Your personal Tumblr library awaits
Christ - Blog Posts
An Argument for God - The Genuine Nature of Christianity
This post is a product of a heated conversation I’ve had very recently. The argument I will present is in no way a proof, rather a compelling line of reasoning, supporting the legitimacy of the Christian faith.
First of all, religious beliefs have been present since the naissance of our race, as evident from numerous archeological findings of ritual items. Although primitive iterations of different faiths can be connected to the lack of scientific understanding. For example it could seem logical for groups of humans to praise the sun, as they had no distant idea of its inner workings, and as something beyond their comprehension, yet observably powerful, it appeared to be an entity far above them, ergo a god of sorts. Similar patterns can be found in countless natural religions, as usually their objects are things or persons of immense influence and/or outside the intellectual and physical grasp of their subjects. This mode of religious faith (or fear) is thus very natural, almost inherent to the unknowing masses of the distant past. Opposite to this, the Judeo-Christian tradition had an original birth, meaning it was not connected to observable objects, rather an entity outside of the physical and intellectual realms, through revelation through a long line of prophets and inspired people. In comparison the natural religions had an understandable reason to be invented because their objects were things overpowering humans, whereas Christianity’s roots came from a place outside of the boundaries of rationality, ergo, as far as religions are concerned, the birth of Christianity is genuine.
Secondly, in the stratum of religions from revelation, there is a great amount of corruption and an even greater amount of dubious sources. Many faiths come from the preaching of inspired individuals, who have claimed to have some supernatural knowledge, and usually these persons even had miraculous happenings in their close proximity. Whenever one such individual could amass a cult, a new religion was born and very often their teachings remained the core of their religion ever after. Now this is problematic because the only convincing power of these faiths is that of their missionary’s, the original prophet (or anyone called by any name, serving as such) is completely at the mercy of the skills of the coming teachers and preachers of given religion. Even more severely so, when history discredits the original bringers of revelation. Probably the most outstanding example of this is the case of Mohammad, the prophet of Islam. First, his first amanuensis left him. It is extremely alarming, when the person, who writes down the words of a prophet reports that he lost his faith in the prophet’s revelation’s genuineness. Second, when the prophet’s teachings became self-contradictory, evidently along the lines of personal interest, a large group of people left the prophet. Third, the prophet had to discard parts of his teachings, attributing it to deception from Satan, when its contents found no popular acceptance. Mohammad thus seems like a hardly credible source. Of course his revelations are very compelling to many people, who choose to overlook all these three discrediting instances. The Bible, at the same time, has been created in the span of thousands of years, written by many dozens of inspired people. The revelation, to be so spread out, is quite unique in this manner, unlike any other out there. It can be thus said that, in comparison, Christianity’s revelation -- again, as far as religions from revelations go -- is genuine.
Thirdly, the Judeo-Christian revelation claims to have been proven and fulfilled. Like religions in a large percentage, Christianity also operates with many prophecies. Yet, it is quite exquisite in that its prophecies have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ(1). This is some two thousand years worth of texts, which have been completed in a real persons life and death and his message. Now at this point, to accept the above sentence, it requires faith, however, the fact that the Judeo-Christian tradition counts Jesus Christ as fulfillment to its prophecies and expectations is very unique and can be counted as a genuine basis of faith.
And lastly, the inspiration behind the text is very credible. Most likely in connection with the long time span, the revelation of the Bible doesn’t follow lines of interest. Quite the contrary, often great historical influences were opposed by actual revelations and sacred guidance. Even socio-economic contexts were ignored or opposed time and time again, which again, proves that the revelations are genuine. Now whether or not to believe them still can be a question but not whether or not the claims are genuine.
Note: I’m aware of the possibility my above argumentation might be plagiaristic but as this is not published as a scholarly work I feel I don’t need to go source-hunting. Originally the basic concepts presented here are used in a novella I’m still trying to write and I put it out here in this shape and form because I’ve been deeply inspired by a personal conversation (see preface).
(1) Jesus is, historically, better recorded than Julius Caesar, so his earthly existence can be regarded as historical fact (as long as one accepts such things, since they can sometimes seem questionable), his metaphysical significance and the truth of his message is what is usually argued.
