Thinking about god lot more lately.

Hi Dr.
Let me make a case using an analogy for why the "so many sects of Christianity" is not as big of an issue as you may imagine.

I am an experienced professional engineer. My colleagues and I will argue - in a friendly but intense way - when it comes to the best way to design the software controlling a specific process. If a person not understanding my discipline of engineering heard us, they may get the impression we are far apart on what we think. In reality, my colleagues and I agree much more than disagree, but is in the points of disagreement we sharpen our expertise and through argument become better at what we do.

To a great extent Christians are much the same about our faith; we argue on our points of difference while we almost universally agree on the fundamentals. The Apostle's Creed is a good statement of fundamental Christian doctrine with which we have almost universally agreed with one another across cultures and for all of our history. Do we at times disagree passionately at times? Of course. (Unlike my engineering beliefs, my beliefs regarding my faith are infinitely more core to life, so you'd expect the disagreements to be more passionate.)

Hope this helps tear down the meme about "so many sects of Christianity".

One thing I believe pertaining to you: no one comes to the God of Christianity unless God calls him. My hope is your struggle is a sign he is wooing you to himself. Finally, if he does open your heart to see him and reconciles you to himself, you will find him to be immensely satisfying. If you know what it is to be deeply thirsty, you may be able to catch a glimpse of what he was meaning when he claimed to be the "fount of living water."

Grace to you.

Dr.J0sh said:

I feel like I believe in god but I don't know if I believe the Christian god ya know?

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Well, you might read in the Bible about all our Father does with us and for us. I don't see the world's gods doing this with their people. For just one example, there is some god that is the god of military action; well, even if that one did grant military success, how much would that do for people?

"'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.'" (Matthew 11:28-30)

Like there are so many other gods and stuff. And there so many different sects of Christianity it just confuses me...

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There are groups that are wrong and counterfeits, maybe misguiding our attention. Our attention needs to first be to God and how He corrects us, ourselves, and all the good which we can read in His word . . . so much more and better than a number of denominations are telling us about . . . while they are so busy with some few items and their self-favoritism, calling attention to their own selves and not as much attention to God and how He has called us to be ruled by His own peace in our hearts >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

You might have noted that some number of groups call a lot of attention mostly to only a few items, and you might look and see how much more the Bible is talking about. So, don't let your attention be tricked into looking only at what is counterfeit. Or else, it can be like how ones look at only counterfeit money and then decide there is no such thing as money Well - - you don't know anyone who does that, do you?

Dr.J0sh said:

I feel like I believe in god but I don't know if I believe the Christian god ya know? Like there are so many other gods and stuff. And there so many different sects of Christianity it just confuses me...

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I won't try and sell a God to you, because it has to come from you personally. Its a journey, not always easy, but richly rewarding.

Just be aware that people who represent a faith are not always as they seem. Don't let a few deceivers or people of evil intentions mislead or put you off from faith. it is hard for a Christian to see the good in many professing believers, so I understand the struggle you may have. The amount of denominations can be confusing, there is no one size fits all unfortunately. As long as you do what God has purposed in your heart, then you are doing well.

Find those truly manifesting the teachings of God, not in words. The hidden treasures you won't find easily, yet when you find them you will understand.

The LCMS is the most correct religion you will find. I have done 20 years of research on religion and have found that it is by far the best and most true religion.

http://www.lcms.org

Best thing you can do is ask God for guidance! Pray to God, anywhere! Doesn't have to be a church. Ask him to guide you in your journey into his loving arms.

God wants you to go to him. To ask him for help and guidance.

Take your time thinking about denominations. God will direct you.

There is only one God. One Jesus, the true son of the Living God!

God bless you my friend

Here us a paper I think can help a serious seeker:

RESPONDING TO GOD'S LOVE ---

We know some people do not believe in God, or are indifferent about Him; but I suggest one would do well to think about this:

What would it hurt to believe that God is real, and as a loving and holy God He created the vast universe, this wondrous world and man ---and man then disobeyed God and fell in sin, as the Bible tells us? Man believes all kinds of things outside of the Bible without tangible proof, but the evidence of God is manifest everywhere, even in our conscience.

