Why is God So Mean?

[Elizabeth619]

I think that many ministers spend more time preaching Gods wrath than Gods love. Yes, God will condemn the sinners, but while we are all still living and breathing we still have a chance at eternal life.

Now, my question. God condemns homosexuals. Ok, I agree he does BUT it seems to me that you are making God "look bad" due to your own lifestyle.

I left the church years ago because I was 20 years old, pregnant and no married. I saw how some "Christians" looked at me and talked about me. Instead of encouraging me and praying for me they gossiped. They called me names. I was terribly hurt by them. Didn't set foot in a church for over 5 years. Then, one day I met a minister who happened to be my sons soccer coach at that time. He invited me to his congregation. He told me he was sorry how I felt and how badly I was treated, and that I should pray for those people.
I placed membership at that congregation and have stayed there. I am happy there. He knew my situation, but also told me that he wants to spend time with me in Heaven and wents me there so I should stop being bitter toward others, because in the end me leaving the church was MY decision not theirs.

That simple conversation taught me alot. People are gonna talk, gossip, throw stones and so on...but all I can do is try my best to live a Christian life. I worry less about what others think of me and spend more time trying to work on myself. Not to please others, but to please God. I also repented for my sin. God forgave that I had sex before I was married. That sin was forgotten. So, now I am blessed with a beautiful boy who I am trying to raise in a Godly way. Although sometimes that is a struggle(my kid would argue with a brick wall) I know that God is with me to help me and to guide me.

Ok, enough of my story. What I am trying to say is instead of rejecting God why not take the time to really read the bible and what it really says? No matter your sexual orientation God does love you, but it is your choice on how you want to live.

Also, my OPINION as to why one of the reasons God looks down on homosexuality is with that lifestyle comes fornication, sometimes adulterly, and of course lust. It's like several sins rolled in to one(again my opinion).

Keep in mind I have also commited fornication and lust. Those are two things I struggle with big time so please do not think I am looking down on you or condemning you. I don't want to do that. That is not my intention.

 

[Elizabeth619]

I would also like to take this opportunity to say HEYYYYYY FESTERRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3

 

[shekaniah]

God loves the man, hates the sin. Fire7 Read what Elizabeth619 posted and I pray that these truths will bring your heart so close to God, that you can be the man God had planned since the beginning. For we are all sinners, that's why Christ died for us.
In Jesus Name Amen

 

[Scotth1960]

I was going to use a more philosophical, intellectual title to address this matter, but the bible itself says of itself that it is so simple that a fool shouldn't err. So, like a child, I'm keeping it simple, because there really is no other way to put it.

I was born and raised in the pentecostal church. I no longer claim Christianity, but in my search for knowing God, I still listen to sermons. The sermons I listen to are usually by black hellfire and brimstone preachers, because that;s what I'm most familiar with. I don't know if you're familiar with a man named G Craig Lewis. But if you are, then you have an idea of the type of ministers I listen to. What I honestly have a hard time understanding is why it feels to me that God is hell-bent on sending me to hell?

You might think that I'm exaggerating when I make this statement, but I am by no means being overdramatic. I try very hard to believe that when these preachers say "God loves you but hates your sin," that they mean it. I try with everything within me to believe that these people really love me. But I have to be honest. I have never felt love coming from these preachers. I always feel that they are just saying what they have been taught to say, if they aren't just in it for the show. I do believe that some of them are genuine and sincere. But you can also be sincerely wrong.

even all of these testimonies I have ben hearing over the years of people who died and went to hell, and were brought back to tell about it. I listen closely, and what I gather is that it is very hard to make it into Heaven. And I don;t undertand if God really wants people in Heaven, why He made it so hard to get in. It just doesn't seem right. It seems to me like He plays favorites. But why create people just to throw them in hell. It's almost like He enjoys it. Even many preacher talk as if they're glad there is a hell and glad you're going. It's like if you don't live up to THEIR standard (personal hidden agenda), you can't do anything right, and for that you ARE going to hell. I also don;t understand why God is so hard on homosexuals when He created the very biology that made them that way. And don;t tell me that they weren't born that way, because I am one.

