Reincarnation: Life After Life

[Libby]

The belief that we live many lives; that we reincarnate after death and continue a cycle of birth and death until gaining liberation (Enlightenment).

[Libby]

Ran across this video some time ago and I think it is one (of many) very convincing arguments for reincarnation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EWwzFwUOxA

[MacG]

Ran across this video some time ago and I think it is one (of many) very convincing arguments for reincarnation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EWwzFwUOxA

Heya Libby. So I watched the video but noticed another evidential video where Tamara Laroux shot herself and went to hell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGQDkCi-OIY&feature=endscreen&NR=1). What's person to believe?

As you know Christians understand that it is appointed once for one to die then the judgement. Even the return of Enoch and Elijah won't be reincarnations as they did not die as we know death and when they do come back they will be Enoch and Elijah. Jesus returned from the dead in a body of different physical properties and ascended and said He will return. This puts to rest the conflict of Reverend Moon who claims to be the second incarnation of Christ because the first incarnation he made a mistake and got crucified. Or of the competing Christ that Jesus was one of the 8 incarnations of the Buddah culminating in the recently announced Lord Matrya.

Jesus will return in a body of flesh and bone just as he left the Disciples not in another unglorified form as He did in the Virgin birth. But then you know this.

Keep on seeking keep on knocking keep on asking and it will be given unto you.

Blessings,

MacG

[Libby]

Hi Mac! Thanks for stopping by and watching the video.

I am watching yours, right now...about halfway through.

I totally believe this woman experienced what she did. I have been saying that people who believe in hell, will experience it, especially if they think they deserve it.

We are creative beings (like our Father) and we can create very fearful and terrible places, for ourselves, as well as, heavenly places.

I remember a man in the Baptist Church, I grew up in, who had a similar experience, as this young girl's. He had a near-death experience, where he was falling (just as this girl was), falling into a dark pit, but he could hear heavenly angels above him, singing. When he came back and recovered from his heart attack, he spent a lot of time telling this story in various churches around the area. It was quite convincing, the way he told it..and I have no doubt, he really experienced it. He was living a very ungodly life, before his NDE, and it really changed him.

So, yes, I do believe we can, very vividly, create anything we deeply believe in, especially if we put emotion with it, like fear. I noticed the young girl described herself as a complete "being of fear".....wow, that is powerful. I am glad she got to come back and try again. Her next trip out should be much better. :)

[Libby]

I, recently, read a book by a woman named Elane Durham called, "I Stand All Amazed", who also had, what she calls, a "death experience", not "near death". She was actually dead for a whole hour, before she came back. They were prepping her for the morgue.

Anyway, this woman was not even a Christian, and she met Christ and had some pretty amazing experiences, which led her...into the LDS Church (yes, the LDS Church :)). She knew absolutely nothing about Mormonism, when she converted, but the LDS Church had many elements of what it was she was told to look for, when she was sent back. (Not all of the elements..and she makes it clear that her book is not a "conversion tool"). She is a universalist, in that she says there are many paths to God. Difficult to describe the whole book, in a couple of paragraphs, but it was interesting.

[Libby]

Here is another video explaining basic reincarnation. It suggests that human souls only take human bodies. Not everyone who believes in reincarnation believes that.

I don't think humans come back as animals...only human..and I believe our progression is always forward, towards God, never backwards.

http://vimeo.com/2754958

[alanmolstad]

we are born...grow old...die...and we don't come back to this life...


It is given to each of us one life.
That is what makes each moment so special, as each come but once to us and then pass forever.

at The Resurrection we are raised , some to life, some to everlasting death.

The body that is raised is not the same type of body that died.
The first body was a mortal body filled with pain and tears.

The future body will be fully human, but it will not be subject to this creation.

[Libby]

Well, we will disagree about reincarnation. Millions of people believe we return and have even had experiences that serve as evidence of it. I had some of my own (many years ago).

For me, it satisfies the terrible inequity that we see on this earth, as far as opportunities to understand and know God. How could a good and JUST God, possibly judge everyone based on this one short lifetime?? I don't believe he judges us, but allows us to experience to the point of awareness and knowledge of what is good and gives us time to make our way back to him. It takes many lives to get to that point.

[alanmolstad]

It's like looking at cherry blossoms...

each are seen as a beauty on their own...more so because each as so different, and each are so very temporary.

