What is a Christian?

[Anbesol]

Please do not compare Jesus to any of these other so called religious leaders. That is just plain foolish and dangerous. Jesus, and Jesus alone, sits on the right hand of God.

Jesus and Buddha may as well have been identical twins, their ministries were incredibly similar, you could even call Christ's ministry the Buddhist take on the Torah. The parallels run deep between the two. I will even call Buddha the 'anointed one' or the Christ of the east, and Jesus was the awakened one, the Buddha of the west. Foolish and dangerous? No, it would be foolish and dangerous to proclaim that I hold divine dominion over others simply and shallowly because of my religious practice.

[Solo]

"You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink."

Even God almighty does not "make" people believe after the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of the Word of God to them. He divides people into two positions of existance; believers and unbelievers.

Jesus Christ is plain in his teachings as he teaches concerning these positions in John 3. Jesus is definitely teaching that one believes and is not condemned, or one refuses to believe and is condemned already.

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:15-21 KJV

Notice in verse 20 above that Jesus states that everyone that does evil, hates the light and refuses to come to the light so that their deeds go uncorrected. In verse 21 Jesus says that those who believe come to the light and are those that are in the truth.

There are no other classifications that people can be catoragorized in other than these two catagories; believers and unbelievers. Each of us is one or the other according to Jesus Christ.

[Anbesol]

Solo - did you come here for an interest in photography? Or to troll the off-topics section?

[jgredline]

Jesus and Buddha may as well have been identical twins, their ministries were incredibly similar, you could even call Christ's ministry the Buddhist take on the Torah. The parallels run deep between the two. I will even call Buddha the 'anointed one' or the Christ of the east, and Jesus was the awakened one, the Buddha of the west. Foolish and dangerous? No, it would be foolish and dangerous to proclaim that I hold divine dominion over others simply and shallowly because of my religious practice.

according the bible, Jesus is alive and well...He defeated death on the cross..
Buddha is waiting in line in the grave awaiting his final sentence...
Re 20:11-15
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

[Anbesol]

Javier - according to you, everybody that isn't your identical theological twin is a satanist and 'wrong', everything you spout is superstitious at best and tragically unreasonable at worst. I have a rug that I can talk to that is more capable of listening, so I will carry on that more productive conversation. I've lost all interest in carrying a conversation with you, you can't hear a thing I say.

Thank you for the lesson in patience.

[Solo]

Jesus and Buddha may as well have been identical twins, their ministries were incredibly similar, you could even call Christ's ministry the Buddhist take on the Torah. The parallels run deep between the two. I will even call Buddha the 'anointed one' or the Christ of the east, and Jesus was the awakened one, the Buddha of the west. Foolish and dangerous? No, it would be foolish and dangerous to proclaim that I hold divine dominion over others simply and shallowly because of my religious practice.

According to the philosophy of Buddhism, anyone can become a "Buddha". Siddhārtha Gautama is considered to be the original teacher of this philosophy around 534 B.C

Without a basis of absolute truth to found my believes upon, I can make the statement, "Jesus and Buddha may as well have been identical twins, their ministries were incredibly similar, you could even call Christ's ministry the Buddhist take on the Torah."

With a basis of absolute truth, I can make the statement that Satan and Buddha may as well have been identical twins as their ministries are incredibly similar in keeping people from the Truth through deceptions and lies.

Truth is an absolute. It is not a haphazard occurance which is different from one to another. Truth is real and absolute. Lies are not absolute, but counterfeit. Lies distort the truth and are meant to deceive the seeker of truth. Truth is the key to understanding all that is, and it is up to us to find it. Jesus said the following, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Let us learn today what the Scriptures that Jesus quoted from, and his disciples recorded in their inspired writings said concerning truth, and how the teachings of Buddhism align with Jesus' teachings by going to the following website. http://www.gospelway.com/religiousgroups/buddhism.php

[Solo]

Solo - did you come here for an interest in photography? Or to troll the off-topics section?

Anbesol,
Perhaps I was sent here to proclaim God's love for His creation, and to extol truth to those who have hardened their heart to the brink of no return.

Those who are seeking the truth will find it in the Word of God as they humble themselves to his authority; those who refuse to submit to his authority in this world will remain condemned as Jesus Christ teaches.

Are you on this thread to learn the truth of God Almighty, and to edify His chosen believers, or are you here to accuse those who are believers as the father of lies does night and day? Hopefully, you are a seeker of truth, and are here to edify God's elect.

Thanks,
Solo

PS. I am interested in photography, but the things of God are so much more important to me.

[Anbesol]

Solo you are trolling, you can call it divine judgment all you want, I am done with this silly bickering. Stop addressing me, I have nothing to say to you.

[adina]

Truth is an absolute. It is not a haphazard occurance which is different from one to another. Truth is real and absolute. Lies are not absolute, but counterfeit. Lies distort the truth and are meant to deceive the seeker of truth. Truth is the key to understanding all that is, and it is up to us to find it. Jesus said the following, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
]

Truth is only absolutely variable, when pertaining to matters not having anything to do with science. Truth is based on your beliefs.

