I recently came across an interesting video on the sweet site The Crazy Australian explaining that Richard Dawkins does not exist, just as he claims God does not exist.
9 Comments
Sic Vid, saw it posted in a similar way on www.thecrazyaustralian.com though..
Anywayz.. nice to meet you. seems to have similar interests to me and have many websites going for you. Are those sites on the sidebar yours? The content on half of those sites surprises me from someone professing to be a christian. Your not really give me the vibe that your a Christian.
Yes, I found the video on that site. It's a cool video so I figured I'd post it here as well. Yes all the sites under "My Sites" are mine.
I am a Christian more than any other religion, but I still wouldn't really consider myself fully Christian. I think some of the stuff they push is limiting and doesn't fully answer questions and that is why I enjoy looking elsewhere. I am Christian in the sense that I put Jesus first and acknowledge him as dieing for us and being our savior. I live my life fully around Jesus and am very Christian in that way.
It's ok, it wasn't my video in the first place: I found it on youtube.
I think what Rhys was getting at is I think it's polite to 'hat tip' people from whom you get content. Not a big deal, just politeness I suppose.
I think it's great that you are looking into other religions, it's definitely important to make sure you get it right. But I would be wary of trying to sit on the fence for too long - as far as I know there is no half-way point if you are just 'more Christian than not'. Work out where you ought to go and get in there.
Reading Matthew, it doesn't sound like Jesus was looking for part-time followers: Matthew 7 - 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Keep thinking though!
*Hat has been tipped ;)*
I see what you are saying about not being 1/2 way with Jesus and I don't think I am at all - I study His Word and follow his example all day, everyday. The thing I am 1/2 way with is religion. The Bible and logic doesn't say to follow a religion or a certain group of people. It says to follow Jesus and that is what I do 100%. I don't see how this puts me on the fence at all and it also opens me up to taking what I can from other religions as well. It seems like the better move to me. No?
Sorry, this got quite a bit longer than I intended.
2 Separate issues here:
First issue:
You are certainly correct that we are to follow Jesus. And one of Jesus’ actions was to send his disciples in His name
Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mark 3:14 - He appointed twelve—designating them apostles[a]—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Finally, the strongest: Matthew 10:40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.”
If we follow Jesus, we ought to follow his commands – and he commands us to listen to his apostles. So, then, we are to follow the apostles, at least.
Our church is independent – we put the Bible as the highest authority and (try to) follow it. So in that sense, we do not follow any religion or certain group of people. At the same time, there are another billion people also doing that. It would be silly to pretend that we aren’t all part of the same church – Jude 1: Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
THE salvation, THE faith, we SHARE.
I might be saying exactly what you think, but I feel it is possible to take the ‘I follow Jesus’ to such an extreme that His Church and those to which He entrusted it are ignored (which, paradoxically, is contrary to His teachings).
Tu est d’accord? (You agree?)
Sorry, this turned out a bit longer than I intended.
2 Separate issues here:
First issue:
You are certainly correct that we are to follow Jesus. And one of Jesus’ actions was to send his disciples in His name
Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mark 3:14 - He appointed twelve—designating them apostles[a]—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Finally, the strongest: Matthew 10:40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.”
If we follow Jesus, we ought to follow his commands – and he commands us to listen to his apostles. So, then, we are to follow the apostles, at least.
Our church is independent – we put the Bible as the highest authority and (try to) follow it. So in that sense, we do not follow any religion or certain group of people. At the same time, there are another billion people also doing that. It would be silly to pretend that we aren’t all part of the same church – Jude 1: Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
THE salvation, THE faith, we SHARE.
I might be saying exactly what you think, but I feel it is possible to take the ‘I follow Jesus’ to such an extreme that His Church and those to which He entrusted it are ignored (which, paradoxically, is contrary to His teachings).
Tu est d’accord? (You agree?)
Great post. I still find some of the stuff you are saying weird. You are saying that people who follow The Bible are all under the same church of Christ? If so, what about the LDS Church? I have seen some posts from you on this site showing that you are not in favor of their beliefs. This leads me to believe, that although we are all under Christ, our opinions and interpretations differ. I really don't think this matters too much, but I would assume you do since you will not read the Book of Mormon.
A billion churches do not all believe the same things. 2 people don't even believe the same things. This just seems ridiculous to me. People differ so much, let alone religions. We should be seeking truth, and if that truth comes from your religion fine, but why confine yourself to a religion when it is not required?
Second issue:
And I would agree that probably all religions have at least *some* truth in them (eg Islam: there is one God; but does that mean it is the right God?).
Second issue:
it also opens me up to taking what I can from other religions as well. It seems like the better move to me. No?
I’ll not deny that (probably) all religions have at least *some* grain of truth (eg Islam – one God – but is it the right God?)
But I cannot see what could be gained from this attitude.
Firstly, it strikes me in the same way as the owner of a large oyster farm might if he were to look in nearby restaurants for oysters: he already has oysters – and they are fresh more and more plentiful than in any restaurant!
Jesus taught that he is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. We do not need to add to his teachings: He is sufficient, there is no more needed for salvation.
Not only do we not *need* to add anything, I can’t see what there is to add.
I’m not saying Christianity answers every question easily: the Bible says we will not understand everything until we reach Heaven. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13)”
And I don’t mean to say we shouldn’t seek alternative explanations and consider them – as I have said in previous comments, it is important to make sure you have the right God.
But when we search for answers, should we not look ultimately to the God who created these truths? If you believe Jesus is God and the Bible is God’s word, then we already have a full revelation. Anything that disagrees with it cannot be correct, and anything that agrees – is already there.
The exception to this is where the Bible is silent, such as issues like stem cell research – but even in these, we must make sure our principles match the Bible’s.
Even if there was something to add, I cannot see how one would discern the good from the bad. As I said, I’m sure they all have at least some grain of truth, but all other religions are fundamentally flawed. They all have wrong assumptions, most importantly about the lordship of Jesus. And from those wrong assumptions flow wrong conclusions. Some principles are good: many of Budda’s teachings sit well with Jesus’ about how to treat other’s. Yet some principles are deadly: the works-based Karma, for example.
How do you discern the good from the dangerous?
Which leads me to a question that has been behind most of this:
What do you regard as the highest authority on this? (i.e. the Bible, general consensus, your intellect, another person)
Thank you for the response.
Jesus taught that he is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. We do not need to add to his teachings: He is sufficient, there is no more needed for salvation.
What if you're not looking for salvation? I am fine with my salvation through Jesus. Just cause I am saved doesn't mean I am smart. I still have questions and in order to answer these questions I look around. How is reading the Koran any different than reading a self-help book? I really don't see too much of a difference, and at least the Koran has some serious thought put into it. They both provide a view, I can agree or disagree. Either way I am doing something and growing. I could just sit back like most Christians and say I am saved so why study. But then what happens when an Atheist walks up to me and owns me because I don't know anything about science? Rather than dismissing him or avoiding him like most Christians I would talk with him and discuss my views. I would provide all the evidence and knowledge I had gathered.
How do you discern the good from the dangerous?
Through life, thought, study and God of course. It is much easier to discern good from bad when you have all the information or as much as possible as opposed to knowing only one side.
What do you regard as the highest authority on this? (i.e. the Bible, general consensus, your intellect, another person)
I regard everything and anything as a worthy and high authority. Some more than others, but they all hold their weight and stand on their own merit.
