My Views on God and our Origin

[Faith-Not-Religion]

I'm not sure if this is unacceptable for this forum but i am doing a Study of Religion assignments and i just need some other intelligent christians to give me some feedback on this introduction i have written. PLease don't take this as offensive as it is just my opinion and i am more than happy to have a reasonable discussion, in fact that is why i am here. please read carefully and only post helpful comments.

God; a physical being, or just a word which we continually try to define, synthesise or label. For millennia we have tried to understand the true nature of our existence but there is still an enormous amount that we don’t know about our origins. Humans are instinctively curious and inquisitive and where there is a lack of knowledge we create solutions based on the small amount of understanding we have on the topic. Belief in a higher being has existed since well before recorded history began and for many centuries it seemed the most logical reason for things such as rain, volcanic eruptions and perhaps most notably our existence. Due to the human race’s incredible mental capacity we have begun researching these things and we now have an accurate logical solution for all of these phenomena, yet the concept of God is still a part of every day for Billions around the world. We wouldn’t use medical procedures from 3000BC so why do we still resort to this primitive idea of a higher being when we have perfectly reasonable solutions for any situation that may have been at one point accredited to the Almighty Father.

As Religion has progressed the images associated with it have also changed, depending on the cultural context it is inevitable that different texts will be interpreted in different ways. Our current world is undergoing major alterations morally an ethically which can be partially accredited to the media, advertising and the constant flow of sleaze which is force-fed to us every day. Due to this shift in attitude something is happening which until now has been seen as inappropriate. People are saying “No, I will believe what I want to believe, I won’t be restricted to one set of guidelines and instead I will extract what I think is important from any sources available to me”. And with this freedom of expression we begin to see interpretations of God that are both reflective and interpretive which creates the basis for our dynamic and varied belief system in the modern world.

 

[motojojo]

Good is bad and bad is good. We are created in his image, we are physical and spiritual, maybe so is He.

 

[Definition_Christ]

I'm not sure if this is unacceptable for this forum but i am doing a Study of Religion assignments and i just need some other intelligent christians to give me some feedback on this introduction i have written. PLease don't take this as offensive as it is just my opinion and i am more than happy to have a reasonable discussion, in fact that is why i am here. please read carefully and only post helpful comments.

God; a physical being, or just a word which we continually try to define, synthesise or label. For millennia we have tried to understand the true nature of our existence but there is still an enormous amount that we don’t know about our origins. Humans are instinctively curious and inquisitive and where there is a lack of knowledge we create solutions based on the small amount of understanding we have on the topic. Belief in a higher being has existed since well before recorded history began and for many centuries it seemed the most logical reason for things such as rain, volcanic eruptions and perhaps most notably our existence. Due to the human race’s incredible mental capacity we have begun researching these things and we now have an accurate logical solution for all of these phenomena, yet the concept of God is still a part of every day for Billions around the world. We wouldn’t use medical procedures from 3000BC so why do we still resort to this primitive idea of a higher being when we have perfectly reasonable solutions for any situation that may have been at one point accredited to the Almighty Father.

As Religion has progressed the images associated with it have also changed, depending on the cultural context it is inevitable that different texts will be interpreted in different ways. Our current world is undergoing major alterations morally an ethically which can be partially accredited to the media, advertising and the constant flow of sleaze which is force-fed to us every day. Due to this shift in attitude something is happening which until now has been seen as inappropriate. People are saying “No, I will believe what I want to believe, I won’t be restricted to one set of guidelines and instead I will extract what I think is important from any sources available to me”. And with this freedom of expression we begin to see interpretations of God that are both reflective and interpretive which creates the basis for our dynamic and varied belief system in the modern world.

God is an unembodied mind, not a physical being. God is Spirit, but Spirit can manifest to the physical. Other than that your article looks reasonable. Good job, I think you'll do well on your assignment.

Nice name by the way, it's so true. Faith/relationship rather than religion. I'm sure you've heard the quote "religion is man's way trying to work his/her way up to God, Christianity is God coming down to man".

