Posts by myelaine

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear Janet...

you said: "Paul at least had the courtesy to speak the language of his hearers."...

ummm...you DID say that the Holy Spirit was working in you too 1 corinthians 2:10-13

love michelle

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear Janet...

I don't pick and choose willy nilly so much as lay precept upon precept.

you don't feel the need to warn anybody about something you don't choose to see, even though Jesus said it WAS so...I do feel the need to warn people about something I see AND Jesus said it WAS so...maybe this where you can comprehend that I do unto others as I would have them do unto me and you don't?

It is sincere concern and compassion coming from God poured out in me towards you. If it was no big deal why would I bother to act?...why did the prophets bother acting if it was no big deal?...why did Jesus bother telling us anything or even proclaiming His salvation and then following through with the action if it was no big deal? we all acted on what resonated with us as commands from God...it is known that the "things" concerning Him have a conclusion...it could be tonight. How can you "reason" through that and decide that I'm not using reason?...it's PERFECTLY reasonable to believe what Jesus says to be the truth...that is the foundation of my trust in Him!!...but maybe for you, not so much?!?!?

AND yeah, I do get my worldview from the bible...God does know the end from the beginning...and He saw to it that He didn't leave those who shared HIS worldview in the dark as to what is happening in that world regarding both celestial and terrestrial beings. ...He prepared a table before me, so to speak...I'm sure I don't have to apologise even if you regard it as "less than" your worldview in some way.

love michelle

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear Janet...

what do you find unreasonable in what I've said?

love michelle

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear dgp...

this scripture suggests that God is intensely involved in the destiny of mankind and He wants mankind to be equally involved in the conclusion of that destiny. We all, together and individually, play a part in being accountable to God and each other in order to see benefit.

love michelle

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear Janet...

you said: "I am familiar with the bible MyElaine/Michelle. As a fellow defective, where did you get the idea that you could diagnose my failing?"...

well actually, it is a working of the Holy Spirit...you don't seem to be overly concerned with the urgency the times demand, (much like OT israel and the jewish population in jerusalem living around 70AD)...christians are told to redeem the time left...and there will be great tribulation...and unless the times were shortened , no flesh would be saved. matthew 24:21-22. In any other real life job that would be a failure to respond to your duty. The fact that Jesus has commanded His disciples to go into all the world and teach these things as the whole counsel of God should invoke a greater response BECAUSE failure to respond has eternal consequences, for you and any who may have been positioned to hear the message.

Anyway...you have read and know the bible but it is an entirely different perspective to look at mankind from Gods perspective. the law is a display of His attitude (ethos)...the prophets are a display of His attributes (pathos)...if you look at things from His perspective (through a working of the Holy Spirit) your failings ARE laid bare...by God.

That's the WAY to test the "spirits"...yours, mine AND ours...matthew 7:12

love michelle

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear dgp...

you said: "The argument would need to be that God sees evil, yet he doesn't do anything about it. It expects God to be some kind of Jupiter Tonans who would send his lightning to punish the disobedient or the evil. I don't buy this, just as I don't think the Lord responds to your prayers."...

"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land..." 2 chronicles 7:13-14...

...this scripture doesn't suggest punishment for disobedience so much as God withdrawing His divine protection and blessing over the land and the people...which, when restored because of an act of the people...results in healing.

love michelle

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear Janet...

you said: "Regarding worldview and participation in the community, I would have responded differently. I would say that worldview governs our actions. By our actions, therefore, we also have a sense of a person's worldview. It is obvious that you consider me in need of repair, and this is no doubt due to your worldview. Do you see most people as broken?"...

I believe we are all sinners in need of repair. I also believe that some are in need of repair more than others...those in other closed countries who haven't heard the gospel and may not hear it before their passing will be given salvation. Those who are born and raised in countries where the gospel message is proclaimed, but who willfully reject it, are in need of more repair...they have neglected a great salvation and that is a move AGAINST themselves because then satan steps in to blind their minds/hearts completely...2 corinthians 4:3-6.

