Christianity Lounge

[GodfatherPartTwo]

For a long time I did have that view of heaven where we're basically ghosts/disembodied spirts living in some sort of dimension that is radically different from what we see on earth. It wasn't until I was well into adulthood when I learned that the traditional Christian of heaven is more more "fleshy" than what I had thought it would be. It just shows that ultimately a lot of our views on these theological matters tend to be shaped by what we see in popular media rather than actual doctrine.

I'd say this view of heaven is correct. You won't receive the glorified body until the final resurrection. What often goes underemphasized these days is that heaven is not the final resting place, the New Jerusalem is, where we will indeed have glorified bodies.

 

[Wutang]

Not So Secular Sweden

Sweden used to be one of the most secular countries on earth. But over the past decade things have changed, and Enlightenment rationality seems to be on its way out.

comment.org

The years following World War II were a time of searching in the Western world: a quest to define what a modern, postwar identity would look like. In the United States, religion became part of that identity. The country adopted “In God We Trust” as its national motto in 1956, and before long, presidents were closing their speeches with the now-familiar benediction: “God bless America.”

Sweden, however, chose a different path. We equated modernity with a secular, enlightened rationality, cast in stark opposition to tradition, and set out to become the most modern—that is, secular—nation on earth. Our country became notorious for “the Swedish sin”: films laced with nudity and premarital sex, which symbolized our deliberate break with conventional religious morality.

But in the last few years, something has shifted.

In 2010, Dagens Nyheter—that standard-bearer of secularism—hired a culture editor, Björn Wiman, who wore a cross, attended church, and penned columns praising Swedish archbishops.

The shift was evident in private life as well. One journalist, also in Dagens Nyheter, noted, “Conversations about spirituality—and I don’t mean yoga in Bali—are making their way into parties. Even at secular, intellectual dinner tables that once kept religion firmly at arm’s length.”

Sweden was becoming post-secular, in Jürgen Habermas’s sense of the word: a society where secularism is no longer the unquestioned norm.

 

[Giordano Bruno]

Not So Secular Sweden

Sweden used to be one of the most secular countries on earth. But over the past decade things have changed, and Enlightenment rationality seems to be on its way out.

comment.org

Christ is Risen!

 

[Northumber]

Because of course Christ could raze them all to dust in an instant or rule over them irregardless if Satan's proposition if He wanted. But Satan thinks he rules them because he rules the hearts of so many. And he thinks that amounts to something.

As for Satan being given the kingdom of the world, after the fall this was true, but Christ was given all authority and dominion after His resurrection and ascension.

I'm still thinking about this. How do you think it practically plays out in history?

In Europe you had pagan places that were overthrown and renamed after Christians. I know some interpret this as Christ's authority and dominion after the ascension.

But you come to the US and this is not really the case (even though the US has more earnest Christians at this point). The Grand Canyon, for example, has its features named after Hindu Gods (which I hate by the way).

Now that the world is fallen, it has a fallen ruler, hence why we need Jesus.

I think I tend closer to this simple view. What I'm getting at is can we expect Christ's kingdom in any world power structure? Seems like at least partially, after the ascension.

After Epstein, though, it's hard to believe anything Christlike is there now.

 

[Giordano Bruno]

But you come to the US and this is not really the case (even though the US has more earnest Christians at this point). The Grand Canyon, for example, has its features named after Hindu Gods (which I hate by the way).

But they thought America was India at first, they were probably just naming it that as a joke?

 

[Northumber]

But they thought America was India at first, they were probably just naming it that as a joke?

Funny, I never thought of that aspect before, especially in light of all the Indian stuff happening now in the US.

 

[NSOE]

What I'm getting at is can we expect Christ's kingdom in any world power structure? Seems like at least partially, after the ascension.

Someone came up with the term statolatry which is reminiscent of idol worship in a way.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.

He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free,

- Psalm 146:3-7

 

[GodfatherPartTwo]

I'm still thinking about this. How do you think it practically plays out in history?

In Europe you had pagan places that were overthrown and renamed after Christians. I know some interpret this as Christ's authority and dominion after the ascension.

But you come to the US and this is not really the case (even though the US has more earnest Christians at this point). The Grand Canyon, for example, has its features named after Hindu Gods (which I hate by the way).

I don't look at it through a political lens. It's not so much about establishing Christian kingdoms and empires, those already fell. It's about God saving a people for Himself. Politics is downstream from the spiritual.

 

[Northumber]

I don't look at it through a political lens. It's not so much about establishing Christian kingdoms and empires, those already fell. It's about God saving a people for Himself. Politics is downstream from the spiritual

So when you see all those churches in Europe, all the art, and all the cities and places named after Christians what do you see?

 

[GodfatherPartTwo]

So when you see all those churches in Europe, all the art, and all the cities and places named after Christians what do you see?

On one hand I see a rich history. On the other, I see empty church buildings, or churches that have been turned into nightclubs, restaurants, and mosques. If people don't believe in the Gospel in their heart of hearts then the rest is for naught.

 

[Northumber]

On one hand I see a rich history. On the other, I see empty church buildings, or churches that have been turned into nightclubs, restaurants, and mosques. If people don't believe in the Gospel in their heart of hearts then the rest is for naught.

Do you think Christ in their heart of

Someone came up with the term statolatry which is reminiscent of idol worship in a way.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.

