Comments on: Living Inside the World of Scripture http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:32:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Cope On The World of Scripture « My WORD http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58855 Cope On The World of Scripture « My WORD Sun, 01 Apr 2007 21:55:54 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58855 [...] Sunday, April 1st, 2007 in God's Word by kendanley It’s the 2nd of 3 topics on Mike Cope’s March 26th post, but it worth a read: Living Inside the World of Scripture.  [...] [...] Sunday, April 1st, 2007 in God’s Word by kendanley It’s the 2nd of 3 topics on Mike Cope’s March 26th post, but it worth a read: Living Inside the World of Scripture.  [...]

]]> By: Troy http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58564 Troy Fri, 30 Mar 2007 03:16:22 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58564 Country Fred, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Without truth, which exists without consensus, honesty and decency are a matter of perception. How else can Chavez be praised for giving away heating oil in the US, while robbing his own citizens? Or, why is Akmadinijad a hero, to some, for denying the Holocaust? Or even our beloved Oprah, who expressed an exacerbating concern for slave children in Africa, while during a 15 minute segment, she made enough money to buy the freedom for each and every one of them. If truth were exposed and accepted, people like these couldn't exploit the natural inclination of others to see the best in them, in order to further their agenda. The question remains, as Pilate once said, "What is truth?" Were you there when the earth was formed? If not, then we're even. Now, we can only go by the evidence that exists. You choose to put your trust in science, which cannot agree on how the great pyramids were built, or even if eggs are good or bad for you. I've chosen to rely on ancient scriptures, the account of eyewitnesses, faith, and common sense. Jesus said, of himself, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life...". For me personally, my benchmark for honesty and decency, is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Country Fred,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Without truth, which exists without consensus, honesty and decency are a matter of perception. How else can Chavez be praised for giving away heating oil in the US, while robbing his own citizens? Or, why is Akmadinijad a hero, to some, for denying the Holocaust? Or even our beloved Oprah, who expressed an exacerbating concern for slave children in Africa, while during a 15 minute segment, she made enough money to buy the freedom for each and every one of them. If truth were exposed and accepted, people like these couldn’t exploit the natural inclination of others to see the best in them, in order to further their agenda.

The question remains, as Pilate once said, “What is truth?” Were you there when the earth was formed? If not, then we’re even. Now, we can only go by the evidence that exists. You choose to put your trust in science, which cannot agree on how the great pyramids were built, or even if eggs are good or bad for you. I’ve chosen to rely on ancient scriptures, the account of eyewitnesses, faith, and common sense. Jesus said, of himself, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life…”. For me personally, my benchmark for honesty and decency, is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

]]> By: Country Fred http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58147 Country Fred Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:56:18 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58147 Troy, "In addition, honesty and decency without truth are truthfully dishonest and indecent. " Don't get it. Troy,

“In addition, honesty and decency without truth are truthfully dishonest and indecent. ”

Don’t get it.

]]> By: HarvestBoston » the secret http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58117 HarvestBoston » the secret Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:14:48 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58117 [...] On a related note, I loved this quote from Terry Rush in the comments section on this PreacherMike post: The reason “The Secret” is best known for being “out of stock” at local bookstores is because the world is clamoring for hope. Why didn’t it find it in Christianity? Because we took the light out of its socket so we could inspect the finer details of the wiring. [...] [...] On a related note, I loved this quote from Terry Rush in the comments section on this PreacherMike post: The reason “The Secret” is best known for being “out of stock” at local bookstores is because the world is clamoring for hope. Why didn’t it find it in Christianity? Because we took the light out of its socket so we could inspect the finer details of the wiring. [...]

]]> By: Chris http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58086 Chris Tue, 27 Mar 2007 08:09:08 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58086 If one can "flatten" scripture today, consider what the people under the Law of Moses could do. Just a bunch of "rules and regs....." If one can “flatten” scripture today, consider what the people under the Law of Moses could do. Just a bunch of “rules and regs…..”

]]> By: Troy http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58055 Troy Tue, 27 Mar 2007 02:38:45 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58055 Country Fred, Hope is a curious word. I'm guessing that your hope is defined by not giving up. My hope depends on my giving up. In addition, honesty and decency without truth are truthfully dishonest and indecent. Country Fred,

Hope is a curious word. I’m guessing that your hope is defined by not giving up. My hope depends on my giving up.

In addition, honesty and decency without truth are truthfully dishonest and indecent.

]]> By: Amy http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58054 Amy Tue, 27 Mar 2007 02:36:41 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58054 That was supposed to be a number eight up there, not sure where that emoticon came from! That was supposed to be a number eight up there, not sure where that emoticon came from!

]]> By: Amy http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58053 Amy Tue, 27 Mar 2007 02:35:46 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58053 Chris, I think we are using the term "Easter" to mean the resurrection, which is what we celebrate and what gives us hope every day (not just April 8). The annual celebration started with the Passover, which is why Jesus was in Jerusalem when he was crucified. So, it remains a sacred day to be celebrated, wouldn't you say? Fred, I agree that atheists do good things, too. You're right in saying that we all have a choice in being honest and decent. But still, our righteous acts are like filthy rags in the light of God's holiness. We all sin, both followers of Jesus and atheists alike. Would you agree with that statement? I would also like to hear from you about the moral code question Jeanna raised. And how your beliefs compare with ours regarding our sinful state and need to be made holy through Jesus' blood. Does sin matter to an atheist? I hope my tone doesn't sound argumenative, I just want to know what you think. Mike, are we hijacking your blog? Do you even care with that grandbaby on the way? :) Chris, I think we are using the term “Easter” to mean the resurrection, which is what we celebrate and what gives us hope every day (not just April 8). The annual celebration started with the Passover, which is why Jesus was in Jerusalem when he was crucified. So, it remains a sacred day to be celebrated, wouldn’t you say?

