I think I hate pastors. I learn one new Biblical truth every couple years, and I'm way ahead of all the pastors I've ever met, save one.
To "be made in God's image" actually means something specific. It's a designation that you are an Image-bearer, a creature designed to spread God's dominion over creation. It's sort of like being a standard-bearer for God.
It doesn't mean that you're perfect no matter what you do. Interpreting it that was is a clear cut case of satanic inversion.
This is a satanic denial of the need to change and repent for forgiveness. If they're fine just as they are, then nothing is a sin and there is no need for contrition.
It's just "do what thou wilt" written differently. Because in actual Christian doctrine the wheat will be separated from the chaff.
Can I ask how do you learn Biblical truth? I've been very recently trying to become religious after a long time of being agnostic and if you have books to recommend I appreciate it.
So far I've just been going thru the Bible and going to church, unfortunately not every Sunday.
First of all, study the Bible. A little bit a day, reading good, old, based study guides. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Then, start getting into the Church fathers and older academics. Aquinas, C. S. Lewis, Spurgeon, and some of the newer Orthodox writers (Josiah Trenham is a treat to listen to).
Aquinas. His writing is a bit much to approach directly. But if you're looking for an intellectual approach, IRL I recommend to people Edward Fesser's "The Last Superstition" or "Aquinas". The first a broad response to the "New Atheists" covering a wider intellectual tradition, and the latter more focused on Aquinas himself. To warn you, I have been (accurately) accused of popery, so if that bothers you: CS Lewis.
Listen to bible audiobook, preferably a non-dramatic reading, while doing other stuff. Just make it a habit. The old testament is great to fall asleep to.
Also look into Catholicism and Orthodoxy. No matter how you feel about the current pope the fact that the Church is a continuation of the one founded by Christ's apostles is something worthy.
Faith doesn't seem like something that you reason your way into. As long as you aren't actively rejecting it, then it will eventually find you. One day you will say "I believe" and it won't feel silly anymore.
Also look into Catholicism and Orthodoxy. No matter how you feel about the current pope the fact that the Church is a continuation of the one founded by Christ's apostles is something worthy.
@Galean. If you find yourself drawn to the traditions of the orthodox, rather than Catholicism know this:
About 98% of the Catholic Church is novus ordo, the new 60/70s mass in English/whatever language is spoken locally. 1% is 'the Extraordinary Form/TLM/Tridentine Mass', the old latin form (their high masses are the ones with Gregorian chants and incense, all the good stuff), and its experiencing a revival despite this pope's stance. The final 1% is 'the eastern rites', these are essentially orthodox and easterners (23 church communities, 5 other rites) who have come back into communion with Rome. So if you're drawn to their traditions, depending where you are in the world, it might be possible to have your cake and eat it too.
There's a few other rare ones too of course. There's now a very new 'ordinariate' form, which is essentially anglicans/church of englanders returning to communion with rome.
I have found a lot of interesting points from examining the words of Christ in the Gospels from the perspective of Christ as astoundingly informed on matters of (classical Jewish) faith, as seen in His first public outing at the temple.
For example, when the Almighty designated mankind stewards of his creation, the meaning of that is more strongly defined in the parable of the Talents - the stewards who did not leverage their charge to create something greater than what they were given were condemned.
To "be made in God's image" actually means something specific. It's a designation that you are an Image-bearer, a creature designed to spread God's dominion over creation. It's sort of like being a standard-bearer for God.
It doesn't mean that you're perfect no matter what you do. Interpreting it that was is a clear cut case of satanic inversion.
I've only seen the "perfect the way you are" heresy online, thankfully. But make no mistake, seminary is suffering the same collapse as general education.
I'm really into kingdom theology right now, specifically ongoing spiritual warfare and the need to build communities. I tried bringing the community aspect up with my current pastor (an "America is the greatest country on earth" boomer) and he more or less dismissed it. He said every few years in state-wide pastors conference, someone brings that up and everyone else shoots it down because building an interdependent community with a semblance of independence from the world doesn't feel "churchy" enough. The other pastors are afraid they'd lose congregations.
Meanwhile, those same congregations have not a single member under 40. It's a complete failure to pass on a functioning system, let alone spread the Kingdom. I'm starting to resent pastors as a class for their failures.
I help with the youth group at church and they are bombarded with this stuff at school and other places. A lot of younger ppl will say “God loves everyone”. The idea that everything must be condoned is growing rabidly in the church.
God does love everyone--that doesn't preclude him from being dissapointed or meting out justice. A father who disciplines a child doesn't stop loving his child for the duration of the discipline. A father, a good one, attempts to raise his child well because of love for his child, not despite it.
It is a mark of how poorly many children have been raised that they think "God loves me" is a justification to make no attempt at betterment--or that Gods love (being infinite) somehow precludes them from also being sinful.
I think I hate pastors. I learn one new Biblical truth every couple years, and I'm way ahead of all the pastors I've ever met, save one.
To "be made in God's image" actually means something specific. It's a designation that you are an Image-bearer, a creature designed to spread God's dominion over creation. It's sort of like being a standard-bearer for God.
It doesn't mean that you're perfect no matter what you do. Interpreting it that was is a clear cut case of satanic inversion.
To quote u/Kaarous from a while back,
Can I ask how do you learn Biblical truth? I've been very recently trying to become religious after a long time of being agnostic and if you have books to recommend I appreciate it. So far I've just been going thru the Bible and going to church, unfortunately not every Sunday.
First of all, study the Bible. A little bit a day, reading good, old, based study guides. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Then, start getting into the Church fathers and older academics. Aquinas, C. S. Lewis, Spurgeon, and some of the newer Orthodox writers (Josiah Trenham is a treat to listen to).
Aquinas. His writing is a bit much to approach directly. But if you're looking for an intellectual approach, IRL I recommend to people Edward Fesser's "The Last Superstition" or "Aquinas". The first a broad response to the "New Atheists" covering a wider intellectual tradition, and the latter more focused on Aquinas himself. To warn you, I have been (accurately) accused of popery, so if that bothers you: CS Lewis.
Edit: I recommend Lewis either way really. This channel is fun: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw-kYN6wWXWDyp_lB0wnlxw
Keep at it. As he said Aquinas. Also St Augustine. Check out CS Lewis books as well. Like Mere Christianity
Thank you
Listen to bible audiobook, preferably a non-dramatic reading, while doing other stuff. Just make it a habit. The old testament is great to fall asleep to.
Also look into Catholicism and Orthodoxy. No matter how you feel about the current pope the fact that the Church is a continuation of the one founded by Christ's apostles is something worthy.
Faith doesn't seem like something that you reason your way into. As long as you aren't actively rejecting it, then it will eventually find you. One day you will say "I believe" and it won't feel silly anymore.
I listen to David Suchet. I'm a big fan of his Poirot and I was pleasantly surprised to find out you can listen to the Bible read by him.
@Galean. If you find yourself drawn to the traditions of the orthodox, rather than Catholicism know this:
About 98% of the Catholic Church is novus ordo, the new 60/70s mass in English/whatever language is spoken locally. 1% is 'the Extraordinary Form/TLM/Tridentine Mass', the old latin form (their high masses are the ones with Gregorian chants and incense, all the good stuff), and its experiencing a revival despite this pope's stance. The final 1% is 'the eastern rites', these are essentially orthodox and easterners (23 church communities, 5 other rites) who have come back into communion with Rome. So if you're drawn to their traditions, depending where you are in the world, it might be possible to have your cake and eat it too.
There's a few other rare ones too of course. There's now a very new 'ordinariate' form, which is essentially anglicans/church of englanders returning to communion with rome.
I have found a lot of interesting points from examining the words of Christ in the Gospels from the perspective of Christ as astoundingly informed on matters of (classical Jewish) faith, as seen in His first public outing at the temple.
For example, when the Almighty designated mankind stewards of his creation, the meaning of that is more strongly defined in the parable of the Talents - the stewards who did not leverage their charge to create something greater than what they were given were condemned.
Uh yeah no shit. This is basic doctrine...
What "pastor" have you been talking to?
I assume he is referring to the Lutheran pastor in the article.
The article is even worse as the kid was encouraged since he was 8 by the pastor and his wife.
He should be fed posted. I left my a church because the pastors wife is a leftist. I'd have gone to prison if he were like this dude
I've only seen the "perfect the way you are" heresy online, thankfully. But make no mistake, seminary is suffering the same collapse as general education.
I'm really into kingdom theology right now, specifically ongoing spiritual warfare and the need to build communities. I tried bringing the community aspect up with my current pastor (an "America is the greatest country on earth" boomer) and he more or less dismissed it. He said every few years in state-wide pastors conference, someone brings that up and everyone else shoots it down because building an interdependent community with a semblance of independence from the world doesn't feel "churchy" enough. The other pastors are afraid they'd lose congregations.
Meanwhile, those same congregations have not a single member under 40. It's a complete failure to pass on a functioning system, let alone spread the Kingdom. I'm starting to resent pastors as a class for their failures.
I help with the youth group at church and they are bombarded with this stuff at school and other places. A lot of younger ppl will say “God loves everyone”. The idea that everything must be condoned is growing rabidly in the church.
I used to joke that if you love your kids, you'll homeschool them. It's not a joke anymore.
God does love everyone--that doesn't preclude him from being dissapointed or meting out justice. A father who disciplines a child doesn't stop loving his child for the duration of the discipline. A father, a good one, attempts to raise his child well because of love for his child, not despite it.
It is a mark of how poorly many children have been raised that they think "God loves me" is a justification to make no attempt at betterment--or that Gods love (being infinite) somehow precludes them from also being sinful.