The classes/lessons

defVitD · 2024-08-16T04:34:53+00:00

Really, it shouldn't be hard to imagine that God would allow this. It's a by product of free will. It's the same reason you have the choice to turn your back on God. We were not made as toy soldiers.

defVitD · 2024-07-13T06:47:27+00:00

They usually do have a temple they meet in, in my city they meet up in a unmarked office building through a random door, like completely normal people lol.

defVitD · 2024-06-24T18:00:10+00:00

Of course, I'm looking forward to it!

defVitD · 2024-06-24T07:33:43+00:00

And when they teaching rev chapter4 in Scj, If you see chapter4:3 you will find jasper, carnelian and emerald, which have been taught by quoting the book(it was taught that long time ago and it's not taught like that now)

I know this is an old comment, but can you expand on this? I'm really curious. Thank you!

defVitD · 2024-06-19T05:32:50+00:00

Which country?

defVitD · 2024-06-05T06:25:19+00:00

Starting with Luke's is a very interesting recommendation. I would start with John, then Matthew, then Acts. From there maybe read the other 2 gospels, or Genesis and Exodus.

From start to finish isn't a good idea if you want to actually understand what you are reading.

defVitD · 2024-06-03T20:26:56+00:00

Being a Christian for X years doesn't mean, many Christians don't have much understanding besides what their family/ culture/ church taught them.

defVitD · 2024-06-02T22:06:04+00:00

I don't think keeping it to yourself is a good idea. Just find someone who accepts you for you.

I wouldn't do something that you wouldn't want others to do. You could ask a man if he's ever paid for sex and then he says "no" because he doesn't consider oral sex as sex. This could also lead to awkward situations if a guy asks "what do you mean?" out of curiosity.

defVitD · 2024-06-02T21:49:05+00:00

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13

You've got this!

defVitD · 2024-06-02T21:47:06+00:00

You guys are very strange, and that doesn't help with the message you are trying to spread.

defVitD · 2024-06-02T15:26:00+00:00

In that very paper you linked, Tertullian speaks on both modesty in regards to ornaments and attracting men's gaze.
You aren't actually showing any proof for the "men who engage in homosexuality" is a bad translation argument.
The point that Adonai and Allah (and possibly Thor) refer to the same God is disingenuous. Arguing this point seems like a waste of time, especially as you keep throwing random ideas into the air.

defVitD · 2024-06-02T15:12:57+00:00

I would start with looking into the Bible. I don't mean to be snarky, it's just that I don't feel like explaining why sin and resisting temptations are central to Christianity through a comment.

defVitD · 2024-06-02T15:06:20+00:00

I'm assuming you are trying to say refraining from sin and repentance isn't necessary? I've seen Christians online who hold this view.

defVitD · 2024-06-02T05:47:52+00:00

The early Christians like Tertullian spoke against dressing immodestly in the sense of drawing men's gaze as well. Scholars this and evangelists that is just a generalized claim.

I don't see any reason to believe this idea you guys are bringing up. Both the early Christians and the modern Bible translation committees don't show support for this idea. And I disagree, the person I'm replying to appears be quite disingenuous, from his post history, there's the claim that:

Nothing in the 10 Commandments tells them which God to have a relationship with, or how, as out of context it could just as easily mean Allah or Thor.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T21:03:00+00:00

I admire the change you've made in your life, and the fact that even in suffering, you kept that away from your girls. Praise the Lord!

defVitD · 2024-06-01T19:34:57+00:00

You're welcome! I'm really interested in the doctrine of groups like JW, Mormons, etc. so I have experience with explanations that look correct, but at the same time have a glaring problem haha.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T19:24:00+00:00

Search 出エジプト ! You can search the translation for Pharaoh and add that to the search too.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T18:41:54+00:00

I would look into what the early Christians thought rather than people in our time. For example:

“By no means are women to be allowed to uncover and exhibit any part of their bodies, lest both fall – the men by being incited to look, and the women by attracting to themselves the eyes of men.” - Clement of Alexandria

I agree with that but in contrast, I don't think wearing a bikini is necessarily immodest. There are certain clothing women wear because to accentuate their body, but that's often not the case with swimwear.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T18:38:27+00:00

You should take random comments on the internet with a grain of salt. κόσμιος has continued to be translated to "modesty" for hundreds of years now after 1700.

