DBT

Nice try, but it doesn't work. Faith does not necessarily produce works.

And professional apologists have cooked up far more convoluted answers than that in an attempt to reconcile the two versions. They don't work either.

Eph. 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works, lest any man should boast."

"What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14).

"Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20).

lenrek

I think this thread is more suited for BC&H discussion. Thread moved.

RedShark92

Because we already have evidence that actually supports a more reasonable answer.

If you want to make an outlandish claim, especially one that contradicts a reasonable claim, then the burden of proof is your own.

As an aside; Indians believe in Shiva (among other deities). The Japanese believe in their various Kami. Those beliefs have been around for a very long time as well. Where is your proof that your beliefs about the nature of the universe are correct, and theirs are incorrect?

Jayrok

The bible speaks of the grave being "sheol". Hades seems more in line with hell or place of punishment.


I find your belief in Hades interesting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades

Hades does come from the Greek... Greek mythology. Hades, the god of the underworld had brothers and sisters, including Hera, Poseidon and Zeus.

Why would you believe a place called Hades exists, but don't believe in Greek mythology? Do you believe in Zeus? There is just as much evidence for him as there is for Yahweh or El, or Ra or any other god.

Avatar

The burden of proof is on you to prove that they do exist...not on us to disprove them. All you have are anecdotes and second-hand tales. Prove that demons and devils exist first, then I'll take your anecdotes a little more seriously.

BTW: Just because the Bible says these things exist is not proof either...it is merely more anecdotal evidence.

Avatar

The question:
The non-answer:
Who worships the beast and his image? No one I've ever met. What is the mark of his name? By all means let me know...I'm thinking of getting a tattoo and I'd like to know what images to avoid.

philbar

Sheol is the Hebrew equivalent to the Greek Hades.

I believe what the Bible tells me and Greek mythology contradicts that. Now christians believed in the concept of taking truth where it may be and claiming it as their own. This is why other Pagan beliefs seem to intermingle the Bible. So if the Greek belief in Hades is correct, then the Bible used it.

philbar

The beast has not yet come (at least from I understand of prophecy) so it is unclear as to who these people are, what the mark will be. Remember, there is still a lot of prophecy that is not complete. So that is the best answer you are going to get.

Jayrok

So bits and pieces of greek mythology, and other pieces of pagan myth are considered true, if christians believed in them.. how convenient it is to sift through mythology and pick out some things that might support our cause while dismissing the rest of the mythology as rubbish.

Believing in something doesn't make it "correct". It just makes it acceptable for said belief.

aa5874

Nonsense! The prophet Elijah was taken directly to heaven long before the so-called Jesus died. He was directly 'saved' by the God of Abraham.