Originally posted by Blue nocturneI hear ya with the gnostics...they had some interesting beliefs...some good ones too.
But what is the "True God" I'm a pantheist but I also believe in Lesser dieties or beings with supernatural powers as lame as that sounds, My theory is that YHWH is one of those lesser material gods at least that what gnostic christians believed too bad for them they were wiped out.
For me a real god wouldn't care if you believed or not, it would be beyond human emotion for neediness.
I have myself had trouble understanding the ways of God, as written in the Old Testament. I firmly believe that God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today, and always. So, the Old Testament YHWH is the same as the New Testament Father. God is God. It helped me to realize that God is not mean or vengeful... He is Just. He hates sin. It hurts Him. His definition of justice is far beyond our understanding of the word. His ways are beyond our ways. There are somethings about God that aren't meant to be understood. That is why He is God, and we are humans. When we die and meet Him, everything will make sense, for we will finally see as He sees.
Originally posted by MicahLynn
I have myself had trouble understanding the ways of God, as written in the Old Testament. I firmly believe that God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today, and always. So, the Old Testament YHWH is the same as the New Testament Father. God is God. It helped me to realize that God is not mean or vengeful... He is Just. He hates sin. It hurts Him. His definition of justice is far beyond our understanding of the word. His ways are beyond our ways. There are somethings about God that aren't meant to be understood. That is why He is God, and we are humans. When we die and meet Him, everything will make sense, for we will finally see as He sees.
How can God hurt?
How can God hate?
How can God be a he?
Any god that can be hurt, or hate or is a he, is a man made god. Think it though again. We can never understand God. That means the bible can not give you an understanding of God. Anything we think we understand about God is incorrect.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
How can God hurt?
How can God hate?
How can God be a he?Any god that can be hurt, or hate or is a he, is a man made god. Think it though again. We can never understand God. That means the bible can not give you an understanding of God. Anything we think we understand about God is incorrect.
In an imperfect, fallen world, we cannot understand or fully know a perfect and sinless God. It is only through revelation that we can know Him at all... He reveals bits and pieces of who He is to us. It is enough for me. I don't doubt Him at all. I doubt myself and my ability to understand God who is so perfect and magnificent and majestic and who would loved me enough to send His Son to die for me. I never doubt Him. He is not man-made. We are God-made. Don't you get it? He made us, not the other way around. We were made in His image. I understand enough about God to never doubt Him and to always try to live for Him. I know that when the time comes, He will reveal more to me. He reveals what He knows we can handle. The more we can understand, the more He reveals. The more we seek, the more we find. I'm seeking Him everyday, wanting to know more about Him. And, everyday, He shows me more. God is so amazing it takes more than a lifetime to truly know and understand. He is indescribable in human words, unfathomable in the human mind's capacity. He is God. Perfect, holy, and every good word in any dictionary or language ever written wouldn't do Him justice or describe Him properly.
Originally posted by MicahLynn
In an imperfect, fallen world, we cannot understand or fully know a perfect and sinless God. It is only through revelation that we can know Him at all... He reveals bits and pieces of who He is to us. It is enough for me. I don't doubt Him at all. I doubt myself and my ability to understand God who is so perfect and magnificent and majestic and who would loved me enough to send His Son to die for me. I never doubt Him. He is not man-made. We are God-made. Don't you get it? He made us, not the other way around. We were made in His image. I understand enough about God to never doubt Him and to always try to live for Him. I know that when the time comes, He will reveal more to me. He reveals what He knows we can handle. The more we can understand, the more He reveals. The more we seek, the more we find. I'm seeking Him everyday, wanting to know more about Him. And, everyday, He shows me more. God is so amazing it takes more than a lifetime to truly know and understand. He is indescribable in human words, unfathomable in the human mind's capacity. He is God. Perfect, holy, and every good word in any dictionary or language ever written wouldn't do Him justice or describe Him properly.
Stop! go back and read what I wrote again and again until you see what I wrote. You continue to act like you understand God.
I did not say that God was man made I said "Any god that can be hurt, or hate or is a he, is a man made god." You keep saying "he" so, to me, that means you are talking about a man made god.
I think all you are doing is repeating what you have heard. Have you ever thought about it with your own thoughts?
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Stop! go back and read what I wrote again and again until you see what I wrote. You continue to act like you understand God.I did not say that God was man made I said "Any god that can be hurt, or hate or is a he, is a man made god." You keep saying "he" so, to me, that means you are talking about a man made god.
I think all you are doing is repeating what you have heard. Have you ever thought about it with your own thoughts?
First of all, God is our Father. I don't know about you, but I've never known a father who wasn't also a "He." We were created in His image, so it makes sense for us to call Him using a term such as "He." I've also said that human words can't perfectly describe Him... He is one of those words. It doesn't describe God in His fullness, that is why I at least try to always capitalize it, so it at least stands out among ordinary human pronouns.
