Christmas message from Rev Dr Neal Barnes, vicar of Holy Trinity Church

“to Luke19_10:

No-one can ever be 'sure' that their view is %100 correct but I base my views on evidence-based facts and plausibility's on what has been researched thoroughly in this day and age as opposed to hearsay, primitive scriptures and ambiguity due to many translations over the centuries.

Oddly enough, I had a conversation the other night with my (Christian) ex partner who said if she bought me a bible, would I read it and open my heart. I said, of course I would on one condition. If I bought her 'The God Delusion' by Hawkins or 'Religion Poisons Everything' by Hitchens would she read that? She flatly refused. So we get back to the 'playing chess with a pigeon' syndrome. I'm far more open to learning the truth. I think she's far more frightened to learn what the 'truth' actually is.”

“GarethC2010:
Thank you.

Endlessme:
This isn't "Christians arguing with Christians", it's Christians arguing with people who claim to be Christians but deny and contradict what Jesus himself and his apostles actually taught.

This has been going on since the beginning of the church. In the bible book Jude, Christians are instructed to "contend earnestly for the faith once for all given to the saints". The reason Jude gives is that imposters who claim to be Christians will try to deceive and confuse people about the gospel.

The apostle Paul himself said:

Acts 20:29-31
"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!"

Christians who stand up for what Jesus actually taught, and refute those who contradict the gospel, are being obedient to God by doing so, and are doing precisely what the Bible tells them to do.

Endlessme, you sound as committed to a post-modern view of truth as I am committed to a biblical view. But why are you so sure that your view is correct?

Have you tried actually reading the Scriptures you reject? Are you willing to read, say, the gospel according to Matthew from beginning to end, to find out what Jesus actually said and did? What have you got to lose by doing so, if you truly are a rational, intelligent, seeker after truth?”

“@oldgoldone. Firstly I'm not sure why you would refer to me as a 'fundamentalist potential killer' which is slanderous and I have reported your post to HDM for removal.

I'm presuming you have no scriptural basis to answer my earlier question which is why you have chosen to switch to petty name calling ?

You seem to be obsessed with the word 'fundamentalist' and bandying it about in a manner insinuating violent tendencies is completely unacceptable.”

“People queuing at midnight Christmas for the Boxing Day sales tells me what the real established religion is - 'stuff'. And its temples and churches in the high street and malls are filled with eager disciples and worshippers but at least it's not mumble jumble or theistic waffle.”

“Oh dear. Christians arguing with Christians. Nothing new there I guess. It just goes to show how ambiguous bronze age manufactured scriptures really are and how they are manipulated to whatever fits 'your' interpretations.”

“oldgoldone, you still haven't answered my question. Where is the authority for what you believe? If you are going to refer to 'God' and 'Jesus', and to "what my Saviour has taught me", then you ought to be able to tell us all where those teachings can be found. Because if you read through, say, the gospel according to Matthew, you will find that the real, historcial Jesus said all kinds of things that blow your silly ideas completely away.

By the way, have you considered a career as clergy in the Church of England? With your scant regard for what the Bible actually says and your willingness to construct your own doctrines to please yourself I reckon you could go a long way. You might even make it to Bishop or Archbishop. Sadly.”

“Luke19_10. Your 8.43 post on 27th Dec is outstanding and a superb resume of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

May the Lord bless you for honouring him.”

“@luke19_10... I recommend leaving 'oldgoldone' to himself. The more I have read of his inane postings on this thread indicate that he is just a troll.

I don't believe even a liberal can come out with the unbiblical nonsense that this poster promotes.

With regards to Mr Barnes, he is probably along a similar vein. Anyone promoting beer festivals and scantily clad fashion parades in a church should probably not be giving gospel messages.

@oldgoldone. Please give me one shred of biblical support as to why gay marriage is not evil ?”

“Time to change the place into a live music venue, the accoustics in there will be great.”

“Oh dear, I do apologise to you, dear Luke19_10. It's clear that my history lesson has upset you, and even antagonised you.

But, on the other hand, perhaps you were stung by realization that I know more about the history of cruelties in the name of the Lord than you understand about the Gospels. Certainly, it seems so, because the same fundamentalist religious horrors continue - now.

I feel sorry for you, dear Luke, and I pray that God will forgive you for your extremist, fundamentalist views. Certainly, I do - because that is what my Saviour has taught me to do.

May God bless you and save you - and a very good 2013 to you.”