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ANDERSON COOPER THIS WEEK
We just got word that the segment that we shot for "360" with Anderson Cooper will be on this week. They are doing a two night feature called "What is a Christian?" The segment was shot at a Porn and Pancakes with me and Donny last week in Illinois. They also caught up with the team that is currently at the Miami porn show. Should be a good little piece. We heard we are on Thursday's show but watch both nights just in case. Craig
Questions of faith. Science, sex, salvation. Where do you fit? "360°" investigates what a Christian is. A two-part special starting Wednesday night at 10est on CNN
MT of X3 wrote on April 2nd 07 at 10:18AM
Thanks for the heads up! We don't have cable tv so this way I can have someone record it for us!! :)
Josh wrote on April 2nd 07 at 07:24PM
Will this be up on the site afterwards for those who don't have cable, like the Nightline piece was? It would be greatly appreciated if that were possible... :)
dan simmons wrote on April 3rd 07 at 12:12AM
just saw the promo on cnn
Suricou Raven wrote on April 3rd 07 at 09:05AM
"'360°' investigates what a Christian is."
A christian is anyone who worships Christ with as much or greater devotion than the person asking the question, and differs on no major points of theology.
Ive noticed Christians have a tendency to adjust the definition to exclude those Christians who they consider embarassing to the religion (Phelps, Hitler, Inquisitions) or who differ too much on theology (Many Young-Earth creationists refuse to admit non-YECs can be Christians, etc.)
And this is why, for democraphic purposes, a christian is defined as 'someone who ticks the christian-box on a survey.'
A christian is anyone who worships Christ with as much or greater devotion than the person asking the question, and differs on no major points of theology.
Ive noticed Christians have a tendency to adjust the definition to exclude those Christians who they consider embarassing to the religion (Phelps, Hitler, Inquisitions) or who differ too much on theology (Many Young-Earth creationists refuse to admit non-YECs can be Christians, etc.)
And this is why, for democraphic purposes, a christian is defined as 'someone who ticks the christian-box on a survey.'
Jared White wrote on April 3rd 07 at 03:43PM
Actually, a Christian is one who not only worships and follows Christ but exhibits the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, faithfulness, etc.). "You shall know them by their fruits" and "You shall know them by their love". I think it's safe to say Hilter is excluded from this category. Even more scary to me is that a lot of so-called Christians making headlines today seem to be excluded from this category....
Suricou Raven wrote on April 3rd 07 at 04:41PM
This is the problem though. In order to decide who is and isn't a christian, you had to set criteria based on your personal interpretation of the religion. But what makes your interpretation authorative? Conclusions that to you seem obvious are far from universial.
Look at Phelps. He believes in Christ, the son of God, the savior. He reads the bible, and follows its teachings as best he can. He tries his best to spread the gospel. He accepts the core elements - divine creation, sin and salvation, judgement. So on what grounds can you classify him as a non-christian? Just because he is impolite and egotistical to an extreme? Doctrinal differences work both ways - as far as he is concerned, *you* cannot be a Christian because you ignore what he considers one of the most vital teachings in the bible.
Look at Phelps. He believes in Christ, the son of God, the savior. He reads the bible, and follows its teachings as best he can. He tries his best to spread the gospel. He accepts the core elements - divine creation, sin and salvation, judgement. So on what grounds can you classify him as a non-christian? Just because he is impolite and egotistical to an extreme? Doctrinal differences work both ways - as far as he is concerned, *you* cannot be a Christian because you ignore what he considers one of the most vital teachings in the bible.
Scott C wrote on April 3rd 07 at 07:48PM
Romans 10:9-10 -- "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Salvation is as near as your heart and your mouth, people. Fruit of the Spirit will arise naturally when you accept Christ as Lord and Savior, and as you mature in that faith. Some people will accept Christ, but never mature beyond that first experience of accepting Christ - some people like the guy on the cross next to Jesus (Luke 23:40-43).
This is one example exhibiting the truth that we are not saved by deeds/works, but by grace. It should be noted however that faith w/out deeds is dead (James 2:14-26). So, if there is time, a person's newfound faith should exhibit itself in the many fruits of the Spirit. We have to remember that when we're "classifying" people as Christians/non-Christians (I'd rather use the term Christ-follower), that it is a heart issue between that person and God. While we might witness someone outright deny Christ in front of people (ahem, Peter) they might actually be a Christ-follower. On the other hand, there are a ton of people doing "good" deeds in the world that are not following Christ.
God bless you guys. Suricou - God, the Father, loves you and awaits you to enter in the adopted sonship that he offers you! Lose the orphaned spirit and realize that you can be a son of the Most High God. Salvation is found only in Christ Jesus.
