Well in a way he's right only that the term that people uses like couch or plane differs from 1 theology to another.

We have to go by what the Bible says.

Many Christians around the world use the term sin in the sense by what you do or actions that causes you to fall away from God. (I'm talking about believers who have accepted Christ, not sinners who have yet to receive Christ)

However the Bible says that is by Grace and by our Faith in Christ we are saved, therefore likewise, the only way to fall from God is by the same manner, that we reject Christ as saviour and refuse to believe in Him by faith. What I mean in context are for believers who initially believe Jesus as saviour and later on reject Him on purpose. (Which would involve faith)
That would be accurate according to scripture.

Just to add: I believe according to scripture we are saved by our Lord Jesus Christ by believing in Him as the Son of God, Saviour and God, believed that He died on the cross for all my sins, past present and future. While in the mean time of growing, we may fall here and there but as long as our Faith remains steadfast, we are saved. We are never separated from God because first of all we NEVER earned our Salvation. With that being said, since we never earned Salvation by our effort, likewise we cannot lose our Salvation by our effort. We will be contradicting scripture and the Finished work of Christ otherwise.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Jan 8 2016, 09:24 AM

Hey hambaallah,

Firstly, the archaic meaning for usury is "a high amount of interest, an unconscionable or exorbitant rate or amount of interest". So, there is an important distinction as some translations places "interest" in the place of "usury" which can be confusing and misleading.

Then, your question, is there a stand on it? I will put it this way:

Most Christians (including me in the past) and especially non-Christian tends to approach the Bible in a natural and religious way. They expected the text to tell them whether a thing is right to do or not. They are concerned with these questions most of the time while missing the "bigger" picture.

Rather, behind the text is a window to the Author, the Person, His intention, His heart, His desire, His purpose and plan with regards to man.

For example:



All these ordinances are filled with sweetness. The spirit behind it is tender and touching, full of care for strangers, widows, orphans, and the poor. Exodus 23:9 says concerning strangers, “Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” If I had been a stranger among the children of Israel, I would have been deeply touched by such an ordinance. I may have wept out of the sense of sweetness and tenderness pervading God's law. A stranger may have said, “Even though I am far from my native land and am a stranger among these people, there is even an ordinance which cares for me. How sweet!”

Again this is happening in Ancient Near East where human lives don't meant much especially those in these categories: widows, orphans, poor and strangers.

Another example:

Nehemiah, ordered by the king of Persia, went back to Jerusalem to govern the people of Israel, and he encouraged the returned ones to continue and to complete the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, that they may no longer be a reproach.

Because the nobles and the rulers of Israel exacted usury from the people, the people were poverty-stricken and there was a great cry among them. So Nehemiah rebuked the nobles and the rulers, urging them to redeem their brothers and stop the usury (Neh. 5:1-11).

Not only did Nehemiah demand that they stop charging interest, but also that he give back their collateral--and with no mention of being repaid. The people's response is (verse 12) "And we will not demand anything more from them." This also seems to indicate that they did not demand repayment of their loans.

I hope it is apparent that this is not the intention of the story, but rather the intention is not to take advantage of people in need. It is not the act.


The final example I am going to use is Luke 19:

In Luke 19 there is another story of the Lord’s contact with a great sinner, Zaccheus, who was an evil chief tax collector (v. 2). He extorted the people by putting an excessive value on property or income, or increasing the tax of those unable to pay, and would then practice usury. The Lord paid a visit to his city purposely to meet him. Right after he received the Lord, he said to Him, “Behold, the half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four times as much” (v. 8).

This is the fast issue of the Lord’s dynamic salvation. So the Lord said, “Today salvation has come to this house” (v. 9). This salvation was to save one of God’s chosen people who fell into sin to such an extent that he extorted his own people by being a tax collector of the Roman imperialism, showing the powerful, dynamic, salvation, a salvation with an endless power.


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Sorry, lest, I am being long-winded with these examples, my goal is to show it is never a matter of right or wrong, do this or that but rather the inward condition of man meeting God's inward being in His salvation.

So, we don't ask questions like it is right or not to lend with interest (and it is not usury! ). Rather, have we met the wonderful God in our being and experienced His salvation? Have we experienced His love, His life, His righteousness etc. to transform us?

Once, we meet God, definitely, the outcome and fruit will be, we will NOT mistreat those in need spontaneously. So, to us, it is a living vital relationship rather then dead following a stance. So, we don't tell people that usury is right or wrong, but rather, "have you meet this wonderful God"?

Hope that helps.

