I didn't expect an ask anything from you. I really didn't expect to be the diet poster . 

play4fun : Me being partially Asian makes me wonder what part of Asia you are from. Where are you from? I am guessing China/Japan?
Singelli : If you had to chose between reading the new or old testament for the rest of your life which would it be?

earthwarrior:  I actually asked permission for this thread over a month ago and got permission.  However, certain events took place and I didn't see a call to creating this thread.  Once all the said situation was handled though, I did get permission again, so I got permission from two globals (or prior globals).    I wasn't planning on starting this thread so soon after my return, but something just told me to start it today.  Plus, I was holding play4fun back from being able to participate in this.  

As for your question, I sat around thinking about that one -forever-.  I think I almost came to a sad conclusion that I don't have any dreams.  Well, it's only sad in one sense.  See, all my life....even at the young age of five, my dream was to teach.  I worked hard, got a full scholarship, finished my bachelor's degree in two years... and I accomplished that dream of becoming a teacher.

I became a saved Christian only slightly before that dream was accomplished, and so my new dream was to be with Christ and like Christ. However, I know I'm saved and will get to see my Glorious Savior, so I'm not sure that would qualify as a dream.  When I think of 'dream', I think of something that isn't a guarantee... something that you aren't certain is achievable.

So I came up with two half answers.   I still dream of being like Christ.  We are tempted every day into sin, and I, like all sinners, fall into that temptation.  My life long goal is to fight that and live to be the best example of Christ I can be.  My second dream is selfish: to live in the country side... surrounded by green grass and horses and cows and goats and chickens as far as the eye can see.  I've lived in the city for eight years and I hate it... I'd like to sit on my porch and forget the wiles of the world... to glance out on that green expanse of land and rock in a chair while sipping iced tea.

I'd also love to have children.  So I guess there's three dreams.  

Barathemos :  If you mean what PART of the site I like best, I like the forum boards.  If you want to know -what- I like the best..... well that's a much harder question to answer.  I love the mature members... I love being able to contribute my time to a good cause, and I love seeing that the younger generation isn't -totally- messed up.  LOL  I've surrounded myself with a group of people here that is totally awesome, and it's because of vizzed that I have grown closer to God.  I've been able to make online friends worth hanging onto, I've learned a lot about myself, and I've learned to be stronger in the face of adversity.  I've got a wonderful support group here that I should never let go of, and after Christ, that's all one really needs.  There are good people here.... very good people.

As for your question on the bible, that too is an iffy question.  (LOL!)  My answer would depend on what version of the bible you are referring to.  I tend to stick to the KJV.  I've never found a contradiction or wrong thing in it yet.  Most of the people that -try- to point out contradictions simply don't understand or consider the context of the verses they refer to.  Other versions of the bible, on the other hand, DO contradict.  I believe that God's Word is indestructible, and that my Savior would not lie to me.

BluemageKyle : Awwww, that's such a sad question!  LOL  However, I'd have to pick the New Testament if you absolutely gave me no choice.  The Old Testament does point at, refer to, and prophesy the coming of Christ.  In fact, many Jews use solely the Old Testament when witnessing because they see that connection clearly.  However, the gospel (the amazing story of Christ) is direct and testifiable in the New Testament.  In order to bring people to Christ and be as effective in witnessing as possible, I'd have to go with the NT. Good question!

Singelli : Wooow....just....wow. HOW COULD YOU?!?!?! We agreed that the layout would not be girly!!!!!

earthwarrior : I found myself thinking that I have different dreams depending on what stage of my life I'm in. Currently, I hope to be able to some day enter into a graduate school that focuses on Physics Education Research and either develop my own research in that field or to continue to teach Physics. It would be best if I can enter a doctorate program in that field and maybe even teach college while doing research.

I am also trying to develop two YouTube channels that can incorporate different film-making techniques and screenplay to educate about Physics and Christianity. Currently, the Physics one is still in development, but I already have some subscribers and a couple of episodes for my Christian(personal) channel, but there is still work to be done and more progress to be made, which I know how to get better, but resources are lacking at the moment. I also hope to maybe make some short films on that channel if I have any ideas.

Other than that, you have the typical types of dreams that a twenty-some year old boy can have: develop a career that I love to do, find someone special in mutual love, settle down, and continue to live for the glory of God, like sharing the gospel, studying His Word, discipleship, etc. I guess my ultimate goal in my life (and this might sound pretty vague) is to be able leave some sort of legacy in helping others, whether if it is knowledge or influence, individual or groups of people. I want to be able to heed to God's calling and to be remembered as someone who helped and influenced others for good.