Until you know more about me, don't tell me all I'm doing is repeating what I've heard. I've traveled to other countries and seen the fingerprints of God there just as much as I see them here. God is everywhere. I've searched for Him. I don't just listen to other people and automatically believe what they say. I've studied it. I've read books written by aetheists who have come to know God by simply trying to disprove Him. I am in a Bible College, as we speak, learning the truths and depths of the Bible that most people overlook. I listen to preachers and professors and theologians, but I allow God to reveal to me what is truth, and which of those people don't know His Word or Ways at all, thus teaching what is false and speaking lies. I spend time alone with God, time spent in prayer and listening for His gentle voice and observing His creation. It's not something to take lightly. I am not the kind of person to just believe anyone. I have my own thoughts and opinions, probably more than most any people do. But, I try to form my opinions and thoughts to those of Christ, becoming more like Him.
Originally posted by MicahLynnGod is not a he or a she. It has no sex. Just as in scripture it is called Elohim. Meaning no gender.
First of all, God is our Father. I don't know about you, but I've never known a father who wasn't also a "He." We were created in His image, so it makes sense for us to call Him using a term such as "He." .
And what about God? Is God exclusively male? The answer is obvious. God is spirit; God has no physical body. God is omnipresent, meaning that there is no place, no time, and no concept from which God is absent. God is simultaneously on the other side of the Universe, 30 billion light-years away, and God is inside all the atoms of your body. God is inside the protons and electrons, the quarks, the strings of which you are composed. God is inside neutrinos. God suffuses the Universe even more thoroughly than water suffuses a goldfish bowl. Because God has no physical body, God has no penis and no uterus. You may refer to God as male (Lord, how can you stop?), but to refer to God as female is exactly as valid.
Originally posted by MicahLynn
First of all, God is our Father. I don't know about you, but I've never known a father who wasn't also a "He." We were created in His image, so it makes sense for us to call Him using a term such as "He." I've also said that human words can't perfectly describe Him... He is one of those words. It doesn't describe God in His fullness, that is why I at least try to always capitalize it, so it at least stands out among ordinary human pronouns.Until you know more about me, don't tell me all I'm doing is repeating what I've heard. I've traveled to other countries and seen the fingerprints of God there just as much as I see them here. God is everywhere. I've searched for Him. I don't just listen to other people and automatically believe what they say. I've studied it. I've read books written by aetheists who have come to know God by simply trying to disprove Him. I am in a Bible College, as we speak, learning the truths and depths of the Bible that most people overlook. I listen to preachers and professors and theologians, but I allow God to reveal to me what is truth, and which of those people don't know His Word or Ways at all, thus teaching what is false and speaking lies. I spend time alone with God, time spent in prayer and listening for His gentle voice and observing His creation. It's not something to take lightly. I am not the kind of person to just believe anyone. I have my own thoughts and opinions, probably more than most any people do. But, I try to form my opinions and thoughts to those of Christ, becoming more like Him.
Well, I am glad you have defended yourself, it shows strength of faith. A week person would have just gotten made and said something disgraceful; this speaks well of your faith.
Words may not affect God but they affect other people. What is your goal, to conform, or to live the path that Jesus set forth? Do you think that Jesus would have spoken in a way that no one would have understood? No, Jesus spoke with the words that the people he was speaking to, would understand. Sometimes they understood him all too clearly and sought to kill him.
Think about what you say, if the word “he” would block a person, what should you do?
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Well, I am glad you have defended yourself, it shows strength of faith. A week person would have just gotten made and said something disgraceful; this speaks well of your faith.Words may not affect God but they affect other people. What is your goal, to conform, or to live the path that Jesus set forth? Do you think that Jesus would have spoken in a way that no one would have understood? No, Jesus spoke with the words that the people he was speaking to, would understand. Sometimes they understood him all too clearly and sought to kill him.
Think about what you say, if the word “he” would block a person, what should you do?
To answer your questions, I will never conform to the ways of the world or follow the crowd in doing wrong. I will do my very best to always follow the path that Jesus has set out before me. Jesus spoke to the people in a way that they would best understand, such as in parables. He wanted them to get it, He wanted to reveal truths to them. It didn't matter to Him whether they sought to kill Him, for He knew the plan of the Father, that He was going to die for ours sins and rise again on the third day. It seems to me that the people who sought to kill Jesus must not have understood His message whatsoever. What man would willingly try to kill the Son of God? They didn't listen to His words, not because they weren't clear or were too clear, but rather because they refused to hear and believe the Truth. They didn't want to face the reality of His message.
I don't think I understand what you mean about blocking a person by using the word "he." I will be out of town for the weekend, so please don't think that I am being weak in my faith by not responding quickly. I do want to continue this conversation.
Originally posted by debbiejo
God is not a he or a she. It has no sex. Just as in scripture it is called Elohim. Meaning no gender.And what about God? Is God exclusively male? The answer is obvious. God is spirit; God has no physical body. God is omnipresent, meaning that there is no place, no time, and no concept from which God is absent. God is simultaneously on the other side of the Universe, 30 billion light-years away, and God is inside all the atoms of your body. God is inside the protons and electrons, the quarks, the strings of which you are composed. God is inside neutrinos. God suffuses the Universe even more thoroughly than water suffuses a goldfish bowl. Because God has no physical body, God has no penis and no uterus. You may refer to God as male (Lord, how can you stop?), but to refer to God as female is exactly as valid.