One day Joseph, a Masai warrior, who was walking along one of these hot, dirty African roads, met someone who shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him, and then and there, he accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. The power of the spirit began transforming his life, and he was filled with such excitement and joy that the first thing he wanted to do was return to his own village and there share the good news to the members of his own local tribe. Joseph began going from door to door telling everyone he met about the cross, suffering, and the salvation that it offered, expecting to see their faces light up the way his had. And to his amazement, the villagers not only didn’t care, they became violent. The men of the village seized him, held him to the ground while the women beat him with strands of barbed wire. He was dragged from the village and left to die alone in the bush. Joseph somehow managed to crawl to a water hole and there, after days of passing in and out of consciousness, found the strength to get up. He wondered about the hostile reception that he had received from people he had known all his life. He decided he must have said something wrong or left something out from the story of Jesus. After rehearsing the message that he gave at first, he decided to go back and share this message again. Joseph limped into the circle of huts and began to proclaim Jesus. “He died for you so that you might find forgiveness and come to know the living God,” he pleaded. Again he was grabbed by the men of the village and held while the women beat him, reopening wounds that had just begun to heal. Once more, they dragged him unconscious from the village and left him to die. To have survived the first beating was truly remarkable. To live through the second was a miracle. Again, days later, Joseph awoke in the wilderness, bruised, scarred, determined to go back. He returned to the small village, and this time, they attacked him before he had a chance to open his mouth. As they flogged him for the third and possibly the last time, he again spoke to them of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Before he passed out, the last thing he saw was the women who were beating him began to weep. This time, he awoke in his own bed. The ones who had so severely beaten him were now trying to save his life and nurse him back to health. And the entire village came to Christ.
How Our Suffering Glorifies the Greatness of the Grace of God by John Piper (via worshipgifs)
Breaking the Ice
For about half a year I've been stuck. I haven't written a single word worth mentioning. And that's a problem if you're trying to write something. I had a conflict that I had to rewrite before the climax of my story and nothing worked. I resolved I would not progress with he whole novel as long as this problem is not solved and today, with pride I say, I have solved it. It's possibly the sweetest, neatest, greatest, most dynamic, most intense part of the whole thing.
But why couldn't I write it? I've been in a bittersweet relationship with the Creator of everything. Last time in church, the scripture said that what the Lord requires of me is:
to try to live in love,
to live according to His laws,
and to be humble toward Him.
None of the above has been fulfilled lately. But He reached down to me and, so openly, he set the rules for me. I was finally told exactly where I'm lacking. Everywhere, apparently. But it's good, it's really the best. I finally know that I should do these three. And I'm so thankful! Knowing this is salvation. I'm saved... once more. This is the biggest thing of my life and now that it's done--not for the first time, sadly--life can/must move on for me. Move forward ;)
Freedom
There are timeless books. Like Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment. It's not an easy read - it takes one some time to digest it. There are parts where you have to sleep before you'd continue. Sometimes it's inevitable to have some time to really understand a chain of thoughts.
Among many fantastic ideas and images, there's one thing I was really interested in while reading the book. Freedom. The freedom of will. Throughout the novel it seems, as if there's no choice, he has to do this or he has to say that. But it really isn't true. Raskolnikov always had the chance to stop, to change. I must admit I was profoundly worried as the unread part of the book kept thinning and yet, all the events, conversations and meditations seemed to disprove my belief.
It was until the last scene of Porfiry. He demanded the truth to be seen. He offered a choice, one that's always been present, even before the murder in the beginning of the book, and it was no else than holding on to foolish philosophies or letting go and free-falling into the frightening depths of salvation.
The whole story is an interesting idea. One does not have to commit such an obvious and terrible crime in order to be lost. Because freedom, like Raskolnikov's freedom, is basically just the freedom that a binary choice offers. It's a generally known fact that the world isn't black and white, so how could matters be so easy, as to say they're just the intersection of two ways. But they are. The quintessential of choices is just this question: salvation -- or this?
The 'this' of life is something we all know. It's all of our ideas, our self-made plans, which will be ridiculed sooner than we'd think. We have a grand plan individually designed for each and every one of us. Just as Raskolnikov always had the greatest thing in reach, we, too, have it right there. The most fantastic treasure of our lives, or the possibility of receiving it, is right around us. It's already delivered, we're just too eternally busy with our own thoughts that we began to believe, that we're not free to go for it. We began to believe there are things we have to do in order to-- But it's really just letting go of control and trying to fit into the Heavenly plan. It's always accessible, we're not required to be anywhere or anyone to be given it.
How to pretend
Pretend you're into certain things and that you're expressly good at them. Display great fondness and commitment. When questioned about it, convince everyone, that you love those certain things because they are truly the greatest of all. Go on figurative and/or literary crusades. Organise everything in your life, so it would be interconnected with tose things. Have hobbies, studies, jobs, that relate to them. Have everybody decieved: trick the world, your co-workers, your best friend, your family, EVERYBODY, including yourself. And at the end of the day, when you have to face those certain things, you'll fail. Because you can't actually do anything that you said you could.
