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What is Contemplative Christianity?

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
I believed in Christ. His teachings are absolute.
It doesn't matter if they are. I doesn't matter if I believe they are either, because my beliefs about what he teaches ends up in a different place than what you believe about them. What you believe about them is not absolute. Yet you explicitly claim, "I believe that my beliefs are absolute." That means what you believe is that your interpretations are absolute.

How can anyone discuss a point otherwise with someone who believes their beliefs are absolute? There is no room for anyone else's interpretations but your own. Likewise there is no room in your mind for any other thoughts or ideas, points of view, or beliefs than your own. If you think it, it's fact. No discussion.

Again, I quote your unambiguous words, "I believe that my beliefs are absolute." You claim infallible interpretations of the Bible. Congratulations, this is a purely delusion self-assessment. This means you suggest to me and others that you believe you are incapable of flawed thinking or understanding. But those who are wiser than you know much better.

I think a good meditation practice may help you to see the delusional nature of your thinking here. Is this the source of your fear of the practice, letting go of your ideas of what you think you know is true? I believe it very well may be the case. The fear of not knowing if you are not right. The fear of ambiguity. The fear of the reality of life.
 
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Yoshua

Well-Known Member
It doesn't matter if they are. I doesn't matter if I believe they are either, because my beliefs about what he teaches ends up in a different place than what you believe about them. What you believe about them is not absolute. Yet you explicitly claim, "I believe that my beliefs are absolute." That means what you believe is that your interpretations are absolute.

How can anyone discuss a point otherwise with someone who believes their beliefs are absolute? There is no room for anyone else's interpretations but your own. Likewise there is no room in your mind for any other thoughts or ideas, points of view, or beliefs than your own. If you think it, it's fact. No discussion.
Windwalker,

This is the part that most contemplatives misunderstood about relationship with Jesus Christ as the foundation of Christianity. It is quite surprising why you keep forcing me to admit that my interpretation is just my own interpretation. I don’t fail to supply Scriptures as my basis since the start of this thread. Well, to answer your question how can anyone discuss a point if their belief is absolute is like questioning and doubting the disciples of Christ if their beliefs were absolute. If Christ's teaching is absolute, how come that those who followed and obeyed His teachings become non-absolute?:rolleyes:

Do you believe the teachings of Christ is absolute? Do you believe that Christ is absolute?o_O
Again, I quote your unambiguous words, "I believe that my beliefs are absolute." You claim infallible interpretations of the Bible. Congratulations, this is a purely delusion self-assessment. This means you suggest to me and others that you believe you are incapable of flawed thinking or understanding. But those who are wiser than you know much better.
That is why I keep telling you that there should be a basis or a reference that is truth whether it is spiritual experiences or beliefs. :cool:
I think a good meditation practice may help you to see the delusional nature of your thinking here. Is this the source of your fear of the practice, letting go of your ideas of what you think you know is true? I believe it very well may be the case. The fear of not knowing if you are not right. The fear of ambiguity. The fear of the reality of life.
Why should I fear if we consistently holding to God’s word and promises that he will with us forever?:(
I don’t have doubts in my faith, this has been already tested and still clinging to God’s love and His promises.

Thanks
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
This is the part that most contemplatives misunderstood about relationship with Jesus Christ as the foundation of Christianity.
You are greatly mistaken. This has nothing to do with the practice of meditation. It has to do with education. There are very many educated people who know what I am saying about the non-absolute nature of beliefs that haven't practiced meditation a day in their lives. It has to do with using the brain rationally. It has nothing to do with mysticism. On the contrary, magical thinking blanks out reason and makes conclusions that what they believe about something they read must be absolute because they thought it.

It is quite surprising why you keep forcing me to admit that my interpretation is just my own interpretation.
Why? Because it's the cornerstone of your entire prejudices against others who don't think like you do. Why argue any points if you're not actually considering other points, because you believe your beliefs are absolute and cannot be wrong? Others who disagree with you will always be wrong, in your mind.

I don’t fail to supply Scriptures as my basis since the start of this thread.
It doesn't matter if you do. Someone with a different point of view equally can supply scritputures. I have too. In fact, the same ones you do. But the difference is I am able to read them in a larger context which you lack, and therefore my interpretation of them ends up somewhere very different than yours does. You read your prejudices into them that you are right and all others are wrong, because the glasses you read through have this premise: "My beliefs are absolute".

Well, to answer your question how can anyone discuss a point if their belief is absolute is like questioning and doubting the disciples of Christ if their beliefs were absolute.
You don't think the disciples didn't had squabbles over their own understandings of what Jesus meant??? :) You should read your Bible.

If Christ's teaching is absolute, how come that those who followed and obeyed His teachings become non-absolute?:rolleyes:
Because they were human, like you and me.

