Quote (GetOnYourKnees @ May 27 2018 09:15pm)

Imagine if these two guys used the time they spent writing such garbage on something actually productive

Quote (GetOnYourKnees @ May 27 2018 01:15pm)

Imagine if these two guys used the time they spent writing such garbage on something actually productive

Quote (Tjo @ May 28 2018 03:26am)

I agree fully. We should not chase money and popularity but always look to G-d and my firm belief is that a life lived in obedience to him (perfect obedience might be as you say an impossibility but I think you know what I mean, there is a difference between being in constant rebellion to having a heart desiring G-d. My priority in life is to have peace of mind, to be able to fully appreciate the pure joy of life, even the simple life. Though I do desire friends and loving relationships, I try to guard my heart so as to not forget who it is that gives everything in life. My other main concern is security, and that I know can only come from G-d. I have also suffered from suicidal thoughts because I, just like you, chased after the wind, but I learned that the trick is that focus on G-d is what it is all about; it is G-d first, then other good things follow. But having said this, I do not expect to have a wonderful life from a wordly perspective, nevertheless I hope that I will be able to live in a decent manner. The trick also for me is not to worry about material concerns whatsoever, about having enough money to pay the rent, to have needless apprehensions about the future; if that crush of mine will not want me if I do not have enough money, etc, but to focus only on G-d in the perfect trust that whatever I have to get to get along, that he will provide me if I manage to keep my heart humble, to refrain from anger and hatred, and to be a positive force to those around me. Like you, I had to fight for survival but now I rely on G-d for my survival. The distant hope of Heaven was and is too far away from me; it could not give me any hope in my darkest hour (a series of traumatic events some several years ago) but it was merely a question about survival for me. I needed something that could give me peace, a sense of security and purpose, right now. If I knew that there was a life after this, the situation would be different. But to have faith in something that goes against my reason, and which is so unclear and there are so many arguments against it (as well as for it might be said) is too risky for me to just let go of any ordinary concerns about this life.

Quote (Tjo @ May 28 2018 03:26am)

I would rest in peace I think if I had children who remembered me as a good father. I understand that we as humans pale in comparison to G-d. Even if some celebrity dies, what does that matter? Only idolatrous people permit human beings to become the centre of their lives. That is why people who are deeply religious and right with G-d do not commit suicide or fall apart if a loved one leaves them; their rock is G-d, their greatest joy and purpose in life is G-d, and it is their strength. But when we do not have G-d we must fill our lives with idols, and sometimes that can be friends, a wife, a counselor, etc.

But notice that Ecclesiastes is a book written by a man; it is Solomon's words; though inspired and knowing G-d, it is not G-d first hand speaking to us.

For me the euphoria I felt when I fell in love for the first time, the wonderful bliss pulsating in my veins when we were together; that gives so much meaning, and so much to desire to experience in this life. These moments when I walk around in nature, feeling healthy, looking at the beautiful landscapes and smelling that fresh smell of nature, or when Christmas comes and all the family are gathered together to celebrate, or the stimulation I get when I learn something new, just the feeling that I am lucky enough to experience life, to smell, see, think, and feel, and to be healthy, that gives me meaning and joy. Sometimes I just get this feeling, when G-d smiles at me, that I am living in the present, and all my senses are heightened, and my heart filled with joy for seemingly nothing. I could die as an old man having lived a life like that, die and perish, and it would still feel like my life had meaning, to having enjoyed the gift of life. But then I again I have been seriously ill in my life, and recovered, and I have been on the brink of death, and experienced shame, grief, sorrow, regret, and I certainly had my heart crushed several times, yet it is not anything that could be described in words that I pursue, just that feeling that I get every now and then, and which I felt almost daily in my childhood. People forget too easily the wonderful bliss of life; not speaking about the enjoyment of driving a fast car, or going to a party, or having sex, or earning money, but that simple joy, peace and feeling of love that you can feel when you have lived in a pure way for some time. I believe that G-d created man to be a serene creature, rather than excitable. I think that the to have the "spirit of G-d" (the body and soul working in harmony with G-d) is to feel an inner peace, a feeling of purity and almost innocence, of security, quiet confidence, that nothing else can afford but G-d; and this is more precious than anything else. Some are born with a high degree of it, but lose it when they become greedy and want the wind in addition to that, but perhaps most are born quiet wretched and they have never felt anything close to it, so they have literally no idea what it is about.

