>Reply to article by: Midwinter <midwinter_m@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>Date written: Sat, 10 May 2008 05:47:37 -0500
>MsgID:<Xns9A9A7858F7141CCYPMNDEXHBCJOIU@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>> I frequently point out to people how morally disgraceful the past and
>> present history of Christians are. I like to mention people like Jim
>> Baker, Jimmy Swaggart, and Oral Roberts. I'm told, "Don't look at the
>> people, look at the example that Christ set instead. Besides, any ol'
>> devil can say he's a Christian". But isn't Christ supposed to change
>> people? Aren't they supposed to be "new creatures in Christ"? What's
>> so new about them? Where are all the changed people then? Where's the
>> proof that God or Christ are real then?
>I suppose an obvious answer to this would be that, from their point of
>view, the Christian has to actively want and allow God to change them.
I know, but that answer will backfire since we are right back to where we
started: why are there no Christians that want or will allow God to change
them?
Besides that, the Bible promises to change believers and it calls them
"new
creatures in Christ", yet there are no new creatures in Christ anywhere to
be
found.
>Many who call themselves Christians do so for reasons other than a
genuine
>desire to follow Jesus' example. Some think it will raise their social
>standing (and in some communities it may well). Others seek to wield the
>authority of the pulpit - just count the number of 'reverends' and
>'pastors' who've wandered through Usenet over the years making demands
for
>obedience. Many are in it for the most simple of reasons: money.
Sure, just like there are people who call themselves Atheists or
scientists but
in reality they are not. You judge a person by their actions...
>Much as it pains me to credit one of those latter category - a
>televangelist - with any sense or honesty whatsoever, I think the point
of
>"any ol' devil can say he's a Christian" is probably well made.
>Televangelists themselves are a great example. There're no entrance
exams
>for Christianity; nothing to make sure you've the right motivation. I
>suspect that, assuming His reality, if God was supposed to change people
>whether they wanted Him to or not we'd all presumably be Christians.
....so if we judge Christians by their actions, they are all ol' devils.
The Sage
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http://members.cox.net/the.sage/index.htm
[The current anthropomorphic global warming nonsense is
based on] "inherently untrustworthy climate models, similar
to those that cannot accurately forecast the weather a week
from now" -- Dr. Richard Lindzen
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