I don't look for ways to justify anything. It is all in the Bible you deride as written by men, when the Bible itself says that all scripture is breath by God as men are carried along by the Holy Spirit. But, of course, if you actually read the Bible you would know that... and then promptly reject it.
Job was essentially a wager between God and Satan. Satan lost big-time! Job, while tested, came out better than he started out... Reader's digest version for Strum.
And your attitude, perspective, and understanding of anything is an extension of your desire to do whatever you want, whenever you want, the rule be damned! That is your agenda. So, what's your point?
It's funny... Jesus of Nazareth was vilified by the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees and Sadducees as spreading "New Age drivel." Would you scream for Barabbas if I stood accused next to him?
I have never once exhibited or called for a lack of restraint. Never, ever, one time. I explicitly call for a BALANCE of one's own existence. Balance requires restraint and adherence to better judgement.
Why not? Why am I less qualified than any other person who recognizes that God is the author of the Universe and is the higher consciousness that we all strive for? Am I not qualified because i don't use earthly, human references like "King" or "Him" or "He" or "Father?" Or, is it just because my understanding and interpretation threatens the fear-based version you live under?
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. If you reject His Word, you reject Him, Three in One.
He wasn't New Age in the sense you ascribe. I agree with your description of His relationship to the power structure of the Jewish leadership. But, He did not come to destroy Jewish Law, but to fulfill it.
Again... difference of interpretation.
No you've gone to the extreme of dictating how a person gains, or acquires, Faith. Wow!
This is not my opinion, it is Scriptural. Read the Bible.
People like you are led by the Father of Lies. If the shoe fits you, you should certainly wear it.
Well, let's see... According to you, I'm lying, I intentionally killed innocent women and children (or, at least indirectly), and I would pick Barabas over Jesus at His trial. I may have let a few others ride...
Well, I agree with that sentiment. I think Faith does develop and strengthen as one comes to know God. I simply don't believe that God restricted that knowledge and understanding to one special group of people. That has a very selfish vibe to it. I don't feel that God is selfish. In fact, I'm not sure I believe God experiences emotions as we do in our finite vessels.
I ASKED YOU IF YOU WOULD CHOOSE ME! I never said you would. Go back and read. And, yes, you are lying when you say I reject God. I've never said, nor implied, that you reject God at all. I simply see you as more aligned with, and driven by, the doctrine of the church and the religious (man-made) "laws" than exhibiting the behavior of Jesus Christ. God speaks through countless voices and through countless hands. Not just the handful that got their books compiled in the Protestant Bible.
I believe in a literal hermeneutic when reading Scripture - I take it at face value and try to apply it the best I can.
How can you rationally have faith in God or Jesus when you don't believe Scripture is authoritative? You deride Scripture as something dreamed up by men. Why do you believe in God? Did Jesus die on the cross for our sins, for the entire world's sins? Have you accepted Him as your personal Savior? If so, on what basis would you have such beliefs and make such a commitment?
Fine... I would appreciate it if you'd restrain yourself when proclaiming that I reject God. Thank you.
I'm guessing Paul got his faith when he was still Saul and he saw Jesus on the road to Damascus and he said "Why do you persecute me." Then went blind for a while. That's a bit more than just hearing the Word alone. People gain faith by all kinds of examples. If just hearing the Word of God made a person have Faith then everyone reading this would have it.
I think this is really on-topic... at this point.
To me, this is exactly how religions and people "humanize" God. We don't really have a choice but to do that on some level, I suppose. Our brains are only so sophisticated.
Actually, I do think we are punished every time we sin. But the punishment is always that the sinner, through the act of committing the sin, has distanced himself from God. Other than that, there are no punitive actions taken by God on the sinner.
Yeah.... I agree with that. Our conscience KNOWS what we did was wrong or right. We know if our actions create turmoil or imbalance within ourselves or against others, or both. The punishment is sort of self-imposed. That punishment can take many forms, obviously, and not always visible to others.
