Do Christians have a responsibility to refute false teachings of Religion (s)??? [Archive]

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Jude3b

February 6th 2004, 11:07 PM

We are our brothers keeper. Therefore, we have a respoinsibility as Christians to seek and teach the truth. Do you agree, do you disagree? Why?

Durthorin

February 6th 2004, 11:25 PM

We are our brothers keeper. Therefore, we have a respoinsibility as Christians to seek and teach the truth. Do you agree, do you disagree? Why?
Define false. You can present why your a Christian but in many cases what you are going to end up with is a person who has a deeply personal and commited relationship to their Diety or Dieties. To a Christian what they (I) believe is false..

You might also consider your actions. If you want to tell me about Christ I'll listen politly, it is nothing I have not heard before.. thank you for your concern and continue in my faith. At that point if you think you've done your duty I'm fine with it.. if you believe that you have to take deeper actions.. ie protesting outside of places of "false religions" worship, harrassment of others.. etc.. See my point?

Danu Bless, Dur

Twilly Spree

February 6th 2004, 11:44 PM

If you're just doing this to bash Catholicism again Jude, please give it a rest.

Trout

February 6th 2004, 11:46 PM

We are our brothers keeper. Therefore, we have a respoinsibility as Christians to seek and teach the truth. Do you agree, do you disagree? Why?

Hey Jude3,

My answer is Jude 3.

Love,

troutk13

Rahab

February 6th 2004, 11:46 PM

We are our brothers keeper. Therefore, we have a respoinsibility as Christians to seek and teach the truth. Do you agree, do you disagree? Why?Bonjour Jude3b...... It depends how you define the "truth". As christians there is the essential truth we ought to all share in common and UNITY which is our salvation in Christ Jesus only and according to the Gospels. In that sense, I think that when we deal with other chritians who share that essential belief, we need not to be concerned about what particular theological tendency they follow which may differ from us.It is ok IMO to discuss those differences but not "cross the line" by declaring that their theological difference nullifies their salvation in Christ.
I think that "christian" theologies which may question the deity of Christ are the ones which must be addressed as a priority. Those who add conditions to Redemption as taught by Christ. Those who rely on salvation by works rather than Grace. Cults need to be denounced by mainstream christianity as they thrive on vulnerable folks and may lead them to the same tragedy as Jim Jone's cult.
As far as "teaching" goes I am more on the side of demonstrating the truth of our faith by our attitudes, character and treatment of other human beings. By consistantly displaying what we call a "christian witness". It can bring non believers to ask "what is the reason for this or that particular attitude?"... "how come you did not stone that guy when everyone else was about to do it"...... "why did you stop them?". Then I think the opportunity to share Christ verbaly occurs......
Most people want to see evidence of our faith other than what "we teach".

Jude3b

February 7th 2004, 06:42 AM

Xmansmommy

February 7th 2004, 11:33 AM

Jude, I agree with Rahab personally. I have come across some Christians who behave as if it's their own personal duty to expose doctrinal error in everyone they come in contact with. I personally find that very ....ummmmm......unattractive? I personally get alarmed at the actions of Christians like that, because I feel (and I could be wrong so please forgive me if I am) that they are more interested in correcting that persons doctrine than they are in helping them to nurture and build upon their relationship with God, which despite doctrinal differences, we should all be doing. Just my thoughts.

rocketman

February 7th 2004, 12:38 PM

We are our brothers keeper. Therefore, we have a respoinsibility as Christians to seek and teach the truth. Do you agree, do you disagree? Why?

