Richard's Content

#441820 The spirit and the new covenant

Posted by Richard on 27 July 2012 - 09:29 PM in Theology

Acts 16.14 is interesting because "the Lord opened Lydia's heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul". So far the consensus exposition of "God changing our heart" seems to be that "we change our heart by reading God's word" or similar. I find it hard to read that sort of process into Acts 16.14. The process in Acts is that God works on our heart so that we come to respond to his word. We might read God's word all our lives and not respond.

"The Lord opened Lydia's heart" could mean anything. It could mean she had been encouraged by reading the Scriptures. It could mean she had experienced the mercy of God. It could mean something had happened in her life to make her think about things. We don't know.

#441856 Ezek 44.11 - Why are burnt sacrifices reintroduced in the Kingdom?

Posted by Richard on 29 July 2012 - 12:48 PM in Theology

In that case, why aren't we making sacrifices now?

We don't need to, any more than they will be needed in the Kingdom. But if we choose to enact sacrifices for learning purposes (as we sometimes enact the Passover), that's fine too. I believe that's how they'll be used in the Kingdom.

That's it. I don't know why this is hard to accept.

#441881 Ezek 44.11 - Why are burnt sacrifices reintroduced in the Kingdom?

Posted by Richard on 30 July 2012 - 08:03 AM in Theology

I can certainly see how the death of something may bring home a reality- but none of us needed such a physical display before we put this into action with our own lives, this message was demonstrated easily enough through the written word and the life of Christ, why is it you think in the future this will be a valuable tool? (even if occasionally)

Because mortality is all around us today. With the conditions during the Millennial reign of Christ people might need a stark reminder of the problem of death.

I don't see anything wrong with giving people graphic object lessons. If we don't need them then why did God bother with the Law of Moses in the first place?

#441836 Ezek 44.11 - Why are burnt sacrifices reintroduced in the Kingdom?

Posted by Richard on 28 July 2012 - 08:26 AM in Theology

How are burnt sacrifices in Ezekiel's temple going to educate anyone when we have done without them for all this time?

Possibly because of the enriched lives people will have in the Millenium, it will all be a graphic reminder of sin and mortality.

#438269 Elisha and the Axe Head

Posted by Richard on 14 March 2012 - 11:49 AM in Theology

I heard a talk on this recently and I think it went along the lines of the tree representing Israel and the axe head the Gentiles. So the fall of Israel brings Gentiles into the hope. It made sense when I heard it. Sorry for not having all the details.

#438319 Elisha and the Axe Head

Posted by Richard on 15 March 2012 - 07:34 AM in Theology

I believe the axe is just an axe, and the axe head is just an axe head. There's no symbolism here.

You don't believe there are parables taught in the miracles of Scripture? You also don't believe the bread and wine are seen in the dreams of the butler and baker. I don't know why. Scripture is full of this wonderful symbolism.

#438321 Elisha and the Axe Head

Posted by Richard on 15 March 2012 - 07:44 AM in Theology

You don't believe there are parables taught in the miracles of Scripture?

I do, and I'm sure Ev does.

You also don't believe the bread and wine are seen in the dreams of the butler and baker.

I know why they're seen there; active imagination.

Wrong. It's called Bible study.

#438323 Elisha and the Axe Head

Posted by Richard on 15 March 2012 - 07:52 AM in Theology

I agree that logic is a determining factor in Bible study. That's why I said the conclusions made in the examples given are from Bible study, because logic is involved, as well as reliable methods, validation processes and so on. I am not a fan of Ockham's Razor, it seems like someone made it up and the Bible came before whoever Ockham was.

I know you guys on here have a different Bible study method and it's not one I am particularly fond of using myself but that's fine for you I guess. I prefer to let Scripture interpret Scripture and use the power of intertextuality and related methods. Don't knock it; it's powerful.

#438325 Elisha and the Axe Head

Posted by Richard on 15 March 2012 - 08:44 AM in Theology

I can't be bothered. Every time I come here I feel unwelcome in any case so I think I will just get on with other stuff. Thanks anyway

.