The temporary nature of life gives it it's value..

[Libby]

How do you explain this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZgUSUjzaYA

[Libby]

It's like looking at cherry blossoms...

each are seen as a beauty on their own...more so because each as so different, and each are so very temporary.

The temporary nature of life gives it it's value..

All life has value, Alan, whether we live once or millions of times...

If the temporary status of life gives it its value, then there is no value in eternal life...

[alanmolstad]

For me, it satisfies the terrible inequity that we see on this earth,

back when i was in Bible School I learned that one of the oldest books of the Bible is the book of JOB.

and the book of Job is all about how incredibly unfair life is.

If we look at the suffering of this life and try to find a place where it all adds up and is worth it we fail.

There is no point to life if we try to find a point to it...aside from God.


thats the message of the book of Job too, that aside from God we will never find a way to balance the scales of suffering and joy of this life to come up with an answer that lets us sleep at night.


That is why in the book of Job when Job asks God, "Why?" and God later shows up God does not even attempt to answer the question in a manner we would want....


The truth is that we are left with only the command by God to always keep our eyes on him....

That is the only answer to the question of human suffering...

[alanmolstad]

sorry you feel such.....But there is a lot of value in this life.....in each moiment of this life....

because it never shall come again.

[Libby]

I am not asking about the reason for human suffering. I am saying, a "just" God would give equal opportunity to KNOW HIM to all. Otherwise, judgement becomes very unfair.

[Libby]

sorry you feel such.....

I hope you will watch that video. It's quite startling and very interesting.

I had some similar experiences in my childhood that I recall very vividly, only mine were of a Native American...male. A warrior.

[alanmolstad]

I can only help you with things that can be tested/proved...

You can have all kinds of private thoughts, and as they are yours and none of my business, I dont want to suggest I can talk you out of em by reason alone.

[Libby]

When you say "tested/proved", you mean against the Bible, of course? The Bible is a wonderful book (much of it, anyway), but it's not all God has given us.

I'm not really interested in being "helped"...I've allowed way too much "help" (interference) over the past couple of years. Time to turn to God alone.

[alanmolstad]

from my point of view...the Bible and God are one and the same...

[Libby]

God is in there, no doubt about it.

[Libby]

I Look to You

http://youtu.be/MvlgG9Uqa6g

[alanmolstad]

God is the word,,the word is the Bible....

While all of us can pray and enjoy the idea that each day we learn a little bit more about our Lord,

But the truth is that we can not learn even the smallest thing about the Lord that is in the slightest disagreement with the received revelation found in our Bible.

Thus, we always keep in mind when we pray that we keep our prayers in-line with the scripture because we know the answers from heaven are always in-line with Scripture.

[Libby]

There is some evidence of reincarnation, in the Bible, and I have heard there was even more, that was left out, when the final canon was assembled.


Then three times, that we know of, Jesus assured his disciples that John the Baptist really was Elijah returned:

"But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him."
(Mark 9:13)

"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come." (Matt 11:13-14)

"But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him…" Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
(Matt 17:12-13)

http://www.markmason.net/ch16ex1.htm

[alanmolstad]

They asked because the day before they saw the real Elijah on the hill with Moses....

So they know the John was not the real Elijah, yet Jesus talks about him as if the two guys were the same?

This contradiction caused the question.

The answer is found in the names of people.....and in the introduction of the birth of John.

I havd had a topic about this answer that jesus gave but it had gotten lost in the forum history...

anyway it goes like this...

There are 3 guys that actually share the same name and have a lot in common....

and they are Joshua - Elisha - Jesus

Yes, i know in our English they seem to have totally different names, but trust me, it's the same single basic name that the 3 guys share.

They also have another thing in common.
They all came after a guy that gets a lot more credit than they ever did, yet they actually do far more great works than the first guy ever did.

Joshua came after Moses, and while Moses gets all the movies made about him, it actually fell to Joshua to turn a lost people into a country.


Elisha came after the more well-known Elijah, but it was actually Elisha that asked for and received twice the powerful spirit than Elijah could claim.


and finally Jesus came after the more widely respected John. Yet it was Jesus that did far more works than John did.

Now look at the book of revelation and the appearence of the "Two Witnessess" that proced the return of Christ....

Notice who is being talked about?


Yes, Moses and Elijah again!

