Why Christianity?

[alexacker]

Why not any other religion of the world? I am a Deist really, but i say i am a christian generally to not upset my family and becasue i like some of the sayings in the New Testament
So what about you? Why Christianity and not something else?

 

[Hentenza]

Moved from GT to Exploring Christianity

 

[Deut 5:29]

Why not any other religion of the world? I am a Deist really, but i say i am a christian generally to not upset my family and becasue i like some of the sayings in the New Testament
So what about you? Why Christianity and not something else?

Because it's true and the others are not. DUHHH

 

[alexacker]

Because it's true and the others are not. DUHHH

Lol. Muslims say the same thing for their religion too you know... What makes you more qualified than them?

 

[Hentenza]

Lol. Muslims say the same thing for their religion too you know... What makes you more qualified than them?

Because their prophet is in the grave. Jesus, on the other hand, sits at the right hand of the Father.

 

[alexacker]

Because their prophet is in the grave. Jesus, on the other hand, sits at the right hand of the Father.

But if i was a Muslim I would believe that jesus was just a prophet, mohammed was the true prophet of allah, and that christians were false believers..

Just as Christians believe what you just posted

 

[Hentenza]

But if i was a Muslim I would believe that jesus was just a prophet, mohammed was the true prophet of allah, and that christians were false believers..

Just as Christians believe what you just posted

But their prophet is still in the ground. There is no getting around that one.

Islam basically copied quite a bit from the Christian bible and then twisted it to whatever their "prophet" intended. Historically one has to look at Islam in that light which makes it suspect.

 

[Look Up]

alexacker: You question is rather large from a cognitive standpoint alone, and from my Christian doctrinal position, I would probably be loath to defend some doctrinal positions (even some major ones) of the Christian heritage apparently pulling at your strings now.

But if adequate doctrinal comparisons and content were already carefully perused in this discussion, the outcome would, in my view at least, demonstrate that your decision, as anyone's, requires more than mere logical and intellectual conclusions.

Arguably even naturalists, atheists, and agnostics must address various metaphysical questions partly from the vantage point of presupposition, extrapolation, and belief. The evidence and human limitations place us in a position in which we have no choice but to make some sort of commitments, commitments which involve motives, moral choices and heart as much as intellect.

As to becoming a Christian, Jesus warns us that the cost of discipleship is high. Let the buyer beware.

But as to your intellectual content, a good historian will rely less on secondary sources than on original documents, where available. Applied here, that would suggest you read the Bible, the Quran (or Koran), the Bhagavad Gita, Buddhist writings, Darwin's Origin of the Species and whatever you can for yourself.

On a personal note for what it may be worth, I was converted out of atheism after finding evidence of fulfilled prophecy in the Bible, though more was going on than that. The decades of study that followed (sometimes intensively, at other times occasionally), including study of religions not my own, have served to strengthen and flesh out my first commitment and conclusion that Jesus is Lord.

 

[alexacker]

alexacker:
But if adequate doctrinal comparisons and content were already carefully perused in this discussion, the outcome would, in my view at least, demonstrate that your decision, as anyone's, requires more than mere logical and intellectual conclusions.

.

Basically the point i was trying to make but you wrote it with a more coherent and 'proper' manner
I believe in a higher being and i view all these religions different manifestations of the same thing really. Some religions of course dont describe their deity as I would like to think He/She/It is and that is part of why i dismiss them. Christianity(and parts the New Testament specifically) is the closest description of God that suits me. But i cant really be called a christian because i disagree with several ( if not most) parts of the scripture

 

[Hentenza]

Basically the point i was trying to make but you wrote it with a more coherent and 'proper' manner
I believe in a higher being and i view all these religions different manifestations of the same thing really. Some religions of course dont describe their deity as I would like to think He/She/It is and that is part of why i dismiss them. Christianity(and parts the New Testament specifically) is the closest description of God that suits me. But i cant really be called a christian because i disagree with several ( if not most) parts of the scripture

Well, here is the problem Alex. Christianity makes two exclusive claims. The first is that there is no salvation for those that do not believe in Jesus while the second is that no one can get to the Father except through the Son. All other religions do not accept Jesus as their Lord and savior, consequently, are at odds with Christianity. Logically, if one is true then the others are false by necessity.

 

[alexacker]

But their prophet is still in the ground. There is no getting around that one.

Islam basically copied quite a bit from the Christian bible and then twisted it to whatever their "prophet" intended. Historically one has to look at Islam in that light which makes it suspect.

I agree that Islam copied parts of Christianity...
But one could argue that Islam has so many things in common with Christianity because they worship the same abrahamic God.
And that Christians are false believers because they thought that Jesus, a prophet, was the son of God and ignored the last prophet, Muhammad.

I am willing to bet that if you, or me for that matter, were born in Middle East, we would worship Allah .
A reason I dont believe in religions is this... we are members of that religion by geographical standards. I dont think that is fair.

