I have questions on Christianity, someone please answer !!!

[QUOTE="PercivalCox"][QUOTE="Strider212"][QUOTE="1stCommando"][QUOTE="hagiiiiiiiiii"]

If jesus is the son of god, then why would god call his own son? Is that something a father should do?

Godbecame a man, Jesus. Jesus was a normal man withhis own freewill.Jesus, through his owndecision and free will, decided to die for our sins out of his love for mankind. In the Bible, he evenasks Godif he could let this cup pass, which basicallyasks if he hasgo through thetorture andsacrifice.Again,it was his choice, and it had to be done, otherwise ... we'd all be going to hell.Revinh

Jesus is called the Son of God. But he's not literally his SON. He's basically God in human form.

Yes, it's difficultto wrap your mind around it, but God exists as a trinity:the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

That statement isn't entirely true. Jesus called Himself the son of God.

Well the Book of John starts off with "In the beginning there was the word and the word was God wand the word was with God. So if that is true Jesus can be with God and God at the same time.

Jesus is not God. He cannot be with God and be God at the same time. It's because of the way it's translated. Jesus was called "god" because of his high position. It means like, "the Word was a mighty one."

Yes, Jesus is God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; they are a trinity, but exist as one entity. Again, you can believe what you what, but if you believe otherwise, than you are mistaken.

i have no idea, but i think the priest wrote the bibles.lIIiya

No, that is absolutely incorrect.God wrote the Bible through several different authors using the Holy Spirit.

each bible caters to a different sect of christianity (,at least, that's what i think,) and culture altogether. so claiming only bible to be the "ultimate Bible" or winner bible or whatever would be questionable - just as much as religion in itself is questionable

rowzzr

Well, there's one true Holy Bible, but when the church split into separate sects, the Protestant church, and the Mormon church, and other sects, rejected the one true Bible, and made their own versions, which are false.

Hooray, 1000 posts!!!

[QUOTE="Revinh"][QUOTE="muthsera666"]According to many early Christian theologists, Jesus is God and the Son of God at the same time. Logic does not apply here. Jesus had to be God and be human at the same time in order for the redemption of mankind to work. He was completely human and completely God. The human aspect enabled the salvation of mankind and the God portion enabled him to rise from the grave.

Theologically. Read Augustine, Calvin, and many others for clarification.abdelmessih101

Logic DOES apply and it HAS to apply if you're to believe it and in order to be accurate. There wouldn't be Father-Son relationship thing if they're one. Also, he said that the father is greater than him.

Jesus was a perfect human which enabled the salvation for mankind to work. Jehovah God resurrected him when he died.

There are those that believe they're the same but you have to investigate it yourself.

We're trying to explain something that can't really be proven. God is one entity, but exists as a trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Logic DOES NOT apply here ... it is all about FAITH - believing in that which is unseen. It's not as if I haven't experienced God in my life - I have.

Faith is not outside of logic.Your faith fails if it's illogical. Believing in the unseen is not illogical.

[QUOTE="Revinh"]God is no trinity.abdelmessih101

Believe what you want, but you arewrong :). God is one entity, but he exists as a trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

How can you tell me I'm wrong without you being logical? God, Jehovah, is the one Almighty God. Jesus is his first creation, his son. And the holy spirit is his active force.

If Jesus is god, then the bible is also the word of god, if so then there shouldn't be 4 versions but rather 1, however you guys say that it is not written by Jesus but by his followers. Hmm, i'm getting confused.hagiiiiiiiiii

Don't be confused;the one true Holy Bible is composed entirely of God's words. Each of its authors obviously offer a slightly differenttone and viewpoint so thatthe Bible can cover and teach us about all aspects of life, but God guided each of the authors through the Holy Spirit so that nothing incorrect was written in the Bible. It's a part of the belief - without the Holy Spirit and real human authors, the Bible couldn't have been written.

Jesus didn't write it because that wasn'this purpose- he taught through actions ... his life is supposed to be like a model for how we live our lives and deal with circumstances and situations in our own life.

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"][QUOTE="Revinh"][QUOTE="muthsera666"]According to many early Christian theologists, Jesus is God and the Son of God at the same time. Logic does not apply here. Jesus had to be God and be human at the same time in order for the redemption of mankind to work. He was completely human and completely God. The human aspect enabled the salvation of mankind and the God portion enabled him to rise from the grave.

Theologically. Read Augustine, Calvin, and many others for clarification.Revinh

Logic DOES apply and it HAS to apply if you're to believe it and in order to be accurate. There wouldn't be Father-Son relationship thing if they're one. Also, he said that the father is greater than him.

Jesus was a perfect human which enabled the salvation for mankind to work. Jehovah God resurrected him when he died.

There are those that believe they're the same but you have to investigate it yourself.

We're trying to explain something that can't really be proven. God is one entity, but exists as a trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Logic DOES NOT apply here ... it is all about FAITH - believing in that which is unseen. It's not as if I haven't experienced God in my life - I have.

Faith is not outside of logic. Your faith fails if it's illogical. Believing in the unseen is not illogical.

Faith and religion are used to explain what can't be explain by logic. You will not gain anything from religion enter into it expecting it to be logical as that is not the purpose of religion. If everything was logical, there would be no religion; religion attempts to explain what is otherwise unexplainable by logic, science, etc.You must enter with an open mind and believe - and the understanding will follow.

