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Is that like theology on parole after having gotten out of prison for doing wrong?
Glad I'm not all caught up in religion, I'll stick with God's Word.
Thank ya, thank ya very much
Glad I'm not all caught up in religion, I'll stick with God's Word.
Thank ya, thank ya very much
Reformed theology is not theology on parole after having gotten out of prison. It sticks with God's word and is not religion, it is a branch of the tree of Christianity. I hate the bad rep they get, a lot of it undeserved and not needed. Elvis is dead, bring him back to his grave. Thanks. God bless.
Thought and terminology applied to that thought are not a form of "religion" but the application of mental faculties in appreciating the Lord all the more. Reformed Christianity encourages this, but that is not to say that other denominations don't do the same. Whenever this vital aspect of life is sated, the Christian is better off for it.
Things which we would consider religious trappings and traditions were at one point new and different too. Liturgy, clergy-specific garb and a minimalist approach to worship music are every bit as valid as a Pentecostal free-for-all. Either way, there is a form (or therelackof) at work. People who insist on disorder for all are every bit as stodgy and religious as those who champion order for all.
My understanding is that the crude dividing line between a religious institution and a church is a question of authority- when the preacher stands before you, is he guiding you as a brother or claiming to be the singular doorway to redemption or an institution that brings redemption.
In the essentials, Unity. In the non-essentials, Liberty. In all things, Charity. Peace be with you, brothers.
Theology means the study of God. In a sense, anyone who is a Christian or is not a Christian is some type of theologian whether they realize it or not. There is nothing wrong with labels, they can help define things. Reformed theology whose focus is on God is based on the writings of Luther, Calvin, and others on how God reveals himself in the Old and New Testaments as well as other important matters. I am not Reformed, but I respect those of that tradition in the Christian faith and I find a lot of depth in that theology as discussed by R.C. Sproul and others. God bless.
I cannot read the Lord’s mind. All I can tell you is what he said about homosexuality:
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Lev 18:22 RSV
I can tell you from my own personal experience that immoral sexual lust is a destroyer of life, but only the Lord completely understands its implications.
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Lev 18:22 RSV
I can tell you from my own personal experience that immoral sexual lust is a destroyer of life, but only the Lord completely understands its implications.
It sounds like you are trying to understand God as if he is human. God doesn't need to "advertise". He's God. People advertise because they need something, customers, donations, support, etc... But God doesn't need anything. He doesn't need you. Does he love you? Yes. Does he want you to be saved? Yes. But it's not him that's losing out if someone chooses to disrespect him and his will.
God's design from the beginning was male and female----- God designed it for chi!dren and families---- God is against many things which are out of His order----sex outside marriage----God even put a tree in the Garden of Eden------ don't eat it---- God tests our obedience to His Word----to be promoted we must be tested--- we must pass the test to be promoted---- some of the most miserable people on Earth are disobedient Christians---- Grace and Peace
K
No,Im not saying that at all. I am saying there are consequences to sin. There is right and wrong.God gives us a choice,life and death. Sin brings death.You can choose life,but its up to you. He sent His Son to die,He's given us His Word, He's given us every chance to turn from death and choose life. But in the end,if you want to continue in sin then you're making your choice. God is just and He says He doesn't anyone to die in their sin,but He can't force you to make the right choice.
You'd think he'd make sure people weren't confused as to which God is real, since he's given man no reason to expect him instead of the many other Gods, if he cared you'd think he'd make sure everyone knew he was God so they could choose properly. It's not a yes or no answer if there are more than two choices.
People are confused because they want to be.
"To every man was given the measure of faith."
"No man comes to the father except that they are drawn by the Spirit."
You can even believe in God unless he helps you do so. Which he does. But if you keep denying him and turning his Spirit away, then that Spirit just might get tired of hanging out where he clearly isn't wanted after a while.
"To every man was given the measure of faith."
"No man comes to the father except that they are drawn by the Spirit."
You can even believe in God unless he helps you do so. Which he does. But if you keep denying him and turning his Spirit away, then that Spirit just might get tired of hanging out where he clearly isn't wanted after a while.
My moral standards are based on empathy
Empathy is the human ability to share in feelings and emotions, by using our empathy we can know which of our actions hurt our fellow human, which help them and which ones don't affect them negatively or positively.
Adultry hurts our fellow human
Rape hurts our fellow human
Stealing,
Killing,
Attacking (causing physical harm)
Causing emotional harm
Disrespect hurts fellow humans
Mistreating yourself is also immoral, because the list applies to everyone even if the victim and perpetrator are one and the same.
As the circle of nature is animals are going to be good sometimes but as intelligent beings it our job not to cause them suffering.
The list goes on. But there's more to my morality than just not hurting others.
Consent is very important to humans, and even though in many cases animals don't take harm from sexual actions with humans they still can't consent so having sex with them is essentially rape.
Even lies that never affect anyone are immoral, because to lie you are manipulating and one lie leads to the next, and be a lie can not make anything that is good.
I could go on forever telling you how you don't need an old book to be moral but I won't, because it's honestly dumb to think that everyone who doesn't follow your God struggles with lack of moral compass, the human feeling of empathy is much better better equipped as a moral compass than your book.
And yes, I don't consider homosexuality immoral because in terms of empathy based morality it's perfectly harmless.
Empathy is the human ability to share in feelings and emotions, by using our empathy we can know which of our actions hurt our fellow human, which help them and which ones don't affect them negatively or positively.
Adultry hurts our fellow human
Rape hurts our fellow human
Stealing,
Killing,
Attacking (causing physical harm)
Causing emotional harm
Disrespect hurts fellow humans
Mistreating yourself is also immoral, because the list applies to everyone even if the victim and perpetrator are one and the same.
As the circle of nature is animals are going to be good sometimes but as intelligent beings it our job not to cause them suffering.
The list goes on. But there's more to my morality than just not hurting others.
Consent is very important to humans, and even though in many cases animals don't take harm from sexual actions with humans they still can't consent so having sex with them is essentially rape.
Even lies that never affect anyone are immoral, because to lie you are manipulating and one lie leads to the next, and be a lie can not make anything that is good.
I could go on forever telling you how you don't need an old book to be moral but I won't, because it's honestly dumb to think that everyone who doesn't follow your God struggles with lack of moral compass, the human feeling of empathy is much better better equipped as a moral compass than your book.
And yes, I don't consider homosexuality immoral because in terms of empathy based morality it's perfectly harmless.
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