Again thanks for your exchange of views. Please let me know if I understand you correctly. Because you can't see, hear, touch, smell and taste GOD. You don't believe? I understand in science theory means what we know now until we find something better. It doesn't mean fact even thou it is where the evidence points to. Science theories are subject to change based on new evidence. Which moves it away from fact. This is why my original questions ask you to write about facts of science and not theories. Does science explain anything before life or after death? Is it possible to have laws without a law giver or maker? It seems like some Theories are bases on random events. If everything that exists is based on randomness wouldn't we see more chaos and disorder vs harmony? Is science a form of religion? Or is it anti-religion? Are you a scientist before atheist or atheist before scientist? Have you ever thought what if an Almighty GOD who created all can't and will not be explained by science? What if The Almighty GOD made and choose one way for you to know him. Before I humbled myself and prayed to him I couldn't see proof anywhere now I see his handiwork everywhere. The proud will never find evidence of GOD existence.
Friend would you help me understand you better? Which facts/laws of science oppose GOD? Why do you choose words that insult others? This isn't the way to understanding or is it? You said you have to do this in order to counteract the fundamentalists here. Correct me if I'm wrong but when I read other debates most are arguing against theories not science as a whole? Why are you angry towards Christians? I thought biology is the study of living organisms. Why would you that is life? Please don't get upset at my questions. I really am seeking to understand you.
SlapShot seek understanding. Based on your statement you don't understand Christians and according to Shoutoutloud you don't understand atheist either. Please try to understand this to Christians GOD is life. Christians love GOD more than anything else. But you didn't know this neither can you understand this. You continue to put science up against GOD as if it is some type of weapon. The facts in science don't oppose GOD just the theories.
Wonderful to know you are seeking to understand the Bible. Matthew and John are two of the four Gospel. Witnesses of Jesus life as a man. When two different people witness an event their recollection of the event will be different based on the point of view. That doesn't mean they are contradicting one another. This actually helps us get a full picture or understanding of the event. So to answer your question yes he kissed him.
Acts 1:18 is going to be hard to understand because your heart is hardened. “And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.”
Matthew 27:6 KJV
The priests could not take the money so they spent his money for him. Example if your mom gives you $5 to buy her some milk. Just because you went to the store does that mean you bought it or could some one say your mom bought the milk because it was her money. So Judas' actions effectively bought that field.
Matthew (27:5) & Acts (1:18)
Again the two scriptures are painting a full picture for us not contradicting. He indeed hung himself and fell headlong. You are quick to jump to conclusions. Just because something is hard doesn't make it impossible. The Bible says he died by hanging himself. Never said he died by falling. Acts is describing what happened to his body after he hung himself. Also you don't know how elevated he was. Also I don't recall him hanging himself on a tree. One that refers to himself as one with basic understanding would be wrong to base his decision on assumptions.
Does it concern you to know you are written about in the Bible? How could some one so many years ago know there will be people around who will think like you. Here are a few scriptures that answer your questions. “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.””
I Corinthians 3:18-20 “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”
James 2:5. “Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””
Luke 5:31-32. My apologies for not having them in the right order to answer your questions. You see by making yourself full of worldly knowledge you have no room for GODLY knowledge. The poor, least-educated and sinners (convicts) have humbled themselves and ask GOD for help. This is why salvation has come to us. Try something go in a room alone close the door humble yourself and ask GOD for help. You have nothing to lose. You don't even have to tell anyone just keep it between you and him.
List of Good things all created by God:
Life, Love, Father, Mother, Wife, Husband, Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister, Friend, earth, fresh air, food, laughing, singing, smiles, being cozy, greetings from anyone happy to see you, having relations with wife or husband, first date, first kiss, sunrise, hiking, campfire, random acts of kindness, spring, fall, a starry night, walks on the beach, swinging at the playground. I could keep going. I think you are missing all of God's work.
Our country in many ways have turned away from the Word of God. They have passed laws directly against God's Word. You would like to blame this and every bad thing on Christians just because we are the majority. Your claims are false. Just because someone says they are a Christian doesn't make them one. Here is what Jesus said (““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”)
You are blinded by satan's lies he is trying to corrupt Christianity. “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
You just made many accusations. Could you be more specific as to who is the etc. you are talking about? Because there are no contradictions in the Bible. Anyone who says there are just lacks understanding. Please if you have the time educate me.
