John A. Broussard

Wow! Imagine what an advanced course in Christianity would be like.

Can you clear up the following?

Jesus was the son of god before he was "born of a woman."

Is that correct?

Thanks for your patience in explaining these things to me.

Johnny Skeptic

Are you saying that propehcy is or is not a useful means of proselytizing non-Christians? If prophecy is not very important to you, would you mind starting a new thread and state why you became a Christian? It is difficult to adequately discuss issues with Christians without knowing specifically why they became Christians. Your posts are only as valid as the foundations upon which your beliefs were built. We need to know what those foundations are.

CJD

Sorry, speculation is reserved for Christianity 201.

Thank you for your patience, John.

CJD

Is not.

The prophetic literature of the TNK is very important to me, as it feeds and gives the story of Jesus in the NT its weight. The TNK tells a story, and Jesus brings it to its telos, its goal.


Why start a new thread? To quote Barth (reportedly): "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so …" & co.

The real question is not why I became a Christian, but why I continue to be one.

Amaleq13

I must not be understanding you correctly because this seems to me to contradict much of the NT. Paul clearly declares that both are true of Jesus Christ and even Mark's author has the Spirit descending upon Jesus at his baptism so that he is declared Son of God.

Regardless of whether one takes an "incarnated from conception" or an "adopted at baptism" view, it seems to me that something had to descend from heaven to obtain the man-god combo of Jesus Christ.

Johnny Skeptic

Well, something must have attracted you to Christianity in the first place. What was it, and why do you continue to be a Christian?

WILLOWTREE

This is what non-believers cannot understand:

We did not choose Christ.

He chose us.

He brought us to a point where we finally gave up and enthroned Him King via the gospel/way of faith.

Its the ancient doctrine called prevenient grace = the initiative starts with Him. Conversely, the opposite is sadly true: He does not choose everybody.

"The Bible says whosoever wills...."

'Your willer won't will unless He wills it to.'

Ray

Chili

Indeed, one must be careful with Matthew.

Toto

Enough. Please stay on topic.

JS - CJD has declined more than once to discuss his personal faith or why he believes.

John A. Broussard

I congratulate you on your honesty.

Many theists would have tried to answer that question without having the faintest idea as to what they were talking about.

Your outright refusal to answer is refreshing, since no one--to my knowledge--has ever been able to answer the question.

Thanks.