American Belief in Global Warming Takes a Dive

99caravan »

Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:23 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Well, not exactly a Christian topic, but certainly one that stirs interest opinions, and all that jazz ( for me as well) :)

For me, this bleeds of philosophy, psychology and hierarchy of needs. Modelled by Maslov. In essence, behaviour, effectiveness, and influence of human character was, as proposed by Maslov, based on which level that a person was in the hierarcy. at the bottom was basic needs (food, water, shelter) then above this not life threatening items and so on. up.

In essence, a person at the lower levels in needs of basic needs, food, etc. will have little or no regards to whether they are living in an unhealthy environment, for example, that could lead to chronic long term health effects (again as an example).

I propose that Global warming, given the current economic situation, would have to be in the upper echelon of the Maslov model, and more real issues, like jobs, economic recovery, and the ever increasing deficits have taken priority and this cannot be of any real concern, since, let's face the reality of it... Who has the money to pay for any real improvements to it?

Is it a problem? Absolutely! In the Netherlands, every year they have to increase the height of the dams (Dikes) by 8" or so because of the ever increasing height of the ocean water levels. Due to the melting of the Glaciers without a doubt ( I am no scientist :) so I can only speculate). There are houses that have been built on seafront where they have conceded to the ocean, again due to rising sea levels.

Multitudes of evidence which cannot be disputed would indicate that it is a major major problem, however until it hits on your doorstep, then it will probably not be regarded as a big problem.

My 2 cents.

Atheists Promote 'Good Without God' Message in Big Apple

99caravan »

Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:30 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 6

As for the Atheists, their very existence depends on us, and so they would be nothing without Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, otherwise what would they be denying???? lol :)

The fundamental problem with Atheist and most nos Christian belief systems is okay... you are not Christians, and you vehemently deny the existence of God... Okay then. what do you believe? What is right? What is Wrong? (Since the term sin is not applicable, right????

Who defines morality then?? You are good because you are better than what? Who? You know what is right and wrong because you believe... Oprah? Maury Povich??? Okay then the Constitution??

Thats the fundamental problem with non theologically centered belief systems, there is no foundation, except what can be traced back to the origins of the Bible, and so they will, without a doubt, refer back to ethics and laws, philosophies that are 10 commandment based and / or other biblical reference. Funny and true!

Atheists Promote 'Good Without God' Message in Big Apple

99caravan »

Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:23 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 3

Personally I enjoy the fact that there are many atheists and people coming in here to challenge Christians and in the process hopefully finding out a little bit more about the faith in general. Otherwie it would be just Christians, including myself, trying to impress people with quotes from scripture that are appropriate to the topic etc. Definitely a recipe for us to become self righteous and proud, whidh is the anthesis of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Documentary on Gospel Dividing America Hits Big Screen

99caravan »

Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:38 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

mwalsh: You ending comments leave me with the feeling like you have a lot of discontentment in your perception of the world. I try and remember that God created the world, universe and all things for us. We are all depraved from birth, born in sin, no better or worse than non Christians. (Slave or free as Paul puts it.) we all have a role and responsibility for the world the way it is and we can all have a part in making it if nothing more than a miniscule bit better by focusing on the good things, the majesty and splendour and absolute beauty in aspects of God's creative genius that is the world! ...and smiling a little bit every now and then helps too :) God Bless.

Was It Possible for Jesus to Sin?

99caravan »

Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:18 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Jesus also associated with many sinners and people of lower moral integrity and who committed actions whish were deemed sinful in Nature, not only by the Religious elite of the day, but by many biblical principles and doctrinal guidelines given to us by the apostles who in several cases charge that as Christians we should not associate with people like this because they can lead us astray from the narrow path. Jesus, however as God in the flesh does not fit this definition, and continuously references these people in need of salvation and a saviour. One popular instance of this was Peter when he was left in Jerusalem and continued to associate with the elite and wealthy people in Jerusalem. When Paul came and saw this he rebuked him, and he was ashambed of that.

Did Jesus Sin? I would say no, but his actions if defined and given to be that of any other man... would constitute sin. His continual attack of the scribes and Pharisees, if done by a mere man, would probably cross the border of sin in the conventional. "A breed of Vipers, Whitewashed Tombs, etc".

The blanket that covers him from sin is that he was no mere man. He was God in the flesh, so any judgement, wrath, or criticism that he could and did invoke on anyone was not the mere actions of the character of a man, they were the judgement and wrath of God being righteously applied for the purposes of teaching, disciplining and reconciling the world back to himself, in essence.

Was It Possible for Jesus to Sin?