Trust me, I always used to be the kind of guy who needed everything to make sense and be logical - but I learned nothing in the way of religion. Now, I've learned to adapt logic around my religious beliefs, and to me, it all makes sense now. It was the greatest feeling in the world when everything finally started to make sense.

[QUOTE="Revinh"]God is no trinity.abdelmessih101

Believe what you want, but you arewrong :). God is one entity, but he exists as a trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

How can you tell me I'm wrong without you being logical? God, Jehovah, is the one Almighty God. Jesus is his first creation, his son. And the holy spirit is his active force.

God is a trinity; 3 in 1 and 1 in 3. God is one entity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all one being, each working in different ways to guide us to Heaven. This may be hard to believe, but it is the truth.

There is nothing anyone could say to me that would cause me to believe otherwise; I believe in this with all of my heart and I know I am right. I'm sorry for you if you can't believe in this, but it is the truth.

It isn't logical because it is not supposed to be logic. Like I said before, if everything was logical, there would be no need for religion at all. Religion serves to explain what logic can not.

[QUOTE="1stCommando"]They all say the same thing. They all say he was crucified, they all say he rose from the dead, they all say he had Divine Powers.hagiiiiiiiiii

Who incited David to count the fighting men of Israel?

(a) God did (2 Samuel 24: 1)

(b) Satan did (I Chronicles 2 1:1)

Did Jesus allow his disciples to keep a staff on their journey?

(a) Yes(Mark6:8)

(b) No (Matthew 10:9; Luke 9:3)

Don't nitpick little details here and there to point out contradictions. Think about the significance of the examples you pointed out. For the first one, why couldn't David have had two reasons/influences which caused him to count the fighting man of Israel.

I'm not saying there isn't an explanation for it, because I'm sure Icould get someone to explain it to both me and you ... the main pointI'm trying to get across is that youshouldn't nitpick little reasons not to believe. God says in the Bible that you shouldn't test him. For example, you can't say "If this happens, then thereis/is not aGod" or "If there is a God, then he will save me if I jump from this bridge," etc, etc.

Faith and religion are used to explain what can't be explain by logic. You will not gain anything from religion enter into it expecting it to be logical as that is not the purpose of religion. If everything was logical, there would be no religion; religion attempts to explain what is otherwise unexplainable by logic, science, etc. You must enter with an open mind and believe - and the understanding will follow.

Trust me, I always used to be the kind of guy who needed everything to make sense and be logical - but I learned nothing in the way of religion. Now, I've learned to adapt logic around my religious beliefs, and to me, it all makes sense now. It was the greatest feeling in the world when everything finally started to make sense.abdelmessih101

Well, I don't know about you, but that's not my definition of religion. I believe in God, Jesus, the Bible, but my faith/religion/beliefs are not illogical.

God is a trinity; 3 in 1 and 1 in 3. God is one entity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all one being, each working in different ways to guide us to Heaven. This may be hard to believe, but it is the truth.

There is nothing anyone could say to me that would cause me to believe otherwise; I believe in this with all of my heart and I know I am right. I'm sorry for you if you can't believe in this, but it is the truth.

It isn't logical because it is not supposed to be logic. Like I said before, if everything was logical, there would be no need for religion at all. Religion serves to explain what logic can not.abdelmessih101

All you're doing is saying, it is what it is and they should trust you. You can't just say it's the truth without reasoning. You're just believing in what you want to believe, which can hardly be called the truth.

[QUOTE="PercivalCox"][QUOTE="Strider212"][QUOTE="1stCommando"][QUOTE="hagiiiiiiiiii"] If jesus is the son of god, then why would god call his own son? Is that something a father should do?hagiiiiiiiiii

Religion is all about faith - or believing in that which is unseen. No one actually "knows" the truth, however I believe so much in my religion, that I consider it fact. My religion and my beliefs are something I've experienced in my own life. Of course, it's not something I've literally seen, rather something I've experienced otherwise in my life and something I know in my heart is the truth.

If you choose not to believe, you're basically saying you're unsure of what is true and what isn't, so you will consider everything as a "what if."

Religion is all about faith - or believing in that which is unseen. No one actually "knows" the truth, however I believe so much in my religion, that I consider it fact. My religion and my beliefs are something I've experienced in my own life. Of course, it's not something I've literally seen, rather something I've experienced otherwise in my life and something I know in my heart is the truth.abdelmessih101

Religion is the belief in God, in basic terms. The truthfulness in your belief about God is based on how logical your reasoning is for believing. (Believing in something you can't see isn't necessarily illogical.)

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]Faith and religion are used to explain what can't be explain by logic. You will not gain anything from religion enter into it expecting it to be logical as that is not the purpose of religion. If everything was logical, there would be no religion; religion attempts to explain what is otherwise unexplainable by logic, science, etc. You must enter with an open mind and believe - and the understanding will follow.

Trust me, I always used to be the kind of guy who needed everything to make sense and be logical - but I learned nothing in the way of religion. Now, I've learned to adapt logic around my religious beliefs, and to me, it all makes sense now. It was the greatest feeling in the world when everything finally started to make sense.Revinh

Well, I don't know about you, but that's not my definition of religion. I believe in God, Jesus, the Bible, but myfaith/religion/beliefs are not illogical.

God is a trinity; 3 in 1 and 1 in 3. God is one entity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all one being, each working in different ways to guide us to Heaven. This may be hard to believe, but it is the truth.

