To the stoney hearted

[SoulGrind]

oops...

Edited July 13, 2006 by SoulGrind

[SoulGrind]

oops again...

Edited July 13, 2006 by SoulGrind

[SoulGrind]

First of all what I posted were lists of fossils someone else asked for, second the Bible is not a scientific paper and doesn't even meet the standards to be called a historical account.

Really, most archeolgists seem to think the Bible is extremely accurate as a historical document. Additionally, one only need to look so far as Levitus to see the scientific evidence you seek. But I guess those archaeologists and historians with PhD's in their respective fields are tootin' out their behind...

Every time you spout a "turn or burn" or a "science is an evil plot against religion" or an "everyone who challenges the Bible and questions its teachings is a black-souled child eater" you become a thorn in the side of your very church. While I challenge religion on intellectual grounds, you are destroying it from the inside.

Personally, I find the art of science (archeaology, palientology, history, astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) to be complimentary and supplemental to Biblical teachings.

By nature, I am a technical person (I'm a Network Admin, what can I say). Faith has always been difficult for me. But one thing I have learned over time, no matter what, I keep my eyes and heart on Christ, and my hand on a copy of American Scientific, OMNI, and National Geographic and they seem to always back up my faith everytime I read about how Levitical Law was before it's time, or a story pertaining to the discovery of fossilized sea creatures in a dessert, ergo supporting the flood, or sattelite images supporting credability of the Ark on Mt. Aratat, or how the prophesy regarding the city of Baylon actually came to pass EXACTLY as recorded in the Bible.

Oh yes - the Bible is EXTREMELY ACURATE - especially when compared with discoveries made with modern science and technology.

It's so nice to know that athough an athiest, or a non-believe can attemp to rationalize, demoralize, or debunk Christianity, Christ, and the Bible, the very "science" they use to "support" their arguments is actually supporting Christianity and it's credability!

Who needs faith anymore - we have proof!

Ok - we still need faith - why? Because even when proof is given, people still won't believe - imagine that!

Oh - that's right - now is the time for me to cite something...

Ok - here's one to whett you whistle - happy reading... Might as well crack open the history books to verify the data!

[bEGIN QUOTE]

The apostle Peter wrote that

Edited July 13, 2006 by SoulGrind

[SoulGrind]

Hey - sorry everyone for the triple post - my browser locked up on me and well, you got a my post in triplicate.

[Guest SheepDog]

OD,

Thank you for the honesty of your post and for saying what many of us feel. True happiness rests in staying out of the "Outer Court" and fellowshipping with believers in the "Inner Court" I've found. Satan dances amongst the "debates" here in the Outer Court, stirring up strife, with all of his atheistic disciples pounding away with their "logic" and "intellect" , trying their hardest to discredit the Bible, Jesus, and blatantly spitting in God's face. It's admirable to think that it's worth enduring the disgusting blasphemy in hopes that any might be saved, but that's not why they're here and it's obvious. Ego's end up driving us to try and "prove" things to people who cling to this world, it's "logic", and their own "philosophies".

We are not called to "knock out" Gentiles and drag them into salvation, but to present Christ to them as "the Way" and let them choose their fate. Even Christ told us that there is a point to "shake the dust off our feet" when dealing with those who would not listen.

All the time and effort spent arguing with those few here who repetitiously slander God takes away from productive time that could be spent elsewhere in your ministry.

Just let it go....let them go, they've been told everything they need to know.

If this offended any atheists, agnostics, or any other types of non-believers out there...I don't really care. I'm tired of the leniency allowed all who come into a place of worship and proceed to urinate all over everything we hold Sacred and Holy. But worry not, I will not intrude on your "temple of doom" out here in the Outer Court again.

Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

[Observer of dreams]

Sheepdog, please understand that before you can shake the dust off of your feet you must attempt to enter the town in the first place. Until I get a yes or no from the non-believers in my attempt to bring them to christ my work is not yet done. Jesus ate with "sinners" and "bad people" and the "believers" all huddled off on their own to plot against Jesus. It is also said in the parable of the lost sone that when he returned they had a great feast. This is also true. We are not to use the message of Jesus for our own gain, but to spread it to those that would otherwise not hear the message. If I am denied here I will leave, but so far I have not been given a yes or no by anyone in this forum.

[SoulGrind]

Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Sheep Dog

We just had a visiting minister at our church this past Sunday - he was a jewish man who follows Christ - due to the fact that he follows Christ, his family has disowned him.