Do you believe the teachings of Christ is absolute? Do you believe that Christ is absolute?o_O
Two different questions. I believe the teachings of Jesus are meant to provoke you to find Truth within yourself by allowing Spirit to unfold it for you, in ways you can understand. I DO NOT believe that how you then therefore understand it, at that time, becomes absolute truth for you to shove down others throats against the will of God because you believe your beliefs are absolute.

Do I believe Christ is absolute? Yes, but that is in the being of the Christ, not in how we interpret it. The teachings of Jesus are reflections of that Truth. The being of the Christ is God in manifestation, the face of the divine. But that is something only a contemplative may come close to realizing the nature of, as imperfect as their understanding of the absolute may be. That truly is a mystical realization, not a theological one.

That is why I keep telling you that there should be a basis or a reference that is truth whether it is spiritual experiences or beliefs. :cool:
In the case of the mystic, Spirit is the reference and the basis. This is something you cannot understand because you elevate your beliefs to be God. You not only will not hear others because you believe your beliefs are absolute, you will not, and cannot hear God either. It's the same thing with the Pharisees. "If you had known the Father, you would have known me". Exactly the same.

Why should I fear if we consistently holding to God’s word and promises that he will with us forever?:(
Why do you fear, is the answer to why you are.

I don’t have doubts in my faith
And this is precisely why you don't have faith.

Thanks for your time.
 
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Yoshua

Well-Known Member
You are greatly mistaken. This has nothing to do with the practice of meditation. It has to do with education. There are very many educated people who know what I am saying about the non-absolute nature of beliefs that haven't practiced meditation a day in their lives. It has to do with using the brain rationally. It has nothing to do with mysticism. On the contrary, magical thinking blanks out reason and makes conclusions that what they believe about something they read must be absolute because they thought it.
Hi Windwalker,

That is faith on the absolute and not magical thinking.
Why? Because it's the cornerstone of your entire prejudices against others who don't think like you do. Why argue any points if you're not actually considering other points, because you believe your beliefs are absolute and cannot be wrong? Others who disagree with you will always be wrong, in your mind.
How can it be that someone’s beliefs should be wrong? Can you say that your belief is wrong, and claimed that you have faith?:shrug:
I heard, and considered what contemplative is from you. It is the concept and practice that are not in line with the Scriptures.
It doesn't matter if you do. Someone with a different point of view equally can supply scritputures. I have too. In fact, the same ones you do. But the difference is I am able to read them in a larger context which you lack, and therefore my interpretation of them ends up somewhere very different than yours does. You read your prejudices into them that you are right and all others are wrong, because the glasses you read through have this premise: "My beliefs are absolute".
I don’t know how come the differences in you in a large context seemed fall short with the Scriptures. Just as an example of the text as showing his love to God should obey His commandments, and remaining in His words as the evidence of His disciples (follower). I don’t think this is a matter of application spiritually but by adhering to His word as truth applied by faith.
You don't think the disciples didn't had squabbles over their own understandings of what Jesus meant??? :) You should read your Bible.
Yes, there is, but not to the point of discrediting His teachings as heretical and non-truth.o_O
Because they were human, like you and me.
Man is not absolute in truth (spiritual). God is absolute. Christ’s teachings is absolute. His followers believed and practiced the absolute teachings of Christ, therefore their beliefs become absolute. This is the reason why the Scriptures says “Apart from Me, you can do nothing” at John 15:5.
Two different questions. I believe the teachings of Jesus are meant to provoke you to find Truth within yourself by allowing Spirit to unfold it for you, in ways you can understand. I DO NOT believe that how you then therefore understand it, at that time, becomes absolute truth for you to shove down others throats against the will of God because you believe your beliefs are absolute.
If I told you that my belief in Christ is not absolute, I would be a liar and boast myself. :cool:
Do I believe Christ is absolute? Yes, but that is in the being of the Christ, not in how we interpret it. The teachings of Jesus are reflections of that Truth. The being of the Christ is God in manifestation, the face of the divine. But that is something only a contemplative may come close to realizing the nature of, as imperfect as their understanding of the absolute may be. That truly is a mystical realization, not a theological one.
If you believe that Christ is absolute, then that means His teachings is also absolute. Regarding interpretation, I don’t think the basic teachings of Jesus Christ is a very hard thing to comprehend like these phrases Follow Me, abide in Me, Remain in Me, Believe in Me…….. Of course, there is a self-realization of oneself, this is to acknowledge that we are sinners and fall short in the eyes of God. This is why John the Baptist uttered “Repent”. Theology cannot save a person, it is by faith, trust, believe, receive and obedience to His words.
In the case of the mystic, Spirit is the reference and the basis. This is something you cannot understand because you elevate your beliefs to be God. You not only will not hear others because you believe your beliefs are absolute, you will not, and cannot hear God either. It's the same thing with the Pharisees. "If you had known the Father, you would have known me". Exactly the same.
I believed Jesus did not come here to make disciples—as a mystic. I don’t know where did you get that concept of a Christian belief. Where is your basis that one should become a mystic? How can you prove that?:shrug:

A disciple of Christ hear God’s speaking through His Spirit, the promised Holy Spirit so why need to go over what was God’s intended plan to receive Him?
Why do you fear, is the answer to why you are.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Your idea of fear in your statement is not the fear that we are holding to.
And this is precisely why you don't have faith.

Thanks for your time.
It is up to you if you want to say that I don't have faith. God knows who have faith in Him, not us.:)

Thanks
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Man is not absolute in truth (spiritual). God is absolute. Christ’s teachings is absolute. His followers believed and practiced the absolute teachings of Christ, therefore their beliefs become absolute.
Well, can you have multiple absolute beliefs that don't agree with each other? Yet, that is exactly what you see in his followers. It appears to me that what we believe about what another teaches differs, and is not in fact absolute. It doesn't matter if what Jesus taught was absolute. No one's interpretation of he meant is absolute. Especially yours. ;)

Beliefs are interpretations of truth, and are therefore not-absolute. Very simple. Why you can't understand that, is indeed bewildering.
 

Yoshua

Well-Known Member
Well, can you have multiple absolute beliefs that don't agree with each other? Yet, that is exactly what you see in his followers. It appears to me that what we believe about what another teaches differs, and is not in fact absolute. It doesn't matter if what Jesus taught was absolute. No one's interpretation of he meant is absolute. Especially yours. ;)
Hi Windwalker,

I don't think that there is a so-called a multiple absolute beliefs that agree with each other for the sake of truth that uttered by Jesus Christ. For contemplatives, I believe that there is no problem with multiple beliefs which they considered absolute as it is link with Christianity. Biblical interpretation is just a term to explain the meaning of the passage in consistent with the word of Christ. As simple as the Bible passage were literally understandable, I'm quite amazed how some people divert the truth in exchange with their mystical experiences.
Beliefs are interpretations of truth, and are therefore not-absolute. Very simple. Why you can't understand that, is indeed bewildering.
Because there is a belief that is absolute. It is simple as that, and very understandable.

Thanks
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
As simple as the Bible passage were literally understandable, I'm quite amazed how some people divert the truth in exchange with their mystical experiences.
This has nothing to do with mystical experience. It has to do with how people believe about their own beliefs. There are plenty of mystics who think that what they interpret from their mystical experiences is infallible. They're making the same mistake you do in believing because you think a thing about God is true, it is absolutely true because it involves ideas about the Absolute. If you had a mystical experience, you'd make the same mistake with it which you are doing right now with your reading of the Bible. It wouldn't change you from being a black and white thinker, blind to how his own mind works.

Because there is a belief that is absolute. It is simple as that, and very understandable.
And what do you do when you run into another you, who in his reading of the Bible and thinking about beliefs exactly the same as you, exact same black and white thinking, yet he comes up with an interpretation that contradicts yours? Do you call him possessed of Satan and throw holy water at him? How do you resolve the meeting of two opposite beliefs that each person is holding as absolute? Only one can be right, and all others must be convinced of your belief?
 
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InChrist

Free4ever
This has nothing to do with mystical experience. It has to do with how people believe about their own beliefs. There are plenty of mystics who think that what they interpret from their mystical experiences is infallible. They're making the same mistake you do in believing because you think a thing about God is true, it is absolutely true because it involves ideas about the Absolute. If you had a mystical experience, you'd make the same mistake with it which you are doing right now with your reading of the Bible. It wouldn't change you from being a black and white thinker, blind to how his own mind works.

Are you saying that the Absolute God has not given, nor does give anything, such as the scriptures, to anyone that can be understood as absolute truth? If so, is this because you believe God is incapable of expressing absolutes to humanity or because you believe humans do not have the ability to comprehend any absolute truths?
Are you absolutely sure your assessment concerning absolute truth is correct?


And what do you do when you run into another you, who in his reading of the Bible and thinking about beliefs exactly the same as you, exact same black and white thinking, yet he comes up with an interpretation that contradicts yours? Do you call him possessed of Satan and throw holy water at him? How do you resolve the meeting of two opposite beliefs that each person is holding as absolute? Only one can be right, and all others must be convinced of your belief?


The scriptures instruct believers to be humble, gently bearing with one another when differences arise depending on the Holy Spirit to resolve those issues until all come to unity of the faith.