Quote (Tjo @ May 28 2018 03:26am)

Isn't King David speaking about a certain time? There are many psalms in which David with amazing poetry describes his seeking after G-d. And then there are instances in the books of Moses which talks about seeking G-d with all your heart, soul, and strength, which the Jews did at some times in the Old Testament. But I guess we do not have to discuss this further because the Bible is contradictory on this point. Indeed there is good reason to question free will, especially when you read the Old Testament. But this is a philosophical question and it leads to nothing; only the putting away of personal responsibility. But it is of course obvious to me that some people are not so lucky, so as to receive correction and instructions. Some people go astray early in life and there is really nothing that could be done about it. Some people are sinners from early childhood, and seem to be born with an unpleasant disposition. Notice that G-d says in the Bible that he will punish the children of sinner to the third and fourth generation; and there are verses (I think in Hosea) where it says that people will go and seek G-d yet he will not be found. Other verses talks about G-d giving up people to sin and hiding his face; that people could not, were not allowed to obey G-d (this may be strange but the Bible says so), and that he abandoned them to sins many times. Having said this I do not mean that G-d actively causes people to sin, or that he is somehow the author of evil, but since G-d is all powerful, he could if he wanted to, smash the whole creation with such terrible calamities that all would turn to him, yet he does not. It is in his power to humble anyone whom he wants. We can never understand why people, addicts for example, who are in the midst of their troubles, and who swear that they will live for G-d if he helps them through addiction and "cures" them, but who finds the door of salvation shut for them (salvation for this life I mean) and dies in their sin. We can only speculate why G-d sometimes makes it too hard for people to turn away from their sins, even if they want to, but probably there is some purpose, and some people's deaths are sacrifices for others. G-d talks about this in his redemption of the Jews many times in the Old Testament. He would give the heathen for the Jews many times. I have seen many people desperately trying to change a behavior which they know is wrong, yet they are so addicted to it and I ask myself why G-d does not make it easier for them. Let us take an example; bitterness. Some people are angry, bitter, hateful, and they suffer because of it, and even if they try to change themselves they end up feeling angry. It is easy to live a life of humility, but it is certainly not easy to return to a state of humility, once your heart has been lifted up by pride and malice. Sin is a disease which is very hard to cure and I do not mean to say that I am sinless, because I am not. I know that. Yet some people who are saved, who turn to G-d, they become almost immediately transformed and people around them can see a marvelous change in them, and they find peace and their lives are put in order. Why some people so easily and so quickly can make positive changes, and others not, even if there is an awareness and willingness on their part, is a mystery to me, but then against sin is the punishment for sin many times in the Bible. There comes a point in life when your heart, conscience, character, life cannot be healed. When it is too late.

What you said about Christian persecution is, well, just look at history. The Christian nations have been the most civilized, mightiest, highest civilizations. The Christian nations have persecuted far more than they have been persecuted. So that prophecy is not really correct. Sure I have read about Christians being persecuted in the Middle East, in Soviet Union, but these persecutions pales in comparison to the persecution of the Jews, of the Blacks, etc. If you are on the top of the pyramide it is not really fair to talk about persecution. Sure nowadays Christians are being ridiculed, but so are all religions, and almost all political movements by their opponents. Considering the fact that Christianity was the state religion of most civilized countries for centuries, I do not really see how persecution was or is a problem. To be born as a white, Christian, middle class+ person in a western nation was and still is the best prospect for an easy life. The persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire is also exaggarated to a very great degree. Compare it to the Jews who throughout two millenia were forced to live segregated in practically every country, denied the rights of full citizenship, slaughtered by the millions, starved to death by the millions, stigmatized more than any other group, and then we can talk about persecution. Having said this, I do not mean to say that the Jews were innocent; since rabbinical Judaism there was a xenophobic quality to them and they refused to assimilate into their nations; but still I can hardly see how such a brutal response was justified. The most Christian country today is USA I would say, and let me ask you what kind of persecution do they suffer there? The apostles of course believed that Christians would face the same cruel hardship as the Jews but they were wrong, instead Christianity became the head and all other religions the tail, so their civilizations. To say that all Christians face persecution is a false prophecy, and a lie.

Quote (Tjo @ May 28 2018 03:26am)

But there are no verses in the Old Testament where G-d says that he has a son, or that the spirit of G-d is a person separate from him. Why would not G-d just tell Moses; "Hey, I am G-d, I am One, but I have a Son who is G-d too, and at some point in the future I will send him as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity". That would make sense then, and then no one would reject Jesus, at least not the Jews. I cannot just subscribe to that theology and prefer to stick to that simplicity of the OT where G-d is One. It seems to me that the NT writers cleverly took texts from the OT and made a story of it. Yet it falls apart because it simply does not make sense, because they take texts from here, and from there, out of context and quite arbitrary. G-d, when speaking in the OT, is always clear, direct, blunt when it comes to very important matters. He did not want you to be supersmart in order to understand the Bible, hence its simplicity. The Jews have never accepted Jesus as the Messiah simply because Jews study the Old Testament with scrupulous care.

