Christian Thread for TALKING, not arguing [Archive]

Mithrandir

07-08-2007, 10:15 PM

Anyone that knows me at all knows that I love to argue. Too much in fact. But I think it's ridiculous that "Christian Thread" turned into a total flamefest without any interaction between Christians. If all you guys in that thread want to argue until you're blue in the face, be my guest. I don't think it's going any farther than entertainment but that's a good enough reason. Whatever.

But just in case any Christians here would like to talk with each other about matters relating to their faith, sharing prayer requests, etc., here's a place for it. I don't know if anyone else wants to at all, but just in case, here you go. I know I'd have posted in "Christian Thread" if it hadn't turned into what it is now.

Please let this be a civil thread. If you want to argue about Christianity, there's a great thread for it, go do it there.

I posted this in the other thread, but I'll repost here just in case any Christians didn't see it there. My girlfriend, who I love dearly, and I broke up on Friday night. It was amicable and there are no hard feelings, and we will even be friends (once we can get used to the idea). But we were both hopeful about our futures being linked and we're both heartbroken. Please pray for us. Thanks.

banditto

07-08-2007, 10:23 PM

I'm not Christian but I respect your faith and i'll give you my best wishes. Good luck on a new journey (like starting on a new grey account :p ).

Dresicos

07-08-2007, 11:51 PM

I lost my faith in god. I be an atheist.

Jaymee_

07-09-2007, 07:54 AM

My family could use some prayers.. I'll not go into details as God knows the request even if we don't.

TheSilverRider

07-09-2007, 08:04 AM

Great thread man. I hope this one turns our like i intended the first one to. Hopefully we can all have some great fellowship here. I think the best approach we can take to anyone who tries to debate here would be just to ignore and not respond. Debate can be in the other thread. This thread is for fellowship right?

mantis33

07-09-2007, 08:26 AM

Somehow I doubt this thread will not have arguments in it. But you're absolutely right Mith. This is the Christian thread, as in only Christians should be discussing topics in it.

S_K_O_F

07-09-2007, 08:46 AM

It would be nice if the non-christians would just stay out. Or at least post respectfully.

I still don't understand why people feel the need make a post like Dresicos'.
It's like making a thread about Cookies and someone coming into it and stating that cookies suck and pie is better.

Make a freaking pie thread then.

Enjoi

07-09-2007, 09:19 AM

If you all would please pray for my family and that my family's photography business would thrive. Thanks.

drakonfire

07-09-2007, 09:53 AM

Mith - Good idea on starting a new thread for the intended purpose. I can relate to the experience you are going through, though now I am married and it is far behind me, I still remember the pain very clearly. I will pray for your heart and that you are blessed with wisdom for the situation.

Enjoi - photography eh? cool family business, best wishes and I will pray for that too.

as for me, like I said, I just got married, and the financial situation, while stable, doesn't lend itself to being sick. I have a weird spider bite on my leg, and while it is clearing up, any extra prayers that it really is nothing would be appreciated, a doctors visit is not something I wish to incur bills for at this time.

TheSilverRider

07-09-2007, 10:49 AM

SKOF - Well said man.

Enjoi - I will def pray for you and your family. Family run businesses are hard and take a TON of dedication and work. I will def be praying for you.

drakon - Sounds like getting started has been a little rough. I will be praying for you. I hope everything works out for you. Its not easy getting started, but always remember its not just you two alone, the Lord is always with you!

S_K_O_F

07-09-2007, 10:52 AM

Let me tell you all about my situation.
I started college in 1998 and was a full time student for the first 3 years. Then, I managed to get a full time job working for the university and it took me another 6 years to finish my degree. I grajiated in may. Well, I found out that the university had no intentions of increasing my wages, or helping me out after I graduated, so I told them that I would be leaving as soon as I could find a job afterwards. It has been a month and a half and I have no job bites. So, at the end of this month, I am quitting my university job and moving back home with my mom so that I can be closer to my intended home. Due to circumstances which would take too long to explain, I no longer have a permanent residence and am staying with friends until the end of the month. I will have enough money from my final paycheck from my current job to survive for about a month or so, but if I don't find a job very very quickly, I will be screwed.
I have applied for over 30 jobs since april and still nothing. And to top things off, I am getting married in September and I have no way to support a family or even a place to live. Right now I am leaving things up to God and assuming that everything is going to work out, but as that wedding date pushes closer and closer I am becoming a bit more stressed out.

