So it would be cool to ask God to keep Palin and McCain out of the Whitehouse and if it happens, that is the will of God? DD
I asked no such question and made no such postulation. Your extrapolation is faulty to the maximum. The comparison is strictly between the two ministers.
My comparison was between the two pastors...from the article I find that to be as equally as hateful as Wright's comments.
It doesn't seem any different to me then transcendental meditation. These people are just tapping into some abstract, emotional part of their psyche that doesn't rely as much on logic and reason. On an evening or weekend, in an emotionally charged environment either alone or with like-minded individuals, we all do stuff that would freak out or annoy most other people. Doesn't make it any less healthy or sincere.
Discerning of Spirits is a gift of the Spirit. One of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit... spoken of in Corinthians. Basically, Jesus Himself said that "after the comforter comes (a term given to the Holy Spirit) he will only speak of me" (Jesus). In other words, if it is of a foul, mocking nature... believers know... well.. spirit-filled believers know... It is a strange difference indeed! And that is a very fair question. As to tongues in a public setting vs. a prayer time language... If in public, 2 rules... the tongue speaker must also pray for the interpretation - a spiritual gift itself - if there is none capable, then a "message in tongues" is out of order and should not be allowed. As DaDakota alluded to, God is clear enough on his own... He is not the author of confusion, which is why He inspired Paul to correct these things in 1 Corinthians 12. So... the other rule is this: If it does not edify, or uplift, or exhort, encourage the Body of Christ... it is not in order... because again, Jesus said the Holy Spirit will speak of Him. The usual measuring stick of this is that what is interpreted must line up with Scripture. This is also the main reason why believers should know what Scripture says for themselves... I preach all the time that people need not ever take my word for it when I'm speaking... they should read their Word along with me... and then judge what is preached... that should be done with every preacher - But context of speech, as well as text is always a good thing too. As to the personal prayer language... this is primarily the function of the Holy Spirit... to make a perfect communication between our God made souls and God... even in way we do not understand... much of where the common adage "God works in mysterious ways" comes from. Paul, IIRC speaks of mystery quite often in his letters to the churches. I trust I am not taken as any sort of expert on any of this BTW - I would encourage self investigation into what the Bible says itself on these matters... I am merely glad to discuss something on here that I have shared many times in person with believers, and as I can, will answer anything I can. I also will tell you if I do not have an answer... because I by no means have them all. The books of Acts and Corinthians have the wealth of knowledge and have the full authority on these matters... and I still read them and consult them when I have questions, much like an online help forum when I'm forgetting something in any walk of life. I hope I'm not seen as even more of a "wack" or anything because I am honestly trying to help there be an understanding.
Are you honestly trying to say that one groups zanyness validates anothers? Iroc....I appreciate you believe what you do, but to me speaking in tongues seems nuts. DD
I see no problem with that. Just remember... His answers... are "yes" "no" and "not like you thought." Whatever gets you talking to him! As to the "nuts" comment... that is precisely why it is a matter of faith and not knowledge or logic. Growing up around it did not make it make sense to me either... it may have predisposed me to the notion that many people seemed to believe it was real... It was my own quest to understand that lead me to believe as I do. ^One could say that about anything they believe in. Like... for example... the Rockets rule! You may not believe it just because you're around people that do... but once you experience the reality of all that is the Rockets... you can't deny the reality!
Are you a mute? Main Entry: tongue(s) Pronunciation: \ˈtəŋ\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English tunge, from Old English; akin to Old High German zunga tongue, Latin lingua Date: before 12th century 3: the power of communication through speech
No. The fact that they're doing it on their own time, with their own people, not materially hurting themselves or anyone else, and probably relieving their own pain, anger and anxiety in the process "validates" it.
So does this mean you really can't not be a Buddhist, as well? You believe Buddha is not God, therefore you acknowledge him? You also can't not be a Hindu as you are acknowledging all of their gods by not believing in them, etc.? You reject hundreds of gods every day, why begrudge an atheist one more?
Ok, I can accept that, but then I would counter by saying I don't want a person who believes in that as the VP of a multicultural country like the USA. IMO, God doesn't speak like the workers at the tower of Babel, and I just think the whole tongues thing is complete bunk. It just seems to be more about "hey look at me" than it is about God. DD
What? I am merely riffing off the definition of "Atheist." a- not, or lack of, denial of the - god or gods, God ist- one who believes in The word in and of itself is ironic... but doesn't make it true either way. God, or any "god" is in the definition of Atheist. I just find that ironic. That's all. I'm not saying there is no such people group.
Oh, I see. Keep in mind the context of the origin of the word, though. It was defined by a God-believing group. Basically, "not us". It is similar to the decades-long usage of the term Non-Western Art. Disparate countries with their own traditions were classified as only "not us". That is not irony.
