Let's analyze

[OneLight]

On another site I frequent, I have met many people who call themselves Christians because they believe in unconditional love brought to them through the Holy Spirit, along with a variety of other beliefs, but deny much of scripture has to say. Below is one post I copied and would like to discuss what we all see as wrong with this persons doctrine. I see this more and more every day and the numbers are growing.

The reason why I am bringing this here is because this site is extremely biblical, very peaceful and anyone who is outside of our beliefs don't last long enough for us to really become aware of what else is out there. Many people who do not believe as we do won't come here. They may read as a guest and see that they do not fit and never join ... who really knows why, they just don't come...

Nearly every Christian proclaims salvation, but most Christians rarely offer a definition of what Christian salvation is. What 'exactly' does it mean to be saved, then? Does it mean that we are free from sin, or the wages of? Does it mean that we will live in paradise for all eternity, or is there more to it than this?

What if salvation is a state of mind, or a state of emotional well being? What if salvation actually means freedom or liberty from the negative forces that most everyone allows themselves to dwell on? Is it possible that scriptural laws and principles simply exist to help us (as a species) to conquer those forces that harm us inwardly/emotionally?

That's the faith and salvation I want to know - To be able to stare (In the face) anything this world throws at me and not fear the potential sting. What if this is what salvation is about - To live life free from the negative forces (Like fear) that we allow to control our inner/emotional well being?

God's love can help us live an abundant life. What if true salvation comes when we let go of our tendencies to resit His comfort. Whether we believe in Him or not, I believe His spirit (The Comforter) can lead us to true liberty (Salvation). Fear causes torment/Perfect love casts out fear.

I think many of us resist God's love (Which is perfect) and/or we are simply unaware that His love extends to all men regardless of our pasts. To know in our hearts, to trust, and to have faith that His grace/love extends to even "you" is one of the most empowering and comforting realities that I can think of. To know this brings us closer to Him.

God is not partial, nor is His love limited to only the elect. It is simply a matter of knowing Him (In heart) as love. That is how I view salvation. To know God as love, and to allow His love to comfort us in times of trial.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

James 1:2-4 (KJV)

What do you see right or wrong and why?

[Believer1997]

On another site I frequent, I have met many people who call themselves Christians because they believe in unconditional love brought to them through the Holy Spirit, along with a variety of other beliefs, but deny much of scripture has to say. Below is one post I copied and would like to discuss what we all see as wrong with this persons doctrine. I see this more and more every day and the numbers are growing.

The reason why I am bringing this here is because this site is extremely biblical, very peaceful and anyone who is outside of our beliefs don't last long enough for us to really become aware of what else is out there. Many people who do not believe as we do won't come here. They may read as a guest and see that they do not fit and never join ... who really knows why, they just don't come...

Nearly every Christian proclaims salvation, but most Christians rarely offer a definition of what Christian salvation is. What 'exactly' does it mean to be saved, then? Does it mean that we are free from sin, or the wages of? Does it mean that we will live in paradise for all eternity, or is there more to it than this?

What if salvation is a state of mind, or a state of emotional well being? What if salvation actually means freedom or liberty from the negative forces that most everyone allows themselves to dwell on? Is it possible that scriptural laws and principles simply exist to help us (as a species) to conquer those forces that harm us inwardly/emotionally?

That's the faith and salvation I want to know - To be able to stare (In the face) anything this world throws at me and not fear the potential sting. What if this is what salvation is about - To live life free from the negative forces (Like fear) that we allow to control our inner/emotional well being?

God's love can help us live an abundant life. What if true salvation comes when we let go of our tendencies to resit His comfort. Whether we believe in Him or not, I believe His spirit (The Comforter) can lead us to true liberty (Salvation). Fear causes torment/Perfect love casts out fear.

I think many of us resist God's love (Which is perfect) and/or we are simply unaware that His love extends to all men regardless of our pasts. To know in our hearts, to trust, and to have faith that His grace/love extends to even "you" is one of the most empowering and comforting realities that I can think of. To know this brings us closer to Him.

