> General Discussions
A question derived from one of ray's papers.
Sorin:
--- Quote from: gmik on July 20, 2007, 11:07:08 PM ---Wow. Sorin, good question.
I guess I never believed in any of that stuff.
I alwys thought that if demons, ghosts, magic, and all that were real they would do more damage or take over. Even at Gettysburg I didn't believe in the ghosts there- they really believe the soldiers still walk around. To what purpose???
--- End quote ---
Yeah, if ghosts still walk around; then that would obviously prove Scripture to be wrong (the dead know not anything, no consciousness, nor perception, nor knowledge, nor device...etc..).
--- Quote from: gmik ---What about Hollywoods pretend sorcery-like Harry Potter?
--- End quote ---
Well, many Christians seem to have a problem with that, but I just laugh at their stupidity. And I don't even like Harry Potter. But the Christian protests I have seen were just down right idiotic, and laughable.
DuluthGA:
Hi Sorin, yes, I think that's basically right. In many verses from God's word it is apparent that some people have been given to these sorts of actions. However, in other, different verses of Scripture, such as God creates evil, etc., [see next paragraph for verses on this] which are good to know, we as readers of the Scriptures are able to put the idea together that these actions of people such as witchcraft, etc., as much as God has indicated He abhors them, are part of His overall Plan, and are ultimately of benefit to us His children.
Related verses about God and His creation of evil: Isa 45: 6-7, Lam 3: 38, Eccl 1: 13, 2Sam 12: 11, Jer 4: 6, 26: 3, Josh, 23: 5, Job 1: 8-12, 2: 10, Amos 3: 6, 1Kings 22: 21-23, 2Chr 18: 20-22, Rom 9: 21-23, Judg 9: 23, Psa 105: 24-25, Amos 3: 3-6.
I have a very thin children's book with beautiful drawings that helps depict this general concept of God's evil entitled The Little Soul and the Sun. And although it has nothing whatsoever to do with God's word directly, it does so in principle, and I have found it a great resource, especially in sharing with others who couldn't give a flip about Scriptures at all... but they like this pretty picture book and grasp the concept. It goes like this...
The scene starts out in heaven with God (the BIG light) and all the souls He's created around Him (the little lights), and everything is nice and VERY BRIGHT. One soul/light steps forward and says something like "I know that I am light, but I want to feel what it feels like to be light. God says sure, but there's only one thing... there is nothing else BUT light... you are like a candle in the sun... and since you can't see yourself as light in the light, I'll surround you with darkness! The little soul got excited and exclaimed it wanted to become the light that experiences FORGIVENESS.
So another little soul/light stepped forward and volunteered to cloak himself and become dark so the little light could SEE and FEEL HIMSELF AS LIGHT, and the cloaked one did something BAD to the little light, so he could experience FORGIVENESS after the bad act. And the first little soul was so happy for soul who became dark out love for his friend, but the darkened one simply asked not to be forgotten as to Who and What He Really Was (underneath!). They were both SO HAPPY going into this pre-arranged arrangement. You get the idea.
So, that's my take on it. Enjoy! Janice
Kat:
Well I do believe there is something to it, I don't really understand it though. I've never been interested in any of it, not even magic shows.
We can see it mentioned in the scripture to much, to think there is nothing to it. I'm not talking about ghosts, but the power through the use of witchcraft and sorcery/magic and it's evil.
Exo 7:11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers; and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same by their secret arts.
2Ch 33:6 Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.
And we have the story of Simon the sorcerer. All the people seemed to think he had great power, but the truth of him was revealed when he tried to buy the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,
v. 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God."
v. 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
v. 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
v. 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
v. 20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
v. 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
v. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
v. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
Act 19:18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.
v. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
v. 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
v. 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
DuluthGA:
I AIN'T SCARED O' NO GHOSTS! ;) ;) ;)
(Ghostbusters music in the background)
:> Janice
Deborah-Leigh:
Eph 5:11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but INSTEAD let your lives be so in contrast as to EXPOSE and REPROVE and CONVICT them. 12. For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that such people practice in secret.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version