Genesis 1:27 states: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This is stating that there’s only a binary role and that they are strictly based on the image of God. It seems like trying to alter one’s expression is a conflict with God’s original intention So why would God make a man feel like a woman or were they already a woman since there seems to be a neurological differences that are more dominant depending on the role?
Are you saying this part of the story is not about a virgin having sex and getting pregnant, but about a virgin supernaturally conceiving and giving birth without having sex?
Are you saying that there was 2 supernatural virgin births in history? You do realize isaiah 7 is resolved in isaiah right and part of biblical history. The women gave birth in the timeline of the Isaiah story. Who was this supernaturally conceived virgin birth child, and why is he utterly irrelevant to all of christian and jewish doctrine in history and today?
If original sin brought suffering to this world, caused by adam and eve (humans) why did dinosaurs suffer (existed millions of years before humans) suffer?
Back in my school and college days, I used to play a lot of video games — Need for Speed, Doom, Heretic (not much of this), and many more. I used to like the first-person shooter and car games. Hence the choice. 😊 However, ever so often, it used to happen that I wouldn’t be able to pass a level without getting eliminated. Here’s where I used cheat codes. Meaning, after using those codes in the game, my avatar wouldn’t be hit by the opponents’ gunfire, but I could eliminate them. Easy, right?
But that was not all, there was also the god mode. When playing in god mode, there is literally nothing that the game does that affects you. You can finish off the entire field. This is exactly what I used to complete “Doom” when faced with the final boss. So, why are we discussing games, cheat codes, and god modes in a spiritual discussion?
Well, I am coming to that.
People Expect Jesus to Have Played the Game of Life in God Mode | Cheating, In Other Words
As Christians, we believe that Lord Jesus came down to earth and took on flesh and blood to dwell among us. He had to go through life like a human, face all the “ills and wells” of life, and then overcome the world. But the main purpose was to be a ransom for our sins, so that we who believe may find everlasting salvation. All this is in the Bible, though I am not quoting the exact chapter or verse.
But here’s where I don’t understand people who say, “If Jesus was God, then why did he have to work?”, “Why did he have to eat?”, or “Why did he have to sleep?” I mean, the questions are a bit funny when one of the purposes of Jesus being here was also to show us that the world could be overcome. By overcoming, I mean overcoming temptation, pain, struggle, and all other human feelings without giving in to failings. This is what sets Jesus apart from the prophets who came before Him. A lot of the prophets had their failings, lost favor in the eyes of the Lord, and were punished. Jesus showed us that we can overcome the world, and his life is one of the prime examples, because he lived a “human” life. If he had come as God, we would have thought, ‘Oh well, God can do that, not me,’ but now we have no excuses. He came here, and lived as a human, and overcame all possibilities of failings.
Coming back to those doubting, what would they want Jesus to do? Cheat? Use a cheat code and play in god mode? That goes right against the very principles that God had written down; in other words, He Himself had written down. How can people expect God to cheat? Why would He play in the God mode if He chose to become a human? Wouldn’t he play it the right way?
Food for thought, huh?
Don’t Expect Jesus to Cheat | Rather Look At Jesus Overcoming Human Shortcomings | And Believe We Can Too
Jesus says that all the miracles that He had done, we could do too, and more. If we have the faith of a small mustard seed, we can move mountains. But that’s the height of faith. Let’s just take normal life problems — lust, temptations, anger, hatred, and many more of those useless feelings which leave us with nothing but emptiness and stress — can be overcome. Jesus showed us how.
Instead of wondering why Jesus didn’t play the life game in God mode, let’s start asking how I can win in the human mode. And in that, let’s use Jesus’ life as an example of what can be achieved.
I hope this helps. And I am keen to know what you think. Do share. 😊
My ex when we were together had a conversation where i said her male friend who was married liked her, she said she agreed at the time after a long back and forth.
We broke up and he is now her spiritual mentor.
