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  4. "Challenge to virgin birth raises uproar" - N&O

"Challenge to virgin birth raises uproar" - N&O

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  • C Chris Losinger

    Shog9 wrote: How tempting isn't it, to pick and choose what you'll accept and what you will not first, no offense intended... but how do christians reconcile things like Leviticus (animal sacrifices, unclean women, etc) with the 'you can't pick and choose' idea ? if you can drop the prescriptions on animal sacrifice, why can't you interpret the adma/eve story in a new way? if you can drop some of the OT because it doesn't fit with modern life, why can't you drop it all? -c


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    Christian Graus
    wrote on last edited by
    #21

    Chris Losinger wrote: if you can drop the prescriptions on animal sacrifice Chris Losinger wrote: if you can drop some of the OT because it doesn't fit with modern life No, you cannot. However, the OT was presented as a picture of things to come. Jesus came to fulfill those things, His death replaces the animal sacrifice of the OT, salvation fulfills the type presented by the Sabbath day, etc. Not dropped, made complete. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
    C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
    Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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    • S Shog9 0

      Chris Losinger wrote: first, no offense intended... If i was gonna take offense, i'd have done it long before now... ;) Chris Losinger wrote: how do christians reconcile things like Leviticus Leviticus is, as you stated, OT. The teachings therein formed much of Judaism at one time, and thus the foundation Christianity is built on. However, they are not the teachings of Christ - they were the laws laid out for governing the nation of Israel as a people set apart by God. Christ opened salvation for all peoples, first the Jews, and then the rest - although the laws of Moses were and for the most part are respected, many are not required, as Christianity is not focused on maintaining a temporal government. This is not a trivial issue, by any means - there was great conflict in the early days of the Christian Church, and in some areas to this day. Early Christians were required to convert to Judaism prior to being accepted as Christians. One of the great influences Paul the Evangelist had over the early Church was to convince them to allow gentiles - those not circumcised and compliant with the laws of Judaism - into their fellowship. To delve further: many of the OT laws and rituals - such as animal sacrifices - foreshadowed Christ's life and death, as an atonement for transgressions. A lamb, say, was sacrificed, not because God would accept the life of an animal to redeem the life of a man, but as a reminder of the promise that God *would* send atonement, that one more worthy than any of us would give his life in exchange for our own. Therefore, after Christ's death, the sacrifice of animals is replaced with the Lord's Supper, a reminder, not only that we now *have* been redeemed, but also of the cost.

      ---

      Shog9 The siren sings a lonely song - of all the wants and hungers The lust of love a brute desire - the ledge of life goes under

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      Christian Graus
      wrote on last edited by
      #22

      Shog9 wrote: One of the great influences Paul the Evangelist had over the early Church was to convince them to allow gentiles - those not circumcised and compliant with the laws of Judaism - into their fellowship. Not wanting to contradict you and all, but it was Peter in Acts 10 who discovered that Gentiles could be saved, and told the church in Acts 11. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
      C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
      Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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      • T Taka Muraoka

        The truth is out there[^]... still bored...


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        David Wulff
        wrote on last edited by
        #23

        That is *so* wrong... :laugh:


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        • C Christian Graus

          Shog9 wrote: One of the great influences Paul the Evangelist had over the early Church was to convince them to allow gentiles - those not circumcised and compliant with the laws of Judaism - into their fellowship. Not wanting to contradict you and all, but it was Peter in Acts 10 who discovered that Gentiles could be saved, and told the church in Acts 11. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
          C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
          Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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          Lost User
          wrote on last edited by
          #24

          In reality, Stephen was the first evangelist to the Gentiles and he was the first martyr because of it

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          • C ColinDavies

            Jason Henderson wrote: You either believe or you don't, but I can't see a prominent church leader not believing in the virgin birth, etc. and still believe in his faith. I disagree. He is actually saying what lot's of other church leaders and theologians already believe. Most of them just can't be bothered telling the congregations that. It is very difficult also these days to find anyone at the top who believes in the resurrection as well. When Joe Sprague was here in NZ in 1999 I went to one of his combined services out of interest, and it was refreshing to see a Bishop who was honest. :-) Regardz Colin J Davies

            Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

            You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.

