Hoosier

I need help again. I've been conversing with a young individual on another forum who has had it indoctrinated into him that he should be willing to die for God. I don't want to offend anyone here but I see the way this person is being taught as the beginning of fundamentalist exteremeism. I understand how it can be considered righteous to die for God while being persecuted, but this young man is taking a rather zealous approach. My question would be is it true that God would want us to die for him, or are our lives as precious as some scriptures say they are. Tim.

Does anyone care to tackle this one? I mentioned before that these youngsters present quite a challenge for me. Tim.

Their reasoning is that the four Gospels were direct testimony of Christ if Christ existed at all, and that the Epistles were the product of man, assuming the Gospels were of divine providence. Tim.

I don't think they're as firmly rooted in their convictions as they think they are. At times I think they're just humoring me during the debates, and at other times I feel like they're genuinely looking for the light in the darkness. It's a challenge having these discussions with them, to be sure. Tim.

I guess that is the jist of my question. I'm in a discussion with a few Atheists on another board who claim the writings of Paul should hold no real significance to a Christian as do the four Gospels. Tim.

Were the Pauline Epistles the written words of Christ, or were they a mere collection of letters to be interpreted as such? Tim.

I have a quick question. Can some of you provide scriptural support to show that man is inherently corrupt? Thanks, Tim.

I'm certainly not as well versed in the scriptures as all of you. However, I believe there is scriptural support in the Book of Matthew to show that there's been a precedent for the confession of sin to an agrieved bretheren. Matthew 18: 15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. 17 And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Yours in Christ Jesus, Tim.

You may find some of the answers here. Yours in Christ Jesus, Tim.

Thank you and God bless you for sharing with me. You're right, my friend, I was looking more to the tangable sacrifice itself rather that the spirit in which it was given unto the Lord. Yours in Christ Jesus, Tim.

John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? I don't understand the parallel. I understand that Cain became unrighteous, but I'm looking for scripture that supports he knew his offering was a sin. Yours in Christ Jesus, Tim.

4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. What was it in Cain's sacrifice that displeased God? Was it implied in his heart that the covering of sin required a blood sacrifice, and Cain purposefully disregarded God's will? I understand that the Law of Abraham was clear that a blood sacrifice was necessary, but I don't see where this knowledge was imparted to Cain and Able. Yours in Christ Jesus, Tim.