Unless you have seen things through, of course, you cannot fully understand where I'm coming from, and most of this is just hot air to you. And this is another thing; Christians are poor listeners and bad at understanding. They just love to judge others so they can (secretly... and often unconsciously)feel better about themselves. I know this because I've spent my lifetime (29 years) around them. I've seen Christians of every kind, so I know what I'm talking about. But I would literally be here for a couple of days describing to you all of the contradictions I have observed throughout this exclusive belief system.

And as much as I want to know God and be His closest friend, I feel that He doesn't really want to get to know me, but is just out to play mind games with me. I'm not being irreverent or sacrilerious: I'm just being honest. It makes me not feel like praying, even though I want to. It makes me not want to read the bible, because it's full of contradictions (and don't tell me there aren't, when they are very blatant). God just seems, to me, to be the cruelest, most cold blooded, hard hearted, unforgiving, stone faced, dominating, ruthless, non caring, bi-polar, sadistic, spiteful, wicked terrorist of all time.

Have you seen this recent testimony of a girl, Angelica Zambrano, who claims to have gone to hell for 23 hours and saw Selena Quintanilla, Michael Jackson, and children in hell? "23 Hours Dead" - Testimony of Angelica Zambrano (with English voice-over) - YouTube

Dear friend, God is not mean unless you believe in Calvinism. Some people have made a god out of John Calvin. Or at least a Protestant pope or an infallible interpreter of the Bible. The dictator (autocrat) of Geneva, Switzerland. Calvin's God delights is predestinating people to go to hell. And in making them sin so He can damn them to hell before all eternity. Before the world was made, He was predestining people to hell, because he wanted them to sin. He wouldn't cause them to sin unless He wanted them to sin. Thus, Calvinism cannot tell people to repent, for if God is the cause of everything that happens, He must be the cause of evil and of sin. There is no motivation to believe in God and to repent, because God may have predestined most people to go to hell.
This god of John Calvin is a lot like Calvin himself: devoid of love. At least Calvin did not love Michael Servetus. I don't hate John Calvin. Don't get me wrong. But I delight in the truth of God, and the truth of God is that Calvinism is a damnable heresy. God save us all from this false Augustinian dogma. Amen. In Erie PA Scott R. Harrington PS Don't believe in visions of people either in heaven or in hell. It is for God to say who goes to heaven. God is the only Judge. We shouldn't make judgments about other people, or speculate who might be in hell.

 

[Fire7]

first of all anyone who claims they've been to hell. Put them out of the logical christian section. And also if you believe the bible has contradictions then you might as well toss your bible out the window. It would be no good, I would gladly talk with you about subjects that you might think contradict and see that you come to a conclusion.
Romans 6:23
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Wage = Price,
The Pricetag on sin is hell.
Now let me ask you a question. If you committed a crime worthy of death and the judge said, well ill let you off. Is that a good judge? Is he doing the right thing? If God said, ok i know sin is bad but whatever you can go to heaven. Is that a good God?
Now lets see he alternative.
Jesus Christ came down and died for your sins. He died so that you would not have to suffer the consequence. Without Jesus we would all go to hell. But he gives us a way out of this punishment so how can he be cruel?
Jesus came and died for the sins of the world.
John 3:16
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God offers everlasting life at the cost of us believing in Jesus.
Romans 10:9

9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Hard to be saved? He says confess and believe and you will be saved from hell.

It is the hardness of a persons heart that sends them to hell, not mean old God.
You already say your looking for truth yet you call the bible a contradiction and say you don't want to pray. Tell me whose turning there back on God?
God your Bible is fake and I don't want to pray give me truth? How about you give it a honest chance and reflection. I used to think it contradicted until i asked and had them explained to me. But your taking everything at face value without digging. Don't expect God to reward your efforts.


Interested In Christianity? Then give it a chance rather then judging it. You condemn Christians for judging yet you judged the whole religion yourself saying it contradicts.

I'd be glad to help and explain things. Up to you.

Thank you

And I don't *believe* that the biboe contradicts itself. I see that the bible contradicts itself. even though I haven't read the whole bible, I know a lot of passages that are in it. As I said, I've been in a Christian environment all my life.

I'm not talking about a particular church or preacher. I have listened to hundreds of them; whether it was in my home church(es), over the radio, on television, over the internet... They are all the same. And the ones who aren't definitely get atacked by those who are. There are preachers who I have listened to who are more into the grace, mercy, and love message, but I've also observed contradictions in them. And they are usually "exposed" by other ministers for being "heretics," so I really don;t know who to believe, because they all are saying something different, but they all believe so adamantly that they are the one who is right. It's just all too confusing. They all preach out of the same bible, but each of them can show you in the bible, proof that they are right in what they teach. And low and behold, they all make perfect sense. But they all cannot be right (when they messages are conflicting and contradictory of another): that goes against the laws of truth, and the laws of logic.

