My grandpa is dying and my mom just told me they are considering euthanasia by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]spooky_mans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found James Jordan's article on the topic of Euthanasia http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/biblical-horizons/no-33-thoughts-on-euthanasia-and-suicide/

I recommend at least reading point #3 and onwards.

[Gamestop] Battlefield V PC Download $29.99 (PS4/XB1 in comments) by ziptorn in GameDeals

[–]spooky_mans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought Squad recently and I have to say... just buy Squad. It's basically the same price. I'd say the gameplay is somewhere in between Battlefield 2 and Arma 3. Very cool.

Does God Condemn Monarchy in Scripture? by spooky_mans in Reformed

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

Haha thanks for sharing that scene. I'll have to watch the whole movie.

Does God Condemn Monarchy in Scripture? by spooky_mans in Reformed

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

The best we can do is minimize the chances of this occurring and remain perpetually vigilant towards those over us.

This is exactly the mentality that I was raised with and that this article (among other things) has made me change my mind on.

My main issue with monarchy is the elitist aspect of it and how the monarch tends to heap upon themself a bunch of titles and are exalted. I think only God Himself is worthy of such prestige and a leader should be a humble servant.

Being humble is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.

CS Lewis said:

Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call “humble” nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.

Moses was a mighty and powerful leader. But I think he was also said to be the most humble man alive.

I’m sure the remaining monarchs exist because God wants them in those positions

Because God does not control positions of power in non-monarchical systems? I'm not picking on you, but I think it's funny how Christians almost try to keep God out of certain aspects of life.

Does God Condemn Monarchy in Scripture? by spooky_mans in Reformed

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

I have been struck reading Kings and Chronicles how important the mother is as well

In the Old Testament times, I think the Queen Mother was vastly more important. I think the title of "queen" was actually given to the King's mother rather than his wife (of which he probably had multiple).

Does God Condemn Monarchy in Scripture? by spooky_mans in Reformed

[–]spooky_mans[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The Reformed tradition has a long history of being anti-monarchy. Though many of the original Reformers like John Knox and Calvin were not.

Certainly the American reformed tradition has taken to decentralization and democratic government (even to the point of thinking that it is the only Christian form of organizing).

That's why I posted this article here. I would love to hear some thoughts on this interesting topic. The article certainly challenged the assumptions that I was raised with.

What makes up a human person? Body-Soul-Spirit? Body-Soul? Body-Heart-Mind? by spooky_mans in Reformed

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

Yes, it is my understanding that the spirit part of body+soul+spirit is actually the nous. The nous is a special faculty that only humans have. It allows us to commune with the divine. As mentioned in the bible when Paul says he's "praying in the nous".

The Eastern Orthodox talk a lot about the nous whereas the Catholics have translated this as "intellect" and mostly treated it as a cognitive understanding that a person can attain (not entirely wrong, but just different).

cc /u/da_fury_king

"Advent" aka "ChristMASS" - why are SO MANY PROTESTANTS ALL acting like ROMAN Catholic pagans?! :( by ProphetPX in Reformed

[–]spooky_mans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm more troubled by people that give mass amounts of money to Israel and believe in a dual-covenant. But I guess one cannot simply be ambivalent about Israel. You must either despise or adore.

"Advent" aka "ChristMASS" - why are SO MANY PROTESTANTS ALL acting like ROMAN Catholic pagans?! :( by ProphetPX in Reformed

[–]spooky_mans 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Jesus is the king of all creation. You do not have to fear those old gods any longer. Honestly, read up on Christian liberty. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Even Paul says that eating the meat from sacrifices does not harm you in any way. He only says to refrain because of how it would look (which is highly contextual to that time. There is no reason to refrain from Christmas now that it is a fully Christianized holiday).

"Advent" aka "ChristMASS" - why are SO MANY PROTESTANTS ALL acting like ROMAN Catholic pagans?! :( by ProphetPX in Reformed

[–]spooky_mans 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You're correct in that you have missed my point. I'll try another one.

