Christianity raising more questions than answering them?

I'm not necessarily sure either, Nick, but I would encourage you to hang around the "Christians ONLY" forums for awhile, and avoid the other ones like "General Apoletics." Don't get caught up in their confusion.

I would recommend visiting a Christian bookstore and browsing around. You will probably find something that answers some of the questions you have.

2 Timothy 2:22-26
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

 

I think someone quoted this scripture in the past, I just forget who it was.

Nick, i once heard someone said that there haven't been any questions that Christianity can't answer. Knowing how limited my knowledge is, i admit that i don't know the answers, but that doesn't mean the answers aren't out there.

be wide reading, that'd be what i do to search for more answers, but psycmajor's right, be firm on your path before going into areas that you know nothing about.

as for your questions, i learn from reading other people's testimonies that struggles do bring out the best values in life which we often miss, and it is through struggles that we come to appreciate life and God better. For example, many famous people observe how the poor actually possess true happiness.

I'm praying for you.

To your list of what you know will always be true, add this: God is Sovereign. Right now, we know in part, but someday we know in full. But many of our questions can be answered by knowing the character of God, which is revealed in His Word. If we read the Word of God to find out what we can or can't do, or what we are supposed to do, we may very well miss the revelation of the character of the very Author of the Word. (I'm not saying you do this...I'm just thinking out loud). And...its ok to have questions. God can handle it.

Well now Nick. At times like those, it is a good idea to follow the admonition "Whatever is good, whatever is honourable, whatever is just and pure - let your mind dwell on these things." (Oh, and welcome to the quest for truth BTW - it is sort of one of the marks of being Christian - though there are un-believers and such who will have one or more of the definitive marks, they won't have them all.)

Oh Praise God!

That's the way the Chrsitian life works Nick! The more you know the more there is to learn!

It is much better to have all the questions than to think you have all the answers. In time, with study and experience with God, those questions will get answered. They are there to provoke you to study and spend time with God, getting to know who he is and what he is like.

Keep sitcking with God, and eventually it'll all come together.

Hi nick if god created us perfect and to a certain specifications then thats not love.

One of gods ultimate acts of love is he gave everyone a choice to walk with him or just live their lives. He loves us so much he gave everyone a unique personality mindset and choice of lifestyle. Thats why we have to have faith and if you have faith and step out in faith then you will see

Creating us all to beleave in him from the start and keeping a perfect creation is more like god creating us like puppets and is not rearlly love. Parents give their children a freedom and try and guide them to what they think is right however that child witll eventually follow thier own path.

Nick,

I understand and empathize with you.  In our limited perception, it seems like there's gotta be an easier, less painful way for us to exist in harmony with God.  I don't pretend to have any concrete answers, but I'll share with you what I think, and what I believe...

Why did God create humans imperfect?

Click to expand...

The truth is, He didn't.  Adam and Eve were created to have direct fellowship with God.  But He also gave them free will--a choice.  Why?  Because a true loving relationship must be a choice.  You cannot force someone to love you.  So when Adam and Eve chose to sin (disobey God), they became imperfect.  And because perfection cannot come from imperfection, we are affected by their sin.  Does that make sense?

Why did God create Adam knowing he was going to sin?

Click to expand...

That's a good question.  The Bible says it was His plan from the beginning that we would be reconciled to Him through Jesus.  Maybe we needed the fall to keep all of us from being consumed by pride, as Lucifer was and is.  By going through our own sin/redemption process, we are humbled and constantly reminded of our dependency on God's grace.

Is there some greater purpose in the end that will be shown?  Is taking the longer road (sin, humanity, struggle, death) going to have a better outcome than the easier road (created in heaven, eternal fellowhip).

Click to expand...

Personally, I believe it will.  I think the struggles and the growth we have to endure while growing our relationship with the Father through His grace will allow a much deeper and stronger relationship than if we had no hardships at all.  I was once told that angels have no concept of grace and are fascinated by our unique relationship with God through Jesus.  I don't know if that's true or not, as I have never spoken to an angel.  But if it is, it would support my theory.  Think of it this way--who are you more likely to have a deep, meaningful relationship with; your teammate on a Super Bowl winning team, or someone who works in the cubicle next to yours?

Are all of life's lessons going to be beneficial to God and I's relationship once I enter heaven?

Click to expand...

Absolutely!  In fact, all of your life experiences are used to strengthen your relationship with Him NOW, as well as to equip you to witness to others in all sorts of ways.  Not one experience you have in your life is meaningless.  There is intention and value in everything you go through.  Through trial, we learn of God's unwavering faithfulness, which strengthens our trust in Him.  And the more we trust in Him, the more intimate our relationship will become.

It's things like that which I struggle with.  Maybe we are all suppossed to struggle with these questions to look for God more for guidence. 

Click to expand...

I think we all struggle with these issues from time to time.  And anything that forces us to become more dependent on God is a good thing, IMHO.  Hope this helps!