Do Xtians still believe; if you use the word "Devil" he will appear. Pre 16th Century form; "speak of the Devil and he will appear"; or later more often given as 'talk of the Devil'.\nIs the Devil real? And will he appear?
206405
Do people really still believe in devils? We have launched international space stations, we have duel-core processors, plasma TVs, extra cheap Virgin flights to selected destinations, and people still believe in devils? I have to say this is most entertaining. Please continue.
204709
Joshua.  People like you crack me up.  Really!  You argue about biblical-specific entries and events as if they were factual and undeniable.  "written 4000 years ago"  On what?  Notebook paper?  Do you have some copies of those 4000 year old writings?  Do you have some secret text that nobody else has ever seen?  Are you on heroin or acid?  What's your trip?  None of the authors of the NT witnessed the alleged resurrection.  No matter how you stretch it, there are no actual accounts of it.  Most of the NT was created and written in 320AD under the direction of Constantine the Great, and its puirpose was NOT for historic accuracy.  Its purpose was to create a doctrine at the Council of Nicea that all factions of religious doctrine could agree upon and pull everyone together.  Why does it appear that there only a few people that post here regularly who actually know this?  Is your only source of "history" the Bible itself?  Are you crazy enough to use the Bible to prove the Bible?  Talk about illogic!\n\nThe original poster is correct -- if the notion of god portrayed in the bible is accurate, then there is no need for "free will" -- God already knows how things turn out.  He already knows who chooses free will and who doesn't choose free will, how they act, and who the sinners are and who goes to hell.  He already knows the choices people made in the past and what they'll make in the future.  He already knows how things will turn.  Already been there.  Outside of the time line?  Fine, state it however you wish.  It's still the same.  He's all knowing.  He knows how the "souls" will turn out. There's no need for a test on earth.\n\nThe question is not flawed at all.  Your assumption that the Bible is incontrovertible is flawed, and your statements of biblical myths as assertion are ridiculous.  It is one of hundreds of unprovable myths on this whole planet, full of fatal flaws, like the one this question raises.
275407
Yes to all your questions. It seems we have heard it forever that God will return for those who have made themselves ready. Will we hear it the next thousand years? Don't think so. All you have to do is look in Revelation and see this is truly the last days. All the old prophecies are almost totally fulfilled. The world is just about at the place when God will finish up and do what he said he would do. Most people either don't believe the end is almost here or don't wish to believe it. One day we will know for sure want we?
163062
I found the language of the show to be quite interesting. Fore instance, during the first half of the show, they kept asking the question: "Is it real?" This isn't really what they meant, what they meant was "Is it old?" To me, they were implying that "real" = "true".\n\nThey also did not mention several Gnostic beliefs that would have discredited the movement in many people's eyes. You remember the scene at the last supper when they talked about Jesus laughing because the disciples were worshipping the wrong God, that the God who created the universe was actually an inferior God that was not worthy to be worshipped. What they didn't say was that Gnostics believed that this was the God of the Old Testament, so they ignored the Old Testament.\n\nAnother thing that stuck out to me was the phrase "When Jesus appeared on the Earth." Because they believed that the material world was evil, they had what is known as a Docetic view of Jesus. That is, that Jesus only appeared to be human, because God would have never become human and contaminated himself with the material world.\n\nI strongly agree with the speaker at the end who said that the Gospel of Judas provides valuable historical information about the history of Christianity and the movements within it. It shows us that there was never one single Christianity being practiced.  People have beein arguing about who Jesus was since a few minutes after he died.  With that being said, I do not personally believe it provides a historically accurate picture of the characters of Jesus and Judas.\n\nFinally, they seemed to think the fact that there were many Christianities unique. I have to disagree with that. There are many different versions of the Christian faith today, with different holy texts, etc. The book of Mormon is a prime example.\n\nIf you read the other Gnostic texts, you will find they have a lot in common with the Gospel of Judas.  For instance, both the Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of Thomas elevate one of the Disciples above the others.  The Gospel of Mary Magdalene does the same thing for Mary.  None of the four canonical gospels does this for their author.\n\nAnother thing that absolutely amazes me is that we have 4 gospels that tell very similar stories.  There are some minor differences in the order of events or the events included, but they are consistant for the most part.  One new gospel is found that offers a different story and many people jump on that and say, "Wow!  This is the real story."  It just doesn't make any sense.
