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Originally posted by apathistMy apologies, then.
I am a student of life, that's all. I have come to understand the indoctrination my culture subjects me to. I share this with you, although it is like swimming upstream.
No one knows what happens when we die. All we have are beliefs. It is weird that you don't know the difference.
I'm pagan, btw. The afterlife is for all of us. All of us.
I often end up confusing those who reject Christianity with those who believe in nothing at all. I mean, that's usually what it comes down to, but not always.
I have a friend who is into Wicca. We just don't talk much about religion at all. We've come to our own truce.
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Originally posted by KellyJayI actually commend your reaching out to him.
I too think of myself as a student of life, granted my foundation is different than yours, but
that doesn't change what we both do, look at life around us and try to learn.
You have made some comments I have been thinking about, and I'd like to get your views
about somethings you have made comments about, God, gods, and no gods.
When I say I believe ...[text shortened]... u are picturing in your head? I assume we both agree that
no God or gods is the lack of either.
If only fellow Christians who are politically opposed could somehow bridge our own gap.
Distrust can be insidious. One thing at a time, though. 🙂
Originally posted by apathistThanks for the kind words apathist.
I recognize where [FMF] is at. A lot of effort and thought into a difficult decision, a growing awareness of which way the wind blows, but still a willingness to allow you to change his mind. I think you should feel honored.
Originally posted by Suzianne to apathistRest assured, Suzianne, if I were to regain my Christian faith, I would tell people here and remain a member of this community.
[FMF] made his decision, and now he spends his time putting us down on a web forum. You cannot go back once you've burned the only bridge back. Even if he did change his mind, he could never, ever admit it here. He'd stop posting before he did that. I wouldn't exactly call what he does "awareness", and it is about as edifying as pure ignora ...[text shortened]... I feel after discussing anything with him. What I invariably feel is the need to take a shower.
Originally posted by roigamJesus was Michael in his prehuman life.
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To the rhetorical questions asked by Hebrews 1:5 WHICH one of the angels did God call His Son, your reply would be "Michael the archangel".
"For to which of the angels has He ever said, You are My Son; this day I have begotten You? "
The obvious intended answer to this rhetorical question is "To NO angel".
Only three are mentioned by name - Gabriel, Michael, and Daystar [Lucifer (Latin)].
If you specify an angel by name, ie. "Michael, of course" you are going against the tone, spirit and intention of the question of Hebrews 1:5.
Besides, you cannot assume that if Christ was the highest ranking created archangel that he would consider Himself subordinate to Satan. But the New Testament says that the angel Michael, kept his order in the hierarchical governmental arrangement of the angels. Michael would not assume a higher position than Satan.
" But Michael the archangel, when he contended with the devil and disputed concerning the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a reviling judgment against him but said, The Lord rebuke you." (Jude 9)
Michael the archangel therefore respected the fact that Satan (though a rebel) was positionally higher in rank in the angelic government of God.
So Michael could not have been the Firstborn of all creation (Col. 1:15,16) through Whom God created all authorities, lordships, rulers, thrones and visible and invisible and authorities in heaven and in earth.
If Michael the archangel was before all things then he would not have been conscious of his place of lower rank than Satan.
Remember that it is in his form as an angelic being that Michael showed respect for the positioning of Satan (in principle) above himself.
