Tobin wrote:Albion, I don't think gdemetz likes you very much. How did you accomplish such a marvelous result?
Maybe the same way I did with you. To many hard questions.
I don't dislike you Themis. I just think you are riding around on a two wheel tri-cycle.
"You lack vision, but I see a place where people get on and off the freeway. On and off, off and on all day, all night.... Tire salons, automobile dealerships and wonderful, wonderful billboards reaching as far as the eye can see. My God, it'll be beautiful." -- Judge Doom
And here I was foolishly thinking it was all about discussion rather than personal attacks and preferences...though gdemetz does do a good job in that area which seems to belie his stated position as having a corner on Christian belief. It is interesting to me that gdemetz reverts to Christian sources when it suits his argument but turns them down as being unreliable and "apostate" when they don't support his predetermined position. I think, though, that he is forced to accept my point that there is only one single, perhaps oblique, reference to "baptism for the dead" in scripture. That some group, groups, performed baptism for the dead is beyond debate but the questions is one of who exactly these groups were. From the absence of any other references to the practice in the Bible it clearly was not prevalent nor was it apparently sanctioned by Paul who while writing on the subject of resurrection makes a passing reference to "they" as doing it rather than using the inclusive "us". But then he is not trying to convert anyone to the idea of baptism for the dead but is clearly endorsing the idea of resurrection. In passing he says in essence: "Look, even those people over there believe in resurrection otherwise why would they be baptising the dead." It is an example to support the premise of resurrection and certainly not an endorsement of the practice. The Interpreter's Bible is certainly an interesting source but at heart it offers an interesting viewpoint on scripture rather than being a translation of scripture. On a personal note, gdemetz, I am certainly not "ignorant" of Mormon theology. I am fully aware what it teaches...but then that's where the problems begin.
Tobin wrote:I don't dislike you Themis. I just think you are riding around on a two wheel tri-cycle.
I am always open to what evidence you want to present. I just never see you presenting any to deal with.
When ever you ask something meaningful enough to require any evidence, I'll be happy to present it.
"You lack vision, but I see a place where people get on and off the freeway. On and off, off and on all day, all night.... Tire salons, automobile dealerships and wonderful, wonderful billboards reaching as far as the eye can see. My God, it'll be beautiful." -- Judge Doom
Tobin wrote:When ever you ask something meaningful enough to require any evidence, I'll be happy to present it.
I have before but have disappointed so far.
You were disappointed because the question wasn't meaningful. It was only meaningful to you (and often repetitive and having nothing to do with the thread under discussion).
"You lack vision, but I see a place where people get on and off the freeway. On and off, off and on all day, all night.... Tire salons, automobile dealerships and wonderful, wonderful billboards reaching as far as the eye can see. My God, it'll be beautiful." -- Judge Doom
Albion, I don't mean to be cruel when I say this, but you are ignorant! These scholars know that the primitive church practiced baptism for the dead, or otherwise they would not have written what they did! They are not Mormons; they are just reporting true history! That works in conjunction with the gospel being preached to the dead who are then given a chance to be "born of the water and Spirit" by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, just exactly as it was done in the primitive church! It's too bad that you have not received this gift also. Perhaps it would open your eyes to the restored truth!
Tobin wrote:You were disappointed because the question wasn't meaningful. It was only meaningful to you (and often repetitive and having nothing to do with the thread under discussion).
I have asked many different questions. Some certainly may not have been about the current discussion but many have. Many thread move from one topic to another.
Last edited by Guest on Fri May 18, 2012 6:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Whenever a poet or preacher, chief or wizard spouts gibberish, the human race spends centuries deciphering the message. - Umberto Eco - To assert that the earth revolves around the sun is as erroneous as to claim that Jesus was not born of a virgin. - Cardinal Bellarmine at the trial of Galilei