 

[Hentenza]

I agree that Islam copied parts of Christianity...
But one could argue that Islam has so many things in common with Christianity because they worship the same abrahamic God.
And that Christians are false believers because they thought that Jesus, a prophet, was the son of God and ignored the last prophet, Muhammad.

I am willing to bet that if you, or me for that matter, were born in Middle East, we would worship Allah .
A reason I dont believe in religions is this... we are members of that religion by geographical standards. I dont think that is fair.

Then, why is there growing Christian communities in the middle east?

 

[alexacker]

Then, why is there growing Christian communities in the middle east?

I haven't heard anything about it.. But anyways...
For the same reason there are growing muslim communities in america . Globalization
(i would say in europe, but there, its because of the many,many immigrants)

 

[Hentenza]

I haven't heard anything about it.. But anyways...
For the same reason there are growing muslim communities in america . Globalization
(i would say in europe, but there, its because of the many,many immigrants)

But doesn't that invalidate your assertion that "we are members of that religion by geographical standards."?

 

[alexacker]

But doesn't that invalidate your assertion that "we are members of that religion by geographical standards."?

Well.. Do you really think that if you were born in the Middle East or Central Africa, or whatever place which is primarily non-christian, you would be a follower of Christ?
By that statement i was making a general assumption which is correct most of the time... I bet more than 95 percent Middleasterns are muslim but that soesnt exclude other religions... They are just not as likely.

 

[Hentenza]

Well.. Do you really think that if you were born in the Middle East or Central Africa, or whatever place which is primarily non-christian, you would be a follower of Christ?

Many have converted to Christianity.

By that statement i was making a general assumption which is correct most of the time... I bet more than 95 percent Middleasterns are muslim but that soesnt exclude other religions... They are just not as likely.

Here are some numbers to chew on.

How many Christians remain in the Middle East?

a. The largest Christian community of the Middle East is found in Egypt, which has ten to twelve million Copts. This Christian group comprises 1/5 to 1/6 of the country's population. Egypt is also a major recipient of U.S. foreign aid, despite blatant violations of religious freedom which occurs weekly in this country. b. The Southern Sudanese are about six million. Christians are the largest monotheist group.
c. The Christians of Lebanon: about 1.5 million still reside there and more than 6 million live in the diaspora, including about a quarter of that number in the United States. Among the Lebanese Christians, the largest group is the Maronites, which are Catholics which follow Rome. Other smaller religious entities include the Melkites and Orthodox Christians.
d. The Assyro-Chaldeans: Around one million in Iraq with large concentrations in the Kurdish zone.
e. The Christians of Syria: About 1.2 million including Aramaics, Armenians, Melkites and Orthodox.
f. There are small but significant Christian communities in other countries such as Iran, Jordan, Israel, and less significant in Turkey, Algeria. By law there are no Christians in Saudi Arabia.



Christians in the Middle East, Coptic, Maronite - The Peace FAQ

 

[Bible2]

alexacker said:

But one could argue that Islam has so many things in common with Christianity because they worship the same abrahamic God.

Islam can't save people because it denies that Jesus is the human/divine Son of God (Koran 9:30, Koran 4:171, Koran 5:72), and it denies that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins (Koran 4:157) and rose from the dead on the third day. In order to be saved people have to believe that Jesus is the human/divine Son of God (John 3:36, 1 John 2:23), and that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 24:46-47, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 26:28).

The reason why it's necessary to believe these things in order to be saved is because it was only as the human/divine Son of God that Jesus' suffering during his Passion could satisfy God the Father's justice (Isaiah 53:11), which requires an infinite amount of human suffering for sin (Matthew 25:46). During his Passion, Jesus as a human suffered for our sins an infinite amount because he is at the same time God (John 1:1,14, John 10:30, John 20:28): his soul is infinite, and so the suffering of his soul (Isaiah 53:11) was infinite in amount, even though it wasn't infinite in duration. Because humans who aren't God have finite souls, for them to suffer an infinite amount for their sins they must suffer over an infinite duration of time (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 14:10-11, Mark 9:45-46). Every human has sinned (Romans 3:9,10,23, Isaiah 53:6) except Jesus (Hebrews 4:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21). But because Jesus suffered an infinite amount for all human sinners (1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:2, Isaiah 53:6,11), all human sinners who believe in Jesus' human/divine sacrifice can have their past sins forgiven (Romans 3:25, Matthew 26:28) while God the Father's justice remains fully satisfied by Jesus' suffering for their sins (Isaiah 53:11, Isaiah 53:6).

 

[alexacker]

Islam can't save people because it denies that Jesus is the human/divine Son of God (Koran 9:30, Koran 4:171, Koran 5:72), and it denies that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins (Koran 4:157) and rose from the dead on the third day. In order to be saved people have to believe that Jesus is the human/divine Son of God (John 3:36, 1 John 2:23), and that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 24:46-47, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 26:28).