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            Lost User
            wrote on last edited by
            #25

            Let us all remember that Bishop Sprague was deemed a heretic by the church for his beliefs. In fact if people who are to be ordained say they do not believe in the virgin birth or the resurrection they are not allowed to be ordained. And what are we saying about a God who cannot change physics and/or the phyical body? My question is if you cannot live with the virgin birth or the resurrection, how do you live with the fact that we don't know where God came from? This is where faith comes into the equation. Without faith we are constantly asking questions that are far beyond our comprehension and things that we will never be able to know.

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            • C Christian Graus

              ROTFL !!! Excellent. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
              C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
              Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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              Nish Nishant
              wrote on last edited by
              #26

              Christian Graus wrote: ROTFL !!! Excellent. Hmmmmm. Hey Dave, you seeing all this??? I think CG's very determined this time not to lose his cool ;-) Nish


              Author of the romantic comedy Summer Love and Some more Cricket [New Win] Review by Shog9 Click here for review[NW]

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              • C Christian Graus

                Chris Losinger wrote: if you can drop the prescriptions on animal sacrifice Chris Losinger wrote: if you can drop some of the OT because it doesn't fit with modern life No, you cannot. However, the OT was presented as a picture of things to come. Jesus came to fulfill those things, His death replaces the animal sacrifice of the OT, salvation fulfills the type presented by the Sabbath day, etc. Not dropped, made complete. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
                C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
                Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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                Chris Losinger
                wrote on last edited by
                #27

                Christian Graus wrote: His death replaces but where is the list of OT things that were deemed Does Not Apply ? who wrote the list ? -c


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                • S Shog9 0

                  Chris Losinger wrote: first, no offense intended... If i was gonna take offense, i'd have done it long before now... ;) Chris Losinger wrote: how do christians reconcile things like Leviticus Leviticus is, as you stated, OT. The teachings therein formed much of Judaism at one time, and thus the foundation Christianity is built on. However, they are not the teachings of Christ - they were the laws laid out for governing the nation of Israel as a people set apart by God. Christ opened salvation for all peoples, first the Jews, and then the rest - although the laws of Moses were and for the most part are respected, many are not required, as Christianity is not focused on maintaining a temporal government. This is not a trivial issue, by any means - there was great conflict in the early days of the Christian Church, and in some areas to this day. Early Christians were required to convert to Judaism prior to being accepted as Christians. One of the great influences Paul the Evangelist had over the early Church was to convince them to allow gentiles - those not circumcised and compliant with the laws of Judaism - into their fellowship. To delve further: many of the OT laws and rituals - such as animal sacrifices - foreshadowed Christ's life and death, as an atonement for transgressions. A lamb, say, was sacrificed, not because God would accept the life of an animal to redeem the life of a man, but as a reminder of the promise that God *would* send atonement, that one more worthy than any of us would give his life in exchange for our own. Therefore, after Christ's death, the sacrifice of animals is replaced with the Lord's Supper, a reminder, not only that we now *have* been redeemed, but also of the cost.

                  ---

                  Shog9 The siren sings a lonely song - of all the wants and hungers The lust of love a brute desire - the ledge of life goes under

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                  Chris Losinger
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #28

                  Shog9 wrote: sacrifice of animals is replaced with the Lord's Supper ok. what about: "And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people." where does the NT remove this?


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                  • L Lost User

                    Let us all remember that Bishop Sprague was deemed a heretic by the church for his beliefs. In fact if people who are to be ordained say they do not believe in the virgin birth or the resurrection they are not allowed to be ordained. And what are we saying about a God who cannot change physics and/or the phyical body? My question is if you cannot live with the virgin birth or the resurrection, how do you live with the fact that we don't know where God came from? This is where faith comes into the equation. Without faith we are constantly asking questions that are far beyond our comprehension and things that we will never be able to know.

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                    ColinDavies
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #29

                    Britt Fisher wrote: Let us all remember that Bishop Sprague was deemed a heretic by the church for his beliefs. Yes he is in good campany for a methodist, as John Wesley was also deemed a heretic by the parochial clergy. Britt Fisher wrote: And what are we saying about a God who cannot change physics and/or the physical body? No they are not saying that God can't only that God probably didn't in this case. Evidence points to the limited Gospels used by the RC and RC derived religions being chosen for appearing to include similarities with the popular pagan beliefs of the time. Britt Fisher wrote: My question is if you cannot live with the virgin birth or the resurrection, how do you live with the fact that we don't know where God came from? Since Sprague can have faith without believing in the Virgin Birth and Resurrection does this not show his faith is indeed greater than those that must use belief in the supernatural for proof ? Regardz Colin J Davies

                    Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

                    You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.

