Imagination

[HeIsRisen2018]

Hi Susan, and welcome.
I read your article as well as several other blogs you've written. I get the gist of what you wrote, and it's good.

You won't get banned for any of your blogs. We only ban those who seek to create division. I don't get that sense with you.

As with any community, there will always be disagreement among members. But it's how we handle those disagreements that matters and personally, i like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and think the best of everyone.

I hope you will settle in and we can all get to know each other.

Jeff

You know instead of just writing Jeff you missed the golden opportunity to post this video at the end.

 

[stovebolts]

Here is an example . . .

I like it! Its the wind blowing the wind! Great biblical metaphor!

 

[stovebolts]

I looked up the website, sivanaspirit.com and Eastern Mysticism falls in the same category as what is written in Deuteronomy 18:9-12 as being an abomination to God. We get passionate about God, not by trying to give Him a form and making Him what we want Him to be for our needs. We get passionate about God through His mercy and grace by having faith in Jesus Christ and His finished works upon the cross for His love for all of us.

You are more than welcomed here and I pray you get to know the real God of all creation as we have, but teaching Eastern Mysticism that is not of God will get you banned from this forum as it comes against our Terms of Service you agreed with when you signed up. Please feel free to ask questions for that is how we grow in knowledge of God and His written word.

Hope you will stay with us.

I've read many of her blogs on that site, and i don't see her promoting eastern mysticism. What i see her writings as, would be a ministry to them.

In the Hebrew, ruach is feminine, as is most of the wisdom literature.

 

[Susannah]

Thank you . . . My experience of Christ is that every time something disappointing happens God sends you a sign that all is well and then he sends a blessing. I would have never found this place if I had not been banned from the other site. God works in mysterious ways; his wonders to behold.

 

[JLB]

We use the masculine gender when referring to God because of the rules of Grammar.
But God is not male or female.
Father in heaven is also used because of the ways God watches over us....it's not as in direct contact as a mother has of Children.

The female gender is used with a variety of pagan gods.
Grouping God inadvertently with the pagan gods as if God is just another religion... well it's a bit insulting for something that we hold most dear.

That being said.
God is a person. God relates to us each on a personal level.

This is a subject that can bring about a passionate response from some, because it’s something that we hold most dear.

I hope we can discuss this in a way that is fruitful.

God may or may not be male or female.

I see that the scriptures indicate to us that God is male as well as female.


When you say, “it’s a bit insulting for something that we hold most dear”, that statement works both ways, because I for one hold family most dear, and God is presented in scripture as family.

Father and Son is an indication of family.

If there is Father and Son, then there is Mother as well.

God created both male and female in His image.


So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27



JLB

 

[JohnDB]

This is a subject that can bring about a passionate response from some, because it’s something that we hold most dear.

I hope we can discuss this in a way that is fruitful.

God may or may not be male or female.

I see that the scriptures indicate to us that God is male as well as female.


When you say, “it’s a bit insulting for something that we hold most dear”, that statement works both ways, because I for one hold family most dear, and God is presented in scripture as family.

Father and Son is an indication of family.

If there is Father and Son, then there is Mother as well.

God created both male and female in His image.


So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27



JLB

I've always seen that the Church is the Bride of Christ...there's the female in the family dynamic. Israel is often portrayed as the Harlot-spouse in the book of Hosea.

But these things are imagery and not reality. There is no marriage or gender in heaven as there is no need. Eternal life has no need for procreation.

 

[for_his_glory]

Thank you . . . My experience of Christ is that every time something disappointing happens God sends you a sign that all is well and then he sends a blessing. I would have never found this place if I had not been banned from the other site. God works in mysterious ways; his wonders to behold.

I owe you a very sincere apology as I went back and read one of your blogs about faith and see that you are not promoting Eastern Mysticism. I've book marked the website and will go read more of what you have written. I truly missed the mark on this one and I am so sorry.

 

[jasonc]

I've read many of her blogs on that site, and i don't see her promoting eastern mysticism. What i see her writings as, would be a ministry to them.

In the Hebrew, ruach is feminine, as is most of the wisdom literature.

My pastor knows Hebrew I will ask .

 

[JLB]

I've always seen that the Church is the Bride of Christ...there's the female in the family dynamic. Israel is often portrayed as the Harlot-spouse in the book of Hosea.

But these things are imagery and not reality. There is no marriage or gender in heaven as there is no need. Eternal life has no need for procreation.

Yet, at the same time we see that the Son was “begotten” of the Father.


We also see the Spirit gives birth to spirit.


That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6


If a person is said to be born of a woman, then it’s because the woman “gives birth” to that person.


IOW, a child is “begotten” of the father , and “born of” the mother.


Paul, says there is a mystery, concerning Christ and the Church.


“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:31-31


Who is the father and mother that Christ leaves to be joined to the church, His bride?


Anthropomorphism is the assignment of human characteristics to God, to better understand Him.


If we stay within the boundaries of this idea, I think we can discuss these things, without seen to be promoting heresy.





JLB

 

[JLB]

In the Hebrew, ruach is feminine, as is most of the wisdom literature.

Amen.

 

[JLB]

Thank you . . . My experience of Christ is that every time something disappointing happens God sends you a sign that all is well and then he sends a blessing. I would have never found this place if I had not been banned from the other site. God works in mysterious ways; his wonders to behold.

Amen.


Good word.




JLB

 

[Susannah]

I think my thinking abut the God is so egalitarian is because the Holy Spirit came into my life in Alcoholics Anonymous not the church or the Bible This was in 1982. In AA they believe in "God as you understand Him."

