First, I'd like to say that I have spent hours and hours, days even researching, reading, listening, absorbing various viewpoints. Now, I've read much of the bible. I've grown up in Christianity. I was that little kid in sunday school who raised his hand for every question, knew all the stories, got stickers on the wall going off of the points sheet. That kid grew up a little, and in junior high, grade 8, I started to try and figure out what it is that I believed and why. I'm still on that journey. I'm always going to be on that journey. But I've hit a rough spot, a serious rough spot, so hear me out, listen to what I say, and give me your perpectives minus any tension, frustration, anger, insults etc that you may be tempted to give me. Bear with me here.
Jag]The best way to know false doctrine is to read the bible yourself and God as a teacher said:Okay, so, you're saying this as a Christian (actually, for some reason I think you are a Messianic Jew, am I wrong? I heard that somewhere on these forums I think). But Ricky would say the same thing about the Quran. Coming from a Muslim perspective.I understand that Christ is different from any other religious leader or anyone claiming to be of God. I understand that the Bible portrays that.But I'm in a period of doubt here. Hear me out.What makes either perspective the truth. How do we know?Is it by faith?Then, faith has to be well grounded at a certain point.The bible, I've seen it has many contradictions, or things that have different interpretations. It does. They aren't huge contradictions, but it does.So it can't be inerrant.It came from God?Okay, but, through man. What have we done to it.But God can protect his word.If he was to protect his word, would he not protect it to the point where those contradictions do not exist?Christianity is a religion.It is.You could have said Christ is a reality.That makes more sense. I know what you're saying though.Christianity is a reality, not a religion.That is exactly what I am striving to accomplish.I would suggest that you filter the noise of false teachings and open His Word....hear and see the quiet truth as told by God Himself!whirlwind]Another suggestion....grow up! This la said:I have' date=' thank you very much, I have spent much time reading the Bible.Although, I haven't read the Catholic bible much. A few verses of the Maccabees maybe.I actually didn't come across it until last year. About the other books, and the council of Nicea.Oh, excuse me then.So, tell me, where does a good Christian like yourself fellowship with the other believers, and, might I ask what exactly are you? Do you attend a Multi-denominational church, a non-denominational church.. are you Mormon or something?whirlwind' said:Again, I don't give a rat's patootie about Catholic or Protestant. I don't study their doctrine and I don't worship in their churches and I certainly don't listen to their teachings or teacherswhirlwind]I look at the ridiculous clowns on television and wonder why a bolt of lightening doesn said:Well' date=' thats a good Christ-like attitude if I ever saw one myself.I agree, they're pretty much rediculous clowns, but hey, I've never really wished a lightning bolt on anyone before. Even the hardcore atheists I used to debate with.Good to see you're lighting the world with the goodness of God, and the attitude of Christ. It's really good to see a fellow believer being a light in darkness.Well, your reading agenda is up to you, I was just saying, reading about other religions and still being a Christian, that's a solid witness to the heathens. (In any case, it works well with respect issues in debates and questioning.)And.. it's actually the Quran. A "q" and a "u".whirlwind' said:Again, such wise instructions from so knowledgeable a person. My, my! If you want to waste your time read the Koran instead of the Bible, learn all about other religions and not God's Word and then one day you can face our Father and tell Him all about what you learned. I'm sure He will be really, really interested.That's what I'm trying to do.whirlwind]That is because you are listening to junk. You are listening to man...not God.[/quote]I said:Make some wise decisions.thunder1 said:I was not brought up on any 'belief system'. Now I could choose to be a muslim' date=' hindu, buddhist, christian, atheist. We've got mosques, hindu and buddhist temples, churches very close to us. I've studied myself. And I am a Christian and that's the only truth. Believing Jesus Christ as your Saviour, because everybody sins and we need somebody to deliver from our sins. Muhammed could not do it and he is dead and he was a sinner himself, buddha could not deliver me from sins , he is dead, was only a man and a sinner himself , hindus got lots of gods just in case. Even satan believes that there is only one true living God , why do you think people are so blind to see the truth, satan tries to do everything to deceive people to see the truth.You can be a kind person, but that does not make you sinless. We all are sinners. I just like to ask, have you committed any sin, you don't have to tell me, but just think about it ,your thoughts, actions... If you are separarted from true living God ,you are a sinner. Jesus was the only sinless one, only one who was God's son, only one who sacrificed His life to save us from eternal hell. Only one who was there from the beginning, only one who rose from the death and still lives in us through the Holy spirit. There is only ONE TRUE LIVING GOD. Christianity is not religion to me , it's a personal relationship with my awesome God. I can pray anytime, anywhere. I don't have to follow rituals. I'm saved by grace. I was blind, but now I can see.Muslim, hindu, or buddhist 'gods' are not a true living God . AND THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE LIVING GOD. That's the Heavenly Father of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.God Bless,Thunder1[/quote']Thank you for your response.I have to say, it was really good. I realize yes, that we are all sinners. All have fallen short from the glory of God. I know it well.That's not what I'm doubting here.I mean, I find myself on the opposite side of the debate table than I was 5 years ago when I started. I've been a Christian for close to 14 years. I've been questioning for close to 5 or 6. What do you think about eternal hell?Is it eternal suffering, or eternal darkness (death; absence of God).Do you only suffer according to your sins (option 2), or does everyone suffer the same (option 1)What about people who convert to other religions. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Ba'Hais, Rastafarians... do they not believe their religion is truth. They have reasons for converting to their religions.If I was brought up in a Muslim country, in a Muslim family, I would believe the Muslim faith. I just happened to be brought up in a Christian country (well, kinda), a Christian family, and I ended up believing the Christian faith.In scenario numero uno, if I were to convert from Islam to Christianity. I would've been met with considerable resistance. My family would not be cool with it.I mean, my question is how do we know who's right?Who does all the evidence point to.It really didn't help.Sorry Whirlwind, it really didn't.Wow, whirlwind, that post seems to be filled with nothing but anger and insults. I don't see how anyone could see your post as being in any way helpful to someone who is waivering or questioning their faith.