So, my question to you is: is it better to call God "It" than "He"? God is the Father, how can you take Elohim out of the Biblical text and not Abba Father? You can't pick and choose. God is beyond gender, yes, but He is the Father, at the same time. I know God is everywhere, I won't argue you on that. I firmly believe that. He is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, etc. I also believe that human language isn't suffice when it comes to naming God. That is why the early believers called Him YHWH. His name is too mighty to speak. That is why they left out the vowels. He is beyond understanding. The only things that I can understand at all are through His revelation: Bible, Events, Nature, Jesus, Intuition... those are His ways of revealing things to us. Why does it offend you so much that I best describe God by using the term "He" or "Father" or "Lord" or even "God." I will gladly refer to Him as YHWH if that would better suit you. It is more proper, that is for sure, but it isn't my native language. It makes more sense for me to use the terms that God has revealed to me to use than an ancient name that the Hebrews used. But if it offends you so terribly, God is YHWH, and I don't have a problem with calling YHWH YHWH.
Originally posted by MicahLynn
To answer your questions, I will never conform to the ways of the world or follow the crowd in doing wrong. I will do my very best to always follow the path that Jesus has set out before me. Jesus spoke to the people in a way that they would best understand, such as in parables. He wanted them to get it, He wanted to reveal truths to them. It didn't matter to Him whether they sought to kill Him, for He knew the plan of the Father, that He was going to die for ours sins and rise again on the third day. It seems to me that the people who sought to kill Jesus must not have understood His message whatsoever. What man would willingly try to kill the Son of God? They didn't listen to His words, not because they weren't clear or were too clear, but rather because they refused to hear and believe the Truth. They didn't want to face the reality of His message.I don't think I understand what you mean about blocking a person by using the word "he." I will be out of town for the weekend, so please don't think that I am being weak in my faith by not responding quickly. I do want to continue this conversation.
I am failing in communication this to you. I am not telling you to commit sin.
I will try again, if you are talking to someone and you use a word that offends them, wouldn’t it be wise to use a different word?
And I think the people who were trying to kill Jesus understood him quite well. They wanted to kill him because he threatened their power and way of life. They were selfish people.
Take your time; I do not use time as a factor in my judgments. I commend you on your faith and hope you continue in your faith.
Originally posted by MicahLynnYou can call god father or mother because it really doesn't matter. So why not just call it god. AS far as Jesus is concerned he referred to god as father for familiarity for us. In the OT the holy spirit was referred to as feminine. The spirit of God Ruach Elohim (Genesis 1:2) is a feminine noun. So is the Shekhinah -- the Presence of God. Does that mean the Spirit of God and the Presence of God are female?
So, my question to you is: is it better to call God "It" than "He"? God is the Father, how can you take Elohim out of the Biblical text and not Abba Father? You can't pick and choose. God is beyond gender, yes, but He is the Father, at the same time. I know God is everywhere, I won't argue you on that. I firmly believe that. He is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, etc. I also believe that human language isn't suffice when it comes to naming God. That is why the early believers called Him YHWH. His name is too mighty to speak. That is why they left out the vowels. He is beyond understanding. The only things that I can understand at all are through His revelation: Bible, Events, Nature, Jesus, Intuition... those are His ways of revealing things to us. Why does it offend you so much that I best describe God by using the term "He" or "Father" or "Lord" or even "God." I will gladly refer to Him as YHWH if that would better suit you. It is more proper, that is for sure, but it isn't my native language. It makes more sense for me to use the terms that God has revealed to me to use than an ancient name that the Hebrews used. But if it offends you so terribly, God is YHWH, and I don't have a problem with calling YHWH YHWH.
Re: I wanna belive in god..
Originally posted by KidRock
I wanna belive in god but for some reason I just cant.. My dad died on 9/11 and I guess I just wanna think that somehow there is a heaven and a place up there and a god, but when I just think of all the facts and everything its just hard imagining there being a heaven, what makes you all belive that there is a heaven and a god?
The bible is a history book, just like the ones in school. You have never personally seen any proof of god, but probably never seen any personal proof of Isaac Newton.
To be honest I ignore facts because sometimes, as many people don't notice, there is no such thing as facts if the creator of the universe is in control.
To believe in god is to believe that your life REALLY matters, instead of being some random glitch in the universe.
That is why I believe in god and heaven. I'd rather believe in god and believe that I will be in heaven than know/believe that i am just an evolved monkey.
Originally posted by MicahLynn
I have myself had trouble understanding the ways of God, as written in the Old Testament. I firmly believe that God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today, and always. So, the Old Testament YHWH is the same as the New Testament Father. God is God. It helped me to realize that God is not mean or vengeful... He is Just. He hates sin. It hurts Him. His definition of justice is far beyond our understanding of the word. His ways are beyond our ways. There are somethings about God that aren't meant to be understood. That is why He is God, and we are humans. When we die and meet Him, everything will make sense, for we will finally see as He sees.
Just He killed a man for ejaculating on the ground, And had rules enforcing slavery what GOD are you talking about 😕