will you know your loved ones in heaven

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by shazeep

well, amen to that. Just for the record, they didn't preach any of those red-letter things i mentioned in my congregation this morning, either i mean, let's admit that the Apostles experienced the true Church, direct from Christ, which has been doctrinized at our remove, and that is what you are working with. (1) You don't counsel believers that to truly follow Christ, one must needs leave everything they hold dear and set out on the road afoot, with not even a spare pair of sandals...and no one else does, either, that i can find.
what i mean to suggest is a different way to approach salvation--rather than (2) the wide way, in which we seek a pastor to reassure us that we are accepted, because we have adhered to some rituals. Better to assume that there are improvements that could be made in our walk, and take for granted that )3) those verses we apply to others are meant for ourselves. This will cause a complete change in the "i am assured of my salvation, and since that guy doesn't do _____, he must be in a cult" mentality so prevalent in our churches that people feel comfortable asking if they will recognize their clique in heaven.

Content must agree with context.

(1) You need re-read the scriptures in prayer. The Lord appointed the apostles
and then SENT them out to preach with those instructions. If anyone feels that they are
called likewise, they should obey. But not ALL are called to be apostles.
(2) No "pastor" (man) has authority over any other man, except by the anointed word
which he preaches. Nevertheless, it is the WORD that has the authority & anointing.
(3) Surely there is a "personal" faith that an individual should obey; but there is
also a "common faith" that belongs to ALL believers. It is "...repentance...baptism
in the NAME of Jesus for the remission of sins, and you SHALL receive the Holy Spirit...".

"...lean not unto your understanding...

[shazeep]

well said, imo!

[Aquila]

Explanation of "Christoplatonism":

Christoplatonism, a term coined by author Randy Alcorn, refers to the Christianized philosophy of Plato that says the material world is bad.

To see more:
http://www.epm.org/blog/2013/Jun/12/christoplatonism

[shazeep]

Ah, so. It can be hard to reconcile that we live in a perfect world, and a fallen world. But i see how this leads to 'escape' doctrines, cloistering, and even the widespread belief that the kingdom of heaven will begin 'someday.'

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by shazeep

Ah, so. It can be hard to reconcile that we live in a perfect world, and a fallen world. But i see how this leads to 'escape' doctrines, cloistering, and even the widespread belief that the kingdom of heaven will begin 'someday.'

The kingdoms of this world will crumble and fall in the fiery wake of the return of Christ.

[Aquila]

Hebrews 13:14...."For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come."

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Explanation of "Christoplatonism":

Christoplatonism, a term coined by author Randy Alcorn, refers to the Christianized philosophy of Plato that says the material world is bad.

To see more:
http://www.epm.org/blog/2013/Jun/12/christoplatonism

Glorified physical bodies are material. And they're not bad.

Adam and Eve had physical bodies before they sinned. It was, as God put it, "very good."

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Hebrews 13:14...."For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come."

Out of context, but amen.

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Glorified physical bodies are material. And they're not bad.
Adam and Eve had physical bodies before they sinned. It was, as God put it, "very good."

"...God saw EVERYTHING that he had made..."

God saw that everything He had created was in place and in order: there was nothing
lacking. From the first words He spoke to institute light (GRACE), to the creation of
man, it was all "...very good."

Man's natural (physical) body was very good only in conjunction with ALL of the rest of
creation: but not by itself. The purpose of the body was for it to STAY on the earth from
which it was formed (the dust of the ground) and to "...be fruitful and multiply."! God did
not design for man to remain in that natural body forever, but designed a mortal body.

As an aside: that's why God did not encase the angels with a physical body. Because they
were to live forever, the angels had no need to procreate.

[shazeep]

well, and in that vein, God has admitted to creating evil. Hard to understand, but there it is.