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Originally posted by Xyress
Oh, and since you were unable to make the mental leap that the analogy requred, I did not mean to imply that Christians are "bad guys" ... it's just that the Christians and the bad guys in the comic books both don't play by the rules. That was the point in case you missed it.
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which rules?
i am not sure i can put into words what i want to say here. hopefully you can read between the lines or let me know what needs to be clarified . . .
the bible is not a science book. it is not a math book. it is not a book that was written to tell you how to build anything in great detail. so it does not speak of evolution, or algebra or mp3 players. you will not find references to DNA/RNA, protoplasm or osmosis. you will not read about photosynthesis or narcolepsy. it is not there.
you will find writings about men who failed and yet God saw beyond their faults and used them in mighty ways. you will find in it a God who was very tolerant of a wishy-washy chosen people. you will find the beginning and the end of time as we know it (which has been debated much now). you will find basic instuctions for living with others, relationships, and even some health advice. still, this is not what the bible is all about.
the bible is about a creator who wanted fellowship with his creation. why did he want it? don't know. he just did. it is about a creator who saw his creation turn from him freely and choose to pick its own path. it is about a creator who provided a way for his creation to return to him despite the huge personal cost. it is a book ultimately about love.
and if one chooses to believe this . . . book, he really must accept the whole. not bits and pieces that work for a given situation. it is all or nothing. there is no in between.
when one accepts the writings, accepts what is written as truth, there is a change. a change in character. a change in perception. a change in how one deals with the world. it is a change that involves patience, gentleness, perseverance . . . faith, hope and love.
the bible has stated for over 2000 years (documented fact) that many will scoff at it. many have tried to quiet it. to outlaw it. promised death to those caught with it. and yet it prevails. some claim it is only for the weak minded. if that is so, there are a great many weak minds in the world today (mine included).
the truth of the bible is not for everyone. in fact, the bible states this more than once. it is a hard truth to accept. it sets a standard that will not bend and cannot be broken. even when it is taken from the hands of an individual, it remains - it is written on the heart of the believer.
the bible offers a hope to the true seeker that nothing else can. it demands that the believer walks a walk and talks a talk that is impossible to do without help. and that help is provided. it requires faith - a faith that is active. a faith that shows it is alive by not only a belief, but an action to reach out to a world that has abandoned its creator.
the bible is. its existence is a fact. it will still be here past the time that you or i are gone. and despite efforts to the contrary it will touch lives like nothing else can. like nothing else ever will.
the Word of God needs no defense from me or anyone else. it will stand against slander, defamation and contextual abuse. it will survive because it has always been.
From John Chapter 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV translation)
the writings concerning jesus tell of one who was 100% man and 100% God (ya know - the trinity thing, which could be another point for debate i suppose) the reader of the bible needs to understand that God chose to become man. to live with us. to have his diaper changed. his knee bruised. to be called names by other kids. it was a choice he made. jesus was the fulfillment of old testament prophecy concerning the promised jewish messiah. he went about teaching things that apparently amazed many - including religious leaders of the day. he spoke with a gentle authority. he was not afraid to call a spade a spade. in the end it cost him his life. before he died, he asked his father in heaven to spare him the agony of the cross - but jesus knew the plan. but he was a man, too. as he hung on a cross (or pole, or "T"), his father, who could not bare the sight of the wrongs (sin) which jesus had to bare for the plan of salvation to work, turned his back on his son. jesus died with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
some say it ended here. the corner stone of christianity says it did not. jesus, we are told, descended into hell itself to defeat that which all men fear - death.
for the believer death is no longer something to fear or even be concerned about. it is a passage. the bible does teach this.
so what rules would you have me play by? the rules of man or the rules of God? if i played by your rules how much easier would it be for you to say "see, he plays by our rules. how can he believe in God?" i choose to stay true to the course i have chosen.
would you really have it any other way?
Ephesians 6
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (From the NIV translation)
kinda gives me goosebumps proof-reading this.
any questions?
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