But to give you an example of clear contradictions in the bible, Mathew, Mark, and Luke all give different details about the same account--the meeting at the tomb after Jesus had been ressurrected. And they are not small details (like Mary was wearing a blue head dress vs she was wearing a green head dress). If you want, I'll look it up and provide the actual scriptures in each gospel. They are boldly different details about the account. ...Now you may say it doesn;t matter because it was men writing the bible and they all have different memories of what happened.

Well, this is all the more reason why one should be concerned! What about all of the preachers who have said that every word and notation mark in the bible was inspired by God? So God Himself doesn't know what happened when His Son was ressurrected? Truth cannot contradict itself. And when you read contradictions like this, you can't help but wonder what else they got wrong in the bible. And there are more historical contradictions as well. If you want, I can post here a few videos of people explaining these inaccuracies. It's too much for me to try to explain. And if you yourself are really committed to truth, you also will take the time to investigate these things (when they are righ in front yof you to see and listen) to see if they be so.

 

[Rant]

As Lucifer was a Creation so is Man >>>>>>>. no better no worse>>>>>>>> the Fall of Lucifer The Fall Of Man>>>>>>You Figure It Out Jesus Bless Israel is Gods Time Line!

 

[AnandaHya]

But to give you an example of clear contradictions in the bible, Mathew, Mark, and Luke all give different details about the same account--the meeting at the tomb after Jesus had been ressurrected. And they are not small details (like Mary was wearing a blue head dress vs she was wearing a green head dress). If you want, I'll look it up and provide the actual scriptures in each gospel. They are boldly different details about the account. ...Now you may say it doesn;t matter because it was men writing the bible and they all have different memories of what happened.

have you ever read a police report by eyewitnesses to a crime?

if the stories match exactly they think the witnesses might be lying. research it and think about it some time.

ask someone about an event in your childhood. write down what you remember first and then get them to tell you and record it. compare stories and see how similar it is.

it shows that the writers are human and were actually there and not parroting the same story but telling key parts that they remember and think are important to relate.

 

[Fire7]

God did not create homosexuals,actually it means god has turned one over to unatural effections, because they refused him,this would explain
why you think god hates you and preachers are trying to send you to hell. why dont you realize it is wrong and truly repent, and live.Not judging
telling the truth.Wouldn,t you rather someone tell you the truth or do you want your ears tickled. I would rather be chastized for correction,
wouldnt you? What makes you think you were born that way? You should really consider talking to someone about this openly. Is there anyone
else that way in your family?

It's too long of a story and too complex of a situation to put here in a couple of paragraphs. But there is more to sexuality than "It's a sin; God said it; that settles it." I know that you arer just going by the bible. But the thing that Christians refuse to understand is that there is more to life than (man-made) black/and red words, interpreted by imperfect, flesh and blood men, recyled thousands of times over many hundreds of years, printed on man-made white paper, and organized by men. You can believe all you want that this book is perfect, but the FACT (Something that Christians have a very hard time comprehending) is you were not there. You are going off of blind beliefs--call it blind "faith" or whatever you want to call it... A person would have to be totally blind, deaf, and dumb, or in self-willed denial, not to see that something isn't adding up. And while Christianity advocates blind faith, it is a recipe for gullibility.

There are other things like biology and science that correlate accurate patterns within this world and existence all together. Because most christians are too lazy too investigate these things, they just cop out and say, "If it goes aganst the bible, I don't believe it!!" "I believe it and that's that." Well if it was that simple (which I so wish it was) then evweryone who has every read the entire bible would be perfect and on one accord. But bible scholars can never agree on everything, and usually disagree on most things. This alone should tell you that something is off. But you would rather live in denial than face BOLD, in your face, loud and clear FACTS. Truth is not what you want it to be. It is about consistent patterns. You might want and believe that 1 + 1 = 10. But regardles of what you believe, 1+1 is always 2. Tell a professor or anyone that you have faith in 1+1=10, and they will classify you as mentally retarded.

the point I'm making with this is that there are hard scientific and biological facts about homosexuality that proves that it is inherent and not something one can control. I mean just stop and use common sense for about 60 seconds, at least. Do you really think that if I would have willfully chosen to be ostracized, shamed, belittled, preached against, suicidal, more vulnerable to a hatecrime than anyone else, feel like an alien from outerspace and like I don't fit in with "the guys."..? The only choice is in acting on it (and that brings up the issue of free will, sovereignty, and predeterminism anyway, which is a whole other story). But what I'm attracted and compelled to, I have absolutely no control over. Believe what you want.

