Dead Religion

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Episkopos

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2011
14,004
21,589
113
66
Montreal
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. That's us, brothers and sisters. What is the difference between one who sleeps from the kingdom life and power, and one who is dead to it? Join us as we explore the biblical perspective in regards to the true state of the modern Church, and what we can do about it.

 
  • Like
Reactions: Laurina

Zachariah.

Member
Jan 22, 2024
277
64
28
35
Coast
Faith
Christian
Country
Australia
The etemology of the word religion states that it is dead.

To bind, thwart or tie back. This is the nature of belief. It is blind and fruitless.

Belief is only required once and that is the belief in something higher than ourselves. After that we seek until we know. Knock until we understand completely. Otherwise it is dogma we cherish and not Truth.
 

Episkopos

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2011
14,004
21,589
113
66
Montreal
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
Whose agenda are we following? Are we trying to exploit the sacrifice of Jesus for ourselves...manipulating certain verses that we can then claim justifies us?

Or is the gospel according to a power and life that is so wonderful that the carnal mind can't perceive it; instead then changing it into a scheme that has no power to transform or translate us into the presence and likeness of Christ?

Anyone who is living outside of God's presence...His immediate presence of eternal peace....is either dead or asleep.

The dead will formulate creeds to be believed, thinking that lip-service and affirmation is all that God requires. But God is a God of the living. He wants to empower His people with an eternal kind of life that brings people into an intimate fellowship with Him.

Can we grow slowly into Christ and that kind of intimacy? Well, we can be easily fooled into thinking so. After all, those who sleep can still dream.
 

APAK

Well-Known Member
Feb 4, 2018
10,356
10,827
113
Florida
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. That's us, brothers and sisters. What is the difference between one who sleeps from the kingdom life and power, and one who is dead to it? Join us as we explore the biblical perspective in regards to the true state of the modern Church, and what we can do about it.

Another misleading and aristocratic opener...."While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. That's us, brothers and sisters. .."

Who is us, and are you really including yourself...?

So, yet another non-beneficial esoteric mystery discussion/thread begins, between yourself and your inner circle of neo-Gnostics.

I wish someday you could communicate to the wider public audience instead, of an exoteric flavor.
 
  • Prayer
Reactions: Wrangler

Episkopos

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2011
14,004
21,589
113
66
Montreal
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
Another misleading and aristocratic opener...."While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. That's us, brothers and sisters. .."

Who is us, and are you really including yourself...?

Yes, of course. Since there is so little faith in these times, As Jesus says, one would expect that few are walking as Jesus walked at the present time...if any. The way is narrow.
So, yet another non-beneficial esoteric mystery discussion/thread begins, between yourself and your inner circle of neo-Gnostics.

That's uncharitable...and just an opinion based on your particular religious bent. I would think that some people would be interested in things that stop them from inheriting the kingdom...let alone what stops us from entering into the kingdom right now.
I wish someday you could communicate to the wider public audience instead, of an exoteric flavor.
I'm reaching out to fellow believers. The wider public audience is into things like travel, cats, cooking, cars and such.
 

Wrangler

Well-Known Member
Feb 14, 2021
18,228
7,600
113
56
Shining City on a Hill
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
So, yet another non-beneficial esoteric mystery discussion/thread begins, between yourself and your inner circle of neo-Gnostics.

That's uncharitable...
How is it uncharitable? Oh, I see.

Another misleading and aristocratic opener
Agreed. Talk about doubling down …
and just an opinion based on your particular religious bent. I would think that some people would be interested in things that stop them from inheriting the kingdom...let alone what stops us from entering into the kingdom right now.
He states your post is just opinion while doubling down on his opinion of Gnosticism for:
1. What keeps some from inheriting the kingdom.
2. What keeps some from entering the kingdom (now).

No scripture verses in sight.

Given the formula R = M + LB, where;

R = religion
M = mythology
LB = Living Believers

When all the LB die, we no longer call it a religion but a mythology. Therefore, the title of this thread is inherently contradictory to definition.

I pray you could be a regular poster, including travel, cats, cooking, cars and such things as your religious journey. I also pray you would not limit yourself to such misleading, aristocratic and contradictory posts @Episkopos.

I’m traveling to Florida at the end of the month to visit my wife’s friend of 4 decades. Because of him, my wife and I met. He was married and has a son. The occasion is that he bought a house … with his husband.

I have a cat who is a good hunter, along with 2 dogs. Although they weigh a combined 145 lbs, they are lap dogs.

I like to cook and my wife buys a new car every 2-3 years. My specialties are stir fry, spaghetti sauce, chili and BBQ. I’m interested in history, including mythology. Ever read The Power of Myth by John Campbell or Edith Hamilton’s work? Lots of resources on ‘dead religion.’
 
Last edited:
  • Love
Reactions: APAK

VictoryinJesus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2017
10,560
8,412
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. That's us, brothers and sisters. What is the difference between one who sleeps from the kingdom life and power, and one who is dead to it? Join us as we explore the biblical perspective in regards to the true state of the modern Church, and what we can do about it.

