Life forever

look3467

Council Member
Dec 13, 2006
1,952
15
38
Northern California
Sorry Look, but as has been said hundreds of years earlier - "I have no need for that hypothesis."

God explains nothing, predicts nothing, helps nothing. The concept of god is a pointless appendage left over from ages of darkness, superstition and ignorance. We no longer need it.

I have nothing left to say. . .

Pangloss

I'm OK with that. But not true with me, for I have plenty to say (I bet you haven't noticed) and what best about it, is that what I say condemns no one!

All positive as God would have it be.

Have a nice day:smile:
 

Dexter Sinister

Unspecified Specialist
Oct 1, 2004
10,168
539
113
Regina, SK
Well Dexter, you said it correctly, it was reported. The resource for a better understanding of what He said is from Jesus Himself.

Yes, I know I said it correctly. Jesus is not the author of any of the books in the New Testament. We have nothing that he wrote himself. It was all reported by others. All of it. There is no other resource.
 

sanctus

The Padre
Oct 27, 2006
4,558
48
48
Ontario
www.poetrypoem.com
Jesus is reported as having said a lot of things that turned out not be true. At least 8 times, for instance, he's reporting as having said things that clearly indicated either the end of the world or his second advent would occur within the lifetimes of the people listening to him: Matthew 10:23, 16:28, 23:36, and 24:34; Mark 9:1; Luke 8:27, 21:32, and John 21:22. Paul clearly indicates several times that he believed it too, and many of his prescriptions and recommendations for correct behaviour are rooted in that belief. James and Peter also clearly say they expected it within their lifetimes as well. Hasn't happened. I don't see any good reason to take any of this stuff seriously.


You're not quite correct, but you are correct.:) We tend not to take those things too literally. Jesus did not specifically perhaps refer to a definite time frame, per se. Though it certainly seems as if He did. most Biblical scholars feel He was using metaphors. The Apostles, however, Paul certainly, took Him literally and were certain His return would happen in their lifetimes.
 

Dexter Sinister

Unspecified Specialist
Oct 1, 2004
10,168
539
113
Regina, SK
most Biblical scholars feel He was using metaphors.
That's kind of the issue, isn't it? Things that were once taken literally but we now know to be false--the creation stories are only the most obvious examples--are interpreted as metaphors (except by raving fundies, of course), other things are taken as true as stated, and there's no internal clue in scripture as to which is which. On what basis, for instance, can we decide whether the statement you started this thread with, "I am the way, the truth and the life" is to be taken as true as stated, or in some metaphorical sense?
 

AndyF

Electoral Member
Jan 5, 2007
384
7
18
Ont
some of us are still in the void and some of us are not.

By our own choice. Post redemptive determination to dirty the slate once again.

This verse whether accepted or not renders all opposing arguments concerning God as null and void.

For example?

If understood, then life begins, if not then life continues as is, till death.

Just one thing here. "If I proved I understood by the way I conduct myself in life", then real life began anew.

The only advantage a believer has over the non-believer is a re-birth and the struggle to grow.

Redemption occured for the non-believer too. The slate is cleansed for him also. What occurs from now on is an opportunity that really comes "once in a lifetime".

and salvation is.....
"made possible".

The best (Good) people on earth are the ones who....

love God with their whole heart, and their neighbour as themselves.

Ref: NT, Jesus asked, "What is the heart of the law.?"

AndyF
 

look3467

Council Member
Dec 13, 2006
1,952
15
38
Northern California
By our own choice. Post redemptive determination to dirty the slate once again. >>>AndyF
Not sure I understood your response there, but my meaning was that Redemptive determination has been eliminated at the cross. And what is left ids behavioral determination here on earth.


This verse whether accepted or not renders all opposing arguments concerning God as null and void.>>>AJ
Verse in question, is "I am the way, the truth and the life" [John 14:6].


For example?>>>AndyF
Meaning that Christ died for all, and if understood as such, for the believer there would be no argument, but because it is not accepted as such, arguments ensue.

Just one thing here. "If I proved I understood by the way I conduct myself in life", then real life began anew.>>>AndyF

Proved by your behavior under whose rules? God’s or mankind's?

Redemption occurred for the non-believer too. The slate is cleansed for him also. What occurs from now on is an opportunity that really comes "once in a lifetime".>>>AndyF

Not there you have my 100% agreement. The opportunity afforded us is to put our salvation to good use. But first, salvation has to be understood as having it, so that we can know we are free to explore its qualities. In other words, working our salvation out, if you know what I mean.

"made possible".>>>AndyF

Salvation was made possible!

love God with their whole heart, and their neighbor as themselves.>>>AndyF

That was made without reference to God by me to prove a point that Godless people can be good too.

Ref: NT, Jesus asked, "What is the heart of the law.?" >>>AndyF

Or in other words; what is the spirit of the law?

Peace>>>AJ:love9:
 

lysyfacet

Life is good!
Apr 12, 2007
258
5
18
Brampton, ON
i believe in everything he wrote above starting this thread. I have accepted christ and thats what it says you need to do to get eternal life. Also to spread and pronounce your faith.
I did it...i'm a born again christian :D
 

AndyF

Electoral Member
Jan 5, 2007
384
7
18
Ont
Look3467:

prove a point that Godless people can be good too.
Except that godless people are not according to God what is due Him, and that is worship and recognition of Him has an expression of Charity and thanks. Everything good we create and possess belongs to God and is pre-owned, and so it is always an incomplete insincere exercise if one doesn't believe the Owner exists. Good acts find total completion when they have finally returned to the Owner.

