People in Crisis

[placebofactor]

I know from experience that many people without the knowledge of the Bible, in a last-ditch effort to put away things like drugs, alcohol, or some perverse lifestyle, have prayed to God, a God they do not know, and almost instantly they turned their lives around and began to study the Bible, and become a new person.

What I’m describing is one of the most striking and beautiful patterns in Christian experience, and it lines up with something deeply biblical. God will meet people long before they understand Him. In fact, the above is exactly how countless Christians throughout history have come to faith.

Many people in crisis will cry out to a God they barely know, and He will answer. This is one of the clearest demonstrations of his grace. They don’t know theology. They don’t know doctrine. They don’t know the Trinity, and most don’t even know what they’re asking for. But they know they’re at the end of themselves.

And God responds. This is not because their prayer is theologically precise. It’s because God is merciful, and He delights to rescue people who are drowning. Even before someone knows the Bible, the Holy Spirit can convict, draw, awaken, break chains, and create a hunger for truth.

This is not a “new revelation.” It’s God applying the truth of Scripture to a heart that hasn’t read it yet. In other words, the Holy Spirit prepares the heart before the mind catches up.

What usually follows? they turn to the Bible. Those in crisis don’t stay in vague spirituality; they don’t build a religion out of their experience, nor do they follow “any spirit.” What they do seek is the word, then Christ, truth, and holiness.

This is the proof that their experience was genuine. A true encounter with God always leads a person toward Scripture, not away from it.

[OneJack]

the following verses are false;

Gen 2:17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Adam and Eve did not die in the day that they ate the forbidden fruit, hence, false.

He was told that he would die on the day of eating. He died spiritually immediately, but died physically at 930 years of age according to the account, so the Biblical 2 Peter 3:8 "one day is as a thousand years to The Lord" is relevant in this Genesis account.

Mr. Ross, you get an A+. Mr. OneJack, D-.

Fine, placebofactor. I hope that your ‘D-‘ still holds when the truth about all things is revealed on the Judgment Day, the appalling and gruesome moment in the destiny of all created beings.

[OneJack]

the following verses are false;

Gen 2:17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Adam and Eve did not die in the day that they ate the forbidden fruit, hence, false.

He was told that he would die on the day of eating. He died spiritually immediately, but died physically at 930 years.

The KJV rendition is “for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” The word ‘shall’ is indicative of certainty to occur/happen, instantly, not after so many years as you mentioned. The death that was meant to be the punishment for their disobedience, in this case, didn’t definitely happen.

The phrase 'He died spiritually' is likely an interpretation added by biblical scholars, as it's not a direct quote from God. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, sin clothed them. Remember that God created them sinless, in the beginning.

so the Biblical 2 Peter 3:8 "one day is as a thousand years to The Lord" is relevant in this Genesis account.

Peter’s opinion in this context is out of order if you anchor Gen 2:17 to 2 Peter 3:8. It’s much better if you can refute the fact that sin clothed Adam and Eve after they ate the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

[Ross]

The phrase 'He died spiritually' is likely an interpretation added by biblical scholars, as it's not a direct quote from God. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, sin clothed them. Remember that God created them sinless, in the beginning.

so the Biblical 2 Peter 3:8 "one day is as a thousand years to The Lord" is relevant in this Genesis account.

Peter’s opinion in this context is out of order if you anchor Gen 2:17 to 2 Peter 3:8. It’s much better if you can refute the fact that sin clothed Adam and Eve after they ate the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Just because a verse or a series of Biblical verses dont mean immediate sense to you, is no good reason to call the verses false or spurious and reject them out of the Bible. It is an indication that they mean something else.

Who do you think put the verses in the Bible that you reject?

Do you believe that Gods creation was actually six twenty four hour days?

[BruceLeiter]

[Replying to OneJack in post #4]

Why do you have to limit it to Jesus' words, @OneJack? Paul and Peter's words should suffice:

2Ti 3:16  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 
2Ti 3:17  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

2Pe 1:16  For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 
2Pe 1:17  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 
2Pe 1:18  we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 
2Pe 1:19  And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 
2Pe 1:20  knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 
2Pe 1:21  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

But if you have to have Jesus' words, there's this:

Luk 24:25  And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 
Luk 24:26  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 
Luk 24:27  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 

[OneJack]

[Replying to BruceLeiter in post #84]

Why do you have to limit it to Jesus' words, @OneJack? Paul and Peter's words should suffice:

Jesus alone is the Savior, the Almighty God, who incarnated Himself in the body of the Son of God (man who was born of Mary). Jesus is all we need for the salvation of our souls.

[Capbook]

[Replying to BruceLeiter in post #84]

Why do you have to limit it to Jesus' words, @OneJack? Paul and Peter's words should suffice:

Jesus alone is the Savior, the Almighty God, who incarnated Himself in the body of the Son of God (man who was born of Mary). Jesus is all we need for the salvation of our souls.

If ever when you face temptation OneJack, would you not follow Jesus example to rely to "what is written?"

[BruceLeiter]

[Replying to OneJack in post #85]

@OneJack, what truths that are taught in the writings of Paul and Peter do you disagree with? They wrote their letters to clarify the meaning of Jesus' words and actions, not to contradict them. Tell us what in those letters do you think is at odds with Jesus' teachings and actions. I can't think of any.

[OneJack]

[Replying to OneJack in post #85]

@OneJack, what truths that are taught in the writings of Paul and Peter do you disagree with? They wrote their letters to clarify the meaning of Jesus' words and actions, not to contradict them. Tell us what in those letters do you think is at odds with Jesus' teachings and actions. I can't think of any.

Eph 4:11 versus Matt 23:8. Not unless Jesus teaches you, me, and them that we can clearly see the contradiction in the Bible, which in this case is ‘one teacher’ for Jesus’ disciples - the Lord Jesus Christ.

[OneJack]

[Replying to BruceLeiter in post #84]

Why do you have to limit it to Jesus' words, @OneJack? Paul and Peter's words should suffice:

Jesus alone is the Savior, the Almighty God, who incarnated Himself in the body of the Son of God (man who was born of Mary). Jesus is all we need for the salvation of our souls.

If ever when you face temptation OneJack, would you not follow Jesus example to rely to "what is written?"

The best thing to do, in that case, is to call upon Jesus and seek His help, isn’t it?

[Capbook]

[Replying to BruceLeiter in post #84]

Why do you have to limit it to Jesus' words, @OneJack? Paul and Peter's words should suffice:

Jesus alone is the Savior, the Almighty God, who incarnated Himself in the body of the Son of God (man who was born of Mary). Jesus is all we need for the salvation of our souls.

If ever when you face temptation OneJack, would you not follow Jesus example to rely to "what is written?"

The best thing to do, in that case, is to call upon Jesus and seek His help, isn’t it?

But Jesus point us up to what is written, aren't we Christians are follow Jesus given example?
Or if we seek to your Jesus whom you believe hearing his voice no one will live, is it much better to seek to the written words?