And I'm not being rude or anything. This matter just stirs up indignation in me, because I've seen enough ignorance when it comes to this issue.

 

[resurrection33]

The Lord isn’t mean. Sometimes the consequences of our actions can bring us much pain.

 

[Fire7]

I believe you should know you are going to Hell. You can't be homosexual and then blaspheme God for sending you to Hell. God forgives people who have faith and repent with their faith in Jesus. You really are going to Hell, that's probably why you feel like God is your enemy. Sadly enough, I think you understand that you are not a Christian and you are not going to Heaven. You said so yourself. Homosexuals are wicked people who are full of wickedness. You should put your faith in the Cross and repent.

Can you please explain to me exactly HOW Homosexauls are wicked people full of wickedness? I've homosexuals and heterosexuals alike, who are wicked and full of wickedness. But can you please be practical? Not painting a picture with a broad stroke (where it is just religious jargon), but give examples? I'm not being sarcastic; I really want to know; maybhe you can help me.

 

[silverwind]

God is not mean! Read Job, then you'll figure out who is mean.
God's love goes beyond anything we could possibly feel or understand. His thoughts are higher than mine and yours, His ways are higher. Don't question why there is so much turmoil on this earth. The answer is obvious.

 

[Fire7]

Here is a clip of Minister G. Craig Lewis. He is famous for his thourogh series of "The Truth Behind Hip Hop." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSCCOIAOyoM

I know that you may think posting this is irrelevant. But to fully understand what I'm saying, an investigation of this man's message is a *requirement." It is not about him, the indiviual, but he is a good representation of all of the preachers and sermons I have heard, rolled up into one.

If I did not care about my eternal salvation (which some here seem to suggest), I would not even care to listen to this man, or any preacher, for that matter. And I wouldn't have gone through the effort to make this thread; you know that.


The reaon I use G Craig Lewis as an example is because he has done a lot of research and his teachings are thorough. He is also bold and straight forward, which is attractive to me in a minister. I hate when preachers beat around the bush. So I am interested in what he has to say. And because he seems to have so much of truth--and claims to be baptised with the H-ly Spirit--which I am seeking , it concerns me all the more the method that he uses. If he is filled with the H-ly Spirit and hears from G-d as much as he claims, then I am skeptical that I can trust this God. Because this man is very very brutal in his delivery. He literally slanders just about every well kknown preacher in the nation. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard him use the term "sissy," "faggot," and other terms to describe homosexuals. He mocks the fact that AIDS is high in among homosexuals, and calls people gay just because of how they look or act.


If you don't think he's controversial, he has more lawsuits against him than he can shake a stick at, but he says to them "join the list." He insists that he will not debate anyone because he "knows he's right." He has labeled highly respected and revered men and women of God (T.D. Jakes, Juanita Bynum, Paula White, Eddie Long, Jamal Bryant, etc...etc...) "heretics," "false prophets," and "Jezebels." It's as if he doesn't want anyone to listen to these people at all, but to only listen to him and his inner circle of friends/preachers; this is the feeling I get. He never says anything posotive about these ministers, gospel recording artists, and Christian actors. He only talks about the negative things they do. He seem to believe that 95% of the well known actors, comedians, singers, gospel recording artists, preachers and politicians, are part of the illuminati and secret societies: most of his sermons are geared toward breaking down the different codes sings and codes that prove this.


He make$ a living (really) off of mocking, degrading, and defacing well-known people; it's how he became famous, in the name of Jesus, and backs it all up with scripture. He's a profound bible scholar and historian, so it's like you can't really argue with him. But I just get a feeling about him that I can't put my finger on. He says it's the H-ly Ghost. In response to people telling him, "but you put something else on it," he says "yea I put the H-ly Ghost on it!!" It's not any right of mine to say what spirit he is of (dare I speak against the H-ly Spirit), but actions speak louder than words, and the bible says that one would be known by his fruit. When you have so may people upset and everyone is saying the same thing, that is some rotten fruit to me.


