Why is this so different?

[L. Ron Hubbard]

Thousands of years ago there were the Egyptians, the Romans, the Greeks, all had gods. They worshiped and prayed to these gods, and knew for a fact that they existed. Today we do the exact same with Christianity and I want to know. What makes this so different? What's there going to be 1000 years from know when people of the future look back at once was? Will this religion that everyone KNOWS is true, just like the civilizations of past KNEW it was true, be looked at curiously, puzzled by the archaic nature of it all? Will the Bible be a relic looked at in museums whilst lectured about how we worshiped the sun? Why is Christianity so different? And what about all the other religions, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, Buddism! Are they all wrong? Will the millions of people on the other side of the world who have never even heard of "Jesus Christ" go to hell, as will all the other nonbelievers? Why is this so special? I have been searching for the answer to this question for a long time, but have never come across a straight answer. Bring it on

 

[ephraimanesti]

Thousands of years ago there were the Egyptians, the Romans, the Greeks, all had gods. They worshiped and prayed to these gods, and knew for a fact that they existed. Today we do the exact same with Christianity and I want to know. What makes this so different? What's there going to be 1000 years from know when people of the future look back at once was?

The primary difference is obvious--our God is a LIVING GOD, not an inanimate object such as the various "gods" you have mentioned above. In a relatively short period of time--historically speaking--people figured this out for themselves and veneration of the stone, wood, and metal images which were the center of Egyptian, Roman, Greek, etc. pseudo-"god" cults died out. Where are they now? In museums--objects of curiosity.

Where is the LIVING GOD whose unblemished track record goes back to the beginning of time and has been chronicled in the Bible for approximately 6000 years? He is alive and well and activily abiding and working His Loving Will in the hearts of millions who have opened the door to allow Him entrance. How else could a religion which began with a small group of semi-illiterate fishermen have grown so quickly that it consumed the mighty Roman Empire along with its so-called "gods" and spread from a backwater environment in the middle of nowhere--far out of the world's mainstream--to become the Body of Christ--a Church of global proportions?

1000 years from now? Should the Lord tarry that long--which i personally doubt--i am sure that the TRUTH and its LIVING SOURCE will be alive, well, and stronger than ever. "The light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness cannot overcome it."(John 1:5)
As God Himself states, "As I live, saying the Lord, every kneee will bow to Me, and every tonue will give praise to God."(Romans 14:11)

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[drich0150]

In a thousand year will any of this really matter to you? Then why look at what others do with our legacy? If You have truly found your answers and your peace.. Then I say be content with it. and let those who seek more, do so.

Christianity as been a staple for 2000 years, and the Legacy of the one true God another 3000 before that. The work and record that can be found through Judaism is one of the most detailed accounts of history man has. We may have other records and fragments of civilization detailing one king or even partial descriptions of dynasties, but nothing as complete and as acknowledged by so many..

The Idea of the God of Israel has stood the test of time. Can you name any other religion still practiced or observed or any other God that is worshiped Like The God of Abraham is? This man and his God, are acknowledged by Christianity, Jewish, and the Muslims communities..

So let me ask why isn't this special?

Especially given the "scientific alternatives" Where what is true 20 years ago is scoffed and laughed at as much as not believing what the popular belief is today. Where will some of today's corner stone scientific "facts" be in a thousand years? What scientific truths remain from the last thousand years? We in the last 150 years have just put into place a solid unified system of recording, observing and experimentation.. Now with only 150 years of data collection (And the first 100 year of that effort is questionable by today's standards) and speculation we have claimed to have unlocked all facets that the fields of science cares to encompass. from the sub atomic to galactic phenom so far away we don't even have a system of measurement to properly/accurately convey the distance..
Not only that, we have been able to determine by looking as some rocks here and at some "space rocks" We can claim we understand The very nature of time and space itself...

Now out of the Trillions and trillions of years it took to bring us to this point, in less than an proverbial cosmic blink of the eye "your church of science and speculation" Has it all figured out.. Or at least to the point to make fun of or pressuring those who do not readily drink your brand of Flav-o-Aid.
But at the same time can't accurately figure out or predict whether the planet is warming up or cooling off...