Anyway - he discussed the "shake the dust from your feet" passage.

I found it to be very interesting. Let me try to relay the message that was given, here.

This visiting pastor said that is was cusom among the Jewish community, when visiting another, upon arrival of your destination, to call out "Shalom alaikum!" (Peace be upon you)

If the visitor recieved the reply "Alaikum shalom!" (Upon you be peace) they were received as being welcomed into the home.

However, no reply, meant Go away! You're not welcome here!

At this point, the visitor, who's sandals had various bits of debris (i.e.: dust, dirt, mud, etc.) on them, were stomped or "shaken" so the debris was left on the doorstep as a sign to others "I came in peace and was not welcomed."

I found this very interesting.

Thought I'd pass it along.

Shalom alaikum!

Edited July 13, 2006 by SoulGrind

[anti-hillbilly]

Your hearts are hard, and cannot be softened with words, nor with miracles. You have all made your own hearts hard, and refuse to acknowledge God for whatever reason. Jesus eats with sinners and beggars while the scoffers feel as if they have God. They ridicule Jesus for his actions not noticing how black their soul is by the wretched persecution they force the brothers of Jesus to endure. They never notice the damage their iron fist causes when it smashes into the ground to destroy the rightouse and heaven worthy. How sad I am for you whos hearts are hardened. How I weep for you oh faithless and untrusting. I beg of you to soften your hearts and accept Jesus.

Jesus isn't the problem; it's some (too many) of his followers that are the problem. I haven't met anyone yet who hated Jesus, I've met a few who just didn't believe he was God and more frequently I'm occasionally reading online that some people don't believe he was a real person but a legend....but I've never heard anyone say really bad things about Jesus one way or the other.

Now, Christians on the other hand don't have the best reputation for honesty, charity or kindness. Our church history itself is full of the most horrendous tortures and persecutions of innocent people based on nothing more than gossip or greed. Combine that with some of the hateful attitudes expressed in the leadership today and that hurts the message.

That's the heart of the problem; not because people have "stoney hearts", even non-believers and back sliders feel and demonstrate love and kindness toward others.

[Guest SheepDog]

I guess we will never be able to really "know" how much disrespect Jesus would endure from those who continually speak horrible blasphemies about His Father, we can only speculate at best, as we are not Him.

I would think that even He would reach a point where He would smile and walk away when He realized that they would just not listen...period. I am not saying that we should not try OD, but there is a persistent group of 4-5 atheist/non-believers on Worthy who's snide sarcasm and cynicism drives even the most "Christ like" of us to frustration and anger. If you think you are "breaking through" to them I feel you are deluded, they enjoy every minute of taunting you, turning us on ourselves, and then walking away smiling.

Blessings to you,

SD

p.s. and notice not one "non-believer" responded to your heartfelt plea. They really don't care.

[larryt]

I guess we will never be able to really "know" how much disrespect Jesus would endure from those who continually speak horrible blasphemies about His Father, we can only speculate at best, as we are not Him.

I would think that even He would reach a point where He would smile and walk away when He realized that they would just not listen...period. I am not saying that we should not try OD, but there is a persistent group of 4-5 atheist/non-believers on Worthy who's snide sarcasm and cynicism drives even the most "Christ like" of us to frustration and anger. If you think you are "breaking through" to them I feel you are deluded, they enjoy every minute of taunting you, turning us on ourselves, and then walking away smiling.

Blessings to you,

SD

p.s. and notice not one "non-believer" responded to your heartfelt plea. They really don't care.

Hi all,

Just finished reading this thread and have been away for a while. I find very few who take God's Word seriously, even among the visible church. Notice how God thinks about His priests that don't take to heart that which God says. God never says anything trite or common, but everything God says is important.

Mal 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

Mal 2:3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, [even] the dung of your solemn feasts; and [one] shall take you away with it.

SheepDog we can know that Jesus will not tolerate the blasphemies forever and we are given much insight into the way the Lord thinks about sin. We are told to have the mind of Christ, think like Him.

I disagree with the statement above about Jesus "smiling" and walking away. Read Revelation.

Jude is one that addresses the issue of the hard herded.

Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Keep in mind that this is after he addresses the "certain men crept in unawares."

Also keep in mind that God's Word will not come back void. They may not have responded to the point of repentance yet, and we may not see the results till we get to glory.

LT