Moorad,
You're right. The reason I use the word religion is that I often talk with unbelievers. I figure I have enough trouble just talking about the Good News without getting into such secondary details as the difference between a religion and a relationship with God. Once the
knowledge of the Good News sinks in then the difference between a religion and a relationship with God generally slides into place.
GB
alexanian@uncw.edu a écrit:
> Actually, Christianity is not really a religion. In Christianity God seeks (sought) man; whereas in religion man seeks God. Christ left no middle ground (The Unpardonable Sin): "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters." Matt. 12:30.
> Moorad
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Guy Blanchet [mailto:guyblanchet@sympatico.ca]
> Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 7:04 AM
> To: Adrian Teo
> Cc: 'stucandu@lycos.com '; 'asa@calvin.edu '
> Subject: Re: Virgin Birth
>
> Adrian,
>
> It was God who defined the boundaries of Christianity. Although there are
> zillions of religious, they can be separated in two groups:
> 1. the religions of the world which group those who feel man saves himself
> through good works
> 2. Christianity who groups those who are convinced through the Holy Spirit
> that God saves man because of His atoning death and ressurection.
>
> There is no middle position. If you accept the Good News, the plan of
> salvation, then your Christian. If you don't accept it, you're not Christian.
> People may discuss all they want....but that will not change God's decision by
> one iota!
>
> Guy
>
> Adrian Teo a écrit:
>
> > Hello Guy,
> >
> > While I disagree strongly with Stuart's conclusions, I must say I am not
> > surprised. There are many intellectual Christians who believe, as Howard
> > does and has argued, that all matters of faith should be open to question
> > and reevaluation. Stuart is simply putting this belief into practice and
> > has, IMHO, presented a somewhat reasonable and plausible argument for
> > rejecting the divinity of Christ. This Arian argument is still very much
> > around today, and they are holding their ground quite well. The Scriptures
> > can be used to support both opposing arguments. We will continue to hear
> > these arguments brought up, continue to see denominations splitting up over
> > doctrinal disagreements, and continue to see fragmentation in the church as
> > long as people continue to boldly adopt this skeptical/critical approach to
> > Christianity. It is every man and woman for himself/herself. We each become
> > our final arbiter of truth.
> >
> > This is my observation of the state of affairs, and I've tried to describe
> > it as objectively as possible, given my limitations. It is not in any way
> > intended to offend or insult anyone, nor to accuse anyone of being
> > unChristian (unOrthodox perhaps), although we do need to define the
> > bounadries of Christianity, lest it becomes a menaingless concept.
> >
> > My two-cents worth.
> >
> > Adrian.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Guy Blanchet
> > To: stucandu@lycos.com
> > Cc: asa@calvin.edu
> > Sent: 3/2/2002 6:56 PM
> > Subject: Re: Virgin Birth
> >
> > Stuart d Kirkley a écrit:
> >
> > > --
> > >
> > > On Fri, 1 Mar 2002 15:24:28
> > > bivalve wrote:
> > > Even being born as the heir apparent to Caesar
> > > would have made the Creator physically dependent on others to feed
> > > and clean Him.
> > >
> > > I still, for the life of me, can not understand how people can
> > rationally state that Jesus was God incarnate. To me this is one of the
> > biggest stumbling blocks of theololgy which stems from and leads to a
> > narrowness of scriptural interpretation. If, as the Bible states clearly
> > many times, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son
> > to be the Saviour of the world, reveals God as Parent and Son as
> > offspring, distinct and individual, how do you arrive at the idea that
> > Jesus was God???!! I just find it incredulous that well reasoned people
> > can actually hold to this doctrine.
> > > Sorry, I had to get that out.
> > >
> > > 2,000,000,000 Web Pages--you only need 1. Save time with My Lycos.
> > > http://my.lycos.com
> >
> > Mr Kirkley,
> >
> > Do you feel better now that you 'got it out'? So you're blown away by
> > the fact that well-reasoned people believe Jesus is God? Don't be.
> > Isaiah said these words about Jesus : "See, I lay in Zion a stone that
> > causes men to stumble, and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who
> > trusts in him will never be put to shame." The stone is Jesus and he
> > causes certain people to stumble. I also attract your attention to
> > these words from Paul in first Corinthians: "Has God not made foolish
> > the wisdom of the world.[...] For the foolishness of God is wiser than
> > man's wisdom, [...]." Mr. Kirkly,
> > be careful of worldly wisdom lest you stumble yourself.
> >
> > GB
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