| Christian Apologetics A forum to discuss the systematic defense of the Christian belief system with other Christians. |
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3rd November 2009, 04:24 PM
|  | Do I dig the hole before, or after?
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Reps: 491,756,426,424,661,120 (power: 491,756,426,424,679) | | | A short answer is that I believe in God for the same reason I believe in the electric company. I don't see them, but there is evidence all around that they are there.
But in reality, I don't believe that the evidence for God will convince an atheist unless God has changed their heart. I think talking about evidences, though, is good to help bolster the faith of believers. What I would tell friends is that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. If they believe this, they will be saved. If not, they won't.
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"We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours." John of Salisbury, 1159
As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly. |
3rd November 2009, 04:36 PM
|  | Whoever says, ‘You fool’?
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| | Join Date: 9th July 2008
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Reps: 308,822,204,731,144,320 (power: 308,822,204,731,149) | | | "I had no choice - He chose me to believe in Him".
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Christ didn't die for peace in heaven - He died for peace on earth.
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5th November 2009, 04:58 PM
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Reps: 28,272,661,112,735 (power: 28,272,661,115) | | | You could try this for an answer: If you don't believe in something, you'll fall for anything.
Peace and all good,
Gail |
5th November 2009, 08:45 PM
| | Do I dig the hole before, or after?
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| | Join Date: 5th April 2007 Location: New Haven, Missouri (when i'm not on the road)
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Reps: 491,756,426,424,661,120 (power: 491,756,426,424,679) | | Originally Posted by GailMc  You could try this for an answer: If you don't believe in something, you'll fall for anything.
Peace and all good,
Gail
What if they choose to believe in unicorns?
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"We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours." John of Salisbury, 1159
As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly. |
5th November 2009, 11:41 PM
|  | Woe those who call evil good + good evil. Is 5:20
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| | Join Date: 29th July 2007
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Reps: 398,724,314,321,260,160 (power: 398,724,314,321,270) | | Originally Posted by Hammster What if they choose to believe in unicorns?
Then they are probably Fundamentalists who read Job 39:9.  |
6th November 2009, 01:30 PM
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Reps: 4,107,008,432 (power: 4,107,011) | | | I choose to believe. In a world that teaches me that money is everything: that happiness can be found only through pornography, drugs, alcohol and other addictions: and that my net worth is dependant on the type of car I drive, house I live in, and the types of clothes that I wear; living a life centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ is a vehement declaration to the world that there is better way to happiness, a road to something greater, and a truthful understanding of how much I'm really worth. To me, it is test proven. When I "follow Him" I've always felt the type of lasting joy discussed of in the scriptures. When I do not, there is a paucity of that same joy - That's is proof enough for me. |
6th November 2009, 04:21 PM
| | Do I dig the hole before, or after?
43
| | Join Date: 5th April 2007 Location: New Haven, Missouri (when i'm not on the road)
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Reps: 491,756,426,424,661,120 (power: 491,756,426,424,679) | | Originally Posted by JS-POG I choose to believe. In a world that teaches me that money is everything: that happiness can be found only through pornography, drugs, alcohol and other addictions: and that my net worth is dependant on the type of car I drive, house I live in, and the types of clothes that I wear; living a life centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ is a vehement declaration to the world that there is better way to happiness, a road to something greater, and a truthful understanding of how much I'm really worth. To me, it is test proven. When I "follow Him" I've always felt the type of lasting joy discussed of in the scriptures. When I do not, there is a paucity of that same joy - That's is proof enough for me.
A Mormon or JW would probably say the same thing.
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"We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours." John of Salisbury, 1159
As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly. |
6th November 2009, 05:21 PM
|  | Go, and sin no more...
| | Join Date: 31st August 2007
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Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,846) | | Well, it may sound trite to some, but I always go to the bible - Romans 10:17 says "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
Take a look at the verse in context.
I came to belief in Him by hearing His word, by being taught the bible, and by studying it on my own - and my faith is built in studying it with others (among other things). Paul says, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made,..." - Romans 1:20
The evidences of God are all around us and provide, at a minimum, proof of His existence. But knowledge of Him, of His character, His nature, His being are only found in His word - the bible. I don't know how one can come to a saving belief apart from the word, to be honest. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. - Heb 4:12
God spoke to me through His word. I read it, it touched me; I believed it.
I would strongly suggest not engaging anyone in an apologetic conversation, but get them into the bible. And until they want to study the bible with you, it's very likely they'll not be open or receptive to anything you'll have to say otherwise.
Until then, live your new life, being an example of the change God has made in your own life. Be gracious, loving, understanding. 
__________________ "I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you." - Isa 44:22 |
6th November 2009, 05:35 PM
|  | Veteran
| | Join Date: 27th February 2006
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Reps: 29,322,436,882,065,860 (power: 29,322,436,882,073) | | Originally Posted by faceofbear Hey,
I am newly saved and many atheist and agnostics ask me why I believe in God and I tend to have a very long answer to this explaining a lot of how we know the Bible is God's word etc, but I feel there is probably a more easier approach to this possibly just going through Romans 1 about how creation is enough, how do some of you answer this question.
What kind of an answer are they looking for?
Are they looking for you to provide some reason behind why you believe God exist?
Or is it simply a question based on moral standing?
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I'd be a atheist if it weren't for God.
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
"Here lies an atheist; all dressed up and no place to go." Epitaph in Maryland cemetery
I tried atheism for a while, but my faith just wasn’t strong enough.
Those who go to Heaven ride on a pass and enter into blessings that they never earned, but all who go to hell pay their own way.
--John R. Rice
Atheist: The only people on the planet who can turn "Nothing" into "I know what there is to know of nothing." |
7th November 2009, 02:13 PM
| | Newbie
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Reps: 4,107,008,432 (power: 4,107,011) | | Originally Posted by Hammster A Mormon or JW would probably say the same thing.
They would be right to say so. Whether or not a Mormon or a JW would "probably say the same thing" is irrelevant. I am a Christian and I'm saying it. Jacomus is right, he may not have said it directly but most Christians have the arrogant misbelief that if they back their reasons with the ethotic rhetoric surrounding scriptures then "that'll show them". Well, much to many Christians disappointment, nothing that you "believe" or "know" concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ is backed by empirical, falsifiable evidence. That said, any response that deviates from anything but mere choice or the reality that said belief makes you happy will inexorably be regarded as unsupported, unsubstantiated and will only add fuel to there argument that we are overly-incorporeal in our beliefs. | | |
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