95350
I would honestly be very suspicious of any detailed (physical) descriptions of Satan. Not that I would doubt whether or not the person saw Satan, or that they gave a good description of what they saw, but that Satan appears in various forms is evident, and he is smart enough to appear in whatever form best suits the purpose of the moment.\nFirst of all, Satan is both a liar and a spirit being (not limited to a single physical form), and will use whatever (physical) form is best suited to the lie.\nSecond, the various 'sightings' of Satan may or may not be Satan himself. They could just as well be another fallen angel (demon, imp, gargoyle, whatever name you want to use).\nLies and misdirection are the stock-in-trade of all these beings, so for them to lie about who they are (including names) is very common.\nThe Bible is not all that clear about names and physical descriptions of fallen angels, so those come from other sources. Personal experiences, books based on other's experiences, etc, and it's all very subjective.\nBiblical descriptions of the Evil One are character-based, not physical. The character of the devil, satan, whatever imp, demon, gargoyle, etc is easy to recognize from Scripture, so apparently, physical descriptions (and even names) are far less important than knowing the characteristics of the enemy.\nThe Bible does say that Satan (and his servants) can appear as angels of light, and workers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)\nThe Bible says that ALL other names are under the name of Jesus Christ, so knowing Jesus (and being able to recognize His true messengers) is the important thing. I think its a lot like when a bank employee is being taught to recognize a counterfeit bill - they don't show them all the clever fakes, they make them become so familiar with the real thing that the fakes become obvious.
401767
The Christianity faith preaches to their members that the pagan belief is part of the Devil. Why? I'm not sure. The Christian faith used to have a mutual partnership with Pagan beliefs in the distant past, even accepting the pentagram. It could be that they don't want competition of a belief system that teaches inner strength and personal growth outside an organization (if their followers were to have strength and spirituality on their own, they wouldn't be able to profit from it through donations.)
432725
Wow, this is a new topic and compared to what I have read so far today...a pleasant change.  Possibly so, since we are to believe we were all 'created' in the image of God.  Angels were first according to history and Satan, Lucifer was his favorite at one time.  I don't know what else to say, but I appreciate the question for the open minded people out in the world today...what if this is true?  Good one.
123363
Bing! You hit the nail on the head the Christian Devil was taken from pagan religions that lived in the area of the Roman Empire and has nothing to do with the Tanach. According to the original bible there are two types of “devil” the internal and external the internal one is basically summed up to be man animal instinct the desire to seek physical pleasure instead of meaning full existence. Not to say that it is all bad with out it we would all die hungry and childless, but the goal of man is to harness this instinct and use it to go after his ultimate goal getting closer to the creator of the universe (email me and I will explain that further). As for the external this would be the angle of death who really has no impact on our lives and should not be of concern. To further make the point that the Devil dose not exist look at what they say he is. They describe him as a force that “fights G-d” if this is true doesn’t that mean that he is independent of G-d and may be called a god of evil. Think about it.
336723
There are many ideas as to 666, and they may all be wrong. BUT, when this Man/Creature does arrive, people CAN know IF they read these prophecies, regardless of what they think they mean now. But, I feel most people are Curious of Prophecy. We can see the Prophecies of the Bible that have come true, so, now we try to Decipher those that are still in the making, so to say. I have heard ideas about all the Insects mentioned, from being some new strain of insect (Like Killer Bees) to being Military Helicopters shooting Bullets. It is fun to listen, watch, wait and sometimes see in REAL Life some of these things being reveled. ;-)
181253
Regarding translation and the Word of God.  To say, in general, that I "question" something is not saying that I disagree with it.  I try and question much in translation.  There was a time when I questioned the Word of God.  I have since been convinced of the veracity of God's Word, but I still question translation and try to derive as much as possible from it by reading many different concordance references and multiple versions.  I would say, all in all, general bibles like the NIV and ASV are pretty good translations.  I would definitely get one with a good concordance, explanations, and references, and use them.\n\nOn fundamentalism and the Evangelical movement in America.\n\nThis is a loaded question.  There is 1. A fundamentalist faction.  2. an Evangelical movement and 3. the Moral Majority faction.  These are not one in the same, though members of each may cross over into the other and become affiliated with the other now and again.  NONE OF THESE ARE MILITANT.  Do they feel that America has diverged from a "wholesome" path... absolutely.  Do they feel that they want to be able to let their kids play outside again.... absolutely.  Do they think that God is the answer to the problems with America..... absolutely.  Do they think that their vote can make a difference... they know factually that it can.  But, few support Jerry Falwell for any public office... I believe his call is for evangelism... not politics, though he has a right to voice his opinion when someone asks him.  Is it good for the Republican party?  Well, I guess it would be... considering their "conservative" agenda.  Moreover, I think that is bad for the Democratic party than good for the Republican.  The Democratic Party is now appearing to stand against Christianity and Christians, in general.  Considering there is only one kind of Christian (whether fundamental or liberal) this is a bad progression of events for the Democratic party.  I think that they need to review their stance, or another party needs to creep up.