I'm 27 years old, have been living on my own for 6 years, and I am about to move back in with my parents. What a freaking joke. Don't they make comedies about this stuff?

Stormdriven

07-09-2007, 12:05 PM

I am agnostic... but that does not mean I am here to express my doubts about your God or faith. As this thread is about fellowship, that is one thing that I have a resolute faith in.

I wish you all the greatest strength and courage to surmount whatever obstacles you are confronted with, and sincerely hope the future brings a brighter tomorrow for all.

The decision to continue the struggle is a victory in itself.

[Mad Love to all!]
Storm.

steve12

07-09-2007, 12:09 PM

I'm Christian. I got Confirmed just a few months ago.

TeXaS LoNgHoRnS

07-09-2007, 01:05 PM

Deepsea

07-09-2007, 01:07 PM

If you all would please pray for my family and that my family's photography business would thrive. Thanks.

Done, Good Luck Bro.

S_K_O_F

07-09-2007, 01:26 PM

Im jewish...but i do go to a catholic school...and we have religion class...but the teacher sucks, so i was wondering if i posted some questions, if you guys would help me understand the faith better...?

Ask away, but I can tell you that there are some pretty big differences in Catholicism and Protestantism. Both Christian religions, but very different.

TeXaS LoNgHoRnS

07-09-2007, 01:53 PM

Ask away, but I can tell you that there are some pretty big differences in Catholicism and Protestantism. Both Christian religions, but very different.

that already answers one of my questions....lol...

What are the huge differences? i mean, they are both based on the same views..right?

Or, are the differences just small additions to the original views?

TheSilverRider

07-09-2007, 01:59 PM

that already answers one of my questions....lol...

What are the huge differences? i mean, they are both based on the same views..right?

Or, are the differences just small additions to the original views?

There are many different "denominations" although everyone believes that they are right. Truthfully we need to take our beliefs back to the bible. Everything needs to go to the Bible, God's Word and Jesus Christ.

Ali

07-09-2007, 03:17 PM

hello christians...
soo jesus.... ya

well let me tell you about Muhammad!!!!
:-P

S_K_O_F

07-09-2007, 03:49 PM

hello christians...
soo jesus.... ya

well let me tell you about Muhammad!!!!
:-P

Make an Islam thread.

xerent

07-09-2007, 03:54 PM

This is an Islam thread.

Kyir

07-09-2007, 03:55 PM

Make an Islam thread.

Didn't you read the title? That's what this thread is about... right?

>.>

<.<

S_K_O_F

07-09-2007, 04:09 PM

that already answers one of my questions....lol...

What are the huge differences? i mean, they are both based on the same views..right?

Or, are the differences just small additions to the original views?

Calling anything "original" is counterproductive. I won't call any views original or newer than any other.
As far as Catholicism, it is the oldest-high-profile (can be dated back to before 100 BC) version of Christianity. At the core, Catholics believe that your ticket to heaven is through Jesus Christ. But there the similarities to Protestantsim really kind of stop.
Catholicism maintains that the bible is not the ultimate authority on knowledge of God. The Papalcy has authority over the bible to interpret it any way they feel and change the religious doctrine.

Protestantism mainains that the bible is the ultimate authority and it alone tells us what we need to know about God. Most Protestant denominations(Lutheran, Methodist, Presbaterian, etc) were formed during or after the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. All Protestant religions believe that Jesus' Sacrifice on the cross payed the sins of all of mankind, but there are too many differences between them all to list. Baptism, Predestination, Calvinism, etc are some of the more high profile differences.

There is also evidence that there were other Protestant-like sects before 100 BC. Many people will claim that Catholicism is the oldest and so it must be the right one, but it isn't necessarily the oldest. Some denominations actually claim to have decended from these non-Catholic Christians from the first century. The Baptist denomination is the most main stream of these.

Regardless, Catholic, Protestant, whatever, these are forms of Christianity, and all believe that belief in Jesus and his sacrifice are key to eternal salvation.

