Woop, Woop, Woop - I Can't See! - I Can't See!

[HAMel]

Moe would slap Curly and he'd get up saying..., "I Can't See. I Can't See". Moe would then, with a tone of genuine concern ask..., "What's the matter? Why can't you see...?" at which time Curly would respond with, "...cause I got my eyes closed." Moe would then slap him again.

I used to work with a guy who felt it necessary to walk the isle for Salvation a couple of times a month. He was of the, Lose Your Salvation Crowd. Okay, good for him. Like Curly..., He Can't See..., as I see.

I ran across another man years ago that told me if I didn't "Receive the Full Gospel" I'd not make it to heaven. Okay, good for him. Like Curly..., He Can't See..., as I see.

To me, the Full Gospel is contained in I Corinthians 15: 3 & 4. Christ died, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day. That's how I "see it" an I ain't changing!

Each and every individual on planet earth has been influenced one way or another which is why we are where we are today. As it is with finger prints all of us are uniquely different. We are/have all been emotionally conditioned differently. What works for you won't necessarily work for me..., so that makes me wrong..., as you "see it" but doesn't make it a fact.

As such, you can tell people but you can't tell 'em much. You can insist that another is "wrong" completely ignoring "your wrongs". What then makes "you" right and "me" wrong based on what I need based on my emotional conditioning.

Some people need to charge ahead as a bull in a China Shop. Another needs to make peace. Another needs friendship. Another needs emotional support. Another needs to feel important and appreciated..., and another might simply need to reach out. I know of a woman that had a stroke. She doesn't get out much except via computer. She tells of almost daily being attacked, the result of her Christian Views coming from other so-called Christians.

Bottom line is..., just because you don't "see it" as they "see it" does indicate the light has changed to green, and you can charge through the intersection. Why not take the time and have the patience to understand where the other one is coming from and then offer up what "you see" in a sane and reasonable fashion?

...sounds to me like it might work.

 

[Van]

Our perspectives of objective truth will vary, and it is difficult to deal with those who "know" their view is the correct one, but we are called to give a defense and not to tolerate false teachings.

Would I be "wrong" to insist the full gospel includes that Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity, and that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of Man.

 

[HAMel]

Van, you're asking me if I think you'd be wrong to include Jesus? Who am I?

To me, the (Gospel) truth is..., the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus as outlined in I Corinthians 15: 3 & 4. As such, do you think you'd be "adding" to the scripture by "insisting" that Jesus be included?

 

[Van]

No. The Gospel of Christ is more that (a) Christ died for our sins, (b) that He was buried and (c) He was raised on the third day.

If we define the gospel as the information about Jesus that we must believe from our heart in order that God would credit our faith as righteousness, we cannot ignore where other items are listed as part of the gospel. For example, we might quibble over exactly what is meant by "confess with our mouth" but whatever it is, it is part of the gospel.

The is no other "name" by which we must be saved. What is exactly is included in "name?" Jesus or are other things we know about Jesus, such as His miracles, is it required that we believe in His miracles.

I could go one, but unless one makes a list of all items said to be the gospel, and considers whether they are essential, you could look like those who cherry-pick scripture to fit an agenda.

 

[HAMel]

Van..., Cherry Picking? I don't know. Years ago the "Living Bible" was introduced as the greatest thing since canned soup. Not so. The KJV has been studied to death by great biblical scholars down through the ages and the Book is as endless as eternity. We have had the "Living Bible" since the beginning.

To a lost individual the "Gospel" is... Once this individual has enrolled in BJU the "Gospel" begins to open his or her eyes to its endlessness. Yes, the "Gospel" includes much as it applies to our lives but initially..., Jesus died, was Buried and Resurrected on the 3rd day.

I think of the thief on the cross..., wherein he admitted that he was guilty of his sins and worthy of dying; admitted that Jesus was the Son of God; and then asked Him to remember him. To me, salvation is that simple.

So it is with the Gospel, in my opinion. Jesus died, was buried and was Resurrected. This feat was never been matched by any mortal man. Of course, in spreading the Good News one must explain (teach) in much detail to either the lost or a newly converted individual regarding the "why" Jesus did as He did which is the Gospel Truth.

When you get right down to it the entire Old Testament leads toward the "Gospel Truth". His ministry was the "Gospel Truth". The rest of Scripture since the resurrection still points to the "Gospel Truth". A detailed account for sure but the basic "Gospel"? Very easy to grasp and understand.

 

[Van]

We are sinners, facing the Judgment of God, and in need of deliverance. To say that is not part of the gospel of Christ seems to favor a rather abbreviated gospel.

 

[Yeshua1]

We are sinners, facing the Judgment of God, and in need of deliverance. To say that is not part of the gospel of Christ seems to favor a rather abbreviated gospel.

Agreed, as we are all sinners who stand already judged and condemned by God to an eternal Hell, but praise be to God that by the actions of Jesus, we can be saved!

 

[Yeshua1]

No. The Gospel of Christ is more that (a) Christ died for our sins, (b) that He was buried and (c) He was raised on the third day.

If we define the gospel as the information about Jesus that we must believe from our heart in order that God would credit our faith as righteousness, we cannot ignore where other items are listed as part of the gospel. For example, we might quibble over exactly what is meant by "confess with our mouth" but whatever it is, it is part of the gospel.

The is no other "name" by which we must be saved. What is exactly is included in "name?" Jesus or are other things we know about Jesus, such as His miracles, is it required that we believe in His miracles.

I could go one, but unless one makes a list of all items said to be the gospel, and considers whether they are essential, you could look like those who cherry-pick scripture to fit an agenda.

you have to understand that in the contex of what paul wrote unto them, they already knew that jesus was God incarnate, so they would hold to Him being God the Son, whose death was a substitionary one, and that God raised him up in a physical/bodily resurrection...