Of we have a responsibility...that's why I respond to every false accusation you put up. :teeth:

Secretary of Education - Colin the Cat

February 7th 2004, 12:53 PM

OK, just as you don't want Jude to bash Catholicism, please do not attack Jude personally, or I'll have to move this threaad to the locker room.. It has potential, so let's try to stay with the question, shall we?

rocketman

February 7th 2004, 01:08 PM

Jude3b

February 8th 2004, 04:39 AM

Dear Xmansmommy:
You make a good point and certainly there are many
Christians who would agree with you. I personally recognize the need for Christians to be able to fellowhip and agree to disagree agreeably on many, many doctrinal issues. The ones I try to confine myself to addressing are the groups that deviate form one of the essential doctrines of the Bible. I do not have a long list of doctrines either. Only four really can not be compromised on: 1) The Deity of Christ, 2) The Trinity - inclluding Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 3) The Resurrection of Christ, 4) Salvation by Grace. If any of these 4 essentials are compromised and not believed - the religion or denomination in question - is nothing more than a "non-Christian, so-called Christian cult."
The Roman Catholic religion adds to the finished work of Jesus on the cross, by adding sacramental religious doctrines and making them necessary to obtain or retain salvation. That is a false gospel - another Gospel and means they have less than an all sufficient Savior, which further means they have a false Christ - another Jesus. They also add the Apocryphal books and Traditions of Men - to the Word of God and in fact place those first - ahead or above the Word of God, when they disagree with the Word of God.
Sincerely, Jude 3b

Rahab

February 8th 2004, 10:33 AM

Dear Rahab:

You make a lot of sense. Especially the part about "the plan of redemption" and "adding works to faith" - I for one do not accept the Religious doctrine that you must add religious works to faith to obtain and/or keep salvation. If that were the true Gospel, Jesus Christ would not have needed to die on the cross for us sinners. Amen! I know I am very grateful that "Jesus paid it all" - otherwise I'd never make it!

Love you all......

Jude 3bBonjour Jude...... I think the confusion may come from how one interprets James. "faith without works is dead". The verse IMO does not mean that here is no faith and therefor salvation. It only means that faith is not active. As James also specifies that "faith produces works". There is a balance between the two statements. And both verses need to be comprehended together.
IMO it does not convey that works are a condition to retain salvation but that they are the results of faith. I think James describes here the beneficial consequence of having faith. That it inspires works. And by works, what he means, is the willingness for the faith -ful Christian to serve God as Christ taught us to.

One also needs to consider that the Holy Spirit whom inhabits the born again Christian is the source of that inspiration. Some doctrines however question the presence of the Holy Spirit in a born again christian unless he or she exhibits the gift of tongues.....what do you think of such doctrine?

It is possible that the RCC tendency to place works as a conditional retention of salvation may be a zealous desire to motivate believers to "produce works". But then it would demean the effects the Holy Spirit has on us as our inspiration.

Jude3b

February 8th 2004, 03:30 PM

mickiel

February 8th 2004, 05:45 PM

Dear Rahab: You make a good point on understanding James. James is a wonderful book of the Bible. I loved teaching it a few years ago in a Sunday School class. It must be considered in context with the rest of the New Testament, especially the other Epistles. One point, James is not teaching than anyone needs to do "Sacramental type religious works." James is not teaching for example, that one needs to be baptized to "earn" or even complete salvation. James is right, in the fact that a believer will produce good works because they are saved. Its natural for a true Christian to produce good works and do good things - as they grow in Christ and follow His example. Amen.
Sincerely, Jude 3b

Or is such a thing taken for granted? The bible reads to prove all things, may I ask that you prove christianity itself has truth, before one seeks to claim them as defenders of it. I am suggesting that if one is a confuser of a thing themselves, how then can they warn others of confusion. Is christianity without confusion in its doctrines? Is it a perfect religon? I assert that no religon can warn another of something that it itself is infected with, and that warning be considered credible.

Jude3b

February 8th 2004, 07:13 PM

Rahab

February 8th 2004, 08:16 PM

Dear Mickiel:
I don't consider Biblical Christianity a "Religion" and yes I can proove it to be true, since the Lord of Biblical Christianity - JESUS CHRIST has changed me. That prooves it is true to me. Biblical Christianity is God revealing himself to His creation through His Word. You see He loves us so much that He has paid the ultimate price - the death of Jesus Christ on the cross - for us. All we have to do is accept His love. Won't you give him a try?

