10 Mar '13 17:13>
The Bible refers to God as a consuming fire.
What are we to make of this? What spiritual context does fire have?
What are we to make of this? What spiritual context does fire have?
Originally posted by whodeyhttp://bible.cc/hebrews/12-29.htm
The Bible refers to God as a consuming fire.
What are we to make of this? What spiritual context does fire have?
Originally posted by JS357Fire does consume, but it also has the ability to purify. Both can be painful.
http://bible.cc/hebrews/12-29.htm
...has an explanation based on how God will treat the abominable, and its citation in both OT and NT means this isn't changed under the new dispensation.
There is ambiguity perhaps, in whether the fire will destroy abominable sinners or will endlessly pain them, or will cleanse and purify them (perhaps painfully too.)
Originally posted by whodeyWhat do you mean by "pure energy"? (Perhaps by comparison with "impure energy"😉
I would also say, God is seen as pure energy. In fact, the source of all energy. You can't contain it, you can't quench it, it is in a constant state of flux.
Originally posted by wolfgang59God is the source of all energy. We are byproducts of such energy. If he enters your life, then to stay stagnant spiritually is an impossibility.
What do you mean by "pure energy"? (Perhaps by comparison with "impure energy"😉
And how do you reconcile this purity with "a constant stae of flux"?
Originally posted by whodeyHence purgatory: "Of the early Church Fathers, Origen says that “He who comes to be saved, comes to be saved through [a] fire” that burns away sins and worldliness like lead, leaving behind only pure gold.[18] St. Ambrose of Milan speaks of a kind of "baptism of fire" which is located at the entrance to Heaven, and through which all must pass, at the end of the world.[19] Pope St. Gregory the Great says that the belief in Purgatory is “established” (constat), and “to be believed” (credendum), insisting however, that the Purgatorial fire can only purify away minor transgressions, not “iron, bronze, or lead,” or other “hardened” (duriora) sins.[20] By this he meant that attachments to sin, habits of sin, and even venial sins could be removed in Purgatory, but not mortal sin, which, according to Catholic doctrine, causes eternal damnation. "
Fire does consume, but it also has the ability to purify. Both can be painful.
I would also say, God is seen as pure energy. In fact, the source of all energy. You can't contain it, you can't quench it, it is in a constant state of flux.
Originally posted by wolfgang59Scientists have a general understanding of how matter can produce energy, but do not understand how energy can produce matter.
What do you mean by "pure energy"? (Perhaps by comparison with "impure energy"😉
And how do you reconcile this purity with "a constant stae of flux"?
Originally posted by karoly aczelWell, there's this book called the Bible, you've heard of it, yes?
So why do christians reckon it's a male person?
Originally posted by SuzianneWhodey is a Christian,right? He is presenting evidence that says that "God" is "fire", (of some sort). Why?
Well, there's this book called the Bible, you've heard of it, yes?
Genesis 1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Answer: Because we are told he is male.
Originally posted by karoly aczelEvidence? What evidence? I'm asking why God is presented as a consuming fire. What is being communicated here and do you agree with any of the possible reasons?
Whodey is a Christian,right? He is presenting evidence that says that "God" is "fire", (of some sort). Why?
No need to be a smart arse about it, missie.
ps. note the difference between Buddhism and Christianity, where in the former we are requested not to take Hir word and implored to find out for ourselves, whereas in Christianity we are "told" - black and white- what "It" is.
Originally posted by whodeyI see.
Evidence? What evidence? I'm asking why God is presented as a consuming fire. What is being communicated here and do you agree with any of the possible reasons?