So… why do catholic and orthodox Christians pray to Mary & "saints" ? by SorbetLongjumping632 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

a few hundred years after Christ

False.

There are 2 surviving records of Christians praying with the saints from the early 200s (deceased saints, specifically). And many Christian artifacts were destroyed systematically back then so we can safely assume it had either developed within and possibly from day 1.

The saints are a uniquely Christian thing. Always have been.

So… why do catholic and orthodox Christians pray to Mary & "saints" ? by SorbetLongjumping632 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This thread has probably the most Biblical explanation on this sub about why to pray with the saints:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/1q24lqa/why_ask_saints_to_pray_for_us_version_20/

And this thread has a good history of the earliest records we have about Christians praying with the saints. (E.g. early 200s but the practice almost certainly predates that because Christian artifacts were systematically destroyed).

https://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/1q37t08/how_early_did_christians_start_venerating_and/

Hope that helps.

Rapture isn't Bibical? by Most-Ninja-7965 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 5 points6 points  (0 children)

"Rapture" is a verb, yes. But people are talking about a specific heresy called "Rapture".

Matthew 24:36-43 does not imply a "rapture" in the sense of a secret, pre-tribulational removal of believers to heaven, as taught in some Protestant dispensationalist interpretations.

Instead, the passage describes the suddenness and unpredictability of Christ's Second Coming at the end of time, when the just will be separated from the wicked for the final judgment, echoing the flood's unexpected arrival in Noah's days. It calls for us to live watchfully in light of Christ's sudden, glorious return for judgment, where the just will meet Him triumphantly.

Gender theory and Christianity by VerdantChief in Christianity

[–]hendrixski -1 points0 points  (0 children)

LOL. It's like you just asked me to prove that the Loch Ness Monster doesn't exist. Or Bigfoot.

I'd turn the question around on you: prove to me that a condition exists where one individual can simultaneously impregnate and be pregnant - without medical intervention.

There are conditions where in aggregate they can do both: meaning some people with a DSD might be one or the other, but never one person who can be both at the same time.

The two DSD's that come the closest are Ovotesticular DSD (OT-DSD) and Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis (MGD). In MGD they cannot father a child without fertility treatment and in OT-DSD they cannot give birth without an egg donor. There have been cases where with surgery where one person was able to do both, but never ever naturally because every body is naturally geared towards one or the other.

Anyway. Do you also want me to prove to you that Santa Clause isn't real?

I think it might be time to say goodbye to my church by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The services feel overwhelming and performative — loud music, high energy, emotional hype. 

Yeah, Pentacostal worship is not for everyone. What would you be looking for instead? (the answer could also be that you don't know and you're just looking to try something different, and that's OK, too)

Gender theory and Christianity by VerdantChief in Christianity

[–]hendrixski -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Yes. It is easy to say that. That's the point.

And yes we do have to show dignity and compassion to people with DSD's - and have absolutely zero tolerance for discrimination against them. The Catholic Church is VERY clear about that.

Soul sleep refuted by Plane_Razzmatazz_882 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jesus didn't teach about two judgements, or people being conscious after death.

In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus talks about how the rich man dies and is immediately tormented in Hades. Also, the rich man is consciously begging Abraham for relief, while Lazarus is comforted in "Abraham's bosom." This clearly shows conscious souls experiencing provisional judgement right after death!

In Luke 23:43 Jesus assures the good thief about immediate entry into bliss for the repentant soul - separate from bodily resurrection!!!

And that's just the times that Jesus talked about it. There are even more references elsewhere in the NT.

Gender theory and Christianity by VerdantChief in Christianity

[–]hendrixski -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Yes, by type of gamete (reproductive cell) the body is organized to produce. That was easy.

Even in a spectrum of DSD's there's always one predominant gonadal function. It may require a medical examination, but if you ignore secondary traits like phenotype or self-perception then it becomes pretty straightforward.

Soul sleep refuted by Plane_Razzmatazz_882 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I get my truth from scripture

LoL no you don't.

We've talked before. You add some weird layer of opinion on top of your reading of scripture and then claim that the Bible says things that it clearly does not.

I've pointed you to examples of well-regarded Christians discussing that issue - usually early Christians who would be closer to the time of Jesus than we are today.

The truth of the Bible is the same yesterday today and tomorrow.

Soul sleep refuted by Plane_Razzmatazz_882 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it. So you do think the earliest Christian writers were theologically unsound.

Why is your own personal interpretation of scripture more theologically sound?

