Who on here is Christian?

[kyle13]

What separates Christianity from the other religions is this:
Christianity is the only religion with grace.
Many religions have truth, reconciliation, inspiration from a book but not grace.
“Grace is the gift of God that is not deserved, cannot be earned, and cannot be paid back.”
I think grace is just to good to be true for alot of people so they just overlook it. They work to hard trying to make themselves worthy of God when God says come as you are. It says in Ephisians that it's Not by good works you are saved, but according to God's mercy.

Also, think about it like this:
If Jesus had died on the cross and wasn't really raised from the dead three days later, Christiany would be just like any other religion.

Edit:Forgive me for calling Christianity a religion, but I used it for lack of a better term.

I'm still waiting for how Christianity contradicts itself.
Without disagreement, nothing can be learned.
I'm ready to learn.

[nick]

Jonah 1:12, I don't study religion. Not in school at least, I just make a point not to be ignorant on certain things.

You can't really mark when and where Christianity was founded, but I would say it started with the Disciples, considering they were the original followers of Christ, or you could say it began with the Council of Nicea, with Constantine. I'm not really sure of the "official" stats on when and where.

[nick]

kyle13, There are way too many for me to list them, but this thread has some, it's been a while since I read it, so I don't even remember if I agreed with it or not, but it points out some contradictions.

[nick]

And again for the record, I don't believe in Hell or Salvation, I believe The "Kingdom" of God would be run more like the natural world and not based off of early human social structure.

[deltarider]

kyle13, I love you!

[Jonah 1:12]

che blanc, that thread is about contradictions between the bible and Catholic rituals.
I would strongly encourage you to study all religions and come up with a
conclusion based on what you find to be truth.

I have studied other religions. When I do it only confirms my faith and strengthens my relationship with God (Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour).

[nick]

[girlvswater]

didnt mean to break up your love fest.... but me too!

[JeffKnox]

[kyle13]

JeffKnox, Interesting you brought up debate since it was used in a debate situation. C. S. Lewis wrote the book Mere Christianity (great book, well worth the read).

Written by C. Michael Patton

It is told that during a meeting on comparative religions in Britain that many scholars gathered together to discuss what, if anything, was unique to Christianity. Many different elements were discussed and debated. Was Christianity unique because of its concept of truth? No, other religions have this. Was it unique because of the doctrine of reconciliation? No, other religions have this. Was it unique in terms of inspiration of a particular book? No, again, other religions have this. It is told that C.S. Lewis entered the room during the debate and asked what the discussion was all about. “We are discussing what makes Christianity unique, if anything.” “That’s easy” Lewis responded, “its grace.”

read the rest here http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/01/18/what-is-grace-2/

I'm not trying to debate, I suck at debating, just doing my best to answer questions and express what I believe. I love talking about God but its very hard to get points across using the internet.

Che, although catholics are christians I do not believe many things that catholics believe. Not saying these things are wrong, or that they are "un-christian, but I would say that my Christian beliefs differ very much from theirs. From my study of the Bible I haven't yet found the places to back up some the of things that teach and practice.

[deltarider]

JeffKnox, yes I believe Jesus Christ is the ultimate truth. Why would I want to stop 'learning'? I have found what I believe is true, and I will stand by it. Now when you say that I am ignorant for not taking other religions into consideration, then you are putting words into my mouth. I have been researching countless religions for the past couple years, and Christianity seems to be the ultimate truth. Now wheither you want to believe me, Ill leave that up to you, it's your decision, and your life. By the way, what I discovered what I call the be the ultimate truth, I will never stop learning about it. Don't put words into my mouth. I'll respect your view and you can respect mine. (if you want)


Read my first post again:
"I have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my savior, and lead my life based on that relationship with God. I am not about disrespecting anybody or shoving my beliefs down anyone's throat, but I am also not going to deny the one thing I believe as the ultimate truth. I'm just not about tearing people down, or lifting myself up, because none of that stuff really matters. All that being said, I love you no matter who you are, no matter what your beliefs or dis-beliefs are. I just ask for the same respect back."

kyle13, you're awesome.

[deltarider]

[Jama]

If there was a god he would never give up on anybody and condemn them to hell. That's what I believe. I just can't imagine that happening....whether the person in question stole a snickers or murdered someone.

Right now I'm just along for the ride and enjoying every minute of it. I KNOW hell doesn't exist. I can say this in COMPLETE honesty: I do not fear death for any reasons other than the pain it would cause my family and friends who are convinced of this reality. Who's ready for whatever world awaits him next? THIS GUY

[nick]

Jama, Welcome to the party. Here's some caramel popcorn. Now prepare to be persecuted.

[Gnarly Dancer 42]

Jama, how could a loving god force someone to be in his presence for an eternity if they dont want to be there?


the bible says hell is real and many people have tried to prove the bible wrong, but they couldnt, it is completely accurate

[deltarider]

kyle13, here:

Ephesians 2:8-9
"For it is by the grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so no one can boast."

[kyle13]

che blanc, did I persecute you? I have much respect for what you believe even if it isn't the same as mine. You obviously think very intelligently and have responded so.

This is just one of those subjects that gets nasty. No matter what you believe it hurts when somebody trys to tell you what you believe is wrong. So far in this thread I have tried to simply state what I believe. It's interesting that people jump on delta and I saying we are pushing our beliefs on everbody else.

Imagine if you made something the most important thing in your life, devoted your life to it and living by that standered. Now someone trys to bring up reasons why what you believe isn't valid. Wouldnt you try and support what you believe confidently and defend what you love. I never said anybody esle was wrong, just gave reasons why I believe the way that I do.

Debating about God dosen't work to well because you can't PROVE His existence, once again, thats why it's called fatih. I feel that I have proof because I have seen miracles, and I know what God's presence feels like. But this ins't the same kind of proof most people want and its understandable.

I would never be able to look down on people that didn't believe the same thing I did, neither did Christ but He did say in the bible that he was the ULTIMATE TRUTH (delta mentioned it earlier and ruffled some feathers). Jesus said he was the only way to heaven. He said, "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes unto the Father but through me." I believe the Bible is true. Thats why I believe it with all my heart. Just because thats proof enough for me dosen't mean it will be for the next guy.

Thanks to everyone that read my loooong posts, it means alot even if you dont agree with anything I said at all. Its something im passionate about and I like talking about it.

deltarider, <3 seriously <3
Thats the one I was think about. I kind got it mixed up with this: Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Gnarly Dancer 42, Good point about enterinity. Many of the dates and events have been proven accurate but no one will ever prove the entire Bible is true (back to faith again). If you don't believe the Bible is true it would be pretty difficult to believe in Heaven and Hell. I do though.

[nick]

[Steven M]

che blanc, toss some my way. I need a little while I re-read jonathan livingston seagull.

[JeffKnox]