Im answering some questions that Vares Solvang asked in a post that was locked up. This is the link
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I read some of those posts and I dont think it needs to start all over again I think people were starting to get pretty upset but I just want to say this for anyone who feels like reading.
The bible wasnt written by God himself. The bible was inspired by God. And it didnt happen in a day. The bible was written over a thousand years by different people. Imagine you have a family story that is passed down through the generations. Each generation will end up telling a different version of the story with its basic theme still intact. In one version of the story uncle Bob fell off the roof hit his head. In another version of the story uncle Bob leapt off the roof and hit his head. In another version of the story there was no roof, Bobs name was Joe and he hit his head while climbing out of his girlfriends bedroom window. The point is he hit his head the details are just details.
Acts and Mathew:
In both versions written by two different people a generation or two apart the basic theme stays the same. The field was purchased with blood money over which Judas died and Christ was betrayed.
Mathew was written by a man who was there and witnessed all except the actual conversation between Judas and the priests, that was told to him.
Acts some theologians believe was written by Luke about 60 years later and Luke was not actually there. He was relaying the story told to him.
point 1:God is all loving and all forgiving.
Yes he is in the way a parent is. A father loves his child no matter what even when he doesnt like him much at times.
point 2:Believe that Christ is saviour or go to Hell for all eternity and suffer endless pain and suffering.
Mind if I rewrite that: Accept Christ as your savior and live with Him in paradise for eternity.
See better spin.
If a father puts his kid in the corner or spanks him or does whatever punishment he doesnt stop loving the kid. If a father knows his son has murdered someone and that if he turns him in to the authorities his son will spend the rest of his life suffering in prison. He turns his son in because he knows his son must pay the price for his choice but he does not stop loving him and regretting that he couldnt save him.
The two concepts are not opposed. We dont have to like it but they do go together. A parent can punish a child and still love him. God can punish his children and still love them.
I dont think you should ignore parts of the bible if you decide to believe in its teachings. But take it as a guide for how God wants us to live our lives here on earth because its teachings were inspired by him. He didnt hold the pen and reveal the truths of the universe but he awakened knowledge and understanding in the hearts of the people who wrote it over thousands of years.
I cant remember now the names to be specific but one of the books in the bible was written by a lawyer who was very into details and specifics. Another book in the bible was written by a fisherman who didnt care about details and just told his story. So the bible is divinely inspired but your still going to get the perspectives of the people holding the pens.
My mom doesnt believe a lot of the same things I teach. But you know she also wathces talk shows and doesnt get the briliance of Adam Sandler. Shes probly past saving. I mean how can you watch the Waterboy and not laugh your ass off. But if I spent all my time preaching to her shed probly kill me in my sleep or just kick me out. So I dont.
Heres my thing. I figure if you walk in the church and sit down then your asking me to try to convince you. If you come in the food bank and let me give you food then your agreeing the trade is that I get to try to convince you if I decide to. If your my friend Im gonna wanna debate with you and Im gonna celebrate if I manage to convince you but Im never gonna tell you that your less important to me if I dont succeed. If your a stranger and I walk up to you on the street and tell you to confess your sins or your going to hell you have the right to punch me in my face and tell me to mind my own business.
Heres a thing a lot of people miss about missions that really drives me nuts. Ive heard the people I work with all the time say if you dont know christ your going to hell but see thats not true. If you know about christ and you reject him you risk the possibility your wrong and you go to hell. If you never knew christ and never were taught you had the choice you wont be punished for not taking an action you didnt know you could take. Like a baby for ex. A child who dies never knowing and never choosing sin recieves automatic admission to heaven they are innocent. A native living in the deepest jungle of wher ever who hasnt ever heard the name christ dies hes not going to hell he didnt know and couldnt choose he is innocent and God will welcome him like anyone else.
There are some christians who say we are all born sinners. I dont think so. I think we are born innocent and since we are human beings and we have weaknesses then we will all sin at some point in life. The God I believe in doesnt hate sinners he hates the sin. He loves the person every person equally and he expects us to do the same.
So anyway thats my two cents. Dont beat my mom up for it please.