What would it hurt to believe that God set about to rescue and recover and restore His people; and in His great and matchless love as a Father of mankind, He paid the awful price of redemption for eternal blessing on the Cross of Christ, and offers it as a gift to whoever will care enough to respond and receive it? God's holy Word states this.

What would it hurt to believe God loves man (as He said in His Word)? Strangely, many people have no regard for our loving Creator and want their own ways and ideas in rebellion against Him.

What would it hurt to lay aside pride and acknowledge that we are all sinful in thought and deed before a holy and righteous God ---because God says this is true?

What would it hurt to receive God's gift of eternal life in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ ---a personal experience, who suffered and died to pay the price of redemption for our sins as eternal justice demands, and rose again to assure us? We can then walk through life in the joy, peace, and power of His presence and care. This is not talking about a concept or ideology, but a true relationship---receiving the Person of Jesus Christ into one's heart by faith and thanksgiving; for there is no other way given for eternal salvation and blessings as the Bible declares. Would that hurt one's pride?

What would it hurt if one finds after death the gospel message in the Holy Bible was in fact true (John 3:16 & all of John 14), and that one has missed the heavenly blessing for eternity (note 1 Jn. 5:10-12)? Have you stopped to wonder if what you believe will hurt?

Faithful believers in Christ would not want one to be hurt, and God does not want one to be hurt, but there is no salvation after death as we are forewarned. Believing the wrong thing may hurt for eternity when God judges sin and one is cast away with the world, and one's eternal soul is condemned forever as the Bible tells us. Think about it! - RLD: from biblecounsel.net

Dr.J0sh said:

I feel like I believe in god but I don't know if I believe the Christian god ya know? Like there are so many other gods and stuff. And there so many different sects of Christianity it just confuses me...

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Josh, if you haven't done so already, you need to get a good book on the history of Christian thought (covering the developments taking place over the past 2,000 years.) By doing this one thing, you'll gain some clarity as to 'why' all these different movements and denominations exist in the first place. If you ignore this exercise in learning, then you'll continue to be confused.

There are many books (and even a few websites) that you can use to explore various aspects of these historic developments and interconnections among the variety of expressions of Christian thought. I've got about a dozen different sources myself.

Additionally, I would suggest that you compare and contrast three or four sources that come at the history of Christian thought from different angles and positions (e.g. liberal vs. conservative points of view).

Anyway, this is my suggestion. I think it will help, although it may take some time to sort through.

Peace
2PhiloVoid

Dr.J0sh said:

I feel like I believe in god but I don't know if I believe the Christian god ya know? Like there are so many other gods and stuff. And there so many different sects of Christianity it just confuses me...

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Not sure about the Christian God? How do we know that Christianity is true and that all other religions are not? The simple answer is, because the Bible says so. BUT, that begs the question, how do we know that the Bible is true?!

If the Bible is true, Christianity is true and the God of Christianity is the one, true God, and by extension, all other religions are false because they all have one, or more, beliefs that contradict the essential truths the Bible.

The Bible was written over a period of 1,600 years, by 40 God chosen men, who lived on 3 separate continents and they all wrote about the same thing, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There were no mail delivery trucks, no drop ship planes, no Federal Express, no UPS and no email, yet when all of the writings were put together they present one unified message. The Bible is truly the inspired Word of God.

If the Bible is true, Christianity is true. How much research have you done on proving the validity of the Bible? Following are some topics and links I hope you will look into, concerning the validity of the Bible. Please lay your doubt aside and proceed with an open mind, and heart, and see what the evidence has to say.