Salvation is as near as your heart and your mouth, people. Fruit of the Spirit will arise naturally when you accept Christ as Lord and Savior, and as you mature in that faith. Some people will accept Christ, but never mature beyond that first experience of accepting Christ - some people like the guy on the cross next to Jesus (Luke 23:40-43).
This is one example exhibiting the truth that we are not saved by deeds/works, but by grace. It should be noted however that faith w/out deeds is dead (James 2:14-26). So, if there is time, a person's newfound faith should exhibit itself in the many fruits of the Spirit. We have to remember that when we're "classifying" people as Christians/non-Christians (I'd rather use the term Christ-follower), that it is a heart issue between that person and God. While we might witness someone outright deny Christ in front of people (ahem, Peter) they might actually be a Christ-follower. On the other hand, there are a ton of people doing "good" deeds in the world that are not following Christ.
God bless you guys. Suricou - God, the Father, loves you and awaits you to enter in the adopted sonship that he offers you! Lose the orphaned spirit and realize that you can be a son of the Most High God. Salvation is found only in Christ Jesus.
Suricou Raven wrote on April 4th 07 at 04:20AM
If God loves me, God should want me to be Saved. I have given Him many chances to assure my salvation, none of which He has accepted. God, as an omnipotent inteligence, should be capable of accepting them - or even appearing sitting on my desk right at this moment to answer my questions.
As God has not accepted these many chances, this proves that a loving God who wishes for me to be Saved cannot exist. If there is a God, either He is incapable of sppearing for me (And thus is not omnipotent), or chooses not to (And thus is not loving).
As God has not accepted these many chances, this proves that a loving God who wishes for me to be Saved cannot exist. If there is a God, either He is incapable of sppearing for me (And thus is not omnipotent), or chooses not to (And thus is not loving).
JR Mahon wrote on April 4th 07 at 07:42AM
Raven!!!!!!! I've missed you!!!!!
J.R.
J.R.
T-dubs wrote on April 4th 07 at 05:19PM
Quote the Raven, nevermore. Or, actually, let me quote you after all...."In order to decide who is and isn't a christian, you had to set criteria based on your personal interpretation of the religion. But what makes your interpretation authorative? Conclusions that to you seem obvious are far from universial." (Pasted from above) What you are exhibiting is your own demands on God with your own views as well. I'll be honest...I am sort of a church "outsider" right now. But, we all know that God is much, much bigger than we could ever imagine to be. Trying to conform our minds to what He is thinking is, to me, preposterous and egotistical.
I agree with you in reference to our level of judgment. I believe Jesus when he said that he came for the sick, not the righteous (those who thought they were). I also believe him when he said not to tempt God, except in the form of our own giving in order to see what He would give back (Malachi).
I most definitely agree with your comment, "If God loves me, God should want me to be Saved." That's where we have to take the opportunity. We extend to God an opportunity because he has already extended the invitation to us. Because of His love, He incarnated into human form so that he could relate and tell us how to receive his invitation. Once and for all. There is no other belief with this foundation.
My guess is you have wanted to find God on your own terms (just as I do ALL the time). But, really, the relationship is bonded based on the terms and "conditions" He has laid.
I agree with you in reference to our level of judgment. I believe Jesus when he said that he came for the sick, not the righteous (those who thought they were). I also believe him when he said not to tempt God, except in the form of our own giving in order to see what He would give back (Malachi).
I most definitely agree with your comment, "If God loves me, God should want me to be Saved." That's where we have to take the opportunity. We extend to God an opportunity because he has already extended the invitation to us. Because of His love, He incarnated into human form so that he could relate and tell us how to receive his invitation. Once and for all. There is no other belief with this foundation.
My guess is you have wanted to find God on your own terms (just as I do ALL the time). But, really, the relationship is bonded based on the terms and "conditions" He has laid.
T-dubs wrote on April 4th 07 at 05:24PM
Sorry for the type-o above...I meant to say, "We cannot extend to God an opportunity..." What can I say? I'm lazy when it comes to proofreading...
Suricou Raven wrote on April 4th 07 at 06:37PM
Mahon: Yep, I return! I was away for a time... actually, I was lost in the move of the blog. As I only skim unless I see an interesting post, I didn't notice the message to say it had moved.
Dubs: God's terms make no sense to me at all. The whole of Christianity seems utterly rediculous, seen from outside, both in overall perspective and in its details.
If God wants me, as I said, He can come down here and answer my questions personally. I will make him a cup of tea, get out the biscuits, and He can explain everything.
As an omnipotent being, God could easily do this for every human. Simutainously. Why doesn't he?
Dubs: God's terms make no sense to me at all. The whole of Christianity seems utterly rediculous, seen from outside, both in overall perspective and in its details.