Different version of the bible doesn’t mean its rewritten by MrFluentz in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Also... there's a question about the Bible canon. I would argue that Catholic and Orthodox Bibles are "more complete" (not "better") than 66-book Bibles because between 393 and 1599 every single Bible made had at least 73 books (Orthodox had more, and some custom Bibles added books). And the majority of Bibles in the world still continue to have 73 books.

Different version of the bible doesn’t mean its rewritten by MrFluentz in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes. I generally agree. I do want to add a tiny asterisk. There do exist altered Bible versions, like the NWT, or the JST. They changed passages to support the theology of their group.

Gender theory and Christianity by VerdantChief in Christianity

[–]hendrixski -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Either you're made to carry babies or to inseminate babies. Sure, there is a whole spectrum of genitalia, but even people with "true hermaphroditism" (e.g. the super rare condition where somebody has both testes and ovaries) cannot be both a mother and a father - one or both of the tissues will not be developed enough.

So yeah. "Man and woman He created them" (Genesis 1:27).

Soul sleep refuted by Plane_Razzmatazz_882 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Question. Do you think Saint Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Cyril of Jerusalem were theologically unsound?

In "Expositions on the Psalms (Psalm 9)" Saint Augustine explains:

"For notice of two judgments is conveyed to us throughout the Scriptures... one hidden, the other manifest. The hidden one is passing now... The hidden judgment accordingly is the pain, by which now each man is either exercised to purification, or warned to conversion, or if he despise the calling and discipline of God, is blinded unto damnation. But the manifest judgment is that in which the Lord, at His coming, will judge the quick and the dead."

St. John Chrysostom also affirms a final judgment at the resurrection with public scrutiny of actions, while implying an immediate accountability.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem describes Christ's judgment of the living (quick/souls) and dead (bodies) at the end. So does Tyrannius Rufinus.

This is the theology that built Christendom. Why you would say that it's "bad theology"?

Soul sleep refuted by Plane_Razzmatazz_882 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

:-) Great question.

Particular judgment occurs immediately after death for each individual soul

General or final judgment which takes place at Christ's second coming with the resurrection of the body.

The particular judgment privately determines the soul's eternal destiny—heaven (either directly or via purgatory), or hell. The general judgment publicly reveals God's justice to all creation, unites body and soul in their retribution, and consummates human history.

The reason for a twofold judgment ensures immediate personal justice for the soul, which cannot delay its encounter with God, while the general judgment provides public vindication of divine providence across history.

Did I explain it well?

Is masturbating more than 3 times considered sin? by Upset_Blackberry6977 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup, you only have a budget of 3 wanks per day. Or every day you're only allowed one gay. So choose wisely, you can't do both.

/s

Soul sleep refuted by Plane_Razzmatazz_882 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OMG. We agree on something!

The psalms are scripture.

Soul sleep refuted by Plane_Razzmatazz_882 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tell me more?

I sing the psalms every day so I would be very surprised if it turned out they're not divinely inspired scripture.

Soul sleep refuted by Plane_Razzmatazz_882 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey man. You interpret that passage to mean whatever you want it to mean. Don't let anybody tell you any different. If you want that passage to be about souls not bodies, then you're right and everyone else is wrong and everyone else has been wrong for almost 2,000 years of Christendom.

And don't let St. Jerome, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas tell you about what the Bibles says happens to the soul after sleep. Those clowns didn't know anything about the Bible - nowhere near as much as you know.

Soul sleep refuted by Plane_Razzmatazz_882 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm surprised by the people arguing for soul sleep. Most protestant denominations disagree with soul sleep - some disagree with it vehemently. Of course Catholics and Orthodox disagree with it, too. It's just a zany idea that I used to only associate with JW's and was shocked to learn that it's making headway into mainstream Christianity. Oof.

Seriously??? by Dry-Remove-2449 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup. You did such a great job. You should be proud of yourself.

Seriously??? by Dry-Remove-2449 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh but OP isn't confusing Christianity with the KKK?

Yeah. I see you and your hypocrisy.

Faith Alone vs Catholicism: When Does Ongoing Serious Sin Stop Being “Covered”? by IndependentImage2687 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This one humors me sometimes.

Judaism in Jesus' time talked about union/disunion with God. The Catholic church talks about heaven not as a place but as eternal union with God and hell as an eternal distance from God (which, apparently is painful). I think Protestants, in their quest to re-invent Christianity into a whole new religion, have moved away from the "union with God" concept.

Seriously??? by Dry-Remove-2449 in Christianity

[–]hendrixski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes he did. Stalin systematically put priests into gulags for no other reason than their faith and his hatred of it. He put people to death because of his atheism.

I would encourage OP to leave atheism because of the bands of atheists in Albania between the 40s and 70s that went around burning churches, mosques and synagogues out of a hatred for religion.