A christian mind?

[micah7:9]

How is it possible that the human mind of religious/christian people, could interpret the Bible to have a message of a place of physcial punishment  for mankind to be burnt by a fire that will be unceasing, in a place called hell, with the screams of others continously screaming for relief in the midst of darkness save for the flames? And promote this threat over the pulpit, to conform a people  to their religious and christian belief in God? And this is done in a place that is used to praise and worship a God of love. Why would they want to?

[Molly]

To control people.  Power.

[micah7:9]

To control people.  Power.

I know thats why  Molly, but how could or how does a mind that claims to be in service of a God of love come up with something so hieous>

[Molly]

It's not in the service of God.  It's in the service of the other guy.

Or deceived.

[Lefein]

Self-damnation, pride, Pharisee spirit, and worst of all -- Legalism.

Here is how it starts (imo).

"Praise God! I'm saved! Hallelujah" -the exciting day that someone is saved.

"I'll go to church now!  Surely it will please God for me to go to church!" -A few months after being saved.

"I've been going to church for five years non-stop, I'm really being a good Christian." -five years after being saved.

"You don't go to church?  ...are you even a Christian?" -seven years after being saved.

And so it continues from there, and exponentially becomes a problem.

It begins with one person who teaches Hell out of judgemental, legalistic pride; Pharisee-ism that took him seven or more years to get to.  Then he draws in two followers and it only takes them five, and they draw in ten followers and it only takes them three, and they draw in twenty followers and it only takes them a year...And just as Christ said;

Mat 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

And soon, you have pastors who preach it without even giving it a second thought, let alone a year.  These sons of Hell...

I tell you this; These pastors who preach Hell more than the love of God, those who preach Hell with constant fervor exalt it, and exalt it over God, Hell becomes their god, because they preach their god from the pulpit - and by preaching Hell so much that it has become their god, they being the child of their god, so become the child of Hell...and their fruit shows their root.

[Molly]

I actually believe the Pharisees knew exactly what they were doing and exactly who they were serving.  Who has a trial at midnight?  They bought their positions and assumed the seat of Moses on their own.   He calls them a den of vipers, hypocrites!


"hypocrites"

G5273
ὑποκριτής
hupokritēs
hoop-ok-ree-tace'
From G5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage player), that is, (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"): - hypocrite.

[rosered]

  Jesus / Truth    hated this doctrine Nicolaitans = "destruction of people"

1) a sect mentioned in Rev. 2:6,15, who were charged with holding the error of Balaam, casting a stumbling block before the church of God by upholding the liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols as well as committing fornication


  moral law and Spiritual law
  both want  you to Love God  first and one another

  Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
  mercy is an awesome judgment
  and Love  covers the multitudes of sin

[rosered]

I actually believe the Pharisees knew exactly what they were doing and exactly who they were serving.  Who has a trial at midnight?  They bought their positions and assumed the seat of Moses on their own.   He calls them a den of vipers, hypocrites!


"hypocrites"

G5273
ὑποκριτής
hupokritēs
hoop-ok-ree-tace'
From G5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage player), that is, (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"): - hypocrite.

they were under the carnal mindset to me Molly , the letter of the law that kills !  hates etc ..

23 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. 24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel![h]

the law was  for mercy , justice and faith they  failed the test  , they needed to be healed and given a new eye/ Light  to percieve and  ears to hear the Sprit and heart to understand the law of Christ Spirit and truth  :thumbsup:

[thinktank]

Because the bible has failed to provide a clear answer on what happens after death, so they preach hell just in case it might be true.  :2c:

[Pierac]

How is it possible that the human mind of religious/christian people, could interpret the Bible to have a message of a place of physcial punishment  for mankind to be burnt by a fire that will be unceasing, in a place called hell, with the screams of others continously screaming for relief in the midst of darkness save for the flames? And promote this threat over the pulpit, to conform a people  to their religious and christian belief in God? And this is done in a place that is used to praise and worship a God of love. Why would they want to?

No, it's fear!  It's the fear of being in the flames that forces them to say such things. You don't test a God who is capable of such a thing! Yet, they ignore Jesus!

1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

They stay so focused on the punishment, they fail to see the LOVE!  :wink:

Paul

[micah7:9]

"They stay so focused on the punishment, they fail to see the LOVE!"

I like that, and it seems correct.

[Quaesitor]

I struggle with the same thoughts Micah, and I ask them very often.

Their answers is always about "fear", they fear God and I think it is the normal reaction of those who BELIEVE in God but do not KNOW Him.

They ARE believers but know Him not.

The discovery of this simple truth was very painfull for me because I realized then that for over 20 years of christian life, I never KNEW him and so never believed that HE loves me.
That's, I believe, the narrow way.

[shawn]

Because the bible has failed to provide a clear answer on what happens after death, so they preach hell just in case it might be true.  :2c:

I think you bring up a terrific point.  God being God wouldn't allow man to twart his plans.  So, if we have mistranslations, and misinterpretations...why is that?  So that we can hear without hearing?  I'm not sure I have the answer to that question.

[Cardinal]

Because the bible has failed to provide a clear answer on what happens after death, so they preach hell just in case it might be true.  :2c:

:cloud9: I don't think that it's that it doesn't provide a clear answer, it's that the answer can't be revealed except by the Spirit because it involves needing a foundation of precepts being revealed to the hearer, first, to receive it. My  :2c: Blessings.....

[Beloved Servant]

Could one read — without reading?

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Anyone can read, but it takes the Spirit in us to perceive, ie. know as we are known.  Deep calls unto deep. My  :2c:

[Beloved Servant]

I remember one occasion when Peter Demetris was teaching on Genesis.
He started reading, "In the beginning," then stopped and laughed to himself.

He said again the word "In," and laughed again and said, "I could preach on just that one word!"

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Amen, I don't doubt he could, LOL.....

[shawn]

Could one read — without reading?

If we couldn't...we wouldn't have so many different interpretations of scripture.   :2c:

[micah7:9]

Could one read — without reading?

If we couldn't...we wouldn't have so many different interpretations of scripture.   :2c:

Yes, one can read without reading, when they dont comprhend, at least thats how see it. My :2c:

[shawn]

Could one read — without reading?

If we couldn't...we wouldn't have so many different interpretations of scripture.   :2c:

Yes, one can read without reading, when they dont comprhend, at least thats how see it. My :2c:

Agreed.