I was just simply pointing out the influence of the Greeks on the term Hell. The Hebrews adopted the term Hell from the Greeks as their term for the bad side of the after life. Before Alexander conquered the known world and spread Greek influence throughout the Midde East, the Hebrews didn't refer to Lucifer's home as Hell.
I would refuse to answer the poll question. While there are some you could probably make a good guess on (Mother Theresa, Hitler), most of us live and worship and think and act in the very big, very gray middle and to presume that you can predict one way or another about yourself or especially others is, I suspect, an act of hubris (to use another Greek term).
This survey is AWESOME! I'm surprised the born-again numbers don't show more polarity. I would have thought their numbers would be higher for those who thought they will escape Hell, those who knew someone was going to Hell, that the hellbound individual would be a family member, and those that thought that the cause for damnation was wrong beliefs. I guess my church is on the more hard-core side of born-again. It is also interesting to see how great the divide is between Catholics and Protestants. Even with the Catholic Church putting more emphasis on faith recently, the body pretty clearly is still entrenched in the salvation-through-works mentality. And, apparently, works theology is still prominent among Protestants to a lesser but high extent. I'm just so suprised that born-agains are so works-oriented -- aren't they supposed to read the Bible and pay attention to sermons and stuff? I guess they'll let anyone call themselves born again.
Romans 2:4-6 Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? 5But no, you won't listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin. For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, 6will judge all people according to what they have done. Matthew 5:28-30 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29So if your eye--even if it is your good eye[a]--causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your hand--even if it is your stronger hand--causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. New Living Translation
I guess I am screwed since I find a couple of my female co-workers hot and think that every time I see them. Not that I would ever cheat on my wife and send such a bad message to my to young daughters. Let's see though, I am a male and respond to sexually visual stimuli. That is bad though and a sin, yet it is programed into my DNA. So the Bible suggests I make myself a blind handicapp so I can't provide for my family. Good advice. Let's bring back burnt offerings to.
it actually doesn't suggest that. the point isn't that. the point is that we're all consumed by sin...it's not a legalistic, "i did this, but i didn't do that," sorta thing. it's that we're entirely polluted by it. that we seek for ourselves first and for others later. there were those in that day who believed they were truly living by all the commandments by approaching it in a very legalistic way. jesus was challenging that, saying that it's deeper than that.
Exactly, that is what is so marvelous about Jesus, He took our punishment. Jesus, to die for mankind's sin how blameless you have been. Walk with Jesus.
Exactly, but just throwing out a Bible passage to someone who has never studied the Gospels isn't a good way to get the message across. I grew up in the church but many may have never heard this Bible passage before. I just get frustrated by those who spit out Bible passages as the answer to everything. The Bible can be interpreted many different ways which is the main reason why we have some many different flavors of Christianity. Here is an example, how would a non-Christian react to just this passage. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (New International Version) New International Version (NIV) 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
I throw out and spit out Bible passages to people often, almost daily, but I must admit I have never thrown that one at anyone. And to be honest those were just quotes on the subject discussed by two people I respect. I thought they were on topic.
I would rather say the point being made is- sin is bad and Hell is real. I certainly didn't have you in mind Saint Louis when I posted. I think the person who doesn't have those kind of thoughts should be throwing the stones and my hands are empty. The reason I believe in Jesus is because I need Him, God said I have sinned and I believe it.
Sorry if I offended. I sometimes let my grievances that I hold onto from years of Lutheran education get the best of me. I will admit to having a chip on my shoulder to organized Christian religions.
I think it is impossible to avoid those thoughts unless you are gay, ten of course you have a whole hoist of other issues religously to deal with.
i really don't wanna get legalistic about it. i don't know when it crosses from just, "wow, she's hot", to lust. i struggle with that. but by definition, he's not cool with the "impure thoughts!"
I used to think that mercy and grace were the same thing but I found out that they are almost opposites in a way. Mercy = I deserve something I'm not getting. I deserve hell but I'm not going there. Grace = I'm getting something that I don't deserve. I don't deserve heaven but I'm going to heaven because of what Jesus did. I THANK YOU Jesus and I trust 100% in You and You alone.
