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Interesting thread. I am a Christian and as a song that I love says "that means I'm far from perfect, simply redeemed."
I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God--that he breathed life into the words and while allowing an individual's personality and experiences to shine through. I believe that the Bible is 100% true in it's original languages and to have a full, true appreciation of the Word you must understand it in it's original languages.
I believe that God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit are co-equal. I believe that there is one God, in three persons. I really don't understand how this can be fully, but God and given me a peace about it and I believe, as my grandmother used to say, that I will understand it "by and by".
I believe that their is a heaven and a hell. Hell is not, as some people have said, a "punishment" from a good God. It is simply the fulfillment of consequences. To me it's just like if you throw a ball in the air. It will, eventially, come down. That's just the natural order of things. God has given people an option. Admit that you are a sinner and that you cannot do it alone and that you need my help or not. It's your choice. He will do many things to get you to see that, but ultimately it's up to you.
I am probably what some of you would call one of those "Bible Thumpers/Pusher, etc because I evangelize with my church. I also feed the hungry, provide clothes to the homeless and do other "good deeds", but I believe that the most important gift that you can provide to someone is the gift of salvation. If I knew someone was killing themselves with drugs, about to jump off a tall building, etc. I would feel like it was my duty as a person to stop them. Same thing about salvation.
I believe that those who consider Jesus a "good man" or a "good teacher" only have fooled themselves. He said things like "I am the way, the truth and the life. None come to the Father except through me." and "I an my Father are one." If he was not God, these things are an insult to God and would put him in the company of Jim Jones and David Koresh, not a good teacher.
SigmaChiCard, I couldn't really follow your comments about Job (suprise!), but I think it a good example of a couple of things:
1. Being a Christian does not mean you are exempt from pain and suffering.
2. The devil can't do anything that God does not allow him to do.
3. Trusting God means trusting him through the good and the bad times. One of my favorite scriptures to recite when going through trouble is what Job said to the Lord "Yet though He slay me, I will trust Him"
Last point, because this is getting long, someone asked the question about people who haven't had an opportunity to hear about God. I believe we are all born with a God consciousness and that only God can fill it. I think that if someone has truly been on a search for God but did not get an opportunity to hear the Gospel God rewards that. He does, however, expects Christians to "go and make disciples of all nations."
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