But four years ago I moved on. The Holy Spirit told me that Christ was real. He was more than a prophet. He died for our sins. Then He was resurrected. And He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter, Counselor, Healer and guide. So here I am exploring my new found Christianity. So far I am mostly drawn to the idea that to show the world we are Christians we must love one another no matter what. I have taken this one step further and decided that "one another" includes those outside the church. This is where I start to get in trouble with the conservative Christians. They tend to be fond of exclusivity.

 

[Truthfrees]

Here is the article that got me banned from the other Christian site. If it is not acceptable on this forum, please delete the article but not me.

Imagination

read your article - thanks for posting

 

[Truthfrees]

I think my thinking abut the God is so egalitarian is because the Holy Spirit came into my life in Alcoholics Anonymous not the church or the Bible This was in 1982. In AA they believe in "God as you understand Him."

But four years ago I moved on. The Holy Spirit told me that Christ was real. He was more than a prophet. He died for our sins. Then He was resurrected. And He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter, Counselor, Healer and guide. So here I am exploring my new found Christianity. So far I am mostly drawn to the idea that to show the world we are Christians we must love one another no matter what. I have taken this one step further and decided that "one another" includes those outside the church. This is where I start to get in trouble with the conservative Christians. They tend to be fond of exclusivity.

is it conservative christians or unloving christians?

i and most of my family and friends are very conservative christians and we avoid unloving christians - those who don't love others do not know God - 1 John 4:7-11

 

[jasonc]

This is a subject that can bring about a passionate response from some, because it’s something that we hold most dear.

I hope we can discuss this in a way that is fruitful.

God may or may not be male or female.

I see that the scriptures indicate to us that God is male as well as female.


When you say, “it’s a bit insulting for something that we hold most dear”, that statement works both ways, because I for one hold family most dear, and God is presented in scripture as family.

Father and Son is an indication of family.

If there is Father and Son, then there is Mother as well.

God created both male and female in His image.


So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27



JLB

The trinity ,as I knew it would be involved.

All listed in male forms in the tanakh ,and also the Brit chadosh.
Jesus,also in the tanakh as male .

See john 1. In,the begining was the Word,the word with God,the was God.
The name of Joshua,is a male one .it has no feminine form in Hebrew.

Next is the Father,in Jewish prayers,I know I have said a few,the Heshem is called a father ,thus male.

Jesus refers to the third Person as He,and He shall teach you things of Me and not of His Own.thus male.

You can't ignore that God ordained and breathed these statements,in,visions is seen as a male .

 

[jasonc]

There is no,mother God in jewry

 

[GodsGrace]

I think my thinking abut the God is so egalitarian is because the Holy Spirit came into my life in Alcoholics Anonymous not the church or the Bible This was in 1982. In AA they believe in "God as you understand Him."

But four years ago I moved on. The Holy Spirit told me that Christ was real. He was more than a prophet. He died for our sins. Then He was resurrected. And He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter, Counselor, Healer and guide. So here I am exploring my new found Christianity. So far I am mostly drawn to the idea that to show the world we are Christians we must love one another no matter what. I have taken this one step further and decided that "one another" includes those outside the church. This is where I start to get in trouble with the conservative Christians. They tend to be fond of exclusivity.

Hi SP,
Jesus said we are to love our enemies too.
Matthew 5:44

He said there is no reward in loving only those that love us...that we do no more than the worldly (gentiles) if this is how we love.

So, yes, I agree with you,
We are to love everyone with Agape Love.

 

[JLB]

The trinity ,as I knew it would be involved.

All listed in male forms in the tanakh ,and also the Brit chadosh.
Jesus,also in the tanakh as male .

See john 1. In,the begining was the Word,the word with God,the was God.
The name of Joshua,is a male one .it has no feminine form in Hebrew.

Next is the Father,in Jewish prayers,I know I have said a few,the Heshem is called a father ,thus male.

Jesus refers to the third Person as He,and He shall teach you things of Me and not of His Own.thus male.

You can't ignore that God ordained and breathed these statements,in,visions is seen as a male .

So we are in agreement that the Father and Son are male.


How about the Holy Spirit?


If Jesus is the only begotten of the Father, then who gave birth to Him?


Do you believe that spirit beings can reproduce spirit beings?


That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6


Who was the Father and Mother Jesus leaves to be joined to the Church, His bride?


Do we believe Eve was created in the image of God?


Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27

• So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

JLB

 

[for_his_glory]

God as being male and female can be found within His characteristics, but yet not as human male and female in which He created. God is spirit, not flesh and blood so there is no human anatomy. The same with the Holy Spirit which is the spirit of God as in Christianity God, Jesus and Holy Spirit is always mentioned in scripture as Father, Son and Spirit - he/him. It's said to be a mystery in the scriptures, but with the help of the Holy Spirit it can all be worked out.

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

focusonthefamily.com has a really good article "God and man as male and female: implications for gender identity" that puts all of this into perspective.

 

[jasonc]

So we are in agreement that the Father and Son are male.


How about the Holy Spirit?


If Jesus is the only begotten of the Father, then who gave birth to Him?


Do you believe that spirit beings can reproduce spirit beings?


That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6


Who was the Father and Mother Jesus leaves to be joined to the Church, His bride?


Do we believe Eve was created in the image of God?


Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27

• So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

JLB

The Holy,spirit is male.

Genesis one and The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the deep.

The nature of all three is male.also eve was made from,Adam not from,God . per paul the wife is the Glory of the head of marriage ,the Husband the Glory of God .

While yes its true what you,said but Adam being first existed without eve. No other man aside of Jesus is like that.eve made from Adam .