SPPF Christian Alliance

[GhostAnime]

Fair enough. I felt like this discussion has kinda gone longer than expected and is likely to go on longer than expected.

To save this topic, I will reply to anything else via visitor boxes. I appreciate the mutual respect you guys have shown me. Despite our differences, surely we can all come together someday like other countries, but alas..

[Pikawho?]

Alrighty. I've let y'all have your fun, but I'm going to put an end to this (since this is a club, not the debate forum afterall). It started off as a pretty interesting discussion, but now it's essentially turned into a debate (at least, I'm seeing similar elements to most of the debates I've read). This isn't the debate forum guys. So please take it there or to pms.

Thanks.

edit: nevermind. Seems like in the time it took me to get around to posting this SS was able to say the same thing....lol

[jesusfreak94]

All right. I am going to make a comment on what you have said GhostAnime and then I think it's time for us to move on to a different topic. Jesusfreak94, GhostAnime, if you wish to continue debating, please do so via PM.


Thank you very much GhostAnime for being respectful and unvehement. We appreciate and encourage you post in here if you have any questions about Christianity.

Aw, we was just getting to the good stuff! :P

Actually, I need to focus on my history project anyways, so I need to stop now anyhow. Great conversation, GhostAnime! I'm glad to be able to talk, and I'm glad we could have a respectful discussion. I'll just leave everyone with this.

The Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

Guess I'll start this one off, don't want ASB to be chopped liver too. I guess by this you meant to hear everyone's opinion on what constitutes as blasphemy?

Personally, I find that the Bible teaches us (forgot the verse, lol) that anytime we use God's name or character in a way that does not honor him, we are committing blasphemy against his name. This could be as simple as OMG to more serious phrases like GD and "I swear to God." Not only that, but trying to use God's word in an innappropriate manner would also be using his character in a way that does not honor him.

Just a short bit to get discussion started.

[ShinySandshrew]

As I said, here is my response to what GhostAnime said. I will comment no more on his statements after this.

Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

I must point out the verse right before the one you quoted: "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

1) God does give a reason, so it's not strange violence 2) Don't you think that if everyone today went around killing and torturing us that God would be justified in eliminating us? 3) Let me quote part of an article from gotquestions.org and 4) let me point out that even though the phrase "it repented Him" is used, God does not reverse His decision to make man. He preserves Noah.

    Spoiler:

Show Spoiler

 
A word about the word "repent" as used in scripture. This is important. When used of God, it incorporates according to original language the thought of grief, even compassionate grief, and consolation or comfort, and action taken thereupon. Yes, God felt suffering and grief on our behalf, but that is not a sign of weakness or error, or regret of mistake. Rather, it is a sign of strength, of love on behalf of another; yes, of Agape love. In a word, it portrays specific action taken by God to counteract our mistakes; that is, our sins. "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20b). When used of man, however, the word describes a change of heart, of thought and life's direction, based necessarily on the recognition of his own shortcomings, his sin, in the light of God's gracious call for his repentance for his own good.
 

Genesis 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

Let me point out what verse 15 and 16 of that chapter say: "Pharaoh's officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels."

These verses indicate that Pharoah was going to marry Sarai. The reason God sent plagues is because Sarai was already married and what Pharaoh did was immoral.

Exodus 12:43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:

12:44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

12:45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

This one is not discrimination in the way you're thinking. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are using the word, "discrimination," to mean that God is unfairly barring non-Jews from partaking of a feast, correct?

The Passover feast was a religious feast that celebrated God's deliverance of the Jews from the hands of the Egyptians. Circumcision was the sign of the covenant between Israel and God. To be circumcised was to declare that you were part of God's people. If you were circumcised, you were then bound to obey the Law.

So what these verses are saying is that the Passover is for the followers of God.

Once again, thank you very much GhostAnime for being respectful. We appreciate it!

[chosen_one386]

Well, I completely missed out on the last part of that debate. >_<

Anyway, moving on to the current topic...

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

I agree with what jesusfreak said, and I feel quite guilty on the subject, because I constantly say stuff like "OMG" and "I swear to God." It's something I really seriously need to work on (as in, I need someone to walk around with me and slap me everytime I say it). In addition, I've picked up a bad swearing habit since I've started to school, mostly from the roommate that I hang out with so often. This needs to stop as well. I used to have such a clean mouth, too. >_> What happened to me?

