Why are churches so racially segregated?

First, my posts state that this is "food for thought" and that is exactly how I use them. These are not my statements, and I don't have enough knowledge to fully accept them or reject them. But they do make you think.

Second, I find it weird to call God egotistical, but I guess the answer would be yes, and I am ok with that. If God is who He says He is, then He is perfect. But if you truly are perfect then is it really being egotistical or is it just being real. Interesting thing to think about. And yes you are allowed to question everything, you have a free will!

I don't understand your "class envy" position. Can you explain what you mean by this?

 

Sure. Different religions have different beliefs/canons they embrace. That's all well and good.

But, when YOUR beliefs/canons are different than mine (I, too, am a Christian)....and, you tell me I'm not going to Heaven due to them......you're engaging in one of the most egotistical examples of class envy ever known.

And, I see it happening ALL THE TIME.

 

I am going to ponder this great discussion tonight! Be back tomorrow.

 

Jeff .... if a Christian doesn't have The Word of God, what does he have? What kind of Father lets his kids run around with no instruction? I can't fathom where you get your knowledge of God from if not The Bible?

 

I hope you're gonna answer the question about those billion people, PT. I've always wondered about that.

Also....who wrote the book the "other Christians" are living their lives by?

 

Touching on the "those who've never heard of God" I've struggled with this myself, look at the native americans, I pretty sure no one told them about Jesus before we came over... But they had spiritual beliefs, they knew "something" was there, are they condemned for that? The bible does say no one goes to the father except through Christ.... So... ?

I don't like to say that I have "Blind" faith, because I don't, I see God's work when I look around, If anyone has ever seen a sunset and not wondered if someone made it, it would blow my mind.

But when I struggle spiritually, I ask for guidance and Use my "child-like" faith that Jesus says we must all have to enter his Father's Kingdom. I try not to question it too much, but that's just me.


I've thoroughly enjoyed this thread more than any of you will ever know, I pray that maybe, just maybe, someone will take this thread to heart, member, lurker, doesn't matter and just maybe It will be used to write another name down in the Lambs book of Life.

 

If any of the aforementioned blows your mind, try this. Jesus and God are one and the same. Not 2 seperate beings or entities.

And to ansewr my opinion to the original post, its wrong to stand in the way of anyone who is reaching to God. Whether they be on a dirt road or a Mega-church pew.

 

Jeff ... I have appreciated out convos about this type stuff over the years ... just wanted to say that ....

So to the question ... if God is all knowing and all seeing, then I believe He has placed men and women in times and places that those who WOULD come to Him, will ..... He KNOWS ... watch the progression

the Bible says Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:

and whom he called, them he also justified:

and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

and some spiritual eye candy

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

God's Word has ALL the answers ... cuz GOD wrote it

 

Keep going, PT:

1. You believe God is all knowing, and knows many wouldn't come to his word? How then does this answer my question on WHY he would allow these folks to be created, knowing they are doomed to Hell? I give you he knows they're not going to ever hear his word. So, he's knowingly doing this? Why?

Are there NO good men among the doomed? Is it their fault (that they're doomed)? Whose?

Why even go "there", if you're God?

 

If we did not have a free will to "choose" Him, over evil, there would be no sonship in His plan.

It is called "discipleship". If you can not obey Him as God, then why do you think He would want to allow you to live forever with Him? After all, He "is" God, and everything is His. If we want to share in that, we must obey.

 

So, he's just allowing them to inhabit the Earth......to suck O2? Working a deal with the Devil to supply him souls?

 

God has no reason to work deals with the devil. He offered a plan of salvation after man sinned against Him. We have a choice. We can choose to "deal" with the devil, or accept God's "deal" that He offers.

 

Bobby, Jeff's talking about the "other billion".....I hope you're not.

 

The only way I can think to explain this is with a question. If they were NEVER created, did they have a choice? Of course they didn't. Was it God's fault that they were created with a choice and they chose to reject the shed blood of Jesus Christ as their only way to forgiveness of sins? Would those that chose God's way over those that chose their own way have had a choice if no one was born that did NOT choose God's way?

Again ... there are none that compare to Jesus amongst the doomed or saved ....the difference is those that chose Christ's righteousness to stand before a Holy and a Righteous God in place of their own ..

Did I answer your questions? It's a tough thing, Bro .. I am not God, but I do know His Word a little .... but I sure don't understand it all like He does ...

BTW, God only wants us to worry about OUR OWN eternity FIRST ..... just a thought ..

 

The other billion what?

 

I don't know why (I think I do. But, I'll reserve judgement) you won't accept that they will NEVER HEAR OF CHRISTIANITY.

Explain this "choice" you speak of.

 

Read the whole thread. I think PT is missing Jeff's question too.

 

I'm not sure he is. I just think it's hard for some to compute the information. That's NOT a derogatory statement.

 

Romans 1 states that nature itself speaks of God ...enough so men are without excuse for not seeking Him ... I have heard testimonies of cannibals praying for God to show himself and missionaries end up going to the tribe and everyone gets saved .... God knows .... they hear of Christianity from nature itself

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

 

And, you're assuming they just "know" to pray to Jesus Christ; accept him as their saviour?

Really?

Because.....according to some (you included), that's the only way to the promised land.

I understand this is a hard thing for you to discuss. I relate it to (again, NOT derogatory) a computer that's programmed to compute data. When something is asked of it that it cannot compute......well....it's an issue.

If you choose to accept the FACT that many (BILLIONS) will never know of God, it attributes something to God you’re not comfortable with. If you choose not to accept it, then the cookie-cutter answers are applicable. And, that’s “comfortable” It's what you know. It's the backbone of your faith. I respect that.
But, I still haven't had my question answered.
Trust me again. There is nothing derogatory in my comments.

(I worte some of this in 'word' and copied it, here. Sorry for the different fonts)