Paul, I enjoy reading your post because my first impression is that you are an honest Christian searching for growth in your understanding of the Christian faith. I, over many years, have had to throw off the influence of Christian teachings by others during my formative years. Many people have started out in the faith with a desire to learn, to excel and to teach others. At some point in there life, materialism, pride and greed have caused them to teach the message of Christ, slanted and with fear deliberately injected into the message for selfish pride and there own selfish needs. Today my beliefs and understanding of Christ is my own, brought to me by the Holy Spirit, rather than slanted, opinunated messages from those who have been taught anothers faith. God forgive the teachers that add or subtract one tittle from His word.
James |
