Re: Revelation
I'm not searching for Gnostic experience, nor just an intellecual one. Rather, you say Gods message is still there, despite the over 250,000 known errors in the RSV. And again, we're discussing a religion that teaches people the ONLY way into Heaven, is through a MORTAL man who was VOTED devine nearly 325 years after his execution. The Council of Nicea.
Sorry, but the 6th Day, as you refer, isn't even what you understand it to be. HaSatan, for instance, and the being most refer to as Lucifer, aren't even the same being.
But, The Church, being the ONLY authority for centuries after 325, had to make it all much simpler so the common man could get THEIR message. Shit, even Jesus is never straight up quoted as claiming to be God or the literal son of God. The term Son of Man, has been found in earlier writings, within the Dead Sea Scrolls. So he wasn't even the first one to use THAT.
And to say we NEEDED Jesus for salvation, is basically calling God a liar. You're saying that the promises given to Israel, weren't paid up. Or, you get around being that direct, and state the Jews got it wrong...
To be a Christian, as you obviously are, should mean that you study 1st Century Judaism. Or at least can read Hebrew. But you probably don't do either. And therefore, you'll be led by the nose.
Interpretation... trickey thing.
And you're right about that.
But answer this... WHY would God give an ultimatum?!
Why put a "gun" (hell) to my head and tell me to believe?
Isn't the reason for Free Will, to bone-marrow of it, to allow me to live as I will? To make my decision without fear or threats?
And if it isn't, then Free Will is a mirage.
"Pick up the reward, or I'll burn you."
Not cool.