Does one need to believe in Jesus for salvation.

@secondson said
That answer is wrong because one doesn't "find" God, God finds you.

That is the correct biblical perspective, and the right one too.

Judging by what Sagan said, there's no reason to think he believed in your particular God figure or your religion's literature.

@secondson said
That answer is wrong because one doesn't "find" God, God finds you.

And according to your beliefs, why might your God have been unable or unwilling to "find" Carl Sagan ~ assuming he died a deist?

@philokalia said
I think everyone recognizes the necessity of actually practicing these things in addition to studying them and attending church.

We are told to go to Church and that the church is good,.

[quote]And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all t ...[text shortened]... .

What's the argument that Christians should not gather together in churches and study the words?

I said no such thing... ..What's the argument that Christians should not gather together in churches and study the words?... Talking to you jokers is like talking to retarded teens.

The argument is that reading the bible or going to church is not what Jesus called good works, like King David seems to think. Got it?

In fact the story of the Good Samaritan shows two religious, bible reading, church people, a priest and a Levite who refused to do the good works. Clearly these acritities which you people promote are not good works according to Christ.

@fmf said
Judging by what Sagan said, there's no reason to think he believed in your particular God figure or your religion's literature.

That's besides the point. Your post is irrelevant.

@fmf said
And according to your beliefs, why might your God have been unable or unwilling to "find" Carl Sagan ~ assuming he died a deist?

No doubt it would not be an assumption that Sagan was well aware of the gospel (which was God finding him) and he obviously chose not to believe, and subsequently died in his sins.

@fmf said
And according to your beliefs, why might your God have been unable or unwilling to "find" Carl Sagan ~ assuming he died a deist?

FYI:
Deist's believe in God; a creator God.
Half the founding fathers of America were Deist's; etc.

@secondson said
That answer is wrong because one doesn't "find" God, God finds you.

So if a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu is aware that Christianity and its scripturea exist, you think that means your God figure has 'found' them?

@fmf said
Judging by what Sagan said, there's no reason to think he believed in your particular God figure or your religion's literature.

If Sagan was a Deist, then he believed in a creator God. There were many Deist's in America in the 1700s.
They went to church often and believed that the Gospels were God inspired, or, God's Word (story) to us.
However, they did not believe Jesus really existed, they did not believe that Jesus died on the cross; or that He resurrected. Most did believe the Gospel message was God inspired and God's good story to us; they just did not believe that it really happened.
Christianity took a very liberal turn in the USA in the early 1700's. Most of this was due to all the Deist's living in the USA at that time. Our founding fathers were at least 50% Deists; and, they followed an extremely liberal form of Christianity at that time. So did many others at that time in America.

@kingdavid403 said
If Sagan was a Deist, then he believed in a creator God. There were many Deist's in America in the 1700s.
They went to church often and believed that the Gospels were God inspired and God's Word to us.
However, they did not believe Jesus really existed, they did not believe that Jesus died on the cross; or that He resurrected. Most did believe the Gospel message w ...[text shortened]... an extremely liberal form of Christianity at that time. So did most others at that time in America.

Thanks for taking the time to type this.

@fmf said
Thanks for taking the time to type this.

🙂 You're welcome.
And thank you, for thanking me.

@kingdavid403 said
If Sagan was a Deist, then he believed in a creator God. There were many Deist's in America in the 1700s.
They went to church often and believed that the Gospels were God inspired, or, God's Word (story) to us.
However, they did not believe Jesus really existed, they did not believe that Jesus died on the cross; or that He resurrected. Most did believe the Gospel ...[text shortened]... an extremely liberal form of Christianity at that time. So did many others at that time in America.

I'm sure that the CoE had something to do with that.

Anglicans (and Episcopalians in the US) are one of the more liberal Christian denominations.

@fmf said
So if a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu is aware that Christianity and its scripturea exist, you think that means your God figure has 'found' them?

Don't be so shallow.

Revelation 3:20
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Then there are those that just don't want to be found.

@secondson said
Don't be so shallow.

Revelation 3:20
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Then there are those that just don't want to be found.

It's not "shallow" at all. I am probing at your peculiar use of the word "found".

You didn't answer my question.

If a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu is aware that Christianity and its scriptures exist, do you think that means your God figure has 'found' them?

Is your answer yes or no?

@fmf said
It's not "shallow" at all. I am probing at your peculiar use of the word "found".

You didn't answer my question.

If a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu is aware that Christianity and its scriptures exist, do you think that means your God figure has 'found' them?

Is your answer yes or no?

If a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu is aware that Christianity and its scriptures exist, do you think that means your God figure has 'found' them?
Is your answer yes or no?
I say yes. I would hope so.
Both Hindu's and Muslims believe in Jesus; and, they worship Him! They follow all His teachings; and. they hold Him in high regard.
However, Muslims don't believe the forgiveness message of Christ. When they die, they believe that they will be answerable for all their sins. I know personally that I would never make it if it were not for God's grace and mercy.
Muslims are slaves to the law through Ishmael, their decedent from Abraham. The slave-child.
The connections of Muslims, Ishmael, and their resentments towards the descendants of Isaac (Jesus being one of them), his half-brother, these connections are fairly easy to see in the Scriptures.
Give it a study sometime if you have not done so already; I'm sure one would find it interesting.
Even the Jews believe in Jesus and they know that He existed in the flesh. However, stricter Jews do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah; and, they are still waiting for their Messiah; and their Messiah alone.

@suzianne said
I'm sure that the CoE had something to do with that.

Anglicans (and Episcopalians in the US) are one of the more liberal Christian denominations.

I do not know what you mean by CoE? If you mean: (Christ of the Evangelicals); then I much much agree with you.
The Evangelical and Catholic church leaders were nothing but a living nightmare to those that were seeking God in that time.
I'll emphasize LIVING NIGHTMARE.
This is why many of came to America in the 1600s and 1700s. They were getting away from the freak religious leaders and their control. They believed in God; just not the God of those freak religious leaders. Hence, The Deists.
The rest I understand and agree with.