It's confusing to me because he is either loved or hated. People obviosly love him for him to be successful for so long. And the people who love him really love him, and he can do no wrong to them. No matter how rude he is, they adamantly insist that it is the God in him. My question is the same as Christs': Can any kingdom divided against itself stand? Maybe it can, I'm just asking. Because according to Lewis, the church is supposed to be divided,a dn he gets thorough enjoyment out of being the one to do it. Just read his blog--all of it (each article)--and see how good he is at this job. Listen to as many of his sermons, webcast programs, and radio broadcast that are on youtube, as you can. This is the best way you will understand where I'm coming from. And feel free to give me your input.


Again, this is nt about G. Craig Lewis. He represents much of the divide and contradiction that I have observed in the church. But there is so much more that I can show you. I'm working on something that I have been writing for over a year. When I finish it, I will post it here. Because I am certain that you cannot fully understand where I am coming from with this (and consequently, how to proportionately address this) unless you see some things with your own eyes and hear with your own ears. The best way to convince a person is to let him see for himself.


there are three responses to truth, and three responses only. When a person is confronted and cornered by truth, he will either, one: face it--give an answer or seek into it for himself to see if these things be so, two: become defensive and try to attack (because he's overwhelmed because the truth is nt in him), or three: be indifferent--i.e. run from it, plug up his ears and shut is eyes tightly, or simply ignore it and pretend that it never existed. So then there are only three types of people. I don't know which one I'm writing to. So if you really care, and are committed to truth and nothing but the truth, then you will do some investigating of your own to see if these things be so.

 

[AnandaHya]

If I did not care about my eternal salvation (which some here seem to suggest), I would not even care to listen to this man, or any preacher, for that matter. And I wouldn't have gone through the effort to make this thread; you know that.


there are three responses to truth, and three responses only. When a person is confronted and cornered by truth, he will either, one: face it--give an answer or seek into it for himself to see if these things be so, two: become defensive and try to attack (because he's overwhelmed because the truth is nt in him), or three: be indifferent--i.e. run from it, plug up his ears and shut is eyes tightly, or simply ignore it and pretend that it never existed. So then there are only three types of people. I don't know which one I'm writing to. So if you really care, and are committed to truth and nothing but the truth, then you will do some investigating of your own to see if these things be so.

lol you are writing to all three types this is the internet and an open forum.

I'm not so interested in what others say of Jesus as what Jesus says of Himself and the world. I would rather read the Bible for myself and pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and answers but because it matters to you I will reread this sermon by this man and give you my thoughts

If I didn't think you cared about your salvation, I wouldn't bother posting to you

 

[AnandaHya]

Here is a clip of Minister G. Craig Lewis. He is famous for his thourogh series of "The Truth Behind Hip Hop." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSCCOIAOyoM

this makes me sad just listening to it.

I know that you may think posting this is irrelevant. But to fully understand what I'm saying, an investigation of this man's message is a *requirement." It is not about him, the indiviual, but he is a good representation of all of the preachers and sermons I have heard, rolled up into one.

you've been listening to the wrong type of preachers. listen to some Spurgeons sermons here is a link. I like him better then that guy, Lewis is too Hollywood.

C. H. Spurgeon Audio Sermons
you should know the whole "demon casting out thingie" is not considered Biblical by a lot of people on this forum right? I've heard it called witchcraft in the clothing of spiritual warfare....

If I did not care about my eternal salvation (which some here seem to suggest), I would not even care to listen to this man, or any preacher, for that matter. And I wouldn't have gone through the effort to make this thread; you know that.

its nice to hear you say that you care



He make$ a living (really) off of mocking, degrading, and defacing well-known people; it's how he became famous, in the name of Jesus, and backs it all up with scripture. He's a profound bible scholar and historian, so it's like you can't really argue with him. But I just get a feeling about him that I can't put my finger on. He says it's the H-ly Ghost. In response to people telling him, "but you put something else on it," he says "yea I put the H-ly Ghost on it!!" It's not any right of mine to say what spirit he is of (dare I speak against the H-ly Spirit), but actions speak louder than words, and the bible says that one would be known by his fruit. When you have so may people upset and everyone is saying the same thing, that is some rotten fruit to me.

money is the root of all evil:

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

sorry but the guy give me the creeps.

