thinking_turtle: (Default)
thinking_turtle ([personal profile] thinking_turtle) wrote in [personal profile] sdi 2023-08-06 11:52 am (UTC)

Thanks again, it's interesting to learn how you interpret my comment! The idea of lumping people into categories they do not agree with was far from my mind. I was floating a theory in order to learn.

First, as I understand the term, a "personal Jesus" refers to the divine in yourself. So when Porphyry says "here exists in you both the savior", the savior part sounds like "personal Jesus". No Christian would say he is Jesus, yet many say Jesus is part of them, and Jesus talks to them.

Second, I just read a bit more about Gnosticism and I agree with your rebuttal. Gatekeeping and the source of salvation are separate issues.

Third, growing up in a protestant part of the Netherlands, Christianity teaches that salvation is achieved though hard work, thrift, praying and giving. Isn't that an internal source?

Points one and three depend on what Christianity is. It seems Christianity means different things to different people.


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