Religion or Faith
Today was an interesting day. I got up late today, around 9 am. I did a read the bible a little. I didn't do all the reading I intended to doing. I will do some later in the night. When I finish that reading I will post the verse of the day. This morning I came across an interesting verse in the bible a second time: John 14:28. In this verse Jesus says he's going back to the Father and the father is greater than he is. This challenges the trinity, so I sent an e-mail to my youth pastor and Mr. Burger. I'm sure they'll be able to shed a little light onto my confusion.
I did by biblical Hebrew studies today. Hebrew is a lot of fun. I have finally memorized the alphabet and the vowels. Perhaps I will learn this language faster now. I need to practice recognition now. I have to assimilate each word on site. I cannot recognize any units, I’m sure that will merely take a few years of practice. After that I should be able to pick up more and more Hebrew. It would also be cool to learn to speak and write in Arabic. I’m going to be a Middle Eastern expert. If my college offers Arabic, I will definitely take that language.
We had this interesting religious and political argument at work. It was kinda funny. There was a republican at work who believed in an American Empire. I thought that was a little interesting since that's the Republican Party’s goal. I didn't really argue with him. I would prefer the United States not try to deal with all world affairs, but I suppose politics is no longer my focus. Besides, I don't think there is much one nation can do about the actions of everyone else.
My co-worker asked me what type of Christian I was. That's a funny question to ask. I suppose it's a legitimate question these days. Everyone has their own beliefs. I told him I was non-sectarian, not non-denominational, but non-sectarian. He told me that he was catholic. He told me a little about Catholicism. They believe that everyone else, the Protestants, left the true "religion." He told me he also believe that the bible was the "basis" of Christianity, but that God gave man the intelligence to rationalize things. Both of these comments were interesting. I had not time to comment on these statements because we became increasingly busy for the next fear hours. I'm glad I didn't have the opportunity. There was no potential for that conversation. I could just see a terrible fight breaking out. Am a protestant? Good question, I suppose it depends on the definition. If the definition of protestant is any person who identifies with the Christian faith who is not catholic, then I am a protestant. Otherwise I wouldn't say that I'm a protestant.
For his second statement, it took me by surprise when he said that men had the intellectual capacity to "rationalize". I love how philosophy can easily creep into religion. I think it interesting that we can purport God's sayings to monument proportions. We like to change everything so that it fits us perfectly, when the first step of following Christ is to deny yourself. I always have a problem with someone who calls himself/herself a Christian, but they don't believe in the bible. The bible is the only concrete form of Christianity that we have it. It's the basis of the teaching within our faith, but we refuse to believe it. I also think it interesting that we can "rationalize". In other words, we can add anything to the faith whenever we see it fit. Now I understand why the Catholic Church had no problem with killing people in the name of Jesus Christ for conquest. I find the concept of purgatory interesting when I've never seen scriptural support for it. I want to know where they get all of this "stuff" from. I now understand why the book of Revelations is written to the church. It seems like the church is doing the most damage to God's word. Now people don't believe it's God's word, rather it's more of an anthology. I have to admit that was a bit disconcerting. I have always held the Catholic Church in high regards for their ability to maintain the important parts of the faith for centuries. I hope this really doesn't offend anyone, but I'm starting to see Catholics similar to how I see the Pharisees. At least the Pharisees believe the Holy Scriptures were the absolute truth. One must admit that most churches today are either self-righteous and/or focused on maintaining the traditions of their "denomination", rather than focusing completely on Christ. What will God say? I feel or at least I wish I am wrong at times so that it will be me alone and no the many others. It's just sad that we've added so much over the years.
We now have this new age believed that the scriptures provide many different "truths". Many people believe that you don't have to be one religion you just have to believe in something. They believe that good deeds are enough. It's almost like a giant compromise. It basically says you can buy your way into heaven just like you can buy anything you need/want in life. I think it interesting Jesus stress that the mindset/function of his Kingdom is far different from that of this world, yet we refuse to remember that. We try to take the rationality and reasoning of our world and apply it to his kingdom and pretend like it fits perfectly into the hole. It's just sad now! I wish the best for everyone. I feel almost arrogant in saying that I hope everyone comes to Know and understand God better than we already do.
As I wrap this up, I just want to say I'm going to post the reasoning behind titling this blog the House of David this weekend. If you want to guess why I titled it House of David, go ahead. Have a blessed day, night, life!