So let me ask you the same Question. Why is science so special? What makes you think in 100 years or maybe even in your life time, That what you believe now will still be there? (Did you hear about Pluto?) My confused brother, the burden of "proof" is on you. Especially because your "religion" demands it! Ours is content with us just having faith.

 

[AV1611VET]

Hi Ron --- nice to meet you ---

Thousands of years ago there were the Egyptians, the Romans, the Greeks, all had gods.

They were shown to be false gods too. In fact, the God of the universe even went so far as to demonstrate His mastery over these false idols with, for example, the Ten Plagues --- all leveled at Egyptian deities.

For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.

It's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

They worshiped and prayed to these gods, and knew for a fact that they existed.

They did it mainly because the government made them do it. Worshipping false idols was tantamount to paying homage to the government.

Today we do the exact same with Christianity and I want to know.

No, we don't. We don't worship God via the government. In fact, He is not even mentioned in our Constitution.

What makes this so different?

Well, for one thing, our government can't tell us who to worship. It doesn't tell us when we should go to church, and we don't tell it what the speed limit should be (by way of examples).

What's there going to be 1000 years from know when people of the future look back at once was?

The same thing as when we look back 1000 years at what once was --- the worship of the true God of the universe --- and His Son.

Will this religion that everyone KNOWS is true, just like the civilizations of past KNEW it was true, be looked at curiously, puzzled by the archaic nature of it all?

Nope --- it is founded upon a Rock ---

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

God doesn't change.

Will the Bible be a relic looked at in museums whilst lectured about how we worshiped the sun?

No --- our Bible is a living Book, and unless and until God has It translated again, Its pages will continue to turn daily.

Why is Christianity so different?

For one, it is the only organization whose members are not qualified to be in it. It accepts those who are unqualified, and rejects those that claim they are qualified.

And what about all the other religions, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, Buddism! Are they all wrong?

Yes.

Will the millions of people on the other side of the world who have never even heard of "Jesus Christ" go to hell, as will all the other nonbelievers?

Yes, but keep this in mind. No one is going to go to Hell that doesn't deserve to go --- no one.

Why is this so special?

Because we are redeemed, not just by blood, but by the precious blood of the Lamb of God, who loves us, and gave Himself for us.

I have been searching for the answer to this question for a long time, but have never come across a straight answer.

Your search is over --- you've come to the right place. Simply pray and acknowledge the fact that you are not a righteous person, and ask Jesus Christ to accept you in your current condition, and to be your Saviour. You can do it right now in the privacy of your thoughts and heart.

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

I assure you --- it's painless --- Jesus took all the pain for you.

Bring it on

If you've got the guts, He's got the glory.

 

[ebia]

Thousands of years ago there were the Egyptians, the Romans, the Greeks, all had gods. They worshiped and prayed to these gods, and knew for a fact that they existed. Today we do the exact same with Christianity and I want to know. What makes this so different? What's there going to be 1000 years from know when people of the future look back at once was? Will this religion that everyone KNOWS is true, just like the civilizations of past KNEW it was true, be looked at curiously, puzzled by the archaic nature of it all? Will the Bible be a relic looked at in museums whilst lectured about how we worshiped the sun? Why is Christianity so different? And what about all the other religions, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, Buddism! Are they all wrong? Will the millions of people on the other side of the world who have never even heard of "Jesus Christ" go to hell, as will all the other nonbelievers? Why is this so special? I have been searching for the answer to this question for a long time, but have never come across a straight answer. Bring it on

Religions in general fall into one of two camps in their foundational stuff. Either, like Islam, they have a set of supposedly timeless, eternal, truths. Or, like most of the rest, they have a set of narratives - but those narratives even at the time they were compiled were always of a mythical character - they happened "a long time ago in a land far away to heroic beings". The early Christians are just about unique in having their entire focus on what they claimed was a real historic event, that happened to a real historic identifiable person in a real historical identifiable place on a real historical identifiable date in the immediate past. The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is the event on which their entire worldview hangs, the event that reshaped their entire view in otherwise inexplicable ways and which they said had changed completely the nature of all creation. There is nothing close to that in other religions. 2000 years later were inclined to fudge that historical question - but Christianity makes a unique claim to be in real history, not a-historical (like Islam) nor mythical (like most of the rest).

