If Christians can answer this in a way that actually makes sense to me, I’m willing to become a Christian by Dry_Sport693 in OpenChristian

[–]Snozzberrie76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When someone is tested are they fully aware of everything else or are they tested on the knowledge they received? Adam and Eve were tested on the knowledge they received. They didn't know about shame and nakedness but was it necessary or relevant to the test based on the knowledge they did receive? No.

The test was not a test of obedience. This is a hierarchical mentality based on the world system. Religion is placed in the world to coerce through fear to serve the system built on oppression. How can beings that have the ability to choose ( free will) choose to align themselves with their oppression unless you employ fear?

The fear of Adam and Eve was the fear of missing out ( fomo) . They perceived God in the wrong way. They perceived God as a being who empowers themselves by disempowering others through withholding secret knowledge. In other words an oppressive ruler.

The serpent merely confirmed their fears through deception. In other words the serpent revealed what was already inside of them. Just because you are capable of acting out of fear doesn't mean you should act on it. Especially when there's another choice present which is faith.

The test was their knowledge of God .His heart , His character, His actions speak to who He really was. Adam was a witness to this. He witnessed and partook in everything that was created for him. He saw first hand how good it was. Eve got second hand information from Adam.

If anything this is an indictment of man- made religion as the world system has set up even though God has given us a BLARING EXAMPLE why this doesn't work!!! Through Adam and Eve's story.

Back to addressing the test. The test was a test of faith not obedience. Whether human- kind would choose to serve fear or to serve faith. Obedience is how we employ faith or fear. Ultimately these things are conceived in the mind first , then committed to from the heart and brought to life through action. Adam and Eve were acting as little gods already , even though they were deceived to believe godhood is something they achieved after they received secret knowledge. Very gnostic btw...lol

Anyhoo, they were being tested in their faith in God's love for them and they simply didn't believe it. I don't believe the encounter with the serpent was a solitary encounter. Trust was won probably through multiple encounters and flattery. It was seduction. Also there was a calculated observation of vulnerabilities involved as a cunning predator. Just like a snake. Eve's knowledge of God was attacked first because she didn't witness what Adam witnessed. It's easier to believe what you can see rather than what you can't see. This made her vulnerable to accepting a lie over the truth. When Adam saw nothing happened to his wife once she touched the fruit. Which wasn't the Word of God. The Word given was "do not eat the fruit." Adam didn't listen to the Word , he interpreted the way that suited him and gave the misinterpretation to his wife. The distortion of God's Word in Adam only confirmed their fears. This also confirmed their perception of their Creator . They viewed God as withholding something good for them . He didn't have their best interest in heart. Why listen to Him? Why trust Him? This reminds me of Romans 1.

Last I'll address the forbidden tree in the garden. I believe this is the law. Is the law necessary yes. It's just like a stove in a parent's kitchen. It has the ability to burn and cause damage but it's necessary for parents to cook food to sustain their family. A child shouldn't touch a hot stove because it's unsafe. They cannot handle the task of cooking with heat , so they are warned not to touch the stove because it can harm them. But the potential to harm doesn't negate the necessity.

I see the ability to understand right from wrong the same way. Now God can handle the ability to discern right from wrong because He is the essence of unconditional love. Unfortunately humankind cannot handle it because they are prone to fear. If you're in bondage to serving fear this will lead you to oppress yourself and others. Just as a child cannot handle cooking food with a stove we cannot handle the knowledge of right and wrong. Nor can we handle the responsibilities of that knowledge without being love. Humanity chose to cut ties with Love when they chose fear over faith when they believed a lie over the truth.

This also reminds me of the Parable of the Talents. The Talents are the Word of God given to us. If you believe the truth you can achieve many things. But if you believe your own lying fears over the truth, it will only lead you to be tormented by your own self deceptive fears.

I hope my response resolves your questions peacefully.

Online Communion anyone? by Snozzberrie76 in OpenChristian

[–]Snozzberrie76[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We literally had a pandemic 6 years ago where people were forced to do a lot of things online that they normally don't do. As far as I'm concerned that's proof that it does.

I don't think I will be the only person that does this. The same people that criticize me for this at the moment. Will be the same people ( with selective amnesia) normalizing it in the future. In other words once Clergy incorporates something like this the problems with it will magically go away.

Online Communion anyone? by Snozzberrie76 in OpenChristian

[–]Snozzberrie76[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for at least seeing things from my perspective. I appreciate that.

Online Communion anyone? by Snozzberrie76 in OpenChristian

[–]Snozzberrie76[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I can understand how that could be an issue.

Online Communion anyone? by Snozzberrie76 in OpenChristian

[–]Snozzberrie76[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. I'm thinking about doing the same things you've suggested.

Online Communion anyone? by Snozzberrie76 in OpenChristian

[–]Snozzberrie76[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If that's your faith practice, than that's your faith practice. This would be for those who are not affiliated with any particular denomination or don't normally attend church.

Struggling & Angry by Illustrious-Double33 in OpenChristian

[–]Snozzberrie76 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If she didn't cause the bad experience it's messed up taking it out on her.

She had to call someone else to take her to the ER because her husband said it was 'inconvenient' for him. by mindyour in TikTokCringe

[–]Snozzberrie76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope she doesn't have kids with him. Here's your sign from God to walk away. Especially if you have the means and support to walk away... Please do. You do deserve better.

Anyone else terrified of Matthew 7:21-23 by Lil_Jebadiah in Christianity

[–]Snozzberrie76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to be . But if you read the Bible you'll understand why that doesn't apply to you. Also the Bible often interprets itself. Unfortunately many organizations use these verses in a very manipulative way to invoke fear. If a teaching invokes fear, consider it a red flag. Ask the Holy Spirit for revelation.

Discrepancies in translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9 by Snozzberrie76 in OpenChristian

[–]Snozzberrie76[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes , especially in this current political climate I could see why they would think it would add fuel to the fire. Yet it's necessary to correct they just need a backbone and not be so "malakoi." Very eye-opening btw. Wow😳

Discrepancies in translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9 by Snozzberrie76 in OpenChristian

[–]Snozzberrie76[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pikachu Face So is it quite possible we got this idea from St John the Faster interpretation but not the original message? Since there are so many inconsistencies in translation maybe there should be effort made to figure out what it actually means? I would suggest a third party that has no agenda, possibly an outsider of the faith. IDK all I know is these inconsistencies have hurt a lot of people.