I am a Christian, I have stated my exact beliefs in other threads. If I am asked if I believe that other "sects" of Christianity are going to heaven, my response is always, "We will see Christians from every different denomination or sect in heaven. And Hell will see just as many or more of them who thought they had it right, but were distracted by all the fluff."

uniquinous

07-09-2007, 04:18 PM

Edit: sorry - guess it passed

russian

07-09-2007, 06:29 PM

drakonfire

07-09-2007, 08:04 PM

I'd be interested to hear what others think it means to be a Christian. What interests me is actual day to day ramifications of being a Christian and please focus on the substance (not the form) of your practice.

Oh boy... this good be a long reply.

but wait, I just thought of a friend's virb post, I'll quote

How can we be like Christ?

- You Just Do.

You Just do.
Face it, you just do. You do "church." You do "Faith." And the way the church looks is living together with each other. Share your skills, knowledge, humor, food, shelter, love, and strength. Help others without expecting things back. Live with your neighbor, this is living Christlike. Church is a gathering - It needs to be a gathering to form a community where people can rely on each other without fear or expectation. The community is a Just community - It Just Does for each other.

You Just Do

to me, that is a good portion of what Christianity is. To be Christ-like, to love God with all my heart, mind and soul. And to love my neighbor as myself. How all that looks? well, I'm still working on that personally. But, I am working on it.

EDIT: SKOF - I gotchya man, I can understand how things like that can go down. But God has you and it will all turn out for the best.

TeXaS LoNgHoRnS

07-09-2007, 11:48 PM

Calling anything "original" is counterproductive. I won't call any views original or newer than any other.
As far as Catholicism, it is the oldest-high-profile (can be dated back to before 100 BC) version of Christianity. At the core, Catholics believe that your ticket to heaven is through Jesus Christ. But there the similarities to Protestantsim really kind of stop.
Catholicism maintains that the bible is not the ultimate authority on knowledge of God. The Papalcy has authority over the bible to interpret it any way they feel and change the religious doctrine.

Protestantism mainains that the bible is the ultimate authority and it alone tells us what we need to know about God. Most Protestant denominations(Lutheran, Methodist, Presbaterian, etc) were formed during or after the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. All Protestant religions believe that Jesus' Sacrifice on the cross payed the sins of all of mankind, but there are too many differences between them all to list. Baptism, Predestination, Calvinism, etc are some of the more high profile differences.

There is also evidence that there were other Protestant-like sects before 100 BC. Many people will claim that Catholicism is the oldest and so it must be the right one, but it isn't necessarily the oldest. Some denominations actually claim to have decended from these non-Catholic Christians from the first century. The Baptist denomination is the most main stream of these.

Regardless, Catholic, Protestant, whatever, these are forms of Christianity, and all believe that belief in Jesus and his sacrifice are key to eternal salvation.

I am a Christian, I have stated my exact beliefs in other threads. If I am asked if I believe that other "sects" of Christianity are going to heaven, my response is always, "We will see Christians from every different denomination or sect in heaven. And Hell will see just as many or more of them who thought they had it right, but were distracted by all the fluff."

Wow...that actually really did help me alot...thanks SKOF...you could teach at my high school! :p
The sad thing is that i just learned more by reading that than i did after taking a whole year of religion class...lol

Jaymee_

07-10-2007, 01:36 AM

There are many different "denominations" although everyone believes that they are right. Truthfully we need to take our beliefs back to the bible. Everything needs to go to the Bible, God's Word and Jesus Christ.

I agree with you.

I go to a Southern Baptist church but I don't really agree with all Baptist teachings.. they don't all coincide with the Bible. For example.. southern baptist believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, (speaking in tongues, prophecy, interpertation, and so on) were ment for Bible times only and should not be used today. The Bible says we should seek those gifts and use them to bring nonbelievers to Christ. (See Acts and I Corithians for more info)

No one is perfect. I truely think all the denominations are doing what God has called them to do.. I hope anyways. Just keep Christ in your heart and keep your eyes to God.. that's all we can do.

TheSilverRider

07-10-2007, 07:23 AM

S_K_O_F

07-10-2007, 07:30 AM

Most of my beliefs coincide with Southern Baptists, but I differ in a few places. I don't take the SB stance on alcohol, and while I believe that every person has at least 1 spiritual gift, I think there are a couple that don't get used much any more, if at all. (tongues being one of them)

TatcticmanMega

07-10-2007, 07:35 AM

Looks like god got tired of the other christian thread and told you to make this thread.
Im a Methodist and i love my church it has a giant movie screen for the verses and the preacher in a guy in his 20's and hes freakin cool.He just makes you want to be more nice to God for making such a cool preacher.

Mithrandir

07-10-2007, 07:36 AM

It is all about Jesus. Many times people (including myself) try to rationalize things or explain things without using the bible and that is WRONG. EVERYTHING we believe should be based on GODS WORD and His Son that died on the cross for us.

I would add that the resurrection is a key component, in addition to dying on the cross. 1 Corinthians 15:13-17: "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins."

I'm not sure what all is essential to Christian belief but I think this is a good argument that at least the resurrection is a darn important one (if you accept the authority of scripture, which I would hope most of us in this thread do).

russian

07-10-2007, 07:37 AM

Oh boy... this good be a long reply.

but wait, I just thought of a friend's virb post, I'll quote

to me, that is a good portion of what Christianity is. To be Christ-like, to love God with all my heart, mind and soul. And to love my neighbor as myself. How all that looks? well, I'm still working on that personally. But, I am working on it.

I agree with the part about Love thy neighbor - the rest of your post is just wrapping. I think love thy neighbor is from the sermon on the mount? That was some of Jesus’ most profound teaching. So what does it mean to love thy neighbor? Christ was talking not only about they guy across the street, he was talking about everyone. I find it regrettable that the Evangelicals who put Bush in power are not more vocal about this commandment (from Moses and re-enforced in a significant way be Jesus) being broken in a rather belligerent manner.

I think his teachings about the lilies in the field is his most profound teaching when it comes to how to live your life on a day to day basis.

And, I don’t follow the formula of “be like Christ.” No, I am going to be like the best me that I can. To me “Be like Christ” is both a confusing and unreachable goal for the only person I can be is me. I can follow a teacher, but I am not necessarily looking to “be” the teacher. This type of instruction is an easy way out for both the instructor and the follower. It misses the heart of the matter. I think a better instruction would be, “understand Christ and follow his teachings.”

russian

07-10-2007, 07:45 AM

I'm not sure what all is essential to Christian belief but I think this is a good argument that at least the resurrection is a darn important one (if you accept the authority of scripture, which I would hope most of us in this thread do).

(Sorry for the double)

Me neither - I am not certain nor what is essential, nor am I certain that it is all that important to believe in these myths (or stories, depending on your view). I think it is important to study them because the real meaning to us on a day to day is not that it happened, but that we are willing to open our lives to the deeper meaning of the story of his resurrection. For example, just look at the Cross - the most unbelievable reminder of transcendence. It looks at me in Mass every week. To me, Christianity is powerful, energetic, profound and has real meaning not because I believe a story. But, because I believe in the message. That if you are willing to sacrifice yourself for those you love, that if you live your life that way, then you live your life in the grace of God.

TatcticmanMega

07-10-2007, 07:50 AM

Mithrandir i'm starting to think you're a prophet.

*Sanosuke*

07-10-2007, 08:06 AM

Is Christianity the same Catholicism ? My grand parents are Catholics and my Mom and Dad are Christians. I attend my grandparents church when i visit but i think its a little much what catholics do. With the water, and the singing, i just like going straight to the service in my mom and dads church. But im just confused on where i stand with religion, some one wanna help me out?

TatcticmanMega

07-10-2007, 08:09 AM

Holy Water is SUPPOSED to make you holy.I have never had the holy water in my church,though.The roasted crackers and warm grape juice(bread and wine)is the only special thing in my church.
So kinda it isnt.

Mithrandir

07-10-2007, 08:15 AM

Mithrandir i'm starting to think you're a prophet.

lol, haven't heard that one before. What gives you that impression?

