Thread: Finding God Within Ourselves

Here an article that is sure to stir up some debate:
http://www.learnteachcreate.com/35.html

In the conflict of finding God through Christ or within ourselves, the author uses Bible verses to claim they are the same.

Do you think he makes an unusual but good point or is he off his rocker?

I think that he has a valid point because we are made in the image of God, maning that God is present in everyone.

Does that mean if god is not present within me that god does not exsist?

Originally Posted by Roman

Here an article that is sure to stir up some debate:
http://www.learnteachcreate.com/35.html

In the conflict of finding God through Christ or within ourselves, the author uses Bible verses to claim they are the same.

Do you think he makes an unusual but good point or is he off his rocker?

Not unusual at all. It is the hallmark of gnostic teaching. They are, after all, the majority of the early christians.

The consequence - salvation and revealed knowledge becomes irrelevant.

How does slvation and revelaed knowledge become irrelevant?

This is a good example of how abberrant theology is created, and cults develope. You take a few verses and come up with a new teaching that conflicts with the teachings of the word in it's entirety.

An example would be the snake handling, poison drinking churches in the rural south.

Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

When you base your beliefs around one, or even a few passages without balancing them against the full teachings of the word...you are in danger of making a serious mistake.

Originally Posted by conservative

This is a good example of how abberrant theology is created, and cults develope. You take a few verses and come up with a new teaching that conflicts with the teachings of the word in it's entirety.

An example would be the snake handling, poison drinking churches in the rural south.

Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

When you base your beliefs around one, or even a few passages without balancing them against the full teachings of the word...you are in danger of making a serious mistake.

OK, but what's the right interpretation?

Better yet, prove the article wrong using the Bible. What makes me laugh is how people hold their interpreation over another when they have no answer but its wrong, evil, etc. It reminds me when Jesus healed on the Sabath and was himself accused of working for the devil. Are you sure your right?

Also, the difference betwen a cult and a religion is the number of people who follow it. Does mass acceptance denote truth?

from wikipedia:

"In religion and sociology, a cult is a term designating a cohesive group of people (sometimes a relatively small and recently founded religious movement, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream, sometimes reaching the point of a taboo. Its separate status may come about either due to its novel belief system, its idiosyncratic practices, its perceived harmful effects on members, or because it opposes the interests of the mainstream culture. Other non-religious groups may also display cult-like characteristics."

"A religion is a set of beliefs and practices generally held by a human community, involving adherence to codified beliefs and rituals and study of ancestral or cultural traditions and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience. The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction.
Religion is often described as a communal system for the coherence of belief focusing on a system of thought, unseen being, person, or object, that is considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine, or of the highest truth. Moral codes, practices, values, institutions, traditions, and rituals are often traditionally associated with the core belief, and these may have some overlap with concepts in secular philosophy. Religion can also be described as a way of life."

Finding God within yourself; is the New Age Movement.
They teach we are little gods… we are I Am’s.

[Not true; we are sinners saved by grace]

I AM GOD OF GODS millions upon millions of New Age’ rs claim to be deities
Shirley McClain cried out publicly

I AM GOD... I AM GOD... I AM.
_____________________________

When are you coming back Jesus?

Mark 13:6 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Jesus is coming back soon.
Get saved, keep ready, keep watch.
God Bless*

Originally Posted by Terri321

Finding God within yourself; is the New Age Movement.
They teach we are little gods… we are I Am’s.

Its actually a notion that is far older than christianity or any abrahamic religion itself. And it is not about self-deification, its about finding the path to salvation by means of yourself (i.e. being a good person and reflection) I would prefer this sort of religion, since it does not require a religious heirarchy or proselytism.