If God wants me, as I said, He can come down here and answer my questions personally. I will make him a cup of tea, get out the biscuits, and He can explain everything.
As an omnipotent being, God could easily do this for every human. Simutainously. Why doesn't he?
glasstiger aka pigpen wrote on April 5th 07 at 03:13AM
Raven: do you see the world as only material or are there other sides or elements to reality? like mental, emotional, spiritual?
AND
what do you think about aldermen and representatives to the UN or senators people like that? those that come from a place and are like those people and represent those people to the larger world? are they a good idea?
just something to think about and answer when you have time
AND
what do you think about aldermen and representatives to the UN or senators people like that? those that come from a place and are like those people and represent those people to the larger world? are they a good idea?
just something to think about and answer when you have time
Suricou Raven wrote on April 5th 07 at 03:36AM
Just material. The others exist only as an aspect of the physical world - an aspect of the complex functions performed by material brains.
Something like money, in a way. Money exists, as you can buy things with it. But it has no physical existance - its an abstract concept, and it continues to exist only so long as enough people believe in its existance.
There may be unobservable aspects of the material universe, but I see no reason to suppose the existance of the non-material. Particually as claims of non-material things are more often than not suspiciously non-falsifyable.
Taking souls as an example: Conventional thoughts of the soul state it is invisible, massless, doesn't interact, passes through matter... its defined so as to be undetectable in every way. How convenient.
Representative government? Its not perfect, but its the best system anyone has implimented successfully on a large scale so far.
Something like money, in a way. Money exists, as you can buy things with it. But it has no physical existance - its an abstract concept, and it continues to exist only so long as enough people believe in its existance.
There may be unobservable aspects of the material universe, but I see no reason to suppose the existance of the non-material. Particually as claims of non-material things are more often than not suspiciously non-falsifyable.
Taking souls as an example: Conventional thoughts of the soul state it is invisible, massless, doesn't interact, passes through matter... its defined so as to be undetectable in every way. How convenient.
Representative government? Its not perfect, but its the best system anyone has implimented successfully on a large scale so far.
D. Solomon wrote on April 5th 07 at 10:50AM
"If God loves me, God should want me to be Saved. I have given Him many chances to assure my salvation, none of which He has accepted."
Suricou, I don't want to sound like I'm chastisting you, but you are not your own god to think you're giving GOD a chance to accept anything. Myself, yourself, and every other human being on this planet is like a grasshopper in GOD's eyesight. No one can demand or insist anything on the Almighty creator. GOD is a spirit, he is not going to come down to earth for you or I to have a talk in person like your next door neighbor.
But he certainly does talk to those that are his own. I can say so personally. There are many that haven't had the personal experience , but it doesn't mean that GOD isn't real just because someone has never had the personal experience themself. He's tooo real!
It really is elementary about being a Christian. If you personally confess with your mouth, believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of GOD, was crucified, and then rose from the grave, though shalt be saved. It's really that simple.
But beyond that, you shall know them by their fruits. This it what pretty much gives a clue as to who is living the life of a christian or not. The bible explicitly states that you can not continue to do wrong, knowing that you are committing a sin and call yourself a Christian.
These are those things listed in GALATIANS 5:19-21 that the Apostle Paul shows you what is NOT a Christian:
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
So you see, this is what is GOD's word, not mine. There are lots of people today that are doing some of the same things mentioned by Paul that is anti-christian, but people still believe they can live any way that thy choose and still be a follower of Christ.
That's not what GOD says. Either a person believes all of the Holy Bible for what it is, or you can't believe any of it. That goes for myself and every other person today in existance.
Suricou, I don't want to sound like I'm chastisting you, but you are not your own god to think you're giving GOD a chance to accept anything. Myself, yourself, and every other human being on this planet is like a grasshopper in GOD's eyesight. No one can demand or insist anything on the Almighty creator. GOD is a spirit, he is not going to come down to earth for you or I to have a talk in person like your next door neighbor.
But he certainly does talk to those that are his own. I can say so personally. There are many that haven't had the personal experience , but it doesn't mean that GOD isn't real just because someone has never had the personal experience themself. He's tooo real!
It really is elementary about being a Christian. If you personally confess with your mouth, believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of GOD, was crucified, and then rose from the grave, though shalt be saved. It's really that simple.
But beyond that, you shall know them by their fruits. This it what pretty much gives a clue as to who is living the life of a christian or not. The bible explicitly states that you can not continue to do wrong, knowing that you are committing a sin and call yourself a Christian.
These are those things listed in GALATIANS 5:19-21 that the Apostle Paul shows you what is NOT a Christian:
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
So you see, this is what is GOD's word, not mine. There are lots of people today that are doing some of the same things mentioned by Paul that is anti-christian, but people still believe they can live any way that thy choose and still be a follower of Christ.