[SilverLugiaJ]

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

I agree with what jesusfreak said, and I feel quite guilty on the subject, because I constantly say stuff like "OMG" and "I swear to God." It's something I really seriously need to work on (as in, I need someone to walk around with me and slap me everytime I say it). In addition, I've picked up a bad swearing habit since I've started to school, mostly from the roommate that I hang out with so often. This needs to stop as well. I used to have such a clean mouth, too. >_> What happened to me?

The same thing has happened with me recently, too. It's just the enemy trying to tempt us to to bad things. Pray about it. I have realized that my swearing and OMGing has decreased a lot after talking to God about it.

[ASB]

Blas[he,y pf The Holy Spirit (Wow, I butchered that)

It's generally accepted that this refers to declaring God to be wicked, but some extend it to include repeated sin. Personally, I'm rather unsure, but I think it just means the former. This might just be optimism on my part though...

[chosen_one386]

The same thing has happened with me recently, too. It's just the enemy trying to tempt us to to bad things. Pray about it. I have realized that my swearing and OMGing has decreased a lot after talking to God about it.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Pokémon Trainer Xande]

Can I join?

My father is luteran and my mother is catolic. I had been created in the catolic 's virtues. I believe that we all can be saved as long as we try and sincerely admit our faults.

[Truth[N]]

The Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

Well, isn't the Holy Spirit also known as the Spirit of Truth? To blaspheme Truth would be calling the good works of God evil, from what I understand. To reject what the Spirit of Truth says and to live off of your own accord, thought, and understanding, holding yourself higher than God would be rejecting Truth, as Satan did.

Satan blasphemed the Spirit of Truth, didn't he? He knew the truth but still sought his own ways, trying to make himself higher than God.

Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God. I have recently read a book that I recommend, Don't waste your life by John Piper. In it, he says, "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him."

We know everything is made for His Glory (Colossians 1:16), so when Satan stopped glorifying God in order to make himself higher, though he knew God, he blasphemed the Holy Spirit. The Truth. Ever since then Satan has been taking away man's purpose and deceiving man into follow his own devices, instead of listening to Jesus, saying to us, "Come to me, give up your life for my sake, and you will find life" for "I am the way, the truth, and the life. None can come to the father except through me."

God tells us when His glory, His name being great, His name being held high, becomes our purpose, we find life, and that life so works through us we are called to action, to fight for the life to be spread throughout the world.

I hope I am hitting on some main points?

[chosen_one386]

A praise the Lord post is in order for me...

So, as I mentioned, last Friday was registration for Fall 2011. Two of the classes I absolutely NEED next semester were very iffy about whether I can get into them or not. However, when I entered my CRN numbers last Friday, I got EVERYTHING on my schedule that I needed and wanted...except for two classes. I tried override permits, and discovered one was closed until the summer for registration. However, today I got the override permit for one, and decided to look for the other...and only four spots were left. It had been opened without my knowledge. I snagged one of the very last spots, too.

If I hadn't looked...IDK what would have happened. The Lord was very good to me this week.

[SilverLugiaJ]

Thanks for the suggestion.

No problemo

Also, two of my friends are both Atheist. Their names are Iain and Haley...I really want to help them out and help them see that God is real...any suggestions?

[VictiniTrainer]

Well... back when i was an atheist i saw a christian who was a really good person, and i was all like "I want what hes having" I dont know if thatll help though. In my opinion, actions bring more people to God then words, but thats just me.

[SilverLugiaJ]

Well... back when i was an atheist i saw a christian who was a really good person, and i was all like "I want what hes having" I dont know if thatll help though. In my opinion, actions bring more people to God then words, but thats just me.

I agree....I'm not trying to sound prideful or anything, but people always tell me that I'm a really sweet guy, because I care about EVERYBODY, even if they're not my friends...and I'm only 13.

[Champion Jared 14]

WOW, sorry about inactivity on my behalf, but there's been a lot of buzz going on in this thread....wow, I don't even know where to start...

[Adrexus]

Hey, could I join? I've been floating around this forum for now and i've been meaning to join this club, but I haven't gotten around to it.

