The OP in this case has brought up some really good scriptural points. One of the things I find incredible about some of the responses is that there is an underlying accusation of "quote mining" or, roughly explained, cherry picking verses to try to make a point. While I don't believe that is what the OP has done, it is worth pointing out that the mere arguments are part of the bigger picture (and in this case, issue) with scripture.

One of the things that has always baffled me as it relates to scripture is why a God who wanted the basic choice (that being a choice between eternal enjoinment (sic) and eternal separation) to be so confusing?

Let's use changing a tire as an example. Let's say that I was charged with writing a manual for everyone to understand, that covered changing a tire. Remember, I've been charged with constructing a manual that is easily understood. This is to ensure that everyone who picks it up is picking up a solid and accurate guide.

But what if instead of writing a simple and straightforward account of how to best change a tire, I made filled the manual with alagory and vague charges. What if I used symbolism, or metaphors? What if when done the manual was potentially confusing enough to require people to have to go to school and/or tire seminary in order to properly follow my directions? How stupid would such a document be?

But that is exactly why I take issue with so many of the scriptures. God, knowing that not everyone who read the "word" was going to have a high I.Q. or a special gift for metaphor deciphering, still choose to allow via proxy a complicated book. The bible is NOT straightforward at all. It talks in riddles and allegory, symbolism and metaphor enough that entire colleges and even doctoral degrees are offered in it's understanding. Why?

Shouldn't the easiest and most unencumbered book ever written actually BE the bible? Shouldn't God have wanted it that way? Shouldn't he have insisted that above all else the book be written so that there is no ambiguity, no guessing, and no misinterpretation?

Entire books are dedicated to certain passages and entire encyclopedias are dedicated to the book of John. Why? Shouldn't truth be as simple and as clear as possible? And shouldn't the all-knowing, creator of everything be able to commission a book that no one could possibly debate? It is one thing for people to debate the authenticity of a holy book but when the debate rages not on the authenticity of the book but on the meaning held within, the smacks of purposeful obfuscation, not clarity of vision or heart.

If I wrote the tire changing book, I would write it as clearly and as concisely as possible. I would leave out words and processes that made people have to dig for the truth.

The Bible's biggest flaw is that it is so completely debatable, so void of consensus. It is that lack of clarity and the endless debates that make me more and more curious as to who in fact the author really was.

Thanks for reading.

DB

How is anything not about yourself. Even if you only do something to help someone else, most would say it makes them feel good to do so. That is a selfish motive in and of itself. You only do good as long as it makes you feel better about yourself. We need to move away from this idea that there is such a thing as an unselfish motive. Even if one was to do good with no expectation of reciprocity immediate or at some point in the future, it either makes you feel good or you are just dutifully depositing with expectations of divine dividends.

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. How many pictures are these words worth?

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:34-39 NASB)

"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26)

"But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one." (Luke 22:36 NASB)

-According to Lewis, eternity with God would be hell for the non believer.

-Hell was created for Lucifer and the angels, it was not initially meant for man. It is outer darkness, you will not see, nor be seen by anyone.

-Lucifer was a created being, his reason for existence is God. God has never ceased to be. "I AM"

-There is no empirical evidence for Santa clause or the easter bunny. There is however good evidence to believe that the Judeo Christian worldview is true.

It is said that faith can move mountains.

If by your faith you wish the mountain to move right… and by mine I wish it to move left…

What would we accomplish?

How many of faith are there… each attempting… by faith… to make a thing so(in their eyes)?

Would not the mountain crumble and become but dust?

Would god bring us to him if we were not ready?

Or: Two fat people would be sucked together in the supermarket as they tried to pass each other in the isle.

LOVE the new album, it has elements of their past sound with a continuation of some of the more edgy rock and roll type sound mixed in (like Vertigo for example). I like that I can listen to it all the way through and not skip a song, it's hard to find releases like that nowadays.

I agree 100%. But he has to notice me first to see the real me. I just need to grab his attention long enough for him to see me. That's what I was asking for, was help getting attention. He only sees the 'buzzed/drunk' side of me. You know?

Perhaps that "cape" you speak of is all that ever stood between the all too well known pain of a constant struggle/strife to prevail and your TRUE super woman.

hun....trust me...been there and done that !!!

if you only knew about my recent ummmmm mess lol

i have had terrible things in my life....can't change the past....only learn from it.

it's not easy i know...sometimes it helps me (like very recently) for people to kick me in the butt or something to get me to snap out of things. i'm hard headed and the nice caring words don't always help....it does soothe me at times but someone yelling at me to snap out of it wakes me up

no....i was super woman but i think davidben stole my cape

what doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger???

i do believe that IMO. although i think by now i would be super woman by now