#1 Practical Christianity: the practical benefits of knowing myself as a sinner

[Wootah]

Hi all,

I want to create a mini-series over time that can discuss/explore/debate the practical benefits of Christianity.

In this thread, I want to discuss: the practical benefits of knowing myself as a sinner.

For instance, knowing myself as a sinner means that I know that I would probably get addicted to drugs if I took them or that if I gambled I could become a gambler. So for me, a lot of things that have dark consequences still appeal to me like the false lights they are but I know I should flee sin, flee them because I know I would get caught up in them.

Does the Christian idea of being a sinner have practical benefits? Anyone want to discuss the down sides of knowing yourself as a sinner?

nb:
1- Please consider strong manning, Christianity and the topic concept if you intend to debate.
2- please argue with reasons

[Thomas123]

With respect ,Wootah, I have reservations regarding the pretext of your presentation here.

There are many practical benefits to being aware and dealing with a sinful errant nature as you allude to. We need to deal with our problems. We need to embrace and take ownership of our shortcomings and we need to aspire to,and become uplifted by our repentance and growth. This can all happen within an outlook that includes and uses God for assistance and hope.

Orthodox Christian Doctrine ,of any sort, is an anathema to the above. Only if you announce a new 'practical Christianity' that excludes ' impractical Doctrine, can I begin to attempt to marry your subject here with your proposed series of presentations.

Here is a short snippet of problems.

In Christianity, you are branded with sin, Original Sin, you got this for being born, you are scarred for life. How many Texas steers are joyful for their brand. You have laser options to remove this scar through someone else's death , the Christ.

You can have whatever sins you want removed from your account through contrition and confession. You can repeat this process as nauseam. You can gather piles of sins and upload them together. This is not the Jewish way. This is the lesson of the lost sheep turned on its head... wander the pasture through hill and dale and someone will bail you out.

Then there is the reward scheme, First prize ,palatial luxury forever, Second prize is you sit in the lobby and wait for a while.

Third prize, if we can call it, in the human race is being lightly toasted forever!

On a serious note, Wootah, where are the benefits in this morality. It is not fit for the beasts of the field. It is not what Yahweh was about and it is not what Jesus was about.

Knock this temple, Wootah and build a practical place for people to live in.

Thanks!

[JoeyKnothead]

Does the Christian idea of being a sinner have practical benefits?

Only to those who think they know the opinions of a god they can't show exists.

Anyone want to discuss the down sides of knowing yourself as a sinner?

Sure.

How can we confirm God considers something a sin?

1- Please consider strong manning, Christianity and the topic concept if you intend to debate.

I expect site rules to be the guide.

2- please argue with reasons

I prefer to argue using reason.

[1213]

...
For instance, knowing myself as a sinner means that I know that I would probably get addicted to drugs if I took them or that if I gambled I could become a gambler. So for me, a lot of things that have dark consequences still appeal to me like the false lights they are but I know I should flee sin, flee them because I know I would get caught up in them.

Does the Christian idea of being a sinner have practical benefits?

Why do you think being weak means person is a sinner?

[Wootah]

...
For instance, knowing myself as a sinner means that I know that I would probably get addicted to drugs if I took them or that if I gambled I could become a gambler. So for me, a lot of things that have dark consequences still appeal to me like the false lights they are but I know I should flee sin, flee them because I know I would get caught up in them.

Does the Christian idea of being a sinner have practical benefits?

Why do you think being weak means person is a sinner?

I don't think I used the word weak. I know as Christians we believe God works through our weakness/brokenness, God being the one that can make what I meant for evil, he can use for good. That might be another conversation.

Do you regard a gambler as a weak person? I think it is just a matter of 'there but for the grace of God go I'. I was watching the neuroscience of pornography which is closely related to addiction and to my understanding if I watch porn or gamble or social media then the same dopamine affect is triggered and it is just the way I am, same as them. So knowing myself as a sinner, or as a person with that dopamine feature I know to keep away.

[Wootah]

[Replying to Thomas123 in post #2]

Hi Thomas,

I would love to engage you on this.

Orthodox Christian Doctrine ,of any sort, is an anathema to the above. Only if you announce a new 'practical Christianity' that excludes ' impractical Doctrine, can I begin to attempt to marry your subject here with your proposed series of presentations.

I do want to hear what you think on the topic but in my defence, I don't present the topic as a 'be all and end all'. I am trying in this series to make Christianity make sense to my fellow forum goers and why thinking a certain way could help them.

In Christianity, you are branded with sin, Original Sin, you got this for being born, you are scarred for life. How many Texas steers are joyful for their brand. You have laser options to remove this scar through someone else's death , the Christ.

As I understand my sin nature more and more I understand my saviour ever more deeply. But really being a sinner is not a dirty word. We have a sin nature because we are not God. In the garden of Eden I presume Adam and Eve were declared righteous from the beginning and their sin nature was covered by God. The fall however removed that covering.

You can have whatever sins you want removed from your account through contrition and confession. You can repeat this process as nauseam. You can gather piles of sins and upload them together. This is not the Jewish way. This is the lesson of the lost sheep turned on its head... wander the pasture through hill and dale and someone will bail you out.

I think you are talking about specific sins I am talking about the sin nature. The lesson of the lost sheep is to better understand God's heart for us.

Then there is the reward scheme, First prize ,palatial luxury forever, Second prize is you sit in the lobby and wait for a while. Third prize, if we can call it, in the human race is being lightly toasted forever!

I don't believe in purgatory.

On a serious note, Wootah, where are the benefits in this morality. It is not fit for the beasts of the field. It is not what Yahweh was about and it is not what Jesus was about.

Knock this temple, Wootah and build a practical place for people to live in.

I thought when I started replying to your thread that you were an orthodox Christian and that would be a good discussion to learn more from that perspective.

I do think knowing yourself as a sinner is a key step to freedom and knocking down idols is what we Christians do best.

[Thomas123]

Wootah:I do think knowing yourself as a sinner is a key step to freedom and knocking down idols is what we Christians do best

Thomas123
Your attempt so far to advise anyone, about anything, looks doomed, unfortunately.

You recoil into evasion which is the telltale sign of uncertainty.
You responded to my 'rewards' enquiry by forcibly stating that you do not believe in Purgatory. That is healthy 'doctrine dropping' but you use this appeasement to dodge the elephant in the room, which is Hell.

You waffle about the Original Sin Doctrine.

Finally ,look at your conclusion!.

It exactly repeats what I said about dealing with sin.and then finishes with a bravado assertion.
Christian's are apparently brilliant at Idol Knocking.
Is that an Olympic sport. What is that about??

I commend your efforts to help and instruct W, and I love to engage on this Forum but...please,do not attempt to hoodwink the alligators here with just reserved calm and poise. You need more!
Thanks!

[Wootah]

[Replying to Thomas123 in post #7]

I just don't know what you are saying in your last post. Can you use reasoned arguments that we can discuss, please?

[Wootah]

[Replying to JoeyKnothead in post #3]

Please indicate the part relevant to the topic and I will reply to that.

[JoeyKnothead]

[Replying to JoeyKnothead in post #3]

Please indicate the part relevant to the topic and I will reply to that.

Delete the comment- I was pmed that some might consider it insulting. I just thought it was funny.