Weekend, December 8 and
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Not So Familiar Christmas Scripture: Isaiah
9:6For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
| Recommended Reading Isaiah 9:1-7 |
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Today He still counsels us through His Word and by His Spirit. When you don’t know what to do or need a corrective or encouraging word, open your Bible. He's still the Wonderful Counselor. As hymnist John Morison wrote in 1781: "His Name shall be the Prince of Peace, forevermore adored, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the great and mighty Lord."
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1. the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.Those definitions can be applied towards Christianity. However, there is more to it than just being a philosophy.
3. a system of philosophical doctrine
5. a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.
There are people who may or may not adhere to Christianity (in general) and choose to focus on everything secular about Christmas (in particular), while ignoring the truth involved in the religion and the true Reason for the season - Jesus Christ.
Most Bible-believing born-again Christians consider their own Christian faith as a personal relationship with Christ. We would most likely apply the word origin and history definition of the term "philosophy" because of its accuracy in describing what we gain from studying the Bible:
Word Origin & History
philosophy
c.1300, from O.Fr. filosofie (12c.), from L. philosophia, from Gk. philosophia "love of knowledge, wisdom," from philo- "loving" + sophia "knowledge, wisdom," from sophis "wise, learned."
It was interesting to see the atheist on O'Reilly's show become all upset about the "Christianity is a philosophy" argument that Bill opined during the debate. The atheist wanted Bill to admit that Christianity is a religion. O'Reilly stated that a "Methodist" is a religion, and if someone was trying to promote only the Methodist religion at Christmastime, he would be on the atheist's side.
What???
Sounds confusing, doesn't it?
Well, O'Reilly put up a bit of a smokescreen during the argument; perhaps in an effort to try and win the debate. People often do such things. However, I watched the interview two times (it was repeated yesterday while Laura Ingraham was subbing) and did not hear the term "faith" discussed. For some reason, Bill left that out; probably because it would have forced him to admit that Christianity is a religion.
O'Reilly stated that Jesus "was a man" when the atheist (who figuratively was turning blue in the face with frustration) continued to argue that Christianity is a religion.
Of course it is!
There are self-described "Christian religionists" who have their own kind of twisted beliefs that don't match up to what the Bible teaches. That is a huge mistake! Jesus informs us that the Father's "Word is Truth" and he asks the Father to "sanctify them by Your truth."
| Jhn 17:17 | "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. |
Jesus asks each of us, "Who do you say that I am?"
| Mat 16:15 | He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" |
How one answers that question reveals just what kind of faith one has and whether or not one has a personal, soul-saving relationship with the one true God and only Savior, Lord, and King of the universe.
Peter got it right:
| Mar 8:29 | He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." |
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6 comments:
”Peter got it right: Mar 8:29”
And what did Jesus say to him afterward, hm? In the very next verse, no less!
In that same chapter,only a few verses before, Jesus heals a (nearly) blind man in Bethsaida, and afterward tells the man to keep his mouth shut about it (Mk 8:22~26). This “undercover Savior” business is quite noble, but if he kept telling people to not talk about it, he had no reason to rant against Bethsaida and the other cities, as he later did (Mat 11:21, Luk 10:13). Then again, those books are about Jesus the Legend, not the man.
Please don't try to explain his tantrum using Verse 31:
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
He knew all that, and still got upset, cursing Bethsaida and Chorazin. He claimed he'd have to be rejected by the elders and other authorities, yet still seemed to think the people would rally to him. Why, when he'd told them to not even talk among themselves about the things he'd done?
I assume your leading question is open to all, so here's my contribution: it is all three, with some advisories.
It is a philosophy, in that it pursues knowledge and wisdom. Unfortunately, it has used and does use that in order to suppress anything it perceives as contrary to its own knowledge. For centuries, only its own scholars were allowed to own or read its primary text; your own branch, Protestantism, didn't come about until both the printing press and greater literacy were achieved. Even then, it was long a crime to translate the Bible into the common tongue, although it's pretty certain that Jesus never spoke Latin.
Shall I go on? Thank you.
Shall I go on? Thank you.
