Ask A Protestant Christian II

[GhostWriter16]

Anything taken too far is sinful. Why is meditation so bad?

It isn't necessarily. But when it becomes a way to try to totally escape the world it goes too far IMO.

Do protestants perform Last Rites on the deathbed?

No, at least, my denomination doesn't, nor do any Evangelical denominations. I don't know about the Lutherans, but I don't think they do either...

 

[timtofly]

Do protestants perform Last Rites on the deathbed?

Last rites no, Prayers are said, and people can even commit themselves to Christ. Last rites are more "catholic" in nature since it is a ritual process repeated for every one. Each individual has different experiences and IMO they should be addressed that way.

Anything taken too far is sinful. Why is meditation so bad?

Meditation is not bad. How it is used is. As a Christian, it is assumed that one would want to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Meditation then is letting go of your own thoughts and letting God take control. An empty mind may be filled with a demon, although in this day and age, I doubt any one can get the world out long enough to get a demon in. If there is nothing in your short term memmory, that is usually a sign of Alzheimers. If a person can stop worrying long enough to relax, then they have meditated. Worry is a bigger demon, than any other these days.

 

[SG-17]

So do protestants think that demons are actually evil spirits sent from Satan to trouble people? Or is it just a name you use for natural vices, like "my inner demons"?

 

[kochman]

So do protestants think that demons are actually evil spirits sent from Satan to trouble people? Or is it just a name you use for natural vices, like "my inner demons"?

Yes...

 

[timtofly]

So do protestants think that demons are actually evil spirits sent from Satan to trouble people? Or is it just a name you use for natural vices, like "my inner demons"?

"demons" is a rather generic term for anything that troubles you, but letting "things" control you, is also part of that factor. There is materialism and demonism. Normally the two do not intermingle, but they do overlap. When a society is materialistic, there is less evidence of actual demons. There are places though that society just barely exists. In other words, those people worry about not finding food, they do not worry that their toast was not properly heated.

One who follows Christ, is supposed to be filled with the Spirit, not the flesh, not the things of the world, and not the occult. There are people who have enough time to be filled with one's self, but for the most part, people labor to have "things" ie. live a comfortable life. It seems to me that "the Devil" has it pretty easy these days, since "evil" can be manufactured in mass quantities. It is not that things are evil, since evil really means not following God. Also the CE is not about escaping "evil" but not letting it come between one and God. "evil" is overated in that it brings guilt and shame and "damnation". It is almost an easy "just do it" lifestyle that has been made "good", due to the fact that it has been a taboo for so long and now people realize there is no penalty, so they do it freely. Doing wrong like it is just another commodity though, gives one a false sense of peace, and more damning IMO than having a demon.

 

[GhostWriter16]

So do protestants think that demons are actually evil spirits sent from Satan to trouble people? Or is it just a name you use for natural vices, like "my inner demons"?

Yes...

Kochman nailed it. They can be both. I think in the Bible they're literal, but I mean, how many demons are there? I don't think there are so many that every person in the world is having one whispering in the ear each time they face temptation. But they absolutely exist.

 

[SG-17]

Ok, what is the Protestant position on ghosts, if there is one?

 

[GhostWriter16]

"The Protestant Position?" Such a thing does not exist.

I don't believe in them, and I don't really know any Protestants who do, but there's no "Official position" on it.

 

[kochman]

Ok, what is the Protestant position on ghosts, if there is one?

Position? What does that even mean?
Do they exist? I think there are certainly spiritual forces around us that we do not understand. What they are exactly, at any one point... hard to say.

 

[PeteAtoms]

Do temptations come from God or He who shall not be named?

 

[kochman]

Do temptations come from God or He who shall not be named?

Voldemort doesn't really exist.

 

[GhostWriter16]

Do temptations come from God or He who shall not be named?

James 1 13-15

13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

So, God doesn't tempt anyone.

Satan? Well, I think he CAN, but that's apparently not the primary source. We are tempted, primarily, by our own desires.

 

[El_Machinae]

What the heck does "generation" mean in this passage? And if it's that generation, then what's being fulfilled?

(you'll need to read a few verses back, I think, to get all the context)

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

 

[kochman]

What the heck does "generation" mean in this passage? And if it's that generation, then what's being fulfilled?

(you'll need to read a few verses back, I think, to get all the context)

Without re-reading the entire book or chapter... here is what I am getting at a moment's notice:
He is prophesying what will happen when He will return in the years to come... And basically saying, that when all these things happen, it will be within a short span of time, within one generation's span.

Jerusalem will be encompassed with armies around the battle of Armeggedon... as is also predicted in Revelations... and I believe in Isaiah?

 

[GhostWriter16]

What the heck does "generation" mean in this passage? And if it's that generation, then what's being fulfilled?

(you'll need to read a few verses back, I think, to get all the context)

in my opinion, he's not talking about the generation he's talking to, but the generation at the start of the Tribulation. Basically, the generation that was around when the Tribulation starts will survive the whole thing; basically its a fancy way of saying not EVERYONE will die.

That's just my view, I'm sure other Protestants disagree with me.

 

[Cynovolans]

I don't believe in them, and I don't really know any Protestants who do, but there's no "Official position" on it.

But what about the Rephaim and all the mentions of necromancy in the Bible?

 

[timtofly]

What the heck does "generation" mean in this passage? And if it's that generation, then what's being fulfilled?

(you'll need to read a few verses back, I think, to get all the context)

IMO it is the generation that starts with the Jews once again becoming a sovereign Nation. They were under Roman Rule at the time of Jesus, even though they had a "puppet" king.

But what about the Rephaim and all the mentions of necromancy in the Bible?

There is one notable instance when King Saul tried to bring back the spirit of Samuel, and even the "medium" who was involved was surprised when God allowed Samuel to appear. Moses also appeared with Jesus to the disciples. IMO these are far from what happens today. The Jews in the past have held to the theory that the spirit is around for up to a year, after death, but this is not found in the Bible. There is a spirit world, but these are said to be the demons/fallen angels who follow satan and not humans at all.

 

[classical_hero]

Link to video.


Well that passage is talking about future events and when it starts it means that the generation that it happens to it will be for that generation of people.

 

[SG-17]

Do you consider the Book of Enoch to be canon (I remember that Enoch was referenced in the New Testament)? What about other apocrypha texts?

 

[Perfection]

What's Satan like?