Atalyah

Basically, GodsLove26, Christ quotes a verse from Ps. 82 to prove his point to the Jews that within their own Scriptures, men can be called gods, so to call himself the son of God is not blasphemy. Further, the idiom of calling God's representative by the name of God is not unusual in Scripture, and so we see the deeper lesson that though Christ was, in John, claiming to be the son of God, to call himself God was also a messianic priviledge. His citing of this Scripture goes far deeper than that simple explanation however. There are other OT occurances that Christ could've cited that show that the title elohim (god/s) can be used of men. But Ps. 82 was specific to the situation. Have a close read of John 10:22-39, then Ps. 82, and then we'll look at Ps. 82 closely, and how it relates to the situation in John 10. I'll post up those sections for your convenience.

Good explanation Shiloh! I studied it out some time ago, and came to the same conclusions

I enjoyed the article. Thanks for posting it. My accountant knew Ariel Sharon personally (prior to his leadership), when he was doing his time serving in the Israeli forces. He said he was a very difficult man, and very power hungry. This quote from the article "He pushed us into a corner and, like a U.S. Marines drill sergeant, screamed", sounds so accurate to the character I've understood of this man. However, in as much as God sets up and removes kings to accomplish His purpose, I do believe that he has certainly used this man. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee.

I wouldn't try to convince you that you're wrong... because I think you're right. Looking at John 10:34, and the surrounding context, this seems to be how the events are playing out in my eyes.. 1. The Jews are questioning if Jesus is truly the Messiah. (vv. 22-24) 2. Jesus answers that the works he does is the evidence that he is Messiah. (v.25) 3. Referring back to the discussion of the sheep and the shepherd at the beginning (10:4) of this chapter, Jesus says they don

Scripture please?

Aida, I LOVE your questions! They're pretty much exactly the same as the ones I found myself asking a few years ago, and spent much time studying them out. I'm excited to try to help you, showing you what I've found, but unfortunatly won't have time to start doing so until tomorrow. Glad to see you have such a questioning mind

Okay, I've gone internet shopping and ordered some snoods! (and some other cutsy stuff that I don't really need... not looking forward to the bill!). Zayit, thanks for the link to the tying styles. I'll have to play around with those! We don't have one

There's a newish translation that I've come across that I'm SUPER impressed with! It's got tons of translators footnotes, and the language is so clear. Here's link to it... http://www.bible.org/netbible/

I think some fear of judgment is normal. We are to work out our salvation with "fear and trembling". Paul describes salvation as a race to be won, and thus it is possible that we can lose the race. However, if we believe the truth, and strive to follow after Christ's example of putting to death the flesh and living to God, then we can rest assured that God is faithful to forgive us our sins through him. Having been tempted as we are, Christ is a faithful high priest to us. I think part of growing in truth is coming increasingly to the realisation that we can't do it on our own, and understanding how dreadfully sinful this flesh is. That it deserves nothing but to be put to death. And every time we confess our sins, we learn to rely more and more on God's mercy towards us. I mean, look at Paul's discourse in Romans 7, and how he grieved at his inability to keep from sin. But, in the end, he knew that Christ could redeem him from his sinful state. In the end, we know that it is God's good pleasure to give us the kingdom. We just need to go through times like you are, that help us grow in learning not to lean on the our own strength, but with Christ as our pattern of suffering to glory, to trust in God, who raises the dead.

Hi Aida Hopefully I can direct you to some Scriptures to help answer your questions! As to when we'll be judged, here's some passages to show that the judgement is still in the future, and will take place at the return of Christ, not before... 2 Peter 2: 9

Super Remnantrob! I'd love to know where else we agree in our theology!

Those sites are wonderful! Thanks Zayit! I'm just wondering, I usually use scarves, but am EXTREMELY untalented in tying them so they don't fall off. Also, by baby is constantly tugging on them and creating headcovering-havoc for me. Do you have any suggestions that might simplify life on this point? Also, those snoods look so simple to use! I've never seen them before, and am curious if anyone here has used them. Are they comfortable? Do they stay on well?

Genesis. It's got it all. The gospel was preached unto Abraham, lets not forget! Besides, how confusing is the New Testament if a person's not read the old? It's pretty much a commentary on it. If they don't know the promises, how can they see Christ as the fulfillment? If they don't understand the law, how can they appreciate all the writings on it? Just my opinion, but I just don't get it when people say to start in the gospels.

No.

Gerioke, I'm not a JW They claim not to believe that there is no immortal souls, but I think that they sort of do, considering they're belief of Jesus' body not being raised, and their doctrine of the 144,000. So, they claim not to believe in an immortal soul, but I really don't believe in it at all. The reason for that is that I just don't see it in the bible. The bible says the soul dies. In fact, the phrase 'immortal soul' is no where to be found at all. The well-known verse of John 3:16 gives two options. Eternal life, or perish. Not, eternal life in heaven, or eternal life in hell. What I find to be odd is when people try to prove their doctrines starting in a symbolic book like revelation, rather than at the beginning of the bible. The place to start is Genesis, and to work forward. I don't mean to "hijack" a thread, truly I don't, but death and hell are rather inseperabe. And if Remnantrob is trying to see the reasoning for the different views on hell, than it rather inavoidable to begin there. So, why don't we take a look at Genesis, at the creation of man. Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.. He became a

um, did I do that? sorry

Thanks for not jumping on me. Much appreciated! I guess my belief on hell stems from the fact that I don't believe that we have an immortal soul. I understand death to be the cessation of all life, thought and action. As it is written in Ez. 38, "the soul that sinneth, it shall die". The punishment for sin is death. Immortality is the reward for the righteous in the Kingdom of God, it is not something that we inherantly possess. My hope is in the ressurrection, in the day that "God will redeem my soul from the grave", and until then, those who are dead in Christ are spoken of as being "asleep", as there is no conciousness in the grave. If a part of them were in heaven, then it would seem that Pauls language in 1 Cor 15 saying that those who have "fallen asleep in Christ are perished" is inappropriate. As for people who die not having heard the gospel, they are simply dead. They return to dust and the breath of life returns to him that gave it. As Ps. 49 says (I think its Ps. 49 anyways, don't have my bible handy at the moment), those who understand not are as the beasts that perish. This is apt, as animals and man all have the same breath/spirit. Those who came prior to Christ are in no different state than those who came after. The gospel was preached unto Abraham, and those who died in knowledge of it will be raised at Christ's return to be judged. Another thing to think on is the judgement seat. We are told that we are judged at Christs return. If we believe that some are condemned to a firey hell prior to this time, or taken to heaven, it sort of confuses that as they would have to have been judged at the time of their death. Consider, for example, the parable of the 10 virgins. In waiting for their bridegroom (Christ to come), they fell asleep (death). At his coming, they awoke (resurrection). The wise virgins receive their reward when the groom comes, the wicked receive their punishment. Jesus teaches us to be prepared for judgement *at his coming*. Sorry if that was a disorganised, scatter-brained reply. I have a two-foot tornado (my son) whirling around my legs. I can get you references or go into more detail on any point later if you want.

I think that hell is the grave, and that everyone goes there (save for those who are alive at Christ's return)