They are called the two witnesses because they saw Jesus in person, face-to-face when Jesus went up the hill with Peter and the guys.

(Thus they witnessed)

Elijah was not the real John.

But He served in the same role as did both Moses and Elijah who also came before someone who would surpass their works..


John was killed.

Elijah never died.
Moses died, but an angel was sent right away to get the body.


We are not told why God needed to send an angel right away to get the dead body of Moses, but there is the thinking within the history of the church that Moses was raised from the dead.

It is important that the Bible does drop a big hint about this resuscitation of Moses when it points out that no human will ever find the grave of Moses.



Elijah and Moses die very real deaths in the future when they appear again at the last days.

[Libby]

Yes, I have heard the other explanations, but I think reincarnation was what was actually meant. It is believed by some researchers that both the Israelites and many of the early Christians believed in reincarnation.

[alanmolstad]

many people in a church can have all kinds of weird teachings.

But the faith, that actually teachings that come down to us in the Bible totally reject the idea...

So while its easy for people of the Mormon faith or JW faith or the moonies or even the Nazis to dig back and point to this or that person in the early church as proof their teachings are historical, the real matter is that at all times in church history we have had side-issue CULTS spring up and lead people to become lost...

[Libby]

Early Christianity was a cult, if you define it as a breaking away from a mainstream religion. And, many of them did believe in reincarnation. That is expressed in the Bible verses I quoted, and other books written during that time, which were not included in the Bible.

[ActRaiser]

Early Christianity was a cult, if you define it as a breaking away from a mainstream religion. And, many of them did believe in reincarnation. That is expressed in the Bible verses I quoted, and other books written during that time, which were not included in the Bible.

I'd say Early Christianity was more of an original form of Judaism. With the exception of the Messiah not being known yet, Judaism followed God alone rather than Rabbinical interperatation of the Law. Google "Karaite Jews" for examples of this.

[Libby]

Thanks, ActRaiser. I'll check that out.

[TheSword99]

I'd say Early Christianity was more of an original form of Judaism. With the exception of the Messiah not being known yet, Judaism followed God alone rather than Rabbinical interperatation of the Law. Google "Karaite Jews" for examples of this.

Yes, that's true. Christianity came from the Jews.

[TheSword99]

There is some evidence of reincarnation, in the Bible, and I have heard there was even more, that was left out, when the final canon was assembled.



http://www.markmason.net/ch16ex1.htm

Hi Libby, this is all very interesting. Yet, if John the Baptist were literally the person of Elijah, it would have been a resurrection, not a reincarnation.

[Libby]

Hi Libby, this is all very interesting. Yet, if John the Baptist were literally the person of Elijah, it would have been a resurrection, not a reincarnation.

Hi TW....that's interesting and a possibility, I suppose, but if he came in a completely different body (John the Baptist was "born" of a woman) then it was not a resurrection of his old body, but a reincarnation, in a completely new body.

Reincarnation was a very common belief among the Jews and early Christians.

[TheSword99]

Hi TW....that's interesting and a possibility, I suppose, but if he came in a completely different body (John the Baptist was "born" of a woman) then it was not a resurrection of his old body, but a reincarnation, in a completely new body.

Reincarnation was a very common belief among the Jews and early Christians.

In John 1:19-23, John the Baptist makes it clear that he was not Elijah, He was not THE prophet.

Also, remember, Elijah appeared with Moses at Jesus’ transfiguration after John the Baptist’s death.

The Bible says that everyone must stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give an account. If a man had let's say 10 previous lives, how can he give an account for all of them, especially since he would not remember these past lives?

[TheSword99]

Reincarnation was a very common belief among the Jews and early Christians.

Hi Libby, I did some research on what the Jews believed concerning reincarnation. What I found was that the majority of sects within the Abrahamic religions of Judaism and Christianity did not believe in reincarnation. The Kabbalah did, but they were Jewish mystics who sometimes dabbled in magic. Of course there were pagan religions that believed in it.

[Libby]

And the Jews believed in and even worshiped many of the pagan religions.

The early Christian Gnostics very much believed in reincarnation. There are even some Christian sects today that teach reincarnation.