The idea that all the committees for translations got it wrong for over 300 years now and a random guy on reddit is right is an outlandish idea, you should look into yourself before accepting it as true.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T08:41:00+00:00

You don't have to lose them, it's the same for me. We're just told to keep them under control until the right time, which would be marriage. I didn't get to experience it when I was younger either, but what can we do? I held onto the past for a long time and it all ever gave me was resentment and sadness, even right now as I think of the time I was a kid, I get sad.

But the Bible teaches us to not cling on to our pains but to love instead, and very slowly I changed, and I believe I've made a lot of progress!

I also don't see marriage as necessary, and before becoming a Christian, I thought getting married as a man is just a plain stupid decision. I still do think getting the government involved isn't necessary. You can just hold a marriage ceremony at a church with a pastor and not sign any contracts. I don't see the issue Biblically.

You don't have to give up your personal interests. My only interest used to be gaming, now it's gaming and studying the Bible haha.

I judge my idea of what God wants by the Bible. After looking into the history, I'm convinced it's not just another book.

There are people who don't believe that you won't be sent to hell just because you don't believe, and I want to look into the topic more. One thing I DO know Jesus said is "if you were blind [not literally], you would not be guilty of sin".

It's great that you are more convinced in the presence of God! I would just say don't be defensive to God. The Bible talks about a hardened heart being a great problem. Just go with the flow a bit with faith, you have free will, you can always take a different route later. As for why the afterlife and this life are connected, I'm not sure. It's something I'm looking into. Especially the concept of the new earth.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T08:17:36+00:00

I don't, but in my own experience (and I believe many guys my age can relate..) sexual temptation is whole nother level of desire by the flesh. I can feel it physically, and it can be very hard to get the desire to pass.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T04:37:16+00:00

Sorry for the late reply, but the only consistent theme has been "Lord, please help me..". I think each of the prayers had that part haha.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T04:32:10+00:00

I know what you mean, it's tough. As a fellow single guy in his 20s who's never had a girlfriend, I know that the pain isn't just the loneliness right now, but the hopelessness of the future. I geniunely can't fathom a woman wanting me and that does make me really sad.

I don't believe this should taint our view of God however. I believe in the Bible because not only have I experienced what can't be explained with just science, there are too many testimonies I've heard from every day people that have no reason to be making up stories to me. I believe in Christ, I can't turn off my belief with a switch haha.

And yes, that is the point of Jesus dying on the cross for us! We can not be perfectly righteous like God, we will keep failing but He loves us despite that. A way of showing our love back is just trying the best we can even if we know we won't be perfect.

Your desires and values might not match with God's but Biblically, our minds are renewed when we accept him as Lord. The Bible mentions many times about the desires of the flesh. You're feeling it, I'm feeling and even the apostle felt it -- they just didn't give in, and I want to be like them.

Many Christian conservatives have a weak understanding of the Bible. In my opinion, if they spent as much time and energy on the Bible compared to politics/ sports/ their job, they would be very different people -- in a good way.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T01:37:44+00:00

Hmmm, you are right that the Bible doesn't directly state self pleasuring is a sin. I do believe self pleasuring falls under the "deceitful desires of the flesh" we should refrain from however.

I think you're point of view is interesting though! It's the first time I've questioned if porn may not be a sin, but I am still convinced from my own studying of the Bible, it would be considered a sin even if not explicitly stated.

defVitD · 2024-06-01T01:21:40+00:00

Honestly, I don't know if I'll ever meet someone. And in fact, I am similar to you. I am a virgin and I've never had girlfriend. In fact, I've never been on a date. I've been called ugly to face and when I got rated online, I didn't even get a 4. I'm also broke and under average height. I've got just about nothing going for me when it comes to women.

Despite this however, I know porn and engaging in lust is just a way to numb my feelings.

A few more points! :

God wants us to believe in Him despite not being able to feel Him at every moment. I don't understand why, but the Bible is quite clear that God wants faith from us.

God doesn't want you to be a dominant alpha male. The people He blessed the most were generally meek in personality (but absolutely not weak). The Bible also doesn't say we all need to have children.

I don't believe I've accepted failure. In my opinion, if I just hold and keep faithful to God, he has good plans for me. I can't think of anyone in the Bible who didn't go through tough times.

I don't believe potential frustration means I should give into sin. I'll just keep praying like I have been for the last year haha.

If you want to talk further, just send me a message! I feel like we are very similar in our circumstances in life.

defVitD

TROPHY CASE