Deep topics and I need help...

B

Bible2

Guest
wheredowego said in post 1:

I am only searching for the truth. Something that I can hold on to, the faith, the hope that there is the kingdom - heaven. I hope I can be there.

The person of Jesus Christ himself is the only truth and the only way by which people can get to God the Father in heaven (John 14:6, John 3:36, Acts 4:12; 2 John 1:9).

If people haven't become Christians yet, all they need to do in order to become Christians is believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and the human/divine Son of God (John 20:31, John 3:36; 1 John 2:23), and that he died on the Cross for their sins and rose from the dead on the 3rd day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 24:46-47, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 26:28).

After people become Christians, to help develop and keep up their relationship with God, they should pray to him every day, such as with the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), praising and worshipping him, confessing their sins to him, asking him for what they need today, and thanking him for all that he has given them (Philippians 4:6). And throughout the day, they should immediately bring to him in prayer anything that they become worried about at anytime (Philippians 4:6-7).

They should also fellowship with other Christians every day (Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:25), at least in some fashion (Matthew 18:20), such as on this forum, being exhorted by them and exhorting them in turn (Hebrews 3:13).

They also need to examine themselves to make sure that they're truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 14:12). The way to do this is to read every word of the Bible (Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 4:4) and see if they accept everything it teaches as having come from God (John 8:47; 2 Timothy 3:16). For just as a true faith will initially come from reading (or hearing) what the Bible teaches (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:15), so people can know that they're remaining in the true faith if they continue to believe that everything the Bible teaches came from God (John 8:31b; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 1 Timothy 4:1, Mark 8:35-38).

In order to have any real relationship with Jesus, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), most importantly people must believe the right things about Jesus (John 14:6-7): that he's God the Word made flesh (John 1:1,14), that he's the Christ (1 John 5:1; 1 John 2:22), and that he's the only begotten (only born) Son of God (John 3:16,36; 1 John 2:23), meaning that he's the only person ever born without any human father (Luke 1:34-35). And people must believe that Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21) and so he could die on the Cross for people's sins and rise from the dead on the 3rd day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He rose and will remain forever in an immortal, flesh and bones human body (Luke 24:39; 2 John 1:7) as saved people's eternally-human high priest/mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 2:16-17, Hebrews 7:24-26).

Once people come into faith in Jesus, they must obey him, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, by repenting from all their sins and getting water-immersion (burial) baptized into Jesus (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-5, Galatians 3:27). And they must partake of the divine flesh and blood of the bread and wine of communion (John 6:53, Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:27-30). And they can get hands laid on them to receive Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 8:17) and one or more of the Holy Spirit's wonderful Spiritual gifts (Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Then, washed from their sins by water baptism (Acts 22:16) and empowered by the Holy Spirit within them (Acts 1:8, Ephesians 3:16), they must each and every day for the rest of their lives deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 5:15), by continuing in the faith to the end (Hebrews 3:6,12,14, Hebrews 6:4-8, John 15:6; 2 Timothy 2:12), by repenting to the end from every sin that they might commit (Hebrews 10:26-29; 1 Corinthians 9:27, Luke 12:45-46), and by doing to the end the particular spiritual works which he has given them as individuals to do (Mark 13:34, Romans 12:6-8, Titus 3:8).

But if they as believers wrongly employ their free will to refuse to do these things, then they can't expect to have any continued real relationship with Jesus, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. For a continued real relationship with them requires that people not only continue to believe in them, but also continue to obey them (John 15:10, John 14:21,23). Faith without works is dead (James 2:20) and can't ultimately save people (James 2:14-26, Romans 2:6-8, Matthew 7:21, Hebrews 5:9).

wheredowego said in post 1:

Why before Jesus was born, God commanded people to kill other people? Though the other people were against god, shouldn't we all forgive each other? Isn't it in the 10 commandments that thou shall not kill?

In Deuteronomy 5:17, "kill" meant murder (Matthew 19:18), not capital punishment (Deuteronomy 17:5-7, Romans 13:4).

In the Old Testament, when God commanded people to kill other people, that wasn't murder on his or their part, but capital punishment (cf. Romans 13:4). "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). But God can also show great mercy toward us sinners (Romans 5:8-11, Luke 18:9-14).