 

[Cup-of-Ruin]

I'm not sure if this is unacceptable for this forum but i am doing a Study of Religion assignments and i just need some other intelligent christians to give me some feedback on this introduction i have written. PLease don't take this as offensive as it is just my opinion and i am more than happy to have a reasonable discussion, in fact that is why i am here. please read carefully and only post helpful comments.

God; a physical being, or just a word which we continually try to define, synthesise or label. For millennia we have tried to understand the true nature of our existence but there is still an enormous amount that we don’t know about our origins. Humans are instinctively curious and inquisitive and where there is a lack of knowledge we create solutions based on the small amount of understanding we have on the topic. Belief in a higher being has existed since well before recorded history began and for many centuries it seemed the most logical reason for things such as rain, volcanic eruptions and perhaps most notably our existence. Due to the human race’s incredible mental capacity we have begun researching these things and we now have an accurate logical solution for all of these phenomena, yet the concept of God is still a part of every day for Billions around the world. We wouldn’t use medical procedures from 3000BC so why do we still resort to this primitive idea of a higher being when we have perfectly reasonable solutions for any situation that may have been at one point accredited to the Almighty Father.

As Religion has progressed the images associated with it have also changed, depending on the cultural context it is inevitable that different texts will be interpreted in different ways. Our current world is undergoing major alterations morally an ethically which can be partially accredited to the media, advertising and the constant flow of sleaze which is force-fed to us every day. Due to this shift in attitude something is happening which until now has been seen as inappropriate. People are saying “No, I will believe what I want to believe, I won’t be restricted to one set of guidelines and instead I will extract what I think is important from any sources available to me”. And with this freedom of expression we begin to see interpretations of God that are both reflective and interpretive which creates the basis for our dynamic and varied belief system in the modern world.

Your personal views might be undergoing transformation, but mine are not. You along with many others are moving away from Absolute Truth which is given by God and are being lead to believe a lie of personal relativity, seeing the universe as only relevant in terms of how you personally feel about it, this is illogical and leads to confusion and ultimately destruction.

James 1:26

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is in vain."

Vainity and vexation of the spirit.

 

[Definition_Christ]

James 1:26

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is in vain."

Vainity and vexation of the spirit.

Completely took James out of context here. What he is saying is if you hear the Word you better be a doer of the Word as well. Similar to the next chapter when he says faith without works is dead.

2 Peter 3
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

 

[Cup-of-Ruin]

Completely took James out of context here. What he is saying is if you hear the Word you better be a doer of the Word as well. Similar to the next chapter when he says faith without works is dead.

Whoa neddy!

"For he that beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." James 1:24

Very much in context I would submit

What manner of man - truth; "Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." James 1:18

That's essential for one struggling with post - modern personal relativity lies. James is describing the nature of Godly origin and the meaning thereof.

 

[Faith-Not-Religion]

Thanks Definition Christ, My name is my whole spiritual belief in 3 words. I believe faith in a higher being is more important than the monotonous, ritualised event that religion has turned into. The way i see it is religion is commercialised faith, I am quite capable of making up my own mind about what is important without a priest citing it to me countless times. Thank you for all for your replies everyone.

 

[Faith-Not-Religion]

Cup of Ruin you have a point but a perspective essentially contains everything that is around us, it is in a sense a reality of its own. Sometimes reality affects our perspective but where there is no definite reality, perspective becomes reality, and until we know exactly what or who or even why God is... my perspective of God becomes God for me. I'm proud to say I'm a Christian, but I still have a lot of things that i need to learn about before i can be content with that position.

 

[roaringkitten]

Faith-Not-Religion, Christianity is all about Jesus. It's not about ceremonial acts, philosophy, etc.....satan has blinded most of the world to hellfire. Please dont fall for the deceptive "relativism" idea. It is an idea invented by the devil to lead people to hell for eternity! Jesus is the ONLY way to get eternal life! You need HIS righteousness! We are all sinners deserving of hell! And all who die in their sins will be spending it in the lake of fire forever("And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15)

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." Romans 4:5-7

"...there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:21-22

Please read this excellent link that describes the entire scope of the gospel- http://www.biblebelievers.com/the-reason-why.html