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

'So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

Ephesians 4:1-5; 11-13
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Are you saying that the Absolute God has not given, nor does give anything, such as the scriptures, to anyone that can be understood as absolute truth?
I am saying that even if God gives absolute truths as is believed, no human would be capable of understanding them at that level. It would utterly melt their brains. :) Heck, 98% of what I say is beyond the ability of others in this thread to understand. I've yet to hear anything close to what I'm saying being expressed back to me in close to 80 pages now. Now, the mind of God is infinitely beyond my own. How could any human claim absolute knowledge of such things, if they can't even understand me?

If so, is this because you believe God is incapable of expressing absolutes to humanity or because you believe humans do not have the ability to comprehend any absolute truths?
As for the former, I don't believe God speaks in absolutes. It's vastly more subtle than that, and for good reason, not the least of which being that humans would not understand it and do exactly what fundamentalists do, using it as a weapon over others to impose their own interpretations as absolutes on others. That is precisely the point of why I am fixed on this point right now. As for the latter, yes, I do not believe humans can take Absolute Truth, and put it into propositional truths they can ram down the throats of others. To think they can, proves they know nothing of God.

Are you absolutely sure your assessment concerning absolute truth is correct?
I'll put it this way, I'm sure a lemon is not a tomato.

The scriptures instruct believers to be humble, gently bearing with one another when differences arise depending on the Holy Spirit to resolve those issues until all come to unity of the faith.
Wouldn't that be nice if it were actually practiced? It would be refreshing indeed.
 

InChrist

Free4ever
I am saying that even if God gives absolute truths as is believed, no human would be capable of understanding them at that level. It would utterly melt their brains. :) Heck, 98% of what I say is beyond the ability of others in this thread to understand. I've yet to hear anything close to what I'm saying being expressed back to me in close to 80 pages now. Now, the mind of God is infinitely beyond my own. How could any human claim absolute knowledge of such things, if they can't even understand me?

Don't you think it sounds a bit conceited to think that your words are so lofty that others haven't the ability to comprehend them? Understanding your words is not difficult, but because your spiritual views are so relativistic and without absolutes, reasoning with you is a different matter. At least you admit the mind of God is beyond your own, yet it is sad that you think God is so detached from His creation that you make the assumption He would not choose to communicate to us in a way and on a level that His truths could be understood.


As for the former, I don't believe God speaks in absolutes. It's vastly more subtle than that, and for good reason, not the least of which being that humans would not understand it and do exactly what fundamentalists do, using it as a weapon over others to impose their own interpretations as absolutes on others. That is precisely the point of why I am fixed on this point right now. As for the latter, yes, I do not believe humans can take Absolute Truth, and put it into propositional truths they can ram down the throats of others. To think they can, proves they know nothing of God.

I really think it is nonsense to think God who created such an orderly universe with its physical and absolute laws would refrain from expressing His absolute truths to humanity created in His image and who He created to live in intelligent. loving relationship with Himself. I think it is wrong for anyone to use anything as a weapon or shove anything down another person's throat, but to know the truths God has shared of Himself and to stand upon those is certainly the only reasonable and intelligent thing to do. What others do with God's revealed truths , whether choosing to ignore or deny is their responsibility.




I'll put it this way, I'm sure a lemon is not a tomato.
Absolutely sure?


Wouldn't that be nice if it were actually practiced? It would be refreshing indeed.

Yes, it would be refreshing if it were actually practiced more often rather that human nature getting in the way so much. But I trust as the scriptures say, we are the workmanship of Christ Jesus, so in the end He will bring all those who belong to Him to a unity and oneness in the faith.
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Don't you think it sounds a bit conceited to think that your words are so lofty that others haven't the ability to comprehend them?
It's not conceited at all. Plenty of others can understand and comprehend what I'm saying, but they have to have the necessary prerequisite contexts established in order to "get" what I'm saying. Those that don't have that won't get it. They won't be able to. That's all I'm saying. You two do not demonstrate that you truly grasp what is being said. And that's ok, but it goes to prove my point that likewise unless one shares the context of the mind of God, even if God speaks directly to you, you're still only at best going to interpret it in the context that is available to you.

It's really simple to understand this. You cannot understand and repeat back accurately what I say because you don't have the context to understand these things, and when it comes to God, it would be the same thing. You cannot claim your understanding of what "God says" is absolute, anymore than you can what I say. I'm here to tell you you aren't getting it. When it comes to God, it's solely your own imagination and wishful thinking that you are.

Understanding your words is not difficult, but because your spiritual views are so relativistic and without absolutes, reasoning with you is a different matter.
Well, it's not my spiritual views that are relativistic. It's my rational views which understand the relative nature of truth which are. That's not a realization that comes from meditation practice or mystical experience. It's an understanding of the rational mind which has the necessary prerequisite understandings in which to realize it. Plenty of people who have never meditated a day in their lives see that.