There is nothing anyone could say to me that would cause me to believe otherwise; I believe in this with all of my heart and I know I am right. I'm sorry for you if you can't believe in this, but it is the truth.

It isn't logical because it is not supposed to be logic. Like I said before, if everything was logical, there would be no need for religion at all. Religion serves to explain what logic can not.abdelmessih101

All you're doing is saying, it is what it is and they should trust you. You can't just say it's the truth without reasoning. You're just believing in what you want to believe, which can hardly be called the truth.

Well, that's good that you believe, but if you were presented with something that is illogical, would you reject it? What if you were presented with something that is logical, but completely contradicts everything you believe now?

I'm not saying this to annoy you, rather, I'm trying to explain the possible downfalls of believing solely in logic. With my approach, and based on everything I've learned, there is nothing that I couldn't explain using my religion (that is, if logic and science fail to explain it).

Of course, I may not have all the answers right away, but I know that I could find them.

Just out of curiosity, why do you choose to believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all separate entities as opposed to one entity? If God is capable of doing anything, why can'tGod, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit be one entity?

You may think it doesn't make sense that they're all one entity, and I may think it doesn't make sense if they're not one entity ... so continuing this arguement is pointless. I choose to believe things are a certain way, and I know in my heart they are one entity and my beliefs are strong enough that I consider them fact.

I'm not trying to impose my beliefs on you or anyone else, so if it comes off that way, I really apologize. I just wish that I could help others feel the way I do, because I couldn't be happier with my beliefs and with my life as I do truly feel blessed.

Also, I apologize for being so direct with what I said ... that's really all because of how stong my beliefs are.

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]Religion is all about faith - or believing in that which is unseen. No one actually "knows" the truth, however I believe so much in my religion, that I consider it fact. My religion and my beliefs are something I've experienced in my own life. Of course, it's not something I've literally seen, rather something I've experienced otherwise in my life and something I know in my heart is the truth.Revinh

Religion is the belief in God, in basic terms. The truthfulness in your belief about God is based on how logical your reasoning is for believing. (Believing in something you can't see isn't necessarily illogical.)

Yes, that's true ... but my reason for believing is not logic, I believe because I've experienced God in my life and the life of those around me. For example, my dad was cured from paralysis at the age of 3 through God's work (see one of my earlier posts for the full story). My religion is not just something I believe, it's something that I experience in my everyday life, and there nothing that could change that - logical or otherwise.

you know what I wonder:

if I don't believe in god, but have been a good human, I will still go to hell

but if I believe in god, and have been a very bad person, I still can go to heavon

doesn't sound fair

whoody12

God is just, but also merciful, and will judge everyone based on their opportunities. Not everyone who believes will go to Heaven. In fact, God will judge a Christian more severely than others, because they had more chances in their life to learn about God, and build a relationship with Him. Those who know more, will likely build a strong relationship with God, but will also be judged more harshly.

Also, there is a parableabout this in the bible. In the parable, there were three people, the first one was given ten talents, the second one was given five talents, and the third one was given one talent. At the end of their lives, God asked them to present the fruits of their talents. The first one turned his ten talents into twenty, the second one turned his five talents into ten, but the third one hid his talent out of jeaslousy that he was only given one talent. The first two were accepted into heaven, but the third person wasn't.

The message of the story is that God expects more of you if he gave you more. God doesn't expect you to do more than what you can do, and he knows what you can and can't do.

That being said, God will always shine His light in everyone's life, and it's your responsibility to turn back to him. According to the Bible, God would rather a sinner return and live, than to go to hell. He will always try to influence you to come back to Him, but ultimately, He gave you a free will to do and believe what you want, so it is your decision in the end.

I worship God in my own way, so I really can't answer any of your questions, but I assure you, I am Orthodox :).death_bagel

I'm sorry, but you can't be Orthodox unless you worship the same, strict way every other Orthodox Christian worships in church with all of the seven sacrements, and the fasts before Christmas and Easter, etc, etc. Anything elso couldn't be considered Orthodox ... I am blessed and proud to be an Orthodox Christian, and it only comes one way :).

[QUOTE="whoody12"]

you know what I wonder:

if I don't believe in god, but have been a good human, I will still go to hell

but if I believe in god, and have been a very bad person, I still can go to heavon

doesn't sound fair

abdelmessih101

God is just, but also merciful, and will judge everyone based on their opportunities. Not everyone who believes will go to Heaven. In fact, God will judge a Christian more severely than others, because they had more chances in their life to learn about God, and build a relationship with Him. Those who know more, will likely build a strong relationship with God, but will also be judged more harshly.

Also, there is a parableabout this in the bible. In the parable, there were three people, the first one was given ten talents, the second one was given five talents, and the third one was given one talent. At the end of their lives, God asked them to present the fruits of their talents. The first one turned his ten talents into twenty, the second one turned his five talents into ten, but the third one hid his talent out of jeaslousy that he was only given one talent. The first two were accepted into heaven, but the third person wasn't.

The message of the story is that God expects more of you if he gave you more. God doesn't expect you to do more than what you can do, and he knows what you can and can't do.

That being said, God will always shine His light in everyone's life, and it's your responsibility to turn back to him. According to the Bible, God would rather a sinner return and live, than to go to hell. He will always try to influence you to come back to Him, but ultimately, He gave you a free will to do and believe what you want, so it is your decision in the end.

