Still spinning

[Guest CharlieC]

I asked a question in the seekers area I got no answer just a closed forum with the statement "If you

[Guest CharlieC]

That sucks...sorry you got that kind of response, man. And yes, the truth of Christ IS found in the Bible...and whoever gave you the impression that it wasn't was dead wrong.

May be it was my approach, it was kind of arrogant. It was every Christian I have ever met or read their writings that gave me the impression that their Jesus is not found in the bible. I knew this after I read it. They don't speak like him, do what he said or do as he did. So what is a resident genius to think? I think the most annoying thing that I have ever heard is the statement

[Guest CharlieC]

If the truth about Jesus isn

[Guest CharlieC]

Well Charlie, my IQ has been measured variously between 165 and 127! How's that for consistency?

I've read the Bible at least once annually for 34 years, and if you've got 95% comprehension of it in one reading, then I'm the Caliph of Baghdad. If you seriously believe you've got a 95% comprehension of it in that one reading, I've got some prime beach front land outside of Denver here I'd love to sell you!

It is however, the preeminent book in which the truth about Jesus is found. Got any questions? I'm an accredited theologian, a college teacher, a Priest and a Pastor; ask away!

I haven't been tested since I was 9 years old. I don't believe I have a 95% comprehension of it, I know I do. A photographic memory also helps link this and that without the need of cross-references and long hours of study.

You could start by answering the questions I have asked. Thanks

Charlie

[Marnie]

I assumed that you all based your beliefs on the bible.

I wish that was true. There are many ignorant Christians. I have been one for just a few years and have figured that out.

After hearing about it for many years my curiosity was peaked and I decided to read your source book for myself. My question was why don't any of you follow your leader if you believe as you say you do?

See my answer above. I think the answer is people are lazy; they want everything done for them, they want to be told what to believe instead of discovering it for themselves.

The bible seemed pretty simple to me.

It is. It is written for every man.

If there was one person who truly believed, they could not be hid and would be out in plain sight just like that candle that gives light to the whole house in the dark. You know like Jesus did and the eleven apostles.

There were 12. Did you miss that? That was in the 5% you didn't comprehend, huh?

But maybe God is hiding them because they would become lab rats just like they tried to do to me when I was a child. The bible says that evil men and the world is God's enemy.

G-d has an enemy? That would imply something that isn't true: G-d has an equal. But He has no equal. Sinful man and the unredeemed world are not enemies of G-d, but He is there enemy.

Why can't I tell the difference between you and a con out in public?

Because you dont want to see a difference, or you are looking at some pretty sad examples of believers.

I don't hear of anyone healing the sick, raising the dead, walking on water, turning water into wine, yet your book says if you believe you will be doing these things.

Jesus already did those things, and you still dont believe. You mean you'll believe if somebody else does those things? Gimme a break.

So I wonder what is the problem. Do you really not believe? Or did I read the wrong book?

Nice try.

Charlie

[Marnie]

I haven't been tested since I was 9 years old. I don't believe I have a 95% comprehension of it, I know I do. A photographic memory also helps link this and that without the need of cross-references and long hours of study.

You could start by answering the questions I have asked. Thanks

Charlie

I just saw that. I have a near perfect photographic memory...I see the words people say, and recall most of what I read, which comes in real handy in my work. But there is a difference between comprephension and simply being able to recall a page of writing.

[Leonard]

Charlie, my boy! You are funny! But we can leave the issue of of "95% comprehension" of the Bible aside for now.

Your first post only asked if the Bible was the correct book to get information about Jesus. I replied that it was indeed. So I think I answered that question. I just couldn't figure out why that would be your question......

But, I see by another post here, that you are also asking "Why don't those who call themselves Christians do what Jesus said to do or do as he did?"

And it causes you considerable consternation that "I don't hear of anyone healing the sick, raising the dead, walking on water, turning water into wine, yet your book says if you believe you will be doing these things. So I wonder what is the problem. Do you really not believe? Or did I read the wrong book?"

