answering "skeptic" boyfriend based on bible

[krissy]

I used to post at the main community often, last year, if any of you remember me. Wish I hadn't of lost touch with the board.

First let me give you an over-view of my beliefs. I consider myself a strong Christian, I believe in God, Jesus, all go to Heaven, and after-death communication. Tonight I had a heated discussion with my boyfriend Chris that did not go very well. We've been dating over 4 years, and a year and a half ago I found John's show and these became my beliefs. Tonight we were at his cousins house discussing beliefs, my favorite topic. His cousin said he had never heard me talk near that much (typically a quiet/shy person).

Chris is a Christian, a Baptist, and tonight couldn't stop telling me how "wrong" I was. He even informed me once that I was going to "hell." Now, what I believe has never been a problem before, he even went to see John with me last October. I don't care how much he, or anyone else, disagrees with me, I respect everyones beliefs whatever they are (especially if they believe in God). I just like discussing them, I didn't realize I'd be judged so harshly.

His cousin, who hasn't found a belief system in anything yet, even stepped up and said Chris was way out of line. I questioned how he could call himself a Christian and for an hour judged nearly everything that came out of my mouth. Isn't that in the Bible a million times 'thou shall not judge.' That's the worst way anyone can offend me. I know I'm a good person, I pray every night thanking God for my wonderful blessings, I love everyone as God's creations, I don't judge people. And for those things to come out of his mouth to me...

When we left we didn't comment on the topic anymore, and got along greatly as always. But what do I do about this? Everything about our relationship is great, we have so many plans, and I didn't realize this was a problem until tonight. I can't live my life with someone who thinks I'm going to hell. Am I overreacting? Perhaps since he's never said this before he was just in a bad mood tonight? Another bad thing, I live in the middle of nowhere in Kentucky and my beliefs aren't the norm around here. Most, including his whole family, around here are Baptists.

*Sigh* I just feel kind of confused and lost at the moment, and knew you guys could point me in a direction.


Lots of Love

[lptimmtruckin]

Hi Krissy,

These circumstances can be difficult. I can tell you my situtation, but you have to make your own final decision.

My other half claims to be skeptic but leans more to cynic I believe. He watches CO with me and at times we can have discussions on it (I do most the talking though).

Then looking at it from *his* side....... he LOVES college football and college basketball (March Madness almost over!). I am not a sport lover, I do not watch it with him but will listen to him when something is going on. I consider it just difference of opionions and likes and dislikes. He tolerates my beliefs, I tolerate his sports :)

Almost every show with JE, there will be a reading for a skeptic, one that is only there for their other half. I think this is true of most people, unless there has been a reading it is not that common for a couple to have the total same belief system.

On the biblical sense there are many threads here that you can give him that should cause reason for him to doubt. Then there is the subject of the scriptures that were lost or removed.

Have you checked our Spiritual, Religious, Scriptural folder? There are many posts that include scriptural references in support of what John's work implies.

I will admit many times I think........"if he only believed like me, his life would be so much easier!", but that is his choice. Free will!

Hope this has been a little helpful and I wish you all the luck in the world!

Laurryn

[PsyQuestor]

((( krissy ))) I'm sorry you are going thru this, but you will get thru. I don't have any good advice, just wanted to post my support.

Tammy

[Pam]

Krissy - it sounds like your boyfriends loves you very much, and has genuine concern for you. You're very lucky.

I wish all of you your questions could be solved here, but the reality is, the questions are even larger than themselves, and speak to a difference of values.

There are a few things to consider, such as, is the reason your boyfriend believes as he does, because he believes the bible is the unfailing, absolute "inerrant" (no mistakes) word of God, and is to be followed literally word for word? Or does he believe the bible is parables, symbols and signs of a deeper spiritual meaning, and that taking the bible literally is to miss that meaning?

On which side of that fence, do you sit?

Depending on your answers, I might have some information for you, that might help you to discuss the issue of bible teaching on this subject with your boyfriend.

[lptimmtruckin]

"I might have some information for you, that might help you to discuss the issue of bible teaching on this subject with your boyfriend."

I believe anything is possible and would like this info to if possible Pam :)

Laurryn

[Pam]

It's a huge, and emotional issue, and that's the belief in "infallibility" or "inerrancy" of the bible, and whether it should be taken literally. In short, it's about fundamentalism.

I don't want to debate the entire issue of bible fundamentalism here, but in truth, the average "Christian" is poorly educated on the authors, time period, motivations, social situation and targeted audience of each book of the bible - old testament and new.

I'll state right now, that I'm not a bible fundamentalist, I don't take the bible literally. That does not mean I don't believe in the message of the bible. I believe the bible is full of parables, symbols and signs, that we are to enter into the "experience" of the author, to see the meaning.

In order to understand precisely why those authors spoke out against mediumship, we need to understand all those things, before one can truly make a decision about whether or not those admonitions still apply today, to ourselves. Certainly, no one can make those decisions for us, especially the black and white pages of a book.

If we do that - (let the book make the decisions for us) I feel we are practicing idolotry of the book.

Yesterday I finished reading Bishop John Shelpby Sprong's book, "Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism" and then went on to start "Stealing Jesus" by Bruce Bawer. Sprong's book is a quick tour of the history of the bible, and how and why each book came to be. He also points out why we can't take the bible literally, at the expense of loosing the spiritual meaning of the thoughts behind the words.

More than ever, I feel that there is no biblical or religious reason not to enjoy communicating with our loved ones who have left this realm, for another.

[lptimmtruckin]

Thanks Pam :)

............as I make note of other books/authors to be looking for :)

I agree whole heartly...... re: belief in the bible, I also believe that some people need it for a basic belief system. It is only those with more open/advance...minds/souls that look beyond it.

:reader:

[Pam]

If I know the specific verses that are being used against this subject, I can deal with the verse and the book, one by one.

[ariechert]

Acts 2:17 - 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;

The above scripture was copied from the New Testament, New American Standard Bible. It's always interesting to me how people who claim to be Christians can't accept what the bible says. Not to mention Jesus tells us that we are to judge our teachers by the fruit they bear. If John Edward's works bear the fruits of the spirit; love, joy, peace, hope (the one most outstanding fruit of the spirit) than how can it be bad? I'm just gonig to tell you that the work that John Edward does can't be from Satan because all that comes out of his work is goodness. I have seen so many people walk away from his show with renewed hope that when they die they will be reunited with their loved ones. By the way, I'm an old man, and since I started watching John Edward I've started having vivid memorable dreams about my loved ones that have passed on before me.
Don't be discouraged. Love, Art

[ariechert]

Matthew 12:33 - "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.

Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

I found the two scriptures I was looking for. I see nothing in John Edward that shows him bearing bad fruit. If anything, he increases peoples faith and gives them hope. - Art

[krissy]

Thanks so much for your replies!

I agree with you Pam, I don't take the Bible so literally either. I also think Chris is coming to believe that. Things have gotten better for us quickly! I think he's started to agree that it doesn't really matter about all the picky details about your beliefs, if your heart is in the Lord, He's not going to be upset if you do/don't believe in Hell, ADC, etc. We've been reading the Bible together the past couple days, looking at the way things are written and what they really mean. I'm going to eventually point him to the scriptures about spiritual gifts and things, and see what he thinks.

Oh lptimmtruckin, I'm with you on the March Madness, LoL. I like basketball, but it's just been toooo much.

Anyhoo, thanks for your concern guys, I appreciate your replies. I prayed about my situation, and it is working out well. Ask and you shall recieve...


*Now in a good mood, Krissy dances with Michael Jackson on tv*
'Don't stop til you get enough' ooo heee heee
;)

[Pam]

That's about the most wonderful reply I could have expected Krissy!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[kimk]

Krissy,
I've been following this thread and I just wanted to interject (like a mom :)) that I think you are a very thoughtful, mature and responsible young woman. Not many people would be handling this situation as well as you and Chris have. You are definitely on the right track and I find that to be a rare quality in a person your age, or any age for that matter! :thumbsup:

If only you lived in CA or I lived in KY...I would love my almost- 13 year old daughter to meet you- she needs to see that it's ok to be mature and smart! :wink:

Good luck!

Kim

[krissy]

Thank you Kim! [hugs]
How did you know my age? *blush*
I'd love to be able to meet you and your daughter. I'm hoping to find a career someday in working with children. My interior decorating classes are fun but I don't think they're going to fulfill my need to help people, especially kids. Anyhoo, that was so sweet of you! I don't think I've had such a wonderful, heart-touching compliment. You made my whole week!
:)

[kimk]

Hi Krissy,

I'm glad you found my message to be complimentary...I was hoping I didn't sound too much like the old first grade teacher that I am! Maybe not so old...just feel the big 4-0 looming :eek:

Anyway, my message was sincere. You are very special.

Take care...

Kim

P.S. I know your age because it's on your profile! :wink:

[greta]

Art...You are so right. How can anything that makes people feel so good possibly come from something evil? It simply isn't possible. I knew this already, but thank you for putting it so succintly.

greta