Scroll down for a discussion on Jesus Is My Health Insurance within the Non-Insurance Related Discussion.
Originally Posted by Winter
Indeed. Jesus was not a Christian either.
Winter
Actually Christian means Christ-like. Although Jesus was a Jew, he was the Christian ...
I suppose there was argument earlier amongst others that has since ended...but It appeared you were referring to me and JSF...where there is no argument...
Agreed, no argument, simply a difference of opinion, perhaps a debate for later, and different ways of getting at the same thing - none of which affects our Christianity.
I really am going to be short on time. In the meantime I'd like to leave some more links, just in case someone is looking/seeking. They are on a website I own; it's not much, mainly a portal for these links, but feel free to look around.
------------------------------------ Nature has established patterns originating in the return of events, but only for the most part. -- Gottfried von Leibniz 1703 Under similar conditions, the occurrence (or non-occurrence) of an event in the future will follow the same pattern as was observed in the past. -- Jacob Bernoulli Ars Conjectandi 1713
Actually Christian means Christ-like. Although Jesus was a Jew, he was the Christian of all Christians.
Only in a very intellectual way. Otherwise, Christians are the followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ. There are several masters within Hinduism who are considered to be Christ-like to Hindus. That does not make them Christian by relgious affiliation though. They are Hindus.
Only in a very intellectual way. Otherwise, Christians are the followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ. There are several masters within Hinduism who are considered to be Christ-like to Hindus. That does not make them Christian by relgious affiliation though. They are Hindus.
Winter
No...Christian literally means Christ-like.
How can a Hindu be considered Christ-like? Is there a death, burial, and resurrection involved with hinduism?
If god is all knowing, he obviously knew his son would be "back" after his apparent death. So what was the sacrifice? All god did is make is son suffer. I do that all the time without causing physical harm to my son. What kind of a father is god?
And if Jesus died for my sins and then came back to life, did he actually die?
While I certainly don't believe in god, why should anyone support such a cruel, vindictive god?
My mother had a massive stroke 6 years go. She survived but can't walk or speak. People say "thank God she survived." Bullshit. Condem God for giving her the stroke if he actually exists.
If I offend, I really don't apologize. I reject all notion that there is a god and frankly believe we would all be better off if there was no religion in the world.
------------------------------------ ILIAA
Training, Community, Support, and Success Independent Life Insurance Agents Assn rick@iliaa.org
I think trying to follow the teachings of the Bible while living in America is like a fat person trying to stay on a diet while trapped in an all you can eat buffet .
------------------------------------ Health Insurance Agents: Training, Support, Discounts, E&O for $440 www.ihiaa.com
How can a Hindu be considered Christ-like? Is there a death, burial, and resurrection involved with hinduism?
The original point was that Jesus was not a Christian either during his time on earth. It is only his followers that became known as Christians.
Jesus did not die, resurrect, etc. during his time of teachings on this earth. That only came at the end if it came at all. Jesus was a Jew.
Also, many, if not most, of the early Christians did not necessarily believe that Jesus literally resurrected. Many did but many did not. However, the literal resurrection crowd eventually won out so to speak and that belief became part of the Nicene Creed.
I think trying to follow the teachings of the Bible while living in America is like a fat person trying to stay on a diet while trapped in an all you can eat buffet .
Yeah the Gnostics were cool. They basically thought that this world and the god that created it were naturally evil, and that it's up to humankind to bring light to the world. And anyone who doesn't think God can be a real jerk should just take a look at what he did to the Jews, his chosen people! Yay for Gnosticism!
Ummm there is one thing that kind of refutes Gnosticism: Thomas.
Thomas was considered a hero for gnosticism. Though at first skeptical of Jesus as the physically risen Lord and God, Thomas comes around to this orthodox belief after touching Jesus, the Crucified One. Doubting Thomas addresses the risen Jesus as "My Lord and My God".
I think it's near impossible (not impossible, NEAR impossible) to live in this county and follow the teachings of Jesus. Go to to dinner at TGI Fridays and ask yourself if Jesus would recommend that over taking that same money and giving it to the poor. Would Jesus recommend that new car or recommend the absolute bare minimum for transportation and use the money to help others.
Just giving to charity doesn't follow Jesus' teachings anyway and deeds alone also won't save you. It's dedicating your life to helping others while living the most meager lifestyle for yourself. Anything less and you're going to hell so everyone can stop fooling themselves. The Bible covers very well that's it not enough to be "a good person." Many good people, according to Jesus and the Bible, are going straight to hell.
Rather than proclaim someone is foolish who believes otherwise, can you give me one biblical example where Jesus said we had to live a "meager lifestyle" in order to make it to heaven?
Would you think you can personally not live a meager lifestyle or give me an example of when you should "treat yourself" instead of giving to others?
The problem is Christians are in very deep denial. They think they can have their cake and eat it too. It's enough to most people to basically "be nice" - give a little to charity but also live in a very nice fashion.
I believe what you're looking for is when the rich man came to Jesus and asked how he can enter the gates of Heaven. Jesus replied that he must give away everything he has. Is that what you're looking for?
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Now...I find it odd that Christians are willing to do battle over whether Noah's Ark is true - basically stating that everything in the Bible is the word of God - yet when it comes to things that JESUS HIMSELF CLEARLY STATES then THAT is what's open to interpretation. Insane. Jesus told the rich man to sell everything he has in order to enter Heaven. If you think that's too tall of an order to follow, then per the Bible you're going to hell.
The one thing the rich man was not willing to give up was his money and Jesus knew it...that is why Jesus addressed that to him. With some people it is their pride, with some it is their habits, with this man it was his possessions. Jesus is stating that unless we are willing to give up what is most dear to us we can not enter heaven.
Jesus does not ask every person to give away everything they own and live like a pauper.
There is however a definite spirit of capitalism that prevents many people from coming to God...that I will give you. But moreso than that, it is the spirit of pride that usually keeps people from honestly seeking God and preferring to complain about the absence of true Christians in the world.
I think all the Christians will have a lot of fun explaining the way they lived their lives, the things they bought when they could have used the money for the poor, look at God and say "Whoaaa......you mean you ACTUALLY wanted me to follow in the foot steps of Jesus? Hey....that's a little hard to do when that Ipod's on sale. I know I lived in that $300,000 house but remember that I kicked out a few hun to the poor that year."
To be Christian to me isn't just calling yourself Christian and cherry picking the things that are easy and leaving out the stuff that's hard. To me being a Christian is also doing all the hard stuff - and I don't know a single true Christian in my life. I know a lot of wannabe's who are fooling themselves into thinking they're getting into Heaven and have developed these "well that's not really what Jesus meant" paradigms to justify their lifestyle.
Notice that the rich man is identified as someone with many possessions before he encounters Jesus...it is setting the stage for what Jesus says to him. That man's identity was his wealth.
Linear Mode