I do believe Saintnow is right about you using rhetoric. I will answer your question anyway. Jesus saves! He saves those who lived before he took human form, during and after. The authors of the Old Testament (Moses, David, etc) wrote of Jesus in many of there writings. They understood that there teaching are intended to lead those who trust in them to Christ Jesus. If you had a little understanding of the scriptures you would know that those who followed God's word don't end up in purgatory or hell. You ask what happened to them. The scripture teaches us that those who die on earth before judgment day either are sleep (unconscious), in heaven (some will never taste death) or in hell. All awaiting judgment day. For all shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
Thanks SlapShot, as always it is a pleasure. Your first question about failing miserable, tremendous waste, torturous death and fall from Grace.
I will have to take you back to the beginning when we fell from Grace.
In the beginning (God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God Said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that move upon the earth.) He gave the whole Earth to Man that he may rule over it. His first commandment to Man was to procreate. His second commandment was (And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eat there of thou shalt surely die.) After God told us what would happen we still chose to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Then when God ask us what happen we did the first and best thing man does is point fingers and blame others. In this case man blamed woman and woman blamed serpent. After this God punished us. To Adam he said, ("Because you have listen to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herd the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." This was the start of imperfections in man existence. We were given this world. Whatever imperfection are in this world we created them. The waste=we did it. Pain and torture=man perfected it, this is what man is really proficient at, man has created the imbalance in our DNA and the ecosystem. Understand this God is life his commandment bring us to him. Jesus is his commandments. So Adam's DNA was perfect until he sinned. For every action there are consequences.
Young Earth,
I stay away from this one. I don't believe that the answer to this question will lead anyone to salvation. For Christians we can't prove either or. For Scientist they can't prove either or. As for Christians we understand that a day to God is 1000 years to man. God did not specify as to whether he was regarding his day or man's day which is 24 hours. If God wanted to make the Heavens and the Earth in 6000 years or 144 hours it is his choice. He is over capable to do as he will. So to me this question doesn't matter. It doesn't prove or disprove anything. Science should not be used as a tool to challenge and disprove God. There are a lot of good things that come from science. The facts in Science don't disprove God only the Theory. Thanks
Congrats on being a Biologist. Are your questions really for Christians? They look like they should be for a Biologist. Or are they an attempt to prove God doesn't exist? If you read your questions, even if they could be answered what does that prove? Are you saying there shouldn't be 2.5 million species of insects or there should be more or this is evidence that insects created themselves? I have never been able to answer any of your question to you satisfaction but I'll try to again because I like you. I believe you will become a Christian one day. The only question I'm capable of answering is the question pertaining to perfect. Man was created perfect. Imperfection came to man when we started moving away from God's commandments. The moment we sinned is when we started to deteriorate. As for the eye part. Maybe your eyes are installed backwards but mine are perfectly fine, I have no complaints.
Slapshop I apologize for upsetting you in my answer. I indeed intended to answer your question but my answer was not sufficient for you. I know that my faith in Christianity seems foolish to you. I was simply attempting to give you a Christian answer to your question. To simplify it. Christians don't pray to God, for him to come down and crush those evil people who are persecuting us. We actually pray for there forgiveness and to give them understanding that there ways are wrong. We are taught by Jesus to pray for those who persecute us in an attempt to save there soul. The time of God wrath will come when it is time. I didn't forget that Jesus was a Jew. I simply was stating that your question was pertaining to the holocaust which was a persecution on Jews not Christians. There are many persecutions in history on Christians you could have chosen but you didn't. You said (Obviously your I!stomach bff either cannot or will not intervene when evil kills good people. Thus, your God is either lame or cruel or apathetic.
Or, more likely, non existent.)
So you want God to come and do away with evil people. I ensure you he will but now he is patient giving everyone time to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ and change. But the time will come when God will intervene but not before all has been fulfilled spoken of in Revelations. Your asking for evidence, what type of evidence do you need? If you really believe what you just typed then you are right I lose.....We have lost you and whom ever else believes your report. Slapshop what I tell you is the truth God loves you and he wants you to receive his gift which is Life everlasting which no one else can give you. Do yourself a favor and pray to God ask for help tell him you don't understand and ask him if he will open up your mind and heart to receive him. If you do this you will receive the evidence you are looking for. I know this is a scary thing but I don;t want to lose you. Please my brother understand that the evidence you seek isn't physical it is spiritual. You must go to God humble and sincere. Thanks for your time.
Prayer is a personal communication between a believer and God. It would be very difficult to prove to Atheist the evidence of God answering prayers. Most of the time when there are many witnesses of an event people take them for there word. We have had an innumerable amount of witnesses all declaring God answering there prayers but this isn't enough for the unbeliever. You only believe in things you can measure with tools humans have created I.E. measuring cup, ruler, magnetometer, stopwatch, beam balance, etc. Why would you think a God with unmeasurable power should/could be measured by man made tools. Here is my testimony. I didn't believe before just like you I was very skeptical. I made a leap of faith. I got down on my knees and prayed to God asking him if he was really there to show me in a way I would understand. He did it. But this testimony would hold no value to you. I suggest you put off your unbelief and arrogance pray to God with an open mind and heart and allow him to answer your prayer.