That isn't the story I read. The story I read had a man with three slaves. One day he was going away from town, but didn't want to take his money with him (or some such, don't exactly recall why), so he gave 10 coins to one slave, 5 coins to the other, and 1 coin to the third. When he came back he asked the slaves about his money. The first slave managed to turn the 10 coins to 20, the second turned his 5 into 10, but the third hid the coin as he didn't want to risk his master's money. And then the master said that the third slave was bad for that. This is from the Hebrew version of the Gospel by Matthews.

abdelmessih101 - Well, that's good that you believe, but if you were presented with something that is illogical, would you reject it? What if you were presented with something that is logical, but completely contradicts everything you believe now?

Yes, I'd reject it. What if I'm presented something logical that contradicts what I believe which is also logical? Well, one or the other must be wrong, I'd have to look into it.

Just out of curiosity, why do you choose to believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all separate entities as opposed to one entity?

Because, well, I already talked about it. If you study the bible you'd find out. For example, Jesus prayed to God, why would he pray to God and be God himself?

If God is capable of doing anything, why can'tGod, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit be one entity?

If God is capable of doing anything, does it mean it that^?

You may think it doesn't make sense that they're all one entity, and I may think it doesn't make sense if they're not one entity ... so continuing this arguement is pointless. I choose to believe things are a certain way, and I know in my heart they are one entity and my beliefs are strong enough that I consider them fact.

Why can't you believe that there's only one God, and that Jesus is not God?

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"][QUOTE="whoody12"]

you know what I wonder:

if I don't believe in god, but have been a good human, I will still go to hell

but if I believe in god, and have been a very bad person, I still can go to heavon

doesn't sound fair

Zagrius

God is just, but also merciful, and will judge everyone based on their opportunities. Not everyone who believes will go to Heaven. In fact, God will judge a Christian more severely than others, because they had more chances in their life to learn about God, and build a relationship with Him. Those who know more, will likely build a strong relationship with God, but will also be judged more harshly.

Also, there is a parableabout this in the bible. In the parable, there were three people, the first one was given ten talents, the second one was given five talents, and the third one was given one talent. At the end of their lives, God asked them to present the fruits of their talents. The first one turned his ten talents into twenty, the second one turned his five talents into ten, but the third one hid his talent out of jeaslousy that he was only given one talent. The first two were accepted into heaven, but the third person wasn't.

The message of the story is that God expects more of you if he gave you more. God doesn't expect you to do more than what you can do, and he knows what you can and can't do.

That being said, God will always shine His light in everyone's life, and it's your responsibility to turn back to him. According to the Bible, God would rather a sinner return and live, than to go to hell. He will always try to influence you to come back to Him, but ultimately, He gave you a free will to do and believe what you want, so it is your decision in the end.

That isn't the story I read. The story I read had a man with three slaves. One day he was going away from town, but didn't want to take his money with him (or some such, don't exactly recall why), so he gave 10 coins to one slave, 5 coins to the other, and 1 coin to the third. When he came back he asked the slaves about his money. The first slave managed to turn the 10 coins to 20, the second turned his 5 into 10, but the third hid the coin as he didn't want to risk his master's money. And then the master said that the third slave was bad for that. This is from the Hebrew version of the Gospel by Matthews.

These very well may have been two different stories, as each of them don't have the same exact message. In mystory has the third person (given only one talent) envies the two others because God gave them five and ten talents, when he only got one. So, he hid his talent out of jealousy. God didn't expect much from that person because He didn't give himmuch. But what the third person did, hiding his talent out of jealousy and doing nothing, was unacceptable.

In your story, the third person (given only one coin) hides it to be on the safe side because he did not want to risk it. He is viewed badly because of this, and thus it gives a slightly different message. I may have misinterpreted the story you gave, but the way I see it now, it doesn't have a positive message.

I don't really know, I'm pretty sure it was one of Jesus' stories, let me find it again.

Okay, Matthew 25, 14-28. Reading it I'm not sure if the slave really was lazy or not, but apparently this story is very pro-banks, since if you give someone money for safe keeping it's expected of him to take that money and spend it in an effort to make more money.

abdelmessih101 - Well, that's good that you believe, but if you were presented with something that is illogical, would you reject it? What if you were presented with something that is logical, but completely contradicts everything you believe now?

Yes, I'd reject it. What if I'm presented something logical that contradicts what I believe which is also logical? Well, one or the other must be wrong, I'd have to look into it.

Again, logic and science CAN NOT explain everything. What would you believe in a situation that can't be explained by logic or science?

Again, I'm just saying that religion is supposed to explain things that science and logic can not. If you believe only in logic, then you will come across something, sooner or later, that logic just can not explain. What would you believe then?

Just out of curiosity, why do you choose to believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all separate entities as opposed to one entity?

Because, well, I already talked about it. If you study the bible you'd find out. For example, Jesus prayed to God, why would he pray to God and be God himself?

When God came down to Earth, He took the form of man as Jesus, so God and Jesus are one. Jesus' life serves as a model for all us to follow, he prays to God to teach us, through His actions, to pray to God as well. It's perfectly logical :).

If God is capable of doing anything, why can'tGod, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit be one entity?

If God is capable of doing anything, does it mean it that^?

Addressed above

You may think it doesn't make sense that they're all one entity, and I may think it doesn't make sense if they're not one entity ... so continuing this arguement is pointless. I choose to believe things are a certain way, and I know in my heart they are one entity and my beliefs are strong enough that I consider them fact.

Why can't you believe that there's only one God, and that Jesus is not God?