This post has been edited by pehkay: Jan 8 2016, 09:08 AM

Sophiera You seen this video?

i recently learned that "expecting text to tell" means exegesis, and not eisegesis (injecting self opinion into text, and then claim that the text spoke to all of us).
ps: i still continualism btw. same keyword i recently learned.

Oh yes! I've heard of it, but not this exact video.

I'm more intrigue by this temple of Heaven in China




Very much similar to the way the Jews Sacrifice to God under the OT.

You meant a continualist ....

It would make sense since everyone migrated from Babel.

Oh good news, my dad went to church today He hasn't gone for normal service in like 20+ years.

My prayers answered at last.

Keep praying girl.

Praise God.

http://www.faithit.com/crashed-pole-at-85m...eard-spiritual/


“Three seconds. That’s how long we had from the moment we drifted off the road until the truck hit the pilar at 85mph. In three seconds Hunter had to handle a situation that would either kill us immediately or save our lives. He keeps beating himself up for my pain but he saved my life. He keeps saying ‘I should have protected you and I didn’t do that’ but he did exactly what he needed to do to make sure my life didn’t end. The whole baseball player part helped him out…if he can hit a 95mph fastball he can do anything 😎. He took care of me. And when we were both lying in our beds in the ER he found a way to come protect my heart and give me a hug. Lord knows I needed that just as much as my safety.

I’m overwhelmed at how little damage was done to Hunter and I in a wreck that should have chopped our bodies in half. I’m in awe of the presence of God in this entire situation. Every part of this experience we went through points directly to Him. The way God helped Hunter to respond exactly the way he did behind the wheel, spinning the truck exactly where it should have to be able to smash into the pilar directly in the middle of me and Hunter so we were both untouched…that doesn’t just happen. God doesn’t throw protection around like that for no reason. He does it because he’s not finished with us.

I have problems with my heartbeat. When I get anxious or worried it flutters pretty bad…pulling me into panic attacks. The moment we hit and I realized I was conscious I realized that is what was happening to me. While out of breath and trying to move my legs i was screaming..panicked…yelling for Hunter to just say something. I needed to know he was okay. Looking to the drivers seat all I saw was his head through the windshield, a face full of blood, and a body that wasn’t moving. I looked straight out the truck and there was a man..bright with a big white beard. No other cars in sight…just this man. He was my guardian angel. He saw me and immediately told me that an ambulance was coming. I jumped out of the car, ran over to Hunters side and just looked at this man.

From that moment until Hunter was cut & lifted out of the truck I believe with my whole heart that looking at this man helped me to literally believe in that moment that Hunter was next to me on the road. I dont know if it was a hallucination or me unconsciously dreaming or a glimpse of heaven…but all I knew in that moment was that Hunter was safe with me. This man..looking at him for a short moment..helped me not witness Hunter being peeled out of the truck. I believe if I saw that I would have had a heart attack. Right when Hunter was actually out and next to me, I asked this man when the ambulance was coming. He told me in just a second. He walked away, I blinked and a flashlight was in my face. The paramedics were there helping me and Hunter and the anxiety and worry if he was okay disappeared because we were in good hands.

Here is the miracle part: no broken bones, concussions that lasted not even 24 hours, no internal damage, and just a few stitches in my knee and hunters face. Only that after an accident that paramedics wonder how we didn’t die instantly and a truck that looks like it’s been through a tree grinder. We’re both already released from the hospital not even 48 hours after entering. All of our belongings in perfect condition besides a few things here and there..and the only thing left behind at the crash scene is Hunters bible open, with a page marked with scripture telling us to not be afraid; Jesus is with us.

unknown warrior

The article above still not finish yet. There's still some more..

I am amazed. Absolutely taken away by the presence of God. So blessed for him sending me an angel. So thankful for Hunter and his second chance at life…for his healing and health. We are so fortunate for families who traveled hundreds and hundreds of miles to be with us. And so thankful for all the thoughts and prayers that were sent our way. The power of prayer is real, and it healed me and Hunter. We are in a lot of pain because of the injuries, so any more prayers are appreciated while we recover.

But tonight I’m praying for all of you. If there’s anything you read out of this novel I’m typing up here it’s this: I want everyone to to know the love and the power of God. He has a purpose…and it’s so clear that NOTHING…not even a car accident like this one will cause his plans for you to change. We are put on this beautiful earth for a reason and the reason is to help people know Him. We are made to show and share His love. And if it takes a car wreck like this for me to get to do that then I would do it all over again.