I care for you, and I ask/plead with you to reconsider your position! Wish you the best, ~rk

 

[Faith-Not-Religion]

I'll have a read Roaring Kitten, thanks for your input, might add a whole new element to my assignment or maybe my life

 

[Cup-of-Ruin]

Cup of Ruin you have a point but a perspective essentially contains everything that is around us, it is in a sense a reality of its own. Sometimes reality affects our perspective but where there is no definite reality, perspective becomes reality, and until we know exactly what or who or even why God is... my perspective of God becomes God for me. I'm proud to say I'm a Christian, but I still have a lot of things that i need to learn about before i can be content with that position.

You make an idol then, as James says you might as well look at your own reflection in a glass, that's why I quoted the Book of James. Perspective if it is to be true and accountable than it is given from God, your own view is invariably false, God's view is true and He has given it to us in His word, I would only trust my view of reality as long as it agrees with what God has said via His word.

 

[Jordan9]

Thanks Definition Christ, My name is my whole spiritual belief in 3 words. I believe faith in a higher being is more important than the monotonous, ritualised event that religion has turned into. The way i see it is religion is commercialised faith, I am quite capable of making up my own mind about what is important without a priest citing it to me countless times. Thank you for all for your replies everyone.

I find this interesting, I've been feeling the opposite lately.

My faith has been sort of DIY. I consider myself theologically-conservative, I love Sacred Scripture, etc. But I am craving more structure and "ritual." I have been for months now.

I'm not saying one of us is right and one is wrong, or if there even is a right or wrong, I just found it interesting how we're polar opposites on this issue

 

[cookie39]

I'm not sure if this is unacceptable for this forum but i am doing a Study of Religion assignments and i just need some other intelligent christians to give me some feedback on this introduction i have written. PLease don't take this as offensive as it is just my opinion and i am more than happy to have a reasonable discussion, in fact that is why i am here. please read carefully and only post helpful comments.

God; a physical being, or just a word which we continually try to define, synthesise or label. For millennia we have tried to understand the true nature of our existence but there is still an enormous amount that we don’t know about our origins. Humans are instinctively curious and inquisitive and where there is a lack of knowledge we create solutions based on the small amount of understanding we have on the topic. Belief in a higher being has existed since well before recorded history began and for many centuries it seemed the most logical reason for things such as rain, volcanic eruptions and perhaps most notably our existence. Due to the human race’s incredible mental capacity we have begun researching these things and we now have an accurate logical solution for all of these phenomena, yet the concept of God is still a part of every day for Billions around the world. We wouldn’t use medical procedures from 3000BC so why do we still resort to this primitive idea of a higher being when we have perfectly reasonable solutions for any situation that may have been at one point accredited to the Almighty Father.

As Religion has progressed the images associated with it have also changed, depending on the cultural context it is inevitable that different texts will be interpreted in different ways. Our current world is undergoing major alterations morally an ethically which can be partially accredited to the media, advertising and the constant flow of sleaze which is force-fed to us every day. Due to this shift in attitude something is happening which until now has been seen as inappropriate. People are saying “No, I will believe what I want to believe, I won’t be restricted to one set of guidelines and instead I will extract what I think is important from any sources available to me”. And with this freedom of expression we begin to see interpretations of God that are both reflective and interpretive which creates the basis for our dynamic and varied belief system in the modern world.