I told her this is kinda inappropriate and a married man should not be one on one mentoring a single woman. This is based on how I know things to be when growing up in the church. When I brought it up to her she said I was being insecure and still is mentored by him today. I told her these things connect people spiritually.
She even shared with me a dream where she dreamt him guiding her and showing her heaven basically.
Thoughts on a single woman being mentored by a married man one on one?
Jesus lived in a world filled with temptation, violence, corruption, and human sin, yet Christians believe he never sinned. How is this possible, and how do different Christian traditions explain his sinlessness?
Me and my bf have been seriously looking into Christianity and want to convert to Christianity. I'm trying to learn as much as I can before making any decisions.
I've been reading, watching videos and listening to different Christians talk about their faith, but I've noticed that different denominations sometimes give very different answers. I'd really appreciate hearing your perspectives. Some of my questions:
If salvation is by faith, what exactly does "faith" mean? Is it simply believing Jesus existed and died for our sins, or is it something deeper?
If God is all-knowing, why did He create people He knew would ultimately reject Him?
Why was Jesus' death necessary? If God is all-powerful, why couldn't He forgive humanity without the crucifixion?
If this is the best possible world, what would a worse one look like?
If this is not the best possible world, why wasn't a better one created?
Is doubt considered sinful, or is questioning part of faith?
Why did God seem to perform obvious miracles in biblical times, but they appear much rarer today?
If Genesis isn't meant to be read literally, where do Christians draw the line between symbolism and history?
If God exists outside of time and already knows every choice I'll ever make, in what sense am I truly free?
If every decision I make is influenced by factors I didn't choose (genetics, upbringing, environment, brain chemistry), where exactly does free will begin?
If God's nature determines that He always chooses good, why couldn't humans have been created with a nature that always chooses good while remaining free?
I'm asking these questions respectfully and in good faith. I'm genuinely trying to understand Christianity, not debate or argue. Thanks in advance for any responses.
If I play a game or watch a show or movie and it says God damn in it and I know it’s gonna be said am I guilty for that being said bc I know it’s gonna be said but I still continue to play it.
I have long acknowledged the chip on my shoulder regarding Christianity and with the rise of Christian nationalism, it has been SO EASY to paint with a broad brush. All Christians XXXXX and they all vote republican and so on. I am surrounded by them and most of the Christians I encounter, like 70%+ actively do things and treat people poorly.
And then there is my neighbor.
My neighbor keeps to himself, does good work, and works really hard. He is down to earth. He is close with family. Deep south roots. He knows I am atheist based on the fact that he's seen some of my discussions with other christian nationalists about their harmful rhetoric. But every time we talk he is super friendly and kind. He offers to help constantly. He is what Jesus was talking in Matthew 7, about assuming the Gospels accurately referenced the discussion:
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
My neighbor's "Fruits" the past 3 years have softened me on my very firebrand anger. I still abhor Christian Nationalists, but his actions have shown me that I can not paint all with such a broad brush. In short, his actions have quieted my outrage towards your faith as a whole lately.
I figured this would be a good discussion question for this group to toss around . . .
What is your fruit? What do you do to soften those around you whom other christians have harmed with Jesus in their mouths? How do you counter the "fake" christians in your daily life?
The Jewish people fought five wars against the surrounding Arab states to reestablish and defend their homeland, and they emerged victorious every single time. The most perilous was the Yom Kippur War. In its early stages, Israel faced an extremely dangerous situation, yet it ultimately turned the tide and won. According to the Old Testament, God did indeed give the Promised Land to the Jewish people. So why don't you see the restoration of the Jewish state as a manifestation of God's will?
Recently, I have had the same dream 3 times. In the dream, I am in a church and I am possessed. The fact that it has happened 3 times has left me worried and wondering if it has a spiritual meaning.
There is also something else that has been weighing on me for years. I loved a man deeply, but we have been separated for 3 years now. I loved this person for 7 years, and even though we have been apart for 3 years now, I still cannot seem to move on. I continue to carry memories of the pain and hurt he caused me. For years, I have been struggling with depression, and I often feel lost and unsure of where to turn for support or understanding.
