Why Christianity? discussion
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Where are all of these stumbling doubting Christians with questions?
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I got saved as a grown man out of a very confused worldview. I was eyeball-deep in vain philosophy, new age beliefs, and just plain old sin when I got saved. I remember as a young man with my Bible realizing that what I had in my hands wasn't mercurial or shifting like philosophy or self-absorbed silliness like New Age stuff. It was unabashedly true. Exciting stuff.But since then I have dealt with scores of people who had some sort of 'church kid' kind of background and whatever they believed or thought they believed or were told to believe smashed into a million pieces the first time anyone pushed back.
I've pondered in my heart why this is , as I am raising a passel of church kids myself, and I don't know that I have a super-clear answer or at least not a 'one size fits all' explanation as to how so many people who grew up in Christianity wind up angry bitter internet shipwrecks.
I remember as a young man with my Bible realizing that what I had in my hands wasn't mercurial or shifting like philosophy or self-absorbed silliness like New Age stuff. It was unabashedly true. Exciting stuff.
I love this observation! How can one source be both so historically sound and so relevant to our own shifting times? Must be something more, something able to withstand the test of time and yet meet us where we are. I'm truly astonished by the bible and baffled by it at the same time! A book that never grows dull is an accomplishment in itself, but one that also offers a way ...THE way? Friggin' awesome!
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There are answers. And between the few of us - we can probably find some good helpful information on almost any topic. Although: some issues are so deep that the world's greatest theologians are still kicking them around 2000 years later. But that doesn't mean there isn't an answer.
I was thinking that soon, no one will want to identify themselves as anything, seeing as we seem to be heading into a very hostile climate. Some folks might think it's safer to remain luke-warm than actually make a stand. As soon as you decide what you believe, you paint a target on your back. It's been going this way for a while, but I want to know what happens when the Bible is finally outlawed?
Julie wrote: "I was thinking that soon, no one will want to identify themselves as anything, seeing as we seem to be heading into a very hostile climate. Some folks might think it's safer to remain luke-warm tha..."It's been outlawed in most of the world for most of history.
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I don't agree the Bible has been outlawed in most places. Certainly in some places overtly like China and perhaps Russia and and some of the Islamic nations, but the Bible exists in those places as well. There are Christian communities in those places.As Christians, we should never be concerned about taking a stand on keeping the Word of God. The big issue, in my opinion, is too many folks try to tie the Bible to political positions and narrow the scope to a single issue (i.e. abortion) while ignoring the rest.
Rod wrote: "No questions??? I still have outs of questions about demons and angels"Like what?
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I've thought about the one time rebellion thing a couple of times in the past, and came away with no answer. To my knowledge, the Bible doesn't answer that question. But I would say that where we, as Christians strive (or should at least) to fellowship, worship and please the Lord, the angels already had that ... in heaven no less. The fallen angels rejected what Christians strive for. Why should there be a second chance for them? They chose to follow Satan and leave the place Christians long to be. That's just my thoughts on the matter.
Rod wrote: "Thanks Tyrone"Yep! BTW, some angels do have wings (cherubim, seraphim for example); some don't. There are lots of verses that show this.
Some verses point out angels with swords (the angel guarding the way to Eden in Genesis 3:24) and the angel in Joshua (Joshua 5:13). Will they have other types of weapons? Don't know, but can't imagine them needing anything more.
Rod - how come there's no humor in the Bible? If for "every thing under heaven there is a season" surely someone should have ellicited a guffaw somewhere!
Wait a minute, I thought of one. When God said Sara would have a child in her nineties, she laughed.
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Talking donkey- floating zoo - silly kings - bumbling idiots - hilarious idols - etc.
Rod - well, perhaps in the mind of the reader, but those escapades were written in all seriousness.
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The o.t. Idol falling on its face. Comedic gold.
Recently, there was an accident at Sheremetyevo airport. Because of the bad weather, a plane had to land at the same airport, 20 minutes after take off. Everything went wrong at that time. 41 people died, including those who were desperately praying and asking for God's help. May God rest them in peace. My questions are simple but at the same time, I found it difficult to address when people approached me and asked them. The questions are following:
1. "If there is God, why did He not answer prayers?"
2. "Why did he allow righteous people suffered to death?"
3. "Why should I dedicate entire life to God, who in the most desperate moment turned His back?"
4. "In Psalm 91 we can read: If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone...
So, why didn't He do what He promised at least for those who deeply believe in Him?"
5. "In John 16:23 we can read: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
So, why does your God made a false promise? At that plane, a man just asked to save his life cause he has small children! A young lady asked to save her life cause there is no one who can take care of her old parents. Children were crying out loud, cause they were innocent and didn't experience the life at all..."
So, I'll wholeheartedly appreciate any thoughts and any of your ideas on how Christians should face such questions. Could you also explain how you understand the meaning of the passages I mentioned above?
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I’m glad you’re here. I think about our chats almost daily.
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You got 5 questions/topics that each deserve a huge discussion. So I'll do just that.
My big concern is that people assume anyone who answers them is full of themselves and a chatty Know-It-All. (yes, I've seen this reaction 100's of times. So it most likely DOES apply to me). Of course - with research: comes answers. Such is life. WE Christians claim to have answers... as does EVERY worldview belief system follower I chat with. Atheists sure claim to have answers. AS does every cult member. I've even chatted with numerous progressive liberals who HATE anyone who ever stops on a solution. They prefer the solution be ever evolving to infinity. That's why i'm a trades-person and not an endless professional scholar buried in the halls of Academia. We get things done and resolved. and then move on.
Anyway, I think I've found the answers to all those questions. That's what i've been investigating the last 15 years. So I'll throw out what I got in some new Group chats. People are always free to poke holes in my discoveries. That's the joy of discussion.
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" 41 people died, including those who were desperately praying and asking for God's help. May God rest them in peace.
My questions are simple but at the same time, I found it difficult to address when people approached me and asked them."
The hardest question there is: Why didn't God make everything Okay?
well, there's a time for a theological and philosophical debate, and there's a time to hold a grieving person. Almost never are BOTH at the same time. Our big challenge as christians is to deal with those who hold onto their grief for decades... When is the time to get down to the root of their challenge? For some people: It appears never. Which makes me out to be an insensitive jerk for actually daring to respond truthfully. (They don't want truth... they want the hurting to stop. And the damage fixed).
They really want to know why their HUMAN FREEDOM had negative results? The answer is easy... But very disagreeable to the human condition.
The answers are all in the Bible (and historically and academically around the Bible). We definitely have answers --- but sadly many have given up and lazily take the atheistic or liberal route.
Well, this is a great place to bring up those questions once again. THEY WILL BE DEALT WITH. Although many may not like the answers.
I'll try to think of what some of my questions were throughout my journey. Of course, one answer often leads to more answers.