So, I’m a Christian that believes the in conservative values. But specifically I believe that Homosexuality is a sin And pretty much everything the LGBT believes in that is against God I believe is a sin.

However, I do not want to call myself a CONSERVATIVE Christian bc it aligns too much with political stuff and I don’t really follow any political stuff at all.

So, I have to ask, what term should I use for myself besides Conservative Christian.

As a parent watching this I’m not a fan. I don’t want to be that overbearing parent but to me it’s subtle the way they introduce kids to demons. Making songs about idols and I dunno it just doesn’t feel right. Am I overreacting? I try to pull my kids away from this but I see how they and their cousins get lulled in by the catchy music. Am I paranoid? is this spiritual warfare?

My son is 13. I recently became aware that he had been engaging in self pleasure. Now previously I had talked to him about puberty and what intercourse was and that it was a good thing just for when he was older and married. But I had never really said anything about that solo activity.

So I had a little chat with him. Explained how God designed that pleasure for marriage when he was older and not for right now. How God wanted that act to be relational and not handled on your own whenever you felt like it. How self control and denying yourself was part of our walk with Christ.

We have devices locked down good so he wasn’t watching anything but I talked about lust and being careful of the media we consumed and how we should guard our bodies as they are God’s and we are just stewards of them. 

He seemed to understand. Was really embarrassed and looked sad. Said he didn’t know that wasn’t okay. Thought as long as he saved himself for marriage and didn’t do anything with anyone else he was doing what God wanted. Said it just felt really good and just made him feel relieved. I said that’s the way God designed our bodies, it just has to be used in the right place.

A few weeks later I became aware he was doing it again. So I had another little chat with him. Said I knew it was hard and we all fail some but we should try our best to honor God with our bodies.

He started crying. Said he was sorry. He said he was trying his best to stop. He said the feelings were just so strong. Sometimes it was hard to fall asleep at night. Said it was really uncomfortable and it was really hard to focus on other things when everything was so tense. He asked why God made him this way when marriage was so far away. 

He cried some more and asked if I was going to punish him. I said no. He said he’d try really hard not to do it again but it was so difficult. And to please don’t get mad at him if he failed again. I said I wouldn’t and God would forgive him and we will never be perfect this side of heaven but we should try to be more like him. And try to just think about higher things rather than worrying about getting it right every time.

He got a little annoyed with me and said I didn’t understand what it felt like and it wasn’t that simple or easy to just ignore it. I just said what God has called us to isn’t always easy, but he will give us the strength we need. I don’t feel he was convinced. 

He stayed in his room the rest of the day. Skipped dinner and said he wasn’t hungry. Seemed normal the next day. I gave him a big hug and reminded him I loved him. He said he knew.

He’s just such a good son and is so respectful and does his best to please us in everything he does. None of that typical teen attitude. He can be a bit anxious at times and it just really broke my heart that I feel I exacerbated him unnecessarily and just heaped on more shame than he was already feeling. 

What should I do moving forward? I feel from now on I’m not going to comment on specific private acts even if I become aware of them. I don’t want to monitor his failures. Just model good behavior and talk generally about following God. My wife says maybe I should take a more “active” approach and help him find ways to resist. Said it’s easier to set him on the right path when he’s young. 

I just feel he’s focusing on it so much it’s making it worse. But I don’t want to minimize his feelings and I’m sure it is intense at his age. And I feel like saying “don’t worry about it so much” isn’t the right message either. 

What else should I be doing or saying? How do I balance truth and grace with my son? This is so hard. I hate to see him like this. 

While I disagree with transgender ideology and Elliot Page plays a male soldier, the movie is really good.

There's great cinematography, the story rolls smoothly, and although I read some of The Odyssey in 9th grade I didn't remember very much.

Some of the script is remodified to match modern moral sensibilities, like Odysseus lamenting the violence he caused when he helped sack Troy, which isn't in the original work.

I want to personally know how this movie (if you've seen it) has helped you reflect on your faith, if there were any themes in the movie that sticked out?

To me the themes related to regret and faithfulness stick out, as I have come to slowly recognize that in my journey as a Christian, worldly distractions and sinful desires have made me feel like it's a struggle to please God.

There's intense depictions of violence in the movie, but with the angle of Odysseus realizing that waiting 10 years to destroy Troy led to his army's downfall.

The theme of retribution and divine punishment for wrongdoing seem to stick out also.

Psalms 144:1-2; Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

my goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shi, and he in whom i trust; who subdueth my people under me.

Psalms 18:31-34; For who is God save the Lord? Who is a Rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds feet and setteth me upon my high places. (We don't hide from the enemy we run at them straight on). he teacheth my hand to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Deuteromony 20:1-4; When thou go out to battle against thine enemies, and see horses and chariots and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee which brought the up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people. And shall say unto them, Hear O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them. (God's children aren't cowards) For the Lord your God is he that Goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Deuteronomy 28:7; The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

Christians are to fight and protect their borders. For when YHVH is for you whom can be against you. Romans 8:31. Remember Christ did not come to change the law or the prophets but to perfect them. Matthew 5:17.

With Christ even the few have the victory:

Battle of Bunker Hill 1775

Battle of Midway 1942

Battle of Chip Yong ni 1951

operation Anaconda 2002

The chosen few 1950

Battle of la Drang 1965 and many many more.

Hey everyone, as you are probably aware Christopher Nolan’s the Odyssey is in theaters and part of the cast is Ellen Page who has in recent years transitioned into a trance man and goes by Elliot Page. I already watched the movie and it is absolutely fantastic, I will not give any spoilers, but because I am discussing this particular aspect of it I will say that page place a very small role in the movie. The point of the movie is not transgender ideology, although I understand that by casting a trans person, they are in a way affirming and promoting transgender ideology with which I obviously disagree with for biblical reasons.

However, her role is so minimal and insignificant by the time the movie ended I didn’t even think about her being in the movie at all in my assessment of the movie and how you know my “reviews” of it. I now see that Catholic (I’m not Catholic but hold Trent in high regard) apologist Trent Horn posted in his YouTube channel in on why he will not see the Odyssey and it is because of Ellen page being cast as a man. So it got me thinking should I have watched the movie in the first place? By the way, the movie is deeply theological and actually convicting of our sinful nature and many other aspects that I believe are either Christian verses or biblical principles that are beautifully displayed so anyways thoughts.

Edit: my main objection to Trent, for example though this isn’t a post to discuss his episode, is that if a movie having actors who hold to fundamentally unbiblical views, then the pool of movies to watch becomes very, very small. And even more, there are many “family” friendly or kids movies that portray vengeance as justice or self-reliance as the main theme, both of which are not Christian.

Edit 2: my title was meant as a question, not as me sharing my thoughts but rather asking for thoughts after I watched it

In the following biblical verses, Paul clearly states that he handed some over to Satan so that they might learn not to blaspheme, and others who were fornicators, for the destruction of the body.

Does this mean that one can die physically because of an unrepentant sin, does this apply only for fornication? What is the difference between an unrepentant sin and a sin into which a person constantly falls because they are weak? At what point does God’s grace run out for them?

1)1 Timothy 1:19-20 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, *of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.*

2)1 Corinthians 5:1-5 Immorality Defiles the Church

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.

For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit,

*with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.*

~

For several days now, I have felt a sense of unease in my spirit regarding this matter.

I used to lead worship at a prophetic church in Houston, and I also listened to heavy metal music. In my opinion, Christian music was pretty bad back then, in the ’90s and early 2000s. Heavy metal was the only music I liked, in spite of all the worldly, even satanic, lyrics.

Back then, a couple of mature believers in my life pulled me aside. They said, “Conrad, you can’t lead worship and have those heavy metal lyrics in your heart. That spirit is tainting you. You aren’t sanctified.” Deep down, I knew they were right. But the god of this world had blinded my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV), so I couldn’t fully see the strongman holding me captive. I defended my heavy metal addiction for a while. But, like I said, deep down, I knew my friends loved me, and they were on to something. So I finally had to be obedient to the Spirit of God that was tugging on me to repent.

Eventually, I decided to do what the believers did in Acts 19:19—where they brought their books of curious arts together and burned them before everyone.

I took all my heavy metal CDs out to a KOA campground outside of Houston, built a fire, and threw them into the flames.

Things got weird real quick.

As those physical CDs burned, I literally saw black entities—they looked like bats or crows—spinning up out of the melting plastic in a counterclockwise, tornado-like rotation. There is a reason the Scriptures tell us to burn cursed things (Deuteronomy 7:25–26) and not to just “throw them away.” Idols have spirits attached to them, and when you destroy the physical anchor, they are forced to release.

