Comments for Renewed Culture http://renewedculture.com Christian Blogging Community Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:31:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on The Arrogance of Faith by lauren_2010 http://renewedculture.com/the-arrogance-of-faith/comment-page-1#comment-380 lauren_2010 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:31:09 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1846#comment-380 First of all, I just want to make it clear that, as you said, I'm not trying to be offensive. I'm not going to pretend that I have all the answers either. It's important to remember that all humans are only on this earth for a time and our minds are finite. Therefore, there is no way we could possibly understand the infinite mind and realm of God completely. Although God did decide to take 6 days for creation, I don't think it's accurate to assume that this means He couldn't have created it instantaneously. He just didn't decide to to that. And as far as your question about God hating sin, but loving forgiveness, I think, in a way, you answered your own question when you spoke of God giving us free will. God doesn't want to punish us. The devil and his angels, who were originally in heaven, were disobedient to God and hell was created for them. However, we will suffer the same fate if we don't follow God's word. God doesn't make us follow Him and we will have to live with our actions. Another point that I think is important to remember is that no sin is worse than another. Our human minds like to think that telling a little white lie is a much less severe sin than murdering someone, but in God's eyes, those sins are equally bad. God is willing to forgive a murder just as quickly as He'll forgive someone who tells what we would call "a white lie." But with those standards, it would seem as if none of us have a chance of salvation. Because of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross and because He took on our punishment for us, however, we can have a hope in salvation and we have been saved once for all. So without Jesus, we would all be in the same boat. No one deserves to be in heaven more than any other person. Even Gandhi doesn't deserve to be in heaven more than you or me. We're all equal. Worship is without a doubt a vital part to being a devout Christian, but that's far from being all you have to do. We need to take Jesus as our example and live out the life that He lived, as written out for us in the Bible. Jesus not only worshipped, but He taught, comforted, served, and loved others. Jesus told people what they needed to know for salvation even though what He said was far from the popular idea and perception of God at the time. Everything He did, said, or thought was completely to the glory of the Father. Obedience to God wasn't just a part of the life the Jesus lived on earth, it defined the life that Jesus lived while on earth. That is our example. I would have to disagree with you when you said that it's arrogant to doubt the existence of God ever. I have never and never will doubt that God is there. To bring credibility to God is be to bring credibility to His word. There are 40 writers of the Bible. What are the odds that all 40 writers, the first living in 4000BC and the last living in AD 95 would be writing about the same central message with no discrepancies? It would be impossible to find people starting today who would be saying the things as people who will live 1 million years from now unless God was in on it. There is historical and geological proof for all the people and events that take place in the Bible. None of it is made up. God is in control of everything and although there has been some misinterpretations in translation from the original manuscript of the Bible, the core is still there. God made sure of it because our salvation depends on it. Now, I'm all for making our translations more accurate. That's why I tend to stay away from the versions of the Bible that interpretations of a more accurate translation. I know this might be unsatisfying for you. I'm still learning myself and like I said in the beginning, I'm not going to try and pretend I have all the answers. But being a Christian has shown me that I will always have a powerful and amazing God working in me if I'm working and living for Him. There have been many factors in my life that I couldn't have gotten through without His help. It is extremely important to be familiar with His word and to follow it. God doesn't tell us these things to make our lives burdensome. His Word points out a better way to live. I'm not going to doubt that. The Bible is not just a rule book. There is a logical reason for everything in it and I feel that people forget that sometimes. I think we need to step back and take ourselves out of the equation. It's all about God. Trust that and have faith. God doesn't need us to accomplish anything, but He's allowing us to join in on His plan. Our finite minds can't understand it all, but we can sure understand the results of living for Him and know what will happen if we don't. I hope this was a least somewhat helpful to you. First of all, I just want to make it clear that, as you said, I’m not trying to be offensive. I’m not going to pretend that I have all the answers either. It’s important to remember that all humans are only on this earth for a time and our minds are finite. Therefore, there is no way we could possibly understand the infinite mind and realm of God completely. Although God did decide to take 6 days for creation, I don’t think it’s accurate to assume that this means He couldn’t have created it instantaneously. He just didn’t decide to to that. And as far as your question about God hating sin, but loving forgiveness, I think, in a way, you answered your own question when you spoke of God giving us free will. God doesn’t want to punish us. The devil and his angels, who were originally in heaven, were disobedient to God and hell was created for them. However, we will suffer the same fate if we don’t follow God’s word. God doesn’t make us follow Him and we will have to live with our actions. Another point that I think is important to remember is that no sin is worse than another. Our human minds like to think that telling a little white lie is a much less severe sin than murdering someone, but in God’s eyes, those sins are equally bad. God is willing to forgive a murder just as quickly as He’ll forgive someone who tells what we would call “a white lie.” But with those standards, it would seem as if none of us have a chance of salvation. Because of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross and because He took on our punishment for us, however, we can have a hope in salvation and we have been saved once for all. So without Jesus, we would all be in the same boat. No one deserves to be in heaven more than any other person. Even Gandhi doesn’t deserve to be in heaven more than you or me. We’re all equal. Worship is without a doubt a vital part to being a devout Christian, but that’s far from being all you have to do. We need to take Jesus as our example and live out the life that He lived, as written out for us in the Bible. Jesus not only worshipped, but He taught, comforted, served, and loved others. Jesus told people what they needed to know for salvation even though what He said was far from the popular idea and perception of God at the time. Everything He did, said, or thought was completely to the glory of the Father. Obedience to God wasn’t just a part of the life the Jesus lived on earth, it defined the life that Jesus lived while on earth. That is our example. I would have to disagree with you when you said that it’s arrogant to doubt the existence of God ever. I have never and never will doubt that God is there. To bring credibility to God is be to bring credibility to His word. There are 40 writers of the Bible. What are the odds that all 40 writers, the first living in 4000BC and the last living in AD 95 would be writing about the same central message with no discrepancies? It would be impossible to find people starting today who would be saying the things as people who will live 1 million years from now unless God was in on it. There is historical and geological proof for all the people and events that take place in the Bible. None of it is made up. God is in control of everything and although there has been some misinterpretations in translation from the original manuscript of the Bible, the core is still there. God made sure of it because our salvation depends on it. Now, I’m all for making our translations more accurate. That’s why I tend to stay away from the versions of the Bible that interpretations of a more accurate translation. I know this might be unsatisfying for you. I’m still learning myself and like I said in the beginning, I’m not going to try and pretend I have all the answers. But being a Christian has shown me that I will always have a powerful and amazing God working in me if I’m working and living for Him. There have been many factors in my life that I couldn’t have gotten through without His help. It is extremely important to be familiar with His word and to follow it. God doesn’t tell us these things to make our lives burdensome. His Word points out a better way to live. I’m not going to doubt that. The Bible is not just a rule book. There is a logical reason for everything in it and I feel that people forget that sometimes. I think we need to step back and take ourselves out of the equation. It’s all about God. Trust that and have faith. God doesn’t need us to accomplish anything, but He’s allowing us to join in on His plan. Our finite minds can’t understand it all, but we can sure understand the results of living for Him and know what will happen if we don’t. I hope this was a least somewhat helpful to you.