Under the New Covenant, which Christians are under (Matthew 26:28, Jeremiah 31:31), Christians are commanded never to harm anyone, even in self-defense (Matthew 5:39,44, Matthew 26:52; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Believers don't employ physical weapons or any other violence against people (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 6:12-18). Instead, Jesus at his first coming set the example for believers of what they're to do when they're physically attacked by people (1 Peter 2:19-23). Believers are to go meekly like sheep to the slaughter (Romans 8:36), just like Jesus did (Isaiah 53:7). Obedient believers know that death is no loss for them, but gain (Philippians 1:21), as it brings their souls into heaven to be with Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:8), which is far better than remaining in this world (Philippians 1:23). During the future tribulation, believers will have to face martyrdom with patience and faith to the end (Revelation 13:7-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4, Matthew 24:9-13), just as believers have always had to spiritually overcome in the face of martyrdom (e.g. Revelation 2:10-11). Obedient believers shouldn't fear death (Hebrews 2:15), and shouldn't love their lives unto death (Revelation 12:11b), but should hate their lives in this world if they're to retain eternal life (John 12:25, Mark 8:34-38).

Also, Christians are commanded to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44), and that means they must do them no harm (Romans 13:10a, Matthew 7:12).

wheredowego said in post 1:

I can understand why there are so many Christian denominations, but there are just too many controversies? Some says Jesus wasn't even the Messiah? Praying to Mary? Who and what should I stick with? Where should my faith goes to? What is for sure? If nothing is for sure, how can I have faith?

1 Corinthians 1:10 commands believers to close their divisions now, because it's possible to do so, if every believer is willing to take into account every word of the Bible (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16) when interpreting any one verse (Isaiah 28:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:13).
 
Upvote 0

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Lastly...

I "gave up" on reading the bible... because I felt that my heart wasn't there reading the bible... because I don't understand a single thing in there. Its like a whole new language. However, I am actively reading a picture bible now... (like a comic bible) .. and its pathetic of me! But I felt i learn about the stories and what actually happened during Jesus time ... It's so much easier to absorbed.

I know that that idea seems odd, but I agree with you that it's a good idea. It's worked for others.

By the way, people who do have more familiarity with the Bible nevertheless also ask about reading and understanding it better. There are various suggestions that have been made about that, and maybe they will help you, too.

The main point in all of this is Christ, so you could take a modern-language New Testament like the Today's English Version (TEV) or another one in simpler language and read the books in a certain order. For instance, the Gospel of Mark (the most direct and least mystical of the Gospels), followed by the other Gospels, then the rest of the New Testament to get Christ's message down. Finally, turn to the Old Testament. Although it normally comes first, is the oldest and biggest part of the Bible, it's a prelude to the coming of the Savior.

If you see the Old Testament in perspective as something leading a primitive people up to the coming of Jesus, when they were ready for that...it will make some of your questions about the OT religious rules, etc. easier to put into place. That's what you are talking about below.

The only thing that I was disturbed was the killing of people that I read in the picture bible... (which was answered in my earlier post) ..

And the sacrifices that Christians have to make, like killing a lamb? Isn't that alive ? ... And in the olden days, they pray to an altar ? Isn't it like some "cow stone " god that we aren't suppose to pray to..? I guess I'll be faithful and learn the truth along the way.
If one thing for sure, that god is real, and Jesus was indeed the messiah (because Judaism suggested that the messiah haven't even come to earth yet?) , I will worship God...
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

shawnavery

this space for rent
Sep 2, 2013
397
20
53
christiana PA
✟8,148.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I know that that idea seems odd, but I agree with you that it's a good idea. It's worked for others.

By the way, people who do have more familiarity with the Bible nevertheless also ask about reading and understanding it better. There are various suggestions that have been made about that, and maybe they will help you, too.

The main point in all of this is Christ, so you could take a modern-language New Testament like the Today's English Version (TEV) or another one in simpler language and read the books in a certain order. For instance, the Gospel of Mark (the most direct and least mystical of the Gospels), followed by the other Gospels, then the rest of the New Testament to get Christ's message down. Finally, turn to the Old Testament. Although it normally comes first, is the oldest and biggest part of the Bible, it's a prelude to the coming of the Savior.

If you see the Old Testament in perspective as something leading a primitive people up to the coming of Jesus, when they were ready for that...it will make some of your questions about the OT religious rules, etc. easier to put into place. That's what you are talking about below.