[Libby]

Reincarnation in early Christianity (http://www.adishakti.org/_/reincarnation_in_early_christianity.htm)


"The doctrine of reincarnation was banished because it gives power and authority to the people. Reincarnation contradicted the aspirations of a few bishops and deacons who felt they alone should dispense the truth to the mul***udes. This authoritarian strangle-hold is strengthened by the doctrine of "one chance-one life" because a person who wrongly chose to think for themselves, dismissing the authority of the hierarchy, would not get another chance to put things aright if they guessed wrongly. The position of the hierarchy is that eternal damnation without parole would be the irrevocable fate of those who dared to question the hierarchy's authority."


"In the first five hundred years of Christianity, reincarnation was most certainly on the main stage. It was a prominent and well- respected merchant in the bazaar of Christian theology.

A significant number of early church pillars such as St. Augustine, Clement of Alexandria, St. Gregory of Nyssa, Justin Martyr, and St. Jerome believed in the doctrine of reincarnation.

[Libby]

Scriptural support for reincarnation:

http://reluctant-messenger.com/origen10.html

[TheSword99]

None of this addresses the truth which the Scripture teaches that everyone must stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give an account for everything done. How can a man who has lived many lives give an account?

[TheSword99]

Scriptural support for reincarnation:

http://reluctant-messenger.com/origen10.html

I'm not surprised that Gnostics believe in reincarnation. They also believe that salvation is achieved through relational and experiential knowledge. It clearly contradicts what Jesus taught. When it comes to Christ's Gospel, there are no secret knowledge that we need to have. Gnosticism was considered the most important “heresy” that the early Church faced.

[Libby]

None of this addresses the truth which the Scripture teaches that everyone must stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give an account for everything done. How can a man who has lived many lives give an account?

At the end of each life there is an accounting. Not for judgment, but to assess what has been learned and what progress, if any, has been made. There is also a long resting period, in paradise, for most, before their journey continues.

[Libby]

They also believe that salvation is achieved through relational and experiential knowledge.

That's correct (especially the relational part) and I don't believe it does contradict what Jesus actually said.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you"

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

[TheSword99]

That's correct (especially the relational part) and I don't believe it does contradict what Jesus actually said.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you"

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

The kingdom of God is not within everyone. Here, Jesus was speaking to the pharisees who had rejected Him and His teachings. He taught that we must be born again.

He also made it clear in response to their unbelief “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matt 12:28)

In other words it accompanied His person and was made known to them.

[TheSword99]

At the end of each life there is an accounting. Not for judgment, but to assess what has been learned and what progress, if any, has been made. There is also a long resting period, in paradise, for most, before their journey continues.

And your source is?

[TheSword99]

At the end of each life there is an accounting. Not for judgment, but to assess what has been learned and what progress, if any, has been made. There is also a long resting period, in paradise, for most, before their journey continues.


Unbelievers who will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) This judgment does not determine salvation, either. Everyone at the Great White Throne is an unbeliever who has rejected Christ in life and is therefore already doomed to the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:12)

Universal salvation is a false doctrine.

[Libby]

I disagree. Elitist salvation is a very false doctrine.

[TheSword99]

I disagree. Elitist salvation is a very false doctrine.

I believe all of God's word. Jesus taught a great deal about hell. They were clear warnings.

[Libby]

I believe in hell, TS. I believe people actually go there...but, I do not believe that God sends them there, nor is it "eternal" (although, it may certainly feel that way).

Man is the sole creator of hell. Not God. God continues to strive with us, always, with much love and grace. We need only turn to him, at any time, to be "saved"...and we ALL will, eventually.

We belong to God. Nothing can keep us from him.

[TheSword99]

I believe in hell, TS. I believe people actually go there...but, I do not believe that God sends them there, nor is it "eternal" (although, it may certainly feel that way).

Man is the sole creator of hell. Not God. God continues to strive with us, always, with much love and grace. We need only turn to him, at any time, to be "saved"...and we ALL will, eventually.

We belong to God. Nothing can keep us from him.

Jesus never said man created hell. God originally made hell for satan and his minions. True, God does not send anyone there. We go there by rejecting the Son.

[Libby]

Our loving Father will not send anyone to hell for a "wrong belief"..especially, since more than half the world doesn't even know about "Jesus".

He cares about our hearts and the way we treat people (and animals and this world in general). Our lives show whether or not we have accepted his "Son".