Scripture of the Day:
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:8
My interpretation: God doesn't need our religion! He doesn't need our additions or our thoughts. He needs us!
Song I'm currently listening to:
My Jesus Todd Agnew
I did by biblical Hebrew studies today. Hebrew is a lot of fun. I have finally memorized the alphabet and the vowels. Perhaps I will learn this language faster now. I need to practice recognition now. I have to assimilate each word on site. I cannot recognize any units, I’m sure that will merely take a few years of practice. After that I should be able to pick up more and more Hebrew. It would also be cool to learn to speak and write in Arabic. I’m going to be a Middle Eastern expert. If my college offers Arabic, I will definitely take that language.
We had this interesting religious and political argument at work. It was kinda funny. There was a republican at work who believed in an American Empire. I thought that was a little interesting since that's the Republican Party’s goal. I didn't really argue with him. I would prefer the United States not try to deal with all world affairs, but I suppose politics is no longer my focus. Besides, I don't think there is much one nation can do about the actions of everyone else.
My co-worker asked me what type of Christian I was. That's a funny question to ask. I suppose it's a legitimate question these days. Everyone has their own beliefs. I told him I was non-sectarian, not non-denominational, but non-sectarian. He told me that he was catholic. He told me a little about Catholicism. They believe that everyone else, the Protestants, left the true "religion." He told me he also believe that the bible was the "basis" of Christianity, but that God gave man the intelligence to rationalize things. Both of these comments were interesting. I had not time to comment on these statements because we became increasingly busy for the next fear hours. I'm glad I didn't have the opportunity. There was no potential for that conversation. I could just see a terrible fight breaking out. Am a protestant? Good question, I suppose it depends on the definition. If the definition of protestant is any person who identifies with the Christian faith who is not catholic, then I am a protestant. Otherwise I wouldn't say that I'm a protestant.
For his second statement, it took me by surprise when he said that men had the intellectual capacity to "rationalize". I love how philosophy can easily creep into religion. I think it interesting that we can purport God's sayings to monument proportions. We like to change everything so that it fits us perfectly, when the first step of following Christ is to deny yourself. I always have a problem with someone who calls himself/herself a Christian, but they don't believe in the bible. The bible is the only concrete form of Christianity that we have it. It's the basis of the teaching within our faith, but we refuse to believe it. I also think it interesting that we can "rationalize". In other words, we can add anything to the faith whenever we see it fit. Now I understand why the Catholic Church had no problem with killing people in the name of Jesus Christ for conquest. I find the concept of purgatory interesting when I've never seen scriptural support for it. I want to know where they get all of this "stuff" from. I now understand why the book of Revelations is written to the church. It seems like the church is doing the most damage to God's word. Now people don't believe it's God's word, rather it's more of an anthology. I have to admit that was a bit disconcerting. I have always held the Catholic Church in high regards for their ability to maintain the important parts of the faith for centuries. I hope this really doesn't offend anyone, but I'm starting to see Catholics similar to how I see the Pharisees. At least the Pharisees believe the Holy Scriptures were the absolute truth. One must admit that most churches today are either self-righteous and/or focused on maintaining the traditions of their "denomination", rather than focusing completely on Christ. What will God say? I feel or at least I wish I am wrong at times so that it will be me alone and no the many others. It's just sad that we've added so much over the years.
We now have this new age believed that the scriptures provide many different "truths". Many people believe that you don't have to be one religion you just have to believe in something. They believe that good deeds are enough. It's almost like a giant compromise. It basically says you can buy your way into heaven just like you can buy anything you need/want in life. I think it interesting Jesus stress that the mindset/function of his Kingdom is far different from that of this world, yet we refuse to remember that. We try to take the rationality and reasoning of our world and apply it to his kingdom and pretend like it fits perfectly into the hole. It's just sad now! I wish the best for everyone. I feel almost arrogant in saying that I hope everyone comes to Know and understand God better than we already do.
As I wrap this up, I just want to say I'm going to post the reasoning behind titling this blog the House of David this weekend. If you want to guess why I titled it House of David, go ahead. Have a blessed day, night, life!
Scripture of the Day:
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:8
My interpretation: God doesn't need our religion! He doesn't need our additions or our thoughts. He needs us!
Song I'm currently listening to:
My Jesus Todd Agnew
posted by Child of God at 12:28 AM
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