God exists
-[this is the critical, frustrating point that I will never be able to prove, and will honestly, probably always feel uncertain about]
-if I accept that, then the Bible relates that:
--Jesus is the son of God, who came into time and space
-if I accept that, then the Bible relates that:
--Jesus is the son of God, who came into time and space
--Jesus sacrificed union/love/relationship with the Father on our behalf in a singular way
--we choose to distance ourselves from God in sin
--the penalty for sin is its fulfillment--separation, probably eternal--practically I don't know what that means
--Jesus gives us life freely
--the kingdom of God is greater than my salvation
--the work of the church is to bring the kingdom of God on earth--this happens in sometime conflicting and inconsistent ways (see the Bible)
-the Bible is the story of God's people (in part descriptive, prescriptive, and corrective)--it's God's word, but it is not the Word, nor is it God
--in the Beatitudes Jesus turns power on its head and shows his kingdom priorities
--Parables of the Kingdom tell us how Jesus thought of what was to come:
---the parable of the weeds says that God acknowledges human suffering and strife before his coming Kingdom
---the parable of the sower says that it is difficult to follow Jesus; it is difficult to have faith even; the Gospel of Jesus produces real change in people
---the parable of the hidden treasure describes the way a person gladly gives up his life and possessions, in a way that may be impossible to understand, in order to gain an even more precious way of life
---the parable of the pearl, in a similar way tells of the value of the Kingdom of heaven--worth more than any current power
---the parable of the growing seed reassures those tasked with Kingdom building that their labor is not in vain--a new thing is growing
---the parable of the mustard seed describes the extent and breadth of the pervasive Kingdom
---the parable of the leaven tells of how the Kingdom of God is inevitable after introduction of yeast--surely the resurrection of Jesus
--Parables of the Kingdom tell us how Jesus thought of what was to come:
---the parable of the weeds says that God acknowledges human suffering and strife before his coming Kingdom
---the parable of the sower says that it is difficult to follow Jesus; it is difficult to have faith even; the Gospel of Jesus produces real change in people
---the parable of the hidden treasure describes the way a person gladly gives up his life and possessions, in a way that may be impossible to understand, in order to gain an even more precious way of life
---the parable of the pearl, in a similar way tells of the value of the Kingdom of heaven--worth more than any current power
---the parable of the growing seed reassures those tasked with Kingdom building that their labor is not in vain--a new thing is growing
---the parable of the mustard seed describes the extent and breadth of the pervasive Kingdom
---the parable of the leaven tells of how the Kingdom of God is inevitable after introduction of yeast--surely the resurrection of Jesus
-Jesus is the best thing for everyone because his resurrection is the preview of God's plan for a kingdom made right
-our fellow man deserve love not because they are objects to be converted, but because they are loved by the creator as much as I am
-our fellow man deserve love not because they are objects to be converted, but because they are loved by the creator as much as I am
-faith is mysterious and maddening--sometimes I hate it
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