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What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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Darth-Ghost
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
4/20 5:08pm
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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What if you were cremated?
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Obi-Zahn Kenobi
Registered:
Aug '99
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Date Posted:
4/20 5:24pm
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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Darth-Ghost posted:
What if you were cremated?
Consider also, that I'd wager a lot of the atoms in my body have probably been in the bodies of other humans in times past. Do we have to share?
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dona meis pulsum, peuri, et libera anima mea
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TrulyGhent
Registered:
Jun '07
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Date Posted:
4/21 4:38pm
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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Obi-Zahn Kenobi posted:
Darth-Ghost posted:
What if you were cremated?
Consider also, that I'd wager a lot of the atoms in my body have probably been in the bodies of other humans in times past. Do we have to share?
[face_don't_look_at_me] "With God, all things are possible." 
I would have to say that the ashes would somehow be reverted back to their original form: If our original bodies are to be discarded, then the evangelists would not refer to it as a resurrection.
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Rebel Spy: Contributing to the chaos any way I can!
"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried."
< Get's distracted. >
"Sometimes I amuse even myself."
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Kimball_Kinnison
Registered:
Oct '01
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Date Posted:
4/22 3:53am
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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Darth-Ghost posted:
What if you were cremated?
The way I look at it, God put me together the first time without any problems. I'm sure He can do it again.
Obi-Zahn Kenobi posted:
Darth-Ghost posted:
What if you were cremated?
Consider also, that I'd wager a lot of the atoms in my body have probably been in the bodies of other humans in times past. Do we have to share?
A lot depends on what is considered your original body. Does it include every skin cell and hair that you ever shed? Is it only what makes up your body at the moment of death? Is it something else? And that's not even touching organ transplants.
You also need to remember that atoms of the same element and isotope are considered perfectly identical and interchangeable. I'm sure that God has something worked out.
Kimball Kinnison
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You deserve the wrath of Kimball...- OWM
Why, Kimball... I didn't know you had it in you.- KW
I think that Kimball just made a joke, and a funny joke at that.- Raven
Stupidity got us into this mess, why can't it get us out?
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Bravo
Registered:
Sep '01
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Date Posted:
4/22 9:50am
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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Kimball Kinnison posted:
A lot depends on what is considered your original body. Does it include every skin cell and hair that you ever shed? Is it only what makes up your body at the moment of death? Is it something else? And that's not even touching organ transplants.
You also need to remember that atoms of the same element and isotope are considered perfectly identical and interchangeable. I'm sure that God has something worked out.
All the years I've been here, I have to say the few times I've stumbled across your posts Kimball, this one has to be a classic. For all the sciencetific (sp?) talk in the above comment, you end with a very on-sciencetific (sp?) way: "I'm sure that God has something worked out."
I can't help but wonder---which is something I've brought up in Bible Studies before---what if all the different view points, as long as their Godly based a course, were right? What if, when we get up to Heaven, we find God smiling at the fact how by our different points of views about the Bible, we ended up discovering more about Him and His Perfect Plan and Eternal Life for us?
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Believer in Jesus Christ
"All right, I'll give it a try." - Luke Skywalker, ESB
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." - Yoda, ESB
"Now, be brave, and don't look back. Don't look back." - Shmi Skywalker, TPM
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Kimball_Kinnison
Registered:
Oct '01
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Date Posted:
4/22 10:08am
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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Bravo posted:
All the years I've been here, I have to say the few times I've stumbled across your posts Kimball, this one has to be a classic. For all the sciencetific (sp?) talk in the above comment, you end with a very on-sciencetific (sp?) way: "I'm sure that God has something worked out."
Many years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a fireside where M. Russell Ballard, one of the members of my Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke. Before the fireside began (I was attending live, but it was being broadcast around the world), he opened the floor for questions. I will never forget one of the questions, and his answer.
One young man got up and simply asked "What about the dinosaurs?" In response, Elder Ballard said, "I don't know. It's on my list of questions for the Lord when I see him." Just because someone has a very close relationship with God doesn't mean that they have all of the answers.