A dream that is kinda out there is to be able to meet and befriend with as much people as I can, from different backgrounds and different cultures, and I think that technology and methods of travel have made this much easier in networking with other people, as it is evident in my time with the other peeps at Bible Study/Prayer meeting. (A shoutout to Singelli, mrfe, pokefreak, Surgiac, jzrozzon, Leon, Katrine)


Barathemos : I originally joined this site because my brother told me about the retro games on the site. I know a lot about different games of the past but I never really got a chance to play a lot of them when I was younger because of budget. So finding this site was really a blessing for me to experience these old classics at any time as well as being able to develop a ideology in gaming culture. Later on, I realized that there was an actual board connected to the site. At first, I didn't think much about posting anything, but seeing that there is a Christian Conservative forum, I decided to post around this area. If you stalk me, you probably noticed that I post more in this forum and the debates forum, though I do occasionally go to other forums as well as form some friendship among board members, but not a lot. I do plan on being more spread out in my posting gradually.

As for the Bible, I believe that all scripture is infallible and inerrant. scripture is God breathed and is the inspired Word of God and it is the source of understand God and our relationship to Him, and with the great figures of the past who devoted and sacrificed their lives translating scripture to languages like German, English, French, Chinese, etc, as well as the progressive development in Hebrew and Greek scholarship, the Bible is both a dependent book in antiquity and the great source of God and a biblical worldview. I use the ESV because it is one of those versions that translates in a "word for word" style while still having some poetic style to it.


BluemageKyle : I am Chinese. I was originally born in Hong Kong and I have lived there for 12 years before moving to the US.

This is for both of you:

What do you guys think of the prospect of "bringing Heaven to Earth"? If I told you that I am less concerned with going to Heaven when I die and more concerned with bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth while I've got the opportunity to walk in this life, would you call me crazy or do you agree that Christians should do more than just worry about where they're going?

I just want to know what other Christians think because I, for one, am of the mindset that where I go after I die is less of a concern than other people make it out to be. Now, I want to be with the Lord forever, but I'm really more concerned with the other people who aren't experiencing Him now, especially when the Bible makes it clear (at least to me) that we can and should experience Him.

Thanks guys!

Did God create man or beast first? What's your opinion on the old testament in general (is it mostly metaphorical or literal in your thoughts)?

I have a question for both of you that may be a bit tough...

If you never had found God through Christianity, what other religion or religious belief do you think you would be? And I don't mean another sector of Christianity like Baptist or Methodist.

Another way of putting this question, what other religion could you see yourself getting into had you not gotten into Christianity?

This one is Religious.....Sort of.
I have Two Angel Books and they cover all kinds of fun info.
One goes over a few odd notions. (Some may find offensive others may find comical. I will not cover the silly stuff that just causes problems.)

One I will cover is the notion of one having a female gender in some religious texts. (This one is also in many other Religions other than Christianity alone. Which I find Amazing.)
"Gabriel" is the name I think.

Why does this one name and Angelic Description happen to be one of the few things that many religions agree on?

Plus Why do some think this one was a woman and the rest men?

I do not remember what my books justifications were. (I can't find the books. I must have loaned them out.)

What are your take or takes on this topic?

And.....
Why was "Jacob" able to injure an Angel?

Good Luck To All.
Peace.

Singelli : Dear SIngelli...Is it true that Eve gave the forbidden apple to Adam?

Singelli :
play4fun :

Assumming your both Christians ( as for posting in the CC ).
What does being Christian mean to you?

Singelli :

Thanks for replying.
My instructors always said I was better at talking than Typing.
I enjoy employing informal jargon with a method of typing that resembles something other than the norm.

They could not understand my words either till I fluidly read my own work back to them once. Afterwards???....They "got it".

Back to Business. The Tree Ornament is a nice touch. Nothing more. I want to bring up Viking Myth and such due to the cold weather that is associated with the holiday.
BUT.... The simple truth is that the sculptors or wood carvers probably decided to create female angels due to their personal tastes.

With Art? Like say ... Michaelangelo's Chapel Painting? They are men.

I was wondering if you being Religious, and an Instructor, and having Access to people from all walks of life Could come across some answers for me. (I still can not find my books. I'll find them soon so I can clear a few thing up on my own. I just thought this would be fun.)

Many of my questions were answered.

Save one.

