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Talking Religion...

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t_BuckeyeScott;1422777; said:
Then why Jesus or the Cross at all?
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You and I agree that Jesus's life, death, and resurrection were necessary conditions for man's salvation. Where we disagree is on how the mechanics of salvation by faith can work. My own view is that one must know and trust in Christ for salvation, but that the "knowing of Christ" (i.e., the knowing of God) can come about by a wide variety of means, including those available to folks who worship via other faiths.
 
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Buckeyeskickbuttocks;1422246; said:
This is compounded by Jew's belief (which Christianity purports to be based on) that the idea of a "man-G-d" (or G-d in human form) is ridiculous (maybe Muffler can help me out with the biblical support for that view)...
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In short, literal anthropomorphism is considered idolatrous from a Judaic POV. It's a means of expression in order to convey a picture that our finite minds can comprehend. Ultimately, G-d is ineffable, indescribable, and completely beyond our understanding.

Does that help? Or need more?

t_BuckeyeScott;1422402; said:
As for the triune God, I don't understand why the one and only God couldn't manifest Himself in 3 different ways.
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I've raised this before, Scott, but I don't believe it was ever to you. Hopefully, you don't mind.

Where does the "three" part come from? Why a "trinity"? Why not a di-unity? a quat-trinity? an x-nity?

Any thoughts?

buckeyegrad;1422488; said:
(As for the whole Jewish thing...and I say this with caution due to my run-ins with Muffler on these boards, and I don't want to start anything with him--but surely you must acknowledge that the Judaism of today or even 1000 years ago is not the Judaism of Jesus' time or the Judaism of when the Torah was written;
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*come in peace* :biggrin:

I believe most Jews would agree that even Judaism is an organic religion that is not stagnant. However, when it comes to the nature of G-d there is a nationalistic history and witness that can support the Judaic POV.

*exit stage left*

Gatorubet;1422680; said:
All of this is very interesting, but I notice that nobody is even attempting to discuss the points I made. Why was it necesasry to invent a scheme where it is inevitable that millions of people He made and knows will not accept Jesus - will suffer for all eternity?

Why would a loving God, with the power to do anything He wants, do that to souls just because he wants a relationship with us?

See the ants in a jar posts earlier.
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Damn fine question!!!

JCOSU86;1422770; said:
Now, don't you go and start...
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Bring it, beeyotch!!! :biggrin:
 
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muffler dragon;1422931; said:
completely beyond our understanding.

Does that help? Or need more?



I've raised this before, Scott, but I don't believe it was ever to you. Hopefully, you don't mind.

Where does the "three" part come from? Why a "trinity"? Why not a di-unity? a quat-trinity? an x-nity?

Any thoughts?
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As you well know "trinity" and "triune" don't appear in the Bible. I added the last part of your quote to BKB for a reason. I think I would word it: "beyond our complete understanding" because I believe we can understand that which God has revealed to us. But that is important because to say I completely understand the mystery of the triune God would be patently false.

So why tri? Because I ( and many others) see God revealing Himself in 3 different manifestations, that's why.
 
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t_BuckeyeScott;1422950; said:
As you well know "trinity" and "triune" don't appear in the Bible. I added the last part of your quote to BKB for a reason. I think I would word it: "beyond our complete understanding" because I believe we can understand that which God has revealed to us. But that is important because to say I completely understand the mystery of the triune God would be patently false.
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Strictly from my POV, G-d is beyond my comprehension. The Infinite cannot be understood by the finite. But that's just how I look at it. I believe that to be quite close (if not right on) the Judaic perspective.

t_BS said:
So why tri? Because I ( and many others) see God revealing Himself in 3 different manifestations, that's why.
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Truthfully, I had hoped for more than this.

The reason why I ask is that there are more than three descriptors/expressions/visualizations of G-d in the Tanakh alone. Incorporating Jesus, from your POV, would obviously push this beyond the three by one more.
 
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First time I have looked at this thread... I have avoided for a reason. The past several weeks I have had a desire to examine my believes in God, Jesus, the Universe, After life etc. Honestly after a small amount of research of various non traditional christian texts I have never been more torn in my entire life. This is not a bad thing but it scary to let go or even grasp believes that there is just one God universally, and that there is only heaven and hell after life in this form as humans.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the contributions to this thread. I look forward to reading the rest of it.
 
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craigblitz;1423890; said:
First time I have looked at this thread... I have avoided for a reason. The past several weeks I have had a desire to examine my believes in God, Jesus, the Universe, After life etc. Honestly after a small amount of research of various non traditional christian texts I have never been more torn in my entire life. This is not a bad thing but it scary to let go or even grasp believes that there is just one God universally, and that there is only heaven and hell after life in this form as humans.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the contributions to this thread. I look forward to reading the rest of it.
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For what it's worth, my departure from Christianity was an extremely stressful event for me. It was a major foundation-shaking moment.

Whatever you're dealing with is something that I don't take lightly. My thoughts are with you, and I hope you find "peace".
 
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craigblitz;1423890; said:
First time I have looked at this thread... I have avoided for a reason. The past several weeks I have had a desire to examine my believes in God, Jesus, the Universe, After life etc. Honestly after a small amount of research of various non traditional christian texts I have never been more torn in my entire life. This is not a bad thing but it scary to let go or even grasp believes that there is just one God universally, and that there is only heaven and hell after life in this form as humans.
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Love God with all your heart, your mind, your soul. Love your fellowman as yourself.

These rules seem to put you in pretty good shape, no matter what church (or temple, synagogue or mosque) you attend. Godspeed to you! Hope you find what it is you seek.
 
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craigblitz;1423890; said:
First time I have looked at this thread... I have avoided for a reason. The past several weeks I have had a desire to examine my believes in God, Jesus, the Universe, After life etc. Honestly after a small amount of research of various non traditional christian texts I have never been more torn in my entire life. This is not a bad thing but it scary to let go or even grasp believes that there is just one God universally, and that there is only heaven and hell after life in this form as humans.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the contributions to this thread. I look forward to reading the rest of it.
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Welcome to the thread. Stay a while and contribute! :biggrin:

Questioning your faith can be very stressful, but it is a healthy intellectual and personal experience! In particular, if you are questioning the faith you were raised in as a child, you have the added pain of questioning cherished figures of authority from your childhood!

You might journey from a particular belief to another, or to non-belief, or at the end you may find that your previous beliefs are reinforced. Whichever way you go, this will be a stimulating and enriching time of your life!
 
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