Religion, Faith, and Spirituality : Christianity purification process

Christianity purification process

Have you ever heard of that before?

In biblical times, the story goes like this.

Matthew 8:28-34 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus Casts Out Demons

28 When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. 29 And they cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before [b]the time?” 30 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them. 31 The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And He said to them, “Go!” And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters. 33 The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, [c]including what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region.

I interpreted that passage to be symbolic of the purification process in a general sense. God has to purify your soul like acne medication or any type of facial treatment clears up your skin. First your impurities come underneath to the surface of your skin before the healing process begins.

So if you are being purified in the name of Jesus, your impurities come out of your soul and driven out into the world to anything nearby to pick up. Now if whatever lifeform is nearby is not already blessed, that lifeform become infected.

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Christianity purification process

God does not cast out bad from someone and into someone else.
That's not exactly what I was getting at.

I don't think God does that either unless the demons ask..

I was saying that whatever impurities within your soul get driven out into the world to attach to the souls of other living thing's.

Here's another analogy.

Kind of like a cold virus. A person with a chest cold. The coughing is a way the body tries expelling the gunk. The contagious virus goes out into the immediate area and so forth. Do you understand now?

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Christianity purification process

I did not mention evil at all. I'm talking about impurities with a soul.

I'm speaking specifically about that bible passage. You're drifting into another discussion as always.


Anyway, perhaps I could have this discussion with someone more knowledgeable.

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Christianity purification process

God views impure souls as a type of sickness. We just call it being human.

You mentioned the process of becoming a Christian - which begins from being saved and then a baptism shortly thereafter. However, that particular bible story from The Book of Matthews never mentions those men asking Jesus to save their souls from possession of the Legion demons. Right? Jesus did so to fulfill His prophesy.

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Christianity purification process

You're completely ignoring the spirituality aspect that is the entire point of Holy Bible.

If we wanted life lessons, proverbs or etc, we do not need the Holy Bible for that.
To each their own.

Never judge a book by its cover.

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

What comes up, must go down.

Murphy's Law

Einstein's Theory of Relativity

From error to error one discovers the entire truth.

Those quotes are helpful life lessons and whatnot. They have nothing at all to do with our spiritual nature.

I don't think you believe that humans have a spiritual nature and a soul. Am I right?

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Christianity purification process

Lol all of a sudden Donna is a Theological scholar.

"You had me at Elk Tartare"
-Erin Wotherspoon

Re: Christianity purification process


I'm only reading what's there and having a religious philosophical discussion about it. How does that make me a Theological scholar exactly?

Re: Christianity purification process

You just described what a Theological scholar does, honey bun.

"You had me at Elk Tartare"
-Erin Wotherspoon

Re: Christianity purification process

Well whatever. I'm not a Theological scholar. I'm only having a discussion. This isn't church service.

Re: Christianity purification process

Can’t be. Women are not allowed to preach. Just ask Project Error! 😂

"You had me at Elk Tartare"
-Erin Wotherspoon

Re: Christianity purification process

PE is a sexist idiot.

Are You Feeling Hurt Or Triggered By Something I've Said? Call 1-800-BUTT-HURT| To Speak With An Experienced Unsympathetic Counselor Today!

Re: Christianity purification process



I think he had an important observation although I really don't know enough in order to challenge him. Also, my mind is on this topic.

I have another religious topic but I'm saving it for another time instead of spamming the board with a lot of religious topics.

Re: Christianity purification process

I disagree with your interpretation. I think this was a simple act of God demonstrating his dominion over spiritual forces beyond human comprehension.

"You had me at Elk Tartare"
-Erin Wotherspoon

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Christianity purification process

Clearly that's part of it. But specifically, the process of sanctification. One could ask Jesus to forgive their sins and accept Jesus as their lord and savior. But in this case, that did not happen. What happened was that Jesus expelled the demons attached to those two men. What happened next is the focus of my thread topic.

You cannot discuss that part because you are ignorant. But the evidence is right there in that bible passage.

In another bible passage, it documents: These spirits are roaming the earth looking for a living being to attach itself to. Right? They attached to the soul of those two men, Jesus expelled those malevolent spirits (Legion) from two men.
Furthermore, Legion asked Jesus to place them into the swine nearby. Even the malevolent spirits have free will like humans do.

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Christianity purification process

You and Erica are a couple of dumb bitches

🌚

Re: Christianity purification process

Thank you. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.

"You had me at Elk Tartare"
-Erin Wotherspoon

Post deleted

This message has been deleted.

Re: Christianity purification process

Shove a candy cane up your cunt. A rainbow colored one

🌚

Re: Christianity purification process

I’ll try but I can’t make you any promises 😂

"You had me at Elk Tartare"
-Erin Wotherspoon

Re: Christianity purification process

Ok but that wasn’t the point of the passage. If you notice the demons did not wait for God to acknowledge them, they already knew he was aware of their presence and would cast them out. They asked for a specific host to be cast into. This is a demonstration of God’s omniscience and the fear his power instilled in people who witnessed these events.