99caravan »

Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:06 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Could Jesus sin? Very good question and worthy of debate on many levels. The difficulty I have personally with this question and where it becomes problematic in trying to answer is the fact that Jesus was wholly man and wholly God at the same time. That means that he had the intrinsic properties of mankind and temptations to sin, just as any other human being. His actions, if we use scripture as a definition for sin (in reference to mankind, the flesh), would essentially constitute him commiting acts of sin. The incident where he in a rage tipped over tables and drove the peddlers out of the temple would certainly constitute sin... if it were the actions of a mere man. The fact that he was also God at the same moment means that any act of agression, rage or outward disciplinary action that he could commit, would then fall under the blanket of the wrath of God in righteously executing judgement on the sins of man. If he was a mere man, then these actions would absolutely constitute sin by any Biblical definition...

'Imagine No Religion' Billboards Hit Detroit

99caravan »

Sun Oct 04, 2009 11:01 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

By resorting to Billboards and signs that say here is no God and similar mantra, then they are acting exactly like the self righteous Religious people and doctrines that they are attacking. What would be interesting is the rest of their philosophy. Add a Doctrine, belief system, code of ethics, morality, legality, social and relationship plan. It won't be 3 lines in before the Biblical principles are referenced, and then they will see the illogical rationale of their arguments.

If they fail to accept the God of the Bible, then I would be interested in learning more about this "anti God philosophy", and its rules and doctrines??

A House Divided?

99caravan »

Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:23 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Well, the Bible specifically states that homosexuality is a sin. Romans 1, and a few other places. It is also stated that we are all sinners. For we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Christ came to save sinners and not righteous, which basically means that salvation through repentance of sin and belief in the life death and ressurection of Christ on the cross as atonement for our sin is the basis of Salvation, santification, and purification of our sins. Jesus became our sin and it died on the cross.

To try and become God by denying salvation to any particular person or group is absolutely non-biblical. God is God and we have not the authority to give or deny salvation to anyone. Having said that, it appears inevitable that these two church bodies will never unite under a common doctrine and will probably not agree on a common doctrine. So they will probably be separate church bodies. They both share much common ground and it is wonderful that all share the love in Christ which is amazing and so much more and common. If we have faith and believe in the healing power of Christ and his heart, mind and soul transforming power, and that all things are possible in God, then if it is His will, then he will transform and conform any Christian to his likeness and image through worship, praise, prayer and attendance to scripture. Leave it in God's hands.

Christians Challenged to Be More Proactive in Strengthening Marriage

99caravan »

Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:47 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

From a moral, ethical or societal perspective, it is not a big revelation that the societal implications of families and Marriages in which he marriage stays together is a huge benefit for society. The children of married couples that stay married fare much better off than those of couples that have separated and/or divorced. They have way less emotional, and psychological issues both for the parents, and the children and are much better equipped individuals to transition smoothly into productive members of society.

In todays economy, it is extremely difficult to navigate through the world of the flesh solo. How many average single people can afford to buy a moderate sized home?

Anyway, I have faith in the snctity of marriage and all of its implications as it was intended by the Creator, my Saviour Amen.

Christians Challenged to Be More Proactive in Strengthening Marriage

99caravan »

Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:40 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

I was commenting on the Gay bashing, the Child Molestation sins, Which is worse, etc.

Christians Challenged to Be More Proactive in Strengthening Marriage

99caravan »

Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:39 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

On the subject matter of Marriage and the stance that we are to take as Christians, I personally agree with the third option, that we stand to defend the sanctity of the marriage covenant as we have been instructed by scripture. ...and the twain shall become one flesh. That a couple who enters the marriage covenant before man and God, shall walk as one flesh, and remains married until death. Any separation of the marriage covenant is almost exclusively consider adultery. The provision for divorce was only given by moses in order to appease the people of Israel because they kept asking for it, not as a covenant or allowance from God. (The same people who collected and melted down all their Gold and Jewellery to make a golden calf to worship, as soon as Moses went up on the mountain.), hardly a people we would as Christians aspire to be likened unto...

Christians Challenged to Be More Proactive in Strengthening Marriage

99caravan »

Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:33 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

The subject matter of this column that was up for discussion was the holy and sanctified institution of marriage as it was intended to be in the laid out concepts and plans of the creator God. The discussions should have been centered around this instead of bashing each other, as a clear message that within the Christian body of Christ, we are as much at odds with each other as the non believers.

We are to walk uprightly, and to lead by example to be compelling to non believers in order to profess and glorify the body of Christ to which we consist, demonstrating and exhibiting ourselves in unity as the body of Christ.

The constant bickering over the nature and magnitude of sin, spiralling downward into judgment, personal attacks on each others character and personal traits serve to demonstrate that we are divided among oursleves, and a testament that Satan is actively prevalent in our characters...

Why Does God Allow Evil, Injustice?

99caravan »

Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:16 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I am of the opinion that the strongest faith and nearness to God comes when we are pushed to the limits physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In my experience, when things are going well, I turned away from God, so much so that I was self sufficient, and assured that all that I had, was, and the wealth I had accumulated was through my own hard word, dedication, planning, etc. Self sufficent and capable of managing all aspects of my own life... basically making myself my own God, in a weird idolatry, kind of way.