And yes, you can't "reason" with me, because you're speaking within a circle of understanding reality, looking out through that set of glasses which cannot see thing in terms other than which fits itself. I understand that context because I historically shared it with you. You do not appear to have ever understood the postmodern mind from within it, only as an outsider trying to fit it into what you know - just like reading the Bible.

To you in your context hearing me, my views are just wrong. To me in my context hearing you, your views are inadequate to address the larger whole. There is a sharp distinction between the two conclusions. Your context does not allow for my perspective. Mine context allows for yours, but understands it as partial and incomplete.

At least you admit the mind of God is beyond your own,
The mind of God is not beyond any of our apprehensions (which differs from comprehension), but the Mind of God is not about thoughts and ideas. It's not about frameworks and models, ways and means of interpretation, and so forth. To make it that, which is what you are doing, is to reduce to nothing more than just some sort of supercharged human mind. I find that view woefully inadequate.

yet it is sad that you think God is so detached from His creation that you make the assumption He would not choose to communicate to us in a way and on a level that His truths could be understood.
I don't think God is detached from creation at all! God is intimately within it, in every moment, in every molecule, within all that is, as well as transcending it, not defined by it nor limited to it. I am afterall a Panentheist. ;) I just don't believe God is a great big man in the sky, and that communication happens like it does the way I might write you a letter to say hi! :)

I really think it is nonsense to think God who created such an orderly universe with its physical and absolute laws would refrain from expressing His absolute truths to humanity created in His image and who He created to live in intelligent. loving relationship with Himself.
You're mistaking the Absolute Being of God being seen and known, with ideas of truth from our perspective being held as absolute.

I think it is wrong for anyone to use anything as a weapon or shove anything down another person's throat, but to know the truths God has shared of Himself and to stand upon those is certainly the only reasonable and intelligent thing to do. What others do with God's revealed truths , whether choosing to ignore or deny is their responsibility.
But in reality, you are proclaiming your notions and ideas and beliefs about God as absolute. That is not reasonable at all, and falls under the category of human hubris, which violates the nature of the Spirit of Truth.
 
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Yoshua

Well-Known Member
This has nothing to do with mystical experience. It has to do with how people believe about their own beliefs. There are plenty of mystics who think that what they interpret from their mystical experiences is infallible. They're making the same mistake you do in believing because you think a thing about God is true, it is absolutely true because it involves ideas about the Absolute. If you had a mystical experience, you'd make the same mistake with it which you are doing right now with your reading of the Bible. It wouldn't change you from being a black and white thinker, blind to how his own mind works.
Windwalker,

So you are saying that to be a follower of Christ, you should not read the Bible. How come that non-reading of the Bible is blind? Jesus Christ teachings including the testimony about the Father (God)—all of this are truth.
And what do you do when you run into another you, who in his reading of the Bible and thinking about beliefs exactly the same as you, exact same black and white thinking, yet he comes up with an interpretation that contradicts yours? Do you call him possessed of Satan and throw holy water at him? How do you resolve the meeting of two opposite beliefs that each person is holding as absolute? Only one can be right, and all others must be convinced of your belief?
This is why there are standards of biblical interpretation. We can detect if the interpretation does not meet the requirement of truths.

This is why the Scriptures is our guide and our checklist. I’ve met a lot of people/friends who are not Christians yet we are still friends. They are not possessed, it is just they’re haven’t surrendered themselves to Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

I don’t have any control to those who disagree my belief. What I can do is to share my insights, scriptures, testimony, opinion, and spiritual experiences. God is the one who changed lives, and not me.

Thanks
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
So you are saying that to be a follower of Christ, you should not read the Bible. How come that non-reading of the Bible is blind?
What exactly this response has to do with what I said makes no sense it all. You could have responded, "A tomato is red", and it would have as much to do with what I said as this does. You don't address a single point I brought up. Try again.
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
This is why there are standards of biblical interpretation. We can detect if the interpretation does not meet the requirement of truths.
You've already proven that this isn't true. Your arrows you're shooting are landing in the sea, rather than hitting anywhere near the target on land. All you're ending up with is a handful of nothing but your belief that you're accurate, and that it's indisputably absolute that that splash in the water is the sound of you hitting the target. That's the delusion in all of this.

This is why the Scriptures is our guide and our checklist.
Yeah, those poor bast*rds who didn't have the Bible before there was one! You know, all the early Christians? We've already covered this lesson. I see no point to make you repeat the class any further as you'll never be able to move to the next grade.
 

InChrist

Free4ever
It's not conceited at all. Plenty of others can understand and comprehend what I'm saying, but they have to have the necessary prerequisite contexts established in order to "get" what I'm saying. Those that don't have that won't get it. They won't be able to. That's all I'm saying. You two do not demonstrate that you truly grasp what is being said. And that's ok, but it goes to prove my point that likewise unless one shares the context of the mind of God, even if God speaks directly to you, you're still only at best going to interpret it in the context that is available to you.

It's really simple to understand this. You cannot understand and repeat back accurately what I say because you don't have the context to understand these things, and when it comes to God, it would be the same thing. You cannot claim your understanding of what "God says" is absolute, anymore than you can what I say. I'm here to tell you you aren't getting it. When it comes to God, it's solely your own imagination and wishful thinking that you are.
I find it very conceited and sad. But the scriptures speak about those who are puffed up and speak great swelling words as if they are so spiritually advanced, yet it really is nothing more than twisting the simple truths of God revealed through the scriptures into a false and different gospel. You can think I "don't get it" if it makes you feel more enlightened, but I do know what is occurring because I trust the Word of God. Not my own thinking or imagination, as it appears you are all to ready to depend upon.



Well, it's not my spiritual views that are relativistic. It's my rational views which understand the relative nature of truth which are. That's not a realization that comes from meditation practice or mystical experience. It's an understanding of the rational mind which has the necessary prerequisite understandings in which to realize it. Plenty of people who have never meditated a day in their lives see that.

Whether it's your spiritual or rational views, they are relaivistic, so I think your whole mindset has crossed over into illogical and irrational thinking. Plenty of people, as you say, may see things this way and that is because it's a great way to avoid acknowledging truth and error or being accountable to a God who defines right and wrong. Everything becomes subjective and relative.


And yes, you can't "reason" with me, because you're speaking within a circle of understanding reality, looking out through that set of glasses which cannot see thing in terms other than which fits itself. I understand that context because I historically shared it with you. You do not appear to have ever understood the postmodern mind from within it, only as an outsider trying to fit it into what you know - just like reading the Bible.

Actually, I can't reason with you because I believe you are living apart from reality in your own nebulous, mystical world where logic and objective truth do not exist. Or even if you acknowledge truth exists you come across as if it is somehow beyond human grasp (with the exception of yourself and those with similar mindsets who you must believe have a far superior grasp than those simple-minded Christians who believe the scriptures in their plain sense, like Yoshua or myself), so as to have no significant or practical impact on one's life. It is very difficult to talk to someone in that state.


To you in your context hearing me, my views are just wrong. To me in my context hearing you, your views are inadequate to address the larger whole. There is a sharp distinction between the two conclusions. Your context does not allow for my perspective. Mine context allows for yours, but understands it as partial and incomplete.

I certainly do allow for your perspective because I believe God has allowed freewill and considers it important. That doesn't mean that any spiritual perspective is necessarily correct. I do believe your perspective is wrong because it does not line up with the scriptures, which I believe God gave for discernment of truth and error.


The mind of God is not beyond any of our apprehensions (which differs from comprehension), but the Mind of God is not about thoughts and ideas. It's not about frameworks and models, ways and means of interpretation, and so forth. To make it that, which is what you are doing, is to reduce to nothing more than just some sort of supercharged human mind. I find that view woefully inadequate.

I don't think God is detached from creation at all! God is intimately within it, in every moment, in every molecule, within all that is, as well as transcending it, not defined by it nor limited to it. I am afterall a Panentheist. ;) I just don't believe God is a great big man in the sky, and that communication happens like it does the way I might write you a letter to say hi! :)

That is simply your opinion and nothing more.I'd say it is you, as you accuse me, of your own thinking and imagination because In the scriptures God has revealed Himself as Spirit, yet a Personal Being who expresses His thoughts and ideas to humanity who are made in His image. You may not like that because it means we as His creation are accountable to a Creator Being. Not quite as easy to manipulate or ignore as an intangible, pantheistic god.



You're mistaking the Absolute Being of God being seen and known, with ideas of truth from our perspective being held as absolute.
But in reality, you are proclaiming your notions and ideas and beliefs about God as absolute. That is not reasonable at all, and falls under the category of human hubris, which violates the nature of the Spirit of Truth.

No, I am only saying that I believe God has plainly communicated many truths and absolutes which He wants us to understand and know. This seems very reasonable and straightforward to me. I would think that any loving Creator who desires a relationship with His creation would simply and clearly communicate.
 

InChrist

Free4ever
Yeah, those poor bast*rds who didn't have the Bible before there was one! You know, all the early Christians? We've already covered this lesson. I see no point to make you repeat the class any further as you'll never be able to move to the next grade.

