Christianity made simple.

[Gideon300]

I've said something like this before, but it bears repeating.

When my son was very small, he was fascinated by the lights. He noticed that simply moving a switch turned the lights on or off. He did not have any knowledge of electricity and no degree in electrical engineering. He was about 2 years old. What could he know? Well, he knew enough to turn on the switch. I had to pick him up to reach it, but that's all.

Brethren, there is nothing wrong with theological degrees (as long as it is from a Bible believing institution), Bible studies and being familiar with God's word. We should be knowledgeable about God's word. It is our spiritual food, so we ignore it at the risk of spiritual malnutrition. However, the most important thing is to come to the light! Then we can see spiritual truth clearly. It is also the easiest thing to do.

So what does it mean to come to the light? John 3:19-21

"And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God"

We know that Jesus is the Light (John 8:12 and 9:5). We do not need a theological degree to see. A degree won't help us if we are in the dark.

Some will say that God's word is a lamp to our feet. So it is. But Lord Jesus is God's Word! As we look and see what Lord Jesus has done for us already, as we see who we are in Him and who He is in us, our lives will be transformed. If all we do is focus on what we are and what we must do, we will be in bondage to self and its limitations.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.." Hebrews 12:2 I can assure you that Lord Jesus has no trouble living the Christian life. I know this from experience. I've tried it both ways. Now I know Jesus as my Life and that makes all the difference.

 

[timf]

God is light and in him is no darkness at all

We might see light as giving and darkness as taking or consumption. Since humans took a path away from God, we are born in the darkness of selfishness and seeking to satisfy ourselves, we harm ourselves and others.

God made a way for us to come out of the darkness of self through the selfless love of Christ. If we can recognize this truth and trust in it, we have the opportunity to shed our old nature and draw nearer to the source of light and love.

 

[GWH]

I've said something like this before, but it bears repeating.

When my son was very small, he was fascinated by the lights. He noticed that simply moving a switch turned the lights on or off. He did not have any knowledge of electricity and no degree in electrical engineering. He was about 2 years old. What could he know? Well, he knew enough to turn on the switch. I had to pick him up to reach it, but that's all.

Brethren, there is nothing wrong with theological degrees (as long as it is from a Bible believing institution), Bible studies and being familiar with God's word. We should be knowledgeable about God's word. It is our spiritual food, so we ignore it at the risk of spiritual malnutrition. However, the most important thing is to come to the light! Then we can see spiritual truth clearly. It is also the easiest thing to do.

So what does it mean to come to the light? John 3:19-21

"And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God"

We know that Jesus is the Light (John 8:12 and 9:5). We do not need a theological degree to see. A degree won't help us if we are in the dark.

Some will say that God's word is a lamp to our feet. So it is. But Lord Jesus is God's Word! As we look and see what Lord Jesus has done for us already, as we see who we are in Him and who He is in us, our lives will be transformed. If all we do is focus on what we are and what we must do, we will be in bondage to self and its limitations.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.." Hebrews 12:2 I can assure you that Lord Jesus has no trouble living the Christian life. I know this from experience. I've tried it both ways. Now I know Jesus as my Life and that makes all the difference.

God is manifested in a multitude of dimensions: by creation including physical light (Rom. 1:20), by communication as truth or spiritual light (1John 5:6, Psa. 119:105), and by incarnation as Jesus (John 1:14, 8:12), but perhaps the simplest way for a child to comprehend is by compassion as love (John 13:35, 1John 4:8).

 

[homwardbound]

I've said something like this before, but it bears repeating.

When my son was very small, he was fascinated by the lights. He noticed that simply moving a switch turned the lights on or off. He did not have any knowledge of electricity and no degree in electrical engineering. He was about 2 years old. What could he know? Well, he knew enough to turn on the switch. I had to pick him up to reach it, but that's all.

Brethren, there is nothing wrong with theological degrees (as long as it is from a Bible believing institution), Bible studies and being familiar with God's word. We should be knowledgeable about God's word. It is our spiritual food, so we ignore it at the risk of spiritual malnutrition. However, the most important thing is to come to the light! Then we can see spiritual truth clearly. It is also the easiest thing to do.

So what does it mean to come to the light? John 3:19-21

"And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God"

We know that Jesus is the Light (John 8:12 and 9:5). We do not need a theological degree to see. A degree won't help us if we are in the dark.

Some will say that God's word is a lamp to our feet. So it is. But Lord Jesus is God's Word! As we look and see what Lord Jesus has done for us already, as we see who we are in Him and who He is in us, our lives will be transformed. If all we do is focus on what we are and what we must do, we will be in bondage to self and its limitations.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.." Hebrews 12:2 I can assure you that Lord Jesus has no trouble living the Christian life. I know this from experience. I've tried it both ways. Now I know Jesus as my Life and that makes all the difference.

As simple as turning on the light switch
God has done this through Son for us all to be and see new in truth given his love and mercy for all. To become wise as serpents, yet remain harmless as doves. Hardest part, I have found in experiences is how to remain harmless, seeing only God can do that not me ever. To discern when to stand up or remain sitting down. The book of Ecclesiastes has helped me in this humbleness
Thanking Father and Son as Won for us all in the risen Son as proof, reported by the Disciples to us all, thanks fro the post!

I see a toaster cannot make toast unless it is plugged into the power for it.
The same with people to do love and mercy in truth, One need to be plugged in too

 

[GWH]

As simple as turning on the light switch
God has done this through Son for us all to be and see new in truth given his love and mercy for all. To become wise as serpents, yet remain harmless as doves. Hardest part, I have found in experiences is how to remain harmless, seeing only God can do that not me ever. To discern when to stand up or remain sitting down. The book of Ecclesiastes has helped me in this humbleness
Thanking Father and Son as Won for us all in the risen Son as proof, reported by the Disciples to us all, thanks fro the post!

I see a toaster cannot make toast unless it is plugged into the power for it.
The same with people to do love and mercy in truth, One need to be plugged in too

Yes, and this is how Jesus and Paul most simply said to plug in:

Jesus expressed GRFS succinctly by saying “Repent” (Matt. 4:17) and “Ask… seek… knock…” (Matt. 7:7, Heb. 11:6, Isa. 45:19).

Paul told the jailer simply to “Believe in the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 16:31). This is GRFS in a nutshell: “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord”
(2Cor. 4:5 & Col. 2:6).

 

[Soyeong]

I've said something like this before, but it bears repeating.

When my son was very small, he was fascinated by the lights. He noticed that simply moving a switch turned the lights on or off. He did not have any knowledge of electricity and no degree in electrical engineering. He was about 2 years old. What could he know? Well, he knew enough to turn on the switch. I had to pick him up to reach it, but that's all.

Brethren, there is nothing wrong with theological degrees (as long as it is from a Bible believing institution), Bible studies and being familiar with God's word. We should be knowledgeable about God's word. It is our spiritual food, so we ignore it at the risk of spiritual malnutrition. However, the most important thing is to come to the light! Then we can see spiritual truth clearly. It is also the easiest thing to do.

So what does it mean to come to the light? John 3:19-21

"And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God"

We know that Jesus is the Light (John 8:12 and 9:5). We do not need a theological degree to see. A degree won't help us if we are in the dark.

Some will say that God's word is a lamp to our feet. So it is. But Lord Jesus is God's Word! As we look and see what Lord Jesus has done for us already, as we see who we are in Him and who He is in us, our lives will be transformed. If all we do is focus on what we are and what we must do, we will be in bondage to self and its limitations.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.." Hebrews 12:2 I can assure you that Lord Jesus has no trouble living the Christian life. I know this from experience. I've tried it both ways. Now I know Jesus as my Life and that makes all the difference.

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact likeness of His character (Hebrews 1:3), which he embodied through his works by setting a sinless example for us to follow of how to walk in obedience to the Law of Moses and the position that followers of Christ should follow his example is Christianity made simple. The Law of Moses is God's Word (Deuteronomy 5:31-33) and Jesus is God's Word Word made flesh, so what he is doing for us is graciously teaching us to be like him through embodying God's character traits in obedience to God's Word.

 

[homwardbound]

Yes, and this is how Jesus and Paul most simply said to plug in:

Jesus expressed GRFS succinctly by saying “Repent” (Matt. 4:17) and “Ask… seek… knock…” (Matt. 7:7, Heb. 11:6, Isa. 45:19).

