Does a person become a Christian overnight?

[bluebird1 (Robin)]

Thanks for explaining yourself, Adam. And good to hear that you have “learned a lot” from people here too.

[adamjedgar (adam james edgar)]

@RichardG

the thing of greatest interest is how people claiming Biblical authority or inerrancy can produce such opposing doctrines. That, in itself might suggest that there is no consensus about what scripture teaches so any thought of inerrancy or harmony goes up in smoke.

Im responding on mobile…so ive only picked a part of your response as above…

Yes there are many christian denominations, however the differences and errors are easily proven. Luther started the idea…

propositions for debate concerned with the question of indulgences, written (in Latin) and possibly posted by Martin Luther on the door of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church), Wittenberg, on October 31, 1517. This event came to be considered the beginning of the Protestant Reformation

Whilst the reformation drove change, one single denominational change did not fix all errors. I am the first to admit that the SDA church isnt necessarily the last denomination that claims its got all the theological and doctrinal solutions…but it certainly is one of the more recent ones in the reformation (if one considers the reformation is ongoing) i am sure however, the SDA movement is more correct in theology and doctrine than its predessors.

[RichardG (Richard Gillett)]

Hi, Adam,

I can’t even quote anything on my mobile.

The point is not how many variations there are but the fact that there are any at all. Inerrancy relies on a perfect understanding as well as perfect text. I am not here to crush your view of the bible. That is not a Christian approach, but, if I wanted I could throw a few spanners in your works.

Let us just say that I am happy for you to believe what you do but don’t push it. My biblical knowledge is more than enough to hold my ground if I have to, but I really do not want to go swimming with a mill stone around my kneck.

Richard

[St.Roymond]

@bluebird1

OK…yeah I can see your point. We aren’t doing Jesus a favor in “accepting Christ”. We are acknowledging a reality and, also, the fact that this is not something we earned by dint of the wonderfulness of ourselves.

To use the imagery from a superb novel by a Lutheran theologian, the reality is that we were like a rusty, dented can in a trash heap that caught the eye of a collector who saw potential in it, picked it up, took it home, cleaned, derusted, and polished it, making a piece of art.

[St.Roymond]

@RichardG

Inerrancy relies on a perfect understanding as well as perfect text.

That’s an odd idea. I don’t know anyone who holds to inerrancy who even thinks a “perfect understanding” is possible!

[St.Roymond]

@RichardG

This has nothing to do with the Holy Spitit, or theology. This is about whether stealing from a business is any improvement.

No, that’s your legalistic condemnation that would have driven the kid away from Christ.

And yes it does have to do with the Holy Spirit; that kid didn’t change his heart himself!

All your logic is irrelevant and even dangerous when it just argues for condemnation rather than nurturing a changed life. What your words would have meant to that kid is that since stealing from individuals is no different than stealing from a corporation, his decision to not steal from individuals was wrong.

@RichardG

So it’s alright to kill if you can?

The 11th commandment: thou shalt not get caught?

This is not legalism this is reality.

All you can see is evil, and deny the work of the Holy Spirit. Yours is the attitude that drives people away from Christ more than any other reason besides YEC.

Reality is that when the Holy Spirit starts changing someone, you don’t throw law and condemnation at them, you praise the baby step they’ve been led to take and look for opportunities to be the Spirit’s tool to make another step. You add grace upon grace, not judgment upon grace; you do not snuff out a smoldering wick, you nurture it back to flame.

[adamjedgar (adam james edgar)]

@RichardG

but I really do not want to go swimming with a mill stone around my kneck.

I understand.
For me the equation is relatively simple (believe it or not)

1. Ive seen people die some horrible deaths (completely squashed by a semi trailer, fell to death off a cliff flying paraglider below, dying of cancer), i think many of us have been to funerals for young people… those lives cant be “kaput”.
2. my best answer given the historical evidence, is the biblical one
3. the bible, whilst simple in its conditions has some very deep expectations of conscience. My consequence drives me to seek deeper understanding.
   I dont see any of the above as treading water with a millstone around my neck. Quite the opposite actually.

Then lets not forget, its human nature to seek logical answers…so when theological holes appear, problems arise.

That is not the case for the scientific dilemmas presented on these forums. There are answers for most of those that are biblically consistent.

Btw, i empathise with your mobile phone statement. Whoever programs these grammar checkers and even these tiny onscreen keyboards…not helping

[RichardG (Richard Gillett)]

@St.Roymond

@RichardG

nerrancy relies on a perfect understanding as well as perfect text.

That’s an odd idea. I don’t know anyone who holds to inerrancy who even thinks a “perfect understanding” is possible!

Ah well, you don’t seem to understand underlying principles, so don’t sweat it.

@adamjedgar

Then lets not forget, its human nature to seek logical answers…so when theological holes appear, problems arise.

That is not the case for the scientific dilemmas presented on these forums. There are answers for most of those that are biblically consistent.

You seem to have gone off on one of your rants rather than responding to my post.

Humans are free to live so They are free to die. it is that simple. God nether causes nor prevents horrible deaths nor suffering. It has nothing to do with sin or even Scripture.

You have a view, mine is different. Lets leave it there. What we believe should not divide us either on earth or in heaven. It is God’s view that matters. Anyone who thinks they can anticipate or second guess God is delusional, so some things are left to discussion rather than fact or certainty.
I am quite happy to exchange views as long as there are no judgemental or critical undertones.

Richard

Ps I am surprised you did not latch onto Christ’s reference to those who cause another believer to stumble or fall.