Saturday, October 23, 2010

Rand

Hello and Happy Saturday!

First up, I would like to thank Chanan for his open and honest answers last week. Thanks for sharing with us Chanan!

This week, YMR has a new participant, so please welcome Rand.
Rand is Christian and I know you will enjoy his answers as well!

Here Is Rand's Introduction:


My online nickname is Rand (I keep personal information to a minimum while on the internet). I am a Christian fundamentalist, Baptist by denomination. I take the Bible as literally as one could take it, being always mindful however of the context (for example, I don't believe Jesus is actually teaching self-mutilation in Matthew 18:8). I have been involved, for over 10 years now, in preaching and teaching sermons on the Bible both at my local assembly, as well as on street corners of my city.

I run a blog called "A Form of Sound Words" (http://aformofsoundwords.blogspot.com), where I summarize my street preaching endeavours, and occasionally, I post matters of doctrine.


1) What religion do you practice?
Christianity

2) Did you convert or were you born into this religion? If you converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I converted to the faith of Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, no one is born a Christian. I was born-again at the age of 12 when the Lord graciously gave me saving faith in His Son (that is all that is required to be saved from sin... Jesus did all the work). Prior to my conversion, I was a nominal Roman Catholic. That's right, I was a Roman Catholic, not a Christian.

3) Would you consider yourself a moderate, conservative or other.
I would be a conservative. Both politically and in the realm of faith.

4) In your opinion, what makes you moderate/conservative/other?
In politics, I'm a fervent supporter of small government, free market and social policies that, in the West at least, are considered "more traditional". In matters of faith, being conservative speaks of a resistance to changing doctrine and/or religious practices to accomodate a changing society. I am such a man because I believe that the Bible, as it was written thousands of years ago, is as relavent and effective today as it was in biblical times.

5) In your opinion, what makes someone conservative? What makes someone moderate?
See above for what makes one a conservative. A moderate, or a liberal, tends to take a more pragmatic approach to life and/or faith. For a moderate, things are less black and white and more shades of gray.

6) What's your heaven/paradise like?
Absolute spiritual and physical perfection. We read in the Bible of a child leading a calf and lion together with no fear of harm. We read of the elimination of pain and suffering. Above all else however, Heaven will be a place where God's people we enjoy God forever... in every possible sense.

7) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
Sadly no. Actually, the Bible states in no uncertain terms that there will be few who will enter the Way that leads to everlasting life. The reason why they will not enter heaven will be due to a lack of faith in Christ Jesus. Without that faith, people's sins separate them from God (who is perfectly holy), and that, forever.

8) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
Funny question. I really don't have much choice in the matter. It's kind of like when, as a child, you learn that the world is actually round. When you receive this knowledge and your eyes are opened to it, you can scarcely ignore it. Contrary to many (maybe even most), I have never sought out a religion to fulfill some social or carnal need. The practice of my faith is a response to a work God has done in my life.

9) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
The only "holy day" that matters to Christians is the Lord's Day; that is, every Sunday. Every Sunday is Resurrection Day, and like believers who lived a thousand years ago, we meet at church for worship, teaching, fellowship and the Lord's Table in which we commemorate the Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice on His people's behalf. All other "holy days" often ascribed to the Chrisitian faith has no basis in Scripture, with the possible exception of Easter/Passover (Jesus is the Passover Lamb of God).

10) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
I have friends and family who practice other faiths. I can't say any of them are "close" to me however. The practice of my faith is such a major part of my life, that finding common ground with (and time for...) my unbelieving friends and family is, well, challenging.

11) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Never. Their "holy days" are anything but "holy".

12) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
These are Muslim dress codes and doctrines, I am therefore not in favour of them. That said, the Bible speaks of woman having their head's covered when praying and serving in the local assembly. It was and is a sign of reverence and submission to their husband's and more importantly, to God.

13) What are your thoughts on women not being allowed to become priests?
By "priests" I take it that this is referring to Roman Catholicism? To be honest, I don't really care who Roman Catholics allow or disallow from their official offices; it is entirely their perogative. In Biblical Christianity, woman are forbidden to hold the offices of a bishop or pastor, as well as being prohibited from the office of a deacon. The Bible is quite specific about this. It isn't that a woman doesn't have the ability to do the job, it's that God gave both men and women different roles to fulfill in this life.

14) Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
It generally doesn't. We do split women and men up for our mid-week prayer meeting. Can't say I have any problem with our practice that way.

15) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
When a person if regenerated by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God actually indwells the believer, guiding him and helping him in all day-to-day activities. The Lord is my first thought in the morning, and my last at night. It is my moral and spiritual compass every day of my life. By the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, I know that abortion is murder and "gay marriage" is a perverse abomination. Any and all important decisions in my life are prayerfully considered.

16) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I would be terribly disappointed. It is a possibility I am preparing myself for since faith isn't genetic.

17) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
Anyone who rejects the Gospel of Jesus will die in their sins, and those sins will condemn them to Hell.

18) Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
Claiming to be a Christian doesn't necessarily make it so. The term "Christian" is rather self-explanatory: one who follows Christ. Anyone who professes to being a Christian but doesn't obey the Bible is hypocrite and a false professor. For example, the pope claims to be God's representative on Earth; the head honcho of Christianity if you will. Problem is, I don't read a single verse in the Bible about another mediator between God and man, other that the Person of Jesus. I don't read anything about a Vatican with it's fine architecture and riches in silver and gold. I don't read of any saint bowing the knee to anyone but the Lord of Glory. I believe the pope, the orthodox patriarchs, the archbishop of Canterbury and many other so-called leaders of the Christian faith are actually antichrists (which the apostle John warns us about in his epistles).

19) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
It's probably not meant to be, but this is a loaded question. I do not believe "hate" is crime punishable by civil authorities. It makes me very nervous when people attempt to add an asterisk to a crime, especially a grave crime. Now, to answer the question: I have been beaten while preaching the Gospel in the market place of my city. I have been spat on and have had objects hurled at me. I have been mocked and insulted with every possible vile word you can possibly imagine. All of these actions were a result of hate, but only the instances in which physical harm was handed out to me was there a crime.

20) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
The faith of Jesus Christ has saved me out of the bondage of sin and has translated me into the kingdom of God's Son; I myself am now a child of the Living God. I think that answers the question.

21) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
The only times I lose peace, is when I leave God out of the equation. When I'm walking with the Lord, there is a peace, well, I can't possibly describe the peace I have. Actually, here's an example: on occasion I have been threatened and assaulted for my faith, and while it isn't a pleasant thing to endure, I have never lost the surety and peace that comes from obedience to the Gospel.

22) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No, the Bible doesn't teach reincarnation, rather: "It is appointed to man once to die, and after that, the judgment."

3 comments:

  1. Interesting to see another conservative Christian interviewed here. Thanks! ~Monica

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  2. Thank you for the post. It just confirms my own feelings that X-tians are very hard, closed minded individuals.
    We can always wrap poop in chocolate but it will still be poop. The judgment in the interview posts say it all.

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  3. Awwww Steve, you don't like a God who judges bad boys, do you? XD

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