God knows who His chosen are, His church is a spiritual church. the individuals are in all denominations and all positions and all ages and all nationalities.

Seek Jesus and His truth. sorry I can't listen to the guy, why tell people to look at others and not preach about looking to JESUS the finisher and prefecter of our faith?

He does not seem that very deep or scholar to me. or seem to know the Bible all that well or he might remember this verse:

2 Timothy 2:15-16
New King James Version (NKJV)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness

there are many false teachers and preachers of false gospels claiming to come the name of Christ.

will you be diligent and learn the truth by reading and study and prayer spent in God's HOLY Words?

If you want to listen to a preacher I suggest Spurgeon or EM Bounds. they are my current studies.

Power Through Prayer | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

EM Bounds talks about the power of prayer and Spurgeon has been called the prince of Preachers.

as for the guy mentioned above. I will give you EM Bounds words about the preaching that Kills:

"THE preaching that kills may be, and often is, orthodox—dogmatically, inviolably orthodox. We love orthodoxy. It is good. It is the best. It is the clean, clear-cut teaching of God’s Word, the trophies won by truth in its conflict with error, the levees which faith has raised against the desolating floods of honest or reckless misbelief or unbelief; but orthodoxy, clear and hard as crystal, suspicious and militant, may be but the letter well-shaped, well-named, and well-learned, the letter which kills. Nothing is so dead as a dead orthodoxy, too dead to speculate, too dead to think, to study, or to pray.
The preaching that kills may have insight and grasp of principles, may be scholarly and critical in taste, may have every minutia of the derivation and grammar of the letter, may be able to trim the letter into its perfect pattern, and illume it as Plato and Cicero may be illumined, may study it as a lawyer studies his text-books to form his brief or to defend his case, and yet be like a frost, a killing frost. Letter-preaching may be eloquent, enameled with poetry and rhetoric, sprinkled with prayer spiced with sensation, illumined by genius and yet these be but the massive or chaste, costly mountings, the rare and beautiful flowers which coffin the corpse. The preaching which kills may be without scholarship, unmarked by any freshness of thought or feeling, clothed in tasteless generalities or vapid specialties, with style irregular, slovenly, savoring neither of closet nor of study, graced neither by thought, expression, or prayer. Under such preaching how wide and utter the desolation! how profound the spiritual death!
This letter-preaching deals with the surface and shadow of things, and not the things themselves. It does not penetrate the inner part. It has no deep insight into, no strong grasp of, the hidden life of God’s Word. It is true to the outside, but the outside is the hull which must be broken and penetrated for the kernel. The letter may be dressed so as to attract and be fashionable, but the attraction is not toward God nor is the fashion for heaven. The failure is in the preacher. God has not made him. He has never been in the hands of God like clay in the hands of the potter. He has been busy about the sermon, its thought and finish, its drawing and impressive forces; but the deep things of God have never been sought, studied, fathomed, experienced by him. He has never stood before “the throne high and lifted up,” never heard the seraphim song, never seen the vision nor felt the rush of that awful holiness, and cried out in utter abandon and despair under the sense of weakness and guilt, and had his life renewed, his heart touched, purged, inflamed by the live coal from God’s altar. His ministry may draw people to him, to the Church, to the form and ceremony; but no true drawings to God, no sweet, holy, divine communion induced. The Church has been frescoed but not edified, pleased but not sanctified. Life is suppressed; a chill is on the summer air; the soil is baked. The city of our God becomes the city of the dead; the Church a graveyard, not an embattled army. Praise and prayer are stifled; worship is dead. The preacher and the preaching have helped sin, not holiness; peopled hell, not heaven."

his words breathe death and not life, I suggest you stop listening to his preaching and others like him and find good Holy Spirit filled preachers instead. May God bless and keep you.

 

[Fire7]

have you ever read a police report by eyewitnesses to a crime?

if the stories match exactly they think the witnesses might be lying. research it and think about it some time.

ask someone about an event in your childhood. write down what you remember first and then get them to tell you and record it. compare stories and see how similar it is.

it shows that the writers are human and were actually there and not parroting the same story but telling key parts that they remember and think are important to relate.

