Dear REM,
Re:
:Try reading the Bible and tell me if it isn't God's Word. Try studying the history of Israel and tell me if it is not prophecied in God's Word. Try studying the history of the church and tell me if it is not prophecied in God's Word. Try studying the history of the world and tell me if it is not prophecied in God's Word.
Been there done that. I have many bibles and books of apocrypha, books on the history of Israel. I have seen no prophecies that could be explained by simpler means.
Me:
Try explaining Isaiah 53 and Matt 26, 27.
You:
I have seen no evidence for any inspiration from God in the Bible.
Me:
While the Spartan slaves were "wiped out" by their mighty masters the Romans when they did their exodus the Jewish slaves were practically unharmed by their mighty masters the Egyptians when THEY did their exodus, they even went on to build a nation/kingdom too among hostile nations. Sheer luck?
You:
I see nothing significant in the history of the church that leads me to believe it has any backing of some Higher Power.
Me:
The early church did not rely on conquest to spread it's teachings, yet by the time Constantine made Christianity the official "religion" of the Roman Empire Christianity was already an established "religion" in the boundaries of the Roman Empire despite the persecution. "...and the powers of death shall not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18). 1/3 of the population today believes and accepts Jesus as their Savior. Devine intervention or sheer luck?
You:
The history of the world is no more prophesied by God than it was prophesied by Nostrodomus.
Me:
Look at todays issues:
1. Globalization
2. The UN
3. G8
4. European Union
5. The Euro
6. The US dollar
7. The US Government
8. Big Corporation mergers
Now you tell me if these things do not spell out the initial formation of a one world order as prophecied in Revelation? If you want to have an interesting discussion with me on this you can do it at my site:
http://pub26.bravenet.com/forum/show.asp?usernum=2200975854
You:
I was just as much a Bible thumper as you are, but I after an honest look at the facts, it was clear to me that the Bible is the work of man.
Me:
Strange. I went the opposite. I was even more convinced that the Bible is God's Word.
Re:
:The Hindu Vedas or any other religious books says man can achieve salvation by way of works. IN short, you are your own god, you save yourself. The Bible does not teach that does it?
Why are you comparing other religious works to the Bible? How do you know you should not be evaluating the Bible in relation to the other religious writings? Maybe all of the other writings are correct and the Bible is wrong (it does seem to be in the minority in the Salvation department)?
Me:
Tell me where in the Bhagavad Gita or Quran or any other religious book that states that they are the only way to God, Heaven, nirvana, etc. Or salvation is by faith and faith alone (as if God needed anything in exchange for our salvation - good works)
You:
Your sentence is nonsensical to a person who does not believe the Bible is the supreme authority. Before a rational person will believe the Bible to be the supreme authority, there needs to be evidence of this. There is none.
Me:
Most cultures have an ancient story of a big flood and that the survivors are the origin of their tribes. One wonders how such ancient stories sounds so familiar with Noah's account in Genesis. I live among diverse cultures and I know what I mean.
Re:
:The Wages of Sin is Death (Romans 6:23). Since you never died nor offered yourself as a sacrifice why in the verld should I believe that you will take away the sins of the world. You don't even come close to the Messiah description in Isa 53. Read Romans on why you are not unique :-)
My religion has nothing to do with the Bible. My disciples live by my words which are transmitted to the world through inspiration. I transfer my thoughts to a trained monkey which posts my commandments on jehovahs-witness.com under the handle of REM. This is their Bible. My ways do not require death for Salvation. My disciples - yes even the whole world is saved through my Life.
Me:
I don't see any REM temple at my end of the globe. Are you one of those David Koresh wannabes? :-)
You:
Don't worry my son, you are saved by the graces of REM. I don't mind that you are steeped in the false religion of the JHWH Bible. I am a much kinder and forgiving God than the ones humans invented.
Me:
I am not a JW. I'm an Evangelical Christian from the Brethren Denomination (same denomination as FF Bruce). IN short, I belong to the Trinitarian gang. BTW, if yer god, please tell me what I had fer breakfast this morning. :-)
God Bless,
John