Quote From: progdadYessir that's my baby ;) She's a new addition to the ProgDad household - just shy of 3 months old. I'm tempted to post a new picture since she's getting cuter every day!
As for higher power - I view it along the lines of "prime mover." Some power which "moved" the big bang that brought everything into existence. I don't think we, as humans, have any capacity to understand it other than acknowlege that it exists.
I would identify myself as a Christian in the sense that I "try to be like Christ." He defined the personage of passive resistor, social crusader and pacifist that became the archetype for many others after him like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Henry David Thereau (sp?) and Mother Teresa. He also inspired (note I said inspired) Socialism, Democracy and Egalitarianism through his "first shall be last and last shall be first" doctrine.
However, being that he never claimed to be God - I do not think Christ was God. And when he said "son of God" he was talking about all mankind being a son of God. The Gnostic gospels delve deeper into this, but he's pretty clear about this in the Beatitudes as well.
"However, being that he never claimed to be God - I do not think Christ was God. And when he said "son of God" he was talking about all mankind being a son of God."
John 10:30 - Jesus said He was part of God. He said, "I and my Father are one."
Exodus 3:14 -God identifies Himself to Moses by calling himself "I AM." Twice Jesus refers to Himself as the "I AM." Those around him knew exactly what he was saying and they were greatly offended.
"Jesus said unto them, Verily verily, I say you, before Abraham was, I am. Then they took up stones to cast at him …" (John 8:58, 59a) "Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them I am he. As soon as he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground." (John 18:4b, 5, 6)
Revelation 1:8 -18 -Jesus said, he is the Almighty Lord. The following is a vision John had of Jesus. Verses 2, 13, 17,18 identify Jesus as the:
(v 2) "… testimony of Jesus Christ …"(v 8) "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."(v 11) "Saying I am alpha and Omega, the first and the last…"(v 13) "And in the midst of the seven lamp stands, one like the Son of man …"(v 17b. 18a) "Fear not; I am the first and the last; I am he that liveth and was dead…"
Isaiah 44:6 -In Rev 1:11, Jesus says He is the first and the last. Isa. 44:6 shows that the one who is "first and the last is actually God. "Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, and his redeemer, the Lord of host: I am the first, and I am the last, and beside me there is not God."
Hebrews 1:8 -God the Father said Jesus was God.
"Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom."
Isaiah 9:6 -Jesus (the Messiah) is called the Mighty God.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
Matthew 1:23 -Jesus is called Immanuel, which means "God with us."
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which, being interpreted, is God with us."
"… stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:10b, 11)
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." (Philippians 2:10a,11a)
John 5:23 -We have to honor Jesus that same way as God the Father.
"That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father who hath sent him."
