why is it that when you think of a necessary book to have in your home you automatically think the bible? why is it so important to teach people about the bible?
it is not
necessary books will be: phone book with emergency numbers like gas, plumbing, electricity, adresses
some medical reference book, so on.
but Internet substitutes for me everything
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March 31 2009 | Bible | 7 Comments »
Is it the same thing when the Church canonizes a person as a saint? If someone is beatified, does that mean we know that person is in heaven with God and can intercede for us?
P.S. … no Catholic bashing please. This is a serious question.
It means the person is about half way to being canonized as a saint.
Saints are people in heaven or on their way to heaven. All Christians dead and alive are saints.
The Catholic Church selects some of the most extraordinary examples, does in-depth research, and canonizes them.
Canonization is the solemn declaration by the Pope that a deceased member of the faithful may be proposed as a model and intercessor (not mediator) to the Christian faithful on the basis of the fact that the person lived a life of heroic virtue or remained faithful to God through martyrdom.
Here is the modern method of canonization:
In order to allow greater objectivity and less emotion, no petition for sainthood can be made until at least 5 years after the candidate’s death.
+ Diocesan Investigation +
A diocese, parish, religious congregation, or association asks the bishop of the diocese in which the candidate died to open the investigation. After Vatican approval, the bishop forms a diocesan tribunal.
Witnesses are called before the tribunal to recount the candidate’s heroic exercise of Christian virtues. All documents regarding the candidate must be gathered.
At this point he is entitled to the title of Servant of God.
+ Vatican Investigation +
All documentation is passed on to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican.
The cause undergoes an examination by nine theologians.
If passed, the cause is for examined by the Congregation.
If passed, the cause is presented to the Pope for approval. A decree is published and read publicly.
+ Beatification +
A miracle attributed to the Servant of God is necessary.
The miracle must be proven through an appropriate investigation and another decree is issued.
Then the Pope decides on beatification.
With beatification, the candidate receives the title of Blessed.
+ Canonization +
Another miracle occurring after beatification is needed for canonization (sainthood), attributed to the Blessed’s intercession.
This miracle must again be proven through an appropriate investigation.
Papal infallibility is involved with canonization.
The Blessed acquires the title of Saint.
http://www.usccb.org/comm/SaintsFinal.pdf
For the latest beatifications and canonizations, see: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/index_canoniz-beat_en.html
+ With love in Christ.
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March 31 2009 | Catholic | 6 Comments »
Do you think they should be built in the first place?
These universities include Bob Jones University, Liberty University, Oral Roberts University.
Bob Jones University is known to have really strict rules and regulations. For example, one cannot watch a movie that is above G-rated when in someone’s house. Or one cannot play video games even if it said it’s age 10 and up. Rock music, country music, jazz or contemporary Christian music are banned in this university.
Such strict rules are definitely unnecessary.
While I wouldn't likely attend any of these, why wouldn't they have the same right to teach their agenda as any other private university?
I'm not sure Liberty is in the same restrictive class as Bob Jones (they may be) and you left Pensacola Bible College (probably the most strict) off your list.
Actually, some of the military colleges have even more restrictive policies but for a different reason.
Fact is though – people that pick these colleges know what they're getting into (or should know) when they apply. If that's what they want in an educational experience then more power to them.
Add: Eri, Liberty is accredited by SACS and Oral Roberts is accredited by NorthCentral. These are regionally accredited colleges. Liberty and Bob Jones are accredited by TRACS (national accreditor). All three issue accredited degrees.
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March 31 2009 | Christian | 6 Comments »
In Russian Icon paintings metal coverings (called oklads or rizas) were shaped like the figure(s) in the icon with a kind of sculpting (embossing and engraving in relief). These coverings were also made of silver or silvergilt, pearls and jewels.
I was told there was a mythic/supernatural reasons for this as well as practical.
An embedded part of the liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church, they were used as a means of teaching Christianity to a largely illiterate population. They were also seen as being attributed with miraculous events through Divine intervention and as a manifestation of God's continued love, mercy and power. They were frequently displayed before battles to re-assure soldiers of God's protection and the righteousness of their cause.
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March 31 2009 | Icon | 1 Comment »
On one hand, Christians argue that the bible isn't to be taken literally. But on the other they quote scripture and say it's the word of God and should be taken literally. Who is right?
Why don't we just say that the bible is a work of fiction and should only be used as a reference?
I think common sense is not a good guideline because we have varying amounts of "sense" in addition to what what makes perfect sense to one may not make any sense at all to someone equally gifted. For instance most everyone in my family can draw. They say it’s common sense – you draw what your eyes see. I don’t “see” what they “see”. I worked in IT for over 15 years – it’s common sense – pure logic.
Rule #1
One VERY important rule of thumb is that the Bible has no contradictions. This rule obviously presumes the bible is
the Word of God. If your interpretation is conflicting with other parts of the Bible – then obviously the people who wrote it were not guided by the Holy Spirit or… it *is* the Word of God and you are mistaken in your interpretation. There are no two ways about it.
That is an important clue. A literal interpretation, if conflicting, may be figurative (metaphoric) And of course, vice-versa.
Rule #2
The Bible will TELL you if it is a vision or a parable.
In Daniel 7, Daniel had visions and they could have been recorded as they were. However a spirit being revealed the meaning of the visions to him.