I am grounded and rooted in the Lord Jesus, I have no doubt that God is real,
and to comment on your question; " our origin" I could try to use scripture but the person who may be reading your assinment may not know the Bible, so I will give you what is in my heart about God and science, and it will be based on scriptures of the Bible.
we see the world through the eyes of a finite human race, and because our understanding has been limited, we can not trully graps the view of a God no one has ever seen. because we see one another, we see the things that are around us, we see, we see, and as you have said we try to understand; make sense of it.
some say where did God come from who created him? because if we had a beginning, God had to come from somewhere; but no he do not have to have come from somewhere; he was allways God, he created us and that does not have mean he had to be created. ( I asked that very question)
as we see all over the world, what happens once, happens a thousand, times thounsandsth of , over and over again. if a person get sick; usaully if it is the same illness they have they same symptoms, if a person is depressed they have the same thoughts and feelings. fear is fear no matter who it posses, men have the same body parts as well as women, and we call it deformed if someone is born any other way. but science say that we evolved from mokeys/apes. so I ask why is there still mokeys or apes, as we see for thousand of years the human race has not stop repeating itself, and it is very rare when to see a change. like a man bor with woman genitals, or a twin not separting completly in the woman resulting in two heads and one body, or the people who are born with " a defect" as sicenc calls it. how can it be a defact when you believe in evolution? why can't it be that these people has evolved into something else? why have there not been a human recorded to have had a monkey or apes as a baby, if we have the same genes make-up? how are they to say that we evolve from mokeys, and the monkeys are still mokeys and the apes are still apes, why have they not turned into humans, it's almost funny to me. the monkeys are still being hunted; now not only by the preditors in the wild but by humans too. this is the reason scientist say the moneys started walking on just their hind legs, that they can see over the tall brushes. so why have they not evolve that they may protect themselves against the beast in the fields and now more cause they need to evolve to protect themselves from humans who scienctist say we once were.
I would say if that is what they have to use to explain our existance, then they are fools. as God said they were in Romans 1; 19-22 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. as it say here we see it in what , some look to be the wise men/ scientist. God is not against science, he want us to know how awsome and mighty he is, to see how he spoke, and formed this whole world and everything in it, " it still amazes me to see how wonder the wisdom of God is in the creation of this world. everything has it's perfect place and work. The most enomous animals eating vegetations. and the insect, fish, birds and animals he created just to clean up the mess on the others, keeping the planet lean, the process of birth, from humans to the smallest insect, I love science, but not when it try to explain away God, the whom gave them the mind to learn how to study his creation. I thank God that he did not do away with science, cause how else would I know the life and depth of such an infinite God, who ways is past finding out, that he only reveal to the who seek the truth with a pure heart.

Romans 1: 23 who changed the uncurruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
We see that man has made God in there hearts as a man as well as other things in the earth. because of their finite minds, as well as blinded minds they cannot cantain the thought of God being something other then themselves, or something they can SEE!

 

[Marcus2x2]

Hello Faith-Not-Religion!
I would be happy to give my perspective (to an extent) on the contents of your introduction:

God; a physical being, or just a word which we continually try to define, synthesise or label. For millennia we have tried to understand the true nature of our existence but there is still an enormous amount that we don’t know about our origins. Humans are instinctively curious and inquisitive and where there is a lack of knowledge we create solutions based on the small amount of understanding we have on the topic. Belief in a higher being has existed since well before recorded history began and for many centuries it seemed the most logical reason for things such as rain, volcanic eruptions and perhaps most notably our existence. Due to the human race’s incredible mental capacity we have begun researching these things and we now have an accurate logical solution for all of these phenomena, yet the concept of God is still a part of every day for Billions around the world. We wouldn’t use medical procedures from 3000BC so why do we still resort to this primitive idea of a higher being when we have perfectly reasonable solutions for any situation that may have been at one point accredited to the Almighty Father.

As Religion has progressed the images associated with it have also changed, depending on the cultural context it is inevitable that different texts will be interpreted in different ways. I am not entirely convinced that this is true. Martin Luther was brought up in the same context as everyone else and yet he became one of the most important figures to stand up to the Catholic Church and was one of the catlysts of the Reformation.

Our current world is undergoing major alterations morally an ethically which can be partially accredited to the media, advertising and the constant flow of sleaze which is force-fed to us every day. You seem to right in a neutral way in one sentence then give strong opinions on the other. You might wwant to explain in the body of your assignment what you mean by the "the constant flow of sleaze which is force-fed to us every day"

Due to this shift in attitude something is happening which until now has been seen as inappropriate. Oh? People are saying “No, I will believe what I want to believe, I won’t be restricted to one set of guidelines and instead I will extract what I think is important from any sources available to me”. Has this not being happening for thousands of years. Once again think of the Reformation, the French Revolution, etc. And with this freedom of expression we begin to see interpretations of God that are both reflective and interpretive which creates the basis for our dynamic and varied belief system(s) in the modern world.