Hi SlapShot,
I'm not for sure why you ask such a question. You being a U of M grad I know you know your statistics. It is estimated that the largest number of victims of the holocaust were Jews around (5.93 million). I'm sure there were Christians, Islamic and Atheist victims also. This question might be better ask to those who practice Judaism. I will do my best to answer your question from a Christian view. If I understand you correctly you are asking (if God answers our prayers why would he allow us to go through sufferings and death.) A deep rooted Christian understands that suffering, persecutions and death is the cost of being a Christian. When you have time look up Christians in China. You will see what happens to Christians when a government persecutes us. Most of the New Testament is explaining what is to come to us who follow Jesus. You must be under some assumption that when you become a Christian your problems will just disappear. if you do you are wrong. When you become a Christian you understand how to handle the problems of this world. You understand that life isn't about buying and selling, killing and stealing but Love and Joy in the Holy Ghost. It's about self sacrifice dedicating your life to the betterment of others. And most of all trusting in God's word which is Jesus Christ.
WOW SlapShot you are very intelligent. You are right about atheist one day being the majority. Also due to atheism many Christians will leave the faith. I just have two questions for you. In the Bible it prophesied that one day unbelievers will ban all religions practices and rule the earth. Could someone possibly with there organ's particular software predict the future? Or was this along with the other prophecies that have come to pass just a lucky guess?
What is religious scientific? Is this the category were all proven wrong scientific theories go? You say you aren't against my God but you call him an idol, you said God doesn't create life, you said God only exited in the imagination and fears of man, you also said that his Word is distorted. You are sounding like a hypocrite. Everything you are saying is against his words. If you're mind is truly open seek God and you shall find him. But if you do it expecting to find nothing, nothing you shall find. Have Faith
You are correct, God is unchanging. We follow all commandments from God, except the one Jesus upgraded or clarified. Some of the rules Israel was under were temporal. Example: Israel in the Old Testament had to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. In the old testament Psalms 40:6 (“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”) You see God gave them temporary laws to obey until he sent our Saviour.
Foil7 understanding of the Bible isn't trustworthy. The scripture he is referring to is Genesis 38:9-10 (And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also.) In the time of this event the rules were. If your brother died without having a son you were to marry his widow and raise up an heir in his brother's name. Onan wanted to have sex with Tamar but didn't want to fulfill his duties as a brother.
(Hearsay-gossip, rumors, tittle-tattle). The Bible is none of these things. The Bible is full of prophecies that have come to pass. The historians that document an event do you refer to there accounts as hearsay? Just because you're Grandfather tells you a story about his life does this automatically make him a Liar? Why would you call witnesses that walked with, talked with, and lived with Jesus gossipers? You seem upset with God. Why have you set yourself against God? Why would you deny your Lord and Saviour when all he is telling you to do is be righteous? What is your grievance with the Lord of host? The way you write you must have hated history class.
What are you asking? Are you stating that everything is confusing? You said many things still not understood then went on to say the universe has no beginning. Is this science or science fiction? Are you creating a new theory? What are you saying? Oh I think I get it. You're saying God doesn't exist. Let me know if I'm right. Why have you set yourself up against God?
I'm not for sure of Bill Gates beliefs. Neither can anyone before judgment day determine whether he will go to Earth, Heaven or Hell. As for his donations no one can buy themselves into Heaven. Understand this God is life. If atheist don't believe in God how can they believe in Heaven and Hell. And if this be so why be concerned with where he will end up.
I already know you know this answer you are a wise individual. When God created free will this allowed anyone to choose between good or evil. The devil was the first one to lie. There is a lot of questions we don't have the answers for. This is my opinion, I believe everyone is responsible for there own decisions. Everyone deserves a chance to do the right thing. The devil is presumed to be an angel before he made his decision to make war with Michael the arch-angel. When I think of God's knowing everything I see him knowing all of the paths one can choose to take. Sorry I couldn't answer your question more directly. But this is a question best left answered by God.
The devil is the father of lies. He is the deceiver that has turned angels and men away from God. Read Revelation 12:7 it talks about a war in heaven. There are many other scripture showing the devil's nature. Please let me know if you would like them.