Love you, Jude 3b
Jude..... I think what Mickiel points to is that christiany as divided as it is is hardly in a position to point to the confusion occuring in other religions. And why are we divided? because the human mind can be confused in the way it interprets scriptures. Someone else could present valid arguments regarding the verses I commented on in James which would support that works are a necessity to support salvation. In fact, one argument would be what Christ declares in Matthew 25 as to the "brothers and sisters" who will not do for others what they would do for Him..... He condemns them to perish eternaly. I am not using that to promote the idea that salvation needs to be retained by works by the way. Just an example on how it can be understood that way.

There is confusion among us Jude..... it is a reality. I think where the confusion dissipates is when christians refocus on what is the essence of salvation and simply follow Christ in their attitudes and behavior, seeking to make their faith a tool of edification by their witness. It also becomes automaticaly a tool of self edification in terms of building up a Christlike character while here and now.

I think it is wise to bring up questions regarding denominational doctrines to encourage the mind to reflect..... but again I believe that questionning someone's salvation who has accepted Christ Jesus as his or her savior and has a relationship with Christ where they follow Him in His teachings and ministry to all is not justified.

Among Catholics you will find folks who have accepted Christ and relate to Him with a willful desire to follow Him. You will find some who have not. Same in evangelical and protestant denominations. Some folks who are church members actualy do not know Christ.
The RCC has evolved considerably IMO to allow catholics to develop a personal relationship with Christ. I was a catholic some 35 years ago......sitting thru masses in Latin....repeating prayers already printed which had no meaning to me.

I had the priviledge to host a group of young catholics while living in Italy who came for The Jubilee in Rome a few years ago. We had wonderful fellowship. We shared our hymns from both churches and praised God together. We ate together, blessing our food together and being thankful to God together. We prayed together. That togetherness became more important to all of us. We gathered in Christ's name. We praised the same God. No theological debates....just that fellowship in Christ. Did I doubt for a moment that those young people loved Christ? no. It was obvious, clear, demonstrated thru their praises , attitudes, behavior, affection for one another, treatment of other people, that the Holy Spirit was guiding them to follow Christ.

Once a catholic has expressed and demonstrated his or her love for Jesus (especialy as they exhibit a character being shaped in Christ), one must accept their faith as being indeed in Christ.

The fact is Jude that anyone can say the "right" formulas, pronounce to you the exact doctrine you are abiding to yourself, practise the same rites you may practise in your own denominational church...... yet not have a relationship with Christ.

Christianity is a religion...... it is faith which is not a religion IMO.

rocketman

February 8th 2004, 08:59 PM

Nice post, rahab. :thumb:

Jude3b

February 8th 2004, 09:01 PM

Dear Rahab:
UNITY OF BELIEVERS
The definite and instantaneous experience that makes us living members of Christ is the new birth; and as we thus become members of the family of God, we also by the same act and experience become members of all those who are members of the divine family. "We are members one of another" (Eph. 4:25). "One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Matt. 23:8). "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1). "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3).
So complete and perfect is this Bible standard of divine relationship, of unity among all the saved, that they are declared to constitute one body in Christ. We are reconciled "unto God in one body by the cross" (Eph. 2:16).
CONFUSION IN CHRISTIANITY
Mickiel, if it is true that your concern is the divided position of christianity. I'd like to mention that it is actually the "confusion of churchianity" - or the confusion of sect babylon that you are observing.
Rahab is right, there is confusion among us - Christians. However that is not because of Christ, but rather part of Satans attack on the true church of God. You see, Satan discovered that he could not eliminate the Body of Christ through persecution and Martydom, so he decided instead to "Join the church" and as a result Christendom evolved into Roman Catholicism and her daughters Protestantism, other Sects and Cults. Satan thinks he won, but he's wrong. The true church of God still exists and is very real to the true children of God. Every truly saved person is a member of the church of God, even if they attend a Roman Catholic church out of ignorance to the Bible.
Rahab what we should be doing is agreeing with the high prieslty prayer of our Lord Jesus in John 17. In it we find the conditions for perfect unity in the Body of Christ: 1) We must be "in Christ" - we must be saved, 2) We must be kept in his name, 3) We must receive the Word of God and keep it, 4) We must be sancified, which removes from our hearts the cause of carnal divisions.
There is a false standard of so-called unity made prominent throughout Christendom, which is simply an attempt to bring together by external organization the professed followers of Christ. But such can never be more than a mere counterfeit. True unity can be effected only by meeting the Bible conditions already mentioned and prayed for by our Lord Jesus Christ himself there in John 17.
No text in the New Testament teaches that division among God's people is right. But, the Bible also tells us "Have no fellowhip with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). That is like saying, "hate the sin, but love the sinner" and I say Amen to that.
Brother Rahab, I also was a Roman Catholic and educated in Roman Catholic schools and even had the whole mass memorized in Latin at one point, when I served as an Altar boy for several years. I have also met Roman Catholics that truly seemed to be born-again and truly claimed to Love Jesus. I have to state though, with all my heart, that if they are truly saved it is in spite of Roman Catholicism and not because of it. The doctrines of Roman Catholicism are simply not compatible with the Word of God and their plan of salvation is false. Their Jesus is not the all sufficient "Savior" of Christianity - which means that they have "another Jesus" or a "false Christ" and they teach another Gospel or false Gospel.
IT IS NOT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST THAT SAVES, IT IS THE CHRIST OF THE CHURCH.
I love you all, especially Roman Catholics, who I long to see come to the saving grace and knowledge of the true Jesus Christ of the Bible.
Sincerely, Jude 3b

Jude3b

February 27th 2004, 01:23 AM

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)

How is it so many Roman Catholics can call Jesus their Lord, and yet totally disregard His instructions?

Jude3b

March 5th 2004, 02:45 AM

Precious Roman Catholics, please don't blindly accept Roman Catholic doctrine as truth. Look to God's Word for the answers.

Jude3b

March 22nd 2004, 04:54 AM

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Tim 4:2)

Doesn't this sound like it was written especially for those who attempt to win Roman Catholics to Christ?
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim 4:3 & 4)

Durthorin

March 22nd 2004, 05:43 AM

brother vinny

March 22nd 2004, 05:51 AM

Personally as an outsider. It works just as well for a Catholic trying to win a "non-Catholic" Christian back to the mother church.

Danu Bless, Dur

Yes, especially that part about heaping teachers. A study of Catholic theologians will, in most cases, show them each repeating the same things, if re-presenting the teachings differently. Contrast this to Protestantism and its baby "isms": Calvinism, Armianism, Puritainism, Dispensationalism, Methodism, Pentecostalism, Open Theism, etc., ad infinitum.

dizzle

March 22nd 2004, 08:45 AM

Devil's advocate post:

Consistency in error does not make error correct, simply consistently wrong.

Durthorin

March 22nd 2004, 10:52 AM

Devil's advocate post:

Consistency in error does not make error correct, simply consistently wrong.
But like the original statement this seems to apply equally to both sides of the argument. :shrug:

Danu Bless, Dur

brother vinny

March 22nd 2004, 12:43 PM

But like the original statement this seems to apply equally to both sides of the argument. :shrug:

Danu Bless, Dur

Right-- such as the error that Protestants employ almost 100% across the board (sola Scriptura), which leads to the multiplicity of interpretations found in Protestantism, hence the heaping up of teachers aforementioned by the verse Jude3b cited.

Thanks, Dur! Have some positive rep!

Jude3b

March 23rd 2004, 03:02 AM

Personally as an outsider. It works just as well for a Catholic trying to win a "non-Catholic" Christian back to the mother church.