NewAdvent.org/Good states our good is a contribution to the whole and destined to return to it's source. The source of all good is God it's owner.

"....And then arises the question, what is the end towards which this providence directs the universe? The end again is the good, i.e.God Himself. Not indeed that, as in the case of creatures He may derive any advantage or perfection from the world, but that it, by participating in His goodness, may manifest it. This manifestation is what we understand by the expression, giving glory to God. God is the Alpha and the Omega of the good; the source from which it flows, the end to which it returns."

AndyF
 
Last edited:

AndyF

Electoral Member
Jan 5, 2007
384
7
18
Ont
Meaning that Christ died for all, and if understood as such,.......

Proved by your behavior under whose rules? God’s or mankind's?

Losing track here I see. We were discussing Christ in this point. Our behaviour would then be following Christ's(God's) rules has he instructed. Simply understanding what Christ means without putting it into action has no value.

I sense your having a hard time understanding redemption, and seems to follow some Protestant salvific doctrine as such. Hard to shake off their misinformation hey? ;-) You keep coming back in the belief we are already saved, therefore having the credentials to heaven at all times no matter what we do from now on. It means(once again) that we are placed in friendship with God where once we had a falling out, and from now on our efforts, thanks to Christ's sacrifice, will make it possible for us to enter heaven.

The opportunity afforded us is to put our salvation to good use.

Ok, I see the problem here. You use the word salvation in terms of our redemptive state. That's a little too close to Protestant meaning to be comfortable for me, I would use redemption instead. Christ hoped that the redemption he offered would save us.

AndyF
 

look3467

Council Member
Dec 13, 2006
1,952
15
38
Northern California
i believe in everything he wrote above starting this thread. I have accepted Christ and thats what it says you need to do to get eternal life. Also to spread and pronounce your faith.
I did it...I'm a born again Christian :D

I am with you 100%
May the full blessings of the Kingdom (Christs) be yours to exercise here on earth as you serve your fellow brother and sister.

A brother in Christ>>>AJ:love9:
 

look3467

Council Member
Dec 13, 2006
1,952
15
38
Northern California
Except that godless people are not according to God what is due Him, and that is worship and recognition of Him has an expression of Charity and thanks.>>>AndyF
Agreed!


Everything good we create and possess belongs to God and is pre-owned, and so it is always an incomplete insincere exercise if one doesn't believe the Owner exists. Good acts find total completion when they have finally returned to the Owner.
Agreed!

Good states our good is a contribution to the whole and destined to return to it's source. The source of all good is God it's owner.
Absolutely!

"....And then arises the question, what is the end towards which this providence directs the universe? The end again is the good, i.e.God Himself. Not indeed that, as in the case of creatures He may derive any advantage or perfection from the world, but that it, by participating in His goodness, may manifest it. This manifestation is what we understand by the expression, giving glory to God. God is the Alpha and the Omega of the good; the source from which it flows, the end to which it returns."

AndyF, with all that I am in agreement.

Peace>>>AJ:love9:
 

look3467

Council Member
Dec 13, 2006
1,952
15
38
Northern California
Losing track here I see. We were discussing Christ in this point. Our behavior would then be following Christ's(God's) rules has he instructed. Simply understanding what Christ means without putting it into action has no value.>>>AndyF

Our behavior apart from what Christ came to null and void are two separate things.
Eternal separation is what Christ came to fix, at the cost of God, we are given free reign in Christ.

Meaning is this, that eternal damnation which was before the coming of Christ is now non-existent as a result of Christ’s work. But, our behavior is still accountable to us at our expanse.

I sense you’re having a hard time understanding redemption, and seems to follow some Protestant salvific doctrine as such.>>>AndyF

I believe I understand it correctly.
The original state of mankind was spiritual death due to separation. How can God fix it or how can He redeem it, to a state of life?
God redeemed mankind’s death state by complying with His own requirements of righteousness and nailing it to the cross ending that world as it was.

If death came to all mankind by one man, (Flesh Adam) then life also comes to all mankind by flesh (Adam Jesus). There are no grey areas, it is all or none.

Hard to shake off their misinformation hey? ;-)You keep coming back in the belief we are already saved, therefore having the credentials to heaven at all times no matter what we do from now on.>>>>AndyF
The belief is that salvation has already been granted or predestined. But the acknowledgment of that is what we need to get, which translates into being saved.
Those who acknowledge their gift are saved, and their salvation is worked out of them by the Holy Spirit who dwells in their hearts.

It means(once again) that we are placed in friendship with God where once we had a falling out, and from now on our efforts, thanks to Christ's sacrifice, will make it possible for us to enter heaven.>>>AndyF

This is where my new understanding brings me to Andy, and that I understood it as you have explained it above, but now see it differently because I have come into new knowledge.

Our efforts have no bearing on our salvation, because that was solely on Christ’s shoulders as a gift to us for free.

Acknowledging that gift and receiving it is gaining access to Christ’s Kingdom as sons.

That is referred to as being born again. And that I believe is what you may have meant by being a friend of God.

You will see that I will not disagree with you much in that I see things now from a different perspective.

My perspective is much more inclusive of all souls regardless of their state of belief.

Ok, I see the problem here. You use the word salvation in terms of our redemptive state. That's a little too close to Protestant meaning to be comfortable for me, I would use redemption instead. Christ hoped that the redemption he offered would save us. >>>AndyF
Let me say one thing and that is, that salvation is a gift waiting to be received. In receiving requires no work on our part because it is a free gift.

But because many will not receive it in this life time, does not condemn them to eternal death.

Peace>>>AJ:love9: