Is Christianity all in our heads?

[Gideon300]

It strikes me that over the centuries Christians have been at war with each other about what is in our heads, the center of our mental, emotional and social "reality." Is that all Christianity is? Just a fierce battle about ideas, concepts, beliefs and theories? Is there any concept of Christianity that extends below our chins?

Not at all, but countless "believers" do not realise this. Christianity is a new nature that is of God. It is eternal life found only in Christ. As Paul said, "Is Christ divided?" Obviously not, so why are His people? The fundamental cause is religious pride. Either the old timers are too proud to admit that "their" version of truth might be incomplete or outdated, or the people with a different understanding are too proud to accept that others are allowed a different understanding.

obviously there are truths that cannot be denied or the one that holds to them is not saved. But Pre or post tribulation rapture? How about agreeing to disagree? Both can't be right and the Bible can be understood to support both views. And for sure we will find out who is right sooner or later.

Jesus came that we might have Life. It's not the life that we inherit from Adam. It is the Life of God Himself. If we would spend time discovering what that meant in practice, we would be better off by far,

 

[McShawn]

Not at all, but countless "believers" do not realise this. Christianity is a new nature that is of God. It is eternal life found only in Christ. As Paul said, "Is Christ divided?" Obviously not, so why are His people? The fundamental cause is religious pride. Either the old timers are too proud to admit that "their" version of truth might be incomplete or outdated, or the people with a different understanding are too proud to accept that others are allowed a different understanding.

obviously there are truths that cannot be denied or the one that holds to them is not saved. But Pre or post tribulation rapture? How about agreeing to disagree? Both can't be right and the Bible can be understood to support both views. And for sure we will find out who is right sooner or later.

Jesus came that we might have Life. It's not the life that we inherit from Adam. It is the Life of God Himself. If we would spend time discovering what that meant in practice, we would be better off by far,

Amen.. some hairs ain’t worth splitting

 

[Suze]

It strikes me that over the centuries Christians have been at war with each other about what is in our heads, the center of our mental, emotional and social "reality." Is that all Christianity is? Just a fierce battle about ideas, concepts, beliefs and theories? Is there any concept of Christianity that extends below our chins?

I c God every day , in my life , in the lives of others and in His creation . He is with us , all of us , everyday . I c Him at work , helping me , helping others , doing so many awesome things Every day . If He was only in my head ? That is just foolish that's saying that if I die He dies with me . No , He exists beyond any of us and without any of us . He is infinite , we r not .

 

[Suze]

Your response in post number four resembles the sort of things unbelievers say.

Do you actually know people who are freed from all earthly care?

The older I get the less worried I get , about anything really . So many things that I used to to think mattered , just don't any more . I like to think that I'm learning to rest in Him . Or maybe I just don't care much about this life any more . I enjoy being alive , I get sad at a lot of what I c going on in this world but , then I remember , that's what the enemy wants , he wants me to loose my faith in God's love and mercy , if I do that I'm sunk ! So I focus on the things that make me happy , that keep me smiling etc , while I wait for Christ I don't intend to allow myself to get stressed or miserable about what I c going on all around me . My life , my heart , is in Christ and I am therefore , mostly , at peace . Thanks to God in heaven .

 

[Lynx]

It strikes me that over the centuries Christians have been at war with each other about what is in our heads, the center of our mental, emotional and social "reality." Is that all Christianity is? Just a fierce battle about ideas, concepts, beliefs and theories? Is there any concept of Christianity that extends below our chins?

This reminds me of the chat room where a few of us hang out. We all met on the forum, but we talk in a live chat too. We started on skype, and when that shut down we migrated it to whatsapp.

I know for a fact that zero of the other chat members believe exactly the same doctrine I believe. And I think none of them believes exactly the same as any of the rest of them either.

So what's the secret to us all getting along and hanging out in chat for about a decade?

WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT!

Like, 0% of the discussion is about doctrinal beliefs. We don't argue at all. We just don't talk about it.

We talk about chocolate, pizza, how our day went today, the new computer we just got, whatever. We talk about life and the things we enjoy. Occasionally we talk about the things that get on our nerves to.

Occasionally we have accidentally invited somebody into our chat and then found out the person really wants to discuss doctrine. They always get frustrated and leave. Nobody else wants to talk about it.

I remember one memorable, but brief, member who was very insistent that Solomon was in hell, not heaven. he would not accept any disagreement on the matter, and definitely would not accept that it was up to God, not him. He finally left because we disagreed.

If I have to lie and tell you that I agree with everything you believe, every single little bit, that is too high a price to pay for your friendship. I will not lie and perjure my soul just to be your friend. I will not say you are right just to keep you here. We can agree to disagree or you can go, I'm fine with either one. But I will not lie to make you stay.

So yeah, that's how we have been friends for so long in this chat. We know we disagree with each other about some things and we are fine with that. We just don't bring those things up.

 

[Mem]

Idk. Just, maybe, it's all in our hands.
There are a many that I want to touch and say, "be healed...," but this platform isn't exactly very conducive for that capability.

 

[frederickdoc]

One time I had See & In The Pure love of the Lord .Jesus
I had No Care for anything in this world Nothing Only Him

I hope all get to experience Thanx suze SoZo

 

[biblestudent78]

I hope all get to experience Thanx suze SoZo

"No care for anything in this world. Only Him.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?’ Then he will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

 

[Lanolin]

He's in our hands and feets.
Not just our heads.

That's the answer I can give you.

 

[JaumeJ]

"No care for anything in this world. Only Him.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?’ Then he will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Many of us have been reading this. Thank you for being a good Bible Student for us all.

 

[JaumeJ]

P>S> On my pillow overnight it was given me to realize how important it is to be a slave to goodness, Our Father, and never to evil. Sounds simple but is very profound. For to be a slave to goodness cannot be harmful, no not at all.

 

[Suze]

Sorry, metaphors and similes have never been my strong suite. Referring to one's heart as if it is the seat of a deep and more profound emotional and spiritual truth than our minds, just leaves me trying to figure out a metaphorical response. I failed. If there is a physical reality separate from our emotional or spiritual reality, I just don't know what it is. Hel

I

This reminds me of the chat room where a few of us hang out. We all met on the forum, but we talk in a live chat too. We started on skype, and when that shut down we migrated it to whatsapp.

I know for a fact that zero of the other chat members believe exactly the same doctrine I believe. And I think none of them believes exactly the same as any of the rest of them either.

So what's the secret to us all getting along and hanging out in chat for about a decade?

WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT!

Like, 0% of the discussion is about doctrinal beliefs. We don't argue at all. We just don't talk about it.

We talk about chocolate, pizza, how our day went today, the new computer we just got, whatever. We talk about life and the things we enjoy. Occasionally we talk about the things that get on our nerves to.

Occasionally we have accidentally invited somebody into our chat and then found out the person really wants to discuss doctrine. They always get frustrated and leave. Nobody else wants to talk about it.

I remember one memorable, but brief, member who was very insistent that Solomon was in hell, not heaven. he would not accept any disagreement on the matter, and definitely would not accept that it was up to God, not him. He finally left because we disagreed.

If I have to lie and tell you that I agree with everything you believe, every single little bit, that is too high a price to pay for your friendship. I will not lie and perjure my soul just to be your friend. I will not say you are right just to keep you here. We can agree to disagree or you can go, I'm fine with either one. But I will not lie to make you stay.

So yeah, that's how we have been friends for so long in this chat. We know we disagree with each other about some things and we are fine with that. We just don't bring those things up.

I do get where u r coming from and I'm fine with it , however , we all have to respect each other so , u have to let us folks that love to talk about doctrine etc , do so .
I can't say I like to talk about doctrine exactly but I do love to talk about the Bible . Nor specifically doctrine , just the people and their lives as it is all written down , I especially like to talk about how the Old is a foreshadow of the New and how the two Testaments r connected . I don't have too many people to talk to about this stuff , or listen to so , I love all the Bible knowledge I glean from on here .
Each to their own but all in fellowship

 

[McShawn]

I

I do get where u r coming from and I'm fine with it , however , we all have to respect each other so , u have to let us folks that love to talk about doctrine etc , do so .
I can't say I like to talk about doctrine exactly but I do love to talk about the Bible . Nor specifically doctrine , just the people and their lives as it is all written down , I especially like to talk about how the Old is a foreshadow of the New and how the two Testaments r connected . I don't have too many people to talk to about this stuff , or listen to so , I love all the Bible knowledge I glean from on here .
Each to their own but all in fellowship

There’s a video on YouTube, the testimony of a Messianic Jew and the connection of the Old and New Testament. I’m not sure how to post a YouTube video on here so you can just click and watch it but it’s called “A Jewish Man Tried to Disprove Jesus Feom the Old Testament and It Backfired” if you want to look it up. Or here’s a copy of the link:

 

[McShawn]

There’s a video on YouTube, the testimony of a Messianic Jew and the connection of the Old and New Testament. I’m not sure how to post a YouTube video on here so you can just click and watch it but it’s called “A Jewish Man Tried to Disprove Jesus Feom the Old Testament and It Backfired” if you want to look it up. Or here’s a copy of the link:

So I guess I do know how to post a video now, it just shows up. Sorry I’m a bit tech challenged.

 

[PAC-fit]

Seldom discussed concerning doctrine, that is the path of vulnerability. As Jesus put it, it wasn't really a matter of being vulnerable.

I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. (John 16:12)

Why would I snip that out of context? Because we can't even agree on His means of being able,

(v13) However, when the Spirit of truth comes, ,"

I personally don't even think it is a matter designated to those of spiritual maturity (mortal ability) but a steadfast expectation of the Spirit.

 

[Suze]

So I guess I do know how to post a video now, it just shows up. Sorry I’m a bit tech challenged.

So I guess I do know how to post a video now, it just shows up. Sorry I’m a bit te

Me too , thanks I shall give it a look

 

[Ceph]

Got not being real fundamentally makes no sense.
Just carefully observe existence itself, how everything is chaotic, but organized, and if it weren't for a spiritual force, nothing that we are observing would actually be able to be understood.
As different as everything seems to be, everything is the same. As different as everyone presents themselves, on the inside they're all the same.
And if you know the laws of thermodynamics, you know that eveybody's energy relies on the same source.

 

[JaumeJ]

Carbon based, like ashes?

 

[biblestudent78]

I

I do get where u r coming from and I'm fine with it , however , we all have to respect each other so , u have to let us folks that love to talk about doctrine etc , do so .
I can't say I like to talk about doctrine exactly but I do love to talk about the Bible . Nor specifically doctrine , just the people and their lives as it is all written down , I especially like to talk about how the Old is a foreshadow of the New and how the two Testaments r connected . I don't have too many people to talk to about this stuff , or listen to so , I love all the Bible knowledge I glean from on here .
Each to their own but all in fellowship

Suze
I fully understand the desire to avoid areas of religious conflict. For many, reading the bible like you would read a book at a book club is a valid. The focus is on the the narratives of the 3,200+ people and their stories. Each can read and posit their interpretation, emotions and insights about all these people in a safe environment. The bible can be viewed as is a historical novel full of exciting, tragic, supernatural, and inspirational stories. Some of the poetry is amazing. This approach helps avoiding pre-determined frameworks or filters through which all biblical data must pass for "validation." Your comment that the "old is a foreshadow of the New" however hints at a framework at work as it suggests that the "old" is one thing and the "new" another.

Unfortunately, most are not capable of engaging with the bible without a predetermined agenda. That usually involves validating what we have been taught about what is "true" and thus the bible is just is a reference source for confirming what we already know is "true" i.e. doctrines. This has been the approach for 1,600+ years. Each Christian is locked inside a detailed theological universe in which all legitimate questions are already answered. We are taught that God has a "system" and we know exactly what God's system is. Our salvation and fellowship requires us to get on board with "God's system usually express as creeds, statements of faith and a commitment to an inventory of dogmas that define who is in and who is out. Thus we have 45,000 denominations and a rapidly failing American Christianity. Millions have left these systems in the last 50 yrs resulting in the annual closing of thousands of churches.

The only Christian movement showing consistent growth in the USA right now are the collection of like minded churches living under the banner of Pentecostalism. Here religion is deeply personal, spirit filled and accepting of all emotional experiences. It is also the most racially and least class conscious movement. Here too, the bible is just a bigger framework that includes the validity of personal "revelation" and "validation." The bible serves as a source of "inspiration," but not of scholarship. The bible in interpreted through experiences with the Holy Spirit which serves as the seal of salvation. One is "saved" through faith and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I too enjoy this forum. I have been a bible student for 68 yrs and I find this marketplace of religious discussions endlessly fascinating.

 

[biblestudent78]

P>S> On my pillow overnight it was given me to realize how important it is to be a slave to goodness, Our Father, and never to evil. Sounds simple but is very profound. For to be a slave to goodness cannot be harmful, no not at all.

I love this metaphor of being a slave to goodness. It lies at the center of the Gospel...that we are saved for a purpose bigger than ourselves and that Christianity is about who we become through the power of the Holy Spirit. While we live in an age of instant and costless salvation, Jesus had a different perspective, one more in line with your simple statement.

In Matthew 24
"Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, and many false prophets will arise and deceive many. Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved."

In our culture, a truly good person who honors both God and his call to be loving servants to all, will be seen as a bright light on a hill that all can see. In my life I have seen and known and been friends with these people. Through them, I am inspired.