I’m praying that everyone who reads this can get a glimpse of Gods faithfulness. He is GOOD. And working. And the plans he has for YOU and your life aren’t going anywhere. Good or bad, what you want or what you don’t want…it’s God’s doing. It’s his plans unfolding. It’s his kingdom coming. Embrace the struggles and the joys of this life! Without a doubt it’s a miracle we’re alive, but more than that it’s simply Gods plan for us. We’re so grateful for this wreck and all it will do in our lives. We are blessed to be okay. And so in love with the amazing God we serve.”

Wow. It’s stories like these that really force us to take a step back and fall before the feet of the mighty and loving God that we serve.

It’s one thing to read a scripture like Jeremiah 29:11: 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… But it’s quite another to see it in full-blown, living, breathing color.

Arika and Hunter knew that the plans God has for them are GOOD, and not even a truck plowing at unthinkable speeds into a pole could stop what He had in store. As Arika wrote, “He has a purpose…and it’s so clear that NOTHING…not even a car accident like this one will cause his plans for you to change.”

Moreover, it’s beautiful to see such tragedy turned around for His glory as this young couple chooses to use their story to draw others closer to Him.

May God use Hunter and Arika mightily to further his kingdom, and may they be richly blessed as they live out the rest of the story He lays before them. I’m excited to see what the future holds for this power couple. God wasn’t done with them yet…and you better believe it’s because He’s got wonderful things in store!

AH-mazing. ♥

SHARE this story of God’s marvelous grace and protection with your friends if you agree!

Who is David Bowie? Beats me, I only heard of him yesterday.

For those who are as blur as I am, here's an article about him.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/11/entertai...tion/index.html

Heard of his name few times throughout the years but never really know who he is really, may he RIP

I watched a show where he starred before. The Labyrinth. It's one of those classic children's movies before CGI. Everything there was a physical prop.

Bible Devotion



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Bible Study

Carefully Investigated



We always think that God chose simple people to write his words like fisherman, shepherds, etc. Sceptics may say because they are simple people, they could be writing nonsense. That is not entirely true. There was a learnt Man in the Bible. A Man of education and science. He was chosen by Jesus.

He was the apostle Luke. He was the physician or doctor of Jesus day on earth. And this is what he wrote in verse 3; the opening of his book.

"3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,"

It wasn't blind faith. Luke not only investigated but carefully investigated. As doctors, they are professional in their profession. They cannot simple act rashly or foolishly, else the lives of their patients will be at stake.

The apostle Luke took careful details of what happened. Why? Because that is the nature of scientific people and ultimately, because God wants you to believe confidently; his word is the eternal truth and not myth of fiction.

I'm of the opinion if we can trust doctors in their medical opinion, we can also trust that there is a degree of integrity in the writings.
Our Lord Jesus wants you to have a confident expectation of who He is. That He is Who He claims to be. Our Saviour, Our Redeemer, Our God.
And That was what Luke Recorded.

Interestingly, among the synoptic gospels, the account of Luke is the most detailed recorded. We have access to what happened 2000 years ago in vivid detail and account. May I encourage you to
re read the Book of Luke and digest it slowly. You may encounter our Lord Jesus with refresh revelation in there.

God Bless.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Jan 13 2016, 10:55 AM

Good find. And I think Apostle Paul is also educated people, something like the royal or something?

And in old testament there are also many members of royal who wrote the bible, eg: King David, King Solomon and Moses

Yes the Apostle paul or previous Saul was very advanced (according to the Bible) in Judaism even among his peers, meticulous in the Laws of Moses. They knew the terms, every crook and inch of the words. You can say he is like a top Professional Legal Experts of the Law, you cannot bluff your way through.

They are very detail people. He was in the elite class when it comes to the subject of god's word of the Old Testament. Yes they have to be educated to have such magnanimous comprehension capabilities but the reason why in today's topic, the Apostle Luke was highlighted because He was a Medical person who belongs to Scientific community.

Not so with King David, He was a simple shepherd boy. Solomon became wise because God blessed with Wisdom beyond most people.

Moses was a person who had inferior complex problem, He has no confidence in himself and admit before God is Slow of speech meaning not very charismatic and don't know how to talk to people, have anger issues and a very reluctant person. Makes you wonder why God chose him, doesn't it?

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Jan 13 2016, 11:07 AM

But Kings David and Solomon since they are "Kings" I suppose they must have acquired good intellectual knowledge in order to rule the country? Even acquired after in their late life and before writing the bible?

Moses was also brought up in royal family in Egypt so I assumed him also had received proper education since he was a kid...

..

This post has been edited by kkb888: Jan 13 2016, 11:20 AM