An excellent eBook on the subject: In Defense of the Bible's Inspiration
Proof of Textual Evidence
Old Testament: The Dead Sea Scrolls and Biblical Integrity
New Testament: http://www.carm.org/questions/textualevidence.htm
More on the Bible: http://www.carm.org/bible.htm
Proof of People Living at the Time of Christ
http://www.carm.org/questions/extrabiblical_accounts.htm
http://www.carm.org/questions/Josephus.htm
Proof of Archaeology
http://www.christiananswers.net/archaeology/home.html#general
http://www.biblicalarcheology.net/
http://www.carm.org/questions/evidence_archaeological.htm
Proof of Science
Statements Consistent With Paleontology
Statements Consistent With Astronomy
Statements Consistent With Meteorology
Statements Consistent With Biology
Statements Consistent With Anthropology
Statements Consistent With Hydrology
Statements Consistent With Geology
http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/science.shtml
http://www.carm.org/bible/ms_science.htm
http://www.eternal-productions.org/101science.html
Proof of Prophecy (Messanic & dealing with nations)
http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/m_prophecies.shtml
http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/fulfill.shtml
http://www.carm.org/bible/prophecy.htm
http://prophecyrevealed.com/friendbook9thPrinting.pdf (awesome eBook)
http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/b_proof.shtml
Biblical prophecy is one of the strongest proofs for me. No one, but God, can tell you what's going to happen, before it happens, with 100% accuracy. Two, of the many, incredible prophecies of the Bible is the foretelling about what would happen to the city of Tyre~~~> http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=13&article=1790 and the Rebirth of the nation of Israel in 1948~~~> http://www.grantjeffrey.com/pdf/JeffBIBLE-EzekVision2.pdf.

If the Bible is true, Christianity is true. In Christianity, faith is required but it does not have to be a blind faith.

Sometimes, it's just enough to believe.

Just look at all of the prophecies that came true. That should be a tip off that Christianity is the real deal. As to the sects, I lean more towards non denominational or lutheran, but I think that if your beliefs adhere to the Bible and not something else, you are on the right track.

Just remember Josh it is a walk with God. It all does not happen overnight and it shouldn't happen that way. Just begin somewhere and see how it goes. Find a good bible-based church and many churches have a class like Christianity 101 that will help you with the basics.

Enjoy it along the way, God is good.

Dr.J0sh said:

I feel like I believe in god but I don't know if I believe the Christian god ya know? Like there are so many other gods and stuff. And there so many different sects of Christianity it just confuses me...

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There is no other God who was killed by his own people, and died and rose again, the different sects are like branches on a tree of Christianity, but they all share the same trunk and roots. and they branch out over the silliest pettiest things that have nothing to do with the basic message of Christianity. The basic message remains the same (in most groups anyway)

God Bless!

Dr.J0sh said:

I feel like I believe in god but I don't know if I believe the Christian god ya know? Like there are so many other gods and stuff. And there so many different sects of Christianity it just confuses me...

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The many different sects thing is easy to handle, it is like our current status of physics, the things we don't understand we have so many different theories that people tries to prove.

However all Christians are unified on the message of the Bible, that is love, to Love God and Love your neighbors as yourself, and even your enemies, and that we can't be saved by our own work, but by God's grace. Those I held as absolute truth.

I have researched all other major religions in an out, and almost went to Taoist/Buddhism, and in fact if you come as an atheist/humanist, they are a natural fit. I eventually found out that by my own I will never archive that level.

Islam is another major religion, the thing about Islam is, almost every Muslim you find will tell you that Gospel is distorted or lost and Torah is distorted, and yet the Quran mentions none of that and says Christians should judged by Gospel and Jews should follow Torah, and that when in doubt, ask the people of the book.

There are other religions as well, one of the atheist told me about some god in Japan that all you need to do is clap your hands for it every year. I don't want to waste my energy on those any more

Dr.J0sh said:

I feel like I believe in god but I don't know if I believe the Christian god ya know? Like there are so many other gods and stuff. And there so many different sects of Christianity it just confuses me...

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You've taken a huge leap to say that you believe in God, Allah'u'abha. For now just take some time for the greater ramifications of that to sink in my friend

Dr.J0sh said:

Wait prophecies came true? Like what kind exactly?

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Here ya go:
http://www.accordingtothescriptures.org/prophecy/353prophecies.html