The reason why it's necessary to believe these things in order to be saved is because it was only as the human/divine Son of God that Jesus' suffering during his Passion could satisfy God the Father's justice (Isaiah 53:11), which requires an infinite amount of human suffering for sin (Matthew 25:46). During his Passion, Jesus as a human suffered for our sins an infinite amount because he is at the same time God (John 1:1,14, John 10:30, John 20:28): his soul is infinite, and so the suffering of his soul (Isaiah 53:11) was infinite in amount, even though it wasn't infinite in duration. Because humans who aren't God have finite souls, for them to suffer an infinite amount for their sins they must suffer over an infinite duration of time (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 14:10-11, Mark 9:45-46). Every human has sinned (Romans 3:9,10,23, Isaiah 53:6) except Jesus (Hebrews 4:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21). But because Jesus suffered an infinite amount for all human sinners (1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:2, Isaiah 53:6,11), all human sinners who believe in Jesus' human/divine sacrifice can have their past sins forgiven (Romans 3:25, Matthew 26:28) while God the Father's justice remains fully satisfied by Jesus' suffering for their sins (Isaiah 53:11, Isaiah 53:6).

But that is what I don't understand... You have been taught Bible is the inerrant word of God. And they have been taught that Quran is the inerrant word of God. So an argument could go on and on just by quoting Verses from each's holy book.
Saying that Bible (or quran or whatever for that matter) is the word of God, begs the question "" How do you know that?"
In which you'll probably reply that it (Bible) says so.... Which is a circular argument, which is i dont beieve in holy books

 

[bling]

For those religions that believe in a God, believe in a “Loving” God. Christianity believes in the most Loving God: totally unselfish, sacrificial, and serving.

Christianity has a logical explanation for everything, just compare the first question

Why were we created?
A God that has been around forever would have the best of the best by all standards. Of all God’s attributes the best “Love” would be the greatest, controlling all other attributes (Love is the most power force in all universes). God which is described as Love would be compelled by His Love to make beings that could Love like He Loves. Unfortunately, Godly type Love cannot be directly programmed into the being (instinctive) for that love would be a robotic type of love. If God forces the Love on the being (take it or I torture you) that would not be Loving on God’s part and again would not be Godly type Love. God has to allow (give up some of his power) beings to have free will and choose (it must be a real choice and not forced) Love over some likely alternative (in our case it is the perceived pleasures of sin for a season).
We have the earthly objective (that can only be done on earth) of obtaining Godly type Love so we can Love God and others with all our heart, soul, mind and energy. Love is defined by all Christ said and did (you can also look at 1 Cor. 13 and 1 John 4.) Obtaining Love is accepting it as a free undeserving and unconditional gift (Charity). Man due to survival instincts does not like to accept charity especially from a Giver that paid a huge price. The easiest way to accept it is to accept God’s forgiveness (…he that is forgiven much will Love much…)
God’s objective is the most unselfish objective (an attribute of Godly Love) in that God is doing all He can to help people (those willing to accept His help since they have free will) to fulfill their objective. That “all” includes allowing Christ to go to the cross, satan to roam the earth, tragedies of all kinds, some unwilling individuals to go to hell, and even sinning.

 

[alexacker]

For those religions that believe in a God, believe in a “Loving” God. Christianity believes in the most Loving God: totally unselfish, sacrificial, and serving.

Christianity has a logical explanation for everything, just compare the first question

Why were we created?
A God that has been around forever would have the best of the best by all standards. Of all God’s attributes the best “Love” would be the greatest, controlling all other attributes (Love is the most power force in all universes). God which is described as Love would be compelled by His Love to make beings that could Love like He Loves. Unfortunately, Godly type Love cannot be directly programmed into the being (instinctive) for that love would be a robotic type of love. If God forces the Love on the being (take it or I torture you) that would not be Loving on God’s part and again would not be Godly type Love. God has to allow (give up some of his power) beings to have free will and choose (it must be a real choice and not forced) Love over some likely alternative (in our case it is the perceived pleasures of sin for a season).
We have the earthly objective (that can only be done on earth) of obtaining Godly type Love so we can Love God and others with all our heart, soul, mind and energy. Love is defined by all Christ said and did (you can also look at 1 Cor. 13 and 1 John 4.) Obtaining Love is accepting it as a free undeserving and unconditional gift (Charity). Man due to survival instincts does not like to accept charity especially from a Giver that paid a huge price. The easiest way to accept it is to accept God’s forgiveness (…he that is forgiven much will Love much&#8230
God’s objective is the most unselfish objective (an attribute of Godly Love) in that God is doing all He can to help people (those willing to accept His help since they have free will) to fulfill their objective. That “all” includes allowing Christ to go to the cross, satan to roam the earth, tragedies of all kinds, some unwilling individuals to go to hell, and even sinning.

Again that is the God i believe in ....But the Christian God as mentioned in the Bible, and especially in the old testament is very cruel .
I agree some parts of the New Testament are awesome and very advanced for their age( Love your neighbor as you love yourself etc) but a considerable portion of the Bible is full of contradictions and evil things ;/

No matter how Christians alter the meaning of the words of the Bible the bottom line is this. Bible is NOT the word of God. Some parts are inspired by him of course but Human influence is too obvious.
If it is gods word, then i'd rather not worship such a vengeful being..