Danu Bless, Dur

True Christians don't make an idol out of any "mother church," but serve "Father God" instead!

Durthorin

March 23rd 2004, 05:48 AM

True Christians don't make an idol out of any "mother church," but serve "Father God" instead!
An hundreds of years of Catholic Christians would say a "True Christian" doesn't deny the authority of the true church an follow heresy.

So whats your point? That you can say I'm right and they're wrong? Proven. Are you? As a non-Christian the Catholics are the largest historically unbroken Christian denomination in the world. So if they say your not a "real" Christian why should I treat your minority opinion concerning Chrstianity as valid?

Danu Bless, Dur

Columba3

March 23rd 2004, 07:48 AM

Rahab I agree with you when you say -

"anyone can say the "right" formulas, pronounce to you the exact doctrine you are abiding to yourself, practise the same rites you may practise in your own denominational church...... yet not have a relationship with Christ"

When we consider relationships with our friends we don't think in terms of elaborate passwords. This is what formulas and doctrines tend to be when used to test other believers orthodoxy. Why should it be any different with our Lord?

Solly

March 23rd 2004, 07:51 AM

True Christians don't make an idol out of any "mother church," but serve "Father God" instead!

Hah, tell that to a Presbyterian and his Mother Kirk

dizzle

March 23rd 2004, 07:53 AM

Right-- such as the error that Protestants employ almost 100% across the board (sola Scriptura), which leads to the multiplicity of interpretations found in Protestantism, hence the heaping up of teachers aforementioned by the verse Jude3b cited.

Thanks, Dur! Have some positive rep!

Seems to me someone is painting a caricucature of SS, and avoiding the point by making a diversion. Your original point was flawed, and quips aren't hiding it. Consistency doesn't mean something is right, it merely means it is consistent (and I would argue that consistency by the way you claim, but it is besides the point). Baptists have been pretty consistent without a Holy See. Maybe that consistencies proves THEIR right. It all depends on where we draw the boundaries. Look at the Amish. Pretty darned consistent. The fact is that this argument is just plain inane and is remarkably philosophically similar to KJVOism.

Solly

March 23rd 2004, 07:56 AM

Yes, especially that part about heaping teachers. A study of Catholic theologians will, in most cases, show them each repeating the same things, if re-presenting the teachings differently. Contrast this to Protestantism and its baby "isms": Calvinism, Armianism, Puritainism, Dispensationalism, Methodism, Pentecostalism, Open Theism, etc., ad infinitum.

And have you forgotten the clashes between the Dominicans, Benedictines, Cistercians, Franscicans, Thomists and Molinists, Jesuits and Jansenists. The RCC is replete with its own denominationalism, it's just that for them the Pope is the source of infallibility, whereas for Prots it's the Bible. And don't forget the Schisms of the early church; that same early church that went Arian from the top down apart from the dauntless fight of Athanasius and friends; and then there is the East West schism, and the Uniates, and the Nestorians, etc.
You have mixed names together, when they are not the same thing; and you have ignored the fact that many of the current Prot teachings come out of the RCC: Arminianism, Molinism, Preterism, Augustinianism, even Dispensationalism.

dizzle

March 23rd 2004, 08:09 AM

Don't forget Preterism. Drat that Alcazar!

oops, you didn't forget.... sorry, read too fast

Great post though have some rep

Jude3b

May 1st 2004, 01:30 AM

Personally as an outsider. It works just as well for a Catholic trying to win a "non-Catholic" Christian back to the mother church.

Danu Bless, Dur

The Bible is written unto Christians, the body of Christ - the church of the Living God. It is could not work as well for lost religious people. While there is power in the Word, it would not be blessed of God.

God does not want people trapped in false religion! That is why Christ came, to set us free from sin and religious traditions that keep us from Himself.

{Undersecretary of Internal Affairs}

May 1st 2004, 11:38 AM

The Bible is written unto Christians, the body of Christ - the church of the Living God. It is could not work as well for lost religious people. While there is power in the Word, it would not be blessed of God.

God does not want people trapped in false religion! That is why Christ came, to set us free from sin and religious traditions that keep us from Himself.

That wasn't his point, Jude. What he meant was that while you quoted those verses at RCs to abandon their false beliefs, you offered no justification why they could not quote exactly the same verses back to you; other than that - if I understand your post correctly - they are "lost religious people" and so they aren't properly qualified to quote scripture. Which, again, they could just as easily claim about you, and which gets nobody anywhere.

I do agree that, from your view, the verse is applicable. I am just pointing out that, becase we must accept your view as a starting point, it is of no use in convincing others that you are right.

God Bless,
{Tim}

Jude3b

May 1st 2004, 08:47 PM

Thank you Tim for your comment. I am responding in light of the title of this thread.

shunyadragon

May 29th 2004, 08:32 AM

We are our brothers keeper. Therefore, we have a respoinsibility as Christians to seek and teach the truth. Do you agree, do you disagree? Why?
This usually involves bashing everything and everyone that does not believe as we believe.

I think it would be better to throw a party and invite everyone.

Please refrain from posting in this forum if you are a non-Christian.

HRG_new

May 29th 2004, 09:12 AM

God does not want people trapped in false religion! That is why Christ came, to set us free from sin and religious traditions that keep us from Himself.

Catholic: "Then why do you try to spread your false version of Christianity ?"

Muslim: "Then why do you both try to spread your false religion?"

Hindu: "Then why do you three try to spread your false religions?"
......
.....
.....
Atheist mumbles to himself: "They can't be all correct. But they can be all wrong."

This is a Christian-only forum. Please do not comment - especially if putting forward a non-Christian point of view.

Jude3b

May 29th 2004, 06:04 PM

Catholic: "Then why do you try to spread your false version of Christianity ?"

Muslim: "Then why do you both try to spread your false religion?"

Hindu: "Then why do you three try to spread your false religions?"
......
.....
.....
Atheist mumbles to himself: "They can't be all correct. But they can be all wrong."

What does it matter what the Atheist mumbles to himself?

This thread is about the question - "Do Christians have a responsibility to refute false teachings of Religion (s)"??? Do they???

The Apostle Paul advises Bible believing Christians how they should react to those who teach doctrines contrary to God's written Word:

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18).

VFarris01

May 31st 2004, 06:40 PM

The Apostle Paul advises Bible believing Christians how they should react to those who teach doctrines contrary to God's written Word:

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18).(19) My brothers, if one of you wanders away from the truth and somebody brings him back, (20) you may be sure that whoever brings a sinner back from his wrong path will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Jude3b

May 31st 2004, 10:49 PM

(19) My brothers, if one of you wanders away from the truth and somebody brings him back, (20) you may be sure that whoever brings a sinner back from his wrong path will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Excellent point. It is the reason that Christians must keep on keepng on, standing for the truth of the Word of God. Thank you for your comment.

Agent Yoshi

June 4th 2004, 07:09 AM

We are our brothers keeper. Therefore, we have a respoinsibility as Christians to seek and teach the truth. Do you agree, do you disagree? Why?

From a Non-Christian perspective, it'd simply be overwheliming. You'd have to first find out what all the religions are and their core beliefs, which alone would take years. I'd say just be prepared to defend your own beliefs.

Also, remember that if you create refutations of one religion, that religion will post refutations of your religion. The Messianics are learning this the hard way.

Goose

June 4th 2004, 07:23 AM

We are our brothers keeper. Therefore, we have a respoinsibility as Christians to seek and teach the truth. Do you agree, do you disagree? Why?The Christian Apostle Paul taught to be ready to defend your faith. Also however, I'd think it'd be impossible to effectively refute every single religion.