Modern day thinking requires us to rapidly make decisions, even the ones that will determine main matters in our lives. It is not hard to be drifted away to some unknown directions, that look tempting but in fact are alien to us. I believed, that I'd be a great engineer and could set up a huge company, that'll be providing me with a grand fortune but things don't work like this. Not all of us will find what we're looking for in popular careers or good-sounding ideologies.
What I have found though, is that prayer is a highly underrated element of happiness. Wherever I might go, it can always take me home from there. Always. So just be strong enough to kneel down and bring yourself before the Father. :)
Beliefs
"Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs" sings Jon Foreman. This is a great advice to us, modern-day people. We let ourselves be shaken by nearly everything: science, new religions, even the opinions that aren't identical to ours. Nowadays people are lacking confidence and mostly confidence in what they believe. In what WE believe.
On the contrary, when we don't believe in something, we mostly have absolutely no idea what that thing's about. We don't read the literature of the religions we don't agree with, so this means we are very far away from being given the right to disagree, since we aren't informed. When someone denies evolution, or science, they don't have a physics, chemistry or biology degree, they just are willingly ignorant.
At the end of the day, we don't have strong faith or strong doubt, but even when we do, it's based on nothing. But why is that? It's because we can't listen to all debates, read every book, perform each experiments to support our beliefs or doubts. In fact it would be impossible, since humanity hasn't yet answered every questions, we are too young a specie to know it all. This means that every faith and doubt will be open for discussion for an exceedingly long time.
Opinions and beliefs make us, people, so diverse and it's wonderful. However, it's quite trivial that in the end only one faith will prevail and on a distant-enough day we will know who was right because every single belief system, no matter if they say it differently, excludes every other. You can try and model religions as different paths to the same place but it doesn't work. They're contradicting each other. If one's true, the other is inevitably false.
I know there have been countless flame wars generated by religious differences. You might even bring up the crusades as a fine example, however, the crusades are so much opposed to how christianity is defined that the "holy crusades" were acts of the least christian roots. Just saying... But where am I going with this? Fighting over who's right or who's wrong is folly. Think about it, truth will prevail. Forcing your ideals on others will never produce new believers, only averse souls. I, for one, am a believer of Jesus Christ. And yes, I'm convinced that I'm right about what I have faith in. I stongly think that everyone should believe in what I do, STILL, my onlytool to achieve this is live my life by the principles I believe in. You have the choice to disagree. I'm sad if you do but it's completely up to you.
Cheers :)
None of the verses you sent about Slavery were in the Ten Commandments, they were either before or after it, The Gen commandments don't mention slavery, It goes like this.
The First Commandment, I am your God, You should only worship Me
Second Commandment, Do not worship any other "God" than Him
Third Commandment, do not make idol (graven image) and bow down to it
Fourth Commandment, is to not use God's name as a curse or in vain
Fifth Commandment, Keep the Sabbath Day and do not break it
Sixth Commandment, Honor your Mother and Father
Seventh Commandment, Do not Kill. Eighth, Do not commit Adultery (Cheating on your spouse) Ninth, Don't Lie And Tenth Commandment is Don't be jealous of your neighbor and steal from him or sleep with his wife. Slavery was never mentioned here or anywhere in Exodus 20. The Verses you DO mention are Exodus 21, A chapter after and not in the Ten Commandments.
I didn't say we shouldn't follow the Ten Commandments, But I said the Verses you put were meant for another time and another circumstance and thus do not apply today.
Exodus 20:17 is talking about being jealous of your neighbor and sleeping with his wife nor about making his wife a slave.
Jesus said
"I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it"
—Matthew 5:17
Considering there are multiple prophecies in the Old Testament relating to the messiah which were fulfilled by him, He is saying he won't abolish the laws but fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament meaning we shouldn't have to follow the laws
Jesus did Stop A Woman accused of Adultery From being stoned to death in John 8.
A Pharisee brought the woman accused to him and told Jesus:
"Teacher" they said to Jesus, "This woman was caught on the very act of Adultery. Moses' Law says we have to kill her. What About it?"
—John 8:4
Jesus told them
"Whoever Is without sin throw the first stone"
—John 8:7
After writing something on the ground One by One they left
He then asked the woman:
"Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?"
