Easter: Message of Jesus?
February 18th, 2018 at 8:24:45 PM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 | My education was public school till seminary and then I was Jesuit trained from there so questions were often all I had and they were constantly encouraged. I imagine if you went to a Catholic Church instead of some fundamentalist Church we would be having a much better and more fruitful discussion. “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
February 18th, 2018 at 9:50:42 PM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25013 |
If that's true, why don't you had adequate answers for some of the pertinent questions. Like, what sins did Jesus die on the cross for? That's a big one you still haven't addressed, all you do is beat around the bush and obfuscate. ob·fus·cate ˈäbfəˌskāt/Submit verb render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
February 19th, 2018 at 3:53:59 AM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 | Jesus died for all our sins. Is that clear enough for you? Do you have any answer to the questions I posed to you? “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
February 19th, 2018 at 8:07:00 AM permalink | |
beachbumbabs Member since: Sep 3, 2013 Threads: 6 Posts: 1600 |
Jesus died for all of us, the ultimate altruistic sacrifice. Whether we believe in him or not, or thought it necessary, that's what HE believed, was instructed by God to do, and that's what he did. He asked to be spared the pain of it, but God told him that's why he had come to earth, and so Jesus allowed them to murder him. Christians honor that sacrifice either symbolically or literally with the Transfiguration of bread and wine. (Transfiguration was a roadblock for me in considering Catholicism, fwiw. I think it's purely symbolic, and don't accept the miracle it represents). Human sacrifice for godly purposes had been practiced in many religions, including Christianity, for thousands of years at that point. Abraham offered God Isaac, for example, and he's considered a common ancestor to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Some still practice it today, like self-immolating monks. So, in that time and place, that society, it's not hard to imagine that chain of events. Never doubt a small group of concerned citizens can change the world; it's the only thing ever has |
February 19th, 2018 at 8:39:06 AM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
That's not the right question. The right question is: why is this relevant to me? Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
February 19th, 2018 at 9:07:42 AM permalink | |
Dalex64 Member since: Mar 8, 2014 Threads: 3 Posts: 3687 |
I should have been more explicit in directing my question to you last time regarding why you believe in the resurrection. Here is a case where a particular religion has declared that something they do every day is a specific kind of miracle, which you have decided not to believe. So, how do you decide which parts of the bible, or which directives from some organized religion, are to be believed, or which are just parables, metaphors, or some other literary agent and not the literal truth? Are the only choices "literal truth" and "not to be taken literally"? Aren't there other choices, such as "complete fabrication"? Did you chose your religion based on what you were willing to believe? "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts." Daniel Patrick Moynihan |
February 19th, 2018 at 9:10:47 AM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 |
It is relevant because I think we all feel a disconnect between the person we are and the person we want to be. This disconnect can be turned to a type of despair or not feeling good about ourselves. This ironically is the number one thing holding us back from being more like the person we want to be. Therefore Jesus came to let you know that your sins are forgiven, that you are loved unconditionally and that we should not listen to the lies that tell us we are bad, unworthy, or hopeless. It is the freedom we need from guilt and shame that allows us the space to flourish. “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
February 19th, 2018 at 9:15:06 AM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
Funny how it's Christian doctrine that keeps harping on other people being bad, unworthy, hopeless, sinful, etc.
I don't feel guilt or shame, except when I do things that induce such feelings. It's not a constant state of being. So, what's the relevance? Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
February 19th, 2018 at 9:18:03 AM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 |
I am interested to here Babs answer but I was wondering if you caught my answer or if it got lost in the Evenbob fluff. Here it is again:
In regards to your further questions here, yes there are other choices and one of them is definitely "complete fabrication". Also I chose my religion based on what spoke into the human condition and made the most sense of life and the universe. I also chose my religion based on historical evidence, interior logic, scientific evidence, philosophy, coherent theology, the witness of great men and women, miracles, and personal experience. “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
February 19th, 2018 at 9:23:32 AM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 |
Plenty of evidence of this around. Also keep in mind that it is Christian doctrine that keeps harping on despite people behaving bad or sinful that this is NOT who we are. We are good, worthy, hopeful, and loved - this is what Christian doctrine is harping on!
I'm glad that it is not a constant state of being. However, the lasting impact of those things that caused you guilt or shame is separation from a perfect God. Jesus reconnects us to God through His perfection and His sacrifice for us. Therefore the relevance is not just a current moment state of being, but rather an eternal gift of righteousness with God. “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |