Louisiana Becomes First State To Require Ten Commandments In Public School Classrooms

People keep using examples that have relatively finite answers. Compound returns are a proven fact. How to lay a child down to sleep safely is medically provable. Spirituality is a deeply personal choice, one with no definitive answer and thousands of “right” answers for people depending on their history and personality. Because you (the Royal you) believe in heaven and hell doesn’t mean anyone does or should. If someone wants to explore it they can, if they don’t or they have their own belief system, respect it and leave them be. Atheists or agnostics generally don’t walk around preaching to Christians to leave their church, they should get the same courtesy.
Jmo.

 

Well, there is god. Of course, we know she won't do anything, but what is really taking it to the next level is that it is EXPECTED that she won't do anything.

 

So you want Christians to stay in the closet and not express their faith publicly. Or even privately to friends and acquaintances.

So this is a message board where anyone can post any idea they have, except people of Faith who really need to shut up and keep it to themselves.

 

Not at all what I’m saying. My post was about proselytization and the idea that it’s up to you to tell someone else what the “right” path is.

 

I never implied that calling was exclusive to people of faith.

Jesus told his disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel. That puts an obligation on his followers to share the gospel.

I think we have different conceptions of what constitutes arrogance. Back when Spurrier was coaching the Gators, I had a friend here who is a big Penn State fan. He said he didn’t like Spurrier because he was so arrogant. I responded that he was not arrogant, just confident.

The apostle Paul expressed confidence when he said “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” (2 Timothy 1:12 ESV). He knew God, and he knew Jesus Christ, and that gave him his confidence to trust.

You and others consider it arrogant that a Christian would assert that they know the way. It raises the broader question, how do we know something? I see it as we know things through instruction, through our own experience and the experience of others, and from our own deductive and inductive reasonings.

I know God exists. It’s not just a fanciful idea, but based on the evidence and arguments that there is a God. You may reject the evidence, but it nevertheless exists.

I accept the evidence and arguments that Jesus of Nazareth was raised from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. I have also experienced the presence of Jesus in my life.

There’s one other source of knowledge available to the Christian called Holy Spirit Epistemology. Studying God‘s word, the Holy Spirit reveals to the believer insights into that word.

As philosopher William Lane Craig describes it, “when we read in Scripture that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, the Holy Spirit produces in us a conviction of the truth of that scriptural proposition. So, these beliefs are warranted for us, not by way of inference or argument, but in a properly basic way.”

That is not something that can be offered to convince you of anything, but it does explain knowledge available to the Christian.

It’s interesting that the British historian Tom Holland, who is not a believer, says that Christians have the most incredible story in the history of the world and should be presenting it more boldly and more often.

You see the gospel with some kind of carrot and stick: “Do this and you’ll be rewarded. Don’t do this and you’ll be punished.” That is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that we are all already subject to a sinful condition.

Romans 3:22-24 (ESV): … For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus …

Romans 6:23 (ESV): For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Somebody once said that man’s sinful nature is the Christian doctrine most evident in the world. Just look around you. Man’s sinful nature is on exhibit everywhere. The good news, or gospel, is that God provides remedy for our sinful condition.

It seems that you see Christianity as some kind of organization striving to get members. The sales team is out recruiting, and the closers seal the deal. Once the organization has new members, then they can be milked for contributions and dues. Hence your comments about it being about power.

I have never been in a church that hounded me for money. In my current church, we might hear once a year, at the most, a message on what the Bible says about giving. But there is never any pressure or expectation put on people.

The Gospel is not about joining an organization. It’s about entering into a relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ.

Interesting that you use the word “know” here. I do not know that to be true. I don’t even have enough information to suspect it is true.

I had to look up obsequious. It is rather derogatory.

I’m wondering why that is so important to you. And I want to make sure I understand you. Are you wanting believers to admit that they are arrogant, or merely to accept that you might see their position as arrogant? I can do the latter. Just like I understood my Penn State friend who thought Spurrier was arrogant. I didn’t agree with him because I believe it was an expression of confidence not arrogance.

