"Real IDs of 2008" predicted in Revelations

[EricTheFred]

When Jesus himself said "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's" he was very clearly stating that God draws a distinction between worldly governance and spiritual loyalty. The persistent notion that he will throw that division out in the end days, and that people will be tricked into damning themselves by abiding by the law of the land, is not supported by any words of Jesus Christ, and only finds support in other Biblical text by accepting certain interpretations which are not given credit by Catholic, Anglican, or Lutheran churches (nor most Orthodox, as I understand it.)

Interpretations of Daniel and Revelations as 'future history' are given credit by many scholars within these churches, but the versions popularized by Hollywood, by the "Left Behind" Series, and by authors such as Hal Lindsey, are generally considered to be nonsensical by these scholars. Such material is entertainment, not standard Christian theology, guys.

Personally, I do not believe the Bible is a secret code book, where you will be saved only if you follow just the perfect combination of interpretations and secrets. That is the kind of religion the Pharisees preached, and Jesus opposed this kind of thinking, sometimes with rather strong words.

I suggest to anyone who approaches their Christianity from the point of view "you wil be damned unless you do precisely these things and believe exactly thus and so" to learn more about the Pharisees and why Jesus opposed them. Most modern Christians misbelieve they were a bunch of sinister hypocrites, but frankly, this was generally not the case. They were often very pious, religious, salt-of-the-Earth people who genuinely believed they were following God's will. Jesus was opposed to them because what they were teaching and believing was simply wrong.

[Stephen]

Know what theology threads always get to ride on? The LOLtruck. That's right. (I am so ripping this off someone)

ALL ABOARD!