grogan2767 said:
Any time. Keep in mind, I'm not someone you are just trying to witness to. I was a full blown Born Again beleiver, and studied the Bible an theology for years. I am an ex-Christian. Bring it if you like.
Try to defend it.
You say I am insulting. Christianity is insulting. Let's be fair. Something can be insulting and be true. I say it is clearly a lie, you don;t. We can go from there if you want to.
Why is it a lie, because you didnt agree with Gods methods? And when I say that, im not conceding the conclusions that you have made from those verses, as I believe you have left out most of the story. I just want to get the gist of what made you change your mind after 20 years.
You see, ironically, I came to Christianity from the opposite direction. Much of my experience growing up Jewish was of people telling God what to do, instead of believing that we are here to serve His needs, not the other way around. If God has a plan and God has a method, its not my place to say hes wrong or doesnt exist because I disagree.
And I do agree with you that it shouldnt be that half the Christians are out there obsessing on whether they are being "good enough". Im wondering what denomination your experience was. My first Church experience after being Saved was in a traditional, conservative, Baptist Church in South Carolina. Suit and Ties. People just standing there while the choir sang. No personal relationship with ************. Everybody being shamed into being "obediant enough" to the church. I knew that wasnt why I was Saved. I found my walk after watching the Passion of the Christ and being reminded who it was I was following, not some pastor, not some church. It was about ************. And he didnt care if i wore a suit or jeans and a sweatshirt. And secondly I started worshiping at Black Churches. A friend of mine invited me to Friday night revival service. 2 Black churches combined in East Florence, SC. I was the only white guy out of 200 people, people were falling out all around me, the praising was through the roof, and I never felt so safe and so free in my life. From then on I sought out non-denominational praising churches where the focus will always be on Jesus and on the Bible and on praising and worship.
I have found nothing but love at the church i ended up going to in SC and the one ive found here in Kansas. And while the truth may hurt, our God doesnt ask much of us. If we turn our backs to Him, its kind of strange to think he's going to be there. Its not up to Him to prove anything to us, Hes God and we're not. But if we take that step to Him, He will take two back to us. This has been my experience.
I do believe in Redemption. And I do believe in Salvation. And I do believe God forgives us if we ask for it. Bad things do happen and I have no clue why. Only God does. But even in the worst of tragedies good comes out of it. Its been true in my life.
And it'll be true for those who have suffered in Christ. God doesnt send people to Hell, He provides a way out of Hell.
I dont make it so. God does.
You can reject that if you want. I dont force anything on you. And you know what, God doesnt force it on you either.
Ive tried to make that clear in all my posts. This isnt a mall parking lot and im not getting into your grill. You are reading this of your own will.
I do not call you names. I have respect for you.
This is pretty much what I have to say about it.