 

[jellybean99]

In other mythologies, gods were made in man's/woman's image. YHWH imposed himself on Abraham and through him created the nation of Israel. YHWH is beyond our human comprehension and lacks the corruption of false gods and religions, like this one, for instance, L.Ron Hubbard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCGP-0545EU

 

[chosenpath]

Why is Christianity so different? And what about all the other religions, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness,

First if I may clear up a misconception you have. Both the Mormons, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" and Jehovah Witnesses believe in Jesus Christ as their savior and the son of God. They follow the teachings of Jesus in preaching the good news.

Thousands of years ago there were the Egyptians, the Romans, the Greeks, all had gods. They worshiped and prayed to these gods, and knew for a fact that they existed.

They knew they existed because they made them.

2 Kings 19:18 and Isaiah 37:19
and have cast their gods into the fire; for they [were] not gods, but the work of men's hands--wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them.

Let me use an example from the book of Jonah where such people prayed to their gods and nothing happened.(notice the lower case which even you used) and because they saw the true mighty works of the Lord, the God of heaven they converted.

Jonah 1:5-9, 14
Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that [was] in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. So the captain came to him, and said to him, "What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish." Then they said to him, "Please tell us! For whose cause [is] this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?" So he said to them, "I [am] a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry [land]."

Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, "We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man's life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You." So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.

The book of Jonah is not just about a man swallowed by a big fish it has a wealth of information sometimes overlooked.

Will the millions of people on the other side of the world who have never even heard of "Jesus Christ" go to hell, as will all the other nonbelievers?

Jesus himself said everyone will have an opportunity to learn before the end of times. He also said what would happen to non-believers.

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

John 8:24
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am [He], you will die in your sins."

John 16:7-11
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Why is this so special?

Because El Shaddia is merciful just as he was merciful to Jonah for not heeding his call to serve. He gave Jonah a couple days to think about the importance of warning Nineveh to repent. When Jonah followed the request of God he not only saved himself but those of Nineveh.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Why is Christianity so different? And what about all the other religions, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness,

First if I may clear up a misconception you have. Both the Mormons, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" and Jehovah Witnesses believe in Jesus Christ as their savior and the son of God. They follow the teachings of Jesus in preaching the good news.

MY SISTER--Not to be argumentative, but i have been involved with both the Mormons and the Jehovah Witnesses in the past while seeking the Truth, and neither one is Christian, neither one accepts the reality of the Trinity as taught in Scripture, and neither one considers Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, eternally equal with the Father and the Spirit--the Jehovah Witnesses consider Him "a god" and the Mormons consider Him as separate from the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Please be aware that all is not what it seems with these two pseudo-religions!

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[Maranatha27]

MY SISTER--Not to be argumentative, but i have been involved with both the Mormons and the Jehovah Witnesses in the past while seeking the Truth, and neither one is Christian, neither one accepts the reality of the Trinity as taught in Scripture, and neither one considers Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, eternally equal with the Father and the Spirit--the Jehovah Witnesses consider Him "a god" and the Mormons consider Him as separate from the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Please be aware that all is not what it seems with these two pseudo-religions!

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

Chosenpath,

I strongly agree with ephraim...

 

[chosenpath]

If I may make my apologies to the OP for answering both Ephraimanesti and Marantha27. I honestly believe this is not going off topic because it has to do with answering the difference of other religions.

No, I don't consider either of you being argumentative. I appreciate your concern I wouldn't expect anything less.

Ephesians 4:10-16
He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some [to be] apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.


This scripture has great meaning. Over the centuries the churches have broken off from one another I won't get into the history (that would take several pages), but due to this we have the Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic, Nazerene, etc....... In the past their has been divisions among them just as Paul warned:

1 Corinthians 13:1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether [there are] prophecies, they will fail; whether [there are] tongues, they will cease; whether [there is] knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.


2 Corinthians 12:20
For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and [that] I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest [there be] contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;


We still need to be cautious and not tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind and doctrine as cited in Ephesians, but to as 1 John 4:1 justifies: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

If you have tested me and found me approved, not that I am a prophet, but what I base my beliefs on then I would say my knowlege of the Word came from studying with the Jehovah Witnesses and If I know how to pray it is because I was taught by the Roman Catholics. I Believe in God the father in his only begotton son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit which is sent out among us. I was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins and no he is not a "god" but the only begotton son of Jehovah born of the Holy Spirit!

 

[ephraimanesti]

If I may make my apologies to the OP for answering both Ephraimanesti and Marantha27. I honestly believe this is not going off topic because it has to do with answering the difference of other religions.

No, I don't consider either of you being argumentative. I appreciate your concern I wouldn't expect anything less.
Over the centuries the churches have broken off from one another I won't get into the history (that would take several pages), but due to this we have the Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic, Nazerene, etc....... In the past their has been divisions among them just as Paul warned

DEAR ONE,

All that you say is true. However, might i point out that there are differences in the beliefs of Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses which separate them from divisions WITHIN the Body of Christ such as those you mention--"Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic, Nazerene, etc."--and place them OUTSIDE the Body of Christ.

All Christian bodies accept the Nicene Creed, or adaptations of the Creed, as the basis of their beliefs. The Creed states:

The Nicene Creed​

"I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

"And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, true God from true God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

"Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

"And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

"And I believe one holy catholic [universal] and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."

This confession of faith identifies those Faith Communities which are Christian from those who are not. Neither Mormon nor Jehovah Witnesses accept this Confession and cannot thus be considered "christian" in their beliefs or practices. This is not to say that there are not Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons who love God and that God's love does not flow out to them. It mean that these cults are based on false teachings which preclude them from being considered as "christian" for the reason that their teachings are unscriptural and heretical.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[chosenpath]

This confession of faith identifies those Faith Communities which are Christian from those who are not. Neither Mormon nor Jehovah Witnesses accept this Confession and cannot thus be considered "christian" in their beliefs or practices. This is not to say that there are not Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons who love God and that God's love does not flow out to them. It mean that these cults are based on false teachings which preclude them from being considered as "christian" for the reason that their teachings are unscriptural and heretical.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

False teachings?

The Mormon Bible Holy Scriptures
1 Timothy 6:3-4
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words , even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words , whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil
surmisings,


Jehovah Witnesses New World Translation
1 Timothy 6:3-4
If any man teaches other doctrine and does not assent to healthful words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, not to the teachings that accords with godly devotion, he is puffed up [with pride], not understanding anything, but being mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words. From these things spring envy, strife, abusive speeches, wicked suspicions

New king James Version
1 Timothy 6:3-4
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,

 

[drich0150]

If you have tested me and found me approved, not that I am a prophet, but what I base my beliefs on then I would say my knowledge of the Word came from studying with the Jehovah Witnesses and If I know how to pray it is because I was taught by the Roman Catholics. I Believe in God the father in his only begotten son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit which is sent out among us. I was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins and no he is not a "god" but the only begotten son of Jehovah born of the Holy Spirit!

If you have truly found God/Jesus in your efforts, and through your many churches. then can't it be said that all Jesus Christ centered religions offer an opportunity for a relationship with God?

As I said, some religious belief systems offer more hurdles to over come than others, to get to God. Few to any religions will be sufficient to maintain a healthy relationship with God, based solely on what can be done on the "Lord's Day."

False teachings, obstacles, or hurdles plague every religion, some more than others. I believe Mormons besides a questionable origin, the subscribers of this faith have to over come "The book of Mormon itself." This Book is littered with contrary teachings and doctrines against scripture. It is my understanding where the two books clash the good Mormon takes the side of the book of Mormon over what is written in scripture.. This is a tremendous obstacle to over come in finding a relationship with God.

The Jehovah's wittinesses, I believe, have it harder because there Doctrine mirrors a Scriptural doctrine very closely, but is different enough to force it's subscribers to choose "The Jehovah's wittiness method of worship", or to worship God how it is outlined in a non "New world translation bible."
This bible mirrors just about every other authentically scripturally translated Bible, but there are some key differences, text has been added, and other Original texts have been omitted. Like the word Jehovah has been added nearly 250 times where the original texts do not have the word. All to push the doctrine of the church.

Another tremendous obstacle that most Jehovah's wittinesses believers have to over come is a doctrine of "work" related salvation. Specifically, That Jesus sacrifice is not enough, and that the "Believers" are in a work related competition for one of 144,000 slots available in heaven..

But Again, This type doctrinal obstacles can be found in any religion.. It is up to the individual person to Seek God with all of there being, and not to fall into the trap of worshiping their favorite method of worship, rather worship God himself..

It is possible to find God in a Mormon church Just like it would be in a main stream Denomination, but it is equally possible and far more likely to have a potential believer to fall into the trap of worshiping the religious beliefs of a particular religion rather than God himself. Allot of the "Main stream" beliefs systems try and focus on a relationship with Jesus as apposed to establishing a sworn allegiance to the system of belief. (that's not how it always works out, but intent is there.) In both the Mormon and Jehovah's faiths, Allegiance to the method of worship is paramount to everything else, including God. If not why the need for "Alternate books/bibles and magazines dedicated to interpreting these beliefs in the "proper way?"

 

[AV1611VET]

False teachings?

The Mormon Bible Holy Scriptures
1 Timothy 6:3-4
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words , even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words , whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil
surmisings,

Um ... excuse me ... the Mormon Bible???

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Right down to the punctuation, eh?

Is this the one that is King James Version + the Mormon stamp of approval on the inside front cover?

And according to Mormon theology, aren't Jesus and Lucifer brothers?

 

[chosenpath]

Come come now, all I'm trying to point out is two basics

A) 1 Corintians 3:6 -9
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he
who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he
who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward
according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field,
[you are] God's building.

B) The congregations in Revelation chapter 2 and 3. There is always room for improvement when we strive to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.

 

[AV1611VET]

Come come now, all I'm trying to point out is two basics

No, you're not --- you're trying to push either Mormon or JW doctrine on us --- (or both) --- and it's not gonna work.

Would I be correct in assuming you're a JW (as your profile seems to indicate) that's married to a Mormon?

In any event, we are not allowed to discuss this between ourselves here, as this subforum [Exploring Christianity] caters only to the OP.

 

[Alcamo]

I appreciate any sincere discussion about this, but I’m sorry to say the OP is hardly more than yet another dare to "prove Christianity is true." There is no way any one post is going to cover every line of evidence that upholds Christianity as opposed to all the other countless worldviews over all time. I also find the words "bring it on" to be an offensive rant, not a civil invitation to talk. I’ll look past that in the hopes that something I say might be useful.

The OP parallels a common logical fallacy which can be reduced to a simple claim:
“There are many religions, therefore no one is right.”

Consider an analogy…
Bob sincerely believes the world is flat.
Jenny sincerely believes it is a cube.
Ted sincerely believes it is spherical.

The OP would argue “There are many beliefs about the shape of the world, so what makes Ted’s view so special?” Simple: The fact that it can be demonstrated by objective evidence, while the other’s views cannot. Yes, people will all claim their views can be demonstrated as fact and that the other people’s can’t (indeed there really is a Flat Earth Society), but this does not mean there is no objective truth. This isn’t intolerant, just a simple statement of fact (of course, how that fact is communicated can certainly be offensive and disgusting!).

To offer another analogy, let’s say you receive your bank statement in the mail and they failed to note a deposit you made. The bank says you have one balance; you say you have another. So what makes your view so special? Simple: You have a slip proving you made the deposit and can show them you’re right. Is that intolerant? No, but your behavior as you communicate it could be.

The OP makes a strong link between truth and people’s beliefs. Why? Just to beat a dead horse, let me give one more illustration to address this;

A student wants to determine the exact date the civil war ended for an exam. Instead of researching the evidence in books about the war, she decides to walk down the street and ask people. She asks many people and gets many answers. Some people simply tell her they have no idea. She finds there is no consensus of opinion. Does she therefore conclude that no one’s view is any better than anyone else’s? It may seem this way to her, because relying on a cross-section of opinion to determine the truth is inherently flawed. While people’s opinions may or may not coincide with truth, they are not authoritative sources of truth in themselves. The student then decides to go to the library and do the appropriate research and she finds the answer. The next day she goes to her study group and tells them she knows the answer, but instead of simply asking her how she knows, her peers criticize her; “What makes you think you’re right and everyone who disagrees with you is wrong? You’re so intolerant. What about all the students who believe the war ended in 2001? Are they going to fail the test? What kind of professor would fail a student just because they have different beliefs? That’s so unloving!”