Jude3b

June 5th 2004, 04:51 AM

The Christian Apostle Paul taught to be ready to defend your faith. Also however, I'd think it'd be impossible to effectively refute every single religion.

Please allow me to share a thought on your statement about refuting every single religion.

Please consider that Biblical Christianity is not a religion in the normal sense that we usually consider the word religion. What I mean is this: Christianity is God reaching down to save lost and sinful mankind. God does the saving for whosoever will through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Thats why Paul could write that "We are saved by grace through faith, and not of works."

Members of all religions on the otherhand - are trying to earn favor with their concept of God or gods or a Supreme Being or beings. They are "working" and attempting to "earn" salvation or whatever their concept of eternity might be (nirvana, reincarnation, etc.).

So you see we really do not have to be an expert on every religion to be a "witness" for Christ. We just need to be willing. Amen

Cephas

June 5th 2004, 09:59 PM

The Christian Apostle Paul taught to be ready to defend your faith. That was actually Cephas (aka Peter). Paul could have said that too, and whether or not he explicitly said that, his actions in the Acts proves it. Unfortunately, my knowledge of Scripture isn't as thorough as I would like it to be.
Also however, I'd think it'd be impossible to effectively refute every single religion.Thus "defense." Refutation seems more like attack than anything else.

Jude3b

June 13th 2004, 04:42 AM

Please allow me to share a thought on your statement about refuting every single religion.

Please consider that Biblical Christianity is not a religion in the normal sense that we usually consider the word religion. What I mean is this: Christianity is God reaching down to save lost and sinful mankind. God does the saving for whosoever will through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Thats why Paul could write that "We are saved by grace through faith, and not of works."

Members of all religions on the otherhand - are trying to earn favor with their concept of God or gods or a Supreme Being or beings. They are "working" and attempting to "earn" salvation or whatever their concept of eternity might be (nirvana, reincarnation, etc.).

So you see we really do not have to be an expert on every religion to be a "witness" for Christ. We just need to be willing. Amen

A further point on this subject: Jesus told us to go into all the World and preach the Gospel to every creature. We just need to be willing. Religion is false, only Christianity as revealed in the Word of God is true. Do not fear, God will give you the strength to witness and share on His behalf.

Agent Yoshi

June 27th 2004, 05:39 PM

Stop quoting yourself.

Jude3b

June 30th 2004, 04:06 AM

A further point on this subject: Jesus told us to go into all the World and preach the Gospel to every creature. We just need to be willing. Religion is false, only Christianity as revealed in the Word of God is true. Do not fear, God will give you the strength to witness and share on His behalf.

Certainly souls are worth our efforts at evangelization: Consider "Eternal judgment" and what awaits those who are lost for all eternity. I heard a little poem once,
"Oh! what will it be to be lost,
With God's awful wrath on my soul,
With demons to make my abode in that lake,
While ages unending shall roll!"
That should motivate us to refute the false teachings that we hear! Amen!

dizzle

July 1st 2004, 10:43 PM

Jude please stop quotng yourself repitively.

dizzle

July 1st 2004, 10:46 PM

As another general note, I ask all nonChristian participants to please read the forum guidelines for this area. You may certainly finish out this conversation but please be cognizant of the restrictions.

Jude3b

July 2nd 2004, 03:23 AM

That was actually Cephas (aka Peter). Paul could have said that too, and whether or not he explicitly said that, his actions in the Acts proves it. Unfortunately, my knowledge of Scripture isn't as thorough as I would like it to be.
Thus "defense." Refutation seems more like attack than anything else.

The Word of God is like a two-edged sword. Truth often seems like an attack to someone who denies truth. That is why the Word of God tells us to "speak the truth in love." Amen!

BibleMan

October 7th 2006, 12:20 AM

We are our brothers keeper. Therefore, we have a respoinsibility as Christians to seek and teach the truth. Do you agree, do you disagree? Why?

Yes I agree. And don't forget that Christ told us to "go into all the world and preach the gospel..."