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I need to find the verse which says that the love God has for us is the same love he has towards Jesus. If anyone can help me find it I'll be greatful. Thanks in advance.

I'm sure many of you have come across this statement in one form or another: "How can you Christians be so intolerant of other religions!?" First of all let me explain the definition of the word tolerance. Tolerance does not mean you believe every other religion is just as right as yours. Tolerance is living with and cooperating with people who are different from you or have different beliefs then you without persecuting and discriminating against them. I have friends of many different religions. I believe they are wrong and they know that. I still enjoy spending time with them and such. Does this make me intolerant? I also have friends who are homosexuals. I believe its a sin and they know that too. I also believe I'm no better than them. We're all sinners and we need to realize that. I don't alienate myself from them because I know it could be through me that Jesus gets through to them. So to any non-believers who want to throw the "intolerant card" in, think before you actually open your mouth. Sorry if I sound a bit mad but I hate it when people point fingers and accuse me of being a racist, bigot, religious zealot, or anything else of that nature.

Well first of all its been a long time since I've been here and I'd like to wish everyone happy holidays. I've been growing more spiritually for the last few months and I'd like to post a topic I was discussing with a friend. He believes that the Bible should not be taken literally. Its just ridiculous to do so. Certain things in the Bible just don't make sense at all with our rational world. He brought the fact that God spoke through a donkey into his arguement and started building up on it. I'm sure many Christians have this problem. I admit there are some things that should not be taken literally such as Jesus telling people to gouge out their eye or chop off their hand. As far as we know all the disciples had both eyes and hands. But the problem comes when the story sounds like something out of Greek mythology. Well let me start by saying that the Bible only contains a few events. These few events took place in a span of thousands of years. That alone tells you that these events were extremely rare even in ancient times. The Bible seems like a book of fables only because it records unique events. It does not record every moment of everyones lives. Everything in the Bible should be taken literally, especially the stories. Unless it contradicts what God has said we should not deny validity of it. If you deny one thing what stops us from denying something else? Soon the Bible will not be looked on as a history book but a book of fables with morals and such. That's what we have to avoid.

Thanks thats exactly what I was looking for.

Does anyone know the verse that says God answers prayers according to His will? Key words here being according to His will.

I was always under the impression that people went to paradise only before Jesus died and was resurrected. Because Jesus died we can go straight to our Creator instead of being stuck in paradise.

Where's the line drawn between justice and vengeance? Most people would say justice would be if you left it to the courts. But lets face it. The courts aren't perfect and when they fail, then what? Should we go out and seek justice ourselves? Even God says His day will be the day of his vengeance. And isn't God just in everything he does?

I recommend everyone go out and buy a book called "The Crucifixion of Jesus: A Forensic Inquiry". It was written by forensic pathologist Frederick T. Zugibe as he explores what Jesus went through on his execution day. We Christians believe that Jesus suffered more than any other human being on the planet. However, its argued from time to time by non-believers that there were so many other people that were crucified and that they could find more painful ways to die. I myself did not realize the extent of what our savior went through until I read this book. Using the gospels as reference, Dr. Zugibe shows us that before Jesus was even nailed onto the cross, He was pretty much near death. Dr. Zugibe himself says, "As a forensic pathologist, I find it extraordinary that Jesus was able to make the trek to Calvary at all in the condition that He was in." I suggest everyone get this book just to understand what our saviour went through and how any non-believers could possibly spit in His face once you know the truth.

I know Jesus said, "if someone strikes you on the cheek turn to him the other" but when is the line crossed? I have a few people that just constantly push my buttons and I'm getting ready to cave their face in. I'm not looking for permission to go out and fight anyone but my patience is seriously waning thin. Even Jesus got angry and started flipping tables.

I agree they are equally bad but the priest did admit fault and asked forgiveness. I would be upset if someone made a move on my wife but if he actually came up to me and asked forgiveness I would pardon him as I'm sure Jesus would do. I would never kick his teeth in if he came to me asking to be forgiven. Maybe I would if the guy didn't think much of it and made a move on another girl but thats besides the point.

Although it protrayed too much emphasis on Mary, I still would have to say Passion of the Christ was the most moving movie I've seen. I don't think I took a breath for the entire two hours.

Paul wrote to, I believe, the Corinthians because they thought they had missed the coming of Christ. If The Day of the Lord is a visible second coming, why would they think they missed it?