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                    • L Lost User

                      In reality, Stephen was the first evangelist to the Gentiles and he was the first martyr because of it

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                      Christian Graus
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #30

                      Interesting. The very nature of Stephens address makes me think he is talking to Jews. Why do you think otherwise ? ( Not arguing, interested ). Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
                      C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
                      Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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                      • C Chris Losinger

                        Shog9 wrote: sacrifice of animals is replaced with the Lord's Supper ok. what about: "And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people." where does the NT remove this?


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                        Christian Graus
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #31

                        'What God has made clean, let no man call unclean'. :-) The basic principle is presented in the NT also, that is, that the OT is full of laws which Jesus came to fulfill, sending the Holy Spirit to write the law on the fleshy tables of our hearts. In other words, the OT was a legal document, the NT is about the love of God motivating us to do good, so we do not need lengthy lists of rules. Paul specifically states that if anyone wants to try to keep to any the Law, they must keep it all. He also specifically stated that this was not possible for any man. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
                        C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
                        Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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                        • C Chris Losinger

                          Christian Graus wrote: His death replaces but where is the list of OT things that were deemed Does Not Apply ? who wrote the list ? -c


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                          Christian Graus
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #32

                          Chris Losinger wrote: but where is the list of OT things that were deemed Does Not Apply ? Somewhere in Romans from memory, or probably Hebrews. Chris Losinger wrote: who wrote the list ? God. :P Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
                          C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
                          Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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                          • C Christian Graus

                            'What God has made clean, let no man call unclean'. :-) The basic principle is presented in the NT also, that is, that the OT is full of laws which Jesus came to fulfill, sending the Holy Spirit to write the law on the fleshy tables of our hearts. In other words, the OT was a legal document, the NT is about the love of God motivating us to do good, so we do not need lengthy lists of rules. Paul specifically states that if anyone wants to try to keep to any the Law, they must keep it all. He also specifically stated that this was not possible for any man. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
                            C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
                            Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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                            Chris Losinger
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #33

                            Christian Graus wrote: we do not need lengthy lists of rules so, if i were a practicing Christian, i could disbelieve the Adam/Eve story just as easily and legally as i disbelieve the ban on laying down with 'unclean' women? you do realize that if we were talking about the STL, handwaving and "because god said so" wouldn't fly, right? -c


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                            • C Chris Losinger

                              Christian Graus wrote: we do not need lengthy lists of rules so, if i were a practicing Christian, i could disbelieve the Adam/Eve story just as easily and legally as i disbelieve the ban on laying down with 'unclean' women? you do realize that if we were talking about the STL, handwaving and "because god said so" wouldn't fly, right? -c


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                              Christian Graus
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #34

                              Chris Losinger wrote: so, if i were a practicing Christian, i could disbelieve the Adam/Eve story just as easily and legally as i disbelieve the ban on laying down with 'unclean' women? No, you've missed the point. The point is not that the OT became untrue, but that it served it's purpose. It's not that the Law was bad, it's that we could not keep it, and the Bible says the Law was a 'schoolmaster to lead us to Christ'. The Law set the scene, but it was not the end of God's plan. The Bible also says that everything that happened in the OT was for our example, for the benefit of people who are today filled with the Holy Spirit. Chris Losinger wrote: you do realize that if we were talking about the STL, handwaving and "because god said so" wouldn't fly, right? LOL, of course. More Stepanov said so would be analagous. How interested are you in this ? Would you like me to sit down and grab a list of scriptures that explains the situation ? I've paraphrased about 6 already. Basically, the OT Law was given to a specific group of people at a specific time. We are not those people, this is not that time, and it was given as a precursor to something far better which is available to you and me today. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
                              C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
                              Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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                              • C Christian Graus

                                Chris Losinger wrote: so, if i were a practicing Christian, i could disbelieve the Adam/Eve story just as easily and legally as i disbelieve the ban on laying down with 'unclean' women? No, you've missed the point. The point is not that the OT became untrue, but that it served it's purpose. It's not that the Law was bad, it's that we could not keep it, and the Bible says the Law was a 'schoolmaster to lead us to Christ'. The Law set the scene, but it was not the end of God's plan. The Bible also says that everything that happened in the OT was for our example, for the benefit of people who are today filled with the Holy Spirit. Chris Losinger wrote: you do realize that if we were talking about the STL, handwaving and "because god said so" wouldn't fly, right? LOL, of course. More Stepanov said so would be analagous. How interested are you in this ? Would you like me to sit down and grab a list of scriptures that explains the situation ? I've paraphrased about 6 already. Basically, the OT Law was given to a specific group of people at a specific time. We are not those people, this is not that time, and it was given as a precursor to something far better which is available to you and me today. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
                                C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
                                Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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                                Chris Losinger
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #35