I believe one parent staying home and raising your children is the right thing. Does that make it truth? To me it does. I believe it is in the child's best interest to be raised by his/her parents, not a day care. Is that absolute? No, because the guy next door could believe differently.

Yes, truth is the key to understanding. But what you are trying to understand is different from what someone else is trying to understand.

If you have found peace thru Christianity, great for you. But that doesn't make the guy who found peace thru some other spirituality wrong.

[Solo]

Solo you are trolling, you can call it divine judgment all you want, I am done with this silly bickering. Stop addressing me, I have nothing to say to you.

May God bless you, and may you find His Truth, in the name of Jesus.

[Loupey]

If I can be so bold to summarize what I think I'm hearing...


A life-long criminal who is waiting on death-row who repents all his sins (or is saved - sorry don't know the right term perhaps) days before his execution is more Christian than...

...a life-long volunteer who helps out wherever needed and whenever asked, puts cash in donation baskets, sends clothing/toys/furniture off to shelters; but has never recognized God and Jesus?

[jgredline]

If I can be so bold to summarize what I think I'm hearing...


A life-long criminal who is waiting on death-row who repents all his sins (or is saved - sorry don't know the right term perhaps) days before his execution is more Christian than...

...a life-long volunteer who helps out wherever needed and whenever asked, puts cash in donation baskets, sends clothing/toys/furniture off to shelters; but has never recognized God and Jesus?

Yes, you are correct. This is what the bible teaches us...
Lk 23:32-49
32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.
47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”
48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. 49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

[Loupey]

... I see no difference between satanism and say budism...

Aren't thoughts like this what start so many wars?

I mean, we see explicit (or even implicit) demonstrations like this from "other" religious groups directed towards "us" from other parts of the world on the evening news. We may dismiss it, but they surely don't.

It's easy to start wars these days.

[christiansoldier]

Aren't thoughts like this what start so many wars?

I mean, we see explicit (or even implicit) demonstrations like this from "other" religious groups directed towards "us" from other parts of the world on the evening news. We may dismiss it, but they surely don't.

It's easy to start wars these days.

Although religion may be dragged into wars, I do not think religion causes wars. Were the Crusades about Christianity vs Islam or were they about territorial conquest? Power and greed are the motivations behind wars, don't you think? "The love of money is the root of all evil".

[christiansoldier]

Re the cross, there are a variety of views on this....

Thanks, Mike.

[Solo]

Truth is only absolutely variable, when pertaining to matters not having anything to do with science. Truth is based on your beliefs.

I believe one parent staying home and raising your children is the right thing. Does that make it truth? To me it does. I believe it is in the child's best interest to be raised by his/her parents, not a day care. Is that absolute? No, because the guy next door could believe differently.

Yes, truth is the key to understanding. But what you are trying to understand is different from what someone else is trying to understand.

If you have found peace thru Christianity, great for you. But that doesn't make the guy who found peace thru some other spirituality wrong.

Let us not misinterpret what truth is based on our opinion of right and wrong. Our opinions are not absolute, but are variable and changing; however, truth is absolute truth without regard to our opinions.

The truth that one parent is raising a child at home while the truth that two parents are also raising a child at home, can be determined to be right or wrong based on ones opinion of what is right or wrong; either way each action of raising a child at home is true because it is occuring. Both occurrance are truthful for they are occurring, but is one right over the other? That depends on ones opinion.

You have defined opinions of what truth is, not what absolute truth is. In other words, truth is absolute and stands apart from our opinions of what truth is. Truth is not a belief. We can believe the Truth, or we can believe a Lie; either way, our beliefs do not dictate what is truth.

Truth is what is real, what is factual.

Is the earth in orbit around the sun? Yes, the truth is that the earth orbits the sun. In the past, the opinion of some was that the sun orbited around the earth. They were wrong because the truth was different from their opinion of the truth. In the past, the opinion of what was truth was that the earth was flat, while the truth was that the earth was circular in shape, not flat.

When Jesus Christ stated that He is the way, and that He is the truth, and that He is the life: and that no man comes to the Father, but by Him; that is the truth whether our opinion agrees with it or not.

Jesus is either truthful or He is a liar. My opinion is that Jesus is truthful, and I am a believer because of that opinion. In fact, after I believed by faith in Jesus Christ, that opinion became solid conviction confirmed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within me, and an amazing amount of truth filled my life upon my reading the Word of God.

Jesus is the truth, and we can either believe it or not; either way Jesus is the truth, the way, the life, and the only way to God the Father. When all is said and done, we will be evaluated for our belief of the Truth, or our disregard for the Truth.

You have stated the following opinions:

Yes, truth is the key to understanding. But what you are trying to understand is different from what someone else is trying to understand.

Truth is what each of us is seeking, so that we can live a successful existance in this life whether we are atheist, buddhist, christian, etc. The fact that remains is that there is one truth and many lies. Is there only one God? One truth, many lies. Is Jesus Christ the only way? One truth, many lies. Is there one life and then the judgement? One truth and many lies.

