Burger King Jesus (bible, Biblical)

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by The Seeker

During his life, he taught us how we should treat and love one another. Why would he spend his entire adult life teaching us how to live if it weren't important? The fact that he died for our sins doesn't make life better for us here on Earth. But if we live by his doctrine, maybe we would have Heaven on Earth.

That's what I'm sayin'! Everything that Jesus taught us was about salvation, about creating heaven right here on earth.

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Originally Posted by sandy whitelinger

I'll agree that people have varying views about the Biblical Jesus. My point here is that so many people invent any old Jesus (or God) that they want and put attributes and characteristics to Jesus that aren't even remotely Biblically based.

I think this is quite common. If it weren't, I think I would have met a Christian whose version of Christ has opinions different than his or her own at least once. I haven't met such a person yet.

Originally Posted by sandy whitelinger

Thank you for another example. Now I see another way people get distorted views of Jesus. They believe other people's distorted views.

Perhaps your esteemed professor who denies the blood atonement never read, trivialized, or even ignored completey the book of Hebrews.

Or perhaps the professor emphasizes the Gospels over the Epistles, rather than emphasizing the Epistles over the Gospels.

Originally Posted by Scuba Pete

Negative. Culture clashes still come down to individuals HATING other individuals. Although I have yet to read the Muslim Scriptures, I know for a fact that Christianity does not condone war.

How do you define "Christianity"?

The Old Testament condones war under certain circumstances. The New Testament condones war under certain circumstances. With very few exceptions, virtually every Christian denomination has condoned war at various points in history; some even have explicit teachings that outline their requirements for "just war".

Just what is left that does not condone war and can be rightly described with the all-encompassing title of "Christianity"?

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by 9-10ths_Penguin

Or perhaps the professor emphasizes the Gospels over the Epistles, rather than emphasizing the Epistles over the Gospels.

You mean he was emphasizing what Jesus said over what Paul said?? Shocking. Why would anyone who calls himself Christian do such a thing??

[Scuba Pete]

Originally Posted by 9-10ths_Penguin

The New Testament condones war under certain circumstances.

Shenanigans. Please show us where it condones ANY war, except the Spiritual war for the hearts and minds of men. This is as close to a blaspheme that I could ever imagine.

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Originally Posted by Scuba Pete

Shenanigans. Please show us where it condones ANY war, except the Spiritual war for the hearts and minds of men. This is as close to a blaspheme that I could ever imagine.

You mean besides the war by Christians against the forces of evil described in Revelation?

For instance, Revelation 17:14:

They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

There's militaristic language scattered through the Epistles. Also, Paul makes it clear that Christians should recognize the authority of their rulers and masters, i.e. those who would engage in war:

Romans 13:1:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

[Scuba Pete]

Like I said... Shenanigans. The ONLY war encouraged by the NT is a SPIRITUAL war.

II Corinthians 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. NIV

Shame on you for perpetrating such a myth! If you want to point out that certain anomalies of Christianity pervert scriptures to wage war, than FINE. But the NT does not condone PHYSICAL war. That's the opposite of love!

[Dirty Penguin]

Well would it be safe to say that the reason physical war is not really mentioned in the NT is due to the fact that the jews were under roman rule and subject to death for stepping out of bounds? Wasn't rome conquering other people who had a well established military presence? Additionally, at that time the jews were still ready from and following the "original" record (The OT)....so the NT wasn't really an issue at the time seeing as though it hadn't been written. It's kind of hard to speak of war when you are heavily out numbered...in the military sense.