                                Christian Graus wrote: Basically, the OT Law was given to a specific group of people at a specific time. We are not those people, this is not that time, and it was given as a precursor to something far better which is available to you and me today. ok. got it. like Win 3.1 -c


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                                • C Chris Losinger

                                  Shog9 wrote: sacrifice of animals is replaced with the Lord's Supper ok. what about: "And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people." where does the NT remove this?


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                                  Shog9 0
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #36

                                  Chris Losinger wrote: what about: 'Morning, Chris - this might sound like a cop-out, and you can certainly take it that way, but... There is no list. There is example. OT law laid out hundreds of rules on cleanliness, along with procedures for becoming ceremonially clean. These served several purposes: they set the Israelites apart, they were a constant reminder of how utterly impossible it is to be pure in God's eyes, and in many instances, they are beneficial from a public health perspective. Neither Judaism nor Christianity began as works-based religions. The Law was put in place as a mirror, showing us clearly how far short we fall in God's sight. The rituals of sacrificing doves, etc. in restoring ceremonial cleanliness are reminders of our need for redemption. Christ, in his life, pointed out the foolishness of becoming slaves to the Law. He communed with sinners, healed on the Sabbath, ate without properly washing his hands. He put the commandments in perspective, noting: "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." Not that the Law can be ignored because of this; rather, it should be seen for what it is. The Law cannot save, only condemn. But the Christian, living by the grace of God, should keep the law as a sign of love and respect for God, so long as doing so is not seen as a works-based salvation. ...and i'm sure you can think of a few reasons *other* than OT laws to avoid period sex... :rolleyes:

                                  ---

                                  Shog9 The siren sings a lonely song - of all the wants and hungers The lust of love a brute desire - the ledge of life goes under

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                                  • C Christian Graus

                                    Shog9 wrote: One of the great influences Paul the Evangelist had over the early Church was to convince them to allow gentiles - those not circumcised and compliant with the laws of Judaism - into their fellowship. Not wanting to contradict you and all, but it was Peter in Acts 10 who discovered that Gentiles could be saved, and told the church in Acts 11. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
                                    C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
                                    Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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                                    Shog9 0
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #37

                                    Christian Graus wrote: Not wanting to contradict you and all Oh, please do, at least when i'm flat out wrong as in this case. :-O

                                    ---

                                    Shog9 The siren sings a lonely song - of all the wants and hungers The lust of love a brute desire - the ledge of life goes under

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                                    • C Chris Losinger

                                      Christian Graus wrote: Basically, the OT Law was given to a specific group of people at a specific time. We are not those people, this is not that time, and it was given as a precursor to something far better which is available to you and me today. ok. got it. like Win 3.1 -c


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                                      Christian Graus
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #38

                                      Chris Losinger wrote: like Win 3.1 LOL - precisely. It was the best thing going for folks back then, but that does not mean we'd want to use it now. Christian No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer. - Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
                                      C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael P Butler 05-12-2002
                                      Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002

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                                      • S Shog9 0

                                        Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: Yes, you may have been given signs as proofs. But how can you be sure that it's not your brain playing tricks with you? I'll deal with this one first, sorry 'bout the backwards reply. Simple answer: you can't. In all seriousness though, you really can't be sure if what you see when leaving your house in the morning really isn't your brain playing tricks on you either. We *are* slaves of our own perception, and though this is easier to see (and condemn) in those with certain mental afflictions and/or a taste for hallucinogens, it affects us all. I look at a wall and say it is orange - you look at the same wall and also say it is orange, but there is no proof the colors we see are perceived at all the same to the both of us, merely that we have both learned to call it by the same name. We believe what our senses tell us in order to survive - as children, we must learn to interpret them without prior knowledge, and thus comes the "innocence of youth". But can we ever be completely certain? Experience tells us no, our perception can be easily tricked and misled. And yet, we must believe, for uncertainty would cripple us. Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: I'd like to turn the question around: "What if there is no god? Would it break your world?". Well, thank you for acknowledging that it *is* my world...:-O *ahem* I have no shortage of faults, arrogance not the least of them. There is certainly a possibility of my losing conviction of the existance of God, though i pray it does not happen. Would it break me? Hard to say... whether my life ends in a suicidal killing spree or after many years spent with no goal greater than a beer on Friday, i would say it was a waste of what God has given me. Without the concept of Life as a Gift, i would be forced to either find other motivation, or accept life as meaningless. Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: I also believe that the power of communicating way back was limited, therefore they amplified their words with gods, miraculous events, etc. I wonder... are we *that* much better at communicating today? How many people do *you* know, who still can't see the forest for the trees, as it were? How often isn't it enough that *someone* has obtained proof for it to be Truth? How could it be otherwise? Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: I'm trying to find out whether christian beliefs can be based on good wi