But seriously why would G-d give us "little hints" when the question is about our eternal destiny? There are no "little hints" in the books of Moses but it over and over again emphasize the punishments, and the rewards, and all that is necessary for salvation by G-d. According to the NT G-d is so desirous of having everyone saved yet faith, and not knowledge, is required.

Quote (Tjo @ May 28 2018 03:26am)

Do you not believe that what Moses was referring to, was the fact that there is an actual enmity between snakes and humans? Everyone is afraid of snakes, even small children. In the same book it is explained that Eve was the mother of all living (of all mankind) hence, that enmity would be between mankind and the snake. And the snake in the Garden of Eden is never referred to as the devil, but on the other hand an animal, an animal that is more clever than any other animal, and this is true to this day. It is even described as having feet at first, and science backs this up - you can read about it.

But well... little hints you say. Or you could just take off your Jesus-glasses and read the text for what it is.



Exactly! He told Abraham, that because Abraham was ready to sacrifice all that was dearest to him, even his own beloved son, G-d made a promise that because of this extraordinary righteousness, commitment to G-d, G-d would bless his seed, make him a nation in the land of Israel, and even if he knew that his seed would be liable to sin, G-d would remember the righteousness of Abraham and save them. Here G-d is clear and direct, as he always is. He does not tell Abraham that he will at some point in the future sacrifice something himself for the sake of humanity, but it is clearly understood that he will bless his seed and it is talking about the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. So G-d made such a request to Abraham then hid his face for thousands of years, before he sacrificed his own son, and then claim in the NT that this was a foreshadow of Abraham's sacrifice? Come on! Can you not see the absurditity? And Abraham did not even sacrifice his son because G-d hates human sacrifice and it was only a test, so the connection to Jesus fails even there.

Quote (Tjo @ May 28 2018 03:26am)

Wonderful, congratulations and I am happy for you, and I mean that sincerely. I do not doubt that it is G-d who helped you, I just believe that your idea of him (or them) is incorrect.

Quote (GetOnYourKnees @ May 28 2018 05:15am)

Imagine if these two guys used the time they spent writing such garbage on something actually productive

Quote (CPK001 @ May 28 2018 12:46am)

I fully agree. Unfortunately there are many others who do not realize the truth like we do on this matter.

Quote (CPK001 @ May 28 2018 12:46am)

I agree fully. If or when a loved one dies then it is not the end of the world. God is my rock. Sometimes people have their best friends as their rock. Then when their best friend gets taken away in some unfortunate accident then their life simply falls apart. Don't get me wrong, we all mourn the loss of a loved one but what gives me comfort and peace is that they are with the LORD. Even if I had my doubts it all comes down to trusting God.

Quote (CPK001 @ May 28 2018 12:46am)

We do not know why God does what he does. All we know is that God has the full picture and there is a purpose which shall be revealed. Once again it all comes down to trusting God even when we don't quite fully understand.

Christian's still suffer from persecution today, it might not be as extreme compared to the last few centuries but it still takes its forms. I cannot speak for the USA as I do not live there. What I can tell you is that what they are doing here is trying to ban all religious talk in Schools and even in Politics. The culture appears to be that you are smart if you reject God and not so smart if you accept God.

Once again I do not know why God allows these things to happen the way they do but it all comes down to whether or not you put your trust in God through those times.

Quote (CPK001 @ May 28 2018 12:46am)

You are right, there are no verses in the Old Testament where God explicitly says that he has a son. I'm sure God has his reasons for not plainly telling Moses what his plan was. If I knew what that reason was then I would certainly tell you. There are many things that are not recorded in the Bible. However, what we do not know is probably not worth knowing. What is in there is certainly enough. All I can say is refer to Isaiah 55:8-9.

Quote (CPK001 @ May 28 2018 12:46am)

Well I know somebody who has a pet snake. There are also many snake experts out there.

Quote (CPK001 @ May 28 2018 12:46am)

Do have go to Church? If so can you ask your Minister the connection between Genesis 22 points to Jesus' sacrifice? I would love to hear their interpretation.

Quote

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Quote (Instrument @ May 28 2018 01:18am)

Jesus is referenced to all over the Old Testament.

-Christ is the Seed of woman and in Genesis 3:15 we are told He will one day crush Satan.

-In Exodus we find the story of the Passover Lamb, and Christ is the sacrificial Lamb given for us.

-In Leviticus we read of the high priests making sacrifices for the people, and Christ has become our High Priest, making the perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins.

-In Deuteronomy Moses prophesied of a prophet who would come that would be greater than Himself. Jesus is that Great Prophet.

-In the book of Joshua, Joshua met the Captain of the Lord's host. That man is Jesus Christ.

-In Judges, the leaders were judges who delivered God's people, each of them typifying the Lord Jesus.

-Boaz, the kinsman who redeemed Ruth's inheritance, is a picture of Christ.

