thread: 2007-01-04 : Self-identification vs. Membership
On 2007-01-11, xenopulse wrote:
Sydney,
Thanks for the response. Seeing that you're advocating "A for effort" salvation, I can't really quarrel much with that :)
I have a different question for you, though, an honestly curious, non-cheeky one, even if it sounds cheeky. So bear with me.
You said a prayer for Richard's cancer-stricken wife. Now, the way I was brought up (Lutheran of the North Germany variety), our Faith isn't really about staying on earth as long as we can, being healthy, not getting hurt, getting rich, etc. It's about the salvation of the soul. Everything else doesn't matter or is even blasphemous to focus on. You mentioned Job, but there's also Jesus talking about the eye of the needle, etc.
So why is it that so many Christians pray for earthly/material things such as health or good fortune? Doesn't that ... miss the point?
And I really mean that in the "I don't understand" way.
