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In the name of God - 3/22/2008 1:49:09 AM
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Dizzy_Dave
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What do I tell a person who has turned away from God due to history being filled with people abusing the Lord's name and carrying out there own will in the name of God.
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RE: In the name of God - 3/22/2008 7:26:55 AM
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mathlady
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Isn't it interesting that everyone knows about all the atrocities that have been committed in the name of God but so few know about all of the good that has been done in His name?
I might ask if he has heard of people like Mother Theresa, George Mueller, and the millions of other people who quietly lived their lives in service to others in the name of Jesus. The reason that these people are not widely known is because they chose to serve Him, not themselves. In fact they gave their lives in service to Him with the specific goal of NOT getting fame for themselves.
The world is full of people who have made a claim of doing something for one reason when there was an ulterior motive. You might want to invite him to join you in a visit to a local soup kitchen or crisis pregnancy clinic or any other local Christian based organization so that he can see first-hand people who are serving Christ without seeking fame and fortune. These hidden saints are the best examples of who God truly means us to be, not the Crusaders or the Inquisitors.
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RE: In the name of God - 3/22/2008 1:11:34 PM
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Doc65
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Don't forget Dietrich Bonhoeffer!
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"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights." Hab. 3:19
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RE: In the name of God - 3/23/2008 6:57:33 AM
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mathlady
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I heard a great sermon by Ravi Zacharias that I will try to find a transcript of when I have time. The gist of it was that, although people claim to refuse to believe in God because of all of the evil that was done in His name, they fail to see the evil that is done in the name of god-less-ness. The evil done in the name of God is an illogical result of that belief, but the genocides committed by those who are committed to humanism - Hitler, Stalin, the killings fields, China - are a logical outcome from the philosophy which was embraced. That truly is a scary thought. And those who are Christians recognize the wrong which was done as wrong; those who are godless applaud the "advancement" which comes as a result of "culling the herd."
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RE: In the name of God - 3/23/2008 2:02:04 PM
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bob97
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How many people doing evil things in the name of God were Christians? I doubt very many.
Bob
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The LORD clears the road for me!
The LORD is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer!
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RE: In the name of God - 3/24/2008 1:48:52 PM
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RangerForGod
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Of the atrocities I have witnessed overseas, some were done in the the name of God. It is the progressive ideologies of EACH religion that have used this excuse. I have seen the horrors in the eyes of men, women, and children. I have heard the question of why would a God allow this several times. But when we handed out rice, flour, water, and milk to people, and when we provided security and safety, they would call us "Heaven sent." And this renewed their faith that God was good, and that God heard their prayers. There was a faint light of hope in these people's eyes, and they rejoiced when we were there. I often ask myself how many of those people that we helped are still alive.
I lost all faith in seeing these things. I too asked myself, "Where is God?" It took many years and a good friend to guide me back onto the path. I believe that God gave me the power to save more people than the other side took. And in a way, it is a satisfying emotion.
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The world of strangers cannot judge me, for they do not know me.
God alone will judge me.
"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
-- GK Chesterton
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RE: In the name of God - 3/25/2008 10:20:47 PM
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Ephesians4_32
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I would say, "I care about you even if we have different beliefs."
My own thoughts are that not all who claim to be Christians actually are. So if they do something absurd in the name of Christ...
Matthew 7
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
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RE: In the name of God - 3/31/2008 3:20:58 PM
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DaveW
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ephesians4_32
My own thoughts are that not all who claim to be Christians actually are. So if they do something absurd in the name of Christ...
That is the cheap and easy way out.
Martin Luther went on a major antisemetic tirade at the end of his life. Many messianics have questioned if he was really saved given the severity of his attacks. It is too easy to say that someone who does stuff like that are not really believers. I (sadly) think in many cases they actually are believers, but badly deceived.
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RE: In the name of God - 3/31/2008 3:51:25 PM
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WesP
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Dizzy_Dave
What do I tell a person who has turned away from God due to history being filled with people abusing the Lord's name and carrying out there own will in the name of God.
Tell that person to place trust in God, not man. Man will always let you down, but God never will. We all make mistakes, and some of them are horrible.
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Peace,
Wes
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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RE: In the name of God - 4/4/2008 4:07:02 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: WesSavedByGrace
quote:
ORIGINAL: Dizzy_Dave
What do I tell a person who has turned away from God due to history being filled with people abusing the Lord's name and carrying out there own will in the name of God.
Tell that person to place trust in God, not man. Man will always let you down, but God never will. We all make mistakes, and some of them are horrible.
I agree. I would encourage that person to start studying God for themselves. The phrase "in the name of God", or "in the name of the Lord" is throughout the Bible and one cannot exhaust the depths of the meaning of it. It is one of my favorite phrases.
"In the name of God" means in the character of God along with His works. In the Bible the name of a person represented a person's character Ex - Sarah = princess.
