> General Discussions
Spiritual body seperate from flesh
hillsbororiver:
Hello again Joe,
Read this and let us know what you think;
http://bible-truths.com/aeonion.htm
Joe
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
Craig:
--- Quote from: joeshrink on August 04, 2006, 05:40:30 PM ---I recently read a book about the mind-spirit problem. Basically the western christian mind set which is dualistic (soul/body) is in deep doodoo (I try to use technical language when I can) scientifically. With the advent of the MRI, science has been able to dispell many myths about the brain and how it functions. Out of this recent research a very minimalistic phylosophy has grown. There are many who believe (and have solid proof) that we really are a sum of chemical and electrical impulses and that a lot of what we think is free will really is predisposition and that our fate is tied to our genes and environment.
The crux of the issue is that when the brain is damaged the essence of the person can change drastically, even engaging in what the Christian world calls sinful behavior- even uncrontrolably. A good example of this is people who have frontal lobe damage (which is thought to be the center of reason) become very impulsive (follow this link to Phineas Gage http://www.brainconnection.com/topics/?main=fa/phineas-gage) 'So what' you may say. The problem is that those people who were "saved" and lead very Christian lives changed the moment damage occured to their brains.
Here is where I am struggling...
I have always had a fairly deep belief in the afterlife and heaven and hell. I now have had to rethink much of my understanding because I cannot ignore what research after research is finding. I recently have had some conversations with others who are leaning towards the notion that when Jesus spoke of eternal life he was speaking of finite abundant life. It has occured to me that a greater sacrifice would be to live this finite life as Jesus did with the motivation of love--- without the rewards of a positive afterlife.
What do ya'll think- I have thick skin so you can let me have it!
Joeshrink
--- End quote ---
I think you are still searching, and that is a good thing. I would suggest reading the material on the bible-truths site a few times, with an open bible or bibles and prayerfully study. Conversation with people with varying beliefs is good IMO, but be grounded in the truth, if you do as I said I think you will be well on your way.
Blessings to you,
Craig
ned:
--- Quote from: joeshrink on August 04, 2006, 05:40:30 PM ---Here is where I am struggling...
I have always had a fairly deep belief in the afterlife and heaven and hell. I now have had to rethink much of my understanding because I cannot ignore what research after research is finding. I recently have had some conversations with others who are leaning towards the notion that when Jesus spoke of eternal life he was speaking of finite abundant life. It has occured to me that a greater sacrifice would be to live this finite life as Jesus did with the motivation of love--- without the rewards of a positive afterlife.
What do ya'll think- I have thick skin so you can let me have it! Joeshrink
--- End quote ---
Dear Joeshrink:
Welcome to our forum!
Your quote: "a greater sacrifice would be to live this finite life as Jesus did with the motivation of love",
Definitely we should give OURSELVES over to Jesus in love, but I don't believe everyone can do this, because not everyone is pre-determrined to.
Joh 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.."
Those which have been drawn by God are expected to sacrifice themselves.
Rom 12:1 "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Our forum has been talking recently about "free will" which I believe will be of interest to you. (see the thread "Free Will")
Your quote: "without the rewards of a positive afterlife".I believe there are rewards of a positive afterlife":
1Co 3:14 "If any man's work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward."
Rev 11:18 "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth."
Rev 22:12 "And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
In His Name,
Marie
jennifer:
thanks Bobby,
I've reread those LOF series again and am still stuck on Heb. 9:27-28: Just as human beings have to die once, but after this comes judement, so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to deliver those who are eagerly waiting for him. Obviously I need to meditate deeply on those scriptures in LOF 5 & 6. However, I have never been a beliver in the Rapture and did glean some pearls of widsom from that article. I ask that you all pray for me that God opens my mind to further comprehension of those truths in the LOF 5 & 6 articles.
Grace be with you.
Jennifer
joeshrink:
--- Quote ---Definitely we should give OURSELVES over to Jesus in love, but I don't believe everyone can do this, because not everyone is pre-determrined to.
--- End quote ---
I have heard this before. I guess you should feel very blessed that you are chosen. Too bad though for those who are not.
As for the scripture you chose to illustrate your point I do not see how that suggests predeterminism. And as for the scriptures you quoted to illustrate a "positive afterlife" - they do not say when that reward will come. My point in my post was that I do not need a carrot dangled in front of my nose to live a life that is loving- both inward and outward.
Please correct me if I have misunderstood.
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