God is not partial, nor is His love limited to only the elect. It is simply a matter of knowing Him (In heart) as love. That is how I view salvation. To know God as love, and to allow His love to comfort us in times of trial.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

James 1:2-4 (KJV)

What do you see right or wrong and why?

I do not know this person's heart. I do think this person is trying to have faith - but I sense a certain aspect of reluctance and when we have accepted Jesus and His Salvation - we are not to have a spirit of fear...

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Sounds like the Oprahtization of the Gospel.

I know it's serious, but that's where many folks get their Spiritual advice from and it's absolutely sad.

It's either folks like Oprah preaching to them or it's the History Channel version of the Gospel.

The article above is filled with egregious error. It's a spiritual ascent based on humanism and it's see God all wrong because it examines him through the fallible human heart and emotions.

Peace,

Dave

[~candice~]

Jesus was not mentioned once.

[OneLight]

This is not an article, but a post from another forum where there are many more there then there are here. It is lies like this that are becoming very popular. This person is very well versed in the bible and could stand side by side to others here quoting scripture that supports his belief. He is not just someone who watched a TV show and decided to follow. This persons history came from being a fundamentalist for many years, but decided that the "atrocities" in the OT were a lie. An example would be in 1 Samuel 15 where God told Samuel to inform Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites. His claim is that this was written by man and God never would tell anyone to murder the innocent women and children.

1 Samuel 15:1-3

Samuel also said to Saul,

[OneLight]

Jesus was not mentioned once.

This person is all about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, even if He is not mentioned here.

Can you take a statement and show it right or wrong through scripture?

Kind of like analytical class work ... sorry.

[tjhawks1]

Jesus was not mentioned once.

Nor was the devil. More phrases like "this world" and "negative forces". Did Jesus talk that way about the devil?

[~candice~]

Jesus was not mentioned once.

This person is all about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, even if He is not mentioned here.

Can you take a statement and show it right or wrong through scripture?

Kind of like analytical class work ... sorry.

OK, I was just trying to summarise what was wrong without picking out individual sentences.

His definition of salvation is just plain wrong . I realise he makes a few "what if" statements that I won't consider to be his actual beliefs (although it reads like that)... but later on it becomes more evident that he doesn't know what salvation is.

Salvation is only through Christ, to be saved we must know Him. Salvation is not liberty. Liberty is a result of salvation, not salvation itself.

Throughout the post, his concept of salvation is very poorly defined and completely unbiblical. If I were to correct him, I'd start with what salvation really means. He doesn't mention Christ, or sin, or the penalty of his sin, nor repentence.

[OneLight]

Jesus was not mentioned once.

This person is all about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, even if He is not mentioned here.

Can you take a statement and show it right or wrong through scripture?

Kind of like analytical class work ... sorry.

OK, I was just trying to summarise what was wrong without picking out individual sentences.

His definition of salvation is just plain wrong . I realise he makes a few "what if" statements that I won't consider to be his actual beliefs (although it reads like that)... but later on it becomes more evident that he doesn't know what salvation is.

Salvation is only through Christ, to be saved we must know Him. Salvation is not liberty. Liberty is a result of salvation, not salvation itself.

Throughout the post, his concept of salvation is very poorly defined and completely unbiblical. If I were to correct him, I'd start with what salvation really means. He doesn't mention Christ, or sin, or the penalty of his sin, nor repentence.

His "what if's" are the points he is trying to make and can not be ignored. They tie into the statements he makes. He is not seeking answers, but trying to get the reader to think as he thinks by asking questions. This is how he and many others operate.

[~candice~]

His "what if's" are the points he is trying to make and can not be ignored. They tie into the statements he makes. He is not seeking answers, but trying to get the reader to think as he thinks by asking questions. This is how he and many others operate.

I agree. His questions are not honest questions but statements.

But I think there are so many things wrong with his post that I would not refute the individual points but instead present him with the true gospel. When his post is held up to that, the errors should be obvious.