Why do you express such a condescending and sarcastic tone or use profane words when you are so spiritually enlightened in "love, light and life" ?.
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
I find it very conceited and sad.
Yes, of course you do. To malign me means you don't have to rise to the challenge of actual dialog. It's much easier to call me arrogant than to consider the validity of my points of view. Isn't it?

Again, to repeat what I was originally responding to you stated as an attack against me, as an insult, "Don't you think it sounds a bit conceited to think that your words are so lofty that others haven't the ability to comprehend them?". Calling my words "lofty" and so forth, is an attempt by yourself to detract from the fact you are failing in the points you are trying to make by criticizing me as being egotistically. I find this curious you try to find a mote in my eye, while you swallow a camel of hypocrisy at the end of your latest post where you try to sling mud at me saying, "Why do you express such a condescending and sarcastic tone or use profane words when you are so spiritually enlightened in "love, light and life" ?.". You don't see yourself doing what you accuse me of here? I do. In fact, you're far worse than whatever it is you imagine I am doing.

Back to reality, I'm more than happy to admit you truly understand what I am saying by having you accurately repeat back what I am saying. I most certainly never see Yoshua do this, nor do I get the impression you do either. So that's a fact. Now the reasons for it, logically, rationally, and well-considered, are in fact a matter of context, as I rightly pointed out. Let me give you an example.

Would you understand me if I were to say to you, something like, "Opening the aperture will give you a shorter depth of field and create a stronger sense of presence for the subject."? If you had the necessary context of understanding photographic equipment you would. But only a fool would saying I am being conceited to talk about the relevance of such things to those who only understood taking photos with their cell phones. Those who would accuse me of this, clearly have a problem themselves. "Are you saying I don't know photography!", they bemoan hearing someone who is a professional speak in terms beyond their own awareness. Who exactly is puffing themselves up in the above scenario?

But the scriptures speak about those who are puffed up and speak great swelling words as if they are so spiritually advanced, yet it really is nothing more than twisting the simple truths of God revealed through the scriptures into a false and different gospel.
Have you considered this may be describing yourself? What upsets you so when you hear others who are more knowledgable than yourself? To me, it's you who doesn't hear the words of scripture as you criticize other beliefs than your own as anti-scriptural. You think it's about having right beliefs and judge those who believe differently, quoting the Bible at them as a stabbing instrument to injure them. I think it's about love and understanding, respecting differences and not using God to prove yourself in the right.

You can think I "don't get it" if it makes you feel more enlightened, but I do know what is occurring because I trust the Word of God. Not my own thinking or imagination, as it appears you are all to ready to depend upon.
I do in fact believe you do not get it, and it has nothing to do with my ego needs. You do not understand how your own ideas of truth are what it is your are believing in. It's true for you. It's true for me. It's true for every single human on the planet. But you are blind to yourself in this. If you trusted God, you wouldn't be so concerned about right beliefs.

Whether it's your spiritual or rational views, they are relaivistic, so I think your whole mindset has crossed over into illogical and irrational thinking.
Not whatsoever. I am extremely logical. I am extremely rational. And I am also very knowledgeable. For you to say I am irrational, is well, highly irrational. I have very well considered, and well researched reasons behind the points of view I am expressing. To call me irrational, is irrational.

Plenty of people, as you say, may see things this way and that is because it's a great way to avoid acknowledging truth and error or being accountable to a God who defines right and wrong. Everything becomes subjective and relative.
Ridiculous. Again, even in your expressing here what you think relativism claims proves you do not in fact understand what it actually is. That is my point. You don't understand it. You lack the context to understand it. I would say understanding the relative nature of truth makes you more accountable. Relativism is not all subjective, it's objective truth itself that is relative! You do not understand this.

Actually, I can't reason with you because I believe you are living apart from reality in your own nebulous, mystical world where logic and objective truth do not exist.
I'm not sure your realize how ridiculous this sounds. It's just nothing but wild accusations about something beyond what you can grasp. It has no basis in reality. It screams irrationality and desperation to remove any consideration of another's point of view.

Or even if you acknowledge truth exists you come across as if it is somehow beyond human grasp (with the exception of yourself and those with similar mindsets who you must believe have a far superior grasp than those simple-minded Christians who believe the scriptures in their plain sense, like Yoshua or myself), so as to have no significant or practical impact on one's life.
The Truth of God is beyond human grasp. What I'm talking about is not. No one, including myself can comprehend God. All the rest of this is just you trying to sling mud because you want to dirty me rather than deal with what I'm saying. That's your ego defending itself.

It is very difficult to talk to someone in that state.
You create this false image of me as being in this state which exists solely in your fabricated imagination, in order for you to not have to deal with something which clearly challenges your beliefs. It clearly does, otherwise you wouldn't be taking this path of desperation.