If you have found peace thru Christianity, great for you. But that doesn't make the guy who found peace thru some other spirituality wrong.

Can peace be found in something other than the truth? Is the duty of man to find peace in this life or truth? Are the teachings of Jesus Truth or Lies? Are the teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama truth or lies? What if we fail at finding out what the truth is and then we die; will we get another chance?


Keep in mind that Jesus Christ taught that there will be deceivers in this world, and many would be deceived. He also taught that one must enter the strait and narrow gate that leads to life, not the broad and wide gate that leads to destruction. He taught that few find the narrow strait gate, but many find the broad wide path that leads to destruction.


13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:4-5

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:11

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24

May God bless you and yours,
Solo

[Anbesol]

Although religion may be dragged into wars, I do not think religion causes wars. Were the Crusades about Christianity vs Islam or were they about territorial conquest? Power and greed are the motivations behind wars, don't you think? "The love of money is the root of all evil".

I think that is funny coming from the guy who calls himself "Christian Soldier".

Soldier, do you like photography? Did you have a photography interest, question, or discussion you'd like to take on?

[christiansoldier]

The idea that divine judgment applies to a persons belief as opposed to the place of their heart is nonsense, Jesus demonstrated this with the good Samaritan parable too.

I'm truly puzzled as to why you cling to this one story, as some sort of validation that 'good works' are acceptable as propitiation for a life otherwise turned from God, and seemingly toss the rest of God's Word in the can.

Have your own tirades seen here been a demonstration of a heart devoid of self? Honestly? What you rail against as self-righteousness in this thread is, in all actuality, none other than the earnest proclamation of Righteousness.

[Anbesol]

Soldier - photography, do you like it? What type of shooting do you like to do?

[mn shutterbug]

If I can be so bold to summarize what I think I'm hearing...


A life-long criminal who is waiting on death-row who repents all his sins (or is saved - sorry don't know the right term perhaps) days before his execution is more Christian than...

...a life-long volunteer who helps out wherever needed and whenever asked, puts cash in donation baskets, sends clothing/toys/furniture off to shelters; but has never recognized God and Jesus?

As jgredline said, that is correct. We are saved by God's grace, if we believe, not by good works. We'll do good deeds because we love God, but good deeds alone will do us no good, if we don't believe and trust in God.

[christiansoldier]

I think that is funny coming from the guy who calls himself "Christian Soldier".

The battle of the Christian Soldier is Spiritual, my friend. Were you not aware of that?

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
(Refrain)

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
(Refrain)

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
(Refrain)

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.
(Refrain)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~

Ephesians 6

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photography is something that I admire a lot, but never really became very good at.

I did share a link to quite a few photos a few pages back.

I do know that light is of utmost importance in both photography and spiritual growth:

“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:20-21)

Thanks for asking. :thumbsup:

[Solo]

If I can be so bold to summarize what I think I'm hearing...


A life-long criminal who is waiting on death-row who repents all his sins (or is saved - sorry don't know the right term perhaps) days before his execution is more Christian than...

...a life-long volunteer who helps out wherever needed and whenever asked, puts cash in donation baskets, sends clothing/toys/furniture off to shelters; but has never recognized God and Jesus?

One must understand salvation and why one must be "saved" in order to enter the kingdom of God after this "physical" life is over.

God did not send his only begotten son into the world to condemn the world, but instead he was sent into the world to save the world. All that were in the world were condemned already. Therefore, until one is born of God, born of the Spirit, born again, one is condemned, and will not enter into the kingdom of God. If one is a murderer and is then born of God, born of the Spirit, born again; will he/she enter into the kingdom of God? Why? Because he/she was born again, and all of his/her sins have been forgiven.

Does one gain access into the kingdom of God because of their good acts? No, they only enter the kingdom of God because they were born of God, born of the Spirit, born again.

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:1-21 [Emphasis Added]

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:6-12 [Emphasis Added]

[Anbesol]

Its a battle to be waged within our own hearts, our foe is our ego, not cultural diversity.

Solo - do you like photography?

[mn shutterbug]

Hey Ambesol, I like photography. In fact, I love it. Actually, I think I'm addicted.

[christiansoldier]

Its a battle to be waged within our own hearts, our foe is our ego, not cultural diversity.

Solo - do you like photography?

ASKED AND ANSWERED

Anbesol,
Perhaps I was sent here to proclaim God's love for His creation, and to extol truth to those who have hardened their heart to the brink of no return.

Those who are seeking the truth will find it in the Word of God as they humble themselves to his authority; those who refuse to submit to his authority in this world will remain condemned as Jesus Christ teaches.

Are you on this thread to learn the truth of God Almighty, and to edify His chosen believers, or are you here to accuse those who are believers as the father of lies does night and day? Hopefully, you are a seeker of truth, and are here to edify God's elect.

Thanks,
Solo

PS. I am interested in photography, but the things of God are so much more important to me.