The other religions Plus Christianity recognizing Gabriel with the description of an Angel.
Like the Earth's Pyramids. Sometimes allot of the cultures (Throughout history) think alike.

Plus there was an old common rule about not killing the messenger. (This is not Sparta people.)

It is rare for me to talk history with someone.
"Playf4fun" get in on this conversation. You have a new question everyday on the Bible.

Good Luck To All.
Peace.

P.S. I have my own Idea of the Wrestling Match between Jacob and the Angel. New Names for the same guy are not a new concept in the bible. But actually getting into a physical contest with Divine Beings kinda is.

I still have trouble with that story.

Here's a fun fact.
Remember Jonah and the whale?
Whales do not have throughts big enough to swallow a man.
Sharks do though.
The original term was "Big Fish". Before it gets translated by monks.

Good Luck To All...Again.

orionfoxgibson :  I think I generally understand your posts.  I'm just always uncertain about my understanding of them.  Their format is away from the norm indeed, but I think it's just the way you separate your thoughts LOL  I do know play4fun is working on a reply. He's just got a lot going on in real life, but he told me he's working on it.  I expect he'll have it later today.

As I was typing my last response, I did consider the fact that people had the tendency allude to angels as feminine due to the physical attraction.  When one thinks of innocence, they tend to think of things in a 'softer' manner.

I did forget about your other question, actually.  I had a lot to respond to.    I think it was also the part of your post I was most uncertain about.  Are you asking why so many religions recognize Gabriel as an angel?  I think there are several ways this could be answered, but it does depend on what you're asking.   Can you confirm if I'm right about what you're asking?  Then, I'll probably wait for at least one more reply so that I'm not sandwich posting.  

pray75 : I think that if someone is a Christian, they wouldn't worry about where they would go after death. You see that's the thing that some non-Christians do not understand. Being saved is not simply what they perceived as "fire insurance." It is to be made right with God on what we've done as sinners, and to be able to live for Him and for His glory. That gratefulness of Jesus' sacrifice turns into obedience and wanting to be like Christ, to be good, to hate evil.

As for your statement, I don't see anything wrong with that. In fact, I think that is the next step in our conversion after justification. When God change us to be new creatures, our love for God and love for others would motivate us to not only share the good news to others, but also to fight injustice and help the poor and needy. Unlike our sinful selves, the good that we do before being saved can be motivated by pride or fame (the need to be noticed) but the godly do good because it IS good to do such things. I would even question a Christian's fruit if they were to say that they are NOT concerned about the salvation of others as well as the injustice that happens in this world.

I do have to warn Christian who focus too much on social issues without the gospel, because if their understanding of "Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven" as simply trying to help the poor and needy in this world without talking about eternal issues and how one's sins are forgiven, then no matter how much you help people in this life would become meaningless when they go from life to eternity.

Sephitard9001 : First of, your gif on the right is driving me NUTS!!!! Every time I look at it, it makes me want to type faster!!!!!! LOL

Singelli already answered your first question.

As for the Old Testament, you can't really say it generally in saying that the OT is mostly literal or mostly metaphorical. Everything needs to be taken into context. For example, you have the Psalms and Proverbs, filled with similes and metaphors, trying to make connection with analogies to praise God or call out to God for help. These are songs and poems, and not history, so we read them as poems. They might have elements of history and facts in them, since they have to take something from life to write their poems. Then you have the likes of Judges, 1 Samuel, Genesis, and some of the prophet books, these were written as history, not just the story, but also the style the Hebrew was written. These events were written as eye witness accounts of what has happened in history, and unless stated otherwise, should be taken literally. And then, you have the prophecy and visions which are harder to interpret, because they are written to describe a vision of future events (near and far). Some of the things can be allegorical because they might be describing something that they haven't seen before or because the visions are that abstract or figurative. But they could also be literal depending on how the context describes it. So it is like reading a book or a classic, the context will tell you how it should be taken. If you try to read it against the context, then you are doing it wrong in a literary sense.

ruesen : You might find this to be a cope out answer, but if Christianity doesn't exist, I don't see myself in anything else. I might go with Singelli's idea of going to Judaism since it is the same True God, but if they are still following the Old Covenant, instead of the New Covenant (Christianity), then they might not accept me since I am a Gentile. Then again, if the New Covenant never came, we would all be doomed anyways because no one would be able to work their way to salvation, which is what all the other religions teach. That is why Christianity is such good news. It teaches about God's grace and mercy when we don't even deserve it.

orionfoxgibson : If we look at the Bible, Gabriel was portrayed to be masculine. If you look at the book of Daniel where Gabriel was mentioned, he was described as one that looks like a man, and spoke like a man. So Gabriel is Masculine. I guess people might think he is feminine because Gabriel does sound like a girly name (I apologize to all the Gabriels in this world )

As for why he is familiar to other religions, it might be because there are certain religions that relate back to the Abraham, like Islam and Judaism. I don't know if there are others who might take Gabriel as an angel name, partially because I don't think other religions believe in angels.

