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<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt1 width="75%">YES </TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap>
</TD><TD class=alt1 title=Votes noWrap align=middle width="12%">2</TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap align=right width="13%">4.65%</TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt1 width="75%">NO </TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap>
</TD><TD class=alt1 title=Votes noWrap align=middle width="12%">14</TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap align=right width="13%">32.56%</TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt1 width="75%">I ALREADY PRAYED ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR </TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap>
</TD><TD class=alt1 title=Votes noWrap align=middle width="12%">22</TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap align=right width="13%">51.16%</TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt1 width="75%">OTHER </TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap>
</TD><TD class=alt1 title=Votes noWrap align=middle width="12%">5</TD><TD class=alt2 noWrap align=right width="13%">11.63%</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I want to know who the fuckin heathens voted against the baby Jaysus???
And there's plenty of other Catholics and Protestants who understand the Torah and Talmud the same way. I believe you're Jewish(?) so naturally you wouldn't accept replacement ideology either, it's just unfortunate how many fellow Christians ignore the original covenant.
That being said, do I believe that references to Christ can be traced throughout the Torah and that the Gospels are the fulfillment of scripture? Absolutely. And of course I understand that this is where you and I probably disagree theologically. I only wish more Biblical Jews would understand that without Christ, we (Gentiles) would have no path to God, just like without the Torah, neither would a Biblical Jew.
I'm sure we agree that God created Man in His image, correct? And would you agree that "Man" includes both Jews and Gentiles? So once Man became corrupted into sin, doesn't it then make theological sense that both Jews and Gentiles would need their own, separate paths to God? One doesn't need to cancel the other out and, in fact, the fulfillment of scripture wouldn't be possible if this was the case. So, in essence, for Jews to ignore the needs of Gentiles is no better than Gentiles ignoring the original covenant.
In any case, in reference to my original point on the previous page, I give Evangelicals all the credit for the emphasis and "rebirth" of the Torah today, especially as it's trickled down into the Catholic Church who (admitingly) has been one of the last to follow. But for every steadfast Christian who claims that salvation for all Man is only possible through Jesus and Jesus alone, there's twice as many Christians who recognize and love their Old Testament. You just don't hear from them as often because creating division between Jews and Christians is more profitable in the media.
How can a Christian believe otherwise?
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me."
That's the essence of Christianity. All the rest is just details. If you don't believe the number 1 principle of Christianity, then Christian is not something you should call yourself. Seriously.
there's good people all over the world who are not introduced to the same religion as you or me. my best friend is a Buddhist and i don't get it but he does. i'm a Christian and i get that but he doesn't. for me to get to heaven i believe i must accept Christ because that is what i've felt the handful of times when the shit has hit the fan. i know what i believe to be right and wrong, and i know when i'm doing either. throughout the Bible God came to people in different ways. thousands of years later He still does.
While an extremely useful text for healthy spiritual living, putting excessive weight behind either the Bible, the Koran or the Bhagavad Gita can only lead one to conclude:
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They're mutually exclusive. Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity can't all be right. One is right, and all the others are wrong. God does not have multiple personalities. God is absolute. I believe that Christianity is the way, and Satan introduces counterfeit gods all over the world, because he is a deceiver.
Now I doubt all the time. Some days, I really wrestle with it. But I think Christianity is the truth, however ambiguous God may be most of the time.
One can accept the way and the truths presented by Christ and find spiritual enlightenment. There's nothing in the scripture you cite that insists one must accept JC as your "Lord & Saviour".
Rather, for many of us who actively seek to practice Christian principles, accepting the Word is what "saves" one's spiritual soul.
I offer that up while fully respecting your belief in your personal interpretations of various NT scriptures. If your interpretations help increase your spiritual enlightenment you're doing just fine.
AND TO get back on the selected Topic (at least per the Title), we'll offer our friendly reset posted way back in the beginning of this almost solo discussion thread.
That is that many Christians interpret literally Christ's admonition that "The Kingdom of Heaven is within (us)".
And therefore it can be accessed at any time or rejected at any time. We each have the free will to choose whether to live in a Heavenly state or a Hellish state of mind and being.
Fortunately, making the latter choice (as so many of us do at various moments) can be instantly countered at any given second by simply changing our state of mind.
That is that many Christians interpret literally Christ's admonition that "The Kingdom of Heaven is within (us)".
And therefore it can be accessed at any time or rejected at any time. We each have the free will to choose whether to live in a Heavenly state or a Hellish state of mind and being.
Fortunately, making the latter choice (as so many of us do at various moments) can be instantly countered at any given second by simply changing our state of mind.
Obviously, a person that follows Christian principles and morality is going to be judged far less severe than one who doesn't. And they will have much less trouble in this life as well.
But if Christ didn't have to die on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, then why did he? Why didn't he just teach, and then ascend into heaven?
it's about faith my friend. no scholar here and if i'm wrong i'm sure i'll be corrected, but at the heart of every religion is simply to live and to love and be happy. when we all got together back in the old days and tried to build a ladder to heaven, God seperated us. black and white, english or spanish, a course was set. while in Iraq i learned that instead of celebrating Christmas they celebrate the story of Issaac (i believe it was Isaac) who was willing to sacrifice his son for God, and at the last minute God sent a goat or lamb or something to be sacrificed in Isaac's son's place. it was interesting to see how the stories intersected and where they branched out. at the time i was cynical and thought how typical it was that they would celebrate a father who was willing to sacrifice his own son, but as i thought about it....
Trust me, bro. I have many friends who are athiests, don't know what they believe, or believe Christianity but still can't accept it. I want them all to go to heaven. And many times, I look at their lives, and want to accept the belief that there are no absolutes.
But, I think the reality is that there is an enemy that will do whatever it takes to try to get people to reject the truth. He has all kinds of deception and tricks to try to convince someone that Christianity is not the only way. Ultimately, the Bible says this much, and upon further inspection.....it sure feels that way as well. I wish it were not so.
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