Posts by Vanderhoven7

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Yes, you did. You said And yes, happiness depend on what happens. It is called the indefinite future tense. As in "Will you enjoy yourself at the dance?" and the response "it depends on what happens." I take my English grammar seriously. Call me a nitpicker.

"Happiness depends on what happens." is a statement in the future continuous tense. It is the same as saying "happiness depends on the situation being experienced at the time". The statement is correct the way it stands "Mr. Nickpicker" ;^)

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Vanderhoven7

Aguest's problem is that she is obviously Christlike but doesn't notice. We'll have to work long and hard on her and hope her patience wears thin in the process.....you know.... to bring her down to our level.

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Vanderhoven7

Oh..did I say "will"? ;^)

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Vanderhoven7

<<What makes you happy is a good thing, but it is not necessarily true.>>

Back at ya Nick. ;^) And yes, happiness depend on what happens.

But the joy of the Lord, knowing Him, surpasses that by miles, independant of gain or loss. You may bask in spiritual emptiness and emancipated thinking; I will bask in the love and mercy of the One whose brow graced a crown of thorns. God forbid that I should glory in anything less.

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Vanderhoven7

<<One cannot say parts of the Bible are scripture and parts are not.>>

All scripture is inspired...correct. But not everything in the Bible is scripture. We do not have the original documents. There are different kinds of errors that accompany copying, translating, additions by scribes etc. Many of these errors can be spotted when comparing ancient manuscripts.

Evangelical Christians see the scriptures as inspired but not necessarily perfect in the form and language we currently have them in...but reliable enough to base one's life, faith and practice. Most of the problems enter in the area of interpretation. But the greatest source of error IMHO is derived from interpolation (i.e. adding to the word of God to establish doctrine).

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Vanderhoven7

<<I agree, the Genesis story is not credible. It crumbles under the weight of massive contradictory evidence. But I also agree that the very basic tenets of Christianity fall apart without it, and it is for this reason I am not a Christian.>>

Just to be accurate, this is not why you are not a Christian (in the biblical, rather than cultural sense at least). Even if you accepted the entirety of scripture as being true...you may still not see your spiritual poverty for what it is.

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Vanderhoven7

LOL. Yes, sometimes metaphorical interpretation is justified...and sometimes it is not. The WTS majors in Apocalyptic literature. Being "in the truth" is entirely founded on accepting their interpretations derived from this genre. (i.e. Matthew 24, Rev.7)

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Vanderhoven7

<<But the fly in the ointment are those genealogical accounts in the Christian gospels>>

Excellent. Can't have it both ways.

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Vanderhoven7

I think we need to distinguish "being in the truth" from having/believing "physical facts and/or theories". True, biological facts are often indisputable. Historical "facts" less so.....and, of course, moral and religious "facts" are universally questioned.

But, "being in the Truth" requires certain presuppositions. In the case of the WTS, it tantamounts to, "accepting the authoritative teachings of and being in submission to, the WTS, no matter how right or wrong their beliefs are at the moment". To a Mormon, it's all related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

But, biblically speaking, "being in the truth" has nothing to do with visible organizations. It has to do with relationship with a person...and that relationship requires Holy Ghost revelation...revelation about our absolute poverty of spirit and the horror of sin, as well as the sole solution to our wretchedness.

Only when, through divinely given faith (revelation), the love of God delivers us from ourselves into the grace and mercy of the Redeemer, are individuals "in the Truth", and can rejoice and glory in fellowship with the Father and the Son.

Vander

202

"Are you In the Truth?"

by Nickolas in

i can't remember the last time i was asked that question because it has been many years.

nor do i remember my response to the questioner but it no doubt contributed to not being asked the question since.

are you in the truth?

Vanderhoven7

Hi PS,

<<Well, wording aside ( whether it meant virgin of young girl), I have no problem with a "virgin birth".>>

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

I know you don't. But not much of a sign if a young lady conceives - right? :^)

Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

BTW I'm sure Nick thinks we have wandered from the truth of his original post.

Vander