Post by TRIPWIRE on Apr 7, 2004 20:12:30 GMT -5
April 7, 2004
Apologetics
Written by Foster M. Wolf
Originally posted at tripwire.hickersonfamily.net/2004_0407.html
Recently I went to IMDB.com to see if The Passion of the Christ would be too graphic for my eleven year old brother too watch (I’ve now watched it twice, and can say with some security, that it is in fact too graphic for any child below the age of thirteen, at least, to view). However, comments from the users on the site about the movie’s graphic content, or even any real comments about the movie at all where hard to find. What I did find an over abundance of on the message-boards surprised me a great deal: a back-and-forth grudge match between Christians and “non-believers” (as they’ve been titled by the religious elite on the site). And the Christians their were not showing love, like Christ would have, but stating that anyone who didn’t believe like they did were going to hell. Huh?! In Steve Martin’s immortal words, Excuuuuse Me?!
First of all, I’m a 19 year old student who has been raised in a Christian home (my dad is, in fact, a retired minister. Anyone who reads Dave‘s site regularly will undoubtedly know this). I believe in Christ, try to follow a good bible-based lifestyle, but I in no way bash my friends from other religions. Those of you who mean to convert people to Christianity are not going about it right. Why point out where these people are wrong? That only makes them mad, and no one has every been brought to your viewpoint through anger, have they? How dare you people say that an Orthodox Jew who died in 9-11 may have gone to hell if he hadn't accepted Jesus! Have you forgotten the covenant that God- our God, mind you- made with Abraham? Why has the church lost that concept? Where does that fit in? If you recall, we as Christians are "grafted in the vine" (to quote many a televangelist), and that vine is Judaism. Don't forget that, because I can guarantee God won't (he ne ver forgets a promise he's made). Please don't judge anyone and condemn them to hell, that’s God's job. I’m not trying to make you angry, just to make you see that by trashing and degrading these folks, they are turning a deaf ear to you. They have a free will, and they will exercise it by logging off if you're not careful.
And to the "nonbelievers", please excuse my Christian brethren; not all of us are like this. They are zealous because they have heard something that sounds good to them. In time they will calm down, I promise. Yes, as Christians we are commissioned to tell everyone about Christ, but no one wants to be beaten over the head will all of this. You all make valid points here. I\'ve always wondered why there are no dinosaurs in the bible. And why do some of the stories in the bible contradict the nature of God (ask me if you want to know what I mean there). Why is God so angry and sacred in the Old Testament, but loving and compassionate in the New? I don't know, honestly, but I have faith that he knows what he's doing. That’s all it is, faith. That’s what compels some this world to force themselves on others. It may be blind sometimes, but we have reason to believe this way, as you must to believe the way you do.
In the end will everyone accept Jesus with their own free will? Probably not. I’ll do you one better, no they won’t. If that were the case, then there would be no cause for redemption. Do we all sin, yes we do. I think every major religion embraces that fact. But force-feeding doctrine to people will not sway them. Everyone needs to calm down, step back, and view this whole thing from a point of about ten feet. Your perception will be clearer, and you'll be able to see where both sides are wrong. And, where they're right.
I hope my rants have made sense, and I hope to hear some comments. Thanks!
Refference:
Apologetics
Written by Foster M. Wolf
Originally posted at tripwire.hickersonfamily.net/2004_0407.html
Recently I went to IMDB.com to see if The Passion of the Christ would be too graphic for my eleven year old brother too watch (I’ve now watched it twice, and can say with some security, that it is in fact too graphic for any child below the age of thirteen, at least, to view). However, comments from the users on the site about the movie’s graphic content, or even any real comments about the movie at all where hard to find. What I did find an over abundance of on the message-boards surprised me a great deal: a back-and-forth grudge match between Christians and “non-believers” (as they’ve been titled by the religious elite on the site). And the Christians their were not showing love, like Christ would have, but stating that anyone who didn’t believe like they did were going to hell. Huh?! In Steve Martin’s immortal words, Excuuuuse Me?!
First of all, I’m a 19 year old student who has been raised in a Christian home (my dad is, in fact, a retired minister. Anyone who reads Dave‘s site regularly will undoubtedly know this). I believe in Christ, try to follow a good bible-based lifestyle, but I in no way bash my friends from other religions. Those of you who mean to convert people to Christianity are not going about it right. Why point out where these people are wrong? That only makes them mad, and no one has every been brought to your viewpoint through anger, have they? How dare you people say that an Orthodox Jew who died in 9-11 may have gone to hell if he hadn't accepted Jesus! Have you forgotten the covenant that God- our God, mind you- made with Abraham? Why has the church lost that concept? Where does that fit in? If you recall, we as Christians are "grafted in the vine" (to quote many a televangelist), and that vine is Judaism. Don't forget that, because I can guarantee God won't (he ne ver forgets a promise he's made). Please don't judge anyone and condemn them to hell, that’s God's job. I’m not trying to make you angry, just to make you see that by trashing and degrading these folks, they are turning a deaf ear to you. They have a free will, and they will exercise it by logging off if you're not careful.
And to the "nonbelievers", please excuse my Christian brethren; not all of us are like this. They are zealous because they have heard something that sounds good to them. In time they will calm down, I promise. Yes, as Christians we are commissioned to tell everyone about Christ, but no one wants to be beaten over the head will all of this. You all make valid points here. I\'ve always wondered why there are no dinosaurs in the bible. And why do some of the stories in the bible contradict the nature of God (ask me if you want to know what I mean there). Why is God so angry and sacred in the Old Testament, but loving and compassionate in the New? I don't know, honestly, but I have faith that he knows what he's doing. That’s all it is, faith. That’s what compels some this world to force themselves on others. It may be blind sometimes, but we have reason to believe this way, as you must to believe the way you do.
In the end will everyone accept Jesus with their own free will? Probably not. I’ll do you one better, no they won’t. If that were the case, then there would be no cause for redemption. Do we all sin, yes we do. I think every major religion embraces that fact. But force-feeding doctrine to people will not sway them. Everyone needs to calm down, step back, and view this whole thing from a point of about ten feet. Your perception will be clearer, and you'll be able to see where both sides are wrong. And, where they're right.
I hope my rants have made sense, and I hope to hear some comments. Thanks!
Refference:
