is liberal christianity smug and arrogant?.
the liberal christian finds himself in a belief system that would be unfamiliar to the overwhelming majority of christians who've lived and died before him, over the past two thousand years.
is the liberal christian, in effect, saying to these previous christians, "you were doing it wrong.
Liberal Christians are simply modern Christians. Like modern materials they have become more flexible in order to cope with the demands of modern life. In an age of so much information, the challenge of maintaining faith becomes more difficult.
I don't see it as Smug or arrogant but a matter of expediency, if Christianity is to survive the demands of the 21st century.
romans 12:.
him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
for one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Perry - you need to splash out a new Bible.
That one sounds like something from the 17th century and a lot has changed since then
Happy Christmas.
the holidays can be tough for a few years while you're adjusting.
the guilt of participating in, and enjoying anything related to the holidays can be overwhelming.. you don't have to celebrate any holiday to be a non-jw.
that is entirely up to you.. you may feel like xmas could never have any meaning to you because of your history and pagan roots.
Well said rebel8
It can take time to adjust to being free to celebrate as we wish.
Christmas has a special meaning to people of many faiths. Many Indian families in the UK celebrate Christmas and add elements of their own particular belief system to the festival.
Just as Saturnalia evolved into Christmas it has become a universal celebration to life, regardless of ones persuasion or faith as some prefer to call it.
Wishing you a happy Santa-fest.
what im about to post is the exact words from the co during the last talk of the most recent special assembly day.
even though im out i still try to keep up with what is being said just cause i find it interesting, and alot of stuff i find funny, but this stuff is starting to get scary, and i fear for my friends who are still in.
here are the exact words:.
Kingdom publishers
Kingdom ministry
Kingdom hall
Kingdom smile
And now introducing Kingdom control, guaranteed help you give more of your money to Kingdom interests.
Kingdom isn't just for Christmas. It can keep you enslaved for your whole life while you wait 'till Kingdom come.
in human evolution in theological context, physicist, theologian, and minister george murphy offers a theological look at human evolution and the implications it has for christianity.. .
http://biologos.org/uploads/projects/murphy_scholarly_essay.pdf.
AGuest I am not sure that humans are able to fully understand their relevance in the universe from such a humble perspective. Your lengthy exposition on evolution and its connection with soul, spirit and entity, is a mystical voyage that I am unable to join you on. But I do appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me and others.
The entity that we perceive ourselves to be is in constant flux. Our actions and responses change according to the challenges we face from day to day. Often we fail to see ourselves realistically because we each see our life's experience through our own carefully constructed filters. Much of what we are is hidden from us in the depths of our unconcious mind.
You are a kind soul, as are most progressive Christians. This could be due to the effect that hope and belief has on people; but I am inclined to think that benign people are attracted beliefs that they feel they can find fulfilment in..
All the best for Christmas, the new year and you adventure through life.
in my "study," we have encountered the matter of whether or not jesus' physical body rose from the dead.
i brought up a couple of scriptures that seem to indicate physical (john 2:18-22 and john 10:17,18).
the jw's i am "studying" with explained how, although those verses may appear to indicate physical, jesus couldn't have meant that because if he physically rose from the dead, he would have taken back the ransom.. now that i know the wt reasoning on this, can someone point me to another source, link, book, article, etc.
"The assumption that a physical body cannot exist in heaven is just that -- an assumption."
Equally
The assumption that a physical body can exist in heaven is just that -- an assumption.
This is why these debates never lead anywhere. They are simply ideas - and ideas can only exist in the mind until manifest.
in human evolution in theological context, physicist, theologian, and minister george murphy offers a theological look at human evolution and the implications it has for christianity.. .
http://biologos.org/uploads/projects/murphy_scholarly_essay.pdf.
PSacramento I have always believed that the development of thought was a major part of evolution.
The Christian church has for many centuries, believed that humans are distinct from other creature due to having a souls capable of surviving death. Perhaps this has all changed. I am just trying to keep up. I am about to read the link you put in your opening post. Perhaps that will straighten me out.
I hope you have a relaxing Christmas. You need to rest after your phenomena and entertaining output on this site.
As I said above (to Jaguarbass) - I hope your faith continues to bring you comfort.
let me explain................. there is an old joke that directs us to consider what the future will be .
a bunch of scientists create the greatest computer of all time, containing all human knowledge.
they ponder what to do with it.
My understanding is that a guiding God and creator would be the source of all life, not an information data base.
I googled God but he has not yet obtained a computer. I guess Mars is a wee bit behind our developed world.
in human evolution in theological context, physicist, theologian, and minister george murphy offers a theological look at human evolution and the implications it has for christianity.. .
http://biologos.org/uploads/projects/murphy_scholarly_essay.pdf.
Gladiator the answer to your question may be in the 98% dna that man cant read known as junk dna. Maybe all your past lifes are there. Maybe the answer to your question of when your soul was added is there.
jaguarbass Thanks for attempting to shed some light on this divine mystery.
I don't believe I have a soul. My question is for those who believe they have a soul, and also believe in evolution at the same time.
For me, the down-side of being without a soul, is that my death will be final. The up-side is that there will be nothing to send to hell when I expire.
I hope your faith continues to bring you comfort.
in human evolution in theological context, physicist, theologian, and minister george murphy offers a theological look at human evolution and the implications it has for christianity.. .
http://biologos.org/uploads/projects/murphy_scholarly_essay.pdf.
I would be interested to know at what point in evolution God is believed to have inserted a soul into each human, thus distinguishing humans from the animal kingdom?
It was this very issue that brought the Christian church into opposition with Darwin.