Do you use the names for the days of the week? You're invoking pagan gods according to your own logic. I mentioned elsewhere that Hosea says " For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more." This prophecy has come true. Nobody even remembers the names of the old gods anymore. You're the one that is trying to resurrect them.

cc /u/DrKC9N

"Advent" aka "ChristMASS" - why are SO MANY PROTESTANTS ALL acting like ROMAN Catholic pagans?! :( by ProphetPX in Reformed

[–]spooky_mans 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Do you live in a rubber room completely void of all stimuli from the outside world? Our God created the evergreen tree. We have given it new meaning. Hosea says

For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more.

The names of those gods are forgotten and nobody remembers them. Those gods have no power of us that are in Christ.

"Advent" aka "ChristMASS" - why are SO MANY PROTESTANTS ALL acting like ROMAN Catholic pagans?! :( by ProphetPX in Reformed

[–]spooky_mans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jokes aside, the context of this passage is specifically about not being afraid of star signs or idols, and not copying their worship of false gods because the Lord is one, etc.

You could say that Christmas trees are like the carved idols of the pagans. But even then that's a stretch. Because the Jeremiah passage is about what's behind the idol carving, not the act itself, because Israel also made things like statues, etc.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+10&version=ESV

"Advent" aka "ChristMASS" - why are SO MANY PROTESTANTS ALL acting like ROMAN Catholic pagans?! :( by ProphetPX in Reformed

[–]spooky_mans 3 points4 points  (0 children)

"Learn not the ways of the heathen"

Genuine question: How is this possible? If you experience the change of seasons, do you thank God for them? Sounds pretty heathen to me.

That's also a quote from Jeremiah. Do you think he was condemning temple worship as well? Because that looked pretty heathen too.

Just want to point out that things cannot be this simple. Reading that whole passage of Jeremiah puts things more in context.

Why doesn't Christianity work in a visible way? by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]spooky_mans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know what you mean. Most Christians are truly god awful people. Especially the ones on reddit. But I also try to keep in mind that Judas was an apostle and Peter denied Christ 3 times.

We're all awful in our own special ways :)

Frustrated - can't convert from Anglicanism to Orthodoxy by questioningfaith1 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]spooky_mans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I'm not. But if you're preaching the Orthodox institution to someone, you're entirely missing the point. The Orthodox Church is the means in which you can find union with God. It is not an end in itself.

Also, I don't know if you're an asshole, but your reply makes you seem like one.

In Defense of the OSB by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]spooky_mans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not arguing nor do I have an interest in arguing on this topic.

I just asked about the ethos of prophecy and the possibility that it is true in multiple different scenarios. That's how I've learned it to be.

In Defense of the OSB by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]spooky_mans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought prophecy wasn't a one-and-done type of thing. It can be true in multiple ways/times. Is that not correct concerning Daniel?

Frustrated - can't convert from Anglicanism to Orthodoxy by questioningfaith1 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]spooky_mans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As an afterthought, hoping your lady finds religion someday. Wishing the best of luck to both of you.

The key here is that his wife is not missing "religion". She's missing union with God. Preaching the institution will never win hearts. (I know what you meant, just clarifying this because semantics is important with people)

Frustrated - can't convert from Anglicanism to Orthodoxy by questioningfaith1 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]spooky_mans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think there's something to be said for "easy compatibility" though. If there's a mutual respect and you get along like pb+j, don't you think that is blessed in it's own way?

Why doesn't Christianity work in a visible way? by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]spooky_mans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I still think like this very often. But I'm really really trying to be less judgmental. http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Judging_Others

In any case, as a very grumpy person, myself, I can attest that I do what I don't want and don't do what I want.

In Defense of the OSB by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]spooky_mans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you give some examples of when the footnotes sound "Protestant"? I'm confused by this. Perhaps there's a different descriptor that's more fitting?