John 1

[wel_mel_2]

Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.


<b>Steve</b>

Actually, you desire for me to follow your definition of Christianity, and then reject it. Sorry that I can't help you. My definition of Christianity is already often at odds with other Christians. :-)

Brother, there is no definition for Christianity. Christianity never had been one religion as you were told. If the Ebionites Christians for example won the dispute over Jesus’ nature in the first few centuries, you would have probably believed that every Christian should be a Jew. If the Marcionites push their beliefs down people’s throat, you would have probably rejected the entire Old Testament and literally believed in two separate Gods. If the Gospel of Peter was included in the Canon, you would have believe that Jesus never die at all. (And I can go on like forever to show you that Christianity has got no one definite form in the first 4 centuries after Jesus.) So God alone knows what was the original teaching of Jesus and his disciples.

I speak the truth as I understand it. If you want to teach me something, then please teach me, but I will not be drawn into defending the interpretation of others, much less your interpretation of their interpretation.

Just speak what you wish, I only ask you not to put words into my mouth. Thanks.

Can Jesus die on the cross and be divine? Of course, why do you put limits on the divine? It is your definition of death and divine that is probably the problem. For example, if somebody was brought back from the dead, then were they really dead?

I beg you please to answer my question in a direct manner.


So what I got from the above is that “Yes, Jesus died as God too” did I get that right?

You are, I assume, trying to use reason to defend your Islam faith. But why defend any faith?

I don’t have to defend Islam; it has been there for over 1400 years standing on its own, who am I to defend the faith? Just try not to let me say what you wanted me to say. Why is it difficult for you to imagine that I am really asking a very innocent question?

While I say I am Catholic, it was not my choice. God placed me in a Catholic family. Since there is hypocrisy everywhere, I see no purpose of trading one hypocrisy for another. I go to church because I am a sinner, not because I am holy.

Being a catholic (whether you have choose to be or not), it is a personal matter, if you are enjoying there, then stay there, no one is pushing you to be something else.

You seem to have fallen into the trap of thinking that you are holier, wiser and smarter than Christians generically, and me specifically.

Don’t worry, I am not smart at all.

If I may, could I ask you a question? How do you define mercy, and why is it important? Forget for a moment religious definitions and traditions. What is Mercy?

Mercy is the state of returning bad with that which is good, to show an excellent behavior towards any offender, it includes compassion and love towards people in general.


I hope that you can also share your views on the question I asked on the other thread “Bible for children.” Thanks


Salam


Wael.