I wish I were a believer, but...

[quibbler]

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

 

[HTacianas]

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

Welcome to the forum. As to this:

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

Google logismoi. It's enlightening.

 

[AlexB23]

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

Welcome to the forum. Wow, you are much further than me and most Christians in the Bible, and you are right, pride is not good for us ( as stated in Matthew 6:2, 2 Corinthians 11:30, and Proverbs 11:2).


Did you study this verse? It shows how studying God's creation affirms his existence.

Psalm 111:2 "Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them."

This verse expresses admiration for God's great creation and works. Scientists engage with these works through their research and discovery. Faith and science complement each other, as both can acknowledge God's presence and power in the natural world. Scientific inquiry can be driven by a belief in a deeper meaning to the universe and a recognition of God's involvement. The verse affirms that studying God's works deepens our appreciation for and connection to the LORD.

Researchers that followed Jesus: Georges Lemâitre (priest who theorized Big Bang theory in 1920s, showing that universe had a point in time where it was created). Gregor Mendel was a German priest that developed the study of genetics during the 1850s while growing pea plants.

 

[quibbler]

Google leads me to Father Maximos of Mount Athos, whose advice is to dismiss the distracting logismoi and carry on as if they didn't exist. C S Lewis gives similar advice. But I've prayed daily for two whole years without any hint that anybody was listening. It's an evil generation that asks for a sign, but is it evil to want a hint that I'm not just making myself ridiculous?

But Fr Maximos has certainly given me something to think about.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

Come right in, Quibbler. We can always use another sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist out here on the fringes of society.

 

[quibbler]

AlexB23, I don't idolize science. Mendel (and Darwin and Dawkins, whose books I've read and tried to understand) have explained the how, not the why. The why is obvious to you, and sometimes it's obvious to me. But I'm merely introducing myself here, so perhaps we ought to debate elsewhere in these forums.

 

[quibbler]

Come right in, Quibbler. We can always use another sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist out here on the fringes of society.

Get thee behind me, 2PhiloVoid!

 

[AlexB23]

AlexB23, I don't idolize science. Mendel (and Darwin and Dawkins, whose books I've read and tried to understand) have explained the how, not the why. The why is obvious to you, and sometimes it's obvious to me. But I'm merely introducing myself here, so perhaps we ought to debate elsewhere in these forums.

Definitely brother. It is good that you do not idolize science. You are a wise man, my brother.

 

[quibbler]

Definitely brother. It is good that you do not idolize science. You are a wise man, my brother.

I'm neither wise nor your brother. I'm an unbeliever, and therefore your enemy. Your duty as a Christian is to love me and pray for me, not to like me or adopt me into your family. Agapē, not storgē or philē!

 

[AlexB23]

I'm neither wise nor your brother. I'm an unbeliever, and therefore your enemy. Your duty as a Christian is to love me and pray for me, not to like me or adopt me into your family. Agapē, not storgē or philē!

Most of my few friends that I have do not go to church, and a sizable percentage are atheist, as I love my neighbors. But, I will pray for you, that Jesus may seek your heart. But yes, agape is an important love.

So, what are your hobbies?

 

[quibbler]

Most of my few friends that I have do not go to church, and a sizable percentage are atheist, as I love my neighbors. But, I will pray for you, that Jesus may seek your heart. But yes, agape is an important love.

So, what are your hobbies?

My main hobby is stamp collecting. I also enjoy gardening.

Is there any biblical source for the concept of Jesus seeking my heart?

 

[d taylor]

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

-
​

Being a Christian (one who follows Christ) accounts for nothing. Unless a person has first believed in Jesus. Meaning they believe Jesus is who He says He is: which is the resurrection and the life, The promised Messiah/Son of God.

But it really boils down to belief. do you believe the Bible's witness about who Jesus is. That was the reason for The Gospel of John being written. To present Jesus to people who have not yet believed in Jesus, the book list 8 signs Jesus did to show/prove He is who He says He is. Ending with the ultimate proof His resurrection from death.

May you come to believe the witness The Bible gives about who Jesus is

 

[AlexB23]

My main hobby is stamp collecting. I also enjoy gardening.