When things were taken from me, and gradually more and more things were no longer in order, then I found myself turning back to the Lord again. In difficult times, we realise the depravity of the material things that we have elevated to ultimate status and the temporary fleeting sustainment that they bring to our lives.

Trials and tribulations serve to strengthen your faith in Christ and the rational reminder that God is ultimate and the one thing we need to center our lives around in order to ensure that regardless of the situation and trials that life puts on us, God is always there, evident, prevalent, and will never leave us alone in the desert.

Piper, Driscoll Stay Passionate for Mission amid Criticisms

99caravan »

Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:03 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

SOS is a graphic book of the Bible. It is, however, perhaps the only book in the Bible that does any justice to the intimate relationship between a woman and a man in love, courtship and intimacy. Yes it does reference sex, etc., and is a subject that most churches refuse to preach about... in my opinion, a failure on the part of churches that don't preach about it. It is intimacy, courtship, and love between a man and a woman in the context that the Creator God intended for it to be. Otherwise it wouldn't have been written there.

It is easy to sit back, do nothing, but critique another person who steps up to the plate and dares to accept criticism and does their best to preach it as it is written, as God intended the bonding of a woman and a man.

If you refuse to teach intimacy in the context that it was intended by God, we cannot as not only believers in Chriist, but just as intelligent human beings, be naive to believe that our children and young adults will not learn about sex... and you can be sure it will not be in any form of biblical or spiritual reference :)

Greg Laurie Encourages Thousands to Be Christian on the Inside

99caravan »

Fri May 22, 2009 12:56 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

Amen to that! It is nice to hear the recognition of this echoing in many articles recently.

'The Cost of Discipleship'

99caravan »

Fri May 22, 2009 12:51 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

The cost of being a Christian is a far cry from the popular prosperity gospel so prevalent in todays society. For me it has brought quite a bit of suffering, but when faced with persecution, I only have to remember the amazing sacrifice that Christ made for me and knowing that at the end of this journey, I will walk with Christ, so all in all, eternal life is everything when compared with the brief life we have here on earth. The Apostle paul had it right when he said to live is Christ, to die is gain... or something like that.

Hardly the rosy garden that many seem to believe. The difference in being a believer and a non believer is that in times of trouble, persecution, and any other day to day trials and tribulations is that, we have salvation and the cross to depend on. If you don't have that then you would have to look for other means to get through your struggles.

For me, I am glad to have the cross, even when it appears there is little else to depend on :)

The Coming Evangelical Collapse

99caravan »

Tue May 05, 2009 9:11 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Old Student Jim...

I would like to know where you get the go on the offensive strategy in terms of scripture and christianity?? Jesus was very specific when when he told his disciples to turn the other cheek when attacked. He said the complete opposite. He said to love your neighbour was easy, but to also love your enemy. Hardly offensive or attacking I would say. There was an article here resently with a machine gun toting pastor!!! Who or what does this look like to the general population! What is the difference between any other fundamental extremist group. They believe their mission is for their god. Jesus went to the cross and died for our sins, the basis of Christianity. When Peter attacked and cut the ear off the soldier that was arresting Jesus, Jesus rebuked him and told him to concede. Paul went to Jerusalem and Died, as did all the apostles for their faith. No attacking, building armies or hostility. They were to go out as calm as doves.

It is because of these on the attack ideas that there is renewed opposition towards Christians. Christianity cannot and was never meant to be legislated, otherwise it would then be more like communism, no??

Baptist Pirate?

99caravan »

Sun May 03, 2009 3:52 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Hilarious :).

Minister Launches 'Spiritual But Not Religious' Movement

99caravan »

Sun May 03, 2009 12:39 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

ukelailemike:

Christianity has absolutely nothing to do with doctrine.

Christianity= The crucifixion of Jesus on the cross. He died for our sins past present and future as we are all sinners and have not the capacity to resist sin. We mature and grow in the likeness and image of Christ as we grow into (hopefully)mature Christians, but we will always sin and we have the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus to atone for our sins. Doctrine and good works will come from the internal transformation that occurs with salvation and the growing love and desire for Jesus, but they are not and never were the basis of salvation. We as humanity could not follow the rules of doctrine as given to Moses in the old testament, John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Hispanic Christian Groups Split on Illegal Immigrants, U.S. Census

99caravan »

Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:58 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

It is important as Christians, that we follow the guidance of Jesus when we pick sides or voice opinions on controversial subject matter. Jesus was very clear in that as Christians we were not to break laws.

Jesus was born in Jerusalem, where everyone used to travel annually as a census and to pay taxes. While we may agree or disagree with the laws it is our role to follow them (unless of course they are anti-christian)

It is dangerous for us or any Christians to agree with breaking laws because it sets a very dangerous precedent and is certainly not becoming of a Christian. It also helps to fuel the worldly misconception that Christians think they are better than non-Christians, which is false and a complete an utter disagreement with the teachings of Jesus.

When in doubt, trust the word of God and you will always be right :)