John Smith wrote on Apr 13
th, 2013 at 12:08pm:
Yadda wrote on Apr 13
th, 2013 at 12:00pm:
Duh ???
Defn. -
A Christian ( pronunciation (help·info)) is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament. "Christian" derives from the Koine Greek word Christ, a translation of the Biblical Hebrew term Messiah.[How do you know what the life and teachings of Jesus are if not for what the church has told you it was? Did you have a vision?
If you rely on the churches preaching, how do you know which version is correct? the older more bloodthirsty version or the more modern version?
What did Jesus say about how to worship God ?John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Do 'Christians' need great church buildings ? [....or, a 'great' church hierarchy, to worship God ?]
Matthew 6:5
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray
standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
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Why should i follow men, when instead, i can let God teach me ?
And why should i let a man ['of God'], or anyone else, interpret the bible for me ?
I can read and write, and i know which way is up.
And, i read the bible.
The bible moves me.
The bible changes my mind.
And that spirit that is inside me helps me to understand the words, that i read.
[Are the words in the bible, 'the words of God' ?
I believe it.
I believe that the words in the bible, are words, which were inspired by that being, that we know as God.]
Psalms 25:8
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Psalms 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
"....rejoicing the heart"
Almost all men in the world today choose to follow lawlessness [imo], as a means to prevail ['in the world'].
And, as a path that they are hoping will lead to the 'rejoicing of their heart'.
I choose to [
imperfectly] seek God, my creator.
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Yadda said, somewhere.....
Quote:
Reading scripture is a form of spiritual invocation [i believe].
And imo, the words and thoughts expressed within scripture, express [to me] the mind of our God.
And, reading those words and thoughts, exposes me to that spirit, which i [choose, and] want to be influenced by.
i.e.
The spirit of God.
It is that simple.