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Preteristic beliefs are the result of gathering more knowledge than is commonly offered by religious authorities to the laity. As jasoncran said, when one studies A.N.E. culture and literature as well as the differing beliefs of the Jewish sects of the 1st century, a preteristic picture begins...

This thread was not written to ask what the definition of faith is. It was construction so that we can toss around how to best identify what beliefs we should place our faith in. So the question is asking for people to share their methods or ideas as it relates to what they believe is the way to...

It seems that question pertaining to the means by which faith in a particular belief can and should be acquired is still being glossed over.

In my opinion John 1 delivers a message in a rather poetic manner that attempts to reveal to its readers the very creative intent or purpose of God as it relates to man's reality. The true light that John's writer says was embodiee/manifested in the form of Jesus, the Christ was one and the same...

So you're saying the god you believe in is both a respector of persons as well as an unfair judge that has stacked the deck against the "damned" by creating and endueing many of his creations with a flawed nature incapable of doing what is pleasing to this god of your mind's inclination? It does...

Is college a worthwhile investment for most people?

Faith and its place in the Christian's life is both essential and undeniable. Because of these realities it is possible that from time to time Christians can become lax when evaluating the means by which their faith can and should be acquired. A point in mind has to do with matters where the...

Newsflash! Jesus and his angel will not be present in Heaven because FOR ALL ETERNITY he will be busy administering/watching the torture of those that worshipped the beast.

A question we should ponder is whether or not it is ever right to tell a lie. I know what the Bible says about lying and the quick and easy answer is no, but if we really ponder this issue, I think we may be forced to open our minds a bit on this subject. Recall in Exodus the Hebrew midwives...

Sadly, I think we're likely to never come to a point of agreement on these things. The scriptures related to such issues are often symbolic or had meanings to a contemporary audience that we can only speculate about. We also have a tendency to bring to the table beliefs we "know in our hearts"...

You asked if there is a rapture and according to the scriptures, I'd say the answer was yes. The scriptures are pretty clear in pointing out that Jesus would take/gather his saints from the earth and from the grave to 'forever be with him.' As far as who is/WAS to be party to this happening...

I think we need to establish what the pre-rapture salvation offers or offered salvation from. I believe the answer to be salvation from the judgment and wrath of the Lord on Israel for rejecting the Messiah and persecuting his elect. The saints (aka The Bride of the Christ) would appear to be...

How can you make such a bold and definitive proclamation when all you have to go on in the language in 2 Thessalonians? How do you know that the terminology isn't metaphorical or intended to represent a sect or specific group? WHat evidence do you have that would limit this entity to being a...

A falling away from the faith that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah is the most likely answer.

You nailed it. We have a tendancy to carry our biases with us and the way we perceived the world is more often than not displayed against the backdrop of our preconceptions and subjective convictions. When I see a post like this I can't help but ask the following questions: If you know that...

I think the son of wrath (perdition) can be none other than the Jews of Jesus' day that did not accept him as God's Anointed King. The guilt of disobedience and other acts like murdering the prophets of God was to be laid on that generation. The wrath of God that was to be visited on them...

Texts like Exodus 9:16 do illustrate that God raised people up from time to time to demonstrate His power. I think arguing that point is tough to do, but, the idea that God created (not raised up) people to oppose Him and His intended Kingdom makes God sound maniacal and not very Godly and...

It sounds like you're speaking on both sides of an argument. At first you mention God's sovereign nature being the basis of election and therefore the limiting factor on whether a person can even accept the gospel, then you go on to assert that "sinning" people are at fault for not receiving...

What is this "eternal unchanging word" you speak of? Surely it is not the Bible, a compilation of writings that underwent changes via addition for hundreds, if not over a 1000 years. It was changed the NT was added to the OT for instance. I never meant to imply that it's message changes. I also...

Great thought provoking questions!! I'd add this question as well; Where do we post-last day peoples fit into the plan of God according to the scriptures? That is the big question for us that can help us understand whether or not we are heirs according to the promise, as well as whether or not...