TheRealityOfMan

Just thought I'd add another of St. Paul's experiences. The interesting thing here is that he has no idea of what it means.

2 Corinthians ...

[1] It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
[2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven.
[3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth
[4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
[5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
[6] For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
[7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
[8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
[9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Angyson

reasonable people can and often do hold unreasonable beliefs.

Well put. I like that.

Angyson

[QUOTE=Cynthia of Syracuse]I assume you mean DSM?

Of course, I was referring to the Demilitarized Zone that psychiatrists call their bible.

Angyson

one can actually choose which personalities, from any story or personal experience, are prime in the dynamic hierarchy- anything from Gandolf to Mhoram to Prince Tigana to Jfk to penelope to Leonardo Devinci to Horton to Kath to living people you admire

Great, I choose Alexander the Great , who was born only 20 kiometres from my bithplace and is my hero, not Adolph.

Angyson

Then you were being influenced by other Christians, even if they weren't there in person . You think you'd have converted if you HADN'T had a bible with you?

NO.

Okay that's maybe a bit of an unfair question

NO.

.. I suppose there's nothing wrong with converting after reading the bible. What specifically made you convert?

There was this hot Christian girl who would not listen to any of my atheistic theories until I first read the bible cover to cover. I really wanted to get into her pants, so I sat down and read it. By the time I got into the Gospel of John, I had nothing left to argue with her about.

God works in mysterious ways.

rfwu

Oh, so now we are treating paintings as photographic evidence, huh?

I too have seen such a painting, but this time Paul actually fell off said horse!

Angyson

Whatever happened to the commandment not to paint graven images ?

Chili

That must have been a protestant painting.

Chili

You mean like the ideal (idol) that "I became a Christian in the wilderness when I read the bible cove to cover?"

reprise

Please tell us which psychiatrists have drawn this conclusion and on the basis of what credible studies. I don't think that the DSM-IV TR existed in Biblical times and I certainly don't know of any mental health professional in this day and age who would diagnose any significant mental health disorder on the basis of the written observations of others.

Most of the "Biblical writings" are open to question both in terms of authenticity and interpretation - which is why we have a whole forum devoted the to topic. Which is where this thread is bound.