God, Mother of all

[Novum]

Thanks Novum.

I think we would agree on this that being an atheist or agnostic or Moslem or whatever does not invalidate knowledge of the bible should that person want to study it. However, knowledge is not the same as understanding. And understanding can only come if what is read is interpreted correctly.

Think about this.

A document has been produced that is deemed by many to contain the secret to life after death (eternal life).
Now many of course don’t believe in such a thing so it doesn’t bother them – “why read it,†they say.
Others also disbelieving, for one reason or another may read it and declare it contains nothing out of the ordinary and therefore conclude that it is no more significant than ‘winnie the pooh.’

Still other’s believe there is merit in the claims and they study it every which way and come to the conclusion that if they follow the things that are written in the book, then they will indeed obtain what is claimed.

It has been my personal experience with Christians that most Christians, worldwide, would seem to fall into this group. My experiences on this board (specifically, reading the comments of others) would seem to verify this.

And then there are those who seemingly are compelled to read it. In fact they find it the most profound thing they have ever read. Not only does it make sense, they find comfort, strength, confirmation and direction almost as though it is speaking directly to them.

You see it’s all about the same book and yet the response to it by each group is so different. So what is the difference between these groups? It is this. Only the last group has been given the key to understanding it. And what is the key? While others can read it and gain knowledge of God and things pertaining to his people, they can never really ‘know’ what it means unless they ARE one of God’s children. Because the book is FOR them. It can never be anything more than just information to those who are not God’s children. And even those who think they are God’s children (but are not) can only approach it as a set of rules or a guide. Now, God’s children are those who are born of the Spirit of God. Since it is the Spirit that has given them life, the same Spirit that has inspired the book, gives insight and understanding to things within it.

But let’s not forget. Those who have received the Spirit can in no way elevate themselves over others, taking pride in the fact that they have something that others don’t. Those who do, must accept that anything they have, hasn’t been earned. At the point they become puffed up with their own importance, they forget the grace of God and fall into self-righteousness - which unfortunately is all too prevalent in Christendom.

What do you think?

I'm not necessarily so sure that these categories are exhaustive; I've no doubt we could find no shortage of Christians who do not fit into any of these. How much understanding must one have to fit into the last group? Where do trinitarians fit? What about non-trinitarians? Who's more christian, or more deserving of the last group? Who decides?

But let's make a big assumption for now - namely that your categories, taken together, describe all Christians worldwide. How do we determine who is in each category? Who makes the decision? Is it fair and just to decide for other people where they fit, or is it the case that this is a subjective decision that one can only make for oneself?

That's my stumbling block at this point. Even if we could derive an exhaustive list of "categories", who is to say who belongs where?

And then there's the question that stumps them all: why are we trying to pigeonhole christians into categories?

 

[mutzrein]

And then there's the question that stumps them all: why are we trying to pigeonhole christians into categories?

I hope to come back to some of the other points you make but just a brief comment about this before I rush off.

The categories I provided are not categories of Christians. Christians believe they are given eternal life. Eternal life can only be given by the Spirit of God.

But there are many people who think they have the Spirit of God, wheras in fact they don't. It is those in the last group that I refer to as Christians - the ones who have been born of the Spirit of God. And this is not determined by agreement with a doctrine, nor does being born of the spirit imply acceptance of a particular 'doctrine'

 

[gingercat]

Good luck mutz, talking to novum. :D