Yes, I knew this would be the response. this is the classic excuse for blatant contradictions in the bible. But don't take my word for it. Watch these video clips and listen closely. Please don't be presumptuous and write them off, but listen to what they are saying.


David Fitzgerald Skepticon 3 "Examining the Existence of a Historical Jesus" - YouTube

Richard Carrier Skepticon 3 "Are Christians Delusional?" - YouTube

1 Robert Price Part 1 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube
2 Robert Price Part 2 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube
3 Robert Price Part 3 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube
4 Robert Price Part 4 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube
5 Robert Price Part 5 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube

 

[Fire7]

sorry but the guy give me the creeps.

God knows who His chosen are, His church is a spiritual church. the individuals are in all denominations and all positions and all ages and all nationalities.

Seek Jesus and His truth. sorry I can't listen to the guy, why tell people to look at others and not preach about looking to JESUS the finisher and prefecter of our faith?

He does not seem that very deep or scholar to me. or seem to know the Bible all that well or he might remember this verse:

2 Timothy 2:15-16
New King James Version (NKJV)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness

there are many false teachers and preachers of false gospels claiming to come the name of Christ.

will you be diligent and learn the truth by reading and study and prayer spent in God's HOLY Words?

If you want to listen to a preacher I suggest Spurgeon or EM Bounds. they are my current studies.

Power Through Prayer | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

EM Bounds talks about the power of prayer and Spurgeon has been called the prince of Preachers.

as for the guy mentioned above. I will give you EM Bounds words about the preaching that Kills:

"THE preaching that kills may be, and often is, orthodox—dogmatically, inviolably orthodox. We love orthodoxy. It is good. It is the best. It is the clean, clear-cut teaching of God’s Word, the trophies won by truth in its conflict with error, the levees which faith has raised against the desolating floods of honest or reckless misbelief or unbelief; but orthodoxy, clear and hard as crystal, suspicious and militant, may be but the letter well-shaped, well-named, and well-learned, the letter which kills. Nothing is so dead as a dead orthodoxy, too dead to speculate, too dead to think, to study, or to pray.
The preaching that kills may have insight and grasp of principles, may be scholarly and critical in taste, may have every minutia of the derivation and grammar of the letter, may be able to trim the letter into its perfect pattern, and illume it as Plato and Cicero may be illumined, may study it as a lawyer studies his text-books to form his brief or to defend his case, and yet be like a frost, a killing frost. Letter-preaching may be eloquent, enameled with poetry and rhetoric, sprinkled with prayer spiced with sensation, illumined by genius and yet these be but the massive or chaste, costly mountings, the rare and beautiful flowers which coffin the corpse. The preaching which kills may be without scholarship, unmarked by any freshness of thought or feeling, clothed in tasteless generalities or vapid specialties, with style irregular, slovenly, savoring neither of closet nor of study, graced neither by thought, expression, or prayer. Under such preaching how wide and utter the desolation! how profound the spiritual death!
This letter-preaching deals with the surface and shadow of things, and not the things themselves. It does not penetrate the inner part. It has no deep insight into, no strong grasp of, the hidden life of God’s Word. It is true to the outside, but the outside is the hull which must be broken and penetrated for the kernel. The letter may be dressed so as to attract and be fashionable, but the attraction is not toward God nor is the fashion for heaven. The failure is in the preacher. God has not made him. He has never been in the hands of God like clay in the hands of the potter. He has been busy about the sermon, its thought and finish, its drawing and impressive forces; but the deep things of God have never been sought, studied, fathomed, experienced by him. He has never stood before “the throne high and lifted up,” never heard the seraphim song, never seen the vision nor felt the rush of that awful holiness, and cried out in utter abandon and despair under the sense of weakness and guilt, and had his life renewed, his heart touched, purged, inflamed by the live coal from God’s altar. His ministry may draw people to him, to the Church, to the form and ceremony; but no true drawings to God, no sweet, holy, divine communion induced. The Church has been frescoed but not edified, pleased but not sanctified. Life is suppressed; a chill is on the summer air; the soil is baked. The city of our God becomes the city of the dead; the Church a graveyard, not an embattled army. Praise and prayer are stifled; worship is dead. The preacher and the preaching have helped sin, not holiness; peopled hell, not heaven."

his words breathe death and not life, I suggest you stop listening to his preaching and others like him and find good Holy Spirit filled preachers instead. May God bless and keep you.