Because the trinity, meaning the Father (God in heaven), the Son (God as a human on Earth, i.e., Jesus), and the Holy Spirit , are all one entity. They each serve a different purpose, but all with the same goal in mind. God is our goal (to be with Him in Heaven), Jesus is our model (what would Jesus do?), and the Holy Spirit is our guide (tells us what is right/wrong).

I never said there was more than one God, all I said was that God exists as a trinity, yet is still one entity. Are you going to tell me that frozen ice, distilled liquid water, and steam are not all still H20? Just as water can exist in thesolid, liquid, gas form all at the same time (the triple point of water), God exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all at the same time. Yet there is still only God, as water is still only one molecule.

Revinh

These very well may have been two different stories, as each of them don't have the same exact message. In mystory has the third person (given only one talent) envies the two others because God gave them five and ten talents, when he only got one. So, he hid his talent out of jealousy. God didn't expect much from that person because He didn't give himmuch. But what the third person did, hiding his talent out of jealousy and doing nothing, was unacceptable.

In your story, the third person (given only one coin) hides it to be on the safe side because he did not want to risk it. He is viewed badly because of this, and thus it gives a slightly different message. I may have misinterpreted the story you gave, but the way I see it now, it doesn't have a positive message.

abdelmessih101

One story...his was the correct one. This is not the true message.

When you said what can we eat? It really matters on the Christian Religion.vitomanez

Well, whenever there is a fast, we (Orthodox Christians) can't eat anything that came from animals - no meat or dairy. Sometimes seafood is okay, though. We essentially become vegetarians and eat imitation cheese, soy milk, veggie burgers, and all that other crap :P.

There are two big fasts during the year: one for 40 days before Christmas, and the other for 55 days before Easter. Other than that, there are other shorter fasts during the year, usually for a week or less, and when nothing special is going on, you're supposed to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]

These very well may have been two different stories, as each of them don't have the same exact message. In mystory has the third person (given only one talent) envies the two others because God gave them five and ten talents, when he only got one. So, he hid his talent out of jealousy. God didn't expect much from that person because He didn't give himmuch. But what the third person did, hiding his talent out of jealousy and doing nothing, was unacceptable.

In your story, the third person (given only one coin) hides it to be on the safe side because he did not want to risk it. He is viewed badly because of this, and thus it gives a slightly different message. I may have misinterpreted the story you gave, but the way I see it now, it doesn't have a positive message.

LJS9502_basic

One story...his was the correct one. This is not the true message.

Wait, who do you think is right? Me or the other person?

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]

These very well may have been two different stories, as each of them don't have the same exact message. In mystory has the third person (given only one talent) envies the two others because God gave them five and ten talents, when he only got one. So, he hid his talent out of jealousy. God didn't expect much from that person because He didn't give himmuch. But what the third person did, hiding his talent out of jealousy and doing nothing, was unacceptable.

In your story, the third person (given only one coin) hides it to be on the safe side because he did not want to risk it. He is viewed badly because of this, and thus it gives a slightly different message. I may have misinterpreted the story you gave, but the way I see it now, it doesn't have a positive message.

abdelmessih101

One story...his was the correct one. This is not the true message.

Wait, who do you think is right? Me or the other person?

The other dude....

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]

These very well may have been two different stories, as each of them don't have the same exact message. In mystory has the third person (given only one talent) envies the two others because God gave them five and ten talents, when he only got one. So, he hid his talent out of jealousy. God didn't expect much from that person because He didn't give himmuch. But what the third person did, hiding his talent out of jealousy and doing nothing, was unacceptable.

In your story, the third person (given only one coin) hides it to be on the safe side because he did not want to risk it. He is viewed badly because of this, and thus it gives a slightly different message. I may have misinterpreted the story you gave, but the way I see it now, it doesn't have a positive message.

LJS9502_basic

One story...his was the correct one. This is not the true message.

Wait, who do you think is right? Me or the other person?

The other dude....

Then what is the message?

Then what is the message?

abdelmessih101

Not to waste what God gave you....

[QUOTE="vitomanez"]When you said what can we eat? It really matters on the Christian Religion.abdelmessih101

Well, whenever there is a fast, we (Orthodox Christians) can't eat anything that came from animals - no meat or dairy. Sometimes seafood is okay, though. We essentially become vegetarians and eat imitation cheese, soy milk, veggie burgers, and all that other crap :P.

There are two big fasts during the year: one for 40 days before Christmas, and the other for 55 days before Easter. Other than that, there are other shorter fasts during the year, usually for a week or less, and when nothing special is going on, you're supposed to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]

Then what is the message?

LJS9502_basic

Not to waste what God gave you....

In that case, I don't understand how hiding the coin for fear of losing it is wasteful. Can you explain that to me?

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]

Then what is the message?

abdelmessih101

Not to waste what God gave you....

In that case, I don't understand how hiding the coin for fear of losing it is wasteful. Can you explain that to me?

Coin = talent. The one who hid his "talent' didn't make anything of himself. He wasted what God had given him.

You must enter with an open mind and believe - and the understanding will follow.

abdelmessih101

Believe it and then you will understand? That is the opposite of the way logic works. Which is exactly why I have trouble believing in something that only makes sense when you believe something regardless of the facts.This could also be termed as self-delusion.

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]

Then what is the message?

LJS9502_basic

Not to waste what God gave you....

In that case, I don't understand how hiding the coin for fear of losing it is wasteful. Can you explain that to me?

