***warning*** some devout Christians may have a problem with this post. Do not read it if it is likely to offend - that is not my intent. I wish to state now that I'm not anti Christian. I am however not happy to see people arguing with half truths and supposition.****
err... allenb... can you answer one question.... I have read the bible so I must have missed this but specifically (which chapter and verse) does it say that
Quote:
the devil has dominion over the earth (given to him when he was cast out of heaven)
also to say that
Quote:
God doesn't cause bad things happen because God is incapable of doing evil
is total and utter rubbish..... I quote the Bible below to support this ..... (Deb you may want to make a note of this too)
Quote:
"And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." (I Samuel 16:23)
Quote:
"And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand." (I Samuel 19:9)
Quote:
"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." (Isaiah 45:7)
the first two quotes from the Bible ... specifically state that God sent and EVIL spirit to Saul... the third quote does not need further explanation. I'm not a christian no... but I at least know what I'm arguing about here... the Bible quite clearly states that God is NOT all good - at least God of the OT. Jesus is a slightly different matter I will admit that.... personally I think it was a mistake to include the NT and the OT as one book... but that's my opinion. However can I also point out that Jesus is not all sweetness and light again to quote the Bible
Quote:
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." (Matthew 10:34-37)
And just to add some fuel to this fire... in Revelations it says that Jesus revealed who he was... to quote again
Quote:
"I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." (Revelations 22:16)
Do you know who is also commonly called the bright morning star in Christian literature? I'll tell you shall I... Lucifer.... just to give you something to think about.
I'll get off my soapbox now.... if anyone is offended by this post. Well I did warn you at the beginning.
Z