B. McCausland wrote:
In Ulster at least, people have a vague idea of who are we talking about when using the terms 'Bible believing born again Christian'...

And if I can't find a church which ticks all those boxes, I WON'T GO TO CHURCH!

B. McCausland wrote:
John, your theory sounds prime, but reality is not as simple.
Most of the news mentioning 'Christian' 90% of the times or more means RC, as probably is this case, which is a vast difference from what we understand as to be a Biblical Christian.
And as for being a 'follower of Jesus', even this is vague, as any devout RC trusting in the rosary, praying to Mary and relying on masses thinks him/herself as followers also. The ambiguity is vast.
It is worth to define faith even if it might take extra terms or sentences to present the identity, which indirectly provides opportunity to witness by the Word contrasting true from false belief.
A useful term nowadays might be a bible believing born again Christian

I've downloaded the pdf on just war theory. It is 87 pages and couched in rather highbrow scholar-style language, which I might find difficult, being, as it says, a bridge builder between the military and academia. However, I will try to slowly go through it, maybe even have it as a winter project. Thank you.

Mike wrote:
Tongue in cheek? While his words convey God ordains everything that comes to pass, yet Adriel fusses over someone preventing a criminal from committing a crime. The prevention must therefore, to him, conflict with God's will. But either God ordained the prevention, or he did not. If he did, why the fuss? If he did not, why the thought that God ordains everything that comes to pass? Unless of course, like so many words here, everything does not mean everything. Methinks Adriel should be able to answer this for himself. Or at least question where the application of ones conclusions might lead.

I had this problem myself with J4, who vainly imagined he could argue with those who held a calvinistic viewpoint, not by virtue of personal knowledge, but by what he'd been taught in Yee Ha style, where mocking the theology wins the day, and that is all you need.

The Quiet Christian wrote:
And good afternoon, Brother John. There is a doctrine called which defines whether or not a war is just. It has been a key cornerstone of American foreign policy for many, many decades.
...

Frank wrote:
To build on your points, I believe the closer we get to the return of Christ, we will see even more of these false churches uniting. One day it will not be permissible for a genuine church of our Lord to even fellowship publicly.
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Hope your day will be blessed brother.

Frank wrote:
Brother John,
There are few issues that I won’t argue in scripture, but the millennial is one of them. As you say John, people who say they take things literally differ from others who say the same thing. I am pre-millennial and my position is built around the fact that a 1,000 year period is noted over and over again. But, there are criticisms of this that I cannot answer.
Lastly, I am correct!

Matthew 11:25-27 KJV
(25)  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
(26)  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
(27)  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

The thing is, are we of the "wise and prudent" or are we of the "babes"?

Notice that at this point, God the Father was Lord of heaven and earth. And in Matthew 28, Jesus says that all authority is given unto him (God the Son) in heaven and in earth . Temporarily, mind.

Dr. Tim wrote:
I would be very interested in learning “the errors of...premillennialism.” So far I haven’t run across any. If Revelation 20 is not to be taken literally, then why should Revelation 22?

We have both studied the Bible over many years, and you have believed the doctrines known as premillennialism, and I have believed the doctrines known as amillennialism. In your scheme there are difficulties, and in my scheme there are difficulties. When you look at the difficulties in your scheme you say, "I still believe in premillennialism," and when I look at the difficulties in my scheme, I say, "I still believe in amillennialism."

You say to me, "Study the word, John, and all will become clear."

and...

I say to you, "Study the word, Tim, and all will become clear."

I think that's about the size of it.

Frank wrote:
...
Why would any genuine Christian group want to join them. (rhetorical)

Christopher000 wrote:
1. Always a good example (referring to Bro US).

2. Speaking of examples...the one curiosity I've had is why not a single one of any of the hypothetical, but real world examples we've posed over the course of time, have gone fully unanswered.

1. Well, usually!

2. Your question bro is a contradiction in terms. However, I get your drift, and am amazed that you have chosen to ignore my answer, which gives clarity of thought as to what to do in any (repeat ANY) situation or circumstance. No matter how many examples of real life circumstances are posted, this one principle will serve them all.

I hope that satisfies your curiosity.

My curiosity is why you ignore my answer when I give it, and then say, triumphantly, "No-one has YET answered the question!" as if to say, "No-one CAN answer the question!" or no-one WILL answer the question!"

What's the point in me providing answers if they go ignored?

Christopher000 wrote:
When it comes to who I align myself with, as far as a denomination, if asked, or my religion, my answer has become, "I'm a follower of Christ".

Frank wrote:
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Mankind can fool themselves and they can fool others, but no one can fool our Lord and Savior. Notice above where Jesus ignored their testimonies and simply told them He “never” knew them. Not that He knew them and then later rejected them.
Note: this comment has nothing to do with the fellow in the article; Hillsong

Good point Frank! I remember someone from very early on in my Christian walk saying that there is a world of difference between "knowing God" and "knowing about God".

Sure Christianity, in its fundamentals, is all about reconciling guilty sinners to Almighty God.

James Thomas wrote:
John 6:45, Isa, 54:13, Isa. 2:3, Micah 4:2 all say He will teach us of His ways. I believe Him!

Isaiah 54:13-17 KJV
(13)  And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
(14)  In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
(15)  Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
(16)  Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
(17)  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Now please, everybody, all together now: I BELIEVE THESE TEXTS!

Peace, perfect peace. In the midst of turmoil, peace. Why, good sir, should this be so? Och aye laddie, ye ken that the Lord he is the sovereign God.

Dr. Tim wrote:
1. Well put, John—and no doubt well advised. 2. My point of course is that before we turn to others for their take on scripture, we should first become thoroughly grounded in it ourselves. 3. We can never spot error if we don’t have a firm grasp on the truth.

2. Yes, if it is possible, we ought to do that.

3. Yes absolutely. If I had not got a firm grasp on the truth, I would never have been able to spot the errors of dispensationalism and premillennialism.

Dr. Tim wrote:
It isn’t difficult to get a proper understanding of the end times, John, or of any other biblical doctrine, if one will but take the following steps:
1. Get saved.
2. Read the Bible—not what Dr. Bottlestopper says about the Bible, but the BIBLE—all the way through again and again and again and again and again, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
3. In addition to reading the Bible, study the Bible thoroughly.
4. Memorize portions of scripture.
5. Meditate on the Word.
6. Above all, decide beforehand to believe everything in the Bible, whether you understand it or not.
One reason people don’t have a firm knowledge of doctrine is because they are lazy and uncommitted to personally searching the scriptures. They would rather have Spurgeon, Gill, Matthew Henry or someone else tell them what the Bible means than to take seriously their personal duty to learn it for themselves.

Mike wrote:
Because the scenario is extremely rare. Instant media coverage makes the rare seem more common than it is. How many churches are involved in this particular news item, and see how much reaction it has wrought? Likewise real events, though actually rare, bring forth emotional responses, which is the goal of the media in the first place. It's easier to pass legislation when the citizen is in an emotional, rather than a thoughtful state.
18 churches have completed this training, according to the article. Other data shows there are over 300,000 Protestant churches in the US. Their biblical stance is not the issue at the moment, but the overwhelming number that aren't involved in the article issue. But we have been led to "feel" like it's something really big, no?

Thanks Mike for pointing that out.

Christopher000 wrote:
We should all pray that The Spirit within us reveals all of our buried junk, because, trust me, there's much to be found, and it'll be ugly, but it's a required step if we're truly seeking Him. Anyone who feels they're good to go, deceives themselves.

Psalms 139:23-24 KJV
(23)  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
(24)  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.