[TheSword99]

Our loving Father will not send anyone to hell for a "wrong belief"..especially, since more than half the world doesn't even know about "Jesus".

He cares about our hearts and the way we treat people (and animals and this world in general). Our lives show whether or not we have accepted his "Son".

Do you believe in a mix of eastern religion and New Age? As far as parts of the world not knowing about Jesus, scripture tells us that the way of salvation has never changed. It was the same way before Christ came as it is now. We are saved through faith. Abraham believed God and that was counted as righteousness. This was before there were churches and the 10 Commandments. Those things do not save anybody. God has clearly revealed Himself in nature (Rom 1:20) and in the hearts of people that we are without excuse. In the NT we see God revealing Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Instead of debating the fate of those who have never heard, Christians, should be doing their best to make sure they do hear. We are called to spread the gospel throughout the nations.

You had said that you have known Jesus all of your life. That He is your Teacher. Yet toss aside what he taught concerning hell. You do not say that he is God. He claimed equality with God the Father and certainly we are not equal for Jesus created all things and we are his creation.

[Libby]

TS, I am a Hindu/Christian. It is the Christian religion, as many may have practiced it, in the first century, including the Apostles.

I don't "toss aside" anything that is truly from Jesus (at least, from my perspective). I said, I do believe in hell. I just don't believe the same way you and most conservative Evangelicals believe. My interpretation is a little different. Same with some of the other of Jesus' teachings.

As for people being without excuse for not believing in God, I somewhat agree with you on that. I do believe nature is the one of the best evidences of a Higher Power. But, I was speaking about the personality of Jesus.

Some Christians believe that one must have their particular understanding of Jesus, in order to be saved. I don't see it that way. The teachings of Jesus come through many, in a large variety of ways. How could that not be, considering the unimaginable Being that is our God? He created all of this diversity...and the means to reveal himself, in a large variety of ways.

Most people want to put God into a very small box...I think, because it is difficult for us to imagine/understand what God must truly be like. Our minds can't comprehend, so we have to bring him down to our size. But, he is so much more.

[ActRaiser]

Oh dear Libby.

No.

There is no such thing as a Christian Hindu or a Christian Satanist.

Not that Hindus are as bad as Satanists, but. . .

It's almost as rediculous.

[Libby]

Oh dear AR....YES, there is such a thing as a Hindu-Christian! And it is not even close to anything like satanism! Ohmy! :)

There are thousands of Hindu-Christians in 175 countries across the globe.

[ActRaiser]

Oh dear AR....YES, there is such a thing as a Hindu-Christian! And it is not even close to anything like satanism! Ohmy! :)

There are thousands of Hindu-Christians in 175 countries across the globe.

If you said "Hin-Di", then I'd agree.

[TheSword99]

TS, I am a Hindu/Christian. It is the Christian religion, as many may have practiced it, in the first century, including the Apostles.

I don't "toss aside" anything that is truly from Jesus (at least, from my perspective). I said, I do believe in hell. I just don't believe the same way you and most conservative Evangelicals believe. My interpretation is a little different. Same with some of the other of Jesus' teachings.

As for people being without excuse for not believing in God, I somewhat agree with you on that. I do believe nature is the one of the best evidences of a Higher Power. But, I was speaking about the personality of Jesus.

Some Christians believe that one must have their particular understanding of Jesus, in order to be saved. I don't see it that way. The teachings of Jesus come through many, in a large variety of ways. How could that not be, considering the unimaginable Being that is our God? He created all of this diversity...and the means to reveal himself, in a large variety of ways.

Most people want to put God into a very small box...I think, because it is difficult for us to imagine/understand what God must truly be like. Our minds can't comprehend, so we have to bring him down to our size. But, he is so much more.

The Apostles were Jews. Christianity came from the Jews and not from Hinduism. They never taught multiple deities, reincarnation or karma. The Hindu scriptures are very different from the Holy Scriptures.

[TheSword99]

I don't "toss aside" anything that is truly from Jesus (at least, from my perspective).


But do you believe Jesus is God?

[Libby]

Yes. He was a pure expression of God.

[TheSword99]

Yes. He was a pure expression of God.

What do you mean by "expression"?

Do you believe there are many roads to heaven besides Jesus Christ?

[Libby]

What do you mean by "expression"?

I mean that God expressed himself, completely, through the physical vehicle called Jesus Christ.


