Would Jesus go to Church?

[Timebuilder]

I answered your question.

Religion is what people do instead of following God's teaching.

I'll bet there are plenty of so-called "Christian" groups that are a "religion."

They aren't Christian to me.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

That's funny. You just can't do it. C'mon. Yes or no. One word. Is Christianity a religion?

 

[Timebuilder]

We all give God a bad name?

Yep.

Romans, 3:23 says it.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

By the disobediance and widespread ignorance (meaning that we have ignored it) of the message He has given us, we are most often unrepentant sinners.

 

[Timebuilder]

Is Christianity a religion?

Following Christ is not a religion.

There are many who say they are Christians, who ARE "religious."

My answer is NO.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Yep.

Romans, 3:23 says it.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

By the disobediance and widespread ignorance (meaning that we have ignored it) of the message He has given us, we are most often unrepentant sinners.

Well, then my conclusion based on your supporting information is that we humans give ourselves a bad name. I don't see how what you say here says anything about God's glory falling short. You're spinning here, pal.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

My answer is NO.

You should really refer to a dictionary. You'll never be able to communicate your point effectively by going around telling people "Christianity is not a religion....and another thing!." You lose them with the initial absurd statement. You also lose them when you bash them over the head with a bible when the time is not right for that subject. The right time, the right place, the right words. You're challenged by not being able to recognize a single of those three concepts.

 

[Timebuilder]

Wow.

What a relief that I don't report to you.

I love this concept, though. Non-believers telling a believer how to communicate the gospel.

What a country!

Oh, I addressed that "dictionary' issue already. Webster, et al, give the commionly used definition, and not necessarily the Biblical definition: one who follows Christ.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I love this concept, though. Non-believers telling a believer how to communicate the gospel.

As I've said before, you don't know what I believe because this is not the appropriate place for me to discuss that with you. I'm not telling you how to communicate the gospel or anything else. What I and quite a few others are unsuccessfully trying to tell you here is that you are ineffectively communicating your message by your chosen method and place. Your utter failure to comprehend that fact continues to drive those on the fence off to the other side and those already on the other side will not give you a listen, especially when you state stuff such as "christianity is not a religion". You are hopelssly counterproductive to your cause.

And yes, it's a good thing you don't report to me, because I'd bitch-slap you silly.

 

[Typhoon1244]

I believe that religion is what people do instead of following God's teaching, from His word.

This is like a homosexual telling you that they're the ones that are normal and the rest of us are messed up.

Christianity's not a religion.

You may also not be aware that Delta's not an airline.

And the USA's not a country.

And apples are not fruit.

White is black, and black is white.

 

[Timebuilder]

And yes, it's a good thing you don't report to me, because I'd bitch-slap you silly.

A good thing indeed. I might have to dislocate your arm.

Then I'd promptly turn the other cheek.

As far as not knowing what you believe, that's right, you have not given a position. I can only infer what your belief is from what you say. What I infer is someone who may consider himself a spiritual man, but is loathe to say it. I can tell you this: that idea is 100% against what the Bible says.

As far as being "productive" is concerned, that's for God to do. I am only passing on information in the face of a whithering attack that even a PFT proponent would not be given. You ask me a question, or make some uninformed comment, yep, I'll straighten you out just as simply as Mar explained the DC6. No more, no less. Mar isn't recruiting pilots for the DC6, and I am recognizing that only God can change a heart. So, the productivity is God's department, and I am just supplying information. You have a perfect right to your opinion, but I don't give it value in this venue unless it is in agreement with the Bible.

Now for more business.

Christianity's not a religion.

No. A religion replaces the idea of being obedient to God with being obedient to Man, through rituals and prepared prayers that are always the same which Man has devised as a structure of worship. That is NOT Biblical. The Bible IS the source of what defines a Christian. Not an association of churches. Not a secular dictionary. Not an opinion of Man.

Only the Bible defines a Christian, and there is no "order of worship," no defined ritual, no special "name on the door."

So, to extend Typhoon's observation, it is the difference between what really IS an orange, compared to what appears to be an orange.

We can't change the fact that many groups that call themselves "Christian" are indeed "religions." But being a "religion" is not what pleases God, according to His word.

I hope that helps.

I can't hep but think that hugh asked questions last night only to prepare to mount yet another attack.

Hey, whatever blows your dress up, bud.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Only the Bible defines a Christian, and there is no "order of worship," no defined ritual, no special "name on the door."

So according to your definition, a "true" Christian would would not only avoid church membership, they would actually disdain of churches.

Now that's an idea that makes sense.

Nevertheless, Christianity is a religion. According to Mister Webster:

religion:
b(1) the service and worship of God or the supernatural
b(2) commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

religious: relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity

Are you saying the Christian faith does not fit that definition?

Well, how about this...

cult:
1 formal religious veneration
2 a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also, its body of adherents
3 a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also, its body of adherents
5 great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work...

Sounds like Christianity to me!

 

[Timebuilder]

So according to your definition, a "true" Christian would would not only avoid church membership, they would actually disdain of churches.

Not all churches should be avoided. The question of church attendance comes from the doctrinal statement. Why? This is the way you find out what the church "believes." Some churches do not fit the "religion" model I'm talking about. Perhaps you have seen what I mean: God is only a part of the congregation's life one day a week, or only a couple of times a year, due to an "obligation."

the service and worship of God or the supernatural

Unfortunately, the Bible only specifies God, not the "supernatural", as being worthy of worship. Worshipping God is a "religion" from the viewpoint of those who do not worship God. To the non-beleiver, including the secular people at Webster, all of this is the same thing. It isn't.

commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

Observance: like going to mass at Easter, right? That's a religious activity that takes the place of God in one's daily life. Religion is a substitute for that presence.

a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

Institutionalized. Exactly what Christ spoke out against in the Temple.

Christ clearly defined the difference between being religious and being faithful to God.

That's what I am trying to show you here. Following Christ is not a religion. Religion is what people do who are not following Him.

 

[USMCAirWinger]

Dude you're so anoying...and pompous. You actually believe that your belief is superior to others. I'm pretty sure that you are like that with other things such a politics, morals, ect.

 

[Typhoon1244]

I'm pretty sure that you are like that with other things such a politics, morals, ect.

He is...but so are the rest of us.

I mean, aren't you always right? I know I am!

 

[USMCAirWinger]

dude you aren't helping my argument...concentrate the negativity towards TB...It will feel good

 

[Typhoon1244]

...concentrate the negativity towards TB...

I just can't bring myself to do that. He really is a nice guy. Badly deluded about politics and religion (or whatever he chooses to call it), but a nice guy.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Christ cleearly defined the difference between being religious and being faithful to God.

That's what I am trying to show you here. Following Christ is not a religion. Religion is what people do who are not following Him.

So not only is Christianity not a religion, Timebuilder is not a religious person. This is really turning into a hoot! I actually used to believe this guy was reasonably bright, albeit fanatically blinded by extremist philosphy. Maybe the problem here is we haven't clearly defined what the definition of the word "is" is.

 

[USMCAirWinger]

Hugh, you guys getting any good swell lately?

 

[Typhoon1244]

Maybe the problem here is we haven't clearly defined what the definition of the word "is" is.

It has to do with getting a hummer at work, doesn't it?

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Hugh, you guys getting any good swell lately?

Yeah, but north winds spoiled the energy :-(
Early last week had a reasonable, cleanish bump.