Thank you for at least trying to investigate. And thank you for the suggestions. I will look into them.

 

[Grandpa]

Yes, I knew this would be the response. this is the classic excuse for blatant contradictions in the bible. But don't take my word for it. Watch these video clips and listen closely. Please don't be presumptuous and write them off, but listen to what they are saying.


David Fitzgerald Skepticon 3 "Examining the Existence of a Historical Jesus" - YouTube

Richard Carrier Skepticon 3 "Are Christians Delusional?" - YouTube

1 Robert Price Part 1 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube
2 Robert Price Part 2 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube
3 Robert Price Part 3 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube
4 Robert Price Part 4 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube
5 Robert Price Part 5 (Skepticon 2) - YouTube

Excuses. You mean like excusing your behaviour because that is what you want to do and you don't want to hear someone tell you its a sin?
Jesus says He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The funny thing about Christians is they have been saved by Jesus and no amount of skepticism from atheists can change that fact. Christians want everyone to know Jesus Christ because He frees us from the slavery of sin. No one else can do this for you.

As far as contradictions in the bible go, they will be cleared up for you with the more wisdom you recieve. They only appear to be contradictions to the unlearned. They are not all cleared up for me yet either. I don't want you to think I don't have my own questions. But I know by now it is my own shortcomings and not the word of God that is falling short.

God Bless You

 

[Fire7]

Excuses. You mean like excusing your behaviour because that is what you want to do and you don't want to hear someone tell you its a sin?
Jesus says He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The funny thing about Christians is they have been saved by Jesus and no amount of skepticism from atheists can change that fact. Christians want everyone to know Jesus Christ because He frees us from the slavery of sin. No one else can do this for you.

As far as contradictions in the bible go, they will be cleared up for you with the more wisdom you recieve. They only appear to be contradictions to the unlearned. They are not all cleared up for me yet either. I don't want you to think I don't have my own questions. But I know by now it is my own shortcomings and not the word of God that is falling short.

God Bless You

Thank you. Don;t think that I'm not taking what you say into account. I'm not saying I'm right. I'm just being honest (the first step to any kind of breakthrough) and telling you how it looks to me. I'm not making excuses. If I was, I would just say forget all of this. But I am seeking answers, so that I won't have to make excuses.

And if you had actually taken the time to listen to the people in these clip, you would see that they would have predicted much of your response(s). Because skeptics use logic (the brain Higher Power gave them), they know all of the tricks an psychological cop outs that christains use, which shopws that they are not stupid. Neither are they demons. They are human beings, and if you listen to them you will see that they are not against the creator; they against the propaganda that has been labeled as Holy.

My intent is not to "make an excuse to live in sin." Yes, you're right about one thing. I do want to do what I want to do. Who doesn't? I also want to know God--I can't do that unless He returns the desire and will. So, I can't do everything I want to do. My natural desires fluxuate minute by minute. But I have always wnated to be in the presence of God. People constantly belittle my sinserity in this matter but it;s because they don't know my heart.'

As far as excuses, if I feel that a belief system is brainwashing, manipulating, and deceiving me, and there is significant edvidence to support this concern, I will excuse myself from such a belief system. I do not want to be part of a belief system that is detrimental to my eternal state.

Here is another link of significance that you can watch if you want a better understanding of both skeptics and homosexuals
John Corvino Skepticon 3 "Coming Out Skeptical" - YouTube

 

[damombomb]

I pray for you for guidence and answers in Jesus name amen,if you need prayer ask,nobody hates you mabe we dont understand,
Help us to understand..

 

[Brandon777]

Name a couple contradictions in the Bible and maybe I can clear them up for you. Let’s not judge Jesus on a couple of Christians in the poor condition the present church is in. “But why create people just to throw them in hell?” There’s a lot more to the story than just creating them and them going to hell. They had a chance to live; plus it’s their fault they’re going there. Also the Bible is clear that homosexuality is not natural, which means if people are born with it it isn’t from God, but rather it’s an abnormality like a disease. That means the fall of man is responsible for it (Adam, Eve and Satan).

God doesn’t want to play mind games with you. He wants you to fight for Him. To seek Him through the dark cloud of this dark age. Humanity is evil for the most part, so it is God’s love that keeps us alive. His grace is boundless.