> At 05:33 PM 10/17/97 CST+6CDT, chardin wrote:
>
> >> I wonder if you could convince Mr. Brodie that Christians
> >> *really* believe those things you say you believe. He doesn't
> >> believe me.
> >>
> >I guess I don't understand. What do you mean?
>
> I was referring to an exchange that happened this very morning:
>
> At 09:49 AM 10/17/97 -0700, Richard Brodie wrote:
> >On Thursday, October 16, 1997 10:08 AM, David McFadzean
> >[SMTP:david@lucifer.com] wrote:
> >> >many, Christianity is more like a mood than like a scientific
> >> >belief system, like having a pleasant, motivating melody playing
> >> >in the
> >background
> >> >of your life. You think that the kind of belief system you have
> >> >is the
> >only
> >>
> >> True, and for many Christianity is more like a scientific belief
> >> system. (I get e-mail from them on an almost daily basis.)
> >
> >I'm not sure that's right. You are filtering their mail through
> >your own glasses. You try very hard to make people play on your
> >field rather than extending yourself to play on theirs.
>
> I was suggesting that some (if not all) Christians really do take
> their religious beliefs literally (like a scientific belief system).
> Richard insists that I must be misinterpreting. Maybe he will
> believe you.
>
> -
Yes, David. I see what you mean. I think Paul would certainly fall
into that category as well, don't you? He knew the Old Testament
Scriptures forward and backwards--he said he studied at the feet of
Gamiliel (I'm not sure of spelling) who was the Chief Teacher of the
Pharisees). It is a system based on rationality for us. In fact,
Paul prasied the Byrean converts because he said they received his
preaching gladly and searched the scriptures daily to check out the
truth of his assertions. Now, there may come a time when a leap of
faith is necessary. This is because we can see that God has been Faithful toward us
by keeping his promises, etc. At that time, Faith is a necessary
ingredient. If your friend has always been faithful to you and you
have relied on that, then it stands to reason that you might place
faith in your friend, even when others think you are not too smart to
do so. But it is not irrational that you do so. I do not wish to
follow any philosophy or belief system if it just gives me the good
fuzzies--in fact, that is what is wrong with a lot of so-called
Christian churches today. They have left the teachings of the early
Church, they are more pop-psychologists then Christians--they try to
"follow" a man's teachings rather than worship and believe on the Son
of God--it is easier to do that. Then you don't have to look sin in
the eye--you don't need a saviour. Nothing is more embarrassing to
them then the concept of the "being washed in the blood of the lamb."
--unless it is the resurrection of Jesus.
But it is like Paul said, "without the shedding of blood there is no
remission of sins." He knew the entire concept of temple worship and
the ritual of sacrifice.
For us, it is a very rational system, and I think Mr. Brodie told me
elsewhere that I was very rational and very wrong.
Still, one ought to at least look at the evidence...all of one's
eternity does hinge on it.