[Mr 5 0]

Originally posted by bigwhitecobra :

As a general response to your post, I was merely getting some questions off my mind. It helps me concentrate. As funny as that sounds, it's true. In all the confusion and noise in my mind, the truth tends to stand out. Kinda like a multiple choice question. You get a certain numbers answers, two are usually just plain bizarre. One is close, but you can still the fecal matter drying. And then there was one. That's gotta be it, right?

Ok so this isn't a good example, but you get the point.

Sort of.

As far as the rest goes, I still feel like there is someother way to God other than the Bible. Now before everyone gets that little vein in thier forhead thumping, hear me out, and this time, listen.

The Bible is, to a certain extend, The Word of God. I don't believe that it is word for word, exact truth. It's the word of God, just not in the literal since. The basics are there, and in that, it is the truth. As God meant it to be. People take it too far and put thier two cents worth in. By that I mean in the Bible itself. Not anyone here, ok? We cool? Sweet!

All finished? Good.

I've been listening to all the various and sundry versions of 'The Bible isn't literally true' for most of my life. You have nothing new to offer to that proposition here. I hope you don't think your questioning is something original. The bible has been called 100 different versions of a lie and a 'fairy tale' for 2,000 years. Usually by those who don't wish to follow it's commands and instructions. Sound familiar? The atheists generally claim that Jesus was a nice man with good ideas about loving others, yada yada, yada but of course, He was not God in the flesh. That denies both God and Christ - which is why they are atheists. When you claim to believe the bible is the Word of God, then say it's full of fake stories disguised to fool people to believe things that are 'good for them', you mock the Word you claim you believe is from God. Trying to have it both ways: saying you 'believe' in God, Jesus Christ as Savior and the Bible, then deny a lot of what the bible says is in any way literally true. This is not uncommon with the conflicted that want to believe in God and Jesus but don't want to really obey either one. It's disingenuous and renders your claims of 'belief' rather hollow when you deny the source those beliefs stem from.

Take for instance, Did Jesus walk on water, calm a storm, and calm his disciples? No.
I get the message though. Without Jesus in your life you're like a ship in a storm. Tossed about the waves of life, about to drown. But Jesus can calm the seas of your life and bring you safely to your destination.....Heaven and everlasting peace.

How sad. You deny God's power and try to make miracles - Jesus' proof of who He was - some kind of fairy tale for the ignorant to receive soime vague message about 'life'. That insults almighty God and makes you look absolutely preposterous in your denial. You're trying to claim the mantle of Christianity yet deny the power of God and Christ. It won't work. You're simply fooling yourself by trying to have it both ways.

If Jesus had actually walked on the water, calmed the storm, and so forth, wouldn't that be the same as when he was tempted by the devil? I mean certainly, He could have, being the Son of God, but would He? Would that not be against all of His teachings?(the use of His power, or whatever)

You are terribly confused and need some serious bible study. Jesus did not yield to temptation in the desert because the temptation came from Satan, who had no hold on Jesus (as he does on us). For Jesus to use His power because Satan challenged Him to do so was wrong, and Jesus did not yield. For Jesus to simply calm a storm that frightened and threatened to drown his disciples and to walk on the water (and save Peter from sinking) was an example of Jesus' power. Not for Satan's benefit, but for the disciples's benefit. No one told Jesus to do what He did, unlike during His temptation in the desert. The other lesson was that when Peter doubted Jesus, he started to sink, but when Peter begged Jesus to save him, Jesus did so - immediately. He still does, today.

Now, I can't think of anything as an arguement about the people He healed or Lazerus, but hey there is one somewhere....lol(just kidding there). Anyway, I gotta go study for school before my girlfriend kicks my arse.

Later.

As I said, you can believe whatever you wish but as a professed Christian, you appear very confused about what you really believe, and why. I think you have a long way to go in your study and understanding of both the bible and the power of Jesus. I suggest you work on it.