Coin = talent. The one who hid his "talent' didn't make anything of himself. He wasted what God had given him.

At that time, a talent was a unit of currency, so it wouldn't necessarily correspond with the modern English definition of talent in scope of ability.

If you are given something valuable, but you never use it, you are wasting it in the sense that you are not utilizing it. If you buy some really expensive chocolate because you like the taste of it, but you only eat an ounce every year, soon it will spoil and it will be no good. This is wasteful, because the inherent value of the product was wasted. Likewise if you hide money and never use it, its function is never realized, and it is wasted.

[QUOTE="muthsera666"]In only one of the stories is Jesus stabbed by the Spear of Destiny.

People by Jesus's tomb: Matthew had one man outside. Mark had two men standing outside. Luke had one angel standing outside. John had two angels standing outside.

There is only mention in one of the books of Jesus spending any time on Earth after his ressurection, I think.Revinh

Do you mind giving the chapter:verses?

Chapters are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Near the end of the chapters. Where Jesus is not there. And before that, while he is on the cross. I don't feel like digging up the Bible I have to tell you the exact verses. You should be able to find them fairly easy. There are online Bibles if you don't have easy access.

At that time, a talent was a unit of currency, so it wouldn't necessarily correspond with the modern English definition of talent in scope of ability.

If you are given something valuable, but you never use it, you are wasting it in the sense that you are not utilizing it. If you buy some really expensive chocolate because you like the taste of it, but you only eat an ounce every year, soon it will spoil and it will be no good. This is wasteful, because the inherent value of the product was wasted. Likewise if you hide money and never use it, its function is never realized, and it is wasted.

muthsera666

You missed the entire message with your literal translation. God is not concerned with monetary value...but with the person.

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]

Then what is the message?

LJS9502_basic

Not to waste what God gave you....

In that case, I don't understand how hiding the coin for fear of losing it is wasteful. Can you explain that to me?

Coin = talent. The one who hid his "talent' didn't make anything of himself. He wasted what God had given him.

Oh, well then my story is valid because it also has that same message.

[QUOTE="muthsera666"]

At that time, a talent was a unit of currency, so it wouldn't necessarily correspond with the modern English definition of talent in scope of ability.

If you are given something valuable, but you never use it, you are wasting it in the sense that you are not utilizing it. If you buy some really expensive chocolate because you like the taste of it, but you only eat an ounce every year, soon it will spoil and it will be no good. This is wasteful, because the inherent value of the product was wasted. Likewise if you hide money and never use it, its function is never realized, and it is wasted.

LJS9502_basic

You missed the entire message with your literal translation. God is not concerned with monetary value...but with the person.

It wasn't focused entirely on monetary value. If that is the way that you interpreted what I said, then you missed the entire message. If you equate value with money, then there may be something skewed with your perspectives.

Remeber talents are monetary units in that era, just as a book written in England would use pounds.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="muthsera666"]

At that time, a talent was a unit of currency, so it wouldn't necessarily correspond with the modern English definition of talent in scope of ability.

If you are given something valuable, but you never use it, you are wasting it in the sense that you are not utilizing it. If you buy some really expensive chocolate because you like the taste of it, but you only eat an ounce every year, soon it will spoil and it will be no good. This is wasteful, because the inherent value of the product was wasted. Likewise if you hide money and never use it, its function is never realized, and it is wasted.

muthsera666

You missed the entire message with your literal translation. God is not concerned with monetary value...but with the person.

It wasn't focused entirely on monetary value. If that is the way that you interpreted what I said, then you missed the entire message. If you equate value with money, then there may be something skewed with your perspectives.

Remeber talents are monetary units in that era, just as a book written in England would use pounds.

Personally I think the message you interpreted is wrong, or the story wasn't told well. If it was a person giving his children money or somesuch I may have agreed with you. But the person gave the money to his slaves for safekeeping while he was out of town. You don't keep money safe when you're risking it. I think the third slave did the right thing when he hid the money and kept it safe. I'm wondering, if the other slaves lost the money instead of doubling it, if the third slave would still be yelled at for doing what he was told to do.

[QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="muthsera666"]

At that time, a talent was a unit of currency, so it wouldn't necessarily correspond with the modern English definition of talent in scope of ability.

If you are given something valuable, but you never use it, you are wasting it in the sense that you are not utilizing it. If you buy some really expensive chocolate because you like the taste of it, but you only eat an ounce every year, soon it will spoil and it will be no good. This is wasteful, because the inherent value of the product was wasted. Likewise if you hide money and never use it, its function is never realized, and it is wasted.

Zagrius

You missed the entire message with your literal translation. God is not concerned with monetary value...but with the person.

It wasn't focused entirely on monetary value. If that is the way that you interpreted what I said, then you missed the entire message. If you equate value with money, then there may be something skewed with your perspectives.

Remeber talents are monetary units in that era, just as a book written in England would use pounds.

Personally I think the message you interpreted is wrong, or the story wasn't told well. If it was a person giving his children money or somesuch I may have agreed with you. But the person gave the money to his slaves for safekeeping while he was out of town. You don't keep money safe when you're risking it. I think the third slave did the right thing when he hid the money and kept it safe. I'm wondering, if the other slaves lost the money instead of doubling it, if the third slave would still be yelled at for doing what he was told to do.