You gave us a dictionary definition of “philosophy” but not the other two. We can't discuss them unless we have a starting point, so:
re·li·gion [n] Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely
First Known Use: 13th century
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
Given those parameters, there can be no question that Christianity is a religion. It is considered to be that first, far and above any mere 'philosophy', which many of its supporters deride. Still, many of Christianity's brightest lights—Tertullian, Irenaeus, Origen, Thomas Aquinas—were philosophers.
CJW: There are self-described "Christian religionists" who have their own kind of twisted beliefs that don't match up to what the Bible teaches. That is a huge mistake!
Got anyone specific in mind? I can think of a few who might fit that description, but you're the Christian here, not me. Who do you think is impure, and why aren't you on their case about it (as the Bible instructs you to do)? [Mat 18:15~17]
Christianity has beliefs, practices, and rituals that supposedly unite all its factions, although I doubt that Eastern Orthodox clergy would find much in common with, say, Latter-Day Saints. As pointed out earlier, many Quakers don't observe Christmas, but still worship Christ. Many sects refuse to use any other Bible except the KJV, but at least a dozen other versions exist...and all are divinely inspired, and all are 100% factual and accurate. Or so I'm told.
Are we agreed, then, that Christianity is in fact a religion, or are you claiming more for it? I know you'll have feedback, so come out swingin'.
I'll get to that last part in a while: the real world is calling.
GM,
If you would just do some research via Bible Commentaries, you would learn most of the answers to your questions and objections.
Regarding Jesus telling the man not to return to the town (from Matthew Henry commentary):
IV. The directions Christ gave the man he had cured, not to tell it to any in the town of Bethsaida, nor so much as to go into the town, where probably there were some expecting him to come back, who had seen Christ lead him out of the town, but, having been eyewitnesses of so many miracles, had not so much as the curiosity to follow him: let not those be gratified with the sight of him when he was cured, who would not show so much respect to Christ as to go a step out of the town, to see this cure wrought. Christ doth not forbid him to tell it to others, but he must not tell it to any in the town. Slighting Christ’s favours is forfeiting them; and Christ will make those know the worth of their privileges by the want of them, that would not know them otherwise. Bethsaida, in the day of her visitation, would not know the things that belonged to her peace, and now they are hid from her eyes. They will not see, and therefore shall not see.
That is one example of why Jesus sometimes instructed certain people who had been miraculously cured to keep it from certain people who had seen previous miracles done by Jesus but still did not believe.
I agree that the term Christianity can be a philosophy, a religion, and also a faith. It means different things to different people. However, the Bible tells us, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Therefore, those who only utilize the term as a philosophy or4 religion do not necessarily "get it" (or, perhaps, refuse to recognize it as a genuine faith because of outward rejection of Christ.)
As far as "religionists" are concerned, there are hundreds of heretical religions and offshoots of The Way (which was the original title of following Christ). We could include Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, liberal Christian sects, and the various cults that have sprung up over the last 2,000+ years. Heresy isn't new - been around since the early days of the spread of Christianity. This is why the Bible is so crucial to following the truth. It is truth without any mixture of error. Human beings often tend to add in their own mishmash of traditions; but many extraneous beliefs and untruths (e.g. the resurrection of the dead has already happened) prove dangerous and lead to severe heresy and apostasy.
Everyone is impure! That's the point! Christ came to save that which was lost - which includes every human being who has ever lived. The Gospel of Christ is the only method for salvation. Period.
CJW: ”If you would just do some research via Bible Commentaries, you would learn most of the answers to your questions and objections.”
Only most of them?
Henry seems to think that the people who really wanted to know should have come out to witness it. No doubt some of them had done so, and still didn't believe it. As every salesman knows, sometimes you have to repeat something over and over before you can get a sale. My memory's rather fuzzy here, but Bethsaida must have been one of those places where Jesus 'could there do no mighty work' (Mark; as opposed to Matthew, who said 'not many mighty works'). Their unbelief stymied him.
Disbelief is more powerful than the Son of the King of the Universe? Amazing!
”...Heresy isn't new - been around since the early days of the spread of Christianity.”
Heresy has been around since the early days of religion, period. There must have been some Egyptians who thought all that stuff about Horus was nonsense, or that Ra didn't really chauffeur the sun through the sky. Don't kid yourself; Christians may have invented the word, but not the concept.
”Everyone is impure! That's the point! Christ came to save that which was lost - which includes every human being who has ever lived. The Gospel of Christ is the only method for salvation. Period.”
I myself have never encountered a 'Christian religionist' who would describe himself as such. He would simply identify as a Christian...just as you do.
What, exactly, IS the Gospel of Christ? Telling people that they were born for the fires of hell, and that most of them will indeed burn there?
What, exactly, IS the Gospel of Christ? According to Matthew, God promises to forgive all who will forgive others! Not one word is said about believing in Christ, or believing in the miracles, and certainly not in believing in any holy book. Jesus is not on record as ever having said, “You must believe in Me.” Did Matt get it wrong, or have other people been dressing up Jesus' words for the past 2000 years in a way that pleases them?
I know you don't like my objections, but it was not my intent to voice them this time; I came to answer your opening question. It seems I'm the only one who has bothered to take it seriously enough to try.
Shall we move on to the 'faith' part, or continue with this? Up to you.
Unbelief (or disbelief) doesn't "stymie" Christ. "Narrow is the way that leads to life. Broad is the way that leads to destruction" are not the words of Someone who would be "stymied."
Mat 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide [is] the gate and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
Mat 7:14 "Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Believing in Christ is achieved through answering the question, "Who do you say that I am?" Individuals have a choice to either choose or reject Him as the Son of God, Lord and Savior in their lives. And don't pretend that you don't know what the Gospel of Christ is! Your profile claims that you once were a Christian - and now you are not.
You are making things up just to start some kind of stupid argument. Jesus certainly did say to believe in him:
Jhn 14:1 ¶ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Jesus' prayer to the Father (part of it) reveals belief in him also:
Jhn 17:21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, [are] in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Jhn 17:22 "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
Jhn 17:23 "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Jhn 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
Jhn 17:25 "O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.
Jhn 17:26 "And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare [it], that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."
If you want to "move on to the faith part" go right ahead. It is the part where you and I obviously part company.
One can say that Christianity is a religion and/or philosophy without believing; but putting one's faith in the Lord is the "stumbling block" for many and is exactly why "narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" is absolutely true.
CJW: ”Unbelief (or disbelief) doesn't 'stymie' Christ. 'Narrow is the way that leads to life. Broad is the way that leads to destruction' are not the words of Someone who would be 'stymied'."
Does your Bible not say there were places where he could perform almost no miracles? Does it not describe the cause? Doesn't it say that Jesus 'marvelled because of their unbelief'? (Mark 6:6)
”...don't pretend that you don't know what the Gospel of Christ is! Your profile claims that you once were a Christian - and now you are not.”
That's right, I'm not. You'd better re-read my profile: I said I was once a believer. “According to some, I was never a Christian”...at least by their standards. You expressed some doubts about that yourself once.
When you address an argument as 'stupid' it means you want to avoid that line of thought entirely. I don't care if you think I'm mocking you—we're not talking your politics now. I'm making what I hope are serious points, and if you don't want to face them, that's your lookout. If I were a Hindu or Shinto or even Calvinist, you'd probably have some responses to those same questions without calling them stupid; you're saying it now only because they come from me.
”You are making things up just to start some kind of stupid argument. Jesus certainly did say to believe in him:...”
And yet we have the tale of the lawyer, who asked Jesus, “What must I do inherit eternal life?” The story is in Luke 10, v.25~28, right after he curses Bethsaida and Chorazin: you must know of it. What does Jesus say to the lawyer? (Hint: it's not “believe in Me.”)
From his own words, Jesus regarded himself as the messenger, not the message; as a revelationist, not the revelation.
”One can say that Christianity is a religion and/or philosophy without believing; but putting one's faith in the Lord is the 'stumbling block' for many...”
Oh yes, faith is a stumbling block for many, because it's so ill-defined. Hundreds of millions have faith in other gods as well as yours, though, so it can't be that big a difficulty.
”...and is exactly why "narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" is absolutely true.”
Every person who has ever lived came into life though a narrow and difficult gate. Some miscarry, and never make it to the gate. Some die getting through the gate. Some find the outside environment too harsh, and die shortly after getting through the gate. (Biblical 'birth' metaphors are fun!) But I'm pretty sure I got it right the first time.
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