Ron Cusano

Jesus sent his diciples out to spread the Gospel. He instructed them saying when they came to a town that did not receive them and what the had to share, they were to kick to dust off of their sandles, and move on. It is obvious that what I have had to say is not being received here, and my time is very limited, as it is with GadgetLady as well. Therefore, I am not going to spend nearly as much time posting here as I have previously. I am not leaving the board and will be reading the posts, I am just not going to continue this endless debate with some who are so close minded to the truth. I feel like I have been trying to describe the sunset ot a blind man. No matter what, the blind man just can't see. Not wanting to see is another matter. I have allowed myself to become fustrated by a few who are outright hypocrits and offer nothing by endless opinion unsubstanciated except by only their own ego's. I have also had some great, sincere discussions with some who had real questions and were willing to consider with an open mind and heart. As I said, I will still be around, will occasionally jump in with a post or two, but I am going to stop beating this dead horse. There are many other areas and places where opportunity presents itself for me to be about my Fathers business, and I need to put my time to better use.

Sorry about thet! I am just very fustrated with a lot of the recent discussions. I didn't mean to be abrupt with you.

It is not just my opinion, but that of every Conservative Bible theologian abd Bible scholar. It is a basic rule of inerpretation which you would have know had you bothed to research iot before you make accusations like that.

Although you try to saty above the fray, I think you are going to find that your beliefs are going to be endlessly attacked should you try to make a case for them here. You consider me judgemental? I proclaim the Word of God, and yeah, people feel judged and convicted by the Word. I make no apoligies for that.

Just endless hot air, opinion and complain ing with nothing to back up anything you say. You gon't have the guts to put youn beliefs out there so don't you dare have the right to judge mine. Talk about being a hypocrite!

You give a lot of empty opinion with absolutely nothing to back it up except you own imagination. Care to substanciate any of this?

You misquoted me! I did not say "the Bible proves that the Bible is a literal document", what I said was that "the Bible interprets the Bible"! Big difference! I said the Bible is to be taken literally. The statement "the Bible proves that the Bible is a literal document" doen't mean anything.

If you can't believe that the Bible is 100% accurate and means what it says, you might just as well use it for kindling in your fireplace, because there goes your spiritual foundation. You are not grasping something! The Bible is the ONLY sourse of trustworthy information about God, Jesus and the way of salvation. There are no other reliable records. If you say you believe in jesus and what He did, but discount the Bible, then how do you even know who he is or what he did? What are you basing your belief system on? A non-literal Bible that you can't trust to be literal and accurate? Think about it??

Here is a perfect example that I used previously. Jesus refered to those Believers who he exhorts to "eat my body and drink my blood". Since canibalism is obviously not the meaning since there is absolutely no mention of the practice, which is not disputed by any Bible scholars, we know it is not to be taken literally. Therefore we look for the real meaning in the context in which the was said, to whom and for what purpose. Jesus also said, "I am the bread of life"! Well since Jesus is obviously not a load of Wonder Bread, it is obvious he is not talking about being a loaf of bread literally. Again, we look for the real meaning in the context in which the was said, to whom and for what purpose. Put in into todays language! I could say, "I feel like garbage"! Since I am not garbage, I obviously can't mean that literally . . . you get the picture. The rule of interpretation used by virtually students of the scriptures is that you take everything literally except where the context makes it obvious it is not literal, as with the above examples. This in no way changes the literal understanding of scripture. It underscores it with common sense and logic.

There is that hot air again!

It is literal for that context!

Either it is or it isn't! It can't be both!!

Is that your story?? Is that what you're saying? No, I wouldn't believe you, but at least I would know where you were coming from and I could also express my opinion of your beliefs like you love to do about mine.

So your idea of a debate or discussion to to rag on someone without opening youself up for the same? That coming from someone with the big concern about social issues and doing the right thing! Hypocritial isn't it?? Beside, I think she can speak for herself without your help!

If you remember correctly, we were talking about people in remote areas of the world where they would not have access to hear the Gospel. That is certainly not the case here.

Fine! If your faith is off limits to discuss, then don't dare question mine! I have no desire to discuss you idea of social issues especially since they have nothing to do with my faith, so don't address them to me because I will refuse to anser just like you refuse to be honest about your beliefs!

If you honestly feel that way, fine, then what do you have faith in? How do you know anything about Jesus and going to Heaven aside from the Bible? Heck, how do you even know there is a Heaven if not for the Bible? How do you know about the love of God or God's presence? Where do the beliefs come from. These are real sincere, legimate questions! Can you provide an answer?

I couldn't care less about you global warming fantacy. You keep questioning my faith but cry like a 10 year old if I question yours. Let's talk about those facts!

I am very upset with this guy! I am yelling! He tears me apart but crys like a baby if I ask HIM to explain himself.

I am not asking you to change your beliefs, just explain the if you can!

Hey Pal! You want toknow ehy and how I believe what I do so you can criticize, you don't want to be on the receiving end, right. You say you believe in Jesus! Which Jesus? Certainly not the Jesus of the Bible. Is it the Jesus you made up to be anything you want him to be? If you can question me, why can't I question you??

And that coming from the "KING OF PUT DOWN"!! Hello! Have you read your own posts! You have got to be kidding, right??

Has it dawned on you the the lights in the heavens in days 1-3 were the stars????

I am certainly not yelling at anyone. If that is what he believes, and I don't know that because he refuses to address it, than my question would be, if you don't believe the Bible is the Word of God and don't believe it is factural, than on what do you base you Christian beliefs on?? This is an honest question! To be a Christian you need to be a followor of Christ. What are you following? If the Bible can't be believed, put it aside and tell me how you know about Jesus, what He did, who He was, and what exactly you have faith in? It is either based on something or it is baseless? These are valid questions, aren't they? If you have faith, what do you have faith in and why? The Bible says, "faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God"! That is what my faith is based on - the Word of God! My question is, what is Tom's and I guess your faith as well, based upon if you believe like Tom does? A faith that is not based on anything is like a fairy tale.

Well he is constantly taking me to task about what I believe, the Bible, etc. and when I ask him what he believes and why, he say's he won't say because I might criticize him and try to make him believe like I do. He want to dish it our but not get any in return. He says he does not believe in the Bible but he is a Christian. So my question is, what does he base his Christian beliefs on then! These are fair questions if he wants to criticize my beliefs. Let's make it a level playing field!