I would pray and encourage that person to study Jesus Christ of Nazareth as depicted in the gospels to get an accurate assessment of what God is like - not man.
And allow the Lord to reflect Himself through you 
_____________________________
~Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ~
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RE: In the name of God - 4/6/2008 12:02:19 AM
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bob97
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From: Kansas
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quote:
I (sadly) think in many cases they actually are believers, but badly deceived.
A true believer will not be deceived. Many believe in God, not all belong to Christ...of course you know this Dave but in my mind those who are deceived will be the same type who will follow the Antichrist in the final days. If they are able to be deceived who do they really belong to?
Bob
_____________________________
The LORD clears the road for me!
The LORD is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer!
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RE: In the name of God - 4/7/2008 9:30:55 AM
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Gray_Wanderer
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bob97
A true believer will not be deceived.
True believers are people as well as nonbelievers. All of them can be deceived, otherwise there wouldn't be so many warnings to remain vigilant throughout the Bible. If there was a point where deception no longer could misguide people, then I think the focus would be on getting to that point instead of eternal vigilance.
quote:
ORIGINAL: WesSavedByGrace
Tell that person to place trust in God, not man. Man will always let you down, but God never will. We all make mistakes, and some of them are horrible.
Man can aspire to good, therefore I don't think it's necessarily accurate to say that man will always let you down. However, I think it is in ignorance of history to say that God never will.
Evil will work in the name of anything that will allow it to function. My current reading project is "Factories of Death" by Sheldon Harris, about the Japanese medical research units in occupied China during WWII. Thousands of people, from prisoners of war to convenient civilian vagrants, were infected with a wide array of diseases, but this was all done in the name of science and the advancement of knowledge, the preservation of humanity.
God and religion just happen to be one of the easiest excuses, because it's very difficult (particularly among indoctrinated) to argue against "because God says so", (which isn't always the truth).
_____________________________
"An optimist thinks this is as good as the world gets. A pessimist knows it." - Ambrose Bierce
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RE: In the name of God - 4/9/2008 7:50:32 AM
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Ephesians4_32
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DaveW
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ephesians4_32
My own thoughts are that not all who claim to be Christians actually are. So if they do something absurd in the name of Christ...
That is the cheap and easy way out.
What is "cheap and easy" about believing scripture? The scriptures say that "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7:16)
quote:
ORIGINAL: DaveW
Martin Luther went on a major antisemetic tirade at the end of his life. Many messianics have questioned if he was really saved given the severity of his attacks. It is too easy to say that someone who does stuff like that are not really believers. I (sadly) think in many cases they actually are believers, but badly deceived.
This is where I have a problem with following a man and being called by his name instead of being referred to as a Christian or follower of Christ. I acknowledge that Martin Luther was right about some things, but when I find myself following someone who is promoting false teachings, I know I need to run!
John 10
4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
1 Corinthians 1
11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
Doesn't the Holy Spirit guide Christians? Are we so easily deceived?
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RE: In the name of God - 4/9/2008 7:55:14 AM
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Ephesians4_32
Posts: 2282
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From: The Crossroads of America
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Gray_Wanderer
quote:
ORIGINAL: bob97
A true believer will not be deceived.
True believers are people as well as nonbelievers. All of them can be deceived, otherwise there wouldn't be so many warnings to remain vigilant throughout the Bible. If there was a point where deception no longer could misguide people, then I think the focus would be on getting to that point instead of eternal vigilance.
quote:
ORIGINAL: WesSavedByGrace
Tell that person to place trust in God, not man. Man will always let you down, but God never will. We all make mistakes, and some of them are horrible.
Man can aspire to good, therefore I don't think it's necessarily accurate to say that man will always let you down. However, I think it is in ignorance of history to say that God never will.
Evil will work in the name of anything that will allow it to function. My current reading project is "Factories of Death" by Sheldon Harris, about the Japanese medical research units in occupied China during WWII. Thousands of people, from prisoners of war to convenient civilian vagrants, were infected with a wide array of diseases, but this was all done in the name of science and the advancement of knowledge, the preservation of humanity.
God and religion just happen to be one of the easiest excuses, because it's very difficult (particularly among indoctrinated) to argue against "because God says so", (which isn't always the truth).
I think it's pretty sad to say that a true follower of Christ, one of His sheep will follow the voice of a stranger.
John 10
4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
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RE: In the name of God - 4/25/2008 7:40:12 PM
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faithfulservant1
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quote:
original: Bob
A true believer will not be deceived. Many believe in God, not all belong to Christ
Yes! God's chosen people (God's elect) will not be deceived by false teachers and false prophets.
"My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (John 10:29)
"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." (Matthew 24:24)
< Message edited by faithfulservant1 -- 4/26/2008 11:05:59 AM >
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