Putting this back in the context of our discussion, what difference does it make what people have believed at any given point in history, or what they believe today? How is that relevant (in this context at least)? Truth is independent of people’s beliefs. The real question is; “whose views are supported by evidence and whose are not?” The fact that someone once believed a god carried the sun across the sky has no weight as an argument against Christianity (or anything else).


Having said all this, there are certainly themes that do make Christianity unique, which I’ll leave to others to expound on. To be objective, however, let me be the first to say that arguing something is true because it is unique is also a logical fallacy. A new religion could start that believes the moon is made of cheese. Just because this view is unique does not mean it is true.

 

[ephraimanesti]

False teachings?

"False teachings" permeate both Jehovah Witnesses and Mormon teachings--given that both were started by false prophets. Examples:

The basis of almost all Mormon teachings are the idea of "eternal progression" which is stated, "As man is, god was; as god is, man will be." That idea is about as far from Christian teachings as it is possible to go.

The Jehovah Witnesses, on the other hand, deny the reality of the Trinity and the Godhood of Christ, teaching that Jesus the Christ was a created being to whom God "lent" His Holy Spirit to facilitate His "acting as our Savior." To this end, they have formulated their own bible "translation" which is, in fact, a Bible perversion, in which, for example, John 1:1 is perversly "translated" "and the Word was A god" instead of the correct "and the Word WAS God." Again, 180 degrees from Scriptural Christian beliefs.

Jehovah Witnesses New World Translation 1 Timothy 6:3-4 "If any man teaches other doctrine and does not assent to healthful words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, not to the teachings that accords with godly devotion, he is puffed up [with pride], not understanding anything, but being mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words. From these things spring envy, strife, abusive speeches, wicked suspicions

Yes, this Scripture is a good description of all cult teachings and beliefs, especially those of Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons. Thank you for sharing it!

New king James Version: "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,

Once again, a good choice of Scriptures to describe cults. Thanks much for your help!

We are getting seriously off topic, so i will have to leave this discussion with the above. If you have any more comments, perhaps you could PM me.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[Maranatha27]

Chosenpath,

As for the Mormons, a previous thread called "Are Mormons Christians" may be helpful. The thread is short and sweet

http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=48775669#post48775669

Please take a look

 

[Maranatha27]

Thousands of years ago there were the Egyptians, the Romans, the Greeks, all had gods. They worshiped and prayed to these gods, and knew for a fact that they existed. Today we do the exact same with Christianity and I want to know. What makes this so different? What's there going to be 1000 years from know when people of the future look back at once was? Will this religion that everyone KNOWS is true, just like the civilizations of past KNEW it was true, be looked at curiously, puzzled by the archaic nature of it all? Will the Bible be a relic looked at in museums whilst lectured about how we worshiped the sun? Why is Christianity so different? And what about all the other religions, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, Buddism! Are they all wrong? Will the millions of people on the other side of the world who have never even heard of "Jesus Christ" go to hell, as will all the other nonbelievers? Why is this so special? I have been searching for the answer to this question for a long time, but have never come across a straight answer. Bring it on

Back on the subject with Ron

You missed the mother of them all, Babylon!!! If you were to study the gods of ancient times you would discover that the fountian head was Babylon.

When the Assyrian empire was raising hell in the world, Sennacherib sent out and ambassador to Judah demanding a surrender.

Isaiah 36:13Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.
14Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.
15Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
16Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
17Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.
18Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, the LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
19Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 20Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

Although the 10 tribes went into captivity by the Assyrians before this encounter, Jehovah spoke through the prophet Isaiah promising preservation of Juhdah and Jerusalem from the Assyrian and the ultimate destruction of his host and the Sennacherib himself

Isaiah 37:33Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.

34By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
35For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
36Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
37So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. 38And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

As history shows us that it was Babylon that took Judah captive, not because of the weekness of Yahweh, but because of the utter wretchedness of the tribes of Juhdah and Benjamin. The Word of God describes a woman wailing for Tamuzz, along with other myths and abominations prevelent in Jerusalem. Ezekiel records Gods presence leaving Solomons temple and coming to rest on a mountian to the east. The Shekinah glory then assended into heaven from the Mount of Olives. In the books of the captivity you will notice the shift to the use of "God of Heaven"

What will people think of Christianity in 1000 years?

He'll be reigning from Jerusalem, I think people will have a good feel of just who the Lord Jesus Christ is.

Isaiah 46:7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

8Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: