Finally
| Posted On: 02/14/08 04:49:42 PM |
Age 47, MO |
I was expecting to have a discussion about this, but; oh well. Anyway, when I coppied and pasted some of the info in my previous post, I didn't paste the footnote. Most of the heavy thinking on this was done by Immanuel Kant, as previously mentioned, but also by Dinesh D'Souza in his book: What's so great about Christianity. His book speaks to the agnostic and the atheist, in my article I intend to speak to the religious and the modern Christian to cement the truth of Christ only.
Thanks, John
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I'm talking about perception, not True Truth
| Posted On: 02/12/08 01:43:36 AM |
Age 47, MO |
Actually no, perhaps I didn't explain it well enough. All truth is from God, that is not relative and I'm not saying that. I am talking about our perception of what is real. Let me explain. In his Critique of Pure Reason, Immanuel Kant, a secular philosopher argues that all human knowledge is based upon experiences that we gain by accessing reality through our five senses. He then asks; how do we know that our perception of reality corresponds to reality itself? There are things in themselves- what Kant called the noumenon- and of them we can know nothing. What we can know is our experience of those things, what Kant called the phenomenon. Take an apple; we can through our senses perceive its mass and its shape, which is in it’s self. However, the perception of its redness, its aroma, and its taste are not in the apple but in our experience or interaction with the apple. Indeed, our reality is our “take” on that experience. Further, my take would be different than your own or that of a person with limited faculties, or that of a dog, since they do not possess taste or color vision.
Kant further argued that we have no basis to assume that our perception of reality ever resembles reality itself. He reasoned that if we can only experience reality through our senses, then all we ever have is our experience, not the original. Since our experiences are varied and our perception of the originals is painted by these experiences, how can we ever presume that the two are even comparable? Truly, there are two realities; the painted copy of reality we experience, and reality which truly exists. The true reality is only known by its creator- God. Thus, our reality is God- if we remain in Him. This is wy He gives us His spirit and revelation so that we can know Him. We see Him dimly, Moses saw his back, if we truly saw God as He really is, we would be toast. John
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not good thinking
| Posted On: 02/11/08 11:47:29 PM |
Age 44, NH |
Can't agree on this sir. It is a relativism you are preaching. Please rethink that.
-Dr. Berman
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Who's reality?
| Posted On: 02/11/08 04:31:23 PM |
Age 47, MO |
I'm glad we are having this discussion and I would like to persue it further if you wouldn't mind. I am currently writing an article on reality, and this fits right in with what is perceived as true. The Truth is that we can never know truth while on this earth but only what we experience as truth. Thus, your truth may not be the same as mine, or your interpretation of scripture, or even your reality. This is why we can both look at the same picture and walk away from it with different ideas of what the picture even was (1 Cor 13:6-13). This is also why we are different parts of Christ's body- certainly you would agree the feet experience Christ differently than the ear or the nose hair, and all are controlled by the head if not diseased. I don't want to be long winded with this, but not only do we perceive things differently, we also compromise our convictions daily. To not agree is to say that you are without sin. John
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Apostasy is apostasy - period
| Posted On: 02/11/08 01:54:29 PM |
Age 64, OR |
Self-glorification by man is apostasy to God. Any acceptance of it is being a 'man-pleaser' and is an afront to God. Compromise if you desire but I choose to confront the apostate to repent and turn away from their personal sin. Play around with that and you too are apostate.
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Truth is truth no matter where its found.
| Posted On: 02/09/08 10:35:09 AM |
Age 47, MO |
Friend: I and others have mentioned this to David in the past. However, conviction will never come from us but by direction of the Holy Spirit. I just thought you should know the issue was addressed previously. But...the article speaks on its own meritt. It is a great article, and God has used David to relay truth. Why would you discount the truth by the author? Put another way, why would you judge a book by its cover? Only God should do this knowing the heart of man. John
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Purpose Driven? No - It's about the numbers
| Posted On: 02/09/08 10:23:28 AM |
Age 57, VA |
My former pastor swallowed the Rick Warren cool aid hook, line and sinker. He changed a traditional Southern Baptist church into a Warren-modeled, contemporary, seeker-friendly social club. He did it slowly, like a thief in the night. Before we realized what had happened, we lost our church. He never preached an expository sermon because all he knew was evangelism. I told he missed his calling - he shouldnt be a pastor. All of the traditional people have been pushed out and it's now all "seeker-friendly". The membership is stagnant - a few come in and a few leave.
That's why it's my former church - God picked me up and put me where He needed me. Rick Warren has done more to damage churches in this country than any other influence outside of Satan himself. But I'm not sure I agree with the writer - I dont think Warren is deceived, I think he knows exactly what he is doing.
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A Challenge for the author...
| Posted On: 02/08/08 10:12:57 PM |
Age 64, OR |
"By Rev. Dr. David M. Berman Th.D."
It is interesting that this author distinguishes himself by selfish pride when the Bible tells us "there is none who is reverend but God alone". So, how credible can this author or any professed Christian who lauds themselves with a "title". It just is NOT impressive but definately detracts from their credibility and sincerity as apostate to the Scripture they supposedly present.
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Ironic
| Posted On: 02/08/08 04:39:12 PM |
Age 40, MN |
Didn't the Catholic Church decide what books should be included in the Bible? I find it ironic that you find issues with the Catholic Church yet you quote from the books that they chose.
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Great Points!
| Posted On: 02/08/08 03:37:02 PM |
Age 44, NH |
Excellent points John!!! -Dr. David M. Berman
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Sorry, I am not wrong. I wish I was wrong on this matter
| Posted On: 02/08/08 12:55:36 PM |
Age 44, NH |
The official teaching of the Catholic Church is that the Church has final authority. In fact the Pope has final say on all matters of Doctrine and practice when he speaks "Ex Cathedra" There is no way that you can read what the official position of the Catholic Church is and come away believing that the Catholic Church is biblical. It simply is not. From the doctrine of the Priesthood, to praying to "saints" to superstitious “novena”, The Catholic Church is not biblical. I suggest that you go to the official writings and proclamations of the Vatican, the Catholic encyclopedia, and on and on…you will see that the teachings of the Catholic Church are not biblical. –Dr. David M. Berman
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Holy partnership
| Posted On: 02/08/08 12:46:39 PM |
Age 47, MO |
David: Outstanding article! Due to things I have seen in my own church and their blind following of Bill Hybels, I have discovered what I believe is the crux of their error. Essentially, instead of believing that God works through the faithful, they believe God works in agreement and partnership with people. This error elevates man to be like God posessing power to save, agree, understand, persuade, and contend with Almighty God. Their take is that our goals become God's will because our God given talents, are given for a unique purpose. All we have to do is find our purpose and then God will bless our efforts. Thus faith becomes an exercise in discovering our worth and the worth of others created in God's image. John
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Please update your info, before you write!
| Posted On: 02/08/08 09:23:25 AM |
Age 49, FL |
"Warren went on to say that Catholics and Evangelical Christians have more in common than in disagreement. This is absurd since Catholics do not place the written bible as the final authority. Much of Catholic doctrine is superstition and idolatry."
This is wrong!!! The written bible is the final authority in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has come a long way and is not the same as it was 10 years ago. You need to update your information, before you write!! There are many Bible studies now, and ways to learn God's word. Jeff Cavins is a wonderful modern theologian that is working hard to educate Catholics in God's word. We are a new Catholic Church, deeply reading and learning the Bible!
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It should be Christ driven
| Posted On: 02/08/08 07:26:49 AM |
Age 61, MO |
Thank you, Dr. Berman. Many of us have been critical of Rick Warren for several years. This essay is a good review of that criticism. Purpose driven or Spirit led? Perhaps Warren is confused about what God said through James: "But wilt thou know O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20). And that is true. "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 3:10). But there are many Biblical indications which tell us that works which do not proceed from faith are equally dead. George Cancilla
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