The other day when I first saw your title “dead religion” I thought of 1 Timothy 5:5-7 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, [6] but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. [7] Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.

1 Timothy 5:11-15 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry [12] and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. [13] Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. [14] So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. [15] For some have already strayed after Satan.

It’s a passage I’ve be looking at more closely lately, which made your title on dead religion stand out all the more. I was planning to post it but was pleasantly surprised while watching your video, to see you already pointed to Timothy ‘but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.’

Makes me think also of …like you said concerning the widow …my take away from what you asked for consideration…is this about a single literal widow or “is this the church?”
Revelation 18:7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, 'I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.'
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy and Episkopos

GodsGrace

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2017
14,082
7,310
113
Tuscany
Faith
Christian
Country
Italy
While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. That's us, brothers and sisters. What is the difference between one who sleeps from the kingdom life and power, and one who is dead to it? Join us as we explore the biblical perspective in regards to the true state of the modern Church, and what we can do about it.

Hmmmm.
You're very tricky Epi.
We must watch your YouTube thus increasing your views.....
in order to know what the thread is about.
No fair.
I will attempt, however, to find out your belief system so as to join in the good times.
 

Episkopos

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2011
14,004
21,589
113
66
Montreal
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
Hmmmm.
You're very tricky Epi.
We must watch your YouTube thus increasing your views.....
in order to know what the thread is about.
No fair.
I will attempt, however, to find out your belief system so as to join in the good times.
I'm tricky? Or are you being ungracious in the extreme? I go to the effort of making videos to help people learn the spiritual aspect of Christianity...and make no money from it. But you go to another god, Mammon, to decide whether you are spiritual or not, and listen (for free) to that spirit when deciding whether you will go the the extreme effort of listening to what I am saying. An AMAZING lack of graciousness from a person who calls herself "God's grace". A joke really. You are so far off base. Will you see your own way of thinking is in the mud?

You should have kept your thoughts to yourself...on your extreme selfishness and backward logic. Do I create videos to get views? Do we preach the gospel to get listeners? What about the message. Mammon only looks at personal benefit. I think you are following the wrong motivation. I have no such motivation. What I receive in the ear I shout from the rooftops.

With your Mammon way of thinking I'm sure you don't buy books or food, in case anybody might benefit from it. Or is it only with spiritual things that you are so hostile? Think about what spirit you are of.
 

GodsGrace

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2017
14,082
7,310
113
Tuscany
Faith
Christian
Country
Italy
I'm tricky? Or are you being ungracious in the extreme?
You are tricky.
I'm not advertising anything here.

I go to the effort of making videos to help people learn the spiritual aspect of Christianity...and make no money from it.
But you will if you get more viewers.
Yes. Not even honest are you?

But you go to another god, Mammon, to decide whether you are spiritual or not, and listen (for free) to that spirit when deciding whether you will go the the extreme effort of listening to what I am saying. An AMAZING lack of graciousness from a person who calls herself "God's grace". A joke really. You are so far off base. Will you see your own way of thinking is in the mud?
Episkopos.
What does that mean?
Rather nasty of you to refer to my name since I started out well, but YOU have turned this into an argument.
Guess this is what bishops do?

You should have kept your thoughts to yourself...on your extreme selfishness and backward logic. Do I create videos to get views? Do we preach the gospel to get listeners? What about the message. Mammon only looks at personal benefit. I think you are following the wrong motivation. I have no such motivation. What I receive in the ear I shout from the rooftops.
Will NEVER keep my thought to myself.

WHY must I watch an entire video to know what your thread is about?
Your video could be summed up in 25 words or less.

WHY do you not do that instead and invite more READERS.....
That would be better.

Not everyone will watch a video...
many more would read your OP.

With your Mammon way of thinking I'm sure you don't buy books or food, in case anybody might benefit from it. Or is it only with spiritual things that you are so hostile? Think about what spirit you are of.
Pretty dumb things to say E.

OK.
Your turn.
 

VictoryinJesus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2017
10,560
8,412
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. That's us, brothers and sisters. What is the difference between one who sleeps from the kingdom life and power, and one who is dead to it? Join us as we explore the biblical perspective in regards to the true state of the modern Church, and what we can do about it.



There is so much written to the church of Sardis. Regarding the ten virgins who slept. I’ve tried to link it to Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.

But usually it’s seen as taken or pulled out of context. “It has nothing to do with the ten virgins who slept,” i hear. I don’t think it’s out of context when the letter to the church of Sardis begins with you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Then “Wake up!” Almost all of the letter to the church of Sardis is there in the letter to the Corinthians when they are asking for proof Christ speaks in Paul. The connection between the two letters to the church of Sardis, and the church of Corinth is …both mention their works not being finished or not complete. Paul warns this to the Corinthians saying we will be weak that you be made strong(strengthen that which remains, strengthen your brothers), this we hope for, even that you be finished or complete.