The version I was taught when I was Christian is that it was a father giving his sons the talents. Or maybe a master to his servents. I was never told anything about slaves. That doesn't surprise me, though. The Christians I know pick and choose from the Bible.

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]

You must enter with an open mind and believe - and the understanding will follow.

muthsera666

Believe it and then you will understand? That is the opposite of the way logic works. Which is exactly why I have trouble believing in something that only makes sense when you believe something regardless of the facts.This could also be termed as self-delusion.

Again, it's not something I'm believing without proof. I've experienced God working in my life and the lives of those around me every single day. Whether it's a high grade on a test I didn't deserve, an extra dollar in my pocket that wasn't there before, or in my dad's case, being cured from paralysis, I see God working with me and helping me in my life every day - and it feels awesome.You can't expect to understand it if you expect it to be logical - because religion deals with things logic can't explain.

If you're not happy with your life right now, why don't you just try it ... what do you have to lose? Really make an honest attempt to try Orthodox Christianity for a while, and if you don't like the changes you've made, go back to the way you were before. I'm confident that, given the right circumstances, you will be happy with the change.

[QUOTE="muthsera666"]

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]

You must enter with an open mind and believe - and the understanding will follow.

abdelmessih101

Believe it and then you will understand? That is the opposite of the way logic works. Which is exactly why I have trouble believing in something that only makes sense when you believe something regardless of the facts.This could also be termed as self-delusion.

Again, it's not something I'm believing without proof.I've experienced God working in my life and the lives of those around me every single day.Whether it'sa high grade on a testI didn't earn, an extra dollar in my pocketthatwasn't there before, or in my dad's case, being cured from paralysis, I see Godworkingwith me and helping me in my life every day - and it feelsawesome.You can't expect to understand it if you expect it to be logical - because religion deals with things logic can't explain.

Why don't you just try it ... what do you have to lose? Really make an honest attempt to try Orthodox Christianity for a while, and if you don't like the changes you've made, go back to the way you were before. I'm confident that, given the right circumstances, you will be happy with the change.

I was Christian for 10 years or so. I was disgusted with the lack of logical thought in everyone else who was there. If I raised a question that someone had difficulty with, I was told to not worry about it; it wasn't important.

Logic can explain most things. I won't make the claim that it will explain everything becuase that requires believing in a certain school of thought. I tend to believe in logic itself, but not that everything is logical. (There are some things that logic cannot explain, such as the mind of a female. Just kidding, ladies. :P)

What do I have to lose? Angering a god of a different religion that has as much statistical chance of existence as God.

WIth the examples you gave, I attribute them to my abilities rather than divine power. I gained the knowledge for the test through studying and attending class. Even if I didn't know the answer, the material was circulating in my head, which would therefore enable a greater chance of guessing correctly. A dollar appearing in the pocket? I put it there earlier. Think about it. If God was all-powerful, giving me one dollar isn't going to do much. Now if he did that a thousand times in one day, we might be able to have a conversation. :P

I have a hard time moving away from logic as few things makes sense without it. Generally, I don't believe anything until I have come to some understanding of it, and I have seen little in Christianity (or many other religions) which work well with the concept of logic.

See, that's what sucks ... I understand what you mean ... I've been there. I know what it feels like to ask a question that I needed answered only to be given a vague response that didn't answer anything. I stuck with it, thanks to parents and family, and recently, it all started making sense, and now, I feel like I have a much greater understanding than I would've had I rejected religion. I'm well equipped to answer many of my own questions that were never answered before. I understand why some of those question really don't matter in the big picture, and now, I'm finding ways to combine my religion with things like science and everyday life. I really feel sorry for those that didn't get a chance to experience the feelings I have through God. I'm excited to start building a real relationship with God, and I wish everyone else was too, because it's the best relationship a person could have. I honestly believe with all of my heart, and without a shadow of a doubt, that my God is the one true God.

[QUOTE="Zagrius"][QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="muthsera666"]

At that time, a talent was a unit of currency, so it wouldn't necessarily correspond with the modern English definition of talent in scope of ability.

If you are given something valuable, but you never use it, you are wasting it in the sense that you are not utilizing it. If you buy some really expensive chocolate because you like the taste of it, but you only eat an ounce every year, soon it will spoil and it will be no good. This is wasteful, because the inherent value of the product was wasted. Likewise if you hide money and never use it, its function is never realized, and it is wasted.

muthsera666

You missed the entire message with your literal translation. God is not concerned with monetary value...but with the person.

It wasn't focused entirely on monetary value. If that is the way that you interpreted what I said, then you missed the entire message. If you equate value with money, then there may be something skewed with your perspectives.

Remeber talents are monetary units in that era, just as a book written in England would use pounds.

Personally I think the message you interpreted is wrong, or the story wasn't told well. If it was a person giving his children money or somesuch I may have agreed with you. But the person gave the money to his slaves for safekeeping while he was out of town. You don't keep money safe when you're risking it. I think the third slave did the right thing when he hid the money and kept it safe. I'm wondering, if the other slaves lost the money instead of doubling it, if the third slave would still be yelled at for doing what he was told to do.

The version I was taught when I was Christian is that it was a father giving his sons the talents. Or maybe a master to his servents. I was never told anything about slaves. That doesn't surprise me, though. The Christians I know pick and choose from the Bible.

i'm seeing the Hebrew word commonly used today for slaves. Perhaps then it was also used for servants (even today, if you'd translate the English sentence of 'I'm your loyal servant' to Hebrew and then translated it back English literally you'd get 'I'm your loyal slave'). So maybe it is also used for servants. Then again I see the Hebrew word for slavemaster, but it could also mean servant master or somesuch. The Hebrew language always surprised and annoys me.

