I have to be quick as it is my DD first day of school and we have to get ready in a minute.

I was trying to remember why I thought this as it has been a while, but I remember I was having huge issues with people who had never been exposed to the bible, who had never read it most importantly the children, how would they go to heaven? If God is loving the n why would these innocents who had never been taught what I have been taught be left to walk the earth for eternity seperated from God. I had big issues with that and went to my Pastor about it. That is why I came up with MY belief that for those that hadn't been exposed to the 'truth' as long as they are walking in Gods way then they will reach him.

Ok more I want to say but seriously have to get ready.... post more later....

Wish her luck she is sooooo excited......

__________________
"You have to live through the rain before you experience the rainbow"

calimari - forgive me if I botch this up because I'm having a hard time trying to put into words what I want to say (which is highly unusual) but I'm going to take a shot at answering your question.

I think Jared&Maggiesmom was right on when she said that the NT fulfills OT prophecy, that the OT is a building block for the new, and that the "new covenant" replaces the old one between God and the Israelites. I really just want to add a few more thoughts to what she said.

The fact that the covenant changed doesn't mean that the events that are recorded in the OT never happened. The covenant is a central theme in the OT but it's so much more than that. It's also a historical record (creation, the flood, captivity, the rise and fall of kings, etc), a land record (Joshua records the division of the Promised Land between the Israelite tribes), and a genealogy that traces Jesus' family line from the beginning. It contains prophecy (which is later fulfilled in Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection), and, of course, lots and lots of laws. Those are just a few examples, but I'm sure you get my point.

Yes, the need to abide by some of the laws changed - the most obvious example being that we don't need to make daily animal sacrifices anymore since Jesus has made that sacrifice for us (for eternity) - but at the end of the day, that still doesn't invalidate the OT or change it's purpose or meaning.

I'm still not convinced I did a good job explaining that, but it will have to do for now.

__________________
Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

You see, but that's just it, Happymummy...you came up with YOUR belief. It's not God's. Simply walking with God is not enough to reach him. The New Testament states we have to walk with his son to get to him.

Oftentimes, we want to pick and choose what we want to hear. We don't always want to hear the truth because it doesn't sit right with us. Ever hear that saying, "The truth hurts, doesn't it?" Well, the truth about salvation hurts those who don't like the plan. The Christian plan says, "accept my son or accept eternal separation." It's not pleasant, but it is written in God's word and the New Testatment is also part of God's word which many people (and it's their choice of course), do not choose to believe. Choosing Christ involves surrender. Surrender is something not all people want to do. Many people want to control their destiny; when as the New Testament states, it's the belief in Jesus that controls our destiny.

As far as not everyone hearing God's word or reading it...that's why there are so many Christian missionaries going to remote parts of the world to spread the good news about Christ and to get bibles out to civilizations that are remote. The bible is that important so that people can hear God's word...all of it. This is why Christians are so verbal about their beliefs. We are ambassadors for Christ. Unfortunately, there are some that go about it the wrong way and ruin it for the rest of us. It should never be a "Turn or Burn" teaching, but a teaching of truth and love. As far as people in our civilized society go...they have every opportunity to reach for the bible, read it, and decide for themselves.

We are all given free will to choose Christ or not. God doesn't want to force himself on us, but he gave us all the ENTIRE bible. Whether or not we pick and choose parts and pieces or the whole thing is up to us.

As far as children, mentally incapacitated people, etc. God has made provisions for them. If a person is not able to understand his plan because of their mental capabilities he will not punish them. Also, it is stated in the bible that God places his laws on all our hearts. It's whether or not we choose to see them that's the issue.

Another misconception in many Christian denominations is that it is believed that baptising a baby saves their soul. It does not. It is simply a declaration that you are choosing to raise you child with Christian direction and guidance. It's the particular demoniations that decided to portray baby baptism as a "saving" grace; it is not. Saving grace comes from a belief to follow Jesus as your savior which you can only decide for yourself; your parent cannot decide for you.

God gives us all the same opportunity to read the entire bible and to make that choice for ourselves.

There are absolutely no judgements on anyone in my post. Everyone has the right to choose their own beliefs. I'm just stating mine.

Blessings all~

I think that part of the confusion here is that in general only the parts of the bible that fit with what we want to believe are being accepted as true. It's a whole package. Jesus said he was the son of God, that he is God and that he is the only way to eternal life. If that's not true than he most certainly is not a prophet, he's either crazy or lying. The apostles who gave their accounts of Jesus suffered for their statements and many of them where killed because they refused to deny what they witnessed. They had nothing to gain from their testimony and a whole lot to lose, so I would say that they are pretty credible. I understand that in a world full of choices it's difficult to accept someone who says they are the only way to the eternal life and I think that is what rubs people wrong with Jesus. The truth is we were all born in to this life in the same manner: from our mother's womb. It shouldn't be to hard to believe that God the Creator would make only one way to be born into eternal life with Him. I have not read Sylvia Brown's book but I have read the Bible and I've studied it and it is credible. I hope that before you make a decision as to what you believe you would thoroughly study Christianity, there are a ton of good books that will help you to understand why Christianity is the only faith that is credible, "A Case for Christ" is a great one.