How does this particular brand of Christianity express their faith? What are your biases, world view, etc? (bias is not a negative word, trust me, I am very biased in my views) For instance, there are types of Christianity who use the Rapture as a focus for how they believe. Others don't think twice about the Rapture prophesy. Those beliefs shape how they live. So, what exactly is your belief and how does it shape your actions.
Oh and just in case there are those in the group who do not know...I am the resident atheist =)
It's a never ending search for truth.
I don't believe in the rapture (even though I love flying, lol), and so that doesn't influence me in any way. I want to know what the Bible REALLY says. Who was it REALLY written to. I believe that if it was written to me, it would've been addressed to me, or the words "future peoples" would've been used.
I'm fully convinced that God wants to be involved in our everyday lives even though all prophecy has been fulfilled. We have spoken in previous messages, and you told me you used to believe. Therefore, you should be familiar with the gifts of the Spirit. I have been used at times to build faith by telling people things about themselves that I could not have known had the Lord not shown me. People NEED to know that God loves them, and He does! Very much so!
What is the Bible good for? Getting to know God! I firmly believe He can and does speak to people today, and therefore, we can get to know Him on an intimate level. Many things in the Bible ARE beneficial for us today, but I believe all prophecy has been fulfilled.
Does that answer your question?
http://www.cafemom.com/group/102342
There are different "flavors" of preterism so it is difficult to address your questions (great ones btw) with covering all the different groups within preterism. I will tell you what I believe and how it definately has changed my views on everything from politics to parenting to serving in ministry!
I am a full preterist, reformed, calvinist (5pt plus), believe in CBV, an old earth, a local flood, and that ALL prophecies have been fulfilled by 70AD. I embrace the sovereignty of God in ALL things.
Because I believe that our redemption is complete since the parousia occured my views on every aspect of my life changed. First off I now have such trust adn faith in God because He does do what He says He will do and he has all things worked out for the His glory. I no longer wait to see if the world will end on 2000, 2010, 2012, etc I no longer look to this world ending because I know I live in the New Covenant and I am living in the new heavens and earth and in God's presence now! That changes the way I feel about the future, about trials, struggles, pain, disasters, etc...
Hope that is clear and not too muddled...Thank you for the oppty to post this! wanda
Feel free to post as much as you want because I feel the same way. Most of these posts are close to a year old because the group was dead for so long. I just couldn't find anyone that believed as I did til here recently!
Feel free to share what God has shown you about various aspects of the Bible, and PLEASE, if you know of anyone else who believes as we do, tell them about this group! They will be welcomed with open arms, and now that I have an admin, she can take over when I'm gone and visa versa.
Quoting WandaShort:
There are different "flavors" of preterism so it is difficult to address your questions (great ones btw) with covering all the different groups within preterism. I will tell you what I believe and how it definately has changed my views on everything from politics to parenting to serving in ministry!
I am a full preterist, reformed, calvinist (5pt plus), believe in CBV, an old earth, a local flood, and that ALL prophecies have been fulfilled by 70AD. I embrace the sovereignty of God in ALL things.
Because I believe that our redemption is complete since the parousia occured my views on every aspect of my life changed. First off I now have such trust adn faith in God because He does do what He says He will do and he has all things worked out for the His glory. I no longer wait to see if the world will end on 2000, 2010, 2012, etc I no longer look to this world ending because I know I live in the New Covenant and I am living in the new heavens and earth and in God's presence now! That changes the way I feel about the future, about trials, struggles, pain, disasters, etc...
Hope that is clear and not too muddled...Thank you for the oppty to post this! wanda
Preterism shaped my actions in that i dont worry about the beast or one world goverment anymore...i guess i am partial preterist since i dont understand how jesus came in the clouds "in like manner". i have a friend who constanltly talks to me about the end times and i told her i think these things are figurative just to get her off my back.
LOL! Heather you crack me up! I often times say things to get people off my back too! I totally agree with you that as a preterist - knowing that satan has been bound and destroyed does affect how we live each day in the presence and to the glory of God!
I was a partial preterist for a while too and had many of the same questions. I can point you to many preterist resources that discuss this and many scholars but the one who comes first to mind is Don Preston and he just released a book titled "We Shall Meet Him in The Air" and I have it but havent started to read it just yet! You can find articals on his website: eschatology.org and on the front page is an excellent artical on the "like manner" by William Bell (another fantastic scholar)!
Blessings to you and may your joy increase in the knowledge of Him! wanda
I gotta get that book because I have people throwing that up at me all the time.
- MotherofIreland
on Apr. 9, 2009 at 9:45 PM