The Christian Discussion Thread VI

[Luminesa]

Hey, want to hear a joke? There are some languages that do not have an equivalent for the word "fellowship," and it is impossible for Protestantism to exist in places where those languages are spoken. XD

Which places are they?

[The Hobbesian Metaphysician]

Sorry, you're number 144,001. You did not make the cut.

Says another person who has no idea what he's talking about.

Shouldn't you be choking an assistant right now?

[Schiltzberg]

Hey, want to hear a joke? There are some languages that do not have an equivalent for the word "fellowship," and it is impossible for Protestantism to exist in places where those languages are spoken. XD

Which places are they?

It's a joke. They don't actually exist.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Says another person who has no idea what he's talking about.

Shouldn't you be choking an assistant right now?

....uncalled for really.

[The Hobbesian Metaphysician]

Shouldn't you be choking an assistant right now?

....uncalled for really.

You have clearly never seen Lord Vader at work before have you?

Are you sure your up for this job I mean honestly where does Tarkin get these people?

[Herskerstad]

Sorry, you're number 144,001. You did not make the cut.

Says another person who has no idea what he's talking about.

In regards to JW theology and their takes on the anointed ones and the great crowd?

Try me.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

....uncalled for really.

You have clearly never seen Lord Vader at work before have you?

Are you sure your up for this job I mean honestly where does Tarkin get these people?

Ah... I wasn't paying attention to his flag

[The Hobbesian Metaphysician]

Says another person who has no idea what he's talking about.

In regards to JW theology and their takes on the anointed ones and the great crowd?

Try me.

So what do they legitimately believe happens to everyone outside of that specified number?

[Constantinopolis]

Constantine never persecuted Christians in his capacity as Emperor. However, it is true that he was an officer under Diocletian before becoming Emperor, and Diocletian did persecute Christians (quite intensely and savagely, too), so it is possible that Constantine may have received orders to participate in these persecutions at some point.

Also, Constantine never made Christianity the national religion, either. He gave Christians freedom to worship, and sponsored the building of churches with imperial funds, but that was all. The Emperor who made Christianity the state religion was Theodosius I, in the 380s, some 50 years after Constantine died. Theodosius wasn't even born when Constantine ruled.

And I wasn't talking just about the Roman Empire in the post you quoted. In the early 4th century, before achieving recognition in the Roman Empire, Christianity had already become the state religion of Armenia, Axum (= Ethiopia), and the Kingdom of Edessa. Clearly, Christianity was on the rise in general. It wasn't just about the Roman world or the actions of this or that Roman Emperor.

Dang man, you are against me in everything, aren't you? I thought that I was agreeing with you on this one, but okay. I want to clarify that when I said that Constantine persecuted Christians, it was a mistake, and what I meant was that the Romans persecuted them up until that point, and, like you say, he may have been a part of that too, I don't know. He was definitely not Nero.

I'm not against you, I just wanted to set a few details straight... I agree with the broad point you were making!

I pay a lot of attention to details, and I have a tendency to correct people on every aspect of the statements they are making. That doesn't mean I disagree with the overall point. I just like to nitpick. I'm sorry if I seemed hostile.

[Schiltzberg]

Dang man, you are against me in everything, aren't you? I thought that I was agreeing with you on this one, but okay. I want to clarify that when I said that Constantine persecuted Christians, it was a mistake, and what I meant was that the Romans persecuted them up until that point, and, like you say, he may have been a part of that too, I don't know. He was definitely not Nero.

I'm not against you, I just wanted to set a few details straight... I agree with the broad point you were making!

I pay a lot of attention to details, and I have a tendency to correct people on every aspect of the statements they are making. That doesn't mean I disagree with the overall point. I just like to nitpick. I'm sorry if I seemed hostile.

No problem, man.

[Galloism]

In regards to JW theology and their takes on the anointed ones and the great crowd?

Try me.

So what do they legitimately believe happens to everyone outside of that specified number?

Eternal life in the physical plane.

It's supposed to be pretty sweet. It's not 144,000 in heaven and then everyone else goes to hell or dies.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

In regards to JW theology and their takes on the anointed ones and the great crowd?

Try me.

So what do they legitimately believe happens to everyone outside of that specified number?

IIRC, they get to inhabit the new earth.

[Galloism]

So what do they legitimately believe happens to everyone outside of that specified number?

IIRC, they get to inhabit the new earth.

Talking with Jehovah's Witnesses, there's a bit of an undercurrent that many think that their future is in the stars. With eternal life, the immense distances of space are no longer problematic, even with a speed of light limitation.

This is not either supported by the organization or the bible itself, but it's one of those things that many of them find compelling as a possibility. The Bible doesn't really spell out what happens after the tribulations and all that.

[Gim]

So what do they legitimately believe happens to everyone outside of that specified number?

IIRC, they get to inhabit the new earth.

Wouldn't the world be destroyed when that occurs?

[Schiltzberg]

IIRC, they get to inhabit the new earth.

Wouldn't the world be destroyed when that occurs?

I like that scene in The Walking Dead, where Hershel (who is kind of spiritual for those of you who don't watch the show) is like, "Christ predicted the resurrection of the dead at the end of time, but I just thought that it would be a little different." XD According to the Book of Revelation, I think that it says something like the New Jerusalem will descend down to Earth from Heaven, and the doors will lock, and outside there are dogs and lakes of fire, and (of course) the famous wailing and gnashing of teeth.

[Galloism]

IIRC, they get to inhabit the new earth.

Wouldn't the world be destroyed when that occurs?

No. The bible says the earth will exist forever. That's what they believe.

[Gim]

Wouldn't the world be destroyed when that occurs?

No. The bible says the earth will exist forever. That's what they believe.

Occupied by the Devil, right?

[Galloism]

No. The bible says the earth will exist forever. That's what they believe.

Occupied by the Devil, right?

No. The devil is destroyed.

[Schiltzberg]

What are your favorite Bible verses? I have a couple.

I like Joshua 1:9, which says, "I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go." I used to be kind of wussy, and I didn't have any friends, but then I read this line.

I also like Matthew 28:20, which says, "Behold, I am with you always, until the end of time." I like it also boosts my confidence.

Also, you could basically pick any random verse from the Pauline Letters and make it your life motto.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Wouldn't the world be destroyed when that occurs?

No. The bible says the earth will exist forever. That's what they believe.

I can think of one gigantic "He" that would say otherwise.

[Schiltzberg]

Occupied by the Devil, right?

No. The devil is destroyed.

According to Revelation, the devil is locked up in a cage for 1,000 years, and then he escapes and St. Michael finishes him off.

[Schiltzberg]

No. The bible says the earth will exist forever. That's what they believe.

I can think of one gigantic "He" that would say otherwise.

Oh, you just made me think of another of my favorite lines.

John 16:33, "In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."

[Galloism]

No. The devil is destroyed.

According to Revelation, the devil is locked up in a cage for 1,000 years, and then he escapes and St. Michael finishes him off.

Yes, that's what it says. I just skipped the interim 1000 year step.

After that point, the people continue living forever.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

I can think of one gigantic "He" that would say otherwise.

Oh, you just made me think of another of my favorite lines.

John 16:33, "In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."

I more meant He in terms of its periodical designation.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

Wow, the Christian thread moved pretty quick.