TRUE CHRISTIANS must imitate JESUS the "apostate" (page 2)

Terry

You are doing a fine job imitating "your Jesus"
D Dog

Well, I am not yet able to change water into wine, but; I can change wine into water!!

Deputy Dog

Terry

4.The early feature of Christianity was the arguments and debates over who and what Jesus was as well as what true teaching was.

I think you like to argue as well!

D Dog

LittleToe

Terry:
Great thread, as usual. For the flipside of the debate I'd like to question your initial premises.

Terry asks: Is a Christian required to be a footstep follower of Jesus? Are true Christians required to imitate Jesus' behavior and state of mind as closely as humanly possible?

The "religous" answer is yes, insomuch as people attempt to be something they are not in an attempt to become what they interpret as correct. That would also be the WTS view. The [mystical / spiritual / experiential] answer (IMHO) is that the Holy Spirit produces fruit spontaneously from within, enabling them to behave in a manner that is in accord with the spirit of Christ.

Hence I would answer your questions with a clear "no".

Also: Since the writer of the letter to the Hebrews (whoever the author was) makes the argument that Jesus was the great high priest of the kingdom of heaven, there is no contradiction in his allegedly disobeying the High Priest of the Temple.

Just keeping it going

On a lighter note:

Well, I am not yet able to change water into wine, but; I can change wine into water!!

Since you claim to be able to do the opposite of what Jesus is claimed to have done, does that make you the antiChrist?

Deputy Dog

LT

The [mystical / spiritual / experiential] answer (IMHO) is that the Holy Spirit produces fruit spontaneously from within, enabling them to behave in a manner that is in accord with the spirit of Christ.

This is where I lose people on the sanctification issue, God using good and evil to create individuals. I agree with you on that "no" answer to the question Terry asked.

Terry asks: Is a Christian required to be a footstep follower of Jesus? Are true Christians required to imitate Jesus' behavior and state of mind as closely as humanly possible?

I think its the word "required" D Dog

LittleToe

DDog:

This is where I lose people on the sanctification issue, God using good and evil to create individuals.

Care to elaborate?

I don't boubt that providence moulds us, but I'm not sure if that's what you're getting at.

A Paduan

I am who I am

Deputy Dog

LT

You have it right. Sin and evil (as well as"the Holy Spirit produces fruit spontaneously from within,") make us who we are and what we will become.

A Paduan

I am who God made me to be.

D Dog

LittleToe

DDog:Ok, now we're on the same page. I would just make a clearer differentiation between the external application of providence and the internal application of the Spirit, though.

ellderwho

Terry,

4.The early feature of Christianity was the arguments and debates over who and what Jesus was as well as what true teaching was.

IMO your argument begins and ends with that statement.

Terry

Great thread, as usual. For the flipside of the debate I'd like to question your initial premises.
Terry asks: Is a Christian required to be a footstep follower of Jesus? Are true Christians required to imitate Jesus' behavior and state of mind as closely as humanly possible?
The "religous" answer is yes, insomuch as people attempt to be something they are not in an attempt to become what they interpret as correct. That would also be the WTS view. The [mystical / spiritual / experiential] answer (IMHO) is that the Holy Spirit produces fruit spontaneously from within, enabling them to behave in a manner that is in accord with the spirit of Christ.
Hence I would answer your questions with a clear "no".
Also: Since the writer of the letter to the Hebrews (whoever the author was) makes the argument that Jesus was the great high priest of the kingdom of heaven, there is no contradiction in his allegedly disobeying the High Priest of the Temple.
Just keeping it going
On a lighter note:
Well, I am not yet able to change water into wine, but; I can change wine into water!!
Since you claim to be able to do the opposite of what Jesus is claimed to have done, does that make you the antiChrist?

Little Toe, I myself don't think imitating Jesus makes any sense. But, I'm presenting the premise in the context of what Jehovah's Witnesses hold to be true.

IF, as JW's believe, we should embrace the idea of imitating the behavior of Jesus--then, being able to question, argue and debate is on firm doctrinal footing; especially would this be so vis a vis MEMBERS OF YOUR OWN RELIGIOUS GROUP. That's my target here.

I'm not so much ANTI-CHRIST as I am anti-authoritarian power-brokering as regards doctrines.

If a person thinks for themselves and concludes they are in agreement with any church they should certainly be free to practice their religion inside that structure. The caveat is, however, that there be some reasonable outlet for questions and debates which are constructed honestly (not merely to cause dissension.)

Any firm TRUTH should be able to withstand questioning.

(When I change wine into water the color changes too for some reason.)

TRUE CHRISTIANS must imitate JESUS the "apostate"

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