Search found 8438 matches

by Philip
Fri Nov 04, 2011 10:13 am
Forum: Questions for Christians
Topic: I need a short concise answer please
Replies: 27
Views: 7116

Re: I need a short concise answer please

Knowing beforehand is still knowlwdge... True, knowing beforehand is indeed knowledge. But God's knowing the freely chosen acts of man beforehand in no way means that GOD causes men to act sinfully, as our sinful actions are merely a carrying out through action of what is already in one's heart and...
by Philip
Fri Nov 04, 2011 7:20 am
Forum: Questions for Christians
Topic: I need a short concise answer please
Replies: 27
Views: 7116

Re: I need a short concise answer please

If we didn't have free will, then ALL of our decisions would be GOD'S decisions. But as we know that God cannot sin, and as we know that as men we constantly do so - and most horrifically at times - then we also know we have free will.
by Philip
Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:46 pm
Forum: Questions for Christians
Topic: I need a short concise answer please
Replies: 27
Views: 7116

Re: I need a short concise answer please

If we do not have free will, then God would be the cause of our sin. Our free will also comes within precise parameters God has set for us: We cannot fly or walk through walls. Our days are fixed, and God at times intervenes, sways, and sometimes completely alters events as he so desires - despite o...
by Philip
Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:36 am
Forum: Christian Theology
Topic: David and Johnathan in Samuel
Replies: 4
Views: 1805

Re: David and Johnathan in Samuel

Well, let's see, scripture tells us that David had eight wives and (at least) ten concubines. That sounds pretty heterosexual to me!
by Philip
Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:47 am
Forum: Christian Theology
Topic: Are we afraid hard questions around here?
Replies: 25
Views: 5176

Re: Are we afraid hard questions around here?

First of all, although meant to be a comparison to the Biblical story, the setup of the scientist's scenario is an extremely poor parallel: The scientist is obviously this scenario's supposed parallel of a God figure. Supposedly very intelligent because he is a scientist, he sets up a scenario any ...
by Philip
Sun Oct 30, 2011 3:43 pm
Forum: Politics and World Events
Topic: Petition for Palestinians to Keep their Homes
Replies: 23
Views: 6634

Re: Petition for Palestinians to Keep their Homes

Yes, I think as Christians we should support Israel. However, we must realize that 1) Israel is not a theocracy today; 2) Most Jews in Israel are secular in personal practice; 3) Israel as a nation and as individuals can and have done things they shouldn't have, at times they've treated people in wa...
by Philip
Sun Oct 30, 2011 3:26 pm
Forum: God and Science
Topic: Alien Life
Replies: 64
Views: 16535

Re: Alien Life

Interesting take on this and a bit about UFOs can be found here: http://carm.org/does-bible-tell-us-if-t ... er-planets
by Philip
Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Forum: General Discussion & Introductions
Topic: What's your occupation?
Replies: 21
Views: 5696

Re: What's your occupation?

St.Monica said, Couldn't handle blood Yep, that's me as well. If it's dead, I can handle it, live bleeding people, not so much (ironic my Avatar is known for cutting heads off, eh?). Also, I'm a communications and marketing guy. Tried to avoid all mathematics in college, but STILL had to take colleg...
by Philip
Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:55 am
Forum: Christian Theology
Topic: Did Jesus believe in ghosts?
Replies: 39
Views: 9610

Re: Did Jesus believe in ghosts?

knew a woman I worked with - she had a Phd from Harvard. She was convinced that a ghost in the neighborhood frequently dropped in and had even gone for a ride in the car with her and her boyfriend. Most of those I've known with such stories are real non-nonsense, serious, intelligent people. I'm wo...
by Philip
Mon Oct 24, 2011 6:18 pm
Forum: Christian Theology
Topic: Did Jesus believe in ghosts?
Replies: 39
Views: 9610

Re: Did Jesus believe in ghosts?

Here's the deal, as soon as you buy into the belief that a ghost, alien or whatever is 1)truly what they claim or appear to be and 2) that you believe that what they might communicate to you is the truth, or that they have some higher knowledge that will benefit us mere mortals - THEN you are ripe t...
by Philip
Thu Oct 20, 2011 5:34 pm
Forum: Politics and World Events
Topic: Christians: Beware of Mitt Romney!
Replies: 44
Views: 12497

Re: Christians: Beware of Mitt Romney!

Murray, Ah the money angle...yes, certainly it was at least a part of Hubbard's motive: At a New Jersey science fiction convention, in 1951, Hubbard stated, “Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wanted to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.” ...
by Philip
Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:03 pm
Forum: The Bible and Scripture
Topic: The Omnipotence and Omnicience of God
Replies: 8
Views: 2468

Re: The Omnipotence and Omnicience of God

Typical of atheists' arguments against God are enormous misunderstandings. First, while God does have a plan for mankind that will turn out EXACTLY as He has always known it would and has always desired it to, yet nonetheless He carries it out and interacts with mankind within our own understandings...
by Philip
Wed Oct 19, 2011 3:54 pm
Forum: Politics and World Events
Topic: Christians: Beware of Mitt Romney!
Replies: 44
Views: 12497

Re: Christians: Beware of Mitt Romney!

L ron hubbard wrote a book and founded a religion that "kills spiritually", Does that make him demon possessed? Not necessarily. But then again one can be deceived, tempted, influenced or used by the devil without specifically being possessed. And I would say an important clue as to wheth...
by Philip
Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:51 am
Forum: Christian Theology
Topic: What's the fate of ones who died and never heard of Jesus?
Replies: 22
Views: 9854

Re: Skeptics Question: So what about those without the Gospe

You want a God who can keep giving chances.. Plus it's a complete absurdity to believe that God would need to give anyone further chances at embracing salvation - because as he already intimately knows the hearts, motivations, actions and decisions (past, present and FUTURE) of each person - he thu...
by Philip
Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:00 pm
Forum: Christian Theology
Topic: What's the fate of ones who died and never heard of Jesus?
Replies: 22
Views: 9854

Re: Skeptics Q: So what about those WITHOUT the Gospel?

Again, unless God saves people (post Jesus) apart from knowledge of and faith in Jesus, then it is not apparent in Scripture. ( Edited 12-7 to add that: It MIGHT be true that God reveals Himself deeper ( beyond the "General Revelation" described in Romans 1), including knowledge of Jesus a...