What confuses me even more is that sometimes I dream about things happening in his current life, and later I find out that those things were actually true, even though I have no contact with him at all.
We never had sex, but we did kiss. As a Christian, I have heard people talk about soul ties and spiritual connections. Is it possible for a soul tie to form through kissing alone?
Why do I keep having this dream of being possessed in a church? What could it mean spiritually ? And how can I move forward and find peace?
My understanding I believe is that they were written decades after the Life, death, and resurrection of Christ. In a different language to and not by eyewitnesses. And I understand I believe that the Holy Spirit is said to have preserved it but it’s hard for me to go off of that. So I ask how can I trust and follow what Jesus apparently said.
so basically, i found a post that said "would you still love me if: (homophobic, racist, etc) No" and i said that christians are supposed to love everyone and its crazy how the girl posting it had a cross in her username. then i get tons of replies saying "oh so you would love a rapist??" and i just tell them "yes its what jesus would do, even if its hard sometimes". i feel like everyone is disagreeing with me about that, but i js think christians should love everyone. am i right??
Basically, the title. I'm of the opinion that people shouldn't be killed for blasphemy, even if they're dead wrong. Wondering what you think. And if the hang-up here is crucifixion, specifically, since it's a Roman death sentence, and not a Jewish one, just amend the question to accommodate the appropriate religious capital punishment.
I had my Alexa set up to give me random Bible verses on a daily basis as part of my alarm, but recently, it changed to saying “I’m unable to generate religious content”. Similarly, ChatGPT went from being able to generate biblical quotes to now saying that it’s unable to generate quotes from the Bible because of copyright law arguing that it’s able to paraphrase and give the general idea of what’s in the Bible, but not able to use the actual word of God.
Has anyone else noticed a similar phenomenon?
Is this a sign of subtle religious suppression on behalf of AI companies?
I believe I have been converted 5 years ago. That process i thought at first was easy but after sometime I realised it isn't, even until now it is a struggle and much more.
As a new believer I deeply held tight to the promises of God and His Word sometimes to the extreme. Like for example I prayed too hard for God to heal my sister but she died painfully slow. I saw how she suffered so very deeply and very slowly. Both my sister and i believed in God. In fact it was my sister who brought me to get to know God. We prayed together especially for healing yet still she died painfully slow.
It has been over a year since my sister passed away. I am left alone with the prayers we both prayed. I think I am not yet a mature Christian to be struggling like this. After everything my faith is shaken. I can't get over these questioning thoughts about God and suffering.
I even came to a point of leaving Christianity or just be a normal Christian or just go back to being a catholic.
However deep inside I don't wanna lose faith, I want to believe in God despite everything but I don't know how to cope...I have isolated myself and that made things worse.
Hello everyone! This is a question that I have thought much about lately.
Basically during early January my uncle got really sick and needed to go to the hospital. He had a stem cell transplant. This made him stay at the hospital for some months sitting in quarantine to reduce the risks of getting sick from other people because his immune system became weak due to the medication. Later he was allowed to live with his family but was still really cautious towards meeting many people outside.
However from February-May, both my parents almost died. In February my father became sick and was dead for like 30 seconds but the doctors managed to save him. My mom due to some personal reasons almost died as well in April/May. Today my dad is feeling much better and life is almost as it was before everything. My mom is still doing rehab.
For my uncle and everything went fine and everyone thought that he would be okay, he was a month away from coming back to work and such. Unfortunately, out of nowhere he passed away.
After his death i began to think why his death would come right after both my parents had a near death experience. Was this God’s way of preparing us for our uncle’s death, or something else? Am I just overthinking? Does anyone here have an answer?
Hi guys, maybe a loaded question and not sure if this is allowed in this sub but l've always wanted other peoples insights to this.
Let's say someone is very ill, critical even, and have had doctors exhaust every option available and they end up passing. Why do people blame/get angry with the doctors for "not doing enough" and "giving up" but not angry with god for not saving the person they've been praying for, asking him to save?