I am not so egotistical as to claim that I either have all of the answers, or that I am personally able to get all of the answers anytime soon. There are some areas where God simply hasn't spoken on the subject, or hasn't given us all of the details. I figure that those things are not as necessary for my eternal salvation. Does it really matter if my resurrected body is all of the same atoms as my current body? Personally, there are more important things for me to think about.
Kimball Kinnison
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You deserve the wrath of Kimball...- OWM
Why, Kimball... I didn't know you had it in you.- KW
I think that Kimball just made a joke, and a funny joke at that.- Raven
Stupidity got us into this mess, why can't it get us out?
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DarthDogbert
Registered:
Sep '04
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Date Posted:
4/22 11:24am
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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1 Cor. 15:35 posted:
But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”
This is the question being asked as I understand it, and Paul gives the answer in the following verses.
1 Cor. 15:36-38 posted:
36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.
We do not know what our eternal body will be like, but we do know it will be as God pleases. And He tells us here that to make the assumption that it will be the same as our earthly body is as foolish as thinking a plant will take the same form as its seed.
1 Cor. 15:39-41 posted:
39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.
This part always gave me troubles, but I've come to understand is that it's reminding us that each "body" that God creates is designed to serve its purpose. Fish were created to swim and birds to fly. The sun, the moon, and the stars each were designed to serve their individual purposes.
The point is, we shouldn't be worried about the form or fitness of our eternal bodies because we can trust that the body that God gives us will be designed for eternity.
1 Cor. 15:42-49 posted:
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
Here again, Paul reiterates that there is a difference in the bodies we have before death and the bodies we will have in eternity, namely, the first is natural and the last is spiritual. Concerning the features of our heavenly body, again, we do not know except that we will be as Christ when He returns, as seconded by John in 1 John 3:2.
"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
1 Cor. 15:50-57 posted:
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “ O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Concerning those who have not died at the point of Christ's return (and I think it would be reasonable to conclude those such as Elijah, Enoch, and even Jesus who were taken into Heaven while alive), this passage answers that they will be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
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Proud father of twin girls!  May the force be with me... 
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ObiWan506
Title: JC Head Admin:
Currently away
Registered:
Aug '03
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Date Posted:
4/22 7:36pm
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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Excellent verses there. Thanks!
Kimball is right. They don't hand out books that contain answers to all of life's questions at our local church. There are so many questions that can't be answered by us. It doesn't effect my faith and eternal salvation though.
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If you have any questions about Christianity and/or Jesus, I'd love to talk to you. Please PM me.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved!" Acts 16:31
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Yes, I am a sinner. So are you. We all have a Savior.
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Jango10
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
4/28 6:29pm
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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I was wondering what everyone's favorite Bible verses are. Here's mine:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
-Romans 8:28
This verse is pretty much how I live my life. I rarely worry or get stressed out, because I know that God has a plan for everyone.
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"I love the smell of Napalm in the morning."
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ObiWan506
Title: JC Head Admin:
Currently away
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Aug '03
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Date Posted:
4/28 9:14pm
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
- Date Edited:
4/28 9:15pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
ObiWan506
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John 19:30, speaking of Jesus on the Cross as he died. I tear up every time I read it.
"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."
He finished His work and then He gave up his spirit. The Greek work for that means 'gently placing one's head on a pillow'. No one took Jesus' life. He laid it down on His own accord and showed that even in death, He is the Lord.
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If you have any questions about Christianity and/or Jesus, I'd love to talk to you. Please PM me.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved!" Acts 16:31
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Yes, I am a sinner. So are you. We all have a Savior.
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DarthDogbert
Registered:
Sep '04
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Date Posted:
4/29 9:46am
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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An interesting thought on those last words of Christ that I've had on my mind for the last couple of years.
Jesus was only 33 when He proclaimed that He had completed His work. He was only around 30 when He began His public ministry.