The people reacted with fear and wanted him to leave, because seeing the son of God manifested in flesh and demonstrating his dominion over demonic forces is an overwhelming experience. I was raised Catholic. I’m definitely familiar with religious discussion.

"You had me at Elk Tartare"
-Erin Wotherspoon

Re: Christianity purification process

Ok but that wasn’t the point of the passage.

Why is it not? First answer that question.

Re: Christianity purification process

Scroll up.

"You had me at Elk Tartare"
-Erin Wotherspoon

Re: Christianity purification process

I don't need to. You're wrong. That is not the entire point of that bible story. There's more than one point being documented there.

Re: Christianity purification process

Lol 👌

"You had me at Elk Tartare"
-Erin Wotherspoon

Re: Christianity purification process

Okay Erica. I'll leave it alone.

Re: Christianity purification process

You know what? I'm not letting this go.

Among every other interpretion mentioned from everyone, three things I see from that bible story.

1. Jesus Saves whether asked or not.

2. Malevolent spirits have free will and free choice.

3. The process of purification involves the impurities attached to your soul to be expelled into the world.

Re: Christianity purification process

I interpret the story to mean that non-believers (the villagers) value material possessions (the swine) as more important than Jesus' acts of goodness. In the story Jesus shows tremendous capability to vanquish evil, although it resulted in losing worldly/material wealth in the process. But the non-disciples ignore his power and gifts to them (getting rid of evil) and instead reject him for causing the loss of their earthly possessions. They value the wrong things.

Hey Diddler, Diddler….the cat and the fiddler LOL

Re: Christianity purification process

There's that as well.
And those malevolent spirits have free will. They were allowed a choice as well.

Re: Christianity purification process

I dont really get the free will aspect.

I feel like the demons are sort of taunting Jesus by asking him to cast them into the swine. They probably picked the swine to be cast into because 1) they dont believe he can do it and 2) they know they can still cause mischief if placed in the swine, which they do in the end by drowning the pigs in the river. Of course there is other symbolism in the pigs as the choice of earthly vessel as well.

Hey Diddler, Diddler….the cat and the fiddler LOL

Re: Christianity purification process

They didn't have free will, but he did give them a choice. It's either be cast into the swine or be cast back into the fiery pit. The swine ended up drowning themselves in the ocean anyway. The spirits just wanted a warm body to inhabit, they didn't care what or who it was.

People who are unsaved and without the gospel, fall prey to unclean spirits. They can not inhabit the body of a righteous man or woman, because the holy ghost and presence of God is with them. The darkness would be cast out by the light.

Are You Feeling Hurt Or Triggered By Something I've Said? Call 1-800-BUTT-HURT| To Speak With An Experienced Unsympathetic Counselor Today!

Re: Christianity purification process

This girl gets it

I have no legs

Re: Christianity purification process

they didn't care what or who it was.

They can not inhabit the body of a righteous man or woman, because the holy ghost and presence of God is with them

They do care though because as you said they can only possess something unclean like the pigs. It wouldnt make sense to ask to be cast into something or someone else because nothing is more unclean than pigs.

Hey Diddler, Diddler….the cat and the fiddler LOL

Re: Christianity purification process

That goes back to this part of my comment:

People who are unsaved and without the gospel, fall prey to unclean spirits.

Had there had been an unrighteous man around, they probably would have begged the Lord to allow them into him, but there wasn't so they really didn't have many options.

Of course Jesus wouldn't try to cast them into a righteous person, and the unclean spirits knew this. Nor would Jesus risk casting them into another human being, so their only choice were those pigs.

Are You Feeling Hurt Or Triggered By Something I've Said? Call 1-800-BUTT-HURT| To Speak With An Experienced Unsympathetic Counselor Today!

Re: Christianity purification process

Yes, so there is significance in the demons specifically requesting the pigs to be cast into. They want more than any warm body, they need an appropriate host which makes the pigs the best choice because they are known to be impure. They didnt just randomly pick pigs because they just happened to be around. They would be the best choice to inhabit.

Hey Diddler, Diddler….the cat and the fiddler LOL

Re: Christianity purification process

Think about it this way, AJ. What if they were in an empty field with nothing other than sheep around when Jesus cast them out. And the Lord said unto them - you either go into these sheep or I will banish you from existence.

Which do you think they would choose? The sheep or the banishment?

Are You Feeling Hurt Or Triggered By Something I've Said? Call 1-800-BUTT-HURT| To Speak With An Experienced Unsympathetic Counselor Today!