]]> Comment on My Initial Post by Soultrain http://renewedculture.com/my-initial-post/comment-page-1#comment-379 Soultrain Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:44:53 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1487#comment-379 That's awesome, Will. As a sports fan and an avid follower of our loving God, I really like what you're doing when bringing my two passions together. I can't wait to read a copy of your book. I'm curious though, what charity will you be donating the proceeds of your book to? That’s awesome, Will. As a sports fan and an avid follower of our loving God, I really like what you’re doing when bringing my two passions together. I can’t wait to read a copy of your book. I’m curious though, what charity will you be donating the proceeds of your book to?

]]> Comment on true love between a guy and a girl by evcombe http://renewedculture.com/true-love-between-a-guy-and-a-girl/comment-page-1#comment-378 evcombe Mon, 15 Aug 2011 05:07:41 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1723#comment-378 i was excited to read this meg! the awesome guy i have been dating for 2-1/2+ years started as a good friend. don't forget to keep being friends! it's what started your relationship and it's important to continue in it :-) i was excited to read this meg! the awesome guy i have been dating for 2-1/2+ years started as a good friend. don’t forget to keep being friends! it’s what started your relationship and it’s important to continue in it :-)

]]> Comment on Sad Day by evcombe http://renewedculture.com/sad-day/comment-page-1#comment-373 evcombe Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:37:59 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1719#comment-373 Meg, I don't know what all to pray, but I'm praying that God will move as He sees fit, that you would walk so close to Him that the opinions/words/actions of others become irrelevant. He loves you and is the source of ALL comfort. My encouragement is don't let go of his hand! I pray that you stay encouraged and consider these "light afflictions", after which, God strengthens you and you reap the rewards of faithfulness! Meg, I don’t know what all to pray, but I’m praying that God will move as He sees fit, that you would walk so close to Him that the opinions/words/actions of others become irrelevant. He loves you and is the source of ALL comfort. My encouragement is don’t let go of his hand! I pray that you stay encouraged and consider these “light afflictions”, after which, God strengthens you and you reap the rewards of faithfulness!

]]> Comment on Spiritually Speaking: Become Extraordinary and Dangerous by Carl http://renewedculture.com/spiritually-speaking-become-extraordinary-and-dangerous/comment-page-1#comment-371 Carl Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:51:39 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1707#comment-371 Fantastic post Alex!!! Fantastic post Alex!!!