Hope this helps!

 

[Marcus2x2]

Sorry! I've done the first portion last lol!

For millennia we have tried to understand the true nature of our existence but there is still an enormous amount that we don’t know about our origins. Humans are instinctively curious and inquisitive and where there is a lack of knowledge we create solutions based on the small amount of understanding we have on the topic. Both sentences are surely subjective - a matter of opinion! According to whom do we lack knowledge and possess a small understanding of the topic?

Belief in a higher being has existed since well before recorded history began and for many centuries it seemed the most logical reason for things such as rain, volcanic eruptions and perhaps most notably our existence. Due to the human race’s incredible mental capacity we have begun researching these things and we now have an accurate logical solution for all of these phenomena, yet the concept of God is still a part of every day for Billions around the world. Merely because we understand the science of these things doesn't me "divine intervention" does not come into these events occuring or indeed God creating our wonderful world!

We wouldn’t use medical procedures from 3000BC (???) so why do we still resort to this primitive idea (according to whom?) of a higher being when we have perfectly reasonable solutions (reasonable solutions they may be but are they true?) for any situation that may have been at one point accredited to the Almighty Father.

 

[Marcus2x2]

I've just re-read what I have written and some of it probably needs to be clarified by me, if so just ask Faith-Not-Religion.

 

[cookie39]

I would like to also say this, God creates; men call what we do invent. humans has created/invented airplains, large ships, televisions and so on........

no matter what they call it it had to be put together inorder to work. each part rightly fitting in its proper place, even if some things stop working they can be fixed.....
but God created/invented everything in this world and the universe. only difference is that God is the one who invented the inventor....

and how could people believe that man can create something by their hands, but no one created them? where did man come from? we are God's master invintion. because of sin we malfuntion; but he can and has fixed us. he put us together so perfactly, that we as that animal kingdom everything in us works together to benefit the other parts. the human body, mind and soul is all so.....amazingly structured to we have to know someone had to create/invent it.

how our scares/cuts grow a protected seal/ scab, to keed out grerms and dirt, the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and so on..... it aint an airplain, car, boat can do what God has created the human body to do. scratch my car it wont in a week heal itself. but we can take the motor/heart from one and put in an nother to get it to working again. lol. now they even makem where they can tell you how they feel. lol... but anyway, no one without the spirit of God can understand the things of God, nor can they explain how I don't know someone and be able to tell them everything they were just thinking, or someone walk-up to you and tell you that God heard your prayer and name the prayer and give you the answer you were looking for; or not! or tell you that something is about to happen in your life and everything to said happen in just the way they said it would. or people not dieng from something that should have killed them instantly, cause you ask God not to let them die, or the things called "medical mericals" ok, "medical mericals " or as I have experiance seeing something happening to someone, before it happens. so I can pray them through. or thinking about someone and the next minute they call? it is all spiritual, as God is Spirit.

 

[greatkraw]

Your personal views might be undergoing transformation, but mine are not. You along with many others are moving away from Absolute Truth which is given by God and are being lead to believe a lie of personal relativity, seeing the universe as only relevant in terms of how you personally feel about it, this is illogical and leads to confusion and ultimately destruction.

James 1:26

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is in vain."

Vainity and vexation of the spirit.

Cup, I agree with you.......



(....did I just type that?)

 

[greatkraw]

All men once had knowlege of the one creator God and, due to selfishness and sin, corrupted that knowlege into all that passes as religion today. Man is not progressing but the reverse.

God is Spirit. His reality is more real than our own.

 

[Thaddaeus]

I think people are wrong when they say that Christianity is not a religion, James defines religion :

Jas 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
I just preached a message on this very thought this past week , religion is to love others and keep oneself unspotted from the world. some focus on the love and some focus on the holiness. but the Bible says both and this is Christiaity, Love God , Love another, if ye love me keep my commandments. if we focus one the love part and neglect the holiness part we are lukewarm, if we focus on the holiness part , and neglect the love part we are lukewarm. the connecting part of Christianity requires both, in order to please Him.