Re: Christianity purification process

The story doesnt say they are in an empty field with nothing but pigs though. There could have been sheep present but the story never specifies. Youre making the assumption that only pigs are around but that may not have been the case.

Regardless it makes the story more symbolic by utilizing the pigs to inhabit since they are believed to be be the most unclean animal with cloven hooves which further reinforces the kosher lifestyle.

Hey Diddler, Diddler….the cat and the fiddler LOL

Re: Christianity purification process

Regardless it makes the story more symbolic by utilizing the pigs to inhabit since they are believed to be be the most unclean animal with cloven hooves which further reinforces the kosher lifestyle.

This is true, and I'm not disputing that. The question was about choice and free will. The spirits are limited in what they can and cannot do, by the hand of God, and also by the powers and principalities that govern over them.

Youre making the assumption that only pigs are around but that may not have been the case.

No, I'm saying that their choices where limited based on the fact that they knew what Jesus would and would not allow. But I do understand what you are saying and I totally get the symbolism in the scripture.

Are You Feeling Hurt Or Triggered By Something I've Said? Call 1-800-BUTT-HURT| To Speak With An Experienced Unsympathetic Counselor Today!

Re: Christianity purification process

Regarding the idea of freewill and choice in the story, the idea of choosing the best of the worst fates seems more important rather than choosing good versus evil. If the demons truly had freewill then yes they would have chosen a non-believer because that would be the best scenario for them. But as you mentioned, their fate is sealed: either inhabit pigs or receive fire and brimstone, regardless of who or what is around.

But the idea of rejecting or accepting Jesus comes at the end when the villagers turn him away rather than celebrate him. Its not really the demons whose choice matters in the story but rather the choice of the common people in the end. The demons are just choosing the best option but their fate is sealed. Its the villagers who have a choice to accept or reject Jesus.

Hey Diddler, Diddler….the cat and the fiddler LOL

Re: Christianity purification process

But the idea of rejecting or accepting Jesus comes at the end when the villagers turn him away rather than celebrate him. Its not really the demons whose choice matters in the story but rather the choice of the common people in the end. The demons are just choosing the best option but their fate is sealed. Its the villagers who have a choice to accept or reject Jesus.

I agree, and you will find that theme all throughout the bible. The Pharisees were a prime example of this. Although they followed God's law to the letter, they failed to recognize and accept Jesus as the son of the one true God. Instead they ridiculed him for not keeping the sabbath, and other Hebrew traditions. God was with them in the flesh, and they totally rejected him.

Jesus gave the disciples instructions for dealing with such situations:

Matthew 14:15

14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Jesus didn't believe in forcing himself or the word of God on anyone, and gave us all a choice to receive him or reject him. I'm just reiterating what you said in your quote above and agreeing with it.

Are You Feeling Hurt Or Triggered By Something I've Said? Call 1-800-BUTT-HURT| To Speak With An Experienced Unsympathetic Counselor Today!

Re: Christianity purification process

The story doesnt say they are in an empty field with nothing but pigs though. There could have been sheep present but the story never specifies. Youre making the assumption that only pigs are around but that may not have been the case.

Regardless it makes the story more symbolic by utilizing the pigs to inhabit since they are believed to be be the most unclean animal with cloven hooves which further reinforces the kosher lifestyle.

You can stop right there trying to make us hate pork. Thanks.

There are sheep God considers impure. Somewhere in the Old Testament back when God requested animals be sacrificed to absolve a sin, God told the herders to offer sheep that had no spots and other physical attributes that God deemed impure or flawed. In fact, the type of animal didn't matter e.g the story of Cain and Able.

What matters is that you follow God's specific instructions.

Re: Christianity purification process

Stop eating pork, Donna. Youve discovered my secret agenda.

Hey Diddler, Diddler….the cat and the fiddler LOL

Re: Christianity purification process

Edit because I used profanity in a thread about the Lord and the bible. Please forgive me for disrespecting your holy presence, Lord. Amen


Stop eating pork, Donna. Youve discovered my secret agenda.

No, I'm going to eat pork. Thanks for your concern. I appreciate it.

Re: Christianity purification process

People who are unsaved and without the gospel, fall prey to unclean spirits. They can not inhabit the body of a righteous man or woman, because the holy ghost and presence of God is with them. The darkness would be cast out by the light.

I think that sounds about right except for that "cast out by the light nonsense". God (good) inhabits the darkness as well. God was present in the darkness and then God said "Let there be light!".

There is a passage about Satan telling God about how God forced Satan to walk the earth looking for souls.

God and Satan definitely are working together aren't they? They aren't fighting. They're like partners imo.

These devils or malevolent spirits are indeed roaming our atmosphere with their leader Satan unless until they can attach themselves to an unclean soul. Once Jesus saves an unclean soul from whatever, that gunk (bad spirits, sins, etc) is out there in the universe waiting to attach itself to something else.
Top