Well, Charlie, surely you understand how solipsist your statement sounds: "I (the GENIUS--let all my lessers genuflect before my giant brain!) am not seeing it, so it must not exist ANYWHERE"!!! Please, dear fellow; you can't possibly be quite so provincial as all that!

I've never 'changed water into wine.' I've never been in a circumstance where that might be necessary. But Charlie, I have prayed for many sick people and had them healed. I have a friend who will tell you that he was raised from the dead at my prayer and commandment by Jesus' Name to his dead body to live.

I have a friend who seems to have walked on water on at least one occasion. He didn't intend to, and was unaware of it, until his dog plunged into the water, swimming behind him!

I think if you expand your 'field of vision' a little, you are quite likely to see an awful lot of physical healings, and other seemingly 'miraculous' manifestations. The universe is I think a much bigger place than you give it credit for being!

Now, as to the behavior of particular Christians, I think I can safely aver that very few of us indeed act in perfect accordance with Christ's commandments, or example. That's what the Christian concept of 'sin and redemption' is all about, my boy! That's what the whole New Testament is about! You didn't understand this in your reading? That is a VERY major theme, dear fellow. Are you sure your comprehension isn't closer to 94% than to 95%?

I know I'm poking fun at you, but it is because I am finding you absolutely delightful. Some take you as 'arrogant' you say? YOU DON'T SAY!??! The difference is: I LIKE IT!!!

Years back, when I was teaching undergrads in Phoenix, one of the faculty in the Philosophy Department was a truly brilliant Frenchman named 'Jean Claude'. Within days of starting to teach, almost all the other faculty had made it clear to me that they just detested the sight of Jean Claude because he was 'sooooooo arrogant.'

Indeed he was! Sitting in the Faculty Lounge, he used to loudly proclaim that "I am zee only wuuun who eez qualeefah'd to teach....." this or that course, or "Zer eez no one but me een zees deparmahnd who should be teaching zee Lozhique 201-202!" However, Jean Claude's eccentric, honest solipsism and complete lack of diplomacy left me in stitches, whereas it left the other faculty merely angry! My alacrity at his claims left Jean Claude wondering what I was laughing at, but nontheless, we got on great!

Charlie, you're a "Jean Claude, Jr." and it is a hoot talking with you! I do hope you can take some ribbing.

[apothanein kerdos]

Comprehension doesn't mean anything if there is a vast misunderstanding. Speed reading only works on informational books; the Bible, though it contains information, is not pure data and thus requires translation.

Anyway, we as Christians are not called to act exactly like Jesus. That is not in the Bible. When I say exactly, I mean we are not to perform "miracles" such as healing the blind, sick, and dead (though He can work through us to do so). We are not meant to die for all of creation. We are not mean to equate ourselves with God. When it tells us to conform to Him, it means that we are to hold His ethical values and immulate the human side of His life. We cannot immulate the Godly side simply because we are fallen humans. This does mean taking care of the poor, helping the sick, aiding the widowed, etc. The problem you have is you're living in the Western Culture that has mutilated the Bible and God's Church to the point we ignore the most vital verses; the ones that make us Christian ("little-Christ's). If you remember in your readings in 1 John, the entire book is addresses to Christians. In it, John (the apostle) states that if we believe we are without sin, we are lying to ourselves. This means that John knew Christians were imperfect. The reason for this is, looking to Genesis, that we fell from grace with God. It is not that His creation is at constant war with Him, it is that we are trying to rebel against Him and He is trying to bring us back to Him. When we accept Christ, though we are justified (forgiven our sins), we are still in the process of sanctification (cleansing us of our sin nature), a process that won't be done until the day we die.

[David from New Bern]

Spiritual blindness is your condition Charlie C and not a low IQ. I just hope you are squinting. But, my spirit tells me that you simply enjoy the contest. Which no one has ever been argued into the Kingdom? But, those on the forum need to realize... Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV

[Leonard]

Apothanein Kerdos:

Hmmmmm. You may have a little bit of an argument with we Pentecostals on one ground, and with the Eastern Christians on other grounds! How do you feel about the Eastern doctrine of theosis?