Though I hesitate to call it gibberish, this seems to be the case in practice in the real world. Meaning seems to be relative outside of math, the sciences, and some linguistics.
Why Do You Believe....
- Thread starter Truth OT
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DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
I'm not Truman but I think that this verse may help:
Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
It takes reading the gospel, not a particular verse singled out from the rest, because we also know that faith "comes by hearing." That is, hearing the gospel.
Now if you're REALLY interested I recommend The Case for Christ - even just a YouTube video.
It's by a former homicide detective who tried to disprove the gospel and failed.
Yes.
Maybe this will help you understand where I'm going here.
I know people who would respond, "The one who claims to know, knows nothing", and deny all knowing. Someone else is there to say, I just 'know', denying all evidence. The rest of us fall in between somewhere, and if your thinking is that the Bible obviously is not true, then we'll have a very different conversation than if your thinking is more along the lines of, it makes some sense, but is there any evidence?
Just like my answers would be pretty shallow if I say, "I just . . . know."
So where are you on this spectrum? For myself, I feel like I've got a lot of evidence, and feel a certainty I call knowing.
Much love!
While reading the bible, I've had supernatural experiences happen to me.
in short...It's a work of the Holy Spirit (the Author of Scripture) who convicts us of it's truth as well as illuminate our understanding of His Word. We can't take any 'intellectual' credit...nor ought we belittle others for not believing.
GaryAnderson
Well-Known Member
A way of life is basically a stance on existential questions which affect you personally in life.
NOT forming a conclusion is completely understandable and a mindset. This mindset doesn’t work for some people. Me personally, I find it hopelessly depressing.
Others may find it joyful.
Some things in the Biblical writings are obviously true, while others are not, and others are far fetched/miraculous and not substantiated. Basically, writings in the books of the Bible are a lots of things, ranging from inspiring to repulsive and wise to questionable. Personally I like the book, but I don't find it to be credible as the "Word of God".
I think this is a purely subjective experience for you. If you are truly on a search for reality, it is you who must become certain of what you find. That certainty will only exist as a subjective experience for you.
I've talked of prophecy, but someone can come along and say, That was actually written later. Books have been written on how Daniel was written centuries after Daniel lived. Their claim is that it's simply too historically accurate to be prophecy. This is evidence to the unbeliever of their unbelief, and to the believer of their belief.
According to the Bible, two elements are involved, not just one, those being God's Word, and faith. I can give you God's Word, but you must choose to believe. Your desire is that I convince you? You ask the wrong person.
Ask the Author, Who will know your heart, whether you want to know Him or not. And if you do, He has promised, the one who seeks, finds.
All of my sense and reason tells me this world, all that's in it, has a Maker, and my appeal is to that Maker, that I may know Him, and fulfill His purpose in making me.
If you feel that way, you'll meet Him soon enough I think! If you don't, I'm not going to change that.
Much love!
Sounds kinda circular to me as attributing the authorship of scripture to Holy Breath is only done because the scripture says that is the case in 2 Timothy. The book itself attempts to define the parameters of what is "of God" setting itself up as the authority on it being the authority without having the need itself to demonstrate that it is in fact of God in any objective means.
This is the issue. You claim the above while I'm like "wait a minute, you haven't demonstrated the Bible to be God's Word." So what you actually give is what YOU BELIEVE to be God-inspired.
I can respect the fact that you say your belief that the Bible is God-inspired is based on fulfilled prophecy as a writing that specifies details in no uncertain terms regarding future events would definitely at the very least have to be considered extraordinary. I'd like to dissect those prophecies to see how strong they actually are as evidence for inspiration beyond human capabilities.
Its power to inspire. One of my favorite texts in my Christian days was Hebrews 12:1-2.
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
@Truth OT You may waste too much time and tire yourself out trying to figure out the "theories" behind things.
It would be better and mentally healthier to just read it for yourself and find out.
So much pointless circular thinking and rabbit holes, just run straight to the end of the field and see whats there.
It would be better and mentally healthier to just read it for yourself and find out.
So much pointless circular thinking and rabbit holes, just run straight to the end of the field and see whats there.
Why a singular maker? Why a purposeful maker? What a maker that has a will that involves caring about human behavior? Why a him? Why are you or I significant enough in the will of the creative entity or entities to have a purpose?
Is it possible that our desire for ultimate purpose and divine significance a representation of the vanity of the human ego?
Read what? I own Lee Strobel's book and I am pretty familiar with both the Old and New Testaments as I took to heart 2 Timothy 2:15. Do you assume I'd question something without first giving it a chance, and if so, why?
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
No, actually, I'm curious about you now.
You have been studying, but are you hesistant? Do you still have trouble believing?
Like what specifically, do you believe, has been the block from moving forward? Faith wise or whatever have you.
That's very interesting.
As someone has already pointed out...accurately fulfilled prophecies authenticates the claims of God's own Word.
"Him" is just convention.
Yes, anything is possible, but why are sunsets pretty? Why are symphonies enrapturing? We have to start with the basics. Why one, and how am I, an individual, significant to that One, these need more foundation.
But have you ever thought about that? Why is a flower beautiful? More specifically, why do we as mammals have our deepest appreciations in things that don't contribute to our creature life?
Much love!
This is a great question and one I could never answer. Unfathomable!!! It is amazing how much He loves us. I would change it to a statement, tho.
What a Maker that has a will that involves caring about human behavior!
Thank you, Lord.
What I'm saying is there are two elements to the equation.
Let's say I quote the Bible to you, let's say it's actually God's Word, even so, you have to choose to believe.
I'm not interested in convincing you if you aren't interested in believing.
So I'm not really thinking to get into a debate over my belief in Scripture with someone who has chosen to disbelieve it for themself.
Much love!
If you want one to look at, look at Obadiah. But you'll need to do the work. It tells you who the terrorists around Israel are, and where they are, correctly. If you research the people and place names, that's what you'll find. I'm not going to do the work for you, if you really want to know, there's a place to look.
Much love!
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