#438326 Elisha and the Axe Head

Posted by Richard on 15 March 2012 - 09:10 AM in Theology

And if you can't figure it out, it's in your last sentence. Things like that is the reason why people stay away from this place.

#438329 Elisha and the Axe Head

Posted by Richard on 15 March 2012 - 09:37 AM in Theology

Sorry, I thought you were just being pompous. My apologies.

The method I used is to confirm connection when there are at least two or three links between different passages of Scripture, not just "this is what I think this means".

#441016 'Spirit' in Galatians

Posted by Richard on 04 July 2012 - 12:17 PM in Theology

Hyperion has done a study on Galatians.

#444118 The Trinity...

Posted by Richard on 22 November 2012 - 08:00 AM in Theology

Don't get upset because you cannot provide a verse which you think thwarts the Trinity....I have yet to find a Unitarian who can...of which, pretty much tells me their confidence level in their world-view...yes?[/size]

Personally speaking I have more confidence in the lack of evidence for the Trinity in the Bible than just about any other topic. It's simply not there. The whole Bible, all its principles, are contrary to it. If I accepted the Trinity I would have to throw the Bible message away. It's hard to debate something that is so outside the realm of what the Bible teaches.

#440239 John Loftus throws in the towel

Posted by Richard on 24 May 2012 - 12:59 PM in Apologetics

The Bible says we are to indoctrinate our children - see Deuteronomy 6 and Proverbs 3 for instance. But far from producing psychological damage this is designed to help them! Nobody is forcing us to teach our kids nonsense; we can stick to sensible Bible principles.

#439342 Handy wall chart of logical fallacies

Posted by Richard on 25 April 2012 - 08:23 AM in Philosophy

Why can't we?

#439274 Handy wall chart of logical fallacies

Posted by Richard on 24 April 2012 - 07:59 AM in Philosophy

Ooh looks nice, thanks.

#441525 Adam Weishaupt

Posted by Richard on 17 July 2012 - 12:58 PM in Apologetics

It has been suggested to me that the return of the Jews and the establishment of Israel was a Christian plot in order to fulfill Bible prophecy. One name that came up is Adam Weishaupt, who as far as I can tell was a founder of the Illuminati. It all sounds very fishy to me but how would you respond?

#441549 Adam Weishaupt

Posted by Richard on 18 July 2012 - 07:45 AM in Apologetics

Yes I lived through the David Icke era, right from when he was presenting sports shows on TV through to his fall into complete nonsense. It was all extremely bizarre.

#441086 Jepthah did not sacrifice his daughter.

Posted by Richard on 07 July 2012 - 08:48 PM in Theology

There are OT passages which are challenging to those who see the Bible through a ~~Christotelic~~ Christ centred lens, but this is not one of them.
~~FTFY~~ Changed it for those of us who had no idea what that word meant.

Changed it for those of us who had no idea what that word meant.

#438180 Does anyone own a NET Bible?

Posted by Richard on 13 March 2012 - 09:54 AM in Theology

Can hardly stand the translation myself but the notes are fantastic.

What don't you like about it and what version do you have?

I just don't like the way it reads and I have found more clunkers than I have had hot dinners.

I use it, the NASB, ESV, KJV among several others.

Thanks again. My reply was more along the lines of 'How did Christ save us by placing himself in a position in which the Law cursed him?'.

To demonstrate we are saved by faith not law.

#442763 Roberts vs Bradlaugh

Posted by Richard on 01 September 2012 - 06:47 AM in Theology

I would debate Hitchens right now. I'd fancy my chances too.

#438848 Adam. Firstborn of all creation?

Posted by Richard on 03 April 2012 - 02:03 PM in Theology

I am a little befuddled here, are you claiming that you agree that there was a civilization already in development prior to the Creation of Adam on the Sixth day?.....

No. I'm saying that I believe the story of Adam is one which defines the people of Israel

How could that be when Israel didn't come along until a long time after and from Adam came all sorts of other nations?

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