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Silmarien

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Does anyone have any experience converting as an adult? Particularly after having once been hostile towards the religion? I'm all over the place theologically right now.

I could believe in the Resurrection (non-bodily, at least)--I like the argument that the disciples had to have experienced something to go to such lengths after the fact, but I've also seen the counterarguments so it's a bit of a coin toss. That's a jump I could make, but I've realized that I'm still very divided--on an aesthetic and moral level, I love the religion, but my atheist years were spent going after Christian theology in philosophy classes, so there's a fair amount of intellectual hostility there that I never actually defused. It's getting better, but I'm probably going to have to do a lot of theological reading. C.S. Lewis first, though.

Would anyone have any advice for this sort of situation? I've moved close enough to the religion now that not being able to believe (or not believing enough) is a bit stressful, but it's a long way back from hostile atheism, especially if you're not entirely convinced that this isn't just some mad flight of fancy (I'm prone to such things).

Also, I'll have to discuss it with the priest eventually, but at what point is it appropriate to take communion? It'd feel blasphemous to do so right now, since I don't identify as Christian, but I'm not sure when that changes. Episcopal, so the actual requirements are lax.
 
True, but what does it really mean for one to "believe in your heart and confess with your mouth?"

this verse is for an unbeliever who's looking to be saved and it's kind of talking about the prayer salvation that one needs to confess with his mouth and physically say that Jesus is lord and believe always that Jesus was risen from the dead by God and is still alive[/QUOTE]
 
True, but what does it really mean for one to "believe in your heart and confess with your mouth?"

myou confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and nbelieve in your heart othat God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, p“Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” qFor there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; rfor the same Lord is Lord of all, sbestowing his riches on all who call on him. t“everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
 
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In understanding any passage of a document (biblical or other writing), we need to understand two methods of interpretation. One is legitimate and the other is illegitimate.

The legitimate method of interpretation is called exegesis, by which we interpret a text by obtaining the content out of the text. In the Bible, exegesis means finding what the author of the biblical text is saying.

It comes from the Greek, exègeisthai (to interpret), which is from ex- (out) + hègeisthai (to lead).

So exegesis is what you get out of the Bible and not what is read into it according to a person's desires or presumptions.

The illegitimate method of interpretation is eisegesis, which reads a text according to the preconceived ideas the reader has of its meanings. Eisegesis happens when some views from outside the Bible are imposed on the biblical meaning.

It is based on the Greek eis (means into) plus hègeisthai (to lead)

Sadly, much of the allegorical preaching in churches is eisegesis - reading into the text a meaning that is not in the text. I was in such a church this morning where the preacher made Zechariah 8 refer to the church's new building program when it had nothing to do with a contemporary church structure.

Oz
 
In understanding any passage of a document (biblical or other writing), we need to understand two methods of interpretation. One is legitimate and the other is illegitimate.

The legitimate method of interpretation is called exegesis, by which we interpret a text by obtaining the content out of the text. In the Bible, exegesis means finding what the author of the biblical text is saying.

It comes from the Greek, exègeisthai (to interpret), which is from ex- (out) + hègeisthai (to lead).

So exegesis is what you get out of the Bible and not what is read into it according to a person's desires or presumptions.

The illegitimate method of interpretation is eisegesis, which reads a text according to the preconceived ideas the reader has of its meanings. Eisegesis happens when some views from outside the Bible are imposed on the biblical meaning.

It is based on the Greek eis (means into) plus hègeisthai (to lead)

Sadly, much of the allegorical preaching in churches is eisegesis - reading into the text a meaning that is not in the text. I was in such a church this morning where the preacher made Zechariah 8 refer to the church's new building program when it had nothing to do with a contemporary church structure.

Oz

Oh ok
 
In understanding any passage of a document (biblical or other writing), we need to understand two methods of interpretation. One is legitimate and the other is illegitimate.

The legitimate method of interpretation is called exegesis, by which we interpret a text by obtaining the content out of the text. In the Bible, exegesis means finding what the author of the biblical text is saying.

It comes from the Greek, exègeisthai (to interpret), which is from ex- (out) + hègeisthai (to lead).

So exegesis is what you get out of the Bible and not what is read into it according to a person's desires or presumptions.

The illegitimate method of interpretation is eisegesis, which reads a text according to the preconceived ideas the reader has of its meanings. Eisegesis happens when some views from outside the Bible are imposed on the biblical meaning.

It is based on the Greek eis (means into) plus hègeisthai (to lead)

Sadly, much of the allegorical preaching in churches is eisegesis - reading into the text a meaning that is not in the text. I was in such a church this morning where the preacher made Zechariah 8 refer to the church's new building program when it had nothing to do with a contemporary church structure.

Oz
How do you get from oxen not being muzzled to paying the preacher.

I get the Word was placed in the minds and hearts of the apostles. Then revelation / understanding of the fact was shared with others.

Just looking at OT oxen just leads to animal husbandry. Understanding types and shadows leaves you praying for the eyes of our understanding being opened to our hope in Christ Jesus.

The OP is about how we get from point A to point B.

Interesting thread.

eddif
 
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
this verse is for an unbeliever who's looking to be saved and it's kind of talking about the prayer salvation that one needs to confess with his mouth and physically say that Jesus is lord and believe always that Jesus was risen from the dead by God and is still alive
Brother Brock, could we agree that this scripture expresses but one way of believing on the Lord Jesus? What of other scriptures affirming the salvation of any believing on Him?

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him (Lord help me!) in whom they have not believed?

Many soldiers in war called out in such a fashion to God when seeking cover in a foxhole. There is an old saying that “There are no atheists in foxholes,” and from testimonies to the fact many of our Christian brethren made the decision of reaching to the grace of God at that moment.

I’ll add this that the context of Romans Chapter 9 is basically to Israel past, Chapter 10 is Israel today, and Chapter 11 Israel future, but the formula is applicable to Jew & Greek. God will not be limited to an exact prescription of words, and knows our hearts.

Act 16:30 . . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Those of your house can be saved the same way).

It’s wonderful to see you continuing to search. :wave2
 
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Brother Brock, could we agree that this scripture expresses but one way of believing on the Lord Jesus? What of other scriptures affirming the salvation of any believing on Him?

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him (Lord help me!) in whom they have not believed?

Many soldiers in war called out in such a fashion to God when seeking cover in a foxhole. There is an old saying that “There are no atheists in foxholes,” and from testimonies to the fact many of our Christian brethren made the decision of reaching to the grace of God at that moment.

I’ll add this that the context of Romans Chapter 9 is basically to Israel past, Chapter 10 is Israel today, and Chapter 11 Israel future, but the formula is applicable to Jew & Greek. God will not be limited to an exact prescription of words, and knows our hearts.

Act 16:30 . . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Those of your house can be saved the same way).

It’s wonderful to see you continuing to search. :wave2

Yeah we can agree:) I asked God for the answer a few days back I believe that's the answer he gave me
 
It seems we are forgetting which forum this is. The Questions for Christians forum is for non-Christians to ask questions and the Christian memebers to answer. It is not a debate forum and comments should be directed toward the OP.
 
Does anyone have any experience converting as an adult? Particularly after having once been hostile towards the religion? I'm all over the place theologically right now.
I converted at 7 years old, but i was critical and hostile towards Christianity and hated the idea of an evil God. I learnt later that God has to execute justice. He has to punish sinful people, and it doesnt make sense when we just read over the stories but when you analyse everything properly it does make sense.
 
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