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                                        Jorgen Sigvardsson
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                                        #39

                                        Shog9 wrote: I look at a wall and say it is orange - you look at the same wall and also say it is orange, but there is no proof the colors we see are perceived at all the same to the both of us, merely that we have both learned to call it by the same name. This is sort of my point. It is possible to establish that a wall is oranged based on well defined laws. Orange for instance has a specific spectral pattern which is easy to measure. So, the orange wall is very much tangible. A vision or a calling is not tangible. It is not possible for me to experience what another person has experienced. I used to be atheist, but after an interesting conversation with a friend of mine, I think I'm agnostic now. Mostly because logically you cannot disregard anything until you have proof that it does not exist. And vice versa of course. I guess it's a way of structuring my view of the world - leave out the blanks until someone/something fill them in :) Shog9 wrote: Without the concept of Life as a Gift, i would be forced to either find other motivation, or accept life as meaningless. Now there's a question! What is the meaning of life? Does it have to have meaning? Before we were conscious beings (say a million years ago or so), did life have a meaning? I think I'll never find out, so I'll just settle for enjoying life as much as possible, eventhough it stinks every now and then. :| Shog9 wrote: I wonder... are we *that* much better at communicating today? At least we have developed better means of communication. We can read and write, we can watch and listen. We're communicating right now, are we not? I believe the bible, for instance, was written in such a way that all the key points could not be mistaken. Compare these sentences "Do not drink the water, you may become sick." and "Do not drink the water. If you do, you will die a most horrible death as your belly will burst and your guts will fall down on the ground, leaving a bloody mess". Which one would get your fullest attention? I think that 1500-2000 years ago, man had not yet developed logical skills as we have today (except for some greek geniuses). I think it was hard to communicate using "normal words" and get the message across the table. I believe the horrible and magical things in the bible were added because it would get the readers attention. Shog9 wrote: How often isn't it enough that *someone* has obtained pr

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                                          Chris Losinger wrote: what about: 'Morning, Chris - this might sound like a cop-out, and you can certainly take it that way, but... There is no list. There is example. OT law laid out hundreds of rules on cleanliness, along with procedures for becoming ceremonially clean. These served several purposes: they set the Israelites apart, they were a constant reminder of how utterly impossible it is to be pure in God's eyes, and in many instances, they are beneficial from a public health perspective. Neither Judaism nor Christianity began as works-based religions. The Law was put in place as a mirror, showing us clearly how far short we fall in God's sight. The rituals of sacrificing doves, etc. in restoring ceremonial cleanliness are reminders of our need for redemption. Christ, in his life, pointed out the foolishness of becoming slaves to the Law. He communed with sinners, healed on the Sabbath, ate without properly washing his hands. He put the commandments in perspective, noting: "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." Not that the Law can be ignored because of this; rather, it should be seen for what it is. The Law cannot save, only condemn. But the Christian, living by the grace of God, should keep the law as a sign of love and respect for God, so long as doing so is not seen as a works-based salvation. ...and i'm sure you can think of a few reasons *other* than OT laws to avoid period sex... :rolleyes:

                                          ---

                                          Shog9 The siren sings a lonely song - of all the wants and hungers The lust of love a brute desire - the ledge of life goes under

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                                          Chris Losinger
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                                          hmm. fascinating stuff. once a year i learn a little bit about christianity. in previous years it was via the Discovery channel when they'd show endless Jesumentaries. this year, i chose CP. :) Shog9 wrote: and i'm sure you can think of a few reasons *other* than OT laws to avoid period sex as my grandma once said (about this very topic), "some men like a little sauce with their meat". :~ -c


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