How do you read or interpret John 17:20-23?

[Carlan]

No, I would not agree.

I wanted this thread to be a learning experience for me, so did not want arguments about who was right or wrong.
That being said, we believe it is possible to become like God.
We were made in the image of God. We are given commandments to obey, and one is to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in Heaven.”
We are told that we are children of God and we can be joint heirs with Christ, and that we may sit on the throne of God with Him. Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

On top of all that, Jesus prays that we may be one with Him and the Father even as He and the Father are one. To me there is no doubt of what he is saying.

Fly, I understand that.
I like the commonsense approach myself.
God created us for Himself. He loves us and wants us to be with him in his heavenly Kingdom to worship and love him back as much as he loves us.
Now, if you are saying that all this really means is he wants us to become little Gods apart from him…( I sure don’t know about that kind of thinking or belief.)
I am a pretty simple and common sense type of person and I don’t think God the Father wanted to make it like he just loves to confuse, after all you know he wanted the little children to believe and understand, so you gotta know it must not be all that hard.

We kind of Christians here at Answers believe, that Christ’s revelatation ended with the death of the Apostle John. That is what we go by, for that is the full Truth. It is not very hard to check out, even for simple old me. Peace, Carlan

 

[Irish_Polock]

No, I would not agree.

I wanted this thread to be a learning experience for me, so did not want arguments about who was right or wrong.
That being said, we believe it is possible to become like God.
We were made in the image of God. We are given commandments to obey, and one is to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in Heaven.”
We are told that we are children of God and we can be joint heirs with Christ, and that we may sit on the throne of God with Him. Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

On top of all that, Jesus prays that we may be one with Him and the Father even as He and the Father are one. To me there is no doubt of what he is saying.

So as not to stray to far off topic, I won’t debate the issue of the orthodox understanding of the Trinity vs the Mormons’ polytheism. Although, both Rev. 3:21 and also St. Matt. 5:48 that you have cited as proof-text of the Mormon position, have both been taken out of the context in which they had been written.
Further, if you take St. John 17:21 and apply the light of Tradition to said verse, simple logic demands that you understand it as the Church and Early Church Fathers have taught it since the beginning.

I pray that you find what it is that you are looking for.
God be with you.

 

[flyonthewall]

So as not to stray to far off topic, I won’t debate the issue of the orthodox understanding of the Trinity vs the Mormons’ polytheism. Although, both Rev. 3:21 and also St. Matt. 5:48 that you have cited as proof-text of the Mormon position, have both been taken out of the context in which they had been written.
Further, if you take St. John 17:21 and apply the light of Tradition to said verse, simple logic demands that you understand it as the Church and Early Church Fathers have taught it since the beginning.

I pray that you find what it is that you are looking for.
God be with you.

Thank you for your response…it is the “light of Tradition” that you refer to that I am unfamiliar with, and why I asked for (name removed by moderator)ut from you all.
I have my understandings, you have yours, and I am just trying to see why and where the differences are.

 

[Carlan]

Thank you for your response…it is the “light of Tradition” that you refer to that I am unfamiliar with, and why I asked for (name removed by moderator)ut from you all.
I have my understandings, you have yours, and I am just trying to see why and where the differences are.

Fly, perhaps before giving up on us you should move on over to apologetics for more in depth fathoming:shrug: Peace, Carlan

 

[benidict]

Please take into consideration that I may not have the same foundational understanding that you do. The way you interpret or understand the scriptures may be different than mine so simply citing a scripture may not clarify my understanding of your belief.

Verse 3 talks about unity of Spirit…is this the same unity as the numerical unity described in verses 5 and 6? Or is it a unity of fellowship as stated by another? And how does that fit with John 17:21?
I don’t want to read anything into your response that may not be there so could you clarify or be more specific
Thanks

exactly!