Is there any biblical source for the concept of Jesus seeking my heart?

Stamp collecting is pretty cool. I do not do that, but collect state quarters on and off. How old are the oldest stamps in your collection? Also, do you have the Apollo stamps? You are from the UK, but US stamps are pretty popular also.

Apollo 8 Stamp: Man's First Trip to the Moon

But yes, Jesus seeks us, as stated in Luke and John. God loves us dearly, and wants to save us from ourselves.

Luke 19:10 (ESV): "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
John 6:44 (ESV): "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

 

[Ivan Hlavanda]

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

Hi welcome to this forum

I often get asked how I know there is God and why Jesus, when every religious person thinks their religion is true.

I always point to Jesus and His work on cross. God created us to have a relationship with Him, so we may delight in Him and worship Him. However sin keeps us away from God, therefore sin is death, and we deserve to be punished for our sins.

The difference between the God of Christianity and any other god is that the God of the Bible does something for your salvation by giving His Son that whomsoever believes in Him, will be saved. Whereas gods of other religion tell you what to do but they do not save you.

Despite us doing nothing but evil, God desires us all to be saved, He gave everything He had in His Son, who suffered and died for us, so by faith in Him we will be forgiven and have an everlasting life.

Have you heard of such love? For you a sinner, God gave His only Son so you might be saved and go to Heaven. You never thanked Him, never worshiped Him, never loved Him, and never obeyed Him. Yet He gave His only Son for you and now calls you to repent. God does not judge you or any of us the way we deserve, but this period of grace will end, so then God can justly punish every sin.

I know I cannot presuade you, but I'm writting this, because this is what you need to hear, that God is so loving, He gave His only Son for you. But if you reject His Salvation, you will perish.

 

[Diamond72]

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

Everything we can verify is true. Enough so we can trust the rest to be true. Sometimes we just have to take a chance and give our situation to God. God does not ever disappoint anyone. Even if He does things according to His own time. He does give us the desires of our heart and we do need to be careful what our heart desires.

 

[Sabertooth]

Hello & welcome.

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian.

Do you recognize your being born into fallen state and the God-Man Jesus as the only One who can redeem you?

If yes, what is stopping you from receiving His forgiveness & redemption?

If no, what value can be gained from your "fake it 'til you make it" approach?

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
For men will be

• lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
• boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
• unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving,
• slanderers,
• without self-control,
• brutal,
• despisers of good,
• traitors,
• headstrong, haughty,
• lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
• having a form of godliness but denying its power..." 2 Cor. 3:1-5 NKJV

 

[Grip Docility]

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

Allow me to test your knowledge… of scripture… because you have invested much time into it…

First Test: What source does one have to go through to re-establish the blood line of Jesus Christ, in comparison of New Testament lineages in Matthew and Luke, to find every name listed in the Old Testament bloodline?

Second test… Why do Matthew and Luke give a bloodline and what is the difference between the two lines?

Last… simple question… What does 1 John 2:27 mean?

 

[HIM]

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

Welcome. Why don't you believe?

 

[Matt5]

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

Generally, when people reject what their eyes can see then God makes it even more difficult to see.

This is an example as applied to Jews:

Romans 11:8 Just as it is written:

“God has given them [Jews] a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.”

So, you don't like to see what your eyes can see? Well, let me make it even more difficult. Jews during the 30s got a taste of sleeping. Christians today are pretty good sleepers. Atheists are excellent sleepers.

It's interesting that the Christian West led the way forward for the entire world. I guess that is in spite of Christianity. Let's see what happens now that the West is no longer Christian. Will the West even exist in 10 years, given existing threats? But if you are busy sleeping then you won't get it.

What do atheists offer us in place of Christianity? Well, they offer us the religion of atheists, aka religion of equality. That's where most atheists hang out. Of course, the only real way to equality is by force. In the meantime, the process of equality seems to be undermining all aspects of society, including eating Christianity from the inside out.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Get thee behind me, 2PhiloVoid!

Lol! ... don't you worry about me. I'm anything but a devil's advocate.