As for the Jacob vs the angel. There are different discussions on whether Jacob was actually wrestling with an angel or God Himself. But I think we can take this not just as an event, but also a symbolic way, because this happened before he approached his brother after many years since he lied against him. He was dealing with so many things, and now he is wrestling with God. Some might think that he is not only wrestling physically, but also his issues, and it was in the end that he realizes that he was wrestling with God and gave up on it, and God blessed him in that incident. I think there is a symbolic meaning involved in that event, with Jacob realizing he shouldn't wrestle against God, but to just surrender his issues to Him. I think that is what we can get theologically, but I may need to study it more.

iN008 : That is big question. No joke. Whoever claims that they are followers of Christ should find this question to be met with a huge answer and they probably talk a lot about this. If they simply say that "oh, my family follows it, so I follow it." or "yeah, I just said this prayer/walked the aisle when I was a kid, so yeah, I'm a Christian", then they don't get it.

If I can describe it like an analogy. I would describe it like if I were to be in a courtroom and I am found guilty of my crimes. The judge is my father and by law, the judge should pass sentence. Instead my father decided to take my place and take my punishment, and justice was satisfied. God's love is so great that He would die for my sins and take my place, a wretched sinner like me. From my gratitude of what he did, that gratitude turns to obedience to follow Him and want to be more like Him, when before that I was in rebellion against Him and against what is good. And that is what God did for the rest of the world. We are all wretched and sinful and rebelled against what is good. You compare yourself to God's standards and you see that you are nowhere CLOSE to meeting it at all. And from that, we should be punished, but by God's Grace, Christ died on the cross to take our place, and as God Himself, defeated death. If we trust in God's sacrifice, we are given a clean slate and we are white as snow. If we don't, that means we continue to rely on ourselves to try to make up for our sins, which no one is capable of doing so.

Being a Christ follower is not just an act or a title, but a commitment and total surrender of self. It is also the power of God that changes you as a person. It is coming to grips with reality and willingly admit that we - no matter how good people can see us to be - are wretched people. Yet God saved us when we don't even deserve it. That is what love is, and my love for Him makes me want to follow Him, to praise Him, to share the good news about Him, and to be like Him-showing genuine and unconditional love to others. To love what is good and righteous and hate what is evil and wrong. The way Christians live their lives show the type of love and commitment they have in following Christ and how God cleans us for good.

Faith in Jesus Christ is not part of a person's life or part of a person's identity. It IS my life, and it IS my identity.

play4fun :
Thanks for taking the time to answer.

The gender thing is a device I employed to avoid getting looked over. I do not think Divine Beings have the same issue as us mortals might have with Defining traits. It was employed by the books to grab attention too.
And.
It works.
I studied and went over a ton of info and had a great good time.

Thanks for covering Abraham. It is a simple origin story to explain a ton of fun points. An interesting song that was employed so it could be remembered easily too.
Why is it not effective when we are older? (No need to answer. That's a joke.)

The Wrestling Match and Jacob? Thank you for covering it.
Everyone has their ..."Rubicks Cube Story."
They may not have the solution as quickly as they want.
But I will have my answer when I find it and am ready for it.

I too think this is a part that could be symbolic.
I have no idea how the hip can be injured while thinking about a problem though. (Unless the dude is at work. Witch was probably all day. Everyday life was full of activities back in those days.)
Yet still the new name???

Like I said.
Thank you.
When I have my answer I will tell you guys.

Good Luck To All.
Peace.

orionfoxgibson : Oh, I do believe that the hip was literally injured because God caused it during the wrestle. I just think that the entire event as a whole may have an additional symbolic meaning to go with the actual event. Again, there is still question as to whether Jacob was actually wrestling God or an angel.

If you have any more questions, let us know. (That goes the same for everyone else! Ask anything, whether if it is spiritual things or personal!)

play4fun :
Keep the faith.
One of us has to.

Good Luck To All.
Peace.

I just wanted to reiterate here that the questions don't HAVE to be about religion, if that's what's keeping so many of you away.