15As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved and anxious within me, and the visions of my head alarmed and agitated me.
16I came near to one of those who stood there and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.
17These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.
18But the saints of the Most High [God] shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.(F)
etc. etc. etc.
This happens again when John saw visions while exiled on the Island of Patmos where he wrote Revelations. (The Revealing)
Revelation 17 (I use the amplified version to “amplify” the understanding)
7But the angel said to me, Why do you wonder? I will explain to you the [secret symbolic meaning of the] mystery of the woman, as well as of the beast having the seven heads and ten horns that carries her.
8The beast that you saw [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is going to come up out of the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and proceed to go to perdition. And the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been recorded in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they look at the beast, because he [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is [yet] to come.(D)
etc. etc. etc.
15And [the angel further] said to me, The waters that you observed, where the harlot is seated, are races and multitudes and nations and dialects (languages).
16And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will [be the very ones to] hate the harlot (the idolatrous woman); they will make her cheerless (bereaved, desolate), and they will strip her and eat up her flesh and utterly consume her with fire.
17For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His own purpose by acting in harmony in surrendering their royal power and authority to the beast, until the prophetic words (intentions and promises) of God shall be fulfilled.
18And the woman that you saw is herself the great city which dominates and controls the rulers and the leaders of the earth.
SO AGAIN THE BIBLE EXPLAINS THE VISION
We also use the CONTENT as we were taught in grade school
In the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, it is understood to be a parable and not a true story because of the context in which it was written. The other “stories” before and after are called Parables.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
But probably the most unpopular reason that is difficult to discern many things about the Word Of God is the following:
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MATTHEW 13:10 – 14 (AMPLIFIED VERSION)
10Then the disciples came to Him and said, Why do You speak to them in parables?
11And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12For whoever has [spiritual knowledge], to him will more be given and he will [c]be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
13This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because [d]having the power of seeing, they do not see; and [e]having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and understand.
14In them indeed is [f]the process of fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: You shall indeed hear and hear but never grasp and understand; and you shall indeed look and look but never see and perceive.
THIS IS A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW… IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND.. AND ALSO CHOOSE AN ANTOGONISTIC AND DOUBTFUL STANCE, AS OPPOSED TO ONE MORE OPEN-MINDED, MAYBE YOU NEVER WILL.
One has to consider that if there really was an all powerful Creator, then it is reasonable to assume that you might not understand many things clearly all at once. Just beyond the mental capacity of a mere mortal. However if you feel you are up to challenging a supernatural entity – have at it. As a betting man I’d have to place my bets on the logic and reasoning and “truth” as explained by a supernatural entity as opposed to many of the equally unbelievable theories proposed by non-believers.
So Rule #3
If you choose to find the fallacies and strive to disprove the Word Of God, you are really thwarting your efforts to understand and really wasting your time.
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March 29 2009 | Bible | 14 Comments »
If you call "the whore of babylon" (the world empire of false religion)the roman catholic church does that mean that you don't have to include your denomination from being a part of that?How do you come to that conclusion?
The Catholic church, I believe, is the Great Whore mentioned in the Revelation, and the Protestant churches are her "harlot daughters".
Not trying to offend, but read your bible and compare the doctrines of your church with what Scripture actually says. No honest person can say that their church is clean.
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March 29 2009 | Catholic | 25 Comments »
My friend (we're girls) want to sing a duet for a competition and the song has to be Christian. We can't sing high so that means we need a low song, but not too low. Any suggestions? Thanks!
I sung Angel by Sarah Mclaughlin (i think) as a duet,
it was great and brought the house down! It doesn't go too high (i'm an alto) and has beautiful lyrics with a christian meaning.
Hope you get on well whatever you choose,
God Bless
x
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March 29 2009 | Christian | 2 Comments »
Ok on my taskbar (I have Vista), the icon for the window or anything like that on the right near the time. How do I change it back to where the icons stay for the windows near the start button?
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/rearrange-taskbar-buttons/
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March 29 2009 | Icon | 1 Comment »
Someone close may have cancer. I am going to the hospital to pray over them, and looking through my bible to see what may be a good, inspirational verse. Any good ones?
Thank you for asking this, I would recommend praying to the Lord that He would give you a verse. All of God's word is inspirational, and it is when He makes it alive in us that it becomes special to us. The Lord opens our eyes and hearts to see those precious promises that He gives to us in His word, how precious His word is! I would love to share some verses that I love and that I am thinking of right now that have to do with praying for someone.
Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
I have prayed for you and your friend,
with sincerity in Christ,
andrew
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March 27 2009 | Bible | 19 Comments »
I married a catholic guy 4 years back. The marriage didn't even last 2 days, but I never got a divorce. I am now getting one and will be free in 2 months. Can I marry in a church again? I am a protestant though. Will the church agree to this? What if he comes and creates a scene at my wedding?
The gospel and the Bible mentions marriage and divorce. You can get married again if your spouse has cheated or died. There are also other cases like abuse and so on that is accepted as well. This is to go for all Christians. I don't like to separate us. Peter set out one Church under Jesus' guidance. Church meaning one body. We all share the same wonderful God and Lord. Congrats on finding love again! Your ex should not make a scene. He's not marrying you, the Lord is. God Bless!
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March 27 2009 | Protestant | 5 Comments »