Everyone can watch Avoiding Armgeddon on PBS over the next few nights for free.

um...most Christians understand that Left Behind is just fiction and while LOOSELY based on Biblical events, still is just fiction.

Tim Lahaye has the worst theology in history

UPDATE

I got my free email from the Left Behind Prophecy Club.

Here it is...

------------------------------------------------

	Monday, April 14
	This week's promise: Wherever we go God is there. Sometimes it feels like God is far away. . . . I can never escape your spirit! I can never get away from your presence! . . . Psalm 138:1-12 NLT There is no height nor depth to which God will not go to be with us. adapted from the TouchPoint Bible, New Living Translation (Tyndale House Publishers, 1996)

Copyright ©2003 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2003 Agora Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

i once got called "pagan" because I vocalized my distaste for the "left behind" books. Sure, a nice percentage of christians realize the books are only fiction, however, a lot of people also honestly think that the left behind books are above the Bible.

And I know a LOT of Christians against the war. Most aren't happy that "this could bring on the end times". Sure, some are. And some are fully supporting the war because they support Bush and America.

Biblically speaking I think it would be impossible for this to be a sign of the end times, anyway. As a loose paraphrase, Jesus said "No man will know when I shall return"

peace.

I perhaps could have been more clear that I'm aware that there are plenty of Christians who aren't obsessed with the Rapture. And I also know many who are against the war. There are lots of Christians and other religious people at the war protests.

As far as these non-Rapture-obsessed Christians, though, I have to wonder what their take will be when push comes to shove. Because, if fundamentalist Christians continue to gain power in the government, push will come to shove. Fundamentalism shoves. It polarizes. To paraphrase one fundamentalist, born-again Christian: You're either with us, or with the heathens.

Bush reads his Bible every day. Is it only his business what part of the Bible he reads? Given thehistory of government leaders who were very religious, and our own Founding Fathers' strong feelings that religion could be toxic to government, and who it was who spoke at our President's inauguration, I wonder why the media isn't inquiring more about this issue.

"Is fundamentalist Christianity a danger to the U.S.?"

Why is this question off-limits?

Although I generally identify your posts as unworthy of much serious thought (sorry), you've really got me thinking with this one. I could actually take the time to go through it point-by-point, but instead I'll address only your penultimate question, "Is fundamentalist Christianity a danger to the U.S.?"

No. But then, I make a distinction between "fundamentalism" and "extremism" which a lot of people aren't these days, what with the war and all. An extremist Christian is someone who shoots a doctor that performs abortions, or advocates doing so, or the "God Hates Fags" guy. In my view, those extremist are completely missing the fundamental aspects of Christianity, which Christ described as "Love your neighbor."

So is extremist Christianity a danger? Yes, of course. Extremism of nearly anything is dangerous, if extreme enough. Is fundamentalist Christianity a danger? No. Without going too much into arguing point-by-point, I'll just say that we've had quite a few "fundamentalist" Christians involved in our nation's history since way back with much more positive effect than negative.

People who believe the Left Behind tripe may be many things, but dangerous isn't one of them. I occasionally get frustrated with fundies who are convinced that because they think they understand such-and-such a passage, and it's in the Bible, no disagreement may be allowed. Never mind that the passage in question often means something entirely other than what they believe if the surrounding context is read. That's frustrating, but not dangerous unless taken to extremes.

Personally, I look forward to the day when fundamentalist Moslems grab their religion back from the extremists. While I think Islam is false, at least it could coexist peacefully with my own religion if not in the hands of the extremists.

Which is just how I feel about the Left-Behinders.

I agree. I believe the fundamentals of Christianity. I don't parade around w/ "God hates Fags" signs, buy into "left behind theology" or any of that crap, and frankly, push won't come to shove for a lot of us Christians because a lot of us don't even believe in a "rapture". A lot of us don't believe in a literal translation of Revelation, a lot of us aren't dispensationalists. There's a whole other side to Christianity than that shit you saw growing up.

andy,

There's a whole other side to Christianity than that shit you saw growing up.


Dude, I know. I have said as much. Often. And recently--to you. Will you find where I said the equivalent of, "All Christians are dangerous Christians," please?

Otherwise, you aren't really refuting anything I've said so much as setting up your own straw man and then knocking him down.

Phillip,

While I think Islam is false, at least it could coexist peacefully with my own religion if not in the hands of the extremists.


How would you classify someone who goes to the Middle East and actively tries to convert Muslims to Christianity? And does it in the wake of a devastating military action taken by a Christian commander-in-chief? And does it with food in hand...to starving Muslims?

Is this extremism? If not, is it close? Is it dangerous? Is it playing with fire?

As far as the fundamentalist/extremist distinction you draw, point taken.

However, let's add up these facts:

1. A certain Christian believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible.

2. The Revelation to John.

3. This certain Christian commands an army in the Middle East.

Why should I sleep at night?

Brian, what I'm trying to say is that there are several sides to Christianity even w/in fundamentalism. I believe the Bible is literal also, but I would in no way interpret Revelation the way that the Left Behind camp does, and I have no reason to believe that GWB does either.

Brian
That is a very good question? "Why should I sleep at night?" You should sleep at night because it is not in your control. God loves you and God will be victorious. The world has its good things but mostly it is a swirl of confusion ruled by the master of confusion. Trying distract us from coming to Christ.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1Cor 14:33

The devil would like nothing more than for us to believe he does not exist. But he does exist and he has put this hardening in your heart towards your relationship with Christ. Have you heard of the saying throwing the baby out with the bathwater??


If you were to die tonight and to go before God in heaven what would you say to him about why should get into heaven? The answer to that is how you can sleep at night. Because the truth is, nothing else matters.

Now that may sound like extremist to you but it very simple to me. His Love for us is very simple.

Christ died for ALL of us, to wash us ALL clean from sin so we can complete the plan God had for all of us, when he created it all. To be with him.

God will be victorious in the end. I never could sleep at night either, until I knew this. Brian, you knew Jesus once and he knows you. God is waiting for you with his eyes on you (his prodigal son)always, his hands stretched in you direction always. Waiting for all of us, with a singular, scandalous, love and patience

Much love to you and I hope and pray you can find your way back to Him.

Lu

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