673110
well He is real and the Bible is proof. People throughout history are proof.\nI agree stop saying He isn't real. Because He is.
380100
We must understand that it is a trick of the devil.  He is the one who comes to kill, to steal and to destroy.  He feels that if he can draw diivsion between God's people, then he can win and all will not get together and glorify God.  But he is a liar.  And the father of lies.  May God Bless
214380
It is my understanding that they believe that satan & Jesus are half brothers, or something close.  I too would like to know where they get this idea.\nWhere do they get this idea????
366101
If it all be true God and Satan and the whole bit. Satan has done his work through the manipulation of people through the very thing that they think is protecting them from him. Come on a creature like Satan, with powers and has been around for who knows how long, you don't think he was smart enough to think of that and do it? It's what I would have done and I am just a regular mortal person, and if someone tries to twist that idea by saying things like God would never let the Devil do that, well he need not do it him self, he could just manipulate someone else to do it. People talk about the coming of the anti-Christ, maybe he was already here, say about one thousand, nine hundred and sixty years ago. That would have been about the right time for him to do all the damage to the human race that he needed to through their own religion. This maybe the reason the Bible is so absurd. Knowing some would buy into it and other wouldn't, know that this would put people in opposition to each other. I would have done the same thing.
15575
A human or a fallen angel???\n\nI saw a devil at a Baptist Church.\nHe wanted to kill me.\n\nI saw the devil when I was sitting in my chair\nHe wanted to kill me too.\n\n-----\nI have met demon-possessed people too.\nThey looked at me with intense hatred.  \nBut, I hate the demon... not the human.\n-----\n\nBut... they can't bring harm to me.
90685
GodShew, could you please enlighten me (and hopefully other Christians) as to what Bible you are referring to when you come up with your questions/answers/comments. Sometimes you Bless ppl in the name of God, and sometimes it almost seems as though you are cursing His Word. Although this comment may seem offensive to you, that is not what I want to accomplish. I just truly want to know, where do you stand on the TRUE Word of God?\n\nWhy do you sometimes speak in "code?" If demons are putting this in your head, you are responsible for rebuking them. Since you know SOME truths about God's Word (even though many times you twist it, as is a characteristic of Satan and his demons), you are responsible for your actions, as it is my responsibility as a Christian to tell you that.
150090
Are you done quoting Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 . . . \n\nThere is no god . . . because if there is . . . who is he or it.\n\nTell me . . . what was his dream, his ideal, his plans for mankind . . . \n\nWhy would the faithful removed his name from his own word (supposedly his own word).  Because they never knew him . . . or even cared.  They were afraid to approach him and talk to him personally.  You refer to him as titles . . . an entity with no name . . . not only that . . . if he exist . . you confuse his existance with other creatures (notice I said creatures . . . because they were created (speaking for your Christ).\n\nThere is no god . . . because if I was god . . . I would make sure people would know that I exist . . . I would place undisputable proof.  There is none . . . a lot is still unexplained . . . .\n\nGuess what . . . I just heard that they just discovered a book written by Judas.  That would be interesting to read.\n\n- - - \n\nPlus don't you get tired of wasting everyones time by repeating your bloody questions.