Bible Questions?

God needs to rest?

 

Perhaps one chooses.

 

I have heard arguments from people who will go unnamed of this forum who claim that the seventh day of rest has not ended, if this is true how would you say that they would explain gods constant meddling throughout the bible?

Tablets, knocking up Jewish minxes, staging the human sacrifice of that preacher all those years ago, the list as we both know goes on.

 

I wasn't getting at you, if that is what Christianity teaches, then that's what it teaches.

But, I feel that it is easy to say that the reason the other things hadn't been done is because He is coming back - it's been 2000 years when is He coming back? Clearly things haven't really improved since then, we could do with Him now. To me, it shows that maybe the Messiah hasn't yet been and we are still waiting.

I was shouted at at work the other week for not doing something; because I had forgotten, and I straight away said that it was because I was coming back the next day to do it. Got me out of trouble!

 

What you call gods' constant meddling is a picture of human contention for authority and power.

 

when getting married do you really need to have a paper to prove to God that your married? Can you just be with a partner forever and stay faithful and have kids with out a marriage paper done?



also why is gambling a sin?

 

The paper is for the government. Each partner in the marriage is the minister of the Sacrament.

 

I don't have to judge anything, God shows in the Bible how to get the the most out of your life. So if you don't understand the Bible you don't know how to get the most out of your life.

So you say.

An obvious example of you getting the most out of your life.

 

Christianity doesn't teach you to ignore the discrepancies in the Bible, mainly because there are no discrepancies.

Jesus has already returned but as Jesus himself indicated all things must take place.

Glad to hear it.

 

Consider the lilies of the field. God manifests in all things, all things being created by him. You are mistaken that the bible is the sole authority, only God is good.

 

I never said that we can't learn much about God just by looking at his creations but there are many important things about God that we can't learn from just observing nature and those important things are only to be found in the Bible.

(Romans 1:20) . . .his invisible [qualities] are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, . . .

 

Can you name one.

 

This got me really reading 1 Peter 3, the way Peter flows between the "spirits in prison" and how the Ark saved 8 people and now baptism saves us. Why is it so smooth a transition (there isn't even really a break). This isn't really a question--more of an observation.

 

Yes, in fact I can name several.

 

Well that depends on individual views. If one believes in something enough, then it is easy to 'explain' and justify just about anything.

So what exactly is Jesus waiting for? How much more pain and suffering do people need to go through before G-d decides that enough and enough and will do something? Or will He just continue to save those who dedicate their life to Him and not question anything, and ignore the 'sinners'?

 

True enough but sometimes those explanations and justifications are true.

In actuality, the pain and suffering that we go through is harder on God and Jesus than on us.

But the problem falls into our hands, if all mankind or at least the majority of mankind decided to side with God in this matter it would be all over right now but that is just not the case. The majority of mankind is still trying to prove that they can do a better job than God in running things and until mankind as a whole see that they have failed God will continue to let them try to prove him wrong.

On the other hand that does not prevent those who want a better life now, from serving God and them and their families enjoying a better life now.

PS most of the pain and suffering that you speak of is man made.

 

Yes. Sometimes.

If all this is so hard on them both - why can't they just step in and sort us out? Advice, action, anything? You say it is difficult for them, but what have they don't to stop it. Clearly their love for us isn't as strong as it should/ could be.

And, I used to believe that if you served G-d you would be ok, and have a good life - but you suffer just the same as those who don't.

Yes of course, but if G-d created us all -in His image- and knows us all individually - then He would have known from the start of the choices we are going to make and still let us, then punishes us for doing so - when He knew all along!

 

As I've mentioned, we are the ones the said we didn't want their help not vice-versa.

As for what have they done? The Bible is filled with good practical advice but who listens?

Well, if you live on a fault line, chances are your house will fall down one day, if you live in a river flood plane, chances are your house will be washed away one day and if you live in a world run by imperfect men, chances are that you will suffer unnecessary pain and sorrow.

The thing is in this world run by men, God can not eliminate all mankind's problems but with service to God and by following the principles laid out in the Bible you can minimize those problems and can live the best life possible under the circumstances.

Once again it's God's fault that we made the wrong choices, just as it's the parent's fault that their children made the wrong choices.

No the fault lies with the choices made and those who made those choices.

And no, God did not know the choices we would make. The only way free will can work is if God decides not to use his ability to know what choices we will individually make.

 

No, but it is G-d's fault that many people do not follow Him. Yes the bible may be filled with good practical advice, but it makes no difference if you live by that or not. The only difference between a Christian and an Atheist is that a Christian believes if they follow the Bible, they may get into heaven, which they won't know until they die. Life is the same in everyother way - rubbish!

You can keep arguing that is our choice and we have caused everything, but why worship a G-d that appears to be annoyed that we don't follow His every word? The Bible claims He loves us all so much, yet has no problem in letting millions suffer and die before casting them into Hell.

 

I like the way you define Gods' capacities for him. He is probably grateful to you for helping him to avoid useless effort.