From the letter to the church of Sardis…They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.<consider walking with Christ dressed in white. Same as walking with Christ in Light. What will we put on?? What is a change of raiment He gives unto you? Paul’s declaration of “no longer I, but Christ Lives and walks in me” Christ walks dress in white. “Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”
^not a literal garment but to be clothed in Him. As you have worn the earthly, you will put on the heavenly.


It is God who gives the garment of white, it is Christ …those walk with Him, putting on the New Man; a garment of white which are the works of God and not of men. For they are worthy Revelation 16:6-7 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. [7] And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.
>Paul consented to the shedding of Stephen blood. Paul said they all know how I persecuted the Faith I once destroyed. —now preach the way(Christ) I once destroyed. what makes Paul worthy of “the Life I now Life, I Live in the Hope and Faith of Christ”?


How do we define “worthy” to walk with Christ in white? “They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy” …
Is it something of our own doing that makes us worthy? Paul does urge the Corinthians to stop hating their brother, and to be finished or made complete …for they are still yet blind and remain in darkness. Sleep. Dead. Not resurrected unto Life but still yet remain in darkness of “if any love not his brother(whom he can see, how can he love God whom he hasn’t seen), for he is in darkness still.”
 
Last edited:

VictoryinJesus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2017
10,560
8,412
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
There is so much written to the church of Sardis. Regarding the ten virgins who slept. I’ve tried to link it to Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.

But usually it’s seen as taken or pulled out of context. “It has nothing to do with the ten virgins who slept,” i hear. I don’t think it’s out of context when the letter to the church of Sardis begins with you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Then “Wake up!” Almost all of the letter to the church of Sardis is there in the letter to the Corinthians when they are asking for proof Christ speaks in Paul. The connection between the two letters to the church of Sardis, and the church of Corinth is …both mention their works not being finished or not complete. Paul warns this to the Corinthians saying we will be weak that you be made strong(strengthen that which remains, strengthen your brothers), this we hope for, even that you be finished or complete.

From the latter to the church of Sardis…They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.<consider walking in Christ dressed in white. Same as walking with Christ in Light. What will we put on?? Paul’s declaration of “no longer I, but Christ Lives and walks in me” Christ, walks dress in white. “Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”
^not a literal garment but to be clothed in Him.


It is God who gives the garment of white, it is Christ …those walk with Him, putting on the New Man; a garment of wight. For they are worthy Revelation 16:6-7 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. [7] And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.
>Paul consented to the shedding of Stephen blood. Paul said they all know how I persecuted the Faith I once destroyed. —now preach the way(Christ) I once destroyed. what makes Paul worthy of “the Life I now Life, I Live in the Hope and Faith of Christ”?


How do we define “worthy” to walk with Christ in white? “They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy” …
Is it something of our own doing that makes us worthy? Paul does urge the Corinthians to stop hating their brother, and to be finished or made complete …for they are still yet blind and remain in darkness. Sleep. Dead. Not resurrected unto Life but still yet remain in darkness of “if any love not his brother(whom he can see, how can he love God whom he hasn’t seen), for he is in darkness still.”
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.



 

GodsGrace

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2017
14,082
7,310
113
Tuscany
Faith
Christian
Country
Italy
There is so much written to the church of Sardis. Regarding the ten virgins who slept. I’ve tried to link it to Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.

But usually it’s seen as taken or pulled out of context. “It has nothing to do with the ten virgins who slept,” i hear. I don’t think it’s out of context when the letter to the church of Sardis begins with you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Then “Wake up!” Almost all of the letter to the church of Sardis is there in the letter to the Corinthians when they are asking for proof Christ speaks in Paul. The connection between the two letters to the church of Sardis, and the church of Corinth is …both mention their works not being finished or not complete. Paul warns this to the Corinthians saying we will be weak that you be made strong(strengthen that which remains, strengthen your brothers), this we hope for, even that you be finished or complete.

From the letter to the church of Sardis…They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.<consider walking with Christ dressed in white. Same as walking with Christ in Light. What will we put on?? What is a change of raiment He gives unto you? Paul’s declaration of “no longer I, but Christ Lives and walks in me” Christ walks dress in white. “Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”
^not a literal garment but to be clothed in Him. As you have worn the earthly, you will put on the heavenly.


It is God who gives the garment of white, it is Christ …those walk with Him, putting on the New Man; a garment of white which are the works of God and not of men. For they are worthy Revelation 16:6-7 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. [7] And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.
>Paul consented to the shedding of Stephen blood. Paul said they all know how I persecuted the Faith I once destroyed. —now preach the way(Christ) I once destroyed. what makes Paul worthy of “the Life I now Life, I Live in the Hope and Faith of Christ”?


How do we define “worthy” to walk with Christ in white? “They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy” …
Is it something of our own doing that makes us worthy? Paul does urge the Corinthians to stop hating their brother, and to be finished or made complete …for they are still yet blind and remain in darkness. Sleep. Dead. Not resurrected unto Life but still yet remain in darkness of “if any love not his brother(whom he can see, how can he love God whom he hasn’t seen), for he is in darkness still.”
Great post Victory!
Happy I got this alert....