Fred, I agree that atheists do good things, too. You’re right in saying that we all have a choice in being honest and decent. But still, our righteous acts are like filthy rags in the light of God’s holiness.

We all sin, both followers of Jesus and atheists alike. Would you agree with that statement? I would also like to hear from you about the moral code question Jeanna raised. And how your beliefs compare with ours regarding our sinful state and need to be made holy through Jesus’ blood. Does sin matter to an atheist? I hope my tone doesn’t sound argumenative, I just want to know what you think.

Mike, are we hijacking your blog? Do you even care with that grandbaby on the way? :)

]]> By: jeanna (beaner) http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58048 jeanna (beaner) Tue, 27 Mar 2007 01:28:08 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58048 Country Fred, I guess I meant that hope is a positive to me, and just returning to dust sounds more like a negative to me. Also, if you are only returning to dust, then you won't know if your life was a waste or not, so what does it matter? Finally, what prevents you form doing whatever you want in this life, if there is no reward/punishment (or whatever you want to call it) in the next one? I'm just trying to understand because atheism to me makes about as much sense as Christianity does to you. I honestly want to know what keeps you from being an animal? What gives you your "moral code"? Country Fred,

I guess I meant that hope is a positive to me, and just returning to dust sounds more like a negative to me.

Also, if you are only returning to dust, then you won’t know if your life was a waste or not, so what does it matter?

Finally, what prevents you form doing whatever you want in this life, if there is no reward/punishment (or whatever you want to call it) in the next one? I’m just trying to understand because atheism to me makes about as much sense as Christianity does to you. I honestly want to know what keeps you from being an animal? What gives you your “moral code”?

]]> By: Chris http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58047 Chris Tue, 27 Mar 2007 01:23:13 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58047 What is all this Easter business? I've always thought we celebrate the resurrection every first day of the week. Where is the command for an annual celebration? The same question could apply to Christmas. What is all this Easter business? I’ve always thought we celebrate the resurrection every first day of the week. Where is the command for an annual celebration? The same question could apply to Christmas.

]]> By: Country Fred http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58042 Country Fred Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:50:54 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58042 Beaner, "then what is the negative?" That my life was wasted when I do return to dust. Hope that answers it. Didn't really understand your question though. Amy, Where do good things in atheists come from? I think you choose to be honest and decent or you don't. Beaner,

“then what is the negative?” That my life was wasted when I do return to dust.

Hope that answers it. Didn’t really understand your question though.

Amy,

Where do good things in atheists come from? I think you choose to be honest and decent or you don’t.

]]> By: Beth http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58040 Beth Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:39:17 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58040 GKB...In our early marriage we moved to a town where the previous preacher left quickly, without explanation...and we later learned he was approaching the teenage girls sexually. There was a lot of unrest in the congregation, naturally, and after we'd been there about a year my husband was told by an elder, "You have turned this church around. You have brought us back together and challenged the congregation to get back into the Word. You have made us refocus on the mission Christ gave. However, when you preach the truth, even in love, you make some people mad...and these people have money, so we are going to have to let you go." We knew who these people were (about 10 or 12 out of a congregation of nearly 300)...and within two more years their marriages had fallen apart, and most of them had left the Lord completely. GKB…In our early marriage we moved to a town where the previous preacher left quickly, without explanation…and we later learned he was approaching the teenage girls sexually. There was a lot of unrest in the congregation, naturally, and after we’d been there about a year my husband was told by an elder, “You have turned this church around. You have brought us back together and challenged the congregation to get back into the Word. You have made us refocus on the mission Christ gave. However, when you preach the truth, even in love, you make some people mad…and these people have money, so we are going to have to let you go.” We knew who these people were (about 10 or 12 out of a congregation of nearly 300)…and within two more years their marriages had fallen apart, and most of them had left the Lord completely.

]]> By: Coping http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58036 Coping Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:02:43 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58036 I'm thinking April 1 - easy to remember. I’m thinking April 1 - easy to remember.

]]> By: Jim Martin http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58027 Jim Martin Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:34:38 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58027 Mike, Very, very good comment on preaching. You said much in a few brief paragraphs. Mike,

Very, very good comment on preaching. You said much in a few brief paragraphs.

]]> By: Amy http://preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58022 Amy Mon, 26 Mar 2007 19:55:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/03/26/living-inside-the-world-of-scripture#comment-58022 Fred, You said, "If seems very discouraging if one is honest and decent only becasue of Easter." I can only speak for myself, and the truth of the matter is that the only things good and decent about me are from Jesus. I am pretty hopeless without him, and I am hopelessly in love with him. It is hard to explain, but I depend on the power of the Holy Spirit constantly. I can't imagine anywhere else hope can be found than in God. Fred,

You said, “If seems very discouraging if one is honest and decent only becasue of Easter.” I can only speak for myself, and the truth of the matter is that the only things good and decent about me are from Jesus. I am pretty hopeless without him, and I am hopelessly in love with him. It is hard to explain, but I depend on the power of the Holy Spirit constantly. I can’t imagine anywhere else hope can be found than in God.

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