That seemed so old not too long ago, but I'll be turning 30 this year. It makes me stop and think about how much I've done (or haven't done), and what my plans for the next few years are. I know that if not for the grace and forgiveness of God I could never attain the perfection of Christ, but it still makes me want to set a fire under myself and step it up a notch.
As for my favorite verse, I will have to be unoriginal and agree with Romans 8:28. Also Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
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Proud father of twin girls! May the force be with me...
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ObiWan506
Title: JC Head Admin:
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Aug '03
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Date Posted:
4/29 12:24pm
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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I think it's great that you analyze yourself and strive for more. Strive to submit yourself. That's the true work. So many intellectually ascend to the secure belief of Jesus, say their prayer and then go on with their life. With me, it's that I've finally started to understand that all the sin we do makes us so sinful. That I am so humble and knowing that I am worth zero without Jesus. I trip up everyday, but I strive to keep walking forward. Walking closer. Picking up my bible, reading it and realizing just how sinful I am. I won't let complications turn me away completely though. I can't strive and feel guiltily about pleasing God because I'll never do it. I won't be able to please Him with my own works. No one can do that. Paul says in Philippians 3, "Look, you want to talk about the Law. I have followed it with zeal. I've done all these things. And for what? Nothing. They make me not righteous. I discard those so that I can find righteousness in Christ by faith." Trying to please God by your own means is too much and it doesn't work. That yoke is a burden and it's too hard. No, Jesus removes that yoke. He is the truth and has set me free. My burden is light and I can more forward now. Not motivated with pleasing God for my salvation, but by feeling free and being an instrument for His glory.
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If you have any questions about Christianity and/or Jesus, I'd love to talk to you. Please PM me.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved!" Acts 16:31
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Yes, I am a sinner. So are you. We all have a Savior.
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nancyallen
Registered:
Nov '07
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Date Posted:
5/2 4:29am
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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One thing I have been wondering, if it hasn't been answered already. Some people in any given religion might take a more relaxed view on their faith and guidelines, that is try and be the best person they can be but not be militant on all the rules and guidelines. Others from the same religion adopt a more dogmatic viewpoint where each and every indiscretion is seen as ultimate sin. Which is right? Which is wrong? This might lean a bit against those who are dogmatic in their faith but how can they not be crushed under the weight they put themselves under to be perfect in every way?
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Even as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for God is with me.
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ObiWan506
Title: JC Head Admin:
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Date Posted:
5/2 7:16am
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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You just described the exact reason on why Jesus frees all. Now sure, some Christians are more dogmatic then others. No problem. Cool. The bottom line is to keep it on Jesus. The true, biblical Jesus. What He does is take away your filthyness and replace it with His perfection. Everyone is but filthy rags however we have an advocate that drapes us in robes white as snow. So we free ourselves from the bondage of sin. At that point, yes, you allow the Spirit to fill you and lead a better life. Don't confuse the word "perfect" though. That doesn't mean sin-less. We'll all sin and we need to be humble and repent from them and ask for forgiveness.
So yeah, as Christians we'll still sin no matter how dogmatic we get. Now, hopefully we sin less, but ultimately we are saved for good works. To reflect the grace given to us. Jesus gave you His life so the way I view it is: I don't want to take advantage of that gift He gave me. I want to push forward. I'll stumble. I won't make it. Paul didn't. The maturity comes in the journey though. We are saved through Jesus and now we're ready to mature spiritually. That's the bottom line.
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If you have any questions about Christianity and/or Jesus, I'd love to talk to you. Please PM me.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved!" Acts 16:31
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Yes, I am a sinner. So are you. We all have a Savior.
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nancyallen
Registered:
Nov '07
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Date Posted:
5/2 7:25am
Subject:
RE: What is Christianity? How can we understand it better? What don't we understand?
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I'll certainly take that with me to think about and reply to, but since we're on the topic of Jesus carrying the burden so we don't have to, how much of the Old Testament are we to hold? I'm pretty sure many of the acts portrayed (the Crusades for example being a story of what was done rather than what we are meant to do) but with Jesus how much of the old ways still apply?
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Even as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for God is with me.
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