I certainly do allow for your perspective because I believe God has allowed freewill and considers it important.
No you don't. You shut your mind to them.

That doesn't mean that any spiritual perspective is necessarily correct. I do believe your perspective is wrong because it does not line up with the scriptures, which I believe God gave for discernment of truth and error.
It's not when you limit the scope of your own perspectives, as you are with me and everyone else you chose not to agree with.
 

Yoshua

Well-Known Member
You've already proven that this isn't true. Your arrows you're shooting are landing in the sea, rather than hitting anywhere near the target on land. All you're ending up with is a handful of nothing but your belief that you're accurate, and that it's indisputably absolute that that splash in the water is the sound of you hitting the target. That's the delusion in all of this.
Hi Windwalker,

Any kind of arrows that shoots all over around us should land on the truth. There is no delusion when Jesus says He is the way, the truth and the life. This is why we followed His words in the Bible.
Yeah, those poor bast*rds who didn't have the Bible before there was one! You know, all the early Christians? We've already covered this lesson. I see no point to make you repeat the class any further as you'll never be able to move to the next grade.
Yes, there are no printed book just like the Bible before but there are testimonies and teachings of Christ propagated. Paul said this,
1 Cor. 15:1-4
1. Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
2. by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4. and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Early Christians can't be poor in nature or pitiful but poor in spirit. Jesus said this,
Matt. 5:1-3
1. And when He saw the multitudes, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
2. And opening His mouth He began to teach them, saying,
3. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Thanks:)
 
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InChrist

Free4ever
Relativism is not all subjective, it's objective truth itself that is relative! You do not understand this.

I understand, it's just that I can't bring myself to agree with such a nonsensical view.


Refuting relativism
by Matt Slick

"Relativism is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid and that all truth is relative to the individual. But, if we look further, we see that this proposition is not logical. In fact, it is self-refuting...".

https://carm.org/refuting-relativism
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
I understand, it's just that I can't bring myself to agree with such a nonsensical view.
It's nonsensical only in the fact you do not understand why it is a valid statement. Asking me to explain it would be the first step in showing you are interested in another's point of view, rather than just dismissing it out of hand.

Refuting relativism
by Matt Slick

"Relativism is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid and that all truth is relative to the individual. But, if we look further, we see that this proposition is not logical. In fact, it is self-refuting...".

https://carm.org/refuting-relativism
Nonsense. That is not what relativism teaches. That is an extreme interpretation of it, and a bad application of what it reveals. It's an interpretation I reject as being valid.

Rather than you running to these hack-apologist sites whose poorly researched "answers" that tickle the ears of those that don't like the challenges of the actual authorities on the subjects themselves, it's better to go to some reliable site, such as Stanford University's Philosophy site to see what they have to say.

Relativism, roughly put, is the view that truth and falsity, right and wrong, standards of reasoning, and procedures of justification are products of differing conventions and frameworks of assessment and that their authority is confined to the context giving rise to them. More precisely, “relativism” covers views which maintain that—at a high level of abstraction—at least some class of things have the properties they have (e.g., beautiful, morally good, epistemically justified) not simpliciter, but only relative to a given framework of assessment (e.g., local cultural norms, individual standards), and correspondingly, that the truth of claims attributing these properties holds only once the relevant framework of assessment is specified or supplied.
What's wrong in your hack-apologist site? Many things. Relativism does not say all truth is purely relative to the individual. I don't know anyone who claims that that understands relativism. It's contextually based. They are exactly as the Stanford University's site explains, "Products of differing conventions and frameworks of assessment and that their authority is confined to the context giving rise to them." Conventions are external standards. They are not individual. Frameworks are external to the person. They use them to interpret the world through them. They are the same frameworks others use, so they are not individual. These conventions and these frameworks are products of ones culture. One's culture itself is not solely the individual. The individual plays a part in it, but relativism cannot be reduced to the individual alone. It has objective components to it. So your apologist-hack has no idea what he is talking about.

Moreover, that all truths are of equal value is nonsense. If someone's idea of truth doesn't fit the situation, it obviously is not of equal value. For instance, fundamentalist beliefs in a 6000 year old earth and denial of evolution, has no value whatsoever in a science classroom! That fact alone denies such a claim that relativism allows for all beliefs to hold equal value. I could give many more examples, but that should suffice for the moment.

So please, if you want to discuss relativism, if you want to understand it, do not go to these ear-tickling apologist sites who say what believers want to hear, making a travesty of what is taught and believed about these things. Go to actual sources that are reputable. What you offer holds no more value than an atheist telling me God isn't real when they make God out to be a look-alike for Santa Claus. His understanding of what he disbelieves in is skewed to begin with. So is yours.
 
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