Paul told the jailer simply to “Believe in the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 16:31). This is GRFS in a nutshell: “Accept Christ Jesus as Lord”
(2Cor. 4:5 & Col. 2:6).

I do not know what GRFS stand for. Thanks if you will share it out and not abbreviate for edifying, thank you

 

[GWH]

I do not know what GRFS stand for. Thanks if you will share it out and not abbreviate for edifying, thank you

God's requirement for salvation.
I recommend everyone on CC utilize or at least become familiar with these abbreviations:

GW = God’s Word (Scripture),
OT = Old Testament (Covenant),
NT = New Testament,
HS = Holy Spirit,
JC = Jesus Christ (or Christ Jesus),
TOJ = teachings of Jesus,
TOP = teachings of Paul (& Peter),
GRFS = God’s requirement for salvation,
MFW = moral free will (volition),

 

[homwardbound]

God's requirement for salvation.
I recommend everyone on CC utilize or at least become familiar with these abbreviations:

GW = God’s Word (Scripture),
OT = Old Testament (Covenant),
NT = New Testament,
HS = Holy Spirit,
JC = Jesus Christ (or Christ Jesus),
TOJ = teachings of Jesus,
TOP = teachings of Paul (& Peter),
GRFS = God’s requirement for salvation,
MFW = moral free will (volition),

Thanks, yet I seriously will not remember most, many I do automatically. thank you to take time to spell it out, please even fro everyone. we all are different as we each grow up in different stages Hebrews 5:12-6:3

 

[homwardbound]

God's requirement for salvation.
I recommend everyone on CC utilize or at least become familiar with these abbreviations:

GW = God’s Word (Scripture),
OT = Old Testament (Covenant),
NT = New Testament,
HS = Holy Spirit,
JC = Jesus Christ (or Christ Jesus),
TOJ = teachings of Jesus,
TOP = teachings of Paul (& Peter),
GRFS = God’s requirement for salvation,
MFW = moral free will (volition),

I just got a new thought, God's "Requirement" for Salvation
Requirement = you better or else, if you do not I will kill you, sent you to the lake of fire. I do. not see my Father as a tyrant ever.
God is true Compassionate love and mercy to all and for all. Jesus did not return risen and kill those that got him killed as in Col 2. Love and mercy is to be received and given to all.
Religion has made it a requirement =, no wonder people are leaving religions, leaving people being lords over people
God frees to love to all in mercy and truth to all. Its a chloice, required leaves no choice to choose

Thank you as we each learn from one another and agree to disagree or not, thanks

 

[rewriter]

Brethren, there is nothing wrong with theological degrees (as long as it is from a Bible believing institution), Bible studies and being familiar with God's word. We should be knowledgeable about God's word. It is our spiritual food, so we ignore it at the risk of spiritual malnutrition. However, the most important thing is to come to the light! Then we can see spiritual truth clearly. It is also the easiest thing to do.

As soon as you proclaim that theological degrees are good as long as it comes from a Bible believing institution you seem to be implying that there are such degree granting institutions that are not "God believing", and that raises the question of, how do you distinguish? Do only Conservative-Evangelical ones meet this criteria or do more middle of the road or even liberal ones also eligible. What about a Conservative-Evangelical school that embraces academic honesty, that is sound arguments over doctrinal purity?

Among academics there are many currently unanswerable questions about what the Bible means in places, so which institutions are teaching the "proper" understandings of these, or is merely recognizing that these problems exist sufficient.

And given the widespread recognition of the existence of such problems, must we stay with traditional approaches or would an approach that eliminates these issues, but at a cost of redirecting and redefining how we express our faith be an improvement?

 

[GWH]

Thanks, yet I seriously will not remember most, many I do automatically. thank you to take time to spell it out, please even fro everyone. we all are different as we each grow up in different stages Hebrews 5:12-6:3

Thanks HB,
I think the only new ones I have introduced on CC are last four, which you should find quite handy.
LIC, GWH

 

[homwardbound]

As soon as you proclaim that theological degrees are good as long as it comes from a Bible believing institution you seem to be implying that there are such degree granting institutions that are not "God believing", and that raises the question of, how do you distinguish? Do only Conservative-Evangelical ones meet this criteria or do more middle of the road or even liberal ones also eligible. What about a Conservative-Evangelical school that embraces academic honesty, that is sound arguments over doctrinal purity?