Anyway, my personal interpetation of the story gives a rather bad moral. Of course, I'm not a theologist, and don't presume to say that it's what was meant, but that's what I understand when I read that story.

It wasn't focused entirely on monetary value. If that is the way that you interpreted what I said, then you missed the entire message. If you equate value with money, then there may be something skewed with your perspectives.

Remeber talents are monetary units in that era, just as a book written in England would use pounds.

muthsera666

Remember...parables were never merely about what the surface of the story was.;)

"Yes, Jesus is God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; they are a trinity, but exist as one entity. Again, you can believe what you what, but if you believe otherwise, than you are mistaken."


I want to know the logic behind that.hagiiiiiiiiii

Because the trinity, meaning the Father (God in heaven), the Son (God as a human on Earth, i.e., Jesus), and the Holy Spirit , are all one entity. They each serve a different purpose, but all with the same goal in mind. God is our goal (to be with Him in Heaven), Jesus is our model (what would Jesus do?), and the Holy Spirit is our guide (tells us what is right/wrong).

I never said there was more than one God, all I said was that God exists as a trinity, yet is still one entity. Are you going to tell me that frozen ice, distilled liquid water, and steam are not all still H20? Just as water can exist in the solid, liquid, gas form all at the same time (the triple point of water), God exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all at the same time. Yet there is still only God, as water is still only one molecule.

Also one more thing, the other 2 holy religions, Islam, Judaism all prevent people from drinking and eating Pork, isn't possible that it was in the Bible, but it was changed by the priests? Logically speaking, the more of something the lesser it's originality becomes.hagiiiiiiiiii

The Torah in Judaism is essentially the Old Testament of the Holy Christian Bible. Before Jesus, there was no Christianity, there was only Judiasm, so everyone who is now a Jew would've been a Christian before Jesus. Once Jesus came, there were the Jews who accepted him as the Messaih, and those who didn't. The Jews who followed Jesus thus became the first Christians, and the Jews who didn't follow Jesus remained Jews and are still waiting for their messiah today.

According to Christian belief, Jesus came and rewrote everything that was written that was in the Old Testament and made the New Testament (thus the controversy of why some Jews refused to believe he was the messiah). A classic example of the changes include that the Old Testament says 'a tooth for a tooth' and 'an eye for an eye' but Jesus instead introduces the 'turn the other cheek' mentality. Of course, these aren't the exact words from the Bible - but they're close.

As for Islam, the only thing I know about Islam is that their prophet is Mohammed ... I know their book is called the Quran, but I don't know where that came from. I also recently learned that they believe in a point system for entry into Heaven. For example, when you greet someone and say "Salam alekoom" (the best I could do to write how it's pronounced), you get 40 (or whatever theactual 'value' is)points, and if the other person doesn't say the same thing back, they lose 40 points, and so on. Also, you're only allowed to enter someone's house with your right foot first ... it's an insult if you enter with your left foot first. I have now clue where any of these rules, or where the Quran, originated, and I would love to learn some more if anyone knows.

As for Islam, the only thing I know about Islam is that their prophet is Mohammed ... I know their book is called the Quran, but I don't know where that came from. I also recently learned that they believe in a point system for entry into Heaven. For example, when you greet someone and say "Salam alekoom" (the best I could do to write how it's pronounced), you get 40 (or whatever theactual 'value' is)points, and if the other person doesn't say the same thing back, they lose 40 points, and so on. Also, you're only allowed to enter someone's house with your right foot first ... it's an insult if you enter with your left foot first. I have now clue where any of these rules, or where the Quran, originated, and I would love to learn some more if anyone knows.

abdelmessih101

Just few more questions

God is the almighty creator of the earth, heaven, and all the universe, and yet, on account of a sin committed by one person, He ascribes the blame on all his progeny, who are completely unaware of the (sinful) deed (committed by their forefather); is this possible? And why is it that He did not find any other way than sacrificing His own son as an atonement for them? Is it worthy of His Majesty?


2nd question, "Jesus asked the fig tree to give fruit prematurely, and then withered it because it would not give fruit. It is impossible for a tree to give fruit out of season. Despite this fact, would it not be cruelty for Jesus to get angry with the tree and wither it? Could a Prophet be cruel?"hagiiiiiiiiii

For your first question: In my blog, "Bible Interpretation, Free Will, and the Big Band" it explains my belief that the story of Adam and Eve, is simply a story, completely open to interpretation. It is not verbatum, there was no flesh and blood Adam that once walked the Garden of Eden. As for sacrificing his own son, people are extremely blind. We needed something on that scale to make people realize what we have done. The world was given to us, and we were free to make it the most peaceful and prosperous place in existence. Turn on CNN, look what we've done. Read a history book, look what we've done. We still have AIDS and cancer, but we perfected the nuke decades ago.

For your 2nd question: Once again, the bible is not to be taken literally. My interpretation of that story is this: God asked the tree to do what it was naturally intended to do, what it was created to do, on the lowest scale. He didn't ask something crazy like "Get up and dance, tree!" because a tree isn't capable. I believe the story means that Jesus asks us to do the bare minimum, follow the Ten Commandments and be morale people to our best ability. If not, God will smite us. I hope I answered your questions sufficiently.