When the Woman said no he said
"Neither do I, Go and sin no more"
—John 8:10-11
Jesus had challenged these laws throughout the old testament, he healed a people on the Sabbath which breaks the Filth Commandment.
The breaking of these laws and the pushing of boundaries are what led to his death.1 Timothy were not written by Jesus, It was a letter made by Paul the Apostle and 1 Timothy 2 are directions for Church and worship.
The parable of the three slaves is just that A Parable shouldn't be taken too seriously. that's the problem with Modern Day Atheists and Agnostics, you take things way too seriously. Jesus always spoke in these parables which were difficult to understand, he isn't saying we should Beat our slaves, he is telling a story with an underlining narrative.
The story of the three slaves shows the Master going away and tasking one slave with feeding the other, If the Slave in charge does a good job with feeding them he will be rewarded, but if he Whips the other two slaves goes out and gets drunk he will be thrown out by the slave master. Jesus is saying we should do good things and we will be rewarded, Not that we should own slaves and beat them.
(1/?)
following some liberal/progressive christian blogs on here is like will i see some profound insight into the nature of God or straight heresy
and then following conservative christian blogs is like will i see something that upholds tradition and is spiritually edifying or will i see someone who thinks women shouldn't have rights
All of these are old Testament Mosaic laws, which applies to the Hebrews of The time (the rules regarding slaves don't apply to modern day slaves and I don't think the women being 'property' part also doesn't apply to modern Jews at all. These were made during a time where the Hebrews (Jews) were brought out of Egypt where they were slaves, they also had slaves themselves (probably to help with the tons of work that was forced on them by Pharaoh in Exodus 5:4—9 but that's my interpretation) also slavery was very common back in the ancient times, especially slave girls so of course Laws Made by God would apply to that time and thus outdated when it comes to slave girls and boys. It wasn't saying women were properties but it was talking about slaves (including slave girls) I hope this part does make sense but my point is that context matters when it comes to Old Testament Laws
As for the "Girls being Unclean" part, God's not saying we are lesser than men or 'unclean'. I read through the entirety of Leviticus as a woman and nowhere does it say women are lesser or unclean
Leviticus is mainly rules about worship and ceremonies, including how to build a tabernacle and to decorate it, How Jewish Priests should dress and what animals to Sacrifice on what occasion and how.
Leviticus also has multiple verses and chapters on Bodily fluids such as Seminal Fluids from a Man
"When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his entire body in water; he remains unclean until evening. Every piece of clothing and everything made of leather which gets semen on it must be washed with water; it remains unclean until evening. When a man sleeps with a woman and has an emission of semen, both are to wash in water; they remain unclean until evening."
—Leviticus 15:16-18
Same with Menstrual Blood
"When a woman has a discharge of blood, the impurity of her menstrual period lasts seven days. Anyone who touches her is unclean until evening. Everything on which she lies or sits during her period is unclean. Anyone who touches her bed or anything on which she sits must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he remains unclean until evening.
Leviticus 15:19-23
And it says later in Leviticus 12:6-7
"she must take them to the door of the Tabernacle to the priest; and the priest will offer them before the Lord and make atonement for her; then she will be ceremonially clean again after her bleeding childbirth"
God is not saying women are unclean, or Baby girls are unclean. The Days of 'Uncleanliness' after childbirth is because the Mother bleeds during her childbirth, Like How a Man who rejects Semen from the Crotch Area is considered Ceremonially Unpure until the Evening (and has to bathe) Leviticus is a book based on rules for Ceremonies and Worship, And that's why it stresses heavily on hygiene and gives details on little things. Like Exodus none of these laws apply to Modern Christians, Maybe it does apply to Modern Jews but it was made for that time, not this time.
I hope you understand this, I really tried my best.
following some liberal/progressive christian blogs on here is like will i see some profound insight into the nature of God or straight heresy
and then following conservative christian blogs is like will i see something that upholds tradition and is spiritually edifying or will i see someone who thinks women shouldn't have rights
Apathetic Christians
As Christians we work in our church, we do stuffs, we do our ministries and we become busy in our Church/ Ministries. We know we do it for the Lord.
Did You consider yourself sometimes doing works for the Lord but feeling tired of doing it? Just because you have to, you still do it. Just like the volunteers feeling like they are obliged by the work because they have to finish their task. We became apathetic Christians when we forget to come into the Word.
what we are going to meditate and study right now is the book of Revelation 2:1-7.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ (ESV)
The one who write the book of revelation is Apostle John which is exiled in the island of Patmos, these words was a revelation to Him while He is in the island. Jesus is speaking to the messenger of the church of Ephesus, whom were He has against them – they have left their first love.