]]> Comment on When Giving is Hard to Do! by PRECIOUS1 http://renewedculture.com/when-giving-is-hard-to-do/comment-page-1#comment-370 PRECIOUS1 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 05:01:35 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1691#comment-370 As I drew closer to God, I find that the Holy Spirit has given me a overwhelming desire to give. when you love God , you can let go of even of the things we hold dear. sometimes our selfishness seems to override us ,and think we can not let go of our best possessions, and we give what we don't want. it is hard . but God's love overrides that too. Have you heard of a too gererous person? When we walk in his love there is a generousity that some people seem to think you are crazy for doing. but it is all about love, it is all about God, and it is all about scrificing for His name sake. I found I have a great desire to give, I thank Jesus Christ for this. The world has nothing I desire to keep. As I drew closer to God, I find that the Holy Spirit has given me a overwhelming desire to give. when you love God , you can let go of even of the things we hold dear. sometimes our selfishness seems to override us ,and think we can not let go of our best possessions, and we give what we don’t want. it is hard . but God’s love overrides that too. Have you heard of a too gererous person? When we walk in his love there is a generousity that some people seem to think you are crazy for doing. but it is all about love, it is all about God, and it is all about scrificing for His name sake. I found I have a great desire to give, I thank Jesus Christ for this. The world has nothing I desire to keep.

]]> Comment on Richard B. Hays and “Homosexuality” by Reinier http://renewedculture.com/richard-b-hays-and-homosexuality/comment-page-1#comment-361 Reinier Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:24:08 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1006#comment-361 This is insightful. See for more of Hays, more background about the context of romans 1.: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2004/04/Homosexuality-Rebellion-Against-God.aspx Google also N.T. Wright about the issue. Insightful and in line with this. This is insightful.
See for more of Hays, more background about the context of romans 1.:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2004/04/Homosexuality-Rebellion-Against-God.aspx

Google also N.T. Wright about the issue. Insightful and in line with this.

]]> Comment on Battle in the Heavenly Realm by Carl http://renewedculture.com/battle-in-the-heavenly-realm/comment-page-1#comment-359 Carl Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:08:19 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1336#comment-359 Thanks for the update Kim... I'll pray for your Grandmother! Thanks for the update Kim…
I’ll pray for your Grandmother!

]]> Comment on Battle in the Heavenly Realm by Kim http://renewedculture.com/battle-in-the-heavenly-realm/comment-page-1#comment-356 Kim Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:29:17 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1336#comment-356 Update: The doctors took nodules from 9 different areas on my Grandma's body. Out of the 9 nodules, 8 came back showing no cancer, but one came back showing some. Basically this means that she still has a very small amount of cancer somewhere in her body that will eventually spread and take her life. My dad told me that this is exactly what her mother passed away from, and that she lived for five years after being diagnosed with cancer. Here's hoping and praying that the Lord gives my Grandma more years of life, and that the cancer takes her quickly and painlessly when her time comes. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness. She is in Your hands. Update: The doctors took nodules from 9 different areas on my Grandma’s body. Out of the 9 nodules, 8 came back showing no cancer, but one came back showing some. Basically this means that she still has a very small amount of cancer somewhere in her body that will eventually spread and take her life. My dad told me that this is exactly what her mother passed away from, and that she lived for five years after being diagnosed with cancer. Here’s hoping and praying that the Lord gives my Grandma more years of life, and that the cancer takes her quickly and painlessly when her time comes.

Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness. She is in Your hands.

]]> Comment on Worry Warts by evcombe http://renewedculture.com/worry-warts/comment-page-1#comment-354 evcombe Sat, 04 Dec 2010 07:58:46 +0000 http://renewedculture.com/?p=1308#comment-354 Kim, this is awesome! This is an area where I have not been consistent. I catch myself doing some of the things you mentioned above. I've realized I was anxious without knowing why; I've felt double-minded at times, because I consider and re-consider; I've recognized that I'm worrying because I have unconfessed sin in my life and feel like I haven't upheld "my part of the deal" with God, so I'll have to handle things myself. Thank you for the reminder about consistency in actively directing thoughts. And thank you for the encouraging verses. Kim, this is awesome! This is an area where I have not been consistent. I catch myself doing some of the things you mentioned above. I’ve realized I was anxious without knowing why; I’ve felt double-minded at times, because I consider and re-consider; I’ve recognized that I’m worrying because I have unconfessed sin in my life and feel like I haven’t upheld “my part of the deal” with God, so I’ll have to handle things myself. Thank you for the reminder about consistency in actively directing thoughts. And thank you for the encouraging verses.

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