As a believer, I am confident in my faith. I’m sorry if you find that arrogant. I can assure you, I do not see myself as superior to anyone else. In fact, considering the definition of arrogance that you previously posted, I have to downgrade certain people from that characterization because the requirements are so narrow.

I like this quote. I’m going to use it in the future.

Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to answer your questions.

 

what are your god's pronouns?

 

That sure does sound a lot like something you would hear some Sunday morning in a lot of churches.

 

God, Mother Nature, cosmos…no clue.
There is something mysterious, powerful that may or may not have put life in motion.

 

The quoted post brought to mind a Christmas time billboard erected (ahem) in 2009 outside St Matthew-in-the-City, an Anglican church in Auckland, New Zealand.



The billboard was criticized by people both inside and outside the church and defaced several times before the church decided to remove and replace it with another less controversial image.

Church calls it quits over controversial billboard

"The Anglican Bishop of Auckland, John Paterson, called it ``insensitive'' and said he was disappointed the parish had continued with the billboard after the initial damage.

"Archdeacon Cardy earlier said the billboard was designed to let people outside the church realise that many Christians and church leaders did not believe in the literal virgin birth, and did not believe that was the true meaning of Christmas.

"'We're out to critique the idea of a male god impregnating Mary and the literalism of the virgin birth.'

"'The topic is ... something the church has talked about for centuries, but what is new is that we have the audacity to laugh at something quite so ridiculous as a male god sending sperm down to impregnate Mary,' he said."

 

I think this image of the crucifixion worthy of contemplation ...

 

That is interesting and funny. Exactly what everyone believes specifically can be interesting. Heterodoxy may abound.

 

Very interesting. At a loss for words

 

It is powerful in a number of ways.

 

What is your interpretation of this image? That people exploit Jesus for political power?

 

"When the student is ready the teacher will appear." ~ Variously attributed to the Buddha and Tao Te Ching

When the Student is Ready, the Teacher Appears - Be Happy Live Positive.

And from the perspective of a Catholic priest ~

"On the other hand, this experience teaches us that when we are ready for God, (when we sincerely desire to get close to God; drop our bad habits, deepen our understanding of the scriptures), etc,. God is very happy and He does everything to help us grow. As the saying goes: “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” This is what Jesus confirms in our Gospel passage when he said: “No one can come to me unless the Father draws him.” (John 6:44) And as James puts it: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)."

These occasions often occur during times of crisis. And not necessarily or even usually under the orthodox Christian brand or due to overt acts of evangelism, which are frequently found to repel as well as attract.

 

Possibly, but not one that has resonated strongly with me to date. Each time I have viewed it it has brought to mind the detrimental elements of our culture driven or enabled by electric power. It has myriad layers of interpretation.

 

But how do Jesus and the cross tie into that?

 

You may find no significance in the subject of the photo. Others may find the image profane or blasphemous. The familiar sculptured figure of Jesus crucified on a power pole, for me represents electric power as a force that can be used both for good and bad.

The photo of the sculpture inspires meditations on what our indiscriminate use of that power is doing to the earth and ourselves. It can and will have various significance. To be crucified was to die a terrible death, but Christian orthodoxy views the crucifixion as necessary, a righteous sacrifice for the redemption of mankind.

Electric power has incalculable benefits that save lives, but just as easy it also can harm or kill. It powers the Internet carrying beneficial and necessary communication as well as horrific content traded among and between the careless and the cruel.

Run with that as you will or not.

 

Interesting…I have seen that photo dating years back, and I never ever got that interpretation from it.

It reminds me of interpreting some kinds of literature in English class. Half the time it felt like people were pulling stuff out of their butt.

Not that I question your interpretation of the photo…it seems as valid as my interpretation of it I suppose.

Your point is well taken, although, I would imagine we might have polar opposite evaluations in some instances as to what is good and what is bad.

In the end technology is neither good nor bad. It is people who are good or bad. Technology provides a means for that to be made visible.