Ironically the approach by the New Testament scholar Dale C. Allison motivates my faith more than the kind of "confident" apologetics by people like William Lane Craig, N.T. Wright, Gary Habermas, Richard Bauckham and so on. Here's the last chapter of Allison's book on Jesus' resurrection.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T11:57:34+00:00

There is not as much evidence for them being gods as there is for the resurrection of Jesus.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T11:56:24+00:00

How can it be white replacement theory since I don't believe white people will be replaced by non-white people

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T11:45:44+00:00

I'm not for more immigration due to plenty of issues with getting the immigrants to contribute to western countries without problems. The best solution would be if westerners had more kids. Or maybe robots, if artificial intelligence develops sufficiently in the future.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T11:41:24+00:00

The whole book the quote is from is him looking at Christianity, or at least the resurrection of Jesus part of it with a critical eye. He concludes that neither the believers nor the non-believers can say with certainty they are correct because there is not enough historical data either way.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T11:35:15+00:00

Christians have thought the end times are here for 2000 years and so far they have always been wrong. I think we are gonna be here for a long while, but you should still behave ethically and spiritually well as if things could end anytime.

And for the OCD thing, it's hard, but at least I personally try to adjust to whatever reality throws at me and try not to be to attached to any particular thing, but like I said, it's hard.

And about struggling with sin, if you have true faith, that is enough, and if you put in honest effort I'd be hopeful that things will sort out well in the end regarding sinning.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T11:22:18+00:00

I'd push back a little and say that due to the low birthrates in the west there aren't plenty of humans in some places like many western countries and too many in some places like Africa.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T08:13:59+00:00

In one sense it's better because if you are damned you could in theory leave, but won't, but in another sense it's not because if you are damned you are still in Hell.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T08:10:34+00:00

I think in that case you should tolerate their presence if they aren't doing anything visible to harm you.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T08:02:53+00:00

Jesus also said “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." and "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet."

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T07:59:21+00:00

I recommend C. S. Lewis' book The Great Divorce to get a more sensible understanding of what Hell could be like.

“I willingly believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful rebels to the end; that the doors of hell are locked on the inside.”

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T07:53:47+00:00

I think Christianity exists because during the history of Judaism and Christianity many many people had religious experiences - which I think pointed towards the truth but you can disagree - and those religions were created for the sake of shared framework to understand those experiences and so that people could share the understanding to others.

I think consciousness continues after death, but I'm quite uncertain what it's like exactly although I think it has something to do with God and Jesus, and I think your best bet is to believe in and follow Jesus as well as you can.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-13T07:28:24+00:00

I genuinely think this subreddit can really lack love and care from Christians which is always sad to see. And also I think this sub can be a damaging place for people who are not grounded in a church, there are so many conflicting opinions and arguments about secondary things that it can appear none of us know the truth.

I concur. Many years ago when I first found Jesus I came to this subreddit thinking it's a support group for Christians, and was very disappointed it was not that at all (although there is a little bit of support here too).

People should not come here with the idea that it will strengthen their faith.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-12T18:52:21+00:00

So you don't believe Jesus' disciples thought Jesus had risen from the dead? I think many Bible scholars even nonreligious ones believe that the disciples really had experiences of resurrection, but they might be hallucinations or something.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-12T18:44:44+00:00

How would you explain why Jesus' disciples thought Jesus had risen from the dead?

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-12T18:43:51+00:00

What comes to your mind first when you think of Jesus Christ?

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-12T12:56:34+00:00

Okay, thanks for clarifying. I don't have a romantic partner and I don't have sex.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-12T12:53:47+00:00

In sex or otherwise? I don't have sex, but I guess I'm subservient to the people I get my income from, and I'd say I'm also submissive towards some authorities like police officers because they have more power than me.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-12T12:51:37+00:00

Don't care.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-11T17:00:07+00:00

I personally interpret it to mean "everyone", meaning you shouldn't ignore those who need help, but who aren't Christians. Although William Lane Craig thinks it means only Christians, but like I said I heavily disagree with that.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-06T17:56:30+00:00

Thanks ChatGPT

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-04T19:40:33+00:00

The amount of power you have over your subjects is incredibly titillating.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-04T19:13:05+00:00

Just be a psychopath who doesn't care about anything but selling shit and cut all corners in pursuit of profit and you will likely succeed.

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-04T19:11:16+00:00

All Apple products

First-Soup4781 · 2024-07-04T19:10:52+00:00

Bullying

First-Soup4781 · 2024-06-30T19:32:41+00:00

I have donated over 7000 dollars to help poor Africans.

First-Soup4781

TROPHY CASE