There is much debate even among Christians if the rapture will ever happen. Supporters and non-supporters can look at scripture and go back and forth all day long so I'm not going to do that. I'm just going to tell everyone to look at the world. Tell me another time and age where people were so wicked. A time when sin and immorality were seen as a norm. How can Christianity survive another century? The answer is it can't. We as Christians must admit that Christianity is dying. If the rapture does not happen, then what? Who will be saved? As Christianity gets dimmer, more and more people will turn their backs on God. Soon, Christianity will be a mere memory. This is why the rapture has to happen. It must happen soon. And every Christian on Earth should be trying to convert as many people as possible or at least conveying the basic message of Christ so that those left behind will not be completely lost. Some people argue that instead of a rapture, their will be an enlightenment period in which many or all will turn to the Lord. Not only is this not supported by scripture, it is utterly ridiculous in this time and age. You want proof? Just watch the 10 o'clock news.

Everyone who argues that God is a tyrant says that they are being threatened. Sin deserves punishment. You first turned your back on the Lord not the other way around. You continuously spit in His face yet he doesn't strike you down on the spot. He gives you infinite chances in your lifetime to turn to Him. Just once accept that Jesus died for your sins and you have a clean slate. This is not mercy?! I remember when I dated a girl who kept sleeping around on me. She kept coming back and I kept opening the door for her. I don't like to admit it but my patients has limits and around the 10th time I told her to I never wanted to see her at my door again. I'm sure I'm not the only one that would've done this. No matter what you do, Jesus will never shut his door on your face. He will always take you back. Jesus takes no pleasure punishing you. If a parent spanks a child for something bad he's done, is that the parent's fault? That's exactly what you're arguing.

I did not find this myself and I must give credit to the person who runs www.raptureready.com. I read this on his website. Anyway, Islam claims that the angel Gabriel came from heaven and gave Muhammed the truth. But lets see what the Bible has to say about this. Galatians 1:8-9 says: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" So we see that it is possible that something supernatural may have happened to Muhammed. He was always an honest person or so Islamic tradition tells us. However, the scriptures say that even if an angel should appear and tell of a gospel other than what Jesus taught, that the angel and the man be condemned. If an angel truly did appear, I doubt it was Gabriel since God seems to always look upon him with favor. However, it could've been another angel or Satan himself. If it was another angel, we can assume he was cast down and condemned.

Amen Avin. In order to find the truth, there are times when you have to go into religious history. Understand the history of your religion and you will know if its the truth or not. Unfortunately for Muslims, their history just doesn't make sense with the history of Christianity or any other type of history for that matter. Their outrageous claims such as the Bible being corrupted or them being the original inheritors of Moses instead of the Jews is not backed up by historical evidence. In fact, all historical evidence points to the Jews who have always laid claim to the Holy Land. And when asked for evidence as to how the Bible is corrupted, Muslims cannot answer it. The Bible has always been the same since the beginning of Christianity. There are some Muslims who would go so far as to say the apostles corrupted it. This is not only blasphemous but there is no evidence of it. I suggest all Muslims to trace down the roots of Islam and Christianity and see what makes sense and what doesn't. I guarantee many of you will be surprised.

Amen!

Kind of hard to explain but I'll try. God the Father always was and always will be a spirit. We all have spirits of our own which will go to heaven or hell when we die. The spirit can never die. Jesus was a man with the spirit of God. I might be wrong about this but when Jesus was on Earth, I don't believe he was 100% God. He wasn't omnipotent as He was in heaven and He did have limits to His powers. What was God about Jesus was His spirit. The same spirit which we pray to in heaven was in Him. It was only when Jesus was crucified and his flesh died, that He was now God Himself. His flesh was no longer there to limit His powers. All that was left was 100% Spirit of God. I hope this wasn't too confusing. This is one of the hardest topics to argue in my case because of the complication.