Do you believe there are many roads to heaven besides Jesus Christ?

We are all on the road to God Realization. God can and does express himself through each and every one of us, when we get our ego out of the way.

[ActRaiser]

I mean that God expressed himself, completely, through the physical vehicle called Jesus Christ.



We are all on the road to God Realization. God can and does express himself through each and every one of us, when we get our ego out of the way.

"I say to you that in that day MANY will say to me "Lord, Lord, have we not cast out demons in your name, have we not prophecied and done many wonderful works in your name?" And I will say to them "Depart from me, workers of Iniquity, I NEVER KNEW YOU"

God may express ourselves as God all he wants but he plainly states that we have to get our ego out of the way in the RIGHT way, by accepting Jesus as the way God made for us to get to Heaven.

[Libby]

Yes, Jesus is the way to attain Christ Consciousness.

[ActRaiser]

Yes, Jesus is the way to attain Christ Consciousness.

No. Christ Consciousness is not a Christian teaching. It's New Age/Mystic or Eastern.

[Libby]

Christ Consciousness is not a Christian teaching.

Indeed it is.

"But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." 1 Cor 2:16

[ActRaiser]

Indeed it is.

"But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." 1 Cor 2:16

Put it in a Christian context please. WHat do you think it means in a Christian context? Because we sure as toadstool will never be as wise as Christ, or a deity like he is.

[Libby]

Why not just take the verse at face value.

And, yes, we will have the "Mind of Christ" (actually DO have, but are just not aware of it), because we cannot live with God, if we don't.

[ActRaiser]

Why not just take the verse at face value.

And, yes, we will have the "Mind of Christ" (actually DO have, but are just not aware of it), because we cannot live with God, if we don't.

If everyone is God, then no one is God. Think about it.

[Libby]

I didn't say everyone was God.

Are you, at all, familiar with Hinduism/Buddhism or any other eastern religions? They are all similar in many ways.

God is like a pyramid, and dwells as One Perfect Expression, at the top, but also expresses outward, as the "many" through his creation. We are all a part of that "essence" that comes from the top...and can even become fully aware of it, with a little effort on our part. It's always there, but we are, generally, so focused on body consciousness (our worldly self...or what a Christian might call the "natural man") that we are oblivious to it, most of the time. A little may creep in, now and then, but it's rare, unless we are making a conscious effort to become aware..

[ActRaiser]

I didn't say everyone was God.

Are you, at all, familiar with Hinduism/Buddhism or any other eastern religions? They are all similar in many ways.

God is like a pyramid, and dwells as One Perfect Expression, at the top, but also expresses outward, as the "many" through his creation. We are all a part of that "essence" that comes from the top...and can even become fully aware of it, with a little effort on our part. It's always there, but we are, generally, so focused on body consciousness (our worldly self...or what a Christian might call the "natural man") that we are oblivious to it, most of the time. A little may creep in, now and then, but it's rare, unless we are making a conscious effort to become aware..

The problem is that Christianity is nothing like Eastern religion.

[Libby]

The problem is that Christianity is nothing like Eastern religion.

I know it doesn't appear so, to you, now...but at the core there are many similarities...and God works through most religions, and even outside of religion, to reveal himself to all.

[ActRaiser]

I know it doesn't appear so, to you, now...but at the core there are many similarities...and God works through most religions, and even outside of religion, to reveal himself to all.

That's the Anti-Christ's way of uniting all religions into one.

God has nothing to do with other religions outside Christianity and Judaism.

[Libby]

Anti-Christ? Hardly.


God has nothing to do with other religions outside Christianity and Judaism.

Why would God reject and abandon most of his creation?

Those kind of exclusivist beliefs are very unrealistic and not indicative of loving and merciful God.

[ActRaiser]

Anti-Christ? Hardly.



Why would God reject and abandon most of his creation?

Those kind of exclusivist beliefs are very unrealistic and not indicative of loving and merciful God.

God does not reject his creations until they die without Him.
I believe scripture indicates everyone has some way of knowing Jesus is the Messiah.

[TheSword99]

God does not reject his creations until they die without Him.
I believe scripture indicates everyone has some way of knowing Jesus is the Messiah.

I agree. The Scriptures says that God has made Himself known through His creations that man is without excuse. When a person rejects God, He gives them their wish. But until that happens God calls us to Him over and over. But hearts get hard and God won't call forever.

