cabaretewilliam previously said:

The Origin of the Waldensians


The Waldensians were the most significant kingdom movement of the Middle Ages. This movement began around 1170 in the bustling medieval city of Lyon, France. Here lived a wealthy merchant named Waldesius. He enjoyed his wealth and loved to be able to move within the power circles of his city. He was a good Catholic, attending Mass each week.


But one day after Mass, Waldesius came upon a minstrel singing a ballad about a fourth-century Christian named Alexis. Alexis was the son of a wealthy Roman senator, and he was a rich, spoiled pagan. However, on the day Alexis was supposed to be married, Christ suddenly broke through to him. Touched to his very soul by his conversion, Alexis left everything—his family, his wealth, and his intended bride. With little but the clothes on his back, he journeyed across Europe to Syria. There he spent most of his life praying and fasting, serving others, and sharing the love of Jesus. He endured poverty and great suffering for the cause of Christ.

Years later—his health broken and his body disfigured—Alexis returned to Rome. However, Alexis’ family and friends didn’t recognize him, as he appeared to be just some bedraggled beggar. So Alexis decided to keep his identity a secret. He accepted a menial job from his father (who didn’t recognize him), and he lived in a tiny room under his family’s staircase. He lived that way for seventeen years, trying to serve others in the spirit of Christ. When Alexis died, his family found his diary among his few possessions, and then they realized who he really was.

Waldesius was greatly moved by this story, and it triggered a spiritual crisis within him. Troubled in conscience, Waldesius went to a local priest for counsel. He poured his soul out, and the priest listened intently. After several hours of earnest discussion, the priest got the Bible and read to Waldesius chapter 19 of Matthew about the rich young ruler. “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Mt. 19:21).

Those words resounded in Waldesius’ ears as he went home. His wealth was no longer a source of happiness to him. In fact, it seemed like a heavy chain around his neck. In a moment of joy and spiritual delight, Waldesius suddenly decided to throw the heavy chain off. He would be a disciple of Christ! He would enjoy the delights of heavenly treasure!

First, Waldesius used some of his wealth to have parts of the New Testament translated into the common vernacular spoken around Lyon. Then, armed with the Scriptures, he gave all of his remaining possessions to the needy.

“Citizens and friends,” Waldesius told the people of Lyon as he gave away his goods. “I am not out of my mind, as you may think. I am freeing myself from the things that were oppressing me. For they made me a lover of money more than a lover of God. This act I am doing both for myself and for you: For myself—so that if ever again I possess anything, you may indeed call me a fool. For you—in order that you, too, may be led to put your hope in God and not in riches.”1

Waldesius went about the city of Lyon, preaching the simple gospel of the kingdom to everyone. His earnestness and example of faith touched many lives. Soon a small group of like-minded believers gathered with him. They called themselves the “Poor in Spirit.” They wanted to take every aspect of Jesus’ teaching literally and seriously. They decided to taste the joy of true, uncompromising discipleship for themselves. The kingdom of God had reached Lyon—and it was turning the city upside down!

cabaretewilliam previously said:

ABC, don't you ever tire of revealing your evil jealous hate filled heart?

RoyStone previously said:

Dr Anthony Flew is dead.

Can you dig up a living converted Atheist with credentials?

Regardless Flew did not convert to Christianity, or any other deistic religion. He only had a problem understanding evolution so he opted for intelligent design. No big deal - he was not a biologist or even a scientist - he was a philosopher!

Regardless, can you please help me with my conversion from Atheism back to Deism by explaining who or what designed the intelligent designer?