-David, the anointed one, pictures Jesus and Jesus is described as being the Son of David.

-In 2 Samuel when the king is being enthroned, the entire scene is descriptive of the Lord Jesus.

-The books of Kings speak of the glory of God filling the temple and the Chronicles describe the glorious coming king, both referring to Jesus, the King of Kings.

-Ezra depicts Jesus as the Lord of our fathers.

-Job says clearly that the Redeemer is coming!

-Esther offers a picture of Christ interceding for His people.

-Christ appears time after time in the Psalms, including when David describes Him as "the Shepherd."

-Isaiah details His glorious birth.

-Jeremiah reveals that He will be acquainted with sorrows.

-Joel describes Him as the Hope of His people.

-Amos tells us that Jesus is the judge of all nations.

-Obadiah warns of the coming eternal kingdom.

-Jonah offers a picture of Jesus being dead for three days, then coming back to life to preach repentance.

-Zephaniah says that He will be the king over Israel.

-Zachariah is the prophet who speaks of Jesus riding on a colt.

-Malachi is the one who calls Him the Son of Righteousness.

I understand that people read and view things different and that will never change. In my study of scripture the Old and New Testaments are perfectly intertwined.

Quote (Tjo @ May 27 2018 06:32pm)

The fact that you try to make the story of Jonah and his three days in the belly of the great fish somehow foreshadowing Jesus death and resurrection is just a huge facepalm.

Quote (Instrument @ May 28 2018 02:53am)

It symbolizes the death and resurrection perfectly. I’m curious on any feedback you have on any of the other examples. We clearly believe 2 different things and I’m not judging. I’m just trying to understand how your perspective differs from mine. It’s obvious I can’t change your perspective and your certainly not going to change mine. The foundation of belief is similar we just believe the true path to eternal life is a different road.

Quote (Instrument @ May 28 2018 02:53am)

It symbolizes the death and resurrection perfectly. I’m curious on any feedback you have on any of the other examples. We clearly believe 2 different things and I’m not judging. I’m just trying to understand how your perspective differs from mine. It’s obvious I can’t change your perspective and your certainly not going to change mine. The foundation of belief is similar we just believe the true path to eternal life is a different road.

Quote

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Quote

Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

Quote

Jeremiah 31 King James Version (KJV)
At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God.
For thus saith the Lord; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God.
Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.
Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.
How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The Lord bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.
And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.
For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord.
In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name:
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.
And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the Lord; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.

Quote (Tjo @ May 28 2018 10:01am)

That is to their own detriment and I have nothing but compassion for them. I know that happiness cannot be found in the wind. It is just empty.



Exactly. We do not depend upon our loved ones, but we still love them, with real love. With strength!



But everyone is ridiculed nowadays. Who is not? Christianity has basically ruled the world since it "came to power", and everything in the West is influenced by Christianity. I do not object to Christian morals and values so I do not mind.



I do not really know what to say but I do not agree with you, I do not believe that G-d would risk our eternal destiny with such doubtful stories.



100.000 die annually from snake bites and 300.000 are injured to such an extent that they need amputation. In India 50.000 people die annually from snake bites. The snake has been infamous for its cunning intelligence and its fearsome exterior universally. Snake-phobia is more common than any other phobia towards animals. The verses about the snake in Genesis is talking about the animal the snake, not some evil semideity called satan. There is actually evidence that snakes had feet and evolutionary biologists believe that they "evolved" and lost their feet. That the loss of something is degeneration and not evolution is another topic - scientists are the people Paul talks about in Romans 1.



The thing is that the chapter needs no interpretation. It is very clear. Let us take a look.



So here we see that because Abraham gave everything for G-d, his very life, and was even prepared to sacrifice his most beloved son, G-d blessed Abraham with the promise that his seed would be blessed and bless all the nations. The Jews have contributed much to the progress of civilization, especially and mostly in the West, and they have contributed in large measure in the academic fields, in science, economics, ethics, etc. They even created Christianity, and practically erased paganism from Europe and the rest of the world. The chapter gives not the slightest hint that G-d would sacrifice himself/his son because of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac.

Now, if there was a verse which actually said something like this: "Go now Abraham, and some time in the future I myself will make a sacrifice for all the world, that you may be saved" - then I would at once accept Christianity. But the text does not say that. There are a few verses in the book of Isaiah that could be speaking of something like Jesus, and if the New Testament had been content with his prophecies and his only, and not tried to make the entire Old Testament about Jesus, then I would possibly consider Christianity as my religion. It would have been so much more believable if they had been content with that, but no, everything was now about Jesus, and they went to absurd lengths to twist Scripture so as to make it about Jesus, and even inserted the most far-fetched doctrines to make it compatible with the Old Testament, and in their desperate attempts to make the Bible one long prophecy about the coming of Jesus, they lost all credibility.