He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free,

- Psalm 146:3-7

Practically speaking aren't we are guilty of this? All Christians? I know people split hairs on definitions like: well, this is political here, and this is religious there, or, this is a secular thing, and this is a church thing. But all of this merges together in actuality. You can't split them and live with integrity.

Sometimes I wonder if we are on a track of sorts. Like we had to have this necessary evil of building various world organizational structures (politicalwise/churchwise, whatever, because how else could you integrate all your life for Christ). But it finally plays its course in the end, essentially, just showing itself to be "the world".

 

[NSOE]

I know people split hairs on definitions like: well, this is political here, and this is religious there, or, this is a secular thing, and this is a church thing. But all of this merges together in actuality. You can't split them and live with integrity.

I agree. We just need to remember everyone's a sinner, and no human leader has the words of everlasting life. To repeat after GPT- politics is downstream from religion. Insular Christians like the Mennonites have their own power/governing structures too. Father Ripperger said there shouldn't even be freedom of religion, if you don't like it leave.

St. Augustine's City of God/Man should have some insights.

But it finally plays its course in the end, essentially, just showing itself to be "the world".

Josephus wrote, iirc, that by the time of the siege and fall of Jerusalem only the most depraved men could ascend through the ranks of the priestly class.

 

[Northumber]

I saw I didn't finish my thought in my previous post.

On one hand I see a rich history. On the other, I see empty church buildings, or churches that have been turned into nightclubs, restaurants, and mosques. If people don't believe in the Gospel in their heart of hearts then the rest is for naught.

Do you think Christ was in their heart of hearts at the time when they built many of those churches in Europe that we regard as beautiful?

I'm not so sure anymore.

 

[Giordano Bruno]

I saw I didn't finish my thought in my previous post.



Do you think Christ was in their heart of hearts at the time when they built many of those churches in Europe that we regard as beautiful?

I'm not so sure anymore.

It was. In some of them, perhaps more than we could ever truly imagine.

In this world where faith is rare and dying, where atheists are like weeds...

We forget that once the whole world believed, if not in our God Christ, then in Pagan Idols.

 

[Giordano Bruno]

 

[GodfatherPartTwo]

I saw I didn't finish my thought in my previous post.



Do you think Christ was in their heart of hearts at the time when they built many of those churches in Europe that we regard as beautiful?

I'm not so sure anymore.

I think there were some bright spots and some dark spots. Highs and lows. It's like everything in life. It's a mistake to wear rose-tinted glasses about the past but it's another mistake to eviscerate the past for the present.

 

[Giordano Bruno]

I was raised around the church, and I wasn’t into it. I was never going to be the guy that believed in all this just because that was what was socially acceptable in my environment.

Over the years, I had gone back and forth, but it was never much of a priority. Fast forward to 2022, I considered myself agnostic and decided to get serious about figuring out a direction. I read every book I could find on the subject, the Bible included, doing my best to view all the information objectively.

Around this time, I was down bad one day and decided to say a prayer and asked Him to show me a sign. The very next day, a man came up to me in the gym, hadn’t seen him before and haven’t seen him since, he held out a shirt with the verse from Jeremiah "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future.” on it and said “I’m not sure why, but I felt called to give this to you today, he sees you”.

I get random text from my mom that afternoon, same verse.

On that same day, my Grandpa was in the hospital—the only artwork in his room? Same verse. (Found this out weeks later)

I realized that over the years I had a bad taste in my mouth about organized religion. It can be used to control and to profit, but I also realized that isn’t what Jesus wanted or taught. That is humans being human, and I came to the conclusion that it’s not right for me to let their mistakes affect the way I view Christianity.

I’m a logical dude, I get the skepticism over the subject, and sitting here today I can tell you that I never thought I would write something like this. Everyone is on their own journey, and I’m the last one to push my beliefs on someone else. I’m not trying to appear virtuous, or trying to assert myself as “above” anyone. I’m writing this because arriving here has changed my life in a way that makes it feel wrong to keep it to myself.

I don’t have all the answers, but through my own research and experience, all I can say is that I believe with all my heart and soul. God bless, and have a great weekend.

Biblical earthquake during Jesus' crucifixion confirmed by scientists

Scientists have found evidence that corresponds to the Bible verse saying 'the earth shook' after Jesus cried out on the cross.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Scientists confirm biblical earthquake that shook the earth at the moment of Jesus' crucifixion

A decade-old study claiming to find evidence of the earthquake described in the Bible at the time of Jesus's crucifixion is reigniting debate after resurfacing online.

The Gospel of Matthew says 'the earth shook' moments after Jesus cried out before dying on the cross, and researchers in 2012 reported evidence that could support the verse.

A team of geologists examined sediment layers near the Dead Sea, about 25 miles from where many scholars believe the crucifixion took place. Their analysis revealed signs of at least two significant earthquakes affecting the region.

Disturbances in the sediment pointed to a major quake around 31 BC and a smaller seismic event sometime between 26 and 36 AD.

Researchers noted that this period aligns with the years Pontius Pilate served as procurator of Judea, the timeframe in which the Gospel of Matthew describes an earthquake following Jesus's death.

 

[Giordano Bruno]

 

[Giordano Bruno]

 

[FrancisK]

Wow I can't tell you how much I love that quote thank you for posting it!