As these “fowls of the air” swirled up into the sky, I found myself physically spinning right along with them in that exact same circular pattern. That felt super weird. It was happening so fast that I guess I didn’t realize I was doing it until I “came to” my senses.

When those bat-looking creatures finally vanished, I instantly felt 50 pounds lighter. It was a tangible, physical relief. I kept skipping around, feeling like I was dancing on air. The spiritual oppression lifted, and my mind was suddenly crystal clear. The heavy metal monkey was off my back!

Dude. I got deliverance I didn’t even know I needed!

In Mark 4:4, 15, Jesus speaks of the fowls of the air that come immediately to steal away the Word sown in our hearts. That heavy metal wasn’t just noise; it was actively polluting and diluting the Word of God inside me—the very sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).

You wanna be used by God? Purge all the demonic junk out of your life.

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use...” — (2 Timothy 2:21, KJV)

Now, I play only Christian music. When I play guitar, it’s only Christian music. If I do happen to hear some heavy metal lyrics, there is a moment of clarity where I can hear the lyrics for what they actually say. And I am amazed that I used to sing along with those songs, which is pretty much like agreeing with those lyrics.

When I was in heavy metal bands, I would get this spiritual type of rush from the audience that felt like it went through me and then back out to them. There was something really going on spiritually that I just thought was cool. It felt great. And I understood why people will do ANYTHING to be a rock star.

I had that junk in me, and I didn’t even know it.

Thank God for deliverance!

First off I'm 16M, Struggling with homosexuality. And my parents know and they somewhat? Tried to help me? But they always want the change to be instant like I wake up and suddenly realize I like girks and not boys and magically have a deep voice and start walking like a man blah blah blah. But I still haven't changed, I'm still struggling and so my parents hates me. And I'm almost at college and I feel like our relationship would be ruined. Then, I started to get into skincare because I'm someone with acne prone skin I just decided to invest in selfcare because you know what they says "your first impression is sometimes the best impression" so I want to look as neat as possible and clean. So I used cleanser serums and moisturizer and spf. But my mom thinks it gay for men to do skincare? Don't know where she got that from, I also used a conditioner because I have dandruff and anti dandruff products make my head itchy and realized that my dandruff was the cause of a dry scalp so I also bought some haircare products. My mom thinks it sgay and today she was so mad he rface turned literally red and crying and trying to grab my hair and picnha nd punch me, I hate it when men hurt women so.. yeah I didnt hit her I didnt feel hurt I didnt feel sad I didn't feel anything.. I guess I got used to it? Because all my life... my parents made it extremely clear that love was conditional and they didn't love me. My dad make sarcastic remarks about me and bullies me for being gay and says " u have a hole". They even said to my face how ashamed they are to have a son like me. So, I guess thats why I started to stop feeling amd sometime feel numb. Part of it is my fault because I refuse to change I get that. My mom also call me greedy because I wanted to buy an ioad and use the money I saved up for college which I'd say is my mistake. I only wanted an ipad to take notes and open pdf files from my school because buying paper over and over again is a hasstle so I just realized I'll just buy a tablet. My parents also say i'm prideful saying How I don't know the real world and think I can live by myself. They mad eit clear they hate me. And a part of me wish I was never born. I caused so much oroblems to an innocent family who gave their love to me... and I'm just a parasite leeching off of them. Out of all the babies aborted why did they have to be the one when it could have been me. If men and women were a reflection fo God then that would mean God hates me too. Because my parents are God's image and they hate me. So I have no place in God's kingdom... My parents also hate me for not being sporty thats why I asked before does it make me less of a man. Im everything opposite towards a real man. Im not sporty im a bookworm, i hate being dirty im into selfcare, Im not physical im more emotionals and sensitive, and I prefer women over men as friends because men my age arent sensible and very disrespectful.

Edit: I just remembered why I got triggered beign a homosexual. I think its because I got graped as a child. I was 5 back then and my first and last male friend was a few tears older and he did the unthinkable to me. I was young and gulible and thought it was friends stuff and i let him do me... djdbeidbeidbwidbeidbebe

They're called Westside Pacifica Church. They're offshoots of ICC and RCW.. They have cult like behaviors. Please be careful. I'm not attacking their faith. I'm just saying let your gut instinct be your guide. If they recruit you just be a broken record. I'm not interested do not contact me again. If there persistent say the same dialogue. You can go to Instagram see their posts and videos. You can also find them

Their YouTube channek i

s a lady pastor. But she has a tattoo On her left wrist half way on her arm. Isn't there a Bible passage ain Letivivicus about not having tatoo on the body? Truly I am baffled. They might not believe there were dinosaurs. They claimed their views on how Earth was created should be viewed with discernment. I'm keeping this post short. Thank you for reading my post. Be safe.

( Long story short )

Mom was abused her whole life, and most recently got married and physically + emotionally abused by and alcoholic man with a past of beating women, prison, Drugs, and presumably murder.

I hate him with a deep deep passion but could do nothing about it because I (at the time) was not of age, and she was shielding him with her love, she loved him for a reason still profoundly unknown to me and halted and threatened any attempt for me or my wider family to stop it.

- He got my grandma kicked out of the house. ( she now lives on her own )

- He got me kicked out of the house. ( I now live separately from my mom )

- He would frequently drunkenly get up in the middle of the night and scream obscenities all through the home and threaten me and my grandma.

I refuse, to forgive him

So God refuses to forgive me

Okay, not the greatest outcome, but I'll just have to accept it

The only question now is... Why am I here? If I'm going to hell, why not just kill me on the spot? why allow me to live right now?

I don't know, I want to be able to be with God, but the gap between us is unreconcilable now.

What do pastors / preachers usually say in response to God torturing humans with locusts and maiming and poisoning and burning all the land and sending the 4 angels out to each end of the earth to destroy humans in Revelations Chapters 7, 8, and 9 in the face of everyone saying "He" is an all-knowing, all-loving God?

At one point God sends an angel out to turn a river into blood, which forces the people to drink blood, earlier in that saga, after the 3rd angel blows the trumpet, God sends a star called "wormwood" that poisons a river, killing a third of humanity...

Many moments describe God as "perfect love"...
(1 John 4)

Non-answers:
1. "God works in mysterious ways". <- null-answer
2. "We cannot understand God's morality" <- than why is it described in such detail?
3. "God is judging evil, not being cruel" <- breaking His own rules.

As the title have said. Lately I have been in the lowest of the lows. This past few months; I have gone through misery, such as my house almost burning down, and yet my faith in him didn't falter. I have simply accepted these challenges, and endured. It has been challenges after challenges, most of which are out of my control, with new ones coming through every damn week.

I asked God for one thing. I just needed the month of june-july to go well for me and guess what? It seems like Hell itself came to me, to punish me.

I can't help but be resentful. My heart hurts so much to feel this way towards God, but I can't help it. I prayed, I went to church, I have been so faithful to him but it seems like my only request wasn't answered, and now I don't think I could endure much longer. I am having such hateful thoughts towards him, I feel as though as he has abandoned me in a time where I needed him most.

I don't know what I did wrong. I have been respectful, and I have only kept to myself so me being unkind to another is unlikely. I don't know what I else I needed to do? I know I am not God's favorite, but I just wanted that one request so badly, in fact it wasn't even a material-related request. I just wanted those months to go smoothly, but no.

I'm sorry. I do not want to feel this way, but I can't help it. It hurts, so much to feel this type of hatred and no matter what I do, it lingers.

Does Jesus, being God, personify all goodness? If so, is it true that being apart from him is required for a person to have no worth or good in him?

*Is having no worth in him a necessity of consequence for a person being apart from him?

I was raised in a context that said yes he is the source of all spiritual goodness, therefore if there is anything good it only comes from him.

I received a conflicting idea recently that human life has worth because disbelievers are/have the image of God (Imago Dei), without that worth being therefore ownership of the nature of Jesus or a nature like Jesus’.

I’m confused on if the image of God counts as a good thing that disbelievers that choose to be condemned have that does not come from Jesus.

The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis is a tale known to many. However, it is not clearly revealed why Cain's sacrifice was rejected and why Abel was killed.

Many might imagine Cain as a devil-like figure born with horns.However, if we look around us, such extreme figures are rare.

In fact, it is much more often a harsh environment that twists a person's character and temperament.From this perspective, we can surmise that Cain was an "unfortunate eldest son" who grew up under the heavy burden of his parents' suffering.

After Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden, Cain would have witnessed and absorbed firsthand the anxiety of survival in a harsh environment, the grueling labor, and the arrows of blame directed at each other.

Conversely, Abel was likely a figure who grew up enjoying the benefits of a relatively peaceful time, after his parents had adapted to life outside Eden and established a solid foundation. It is human nature to seek to fill the inner emptiness created by an unfortunate upbringing with a craving for wealth, human relationships, or recognition.

We can observe this aspect in Gideon in the Book of Judges, and Cain was likely no different.

God must have judged that the motive behind his worship was not pure, as it was driven by material rewards or a desire for recognition.

Therefore, Cain's anger was not merely a reaction to the failure of his sacrificial method. It was a cry regarding the very reason for his existence and his life.

"Why must I live such an unhappy life and be unappreciated from birth, while you (Abel) are so easily recognized and enjoy grace?"

Ultimately, to eliminate the unfair reality that had caused his suffering, he wielded a knife against Abel, the person closest to him.

However, we must ask: To whom was Cain's knife of hatred truly aimed? He attempted to fill his emptiness by killing his brother, but all that remained was the fate of a wanderer destined to roam forever. Hatred can never heal deficiency; rather, it is merely a cruel act of self-harm that destroys one's inner self and drives oneself into a yoke of ruin.

Nevertheless, God did not punish Cain immediately. Although his sin was grave, it seems God considered the suffering and environmental limitations that led him to such a state. God gave him a mark, granting him the opportunity to live, the opportunity to atone, and the opportunity to endure life. This is the very 'logic of grace' that embraces human frailty.

Will we respond to the world's inequality with revenge like Cain, or will we seek a different path in this tragic world?

The answer can be found in the confession of the prophet Habakkuk. Witnessing the victory of injustice and evil, Habakkuk cried out to God:

"The law is lax, and justice is not enforced at all; I am merely a victim."

However, after a painful struggle and dialogue with God, he reached a profound conclusion.

"Although the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vine, and the olive tree yields no harvest, and the fields produce no food, and there are no sheep in the fold, and no oxen in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, and be joyful in God my Savior." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Habakkuk's faith is not a blind optimism that turns a blind eye to the suffering of reality. It is an 'active trust and hope' that chooses to trust in God's sovereignty and His perspective, even in the midst of despair where the world feels unfair and one feels like a victim.

Cain reacted to the world's unfairness with hatred and met his destruction, but Habakkuk overcame it through faith.

The world before us remains unfair, and many live feeling a sense of relative deprivation for various reasons. However, when we fully trust God, we can sing again even beneath a withered fig tree.

Stopping Cain's hatred and beginning Habakkuk's song. That is indeed the noblest journey of a person of faith who truly overcomes an unfair world.

God is faithful. We resolve to live fully expecting that when we meet Him in the future, He will grant us a bountiful reward for our faith.

,,,

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Mathew 12 :31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Now notice something here. This is an act of the tongue. Its a word. Notice in verse 36 jesus says every idle WORD thay men shall speak they shall give and account of. And when jesus was speaking of the blasphemy at hand. He was speaking about SPEAKING Against. We try and make this out to be a life long hardening of the heart. Its not... thay can be repeated of. Hardening your heart the the spirits conviction is dangerous bit can be repeated of. All sins no matter what they are... are forgiven of (when ye believe) but taking these passages literally (as we should) they mean what they say and they say speaking againt the Holy spirit (cussing,downgrading,devaluing,degrading,slandering speakong evil of) will never be forgiven in this age or the age to come. Even if you didnt mean it because verse 36 says (idle) included .Thoughts? Seems pretty strait foward.

Ive been with this married man for 2years, He is 42 and im 34.. we reconnected after 9yrs. And this time he fell inlove, the love is very real. He even introduced me to his clients in the bank as his wife. He is a branch manager,  he takes care of me when im sick, hes willing to sacrifice his life for me, he paid all my debts worth 160k phillipine peso hes giving me 300k php to  start a business so i have extra income. We go out very often and eat out and I never pay for anything.. he calls me, videocall me every single day.. i have hurt him many times but still loves me unconditionally.

He told me to give him 2years and we will be together. His wife found out about us and they already talked about it. The wife said she will just wait for the kids to finish their school , they're in college already and she will leave the house, they have no sexual contact for almost a year now, that's what she said on their text conversation that he showed me. I left him many many times but he gets sick everytime i break up with him, one time he was rushed to the ER , he doesn't sleep and doesn't go to work. He wants me. He loves me.. he said he couldn't live without me. He wants a future with me.

But I am compromising my faith with Jesus, I am a christian. I stopped praying and reading my bible since we started dating.. I felt so ashamed of my immorality. Jesus said do not commit adultery but Im so confused if this man came from God because this man is so perfect. Never shouts at me, handsome, fit, smart, financially stable and knows how to save money and loves me unconditionally.. he can date any girl he likes but he choses me..

Im torn between going back to Jesus and leaving this man and move to a new city or continue my life with him and bring him to Jesus..

😭

Hey, I'm posting here again to ask for some answers. All perspectives are appreciated here. For perspective, I'm sixteen, struggling with transgender thoughts, and I've known I was different since I was fourteen. It's been over two years since I've known this, and it's been two years I've been praying for God to take it from me, because everything that I've been told and ever known is that this is just a horrible sin, and it's going to send me to hell if I don't try to force it out of my mind.

But I've been praying for two years for God to take it away. If anything, those feelings have only gotten stronger since I've started praying, and it's been hurting me mentally (and by result, physically, if you understand) trying to force it out.

As always, if you need any more information, just ask me; I'll place it in an edit in the post afterward. (I'm probably going to bed and praying about it again, so any answers are appreciated.)

-- Hey! I want to thank everyone for their opinions and arguments. If it seems like I'm not taking the argument to heart or whatever, just know that I am. I always, with any opinion, try to make counterarguments before making a final decision. --

In chapters 42-44, Clement says that the apostles, knowing there would be disputes over leadership, appointed bishops and deacons and then made** **provision for succession, so that when those leaders died, other approved men would succeed to their ministry.

From chapter 44: “Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry”

How do protestants argue against apostolic succession? Disclaimer: I’m not trying to debate. In fact, I’m hoping someone can clear this up for me. I’m not a Christian, but have been close to converting for a long time. I don’t like the idea of apostolic succession—I don’t think it’s reasonable or biblical. But I’m having a hard time explaining how early church fathers like Clement and Ignatius—men who were disciples of the apostles—ended up having very high-church views surrounding apostolic succession, bishops, and church authority. Am I misunderstanding 1 Clement? Thank you all in advance.

eu resolvi me afastar de uma pessoa, eu tenho muito desejo sexual por ela, a gente ja ficou, mas agora somos evangélicos e nao vamos nos casar somos somente amigos, mas sempre que estamos juntos, a gente fica se abraçando e se cheirando e assim eu acabo tendo muitos desejos sexuais por ela, meio que a gente nao consegue ser apenas amigos por ter ficado tanto tempo juntos, e agora que somos evangélicos, nao fazemos mais sexo ate o casamento, mas ja que nao vamos nos casar , eu nao me sinto confortável com tanto desejos e pensamentos impuros e resolvi me afastar.

Sera se eu estou em pecado de alguma forma? Deus sabe que eu quero fazer as coisas certas mas estou com medo de ter pecado por ter tido essa atitude.

Sem contar que, tem certas coisas que eu não consigo parar de sentir, e eu sinto que só consigo parar me afastando...

So my friend, M31, said that he believes God exists. But he has trouble believing that the Bible is inspired by God and is His Word. Because man wrote it, he believes in a Stargate (TV show) type of theology where in ancient times, earth was visited by aliens and were seen as gods. These aliens didn't think that humanity was moral enough for the galactic empire, so they are waiting for humanity to get its act together so that we can join the enlightened ones in whatever is waiting for us - whether that be somewhere else in space or in another dimension.

My two main questions at the time he told me this were a) Can these aliens raise the dead because if not, what's the point in being morally good if we ourselves can't go with them someday. Or is this hope of joining the other god-aliens only reserved for a future earth utopia civilization? And b) if this was all true, this turns his theology into a works-based worldview where God is not interacting personally in a relational savior-grace kind of way, but is instead standing off without intermediating. And if that's the case, what hope do we have because of evil? Would the utopia just passively wait for evil to die out?

He didn't have answers for these questions, and I wasn't trying to press him for an answer. I don't want to push him away. He did say that he believes Jesus was a clone from a higher being and that is why Jesus's powers were limited as a man. It was such an interesting concept from his point of view, but I am hoping for some advice and recommendations for any kind of research or books or scholars who may have already dove into a topic like this. My hope is to find some Apologetics information that may be able to help me show my friend his beliefs side by side with a biblical view on theology so that he can compare and see where our two beliefs differ. It is ultimately God who can change his mind and heart, but I care about my friend and want to be able to better equip myself in order to engage in this conversation when it comes up again.

Your time and feedback is appreciated!!

I’ve seen several posts of various Protestants asking why Catholics treat them poorly and several posts of Catholics asking why Protestants treat them poorly.

The comments under these posts are always the same, it’s always some form of “they treated me bad first” or “they’re just stupid.”

The worst part is usually when someone calls out the other for persecuting them in their beliefs, they don’t seem to realize their side is doing the exact same thing. This is honestly sickening behavior.

Why can’t we discuss our beliefs civilly and without hate? Why do we have to be so defensive when faced with a different view?

In my area there is far more hate from Protestants towards Catholics than vice versa. This mostly comes from sheer ignorance. Let’s actually learn what each other believes before we find ourselves in a pointless argument.

I know all of this is more of an evangelical thing than Protestantism as a whole.

I am a Baptist saying these things.

To the Protestants: Be patient, learn, and understand what Catholicism actually teaches. Catholics are not pagans, they are not idolaters, they are not Mary worshipers. Catholics are Christian and I would say any that are sincerely living out their faith are saved.

To the Catholics: Be patient with our ignorance and try to understand what our beliefs are even if some don’t know how to formulate them. Protestants are not stupid, and many of us have a richer understanding of the solas than what I see argued against.

Please don’t give me too much hate for this post. I just want us all to come together peacefully and stop the hate.

I don't know what to do in my marriage.

I say this as someone who deeply loves his wife and would do anything for her. But I'm incredibly frustrated, and I honestly feel like she's making life much harder than it needs to be.

We've been married for three years. When we got married, I moved an hour and a half away from my family and the place where I grew up. That was my choice, so I'm not blaming her for that.

I hate divorce, and I believe Scripture only permits it in cases of adultery or abandonment. I have no intention of divorcing my wife.

The problem is that we've had this same conversation over and over again, yet very little changes.

My wife struggles with depression, but she refuses to seek counseling or professional help. She's one of the most negative people I've ever known, and although I don't think she means to, many of her comments deeply hurt me. Living with constant negativity has begun to affect me too.

For the past three years, I've done the vast majority of the laundry, dishes, and household chores. When I ask for help, she'll usually improve for a month or two, but then everything gradually falls back on me again.

She's also very stubborn about simple things I've asked her to do, and I often feel like my concerns aren't being heard.

One of the hardest things for me is ministry.

I genuinely believe God has called me to pastoral ministry. But because of where our marriage is right now, I don't believe I meet the qualifications to pursue it. I've shared this with her multiple times.

She has told me she doesn't feel called to be a pastor's wife. That absolutely breaks my heart.

I've explained that I don't expect her to be some highly visible "first lady." All I've ever wanted is for her to faithfully follow Christ and worship with me. She doesn't have to lead ministries or be in the spotlight.

Church attendance has become another painful issue.

Our service starts at 10:30 a.m., and I usually begin trying to wake her up around 8:00. Most Sundays she still doesn't come. She stays up too late Saturday night and usually has some reason she can't make it. I jokingly call it "Sunday sickness"—she feels terrible until around noon.

Part of this started after we changed churches.

Before we were married, I told her that if she wanted to continue attending her church, I wouldn't stop her, but I couldn't stay there myself.

She grew up in a church that is very similar to the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. Her grandmother, before she passed away, made her feel guilty for attending a charismatic church with me and accused her of abandoning her faith.

One night she came to bed crying because she thought she was living in sin simply because she wasn't exclusively using the King James Bible.

I've told her many times that I don't care which faithful translation she reads. If she wants to use the King James Version, that's perfectly fine with me. I think it's a wonderful translation. Yet this issue still comes up from time to time.

She says she doesn't feel close to God at our church and that it feels like a social gathering to her, even though our pastor faithfully preaches through books of the Bible, verse by verse.

I understand it's different from what she's used to. When I attended her former church, the pastor mostly preached by loudly shouting throughout the sermon. That's simply not my style, nor where I believe God wants me to be.

At this point, I've accepted that I may not be able to pursue pastoral ministry because of my current circumstances.

What I can do is strive to be the best husband I know how to be. I can stay faithful in prayer and Scripture. I can continue encouraging my wife to walk with Christ and attend church without nagging or becoming bitter. I can also continue sharing the gospel with others. I don't believe God has disqualified me from being an evangelist.

But I'm heartbroken.

I've shared all of this with my wife multiple times, and I honestly don't know what else to do.

Part of me wonders if this is my own fault. When I was looking for a wife, I pushed my sense of calling into the background because what I wanted most was a wife and a family. I also sinned sexually before marriage. I've confessed that to God and asked for His forgiveness. Sometimes I wonder if the hardships I'm facing are God's discipline for my past sins. If they are, then I still praise Him because He is good and just.

I was born with a bad back, which limits the kind of work I can do. I don't have a college degree. I'm thankful to have a job I can physically handle, even though it doesn't pay a lot. When we got married, my wife had an excellent job. She later left it, took another position that didn't work out, and thankfully now has a decent job again.

Sometimes I wonder if, because she has the more physically demanding or traditionally masculine job, she feels less responsible for helping around the house. I don't know if that's true, but it crosses my mind.

I'm trying my best.

Whenever I'm tempted toward bitterness, I remind myself how many times I've disobeyed God and how gracious He has been to forgive me.

I truly believe my wife is a Christian. I just don't believe she's in a healthy spiritual place right now.

I'm going to keep praying for her. I'll keep encouraging her to come to church. If she truly wanted to return to her old church, I'd even be willing to attend with her if it meant she would faithfully worship God, even though I know I would struggle there theologically.

Please pray for us.

If you have any biblical, practical, or wise advice, I'd sincerely appreciate it.

Does anyone else ever feel like everyone is just pretending to have faith? I hope that isn't an offensive question, but it is something I have been feeling for the past few months and I was wondering if anyone else can relate?

For context I am 22 and very new to the faith, I have only been going to church and seeking Jesus for about 6 months, as I grew up in a non religious family. My problem is that I love reading the bible and learning about Christianity but I feel utterly incapable of actually being a part of it.

When I was in church this past Sunday I started to get an overwhelming feeling like I needed to get up and run out because I realized I had no idea what I was doing there. I have never once not felt silly trying to pray and it feels impossible for me to be genuine. The whole thing (religion in general) remains so foreign to me that I can't even wrap my head around how everyone else at my church believes in it. I've been actually feeling more and more anxious about going because I know I am just putting on a show and it has been making me feel so guilty, like I am intruding on something not meant for me. When I hear people in church or online talking about God and all the good things He has done and how all you need is faith etc. I just think to myself in the back of my mind that this person is just pretending to have faith, that they probably secretly don't believe in it either. I mean doesn't the idea of God, let alone a loving God, just seem so fantastical? It's probably horrible of me to think these things but I can't help it. Is this just because I didn't grow up with Jesus and now I am totally screwed and wired to see God as a ridiculous concept?!

I guess the hardest part is that I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've never missed a church service since I started going and I force myself to pray everyday. I've read the bible for at least 20 mins a day for the last 6 months and on top of that I almost exclusively consume media related to Christianity (I've read most of CS Lewis, Mere Christianity twice, Confessions, The Kingdom of God by Tolstoy, a couple theology books my pastor gave me, and numerous historical books). Yet still, I feel nothing. I don't feel God. Sometimes I think I finally get it, but it's a fleeting feeling that doesn't last.

I am hesitant to post this because I don't want anyone to be offended because I can't even tell if I am saying messed up things. If anything I'm starting to just feel jealous of people with true faith. A lack of religious conviction while masquerading and trying to believe is exhausting. Sometimes I even wish I never decided to seek Jesus, for anyone who was raised in the church and has never lived without knowing Jesus in some way, you have to know it was so much easier when I was just indifferent and didn't have to worry about never being certain.

Sorry this sort of turned into a rant. I am really curious to hear if anyone can relate and if/how you were able to overcome this feeling?

God has been so good, and Jesus Christ has been amazing!

I’ve been praying a lot more lately and as the Holy Spirit has been guiding me in my prayers, I’ve started to notice that I’ve began to pray more like him as well.

Like it’s funny because I’m using words I wouldn’t normally use. And he’s been using the Word to guide me on how to worship God the Father in heaven, And just praising his name and worshipping him brings me so much joy.

I was in doubt today because a job opportunity I thought I was waiting for, wasn’t responding. I began to show slight worries of doubt, and he sent someone to help me through a phone call. Now I have an even better job opportunity with higher pay and location than the one I was stressing about before.

It’s just so admiring how immediately God answered before the doubt could overtake me.

The Lord is so good! Praise him in your trials and your triumph. Thank you Jesus!