Lude, you seem to think I've never read the Koran. Before I converted to Christianity, I was leaning toward Islam. However, many things about Allah just didn't seem right. After researching history on Christianity and Islam, I've found that the Koran is just a corrupted form of the Bible. Now I understand that Muslims believe the Bible is corrupted. But look into the history of that claim. How could it have been corrupted. When? By who? The scriptures we have now are the same scriptures the 1st century Christians used. These were written by the apostles themselves. Who would you rather believe? The people who were the closest to Jesus or someone who came nearly 600 years later? Heaven in the Koran does not mention anything for women. In fact, women are seen as objects to be used for the pleasure of men. And also why would Allah promise worldly treasure in heaven? Jewels and fine clothes for example. Is this what Muslims seek instead of fellowship with one's creator? Prayer by Muslims I think is one of the most disturbing things to me. I've learned that many Muslims don't pray to Allah as if they have a relationship with him. In fact, they quote verses from the Koran while bowing towards Mecca. Now I'm not saying all Muslims do this but a great many of them do. I just can't see the relationship between man and Allah. I've heard testimony from many Muslims who converted to Christianity. I've also talked to many faithful Muslims also. They all have one thing in common with the religion. Fear. Fear is what all Muslims possess. Unlike Jesus who expressed love, Allah works with fear. I've heard so many of my Muslim friends stressing and venting because they are afraid of angering Allah. That they will not be good enough to get into heaven. You are probably right about my friend being unfaithful. However, I still do not see Muslims going all over the world, risking their lives in trying to spread the Koran. We had missionaries go into Afghanistan when the Taliban were still there. We have underground churches set up in countries where being a Christian is a crime punishable by death. I've found that no other religion is willing to do this. Sure some people are willing to die for Allah. But why don't Muslims go door to door to spread the Gospel? Why don't they set up booths or charities to spread the truth? Why is the Koran still a number 2 best seller instead of number one? Is Allah second best in the world? Everything touched by Christianity has come up first. Jesus was the most influential person in history. There is no denying that. Christianity is still the largest religion. The Bible is still the best selling book in history. Christianity still has the most missions around the world. Even today, the US, who sends out the most missions in the world, has grown into the leading world power. Is all this coincidence or is it blessings? I will let you decide that.

Anyone else feel this way? I've been fighting for God since I converted and I am exhausted. I try to spread the gospel only to meet opposition. I come on here and debate with unbelievers to try to get them to see the truth. And all it seems I get out of it is criticism, mockery, and even threats. I know what Jesus said about all this but it doesn't make it any easier. I guess I just need a place to vent. To see so many people hate our savior kills me. If only they knew what he did for them. I'm looking forward to the day reinforcements arrive and relieve us from the frontlines.

Foglight, I've seen your arguements and can argue every one of them. However, I find it very distracting when I am hit with so many questions at once. If you wish, feel free to send me private messages. I apologize if it is an inconvenience to you or anyone else.

For the record, I'd like to say that I don't hate Muslims. Some of my best friends are Muslims and I've even dated a few in my lifetime. Now that that's cleared up, lets get on with why I think Islam is a false religion. First, reiteration of Jesus. The fact that Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet yet not the savior is incomprehensible. Especially when Jesus himself says he is the son of God. If Jesus was a prophet wouldn't this have been blasphemous? Yet the Muslim people look to Jesus as a man of God. Second, the rewards of heaven stated in the Koran are the same things Satan promises to his followers. Rewards being material things instead of eternal love and fellowship with one's creator. Third, in Islam, one cannot be guaranteed salvation. Even if a person believes, that alone is not enough to save them. They have to do something worthwhile to get in. This is why we have so many extremist terrorism. They believe by dying in Allah's name and killing Allah's enemies in the process this guarantees them entry into heaven. Fourth, the only sin the Bible says is unforgivable is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. In our present day, this means not accepting Jesus as the savior. The Koran holds many of the same morals as the Bible does. However, this is one thing Islam prohibits. The belief in Jesus. This leads me to believe Islam was a product of Satan to trick so many. And lastly, Islam has been spread to only certain ethnic groups. In fact, a Muslim friend of mine says he doesn't bother spreading the Koran because it really isn't commanded by Allah. Spreading the truth in the Koran is not as important as it is in the Christian religion. Christianity has managed to embrace everyone of all races and cultures. From the rich to the poor. From the weak to the strong. Islam has not. Of course I have many more arguements but I don't have the time to discuss everything so feel free to send me a message if you wish.

I will say loud and clear that Muhammed is a false prophet. He began his religion some 500 years after Christianity was ministered by the apostles. He took the teachings of Christianity, brought Christ down from his divine position, and cast himself up as Christ. Muhammed is quoted as quoting Christ. I hope that made sense. For example one of Jesus's most famous sayings was "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." Muhammed is quoted as saying the same thing about himself in the Koran. So which is true? The savior who said it first or the man who copied it second? You decide.

To all the people who find so called "contradictions" in the Bible, I'd like to ask you all a question. Do you believe in God or not? If it's yes, then how can you possibly believe the Bible is flawed? Do you think God is so lazy that he won't fix a mistake. The almighty and perfect God would allow his Words to be imperfect? Why would God leave us for centuries and lead us on with words that are false? It simply makes no sense. And if you don't believe in God, well you came to the wrong place to try to convince people that everything in the Bible and all we believe is wrong. I'll be praying for you especially.