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The left hand path

Hope implies that we do not control our own destiny. I have no hope, in the sense that I know that I will do what is best for myself and live a happy and healthy life.

This knowledge is a great deal of comfort to me
 
I gave my personal interpretation of a few controversial bible passages. I don't feel that is indicative of a lack of understanding.
 
dispute said:
Please cite sources and or references to validate your opinion on my lack of knowlege.
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This is a Christian forum.
You cannot take how God dealt with the Jewish people in the Old Testament and apply it to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
If you read and understood the Bible, then you would know that.
 
No denying that the old testament is hard to account for. One has to keep in mind historical context as well as literal context. One example would be the nations surrounding Israel practicing such atrocities as child sacrifice and not wanting that to be spread. (There's much more to it, of course, but it has been a while since I have discussed and researched this issue. And most of my bookmarks on it are probably lost since my computers like to be hard reset every year or two. That's Windows for you.)

I do think you would be hard-pressed to find Christians who are completely unaware of what went on in the old testament. Seeing as much of it is taught in Sunday School. (Though it's true that not everyone thinks to read up on the why, and a great many likely dismiss it having grown up knowing about it.)

I would point out that Christianity, or rather God, teaches and has taught me to treat others with the same respect I'd want myself to be treated with. We are commanded to follow Jesus as our example, and to live with others as peaceably as we are able (Romans 12:18). Among other things...actually, the ten commandments are divided into two areas: treatment of God, and treatment of others. Further, Jesus stated that these two categories sum up the entirety of the OT law. In other words, the laws in the old testament/ancient Israel existed to promote these two agendas.

I don't see this as a contradiction to the old testament because, again, the old testament, especially the first five books, records things from a largely historical perspective and needs to be taken in that context. The verse I quoted from is from the new testament and from a letter to one of the churches with instructions on how to act. Most of the books in the new testament are this, and are typically general in nature.
The God of the old testament isn't different than the God of the new testament. If we are taught in the new testament that we are to treat others with respect, this wasn't different in the old testament. If this is true, it follows to reason that there were reasons why such violence went on in the old testament. Of course, this is a complex subject and tends to be a rather long and tedious discussion.

I have no problem answering issues head-on, to the best of my ability and resources, but please keep in mind that I have a life and responsibility outside of this forum and the same is true for other members. You may have time to be at the computer for hours on end waiting for responses (or you may not, I have no way of knowing), but that will not necessarily be true for others.
 
Again very well reasoned quest driven.

Actually its on my phone and I get a notification when someone replies.

I have a full and happy life.
 
Rollo Tamasi said:
This is a Christian forum.
You cannot take how God dealt with the Jewish people in the Old Testament and apply it to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
If you read and understood the Bible, then you would know that.
Click to expand...

That was neither a source, nor a reference, merely a statement.

But top points for trying
 
"I would point out that Christianity, or rather God, teaches and has taught me to treat others with the same respect I'd want myself to be treated with."

That is a great lesson for anyone to learn, if once however it is established that this person will not treat you with the respect you are entitled to, is it then prudent to continue treating them with respect and let them take advantage of you?

Also do you believe as human beings we are capable of making our own decisions about right and wrong?
 
Let's talk about respect.
A non-Christian comes on a Christian forum and starts talking about hatred in the Bible.
Then talks about the satanic bible.
Where is there respect in this for the Christians who use this forum to build up their faith in Jesus Christ?

Sometimes respect has to be earned.
That's a fact of life.
 
Theres no separation of Jesus and the father God of the old testament, whatever the father God did in the old testament so Jesus did too.
 
dispute said:
"I would point out that Christianity, or rather God, teaches and has taught me to treat others with the same respect I'd want myself to be treated with."

That is a great lesson for anyone to learn, if once however it is established that this person will not treat you with the respect you are entitled to, is it then prudent to continue treating them with respect and let them take advantage of you?

Also do you believe as human beings we are capable of making our own decisions about right and wrong?
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There are people that you need to remove yourself from, I think, if they are hurting you. I do my best to treat others with some amount of respect even if they aren't doing the same to me, but that doesn't mean I let myself get hurt by them over and over when it becomes apparent they have no intention of changing their attitude. If I need to take measures to keep them at a distance or out of my life entirely, then I need to. (Funny, the dream I had last night was kind of about that in a way.) How exactly to deal with such a person would probably vary on circumstance.

I believe we have the mental capacity to make decisions and form opinions, but that we are also very limited in our understanding. Based on my experience, I'd say that God allows us to think and ponder for our own growth--and this is partly why believers tend to be so varied in their beliefs and outlooks--but He also wants us to learn directly from Him.
 
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