verses to convince people of something theologically, when that's not always the case, and is in error because this is a world of confusion. If we had the Holy Spirit power guiding us, surely we would all be led to the same conclusions.

Rather, I believe God brought me someone of great intellectual ability to show me the Truth and that's it, for a period of time that was just long enough."

Then I will get attacked the next 20 posts for my opinion.

After a while, one kind of gets used to the attacks and cajoling made by those who have little use for philosophical evaluations.

 

[Left]

2PhiloVoid, I see the power of God through your wisdom!

 

[Left]

After a while, one kind of gets used to the attacks and cajoling made by those who have little use for philosophical evaluations.

Yes but to numb yourself to others usually means numbing yourself to what you say too. Been there. Pretty soon you are bombarding people with the truth and they get their feelings hurt and you get in trouble for it.

I'm very sensitive for that reason.

 

[Adstar]

Like explaining why so many Christians throughout history disagree on so many things, despite the fact that most, if not all of them, make some claim upon the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Well thats easy toi explain.. Just because someone believes they are guided by the Holy Spirit does not mean they are.. Clearly not all who claim they are dead by the Holy Spirit are lead by the Holy Spirit.. This does not mean that people who actually are lead by the Holy Spirit have a problem.. On the contrary they are in the right place with God..

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Well thats easy toi explain.. Just because someone believes they are guided by the Holy Spirit does not mean they are.. Clearly not all who claim they are dead by the Holy Spirit are lead by the Holy Spirit.. This does not mean that people who actually are lead by the Holy Spirit have a problem.. On the contrary they are in the right place with God..

So, no two people who are led by the Holy Spirit can disagree with each other? Is this what you're saying? Surely not.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Yes but to numb yourself to others usually means numbing yourself to what you say too. Been there. Pretty soon you are bombarding people with the truth and they get their feelings hurt and you get in trouble for it.

I'm very sensitive for that reason.

Fortunately, I'm not usually numb to myself; and more often than not, I'm very much aware of where precisely I disagree and agree with other people. I also realize that no two people see or feel what they do about the world in an identical way, so I do my best to allow some moderate latitude in what other people express as 'their own faith in Christ.'

 

[1watchman]

Eternal salvation and the blessings of God forever, is not about our reasoning and assumptions, so we need to turn from that and learn what God tells mankind for salvation of his/her soul for eternity in Heaven, and a happy and blessed life on earth until God takes His Bride --the Church, home to Himself as He says.
Again, one needs to read such as John 1; John 3; John 14, and see what God is telling the reader; and see all of the four Gospels and Epistles to know the mind and ways of God. We either believe our Creator-God about salvation and His love and blessings, or continue with our assumptions. It is all about real faith and trust in God. Does one want to know?