Among academics there are many currently unanswerable questions about what the Bible means in places, so which institutions are teaching the "proper" understandings of these, or is merely recognizing that these problems exist sufficient.

And given the widespread recognition of the existence of such problems, must we stay with traditional approaches or would an approach that eliminates these issues, but at a cost of redirecting and redefining how we express our faith be an improvement?

I see Jesus never went to seminary, was not a levite and yet had all the answers and healings without any levitical degree
Hebrews 7:11-12

 

[rewriter]

I see Jesus never went to seminary, was not a levite and yet had all the answers and healings without any levitical degree
Hebrews 7:11-12

Jesus was referred to as "Rabbi" even by His opponents. That title implies formal training, aka seminary. You are citing silence on where Jesus got His education but ignoring that others recognized that He received such. You might also note that in the OT there are priests from the tribe of Judah and Josephus implies that both Jesus and James were Levitical.

 

[GWH]

Jesus was referred to as "Rabbi" even by His opponents. That title implies formal training, aka seminary. You are citing silence on where Jesus got His education but ignoring that others recognized that He received such. You might also note that in the OT there are priests from the tribe of Judah and Josephus implies that both Jesus and James were Levitical.

Jesus was called "Rabbi" because everyone was amazed at his knowledge (Matt. 7:28-29),
which Jesus said he received from the Father Himself (John 5:37, 6:45, 8:26-28, etc.).

 

[rewriter]

Jesus was called "Rabbi" because everyone was amazed at his knowledge (Matt. 7:28-29),
which Jesus said he received from the Father Himself (John 5:37, 6:45, 8:26-28, etc.).

And Rabbi was also a term associated with rabbinic education. Your observations remain consistent with this point and do not negate it. The testimony of Josephus regarding James suggests that Jesus was rabbinic trained.

 

[GWH]

And Rabbi was also a term associated with rabbinic education. Your observations remain consistent with this point and do not negate it. The testimony of Josephus regarding James suggests that Jesus was rabbinic trained.

What testimony does Joe suggest regarding Jesus being trained by rabbis that contradicts Luke 2:41-52?

 

[rewriter]

What testimony does Joe suggest regarding Jesus being trained by rabbis that contradicts Luke 2:41-52?

When does being a wunderkind mean someone does not get normal instruction? It merely implies exceptional knowledge.

 

[rewriter]

Okay GWH, now that my dog is content, let us resume. Luke admits to using hearsay, such does not meet God's requirements for knowing something is true, but it does meet Greco-Roman standards for a biography. Are you suggesting that God violated His own rules in order to comply with some human rules?

Also, Luke does not specify what Jesus's source of knowledge was, just that he was advanced beyond what would be expected. There are very human ways that such can occur, and numerous examples of such throughout history. The youngest university TA I know of was only 14 for example, and at a highly rated university.

But how much of Josephus are you aware of that I can reference him and you do not seem to have any idea what I am referencing. You do recognize that his account of Izates sounds like cover story for Jesus don't you.

 

[GWH]

Okay GWH, now that my dog is content, let us resume. Luke admits to using hearsay, such does not meet God's requirements for knowing something is true, but it does meet Greco-Roman standards for a biography. Are you suggesting that God violated His own rules in order to comply with some human rules?

Also, Luke does not specify what Jesus's source of knowledge was, just that he was advanced beyond what would be expected. There are very human ways that such can occur, and numerous examples of such throughout history. The youngest university TA I know of was only 14 for example, and at a highly rated university.

But how much of Josephus are you aware of that I can reference him and you do not seem to have any idea what I am referencing. You do recognize that his account of Izates sounds like cover story for Jesus don't you.

Pet your dog for me. I like dogs hand have a good back yard for a dog, but I do not want to own one until I stop travelling.
I already cited verses indicating the source of Jesus' knowledge was God the Father (John 5:37, 6:45, 8:26-28, etc.), NOT rabbis
(Luke 2:41-52).

I learned about Joe in seminary, but at this point I hope you will quote relevant statements here, because I remember
that he referred to Jesus as Christ but not to Jesus as having been trained by rabbis. Perhaps you are remembering Acts 22:3,
where Paul is described as having studied under Gamaliel and being thoroughly trained in the law?