That's not what GOD says. Either a person believes all of the Holy Bible for what it is, or you can't believe any of it. That goes for myself and every other person today in existance.
Pete wrote on April 5th 07 at 09:57PM
I think its also important to note that God owes humanity nothing. God created men and women and based on their choices(Adam/Eve), they fell into sin and ultimately separation from God. We are all the seeds from this fallen humanity. As a result there is a chasm of separation between humanity and God. God is a loving,perfect, 100% just, 100% Holy being and can not live in the presence of this fallen humanity. However, God absolutely loves every one of his creations intimately. In fact He loves each one of us so much that he has given humanity a way to bridge the chasm between ourselves and Him. This bridge is Jesus Christ. God loved us so much He gave us His only Son to become the ultimate sacrifice for this fallen humanity, to once and for all atone for our sinfullness. Through the death and resurrection of Gods Son Jesus, now every human being again can have access to God the Father. All we have to do is accept this offering from God, accept Jesus Christ into our hearts, admit we are sinners, turn away from this sin and start living our loves for Christ. Once this happens, if we truly give our hearts to Christ, the door will begin to open for us. He who has ears, let him hear. Knock and the door will be opened unto you. God has created each and every human being for fellowship with Him. This is what he wants very much. However, we are also given the freedom of choice. God does not want to force us to know and love Him. As everyone probably knows this is not Love. Wanting a relationship with God's son Jesus Christ and ultimately fellowship with our Creator is our choice. The first step begins with us. Proverbs 1:7 says: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction". For those who have never read the Bible it can be neatly summed up as follows. The Bible is a book of redemption. God creates humanity and desires to live in harmony with His creation in paradise. Humanity falls and pardise is lost. However, God restores humanity through the redemptive blood of His Son Jesus Christ who is prophesied throughout the entire Old Testement. Paradise and humanity are once again restored. The choice is ours.
glasstiger aka pigpen wrote on April 7th 07 at 10:19AM
Raven: So you agree that a representative government is the best way to interact with the world on a large scale.
Wouldn't it make sense for God who is trying to interact with the world at large do so in the same way; with a group that would accurately portray the different and varying reactions humanity would have to meeting him and hearing answer all your questions?
One might say that this is not ideal, since God is omnipotent why can't he just materialize and appear individually to everyone. I'll approach this from two directions:
1) The material world is finite and inorder to be falsifyable as you claim is so necessary for proving his existance he would have to act within the constrains of the empirical world. This is only possible if God showed up on earth in a very material way that would be easy for us to interact with (ie. in human form)
2) I will try to describe this without getting into the metaphysical or immaterial since you claim these don't exist but apart from coming down and speaking to us in physical form i believe it would be possible for a being that's omnipotent to interact with us directly through what some people would call a soul but for the purpose of this discussion we can use the word mind. This would allow that being to speak to massive amounts of people since it would not be constrained to a specific time and place in the material realm and reach people in a direct personal way, since it would be interacting with an individual's mind.
This could help explain the universal and apparently innate ideas of conscience and morality, as well as a historically consistent idea of 'God' or some sort of being like God throughout all cultures.
The difficulty with number 2) is since it is so individual it is hard to prove on anything but a personal level but still possible to discuss individual experiences or feelings. number 1. can be a much more interesting concept because this material being claiming to be God is a proveable or falsifyable event.
Wouldn't it make sense for God who is trying to interact with the world at large do so in the same way; with a group that would accurately portray the different and varying reactions humanity would have to meeting him and hearing answer all your questions?
One might say that this is not ideal, since God is omnipotent why can't he just materialize and appear individually to everyone. I'll approach this from two directions:
1) The material world is finite and inorder to be falsifyable as you claim is so necessary for proving his existance he would have to act within the constrains of the empirical world. This is only possible if God showed up on earth in a very material way that would be easy for us to interact with (ie. in human form)
2) I will try to describe this without getting into the metaphysical or immaterial since you claim these don't exist but apart from coming down and speaking to us in physical form i believe it would be possible for a being that's omnipotent to interact with us directly through what some people would call a soul but for the purpose of this discussion we can use the word mind. This would allow that being to speak to massive amounts of people since it would not be constrained to a specific time and place in the material realm and reach people in a direct personal way, since it would be interacting with an individual's mind.
This could help explain the universal and apparently innate ideas of conscience and morality, as well as a historically consistent idea of 'God' or some sort of being like God throughout all cultures.
The difficulty with number 2) is since it is so individual it is hard to prove on anything but a personal level but still possible to discuss individual experiences or feelings. number 1. can be a much more interesting concept because this material being claiming to be God is a proveable or falsifyable event.