TatcticmanMega

07-10-2007, 08:17 AM

Maybe your always caring about everything in an odd way i think you're....godly.Somehow.
Please put my god thing in your sig it will make you famous

S_K_O_F

07-10-2007, 09:06 AM

drakonfire

07-10-2007, 09:27 PM

And, I don’t follow the formula of “be like Christ.” No, I am going to be like the best me that I can. To me “Be like Christ” is both a confusing and unreachable goal for the only person I can be is me. I can follow a teacher, but I am not necessarily looking to “be” the teacher. This type of instruction is an easy way out for both the instructor and the follower. It misses the heart of the matter. I think a better instruction would be, “understand Christ and follow his teachings.”

my 2 cents on this is that to be Christ-like is to live your life as he taught. Jesus was the ultimate lover of his neighbor (in a good way, for anyone who's mind is in the gutter atm) He loved his neighbors so much that he was willing to die for them. I do not intend to live my life Christ-like trying to teach others or speak prophetic truths (to assume that I can is the first step on a very dangerous path, IMO) but instead I simply intend to live my life loving my neighbor as best as I can. So I guess what I was saying is what you think I should have said, I just said it another way. *shrug*

and I'm still working on the deeds part of this attitude. How do I love my neighbor when they refuse all advice and sense? *sigh* My day-job begins to wear on my mind and spirit again.

russian

07-11-2007, 01:08 AM

and I'm still working on the deeds part of this attitude. How do I love my neighbor when they refuse all advice and sense? *sigh* My day-job begins to wear on my mind and spirit again.

I think it comes down to how one defines love. Often love just means "likes a lot." I don't think that is what Jesus means. I think he was talking about understanding and possibly accepting another of God's creatures.

S_K_O_F

07-11-2007, 07:24 AM

Jesus speaks of loving your enemy. Sounds to me like love and like have little to do with each other.

drakonfire

07-11-2007, 07:29 AM

I think it comes down to how one defines love. Often love just means "likes a lot." I don't think that is what Jesus means. I think he was talking about understanding and possibly accepting another of God's creatures.

agreed. I'm not challenging that, I'm just annoyed at my job.

S_K_O_F

07-11-2007, 08:02 AM

So, did everyone hear about the pope's actions yesterday? Apparently, only Catholics are going to heaven.

TheSilverRider

07-11-2007, 09:38 AM

So, did everyone hear about the pope's actions yesterday? Apparently, only Catholics are going to heaven.

I didnt hear that but it doesnt suprise me. Please post a link! ;)

uniquinous

07-11-2007, 12:03 PM

So, did everyone hear about the pope's actions yesterday? Apparently, only Catholics are going to heaven.

all religions say only their particular followers will go to heaven. :p

russian

07-11-2007, 12:10 PM

all religions say only their particular followers will go to heaven. :p

Not so, at least according to what i learned in RCIA. I was told that Vatican II stated that Jews are not to be converted and that it is heresy to state that Catholics are the only chosen sect. I understand that the current Pope came out with this statement to appease a break off branch of the church and bring them back into the fold - 9:1 it wa a money move.

This is a retreat even for the current Pope. I remember a quote from him when he started that said something like "there are as many ways to heaven as there are people on the planet." Or maybe now he is showing is true colors and that statement was bs. He is known to be quite dogmatic, so in a way this is not surprising.

S_K_O_F

07-11-2007, 12:35 PM

all religions say only their particular followers will go to heaven. :p

Well, if you are talking about Christianity as a whole, then yes, Christians believe that the only way to heaven is through Christ. But almost all Protestant religions are tolerant of each other because of the basic belief. They just differ on other minor aspects of what God demands of his followers.
Most Protestant religions will even admit that as long as a Catholic believes that Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for all sins and rose again, they will also go to heaven.

This declaration by the pope, though, is going to cause a lot of controversy and may affect cooperation amongst Catholicism and Protestantism.

Catholicism has always been a bit more "exlusive" when it comes to their beliefs and who has the right answers. I have been dealing with this because my fiance was raised Catholic and we are getting married in a Catholic church. The problem is that I am NOT Catholic and I have no plans to ever be Catholic. We are being forced to attend a marriage counceling retreat over a weekend that is put on by Catholic associates. If we do not attend the retreat, the Catholic church won't marry us, and if we don't get married in a Catholic church, the church won't recognize our marriage and my fiance wouldn't be able to do the Catholic "stuff" anymore.

It is all a bit ridiculous to me. Especially considering they are making us pay 250 dollars to attend the retreat. We can get marriage counceling for free from any local protestant church or from ordained religious professors at the University I work at. Any Protestant church, while having other "exclusives" to getting married in that church, would recognize free marriage counceling from an ordained person as acceptable.