Well you guys seem to have a lot of misconceptions about Christianity. For one, there are religious fanatics in all religions - it's something we hear about more often, but certainly doesn't make all followers like that.
Now about this worthlessness thing -
It's not like God thinks we're...
Okay after a bible study here's what I make of predestination:
It does happen, to a point. There is a plan God has for each of us, but to follow the plan we have to accept Christ. God does not say, "You, you and you, with me, the rest of you, go to hell." Rather, he says, "You do this, you do...
Keep also in mind that not all Presbyterian/Evangelical-Free churches are Lutheran. I believe what comes straight out of the bible. And the bible seems to point way away from predestination.
Actually, there is a huge difference. Let's look at what a catholic believes compared to what the bible says:
Catholic: Jesus said that St. Peter would start the church.
Bible: Jesus said, "This is the rock on which I will build my church." (meaning himself)
Catholic: I can be faithful...
Well, Rex, let me ask you this - What if your fate is hell, to provide balance in the afterlife? You wouldn't be too happy, would you? This is the problem with predestination. The bible teaches that God loves everyone equally and would want everyone to come to heaven. But those who have sinned...
Sorry (lol) I've only posted 9 times so far and I'm already a troublemaker. :)
You'll discover that I am a debater at heart. Please forgive me.
The Ocelot
Yes, and that is why it has no credibility. First of all, they know what God means. But any way they can they will try to distort it. You know what Satan will try to do. There is no evidence that these books like "Barnabas", "Mary", or "Peter" were written by these people themselves. Bibles do...
I see, but what about the numerous scientific and historical sources which prove that the gospels were written within a century of Jesus' death?
I know that Muslims do not believe He died, but suppose he did. Wouldn't an eyewitness like Mark have credibility? He wrote the gospel of Mark 30...
Well in either case they would have to believe that what Jesus says is true in order to hold him as a prophet, right? That's the point I'm trying to make.
How can you hold Jesus as a prophet without being a Christian? To believe there is deity in what he says is to be Christian if he says that he is the way, the truth, and the life.
The Ocelot
The Catholics, In my opinion, are geared more towards earning their salvation. They were at first all for Jesus, but I believe the heirarchy became corrupt with power, much like the pharisees. Indulgences, Confession boxes, idols (Mary was an obedient woman, but has in herself no deity), and...
If you are a catholic and believe what catholics do, then you also are obliged to follow all the little rules. Catholics try to justify themselves by works, not faith. They have forgotten the words of Romans and the Gospels. To be frank, I don't believe Catholics to be Christian any more than I...
That is a problem. Which leads to this: How do you assure yourself heaven? Predestination is unfair and cruel, especially when it means damnation for some and heaven for others. I have seen verses in the Koran which are deadly theological errors:
We sent not an apostle except (to teach) in...