Who were the called first love of the Church of Ephesus?
First let us read how the church of Ephesus grow.
We can see it in the book of Acts 19:1-10. This is the background how the Church of Ephesus started. The church were firmly taught by Paul from the Word of God for 2 Years and they are so on fire with it because of the Holy Spirit that is with them, that every people in Asia minor heard the Gospel.
Their first love is the Word of God, they grow in the knowledge of the Word, and “so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” Acts 19:10
In Revelation 4:1-7, let’s read and overlook what the Lord said in the messenger in Church of Ephesus
Forsaken The First Love (vv. 1-4)
Why they become Apathetic?
Church have worked, labored, been patient, did not work with those who are evil, revealed who are the false teachers/Prophets, and not become weary for Christ’s sake (2-3). But the was a problem, God is not pleased.
Are we like the Church of Ephesus working and laboring in our church or in our Job doing this things:
We worked, labored, been patient, did not live with the wicked, revealed the false teachers, and not become weary as Christians for Christ sake. We give our tights and offerings.What if we are doing these things but in the end we’ll going to hear the message of God as He in the Ephesus:
“I know your works, but I have something against you”
and we are going to ask why? what do I neglected?
If we are the church of Ephesus we will know that our first love is the Word of God.
Remember Where You Have Fallen (v. 5a)
“Works without the Word is still not glorifying God, therefore He is not pleased”
Where they have fallen?
The problem in Ephesus
“As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.” - 1 Timothy 1:3-7, ESV
Their love for the word of God has Fallen. The church of Ephesus have lost their affection for the WORD OF GOD, they become apathetic.
Whatever we do in our workplace or in our ministries without taking the word inside our hearts, we cannot live it out in the world, in our workplace, and/or in our ministry; therefore God is not pleased for Christ is not in the center of all of our works because we forgot to involve the Word of God in our lives and therefore God is not glorified in all of these.
The emotion has lost, the affection for the word has lost.
“Works without taking the Word inside us is vain”
“Apathy in the Word is a loveless works”
How we should respond?
Remember
Remember is the first word of instruction in this verses. Consider your life with the Word from the beginning. Remember that you have fallen from the word of God and now you are living without taking it in your heart.
Remember that in all of our deeds our heart for the Lord is the most important as we do those things, and we cannot do things for the glory of God if we cannot embrace the Word.
Turn Away/Repent
As Christians if we can see ourselves as the church of Ephesus, God is calling us too in repentance and turn away from our sins when we are far from the Word.
Do The First Work
The first work is to get back from the Word of God and embrace it, like how the psalmist says:
“I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You” – Psalm 119:11,ESV
Removing the Lamp Stand (v.5c)
Means that both in the near future and when Christ return, they would lose their status as a church and Christ would treat them like apostate Israel.
Nicolaitans - Heretical Christians. (V. 6)
The Greatest Reward (v.7)
Eat in the Tree of Life which is in Heaven.( v. 7)
Like the Church of Ephesus some Christians hates the heretical Christians the unorthodox, God considered those; we are also warned to remove their lampstand if they will not repent (it’s just mean that we are not a legitimate part of the church), and if we overcome we will inherit the rewards waiting for the church.
Taking the Word inside our hearts as we live it all out in our ministry and in everywhere we are is the work that pleases God, the Love that loved us first. In the end after all that should happen on earth has done we will face God and get the price we deserved aside from the eternal life.
We need the Word of God
Take it in, and live it all out
If this life on earth is a rehearsal for eternity, we should live like we were performing in eternity.
Humility values others above yourself.
The world does not need cool Christians who are culturally saturated. It need exiles with the scent of heaven and the aroma of Christ.
-John Piper
“average person eats 3 spiders a year” factoid actualy just statistical error. average person eats 0 spiders per year. Spiders Georg, who lives in cave & eats over 10,000 each day, is an outlier adn should not have been counted
“When Christ died, he died to defeat the power of sin one time—enough for all time. He now has a new life, and his new life is with God. In the same way, you should see yourselves as being dead to the power of sin and alive with God through Christ Jesus.”
Romans 6:10-11
Dailywellspiration
Uhhhhhhhh that seems bad
Happy Easter to all, natural Easter Eggs from free range hens. Home grown eggs... #EggFarm #EggFarmers #EggFarmer #FreshEggs #Egg #Eggs #FarmFresh #happyeaster #easter #easter2018 #eastereggs #EasterSunday #Jesus #Christ has risen... For some it's #Passover time... (at Clarksburg, California)