[Libby]

The only thing I really disagree with, in your post, TS, is that God would ever give up. He doesn't. He keeps drawing us and we will all, eventually, respond.

[TheSword99]

The only thing I really disagree with, in your post, TS, is that God would ever give up. He doesn't. He keeps drawing us and we will all, eventually, respond.


Gen. 6:3 "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man." God will not keeping calling to man forever. There will come a time when God will stop calling man to give up his sin.

Romans 1:24 "God gave them up to do unclean and sinful things from the lusts of their own hearts"

Over and over the scriptures tell us that He is long suffering. Yet for some, after God has been patient for a long time, He may decide to end calling to them. He may decide to let that person go.

[Libby]

"I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you. .."


Romans 1:24 "God gave them up to do unclean and sinful things from the lusts of their own hearts"

I wouldn't interpret that as a permanent condition. We are allowed to pursue our greatest desires, in the moment....but, eventually, we will all turn back to him.

[TheSword99]

"I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you. .."



.

God made the above promise only to those who are born again. Then they become sons/heirs of God. This is why once saved, always saved is correct.

But Libby, if you are also a believer in Hinduism then you need to understand that God said we cannot serve 2 masters. You cannot have both God and the hindu deities.

[Libby]

Well, I don't serve "Hindu deities"...I serve God alone. There are a lot of misunderstandings about Hinduism...mainly that they are polytheistic (which, most of the main sects are not). They believe in One God who expresses himself in many ways.

[Libby]

God made the above promise only to those who are born again.

Well, I disagree.

This exclusivism really does become tiresome.

[TheSword99]

Well, I don't serve "Hindu deities"...I serve God alone. There are a lot of misunderstandings about Hinduism...mainly that they are polytheistic (which, most of the main sects are not). They believe in One God who expresses himself in many ways.


www.swaminarayan.org/faq/hinduism.htm


"The ancient seers of India recognized that all of God’s creation does not just center around man, but that man shares the universe with numerous life forms. Some life forms have less powers and abilities than humans while others have more. God grants some of these various higher beings cosmic powers and assigns them the responsibilities of running the “machinery of the universe.” These higher beings are also known as devtãs, devãs or gods. While Hindus respect these gods to be higher than humans, and even propitiate them in times of need, Hindus also readily acknowledge that these gods are clearly subservient to and have their origin and sustenance in one Supreme God. Hindus are thus monotheists, worshippers of one Supreme God, in every sense of the word."

God, our heavenly Father, said He will not share his glory with another. He also denies the existence of any other gods.

[Libby]

Historically, many groups have been unwilling or unable to understand the true position and function of the various gods within Hinduism. Consequently, out of misunderstanding or prejudice, they have incorrectly labeled Hinduism as polytheistic in the sense of the ancient Roman or Greek pantheon. However, this is incorrect. Just as other religions consider themselves monotheistic while still accepting the existence of “angels” and other superhuman divinities, Hinduism should be considered monotheistic in the same sense.

From the link you provided, TS.

Hinduism is not polytheistic.

[TheSword99]

Historically, many groups have been unwilling or unable to understand the true position and function of the various gods within Hinduism. Consequently, out of misunderstanding or prejudice, they have incorrectly labeled Hinduism as polytheistic in the sense of the ancient Roman or Greek pantheon. However, this is incorrect. Just as other religions consider themselves monotheistic while still accepting the existence of “angels” and other superhuman divinities, Hinduism should be considered monotheistic in the same sense.

From the link you provided, TS.

Hinduism is not polytheistic.



Hinduism teaches that God is an impersonal, eternal force, that has no personal qualities, but which pervades everything in the Universe.

Do you believe this?

[Libby]

Hinduism teaches that God is an impersonal, eternal force, that has no personal qualities, but which pervades everything in the Universe.

Do you believe this?

Hinduism does not teach that. God can (and does) have a very intimate and personal relationship with us, through various expressions.

You do have to realize that, like Christianity, there are many different sects of Hinduism. Beliefs may vary, a bit, regarding the nature of God. But, the reason Hinduism "appears" polytheistic is because of this belief that God can express himself through the many....but, it is always him...the One Perfect and unchanging God, in those variety of expressions.

[alanmolstad]

just something new for SvetaVeri to look at...LOL