Does anyone else feel like an alien when it comes to other people?

[Thoughtful Monk]

I've been thinking about the thread title. I guess feeling disconnected from other people is somewhat a normal experience everyone has. It be worse as a Christian because we have different values than what the world practices. It's only human to feel different when you don't fit into the crowd.

Maybe the saddest part of this thread is other Christians don't get it. You would think they would be a little more understanding because they have gone through it. Like everyone else, they're human and fail. I think we need to stop thinking every Christian is a trained therapist or for that matter a properly discipled Christian. To paraphrase Admiral Beatty at the Battle of Jutland, "Something is wrong with our churches" but now I'm going off-topic so I'll stop here.

[footwasher]

I've been thinking about the thread title. I guess feeling disconnected from other people is somewhat a normal experience everyone has. It be worse as a Christian because we have different values than what the world practices. It's only human to feel different when you don't fit into the crowd.

Maybe the saddest part of this thread is other Christians don't get it. You would think they would be a little more understanding because they have gone through it. Like everyone else, they're human and fail. I think we need to stop thinking every Christian is a trained therapist or for that matter a properly discipled Christian. To paraphrase Admiral Beatty at the Battle of Jutland, "Something is wrong with our churches" but now I'm going off-topic so I'll stop here.

When Paul saw the altar erected to honor an unknown god, he felt empathy for the Athenians: their problem was a common one. Not only did they not have the answers, they did not even know what the question needed to be.

We can feel alienated, or we can understand their problem and try to help out:

Matthew 9:36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

[Maranatha]

How do we know that the Spirit is the source, the motive power behind our good works?

Indeed, how do you know.

Not being a believer until early adulthood, the difference was stark.

And btw, you are not saved by works, so why look to it?

[footwasher]

Indeed, how do you know?

Not being a believer until early adulthood, the difference was stark.

And btw, you are not saved by works, so why look to it?

[Christianbookworm]

Hello, I request that people not debate in my thread. Please start a new thread if you wish to discuss the thread derail topic further.

[footwasher]

Hello, I request that people not debate in my thread. Please start a new thread if you wish to discuss the thread derail topic further.

You brought us back here with post #73!

[Thoughtful Monk]

Still can't wait for the new Creation. I desire to see Jesus face to face. In a glorified body.

I think that desire explains a lot. You are aware that this world is not as God intended it to be and no amount of patching will fix it. So no wonder you don't feel comfortable in this world, you recognize you belong somewhere else.

[Christianbookworm]

Hmm... maybe I should explain my joke. I don't mean alien in the sense that Paul uses it. I'm essentially saying that if I had superpowers, I'd so be Super girl. Don't know why Superman gets called a Christ figure. If that fictional farmboy reporter is a Christ figure, every Christian that is serious about following Jesus is a Christ figure. And we don't need super powers to help others.

[footwasher]

Hmm... maybe I should explain my joke. I don't mean alien in the sense that Paul uses it. I'm essentially saying that if I had superpowers, I'd so be Super girl. Don't know why Superman gets called a Christ figure. If that fictional farmboy reporter is a Christ figure, every Christian that is serious about following Jesus is a Christ figure. And we don't need super powers to help others.

[Christianbookworm]

That last paragraph sounds like the adoptionist heresy to me. Aka the "Jesus is Green Lantern" heresy. Funny how superheroes make great analogies for Christological heresies.

[footwasher]

That last paragraph sounds like the adoptionist heresy to me. Aka the "Jesus is Green Lantern" heresy. Funny how superheroes make great analogies for Christological heresies.

The Green Lantern heresy claims Jesus was a human, adopted by God, like the Green Lantern. I never did that. I only said Jesus needed to be near the source of His super power till He entered Rest. Which He created when He went to the cross:

Hebrews 5:8Though he were a Son, yet {i} learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.

By entering Rest, you too can have super powers, rest from your own labors. You think people will be subdued without a display of power? Well the record shows otherwise. Read about Rahab and Nicodemus, what they said.

[Christianbookworm]

Why are you talking to me like a milk fed infant? I merely felt like venting. Not engaging in "preaching to the xlchoir" conversations.

[footwasher]

Why are you talking to me like a milk fed infant? I merely felt like venting. Not engaging in "preaching to the xlchoir" conversations.

Last I heard, it's a free country. Go ahead and vent, I'll go ahead and reduce the misinformation!

[Christianbookworm]

[Christianbookworm]

Chiefsinner, I am requesting that you take your technobabble elsewhere. Please commence to no longer participating in this thread.