Did you read Spartacus question? I applaud his questions. Why does it seem to me that you are just yelling out insults instead of trying to understand Christians. I could be wrong but is your first statement an insult to Jesus or am I misunderstanding you? Your second statement is incorrect. If you would like to know what Jesus did with his life read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) they all recorded Jesus life on earth. This Will help you give a more informed answer. Your third statement: Jesus is the word of God, God's only begotten son. Your forth statement: Your first statement said you will do as much as Jesus. Your fifth statement: Jesus will fill all in Heaven and Earth. Your sixth statement: I don't understand again, maybe due to it being an insult again? But I don't know you tell me?
Spartacus I can see you are a great thinker. Your first statement is the only correct one. As for the other statements I'm not for sure where or who your source of information is coming from. His death: Romans 5:17-18 "for if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the Offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Galatians 3:8 "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed." John 1:16-17 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." The numbers you speak of "small and most" doesn't take away the fact that everyone has a choice. Grace and salvation is given to all as a gift but like any gift if the receiver doesn't accept it he or she will not get the blessing that come with the gift. On to the next topic. You misread my statement I mention hell not heaven. I noticed an auto correct mistake in "after his death he decided, which was supposed to be after his death he descended". My apologies. Ephesians 4 "Wherefore he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 1 Peter 3:18-20 For Christ also have once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirit in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." As for the question of Heaven? The gift of God is everlasting life. As for Heaven, Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." Please understand this Heaven is like God's kingdom and the earth his city. The new Heaven is reserved for those who gave up everything for Jesus (God's Word). The new Earth is for those who accepted Jesus as there lord and saviour but lived everyday Christian lives. I could elaborate if needed. So to answer your question 144,000 will live in the New Heaven and a innumerable amount of souls will live in the New Earth all receiving everlasting life. Let me know if you would like the scriptures in which I answered this question. Your last statement is incorrect. If what you said is correct there would have been no need for The Son of God to come to earth and suffer pain and affliction, rejection, reviling, and death. What he did was do the works of righteousness for us. He didn't have to do this for himself he did it for us. As for the "worship me or else comment. I can only speak for myself, I worship God because it is the right thing to do. I owe my existence and every good thing that has ever happened to me to him. So I give him praise daily because I'm thankful for what he has done and continue to do for me.
He accomplished something no one has ever accomplish and never will accomplish. He lived a life perfectly according to God's commandments. When he was ask to lie to save his life he chose to do God's will and suffer death. Without sin, he didn't deserve death. So his death paid for all of our sins. After his death he decided to hell to preach the gospel and give them that were in hell an option to repent, accept God's word as there Lord and Saviour so they can be saved. Most people would call someone who sacrificed his life to save others a hero.
You're having a debate with a Christian on a debate room titled questions for Christians. So knowing this you still chose to referrer to God as an imaginary friend. Was this meant to be an insult? My friend please understand this Christians don't spread God's word to insult anyone. We don't do it to make enemies. We do it because we have found something of great value and want to share it. Would you not give up everything you own to obtain everlasting life? Would you not stop doing something if you found out it was wrong?
Jesus was made perfect through doing God's will. Jesus being God's only begotten son "The Word of God". God must be Jesus father. There was no other way. No option for human to be his father. Why would you try to undo perfection? Do you understand what perfect means? To do things the right way without error. This is the definition.
"Metrics that we measure" could you elaborate? What are we the victim of? I couldn't judge Suzy or Adolf. I haven't seen first hand any deeds done by them. I've only heard stories. God is a perfect judge he doesn't have to take someone else word to make judgment. He was there for every moment of there lives. He heard our thoughts and knows all the desires of our hearts. So neither you nor I can say whether anyone will receive a punishment from God. All we can do is warn one another. Because we know the difference between right and wrong. It is written in our hearts.
My apologies I didn't understand you. The thing is God does love us. It is very difficult to change someone's mind and behavior with persuasion. He is giving everyone a chance to change. He has sent people, Angels and his Son to persuade everyone to stop sinning. Question, if you could decide what punishment Adolf Hitler would get for the Holocaust what would you give him?
God isn't making the choice for the majority. There choice to practice evil knowing they will be punished for there evil deeds falls on them. Mercy and forgiveness came through God's grace which is Jesus. Because all have sinned and deserve death to pay for there sin. Those that choose to accept God's mercy will receive it. The Bible has many prophecies in it. Many which have already come to pass and many which are yet to come. Persecution will come to us who call Jesus our lord and saviour. As you can already see Christians are being persecuted daily even unto death. Isis is paving the way for the anti-Christ. What you don't see is non-believers getting sick and tired of religion as a whole. The Bible says the anti-Christ won't recognize God and will ban any religious practices. The will be the greatest persecution of Christians.