Perhaps I'll share some testimony if you will:

I've been following God now for nearly 5 years now. I surrendered myself to God during September of 2006. However, as far as my background was concerned, I did not grow up in a christian environment. During my childhood, my parents told me they believed in God. (However, I suppose that is a common thing) But I asked them, "Why don't we go to church"? I don't remember the reason exactly, but I was always curious about that. It wasn't until I got into my preteens that I attended a small Lutheran church. Soon later I would also start to attend a youth group. It was during that time that God was teaching me the fundamentals, kind of like he was preparing me for when I did get saved later when I turned 14. During that time though, my life had gone into some turmoil. My mother had become ill and wasn't showing much sign of improving. Not only that but my dad cheating on my mother for that reason made things only worse. Later when my dad had a kid with his new girlfriend didn't seem to help either (at least in my mind). Most of the time I tried to hide behind the ugliness under the guise of going to church and by engrossing myself in the 3rd generation pokemon games. It was during the summer of 2006 when I would enter into my first year of high school (Which was also my first year of school ever due to being home schooled) Which mean I had to move away from my hometown to go to school. (The distance was about an hour's drive) I was really reluctant to go at first and even resisted, but now I am so glad that God allowed me to move to this new town because of what happened when I moved. When I moved, I started going to another church and attended another youth group. I could tell the youth pastor was very passionate about God and living out the christian lifestyle. One day soon after, on the way home from a beach trip, I was in the same truck as the youth pastor. And he gave me an analogy about two men who get on a plane. Both men are given a parachute. One man is told the parachute will improve his flight, while the other man is told the parachute will save his life when he has to jump out of the plane. The first man notices the parachute is uncomfortable, later, a stewardess spills coffee on the man's lap. He then proceeds to throw the parachute off in rage and is bitter at the people who told him it would improve his flight. The second man knowing that the parachute will save his life when he has to jump out of the plane, he holds on tight and notices it feels a little uncomfortable, but he knows its okay because the parachute will save his life. After the analogy was given, I was then asked the question, "Jeremy, have you broken all ten of the commandments." It was at that moment that I realized that I was morally bankrupt before God. Before then, I thought I was a mostly decent guy, but at that moment it was laid bare that I needed Jesus Christ to be the Lord of my life and that I needed to move beyond an intellectual knowledge of God.

Later, life became much more interesting, I had continued to attend church and grow in my faith. More trials came my way though, on March 25, 2007 my mother had finally passed away. Yet it was strange, I didn't feel a ton of sorrow, it felt like a release kind of, like some of those chains in my past broke off. I do not know for sure whether or not my mother was saved, only God knows. It was soon after though that I had started moving into action. Just two weeks after my mother's death was I still able to go down to Mexico for a week and minister there. I also started sharing the gospel with people I knew. I even had some persecution come along. (Possibly because the school I was attending was very liberal) But I saw this as good thing. God had allowed many other great things to come along that year as well. Such as taking control of one of my dad's properties and having the experience of living with a wide variety of people and being able to share my faith there, the release of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, being able to go to Bible camp, going to a christian music festival, volunteering at my Churches Vacation Bible School and so forth. However, I have continued to learn that life is not all fine and dandy, that there were still some trials I had to deal with. Emotional trials being the main one. But I have learned that God works things out in his own time and truly does cause all things to work together for good.

As for now, I am still pondering what God wants me to do with my life. I thought that God might be calling me to be a missionary. I do have the skill of learning foreign language so I thought about doing something like that. But we will see. I just have to trust God day by day and watch for what he has planned.

Sorry, if that might seem a little long, but that's pretty much my testimony. God sure has been good and he always is.

[SilverLugiaJ]

rusaemfrlg

That's an amazing story. I myself have gone through many trials. I am truly inspired by your testimony. And if God is calling you to be a missionary, I say go for it! (:

[ShinySandshrew]

You most certainly can join, rusaemfrlg! I'm glad to hear how God has worked in you life! And let me say this: it sounds like you have a desire to glorify God. That is a very good thing to desire. When we desire to glorify God, He will open doors so that we may do just that. Once again, I'm glad you shared your testimony.


Well, SilverLugiaJ, this is what I suggest: since people see you as a sweet guy who cares about people, whenever someone asks why you behave the way you do, share your faith with them. I'm not quite sure what else you could do besides that to show your friends that God is real...Club, what do you all think?

(New topic time!)

How can we show others that God is real?

[flawlessazn]

Hey Guys,

I just wanna share one song that tells about when Jesus feeds the five-thousand ..

Hope you all are blessed by it, because it really blessed me .. =)

http://youtu.be/fC3FLqDgWRE

[DJMonty]

Good morning everyone! I was just wondering if I could join? I'm Christian, I have been for a few months. Not long. But I tell you, I feel our Lord's love each and every day. He has truly blessed my life. Now, I have to go for a while, Serebii will SAY I'm online, I'm actually in another town. So, I shall see you all tonight! God bless and keep you safe!