I asked if you were worried about being lukewarm...I mentioned that scripture because I haven't seen any support from you on this forum towards those called to be evangelical who are fundimentalists...you have actually tried to shush them so to speak by poo pooing their method...in a way, drawing attention away from the message to bring the focus onto your...less critical "lukewarm" view. Does your worldview encompass an understanding of the ethos and pathos of God and His "stake" in humanity? Do you understand that He has asked AND enabled christians to be His hands and feet to mankind?

I'd like to bring your attention to ezekiel 3:17-18: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand."

ALSO acts 20:26-31, 33-35: "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears... I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive." ...

Now, I have no doubt that you don't see any love in the message that I have given...that is because it is a form of rebuke to you for being lukewarm...but, some would find food for thought and action in the words and ways of God...in revelation 3:16 Jesus is in essence saying that you are no longer "in" Him so, He spews you out... Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.... “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”

love michelle

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear Janet...

you said: "What does a worldview have to do with what I am or am not doing in my larger community?"...

The correlation is in preparedness.

In matthew 24:25 Jesus said "see, I have told you beforehand." (prepare); in matthew 24:15 He says "when you see" (look); and matthew 24:16 He says flee (take action)...He also says He is coming in an instant in matthew 24:27 whether we are prepared or not.

This brings us to the parable of the ten virgins, matthew 25:3-6...some were prepared with oil and some were not.

Also speaking of remaining prepared to give light to the world:

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." matthew 5:13-16

Ephesians 5:13-17...the christian is instructed to wisely redeem the time left...

"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."

your statement was: "That whole armageddon thing has people looking for evidence everywhere. Can it be good to live every day as if this beautiful world is in steady decline?"...

So, if your "worldview" is one in which YOU can't see armageddon coming because you're not looking then YOU wont be prepared and YOU wont appreciate the need to help others prepare...it is like normalcy bias: "It causes people to underestimate both the possibility of a disaster occurring and its possible effects. This often results in situations where people fail to adequately prepare for a disaster, and on a larger scale, the failure of governments to include the populace in its disaster preparations. The assumption that is made in the case of the normalcy bias is that since a disaster never has occurred then it never will occur. It also results in the inability of people to cope with a disaster once it occurs. People with a normalcy bias have difficulties reacting to something they have not experienced before. People also tend to interpret warnings in the most optimistic way possible, seizing on any ambiguities to infer a less serious situation."...

Normalcy bias is quite a problem for someone who is a witness to Jesus Christ...because He also told us about the troubles that would befall mankind in the end...just before He returns.

My advice is: put some oil in your lamp.

love michelle

p.s. you also said this in your OP: "The apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty. The resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife. I consider this inadequate, but there you go"...I see eternal justice...

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear Janet...

you said: "My world is very much shaped by what I look for."...

the focus is on your fulfillment then?...isn't it a moral obligation of someone professing Jesus Christ as Saviour to turn that focus outward to the world the LARGER community...as in the commission to take all that Jesus taught to the world. It seems kind of complacent of you to remain behind a locked door so to speak.

don't you worry that you're lukewarm? (revelation 3:14-16)

love michelle

47

The Story of a Modern Famine - 1984 Ethiopia

by jgnat in

an athiest argument for an uncaring or non-existent god is suffering, say, as in starving children.

i consider this a strawman argument but there you go.. the apologists defence is that humankind has been given all the tools for health and prosperity, and has failed in their duty.

the resultant victims will receive their reward in the afterlife.

myelaine

dear Janet...

I think that having a history of christianity in a country doesn't address the need to be a "practicing" christian as a model for leadership.

the effects of "group membership" and the diffusion of feelings of personal responsibility limit if not remove the accountability for consequences...the blame game...it's always somebody elses responsibility...until the workers ARE few...do you give "religion" short shift because you don't see yourself as a "group member" in "religion"?...

I was struck by this comment of yours three posts into a thread on modern famine:

"That whole armageddon thing has people looking for evidence everywhere. Can it be good to live every day as if this beautiful world is in steady decline?"...so everything is normal FOR YOU?...

love michelle