Christians converting to Islam and Judaism - Page 3

Dondi · 01-12-2006, 05:26 PM

Does the Spirit of God operate in other religions/belief systems?

Dondi · 01-12-2006, 05:29 PM

Oops, repeated post.

lunamoth · 01-12-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dondi

Does the Spirit of God reside in other religions/belief systems?

I say yes. But then, you already knew that...

peace,
lunamoth

Dondi · 01-12-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I say yes. But then, you already knew that...

peace,
lunamoth

Yes, but what I was aiming for is: To what extent as compared to Christianity? Are other religions incomplete in their experiencing the Spirit of God? Or are they just experiencing a different facet of the Spirit of God?

lunamoth · 01-12-2006, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dondi

Oops, repeated post.

There seem to be some glitches in the program--it occurs periodically that a post that starts a new page will not show up until the next post is made. Perhaps that is what happened.

lunamoth

Dondi · 01-12-2006, 05:58 PM

Yeah, I thought the first time I posted that it didn't take, for some reason. So I posted again, only to find two posts. Oh well.

wil · 01-12-2006, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Does the Spirit of God operate in other religions/belief systems?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dondi

Yes, but what I was aiming for is: To what extent as compared to Christianity? Are other religions incomplete in their experiencing the Spirit of God? Or are they just experiencing a different facet of the Spirit of God?

No Christianity has the corner on the spirit of God, it has been tested and found that actually Southern Baptists receive the most spirit...

Although, Islam does recieve more than some Methodists. And while reformed Jews...

Can this truly be a serious question?

Is it just me, or as the Bahai calmed down the Christians have ramped up?

brucegdc · 01-12-2006, 07:23 PM

Folks - this seems to be headed to a "my religion is better than your religion" argument - which is inappropriate here. So far it's stayed almost within the Code of Conduct (or at least not so far over that the mods have had to step in) - but it's headed in the wrong direction. To all of you - read your posts - are you attackng other religions? Other posters? Preaching at them? If so, don't post it. Discussion is good - preaching is bad.

In this area, ALL of the abrahamic religions are to be respected, please.

... Bruce

Dondi · 01-12-2006, 08:01 PM

No, I thought I was asking an honest question in line with the current discussion. The question had to do with Christians seeking out other religions and I was trying to determine if there was any appeal to seeking the Spirit of God in other religions as a reason to leave.

One reason I asked that is because I don't think Christianity has a monopoly on the Spirit of God. I've read too many stories of other's from different faiths experiencing the Spirit of God in their lives. Maybe there was an appeal to Christians who were disillusioned with where they were at in their relationship with God and decided to seek elsewhere.

The furthest from my mind is to turn this thread into some kind of spiritual spitting match. If taken that way, I duly apologize.

wil · 01-12-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dondi

One reason I asked that is because I don't think Christianity has a monopoly on the Spirit of God. I've read too many stories of other's from different faiths experiencing the Spirit of God in their lives. Maybe there was an appeal to Christians who were disillusioned with where they were at in their relationship with God and decided to seek elsewhere.

The furthest from my mind is to turn this thread into some kind of spiritual spitting match. If taken that way, I duly apologize.

Does the Spirit of God operate in other religions/belief systems? Quote:
Originally Posted by Dondi
Yes, but what I was aiming for is: To what extent as compared to Christianity? Are other religions incomplete in their experiencing the Spirit of God? Or are they just experiencing a different facet of the Spirit of God?

My apoligies...I always err in the way I say things as well, and it seems to me that God smiles on all of us (outside the Abrahamic religion thread as well) I totally misinterpreted your question.

InChristAlways · 01-12-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dondi
Does the Spirit of God reside in other religions/belief systems?
Originally Posted by Dondi
Yes, but what I was aiming for is: To what extent as compared to Christianity? Are other religions incomplete in their experiencing the Spirit of God? Or are they just experiencing a different facet of the Spirit of God?

Quote:

I say yes. But then, you already knew that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucegdc

Folks - this seems to be headed to a "my religion is better than your religion" argument - which is inappropriate here. So far it's stayed almost within the Code of Conduct (or at least not so far over that the mods have had to step in) - but it's headed in the wrong direction. To all of you - read your posts - are you attackng other religions? Other posters? Preaching at them? If so, don't post it. Discussion is good - preaching is bad.

In this area, ALL of the abrahamic religions are to be respected, please.

... Bruce

Hi bruce. I didn't want to turn this into a topic on whether one "religion" is better than another, as indeed God said ALL NATIONS through Abram, and this was said to him before his name was changed to Abraham.

This means all Abrahamic religions that believe unto the One true God of Abraham/Isaac/Jacob are partakers with him and His Spirit, regardless of religion or creed.

Isaac and Ishmael were born "seperate", whereas Jacob and Esau were born "twins", though God distinquished them differently.

I believe it is all deeply "symbolic", but Abrahamic religions just view it in different ways. I hope to keep this thread in the spirit of Love and Peace for ALL religions.

Being Christ-ian though, Christ is the "Cornerstone" of my belief and Faith.
Steve

Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I [am] Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 "And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many Nations. 6 "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make Nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.

Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

brucegdc · 01-12-2006, 08:19 PM

One thing to remember, is that the terminology you know from *your* religion may not be applicable to others. The Christian concept of "the spirit of god" is not necessarily reflected in Judaism or Islam... and in fact was argued about a fair bit in early Christianity.

Bandit · 01-12-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChristAlways

LOL. Not if you have the "Spirit" of Peace, Love and Truth.

if you are trying to say all religions are the same & all religions are baptized with the Holy Ghost...um..i dont think so.

just give peace love & truth about 5 minutes for each religion & each man to define what that means & you will see-they are not the same.

InChristAlways · 01-12-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucegdc

One thing to remember, is that the terminology you know from *your* religion may not be applicable to others. The Christian concept of "the spirit of god" is not necessarily reflected in Judaism or Islam... and in fact was argued about a fair bit in early Christianity.

Hi bruce. I am not really well versed on "early christianity" after the Cross, except what the book of Acts talks about or perhaps Josephus [providing he is a reliable "witness"?], so perhaps I need to spend more time on that?
Revelation is also another important highly "symbolic" book that I study on in relation to that and the rest of the Christ-ian Bible.
Steve

Dondi · 01-12-2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandit

if you are trying to say all religions are the same & all religions are baptized with the Holy Ghost...um..i dont think so.

just give peace love & truth about 5 minutes for each religion & each man to define what that means & you will see-they are not the same.

Indeed, each religion will have their own perspective on what the Spirit of God means or how God operates in the Spirit according to the dictates of that respective religion. But as far as the Abrahamic religions are concerned, there is One God, who is Spirit. We as humans have to deal with what that means. Can His Spirit abide in us, or does operate outside the heart of man? Can we know Him intimately or is He detached? Does He help us obey through the power of His Spirit or does He leave it up to our strength? Whatever the case, I don't think God is limited by people's beliefs. Maybe God would deal with us according to how we adhere to what we believe, even if we have it all wrong about Him. Wouldn't God judge us within the dictates of our hearts and not our head?