T-Nation Christians

Off Topic Politics & World Issues
41

[quote]Kuz wrote:
mica617 wrote:
Kuz, given the more recent responses in other threads towards Christians, I really appreciate your comment on “discussion without debate”.
There have been some times that I have gotten downright discouraged by the comments on Christianity on this site, and it is refreshing to see a positive thread on the subject.

Mica,

On a topic such as this, I like the notion of discussion without debate. I can see that several people on this thread are born again Christians whereas I am Catholic… and although we differ in our views and beliefs, I think the differences are what make things interesting. To me, it’s great. Without discussion, you never get the chance to come to a better understanding of your fellow man. There’s enough arguing going on as it is…

Kevin[/quote]

I’ve met quite a few born again catholics…

42

I’m on board!

Born Again; baptized with water; filled with the Spirit.

Bring it on!!
I love hearing all the testimonies of the cool stuff Jesus is doing in lives.

Here’s my little contribution. It’s a good verse for when I start whining about all the hard stuff in life. You know, really hard stuff like my commute, or when it’s hard getting up early to hit the gym. (Wah!!!)

Anyway, the setup is that Job has been through all his stuff, and he’s finally had enough. Toward the end of the book, he starts to whine. Then God shows up!

Job 38
The LORD Speaks
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

Now in the words of Joe Dirt, “Daaaang.”

43

[quote]jlesk68 wrote:
Kuz wrote:
mica617 wrote:
Kuz, given the more recent responses in other threads towards Christians, I really appreciate your comment on “discussion without debate”.
There have been some times that I have gotten downright discouraged by the comments on Christianity on this site, and it is refreshing to see a positive thread on the subject.

Mica,

On a topic such as this, I like the notion of discussion without debate. I can see that several people on this thread are born again Christians whereas I am Catholic… and although we differ in our views and beliefs, I think the differences are what make things interesting. To me, it’s great. Without discussion, you never get the chance to come to a better understanding of your fellow man. There’s enough arguing going on as it is…

Kevin

I’ve met quite a few born again catholics…[/quote]

Really? I must confess I never have (but with you, big guy, I can never tell when you are messing with me. lol)

44

[quote]MikeTheBear wrote:
Kuz,

I have known many born again Christians who admitted that before they found Christianity they didn’t exactly lead the life of a model citizen. So in my view, the born again refers to people who obtained a fresh start on life by turning to religion. But that comes back to your question of whether a lifelong devout Christian needs to be born again.

I may be wrong in my interpretation of the term born again; this has just been my observation. And I don’t mean this in a negative way either - if religion can turn someone’s life around, great. I’m like Kuz in that I am interested in religion and its affects on people.

So, if I participate in this thread and ask a question, I’m actually asking a question and not trying to stir up a debate.[/quote]

Mike,

The way you described born again was how I had always thought of it to begin with. It’s interesting to hear about the different takes on here.

I would also like to echo what Mike said. In asking questions, I am just looking to get some information and understanding, not insult or debate your beliefs.

Kevin

45

[quote]Kuz wrote:

I’ve met quite a few born again catholics…

Really? I must confess I never have (but with you, big guy, I can never tell when you are messing with me. lol)[/quote]

I’ve known some born again Catholics and know many, many people who were raised Catholic, were born again and attend non-Catholic churches. The Pastor of my current church is one of them.

46

For the record this is not an arguement but a testimony:

I was pretty much raised in the Roman Catholic Church. Then as I hit the teenage years I left because something didn’t “feel right”.

That’s all I’ll say about that.

Through most of my teenage years and college (and we all know what college is for most people) I still prayed almost daily (Unless I passed out first).

After college I even became a Jehovas Wittness for about 3 months. Again, something didn’t “Feel right”.

Again, that’s all I have to say about that.

Then it took me coming to a “religiousless” land (and currently am still here) to be saved.

Praise God!

The reason that I say this is that I have been of different religions but have, through the Grace of God, found my way “home” to Christianity.

G.B.U.

Jason

47

HEALING POWER OF JESUS AND ONE NEW BORN SON!

5 months into my wife and I second son, we heard the news no parent wants to hear-something was wrong with our baby.

Tests showed that our child had severe hydrocephalus-water on the brain-and doctors didn’t expect our baby to live to full term. Even if it did, the doctors prognosis was dismal at best.

Doctors told us, “We’ve never seen any baby come out of this alive.” Doctors suggested abortion.

The day we heard the bad news, I got down on my knees to pray. Visiting other specialists, we heard more bad news as doctors predicted a vegetative state for our baby if he lived.

Facing this we came to a crossroad of faith.
We knida grew up with the idea in our heads that sickness is of God, kinda like its your cross. So for a month we accepted what the doctors said and waited tosee if the baby would live.

In June of 2004 we attended a healing service at Resurrection Life Church and learned what the Bible says about healing. We got really excited about that, it was stuff we’d never heard before.

Afer receiving prayer and starting our journey of faith, we turned more and more to what the Bible teaches dispite doctor’s reports of increasing fluid in our baby’s head.

With the support of people in the ResLife Healing Clas, we continued to grow in faith and found a sense of peace that God was healing our baby.

To make a long but fantastic story short My wife gave birth to our 2nd son Lucas. The child that doctors said would die, lives. Doctors said Lucas would be blind, but he sees. They said he would be deaf but he hears. Doctors have said he has no mental hld backs and continues to exceed everyones expectations.

The Bible says:
By his stripes you were healed.

Trust not in the wisdom of men but rather the power of God.

Whosoever says to this mountain be removed and cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart will have whatever he says.

God bless.

48

Great thread!

I’m a born again believer in Jesus Christ, and I remember the day I came to know Christ at the age of 24 was the happiest day of my life! The next day, my entire outlook on life changed. I no longer felt the dread of monotony…of worthlessness. I was finally able to take the work from my hands and put it in His! Amen

And on that note, I love seeing so many born again believers that are lifting buddies as well! How cool is that! Sure we don’t curse at each other and slap each other around as we go for PR’s, but that’s what makes it so cool. We work on our outward appearance while still realizing that we are more than just flesh and bones…we are soul and spirit!

Brother in Christ. Not by our works, but by His grace - how cool!

49

Im really proud of everyone on this thread. It really puts into perspective that there are good people on the internet.

Thanks everyone and hopefully we’ll all meet in the kingdom of heaven someday…hmmm… I wonder if we’ll be able to workout… are there going to be gyms…hmmm…i guess thats something to think about.

jt

50

Jason852,

Amazing testimony, thanks for sharing!

51

[quote]Kuz wrote:
MikeTheBear wrote:
Kuz,

I have known many born again Christians who admitted that before they found Christianity they didn’t exactly lead the life of a model citizen. So in my view, the born again refers to people who obtained a fresh start on life by turning to religion. But that comes back to your question of whether a lifelong devout Christian needs to be born again.

I may be wrong in my interpretation of the term born again; this has just been my observation. And I don’t mean this in a negative way either - if religion can turn someone’s life around, great. I’m like Kuz in that I am interested in religion and its affects on people.

So, if I participate in this thread and ask a question, I’m actually asking a question and not trying to stir up a debate.

Mike,

The way you described born again was how I had always thought of it to begin with. It’s interesting to hear about the different takes on here.

I would also like to echo what Mike said. In asking questions, I am just looking to get some information and understanding, not insult or debate your beliefs.

Kevin[/quote]

Hey Kevin, I’ll echo his experience.

I was about as ungodly as you could get before coming to Christ. All I cared about was physical gratification. I thought that made me happy. Boy was I wrong.

After I got saved, everything changed. I began to work on building people up rather than breakking them down. And things I used to laugh at became very real to me.

I’d go into specifics, but I’d probably freak a few people out. Let’s just say, Jesus can change you more than you can change yourself.

52

[quote]terribleivan wrote:
Great thread!

I’m a born again believer in Jesus Christ, and I remember the day I came to know Christ at the age of 24 was the happiest day of my life! The next day, my entire outlook on life changed. I no longer felt the dread of monotony…of worthlessness. I was finally able to take the work from my hands and put it in His! Amen

And on that note, I love seeing so many born again believers that are lifting buddies as well! How cool is that! Sure we don’t curse at each other and slap each other around as we go for PR’s, but that’s what makes it so cool. We work on our outward appearance while still realizing that we are more than just flesh and bones…we are soul and spirit!

Brother in Christ. Not by our works, but by His grace - how cool![/quote]

Amen to that!

53

Awesome!!!
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength
Philippians 4:13
JP I will pray for you.God bless you brothers and sisters.PTL

54

Glad to see this thread.

I grew up in a Christian home. I became a born-again believer fairly young, but old enough to know what I was doing and the meaning behind it. I’m currently at a Christian university, and have decided to start working out again. I used to do Track, so I’ve never really gone for mass-building before. A friend told me about T-Nation, and I have been reading the articles and gathering information for a few weeks. I’m really glad I found this thread. Religion generally is not a common topic in the gym or other body-building sites.

Just a couple book suggestions for believers or even skeptics:

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel

These books were encouraging to me as a believer, and I believe they are good for skeptics to read. Strobel does a very good job of shutting down some of the “facts” that are used as evidence against God.

55

[quote]cap’nsalty wrote:
Not Christian myself, but has anyone besides me noticed that a very large amount of Powerlifters are? Maybe it has something to do with the South?[/quote]

It has to do with the fact that big, strong, burly men who lift heavy weights aren’t likely to be liberal secularists. They love their pickup trucks, their pantera, their rubenesque wifes, and their bibles.

56

[quote]Nominal Prospect wrote:
cap’nsalty wrote:
Not Christian myself, but has anyone besides me noticed that a very large amount of Powerlifters are? Maybe it has something to do with the South?

It has to do with the fact that big, strong, burly men who lift heavy weights aren’t likely to be liberal secularists. They love their pickup trucks, their pantera, their rubenesque wifes, and their bibles. [/quote]

What the crap does Pantera have to do with Christianity? I think you meant Garth Brooks. The song “Fucking Hostile” is about Christians who preach their narrow-minded world views…

Here are the lyrics to remind you:

Come meet your maker, boy
Some things you can’t enjoy
Because of heaven/hell
A fucking wives’ tale
They put it in your head
Then put you in your bed
He’s watching, say your prayers
Cause God is everywhere
Now I’ll play a man learning priesthood
Who’s about to take the ultimate test in life
I question things because I am human
And call no one my father who’s no closer than a stranger

I won’t listen

To see
To bleed
Cannot be taught
In turn
You’re making us
Fucking hostile

We stand alone

57

Always nice to see other Christians in places where at times it seems there aren’t any.

58

[quote]swordthrower wrote:

What the crap does Pantera have to do with Christianity? I think you meant Garth Brooks. The song “Fucking Hostile” is about Christians who preach their narrow-minded world views…[/quote]

I don’t listen to them. All I know is that Pantera and Christianity are both connected to powerlifting.

59

nice to see so many brothers on this site, I am the senior pastor of Powerhouse Ministries in Reno, NV and I love the great articles on this site. I am a competitve powerlifter and the strength coach at a local high school.

If I can encourage anyone in powerlifting or in their walks with God just let me know. George

60

[quote]Kuz wrote:
deanec wrote:
The term comes from this passage in John 3:

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

According to Jesus, it is a necessity to enter God’s kingdom.

I am sure further discussion will follow.

Thank you for the reference, dean. That does help out somewhat although I would certainly like to hear some more discussion on this. I think maybe I need to refine my original question a little bit.

If someone is already a Christian and devoted to God… do they need to be born again? My thought in reading those sections of the Gospel of John is that he is speaking to someone who is not a follower of his, so he would need to be born again as a believer. Or am I missing something?

Again, thank you for the reference. Looking forward to some discussion.

Kuz[/quote]

Kuz,

I thought it would be important to revisit an old post and discuss it.

Remember that Nicodemus was a member of the Pharasees. The Pharasees was the religious governing body of the area. They were under Roman rule but were allowed to establish a religious hierarchy. Thus the rulers of the religioin of the time (Judiasm) were the Pharasees.

These men dedicated themselves to learning and following the precepts and doctrines of the Old Testament (Law Of Moses, etc). So these men were most certainly men of God…however Jesus came to rebuke them and tell them they lost their way…and to provide the “flock” a way into salvation instead of through these misguided men.

So unless one accepts Jesus the Christ as his/her personal Savior and Lord then one cannot be considered reborn. If you accept these things and get baptized as a public declaration that you are reborn, then you are indeed reborn.

I hope I explained it well enough…as I said I’m only a baby reborn Christian (3 months or so). So please forgive me if I have missed something.

In the Lords Name and Love,

Jason