I second that . very good advise

John 3:16
 
Upvote 0

Emmy

Senior Veteran
Feb 15, 2004
10,199
939
✟50,995.00
Faith
Salvation Army
Dear wheredowego. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus told a Lawyer: " The first and
great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself."
Then Jesus stated this fact: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our Love, freely given and No conditions asked.
A good start is: Treat all you know and all you meet, friends and not friends,
treat all as you would love to be treated: with kindness and always friendly words. Jesus will give you His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower
you with His Love, also. Jesus told us: " ask and ye shall receive," then thank God and share all Love and Joy with your neighbour. ( Matthew 7: 7-8)
God will see your efforts and God will bless you. Keep asking God and thanking God, then sharing all Love and Joy with all around you. Love is a
Christian`s strong weapon, with love we can overcome all enmity and change
all wrong behaviour. Jesus will help and guide you,: JESUS IS THE WAY.
Keep talking to Jesus, tell Him all your deep thoughts and ask His help when
ever you need Him. Jesus died that we might live.
You might stumble and forget at times, but then ask God to forgive you,
and carry on loving and caring. We are the only representatives which God has
in this imperfect world, being loving and caring will make us sign-posts to
God our Heavenly Father. I say this with love, wheredowego.
Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.
 
Upvote 0

AvgJoe

Member since 2005
Site Supporter
Feb 5, 2005
2,748
1,099
Texas
✟332,816.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Private
I'm not very sure if i'm a new christian, I grew up believing in God. I went to churches, attend services on and off, and now off for many years. Basically, I don't pray much, BUT only when I am in need of help.

I feel very disturbed, depressed. Ashamed.

I only look forward to the day my life could end, but I would never kill myself because of the fear of pain.

I am only searching for the truth. Something that I can hold on to, the faith, the hope that there is the kingdom - heaven. I hope I can be there.

Hi wheredowego,

Welcome to CF! I hope all of the good folk here can help you with your questions and concerns. The biggest question I see in your post is, "Am I saved?"

We do not gain salvation from our good works, the good things that we do in life. The Bible teaches that no amount of human goodness, human works, human morality or religious activity can get anyone into Heaven. Being a good person, belonging to a religious family, being baptized, going to church, none of these can save anyone. Everyone still falls short of God’s perfect standard. (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 4:1-5, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-7)

There is only one way to be saved, and that is through Jesus. Jesus said to him, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) me” (John 14:6). In Mark 1:15, Jesus tells us how to be saved, when He said, "...repent and believe the Gospel."

What must I do to be saved?

1) Admit you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23, 5:12; 1 John 1:10)


2) Be willing to turn from sin (repent).
  • Jesus said: “…unless you repent (have a change of heart and turn away from sin), you will all perish and be lost eternally. (Luke 13:5)
  • …now God charges all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30)
3) Believe that Jesus died for you, was buried and rose from the dead.
  • We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in the same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger (wrath) against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed His blood, sacrificing His Life for us. (Romans 3:23, 25)
  • For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
4) Go to God in prayer, confessing Jesus as Lord and your need for forgiveness of your sins. Give your life to Jesus, making Him the Lord of your life.
  • For it is believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (Romans 10:10)
  • For anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.(Romans 10:13)
The above is what the Bible says about salvation. I hope it is helpful to you.

Concerning your other questions, I'll try to help with #1,

1) Why do Holy Wars exist? Why before Jesus was born, God commanded people to kill other people? Though the other people were against god, shouldn't we all forgive each other? Isn't it in the 10 commandments that thou shall not kill?

There are so many biblical questions, that it is difficult to know all the answers, and yours is one of the more difficult ones, however, one of my favorite Bible answer websites, www.gotquestions.org , is going to be my source, to provide an answer to your question. The answer...

The fact that God commanded the killing of entire nations in the Old Testament has been the subject of harsh criticism from opponents of Christianity for some time. That there was violence in the Old Testament is indisputable. The question is whether Old Testament violence is justifiable and condoned by God. In his bestselling book The God Delusion, atheist Richard Dawkins refers to the God of the Old Testament as "a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser." Journalist Christopher Hitchens complains that the Old Testament contains a warrant for "indiscriminate massacre." Other critics of Christianity have leveled similar charges, accusing Yahweh of "crimes against humanity."

But are these criticisms valid? Is the God of the Old Testament a “moral monster” who arbitrarily commands genocide against innocent men, women, and children? Was His reaction to the sins of the Canaanites and the Amalekites a vicious form of "ethnic cleansing" no different from atrocities committed by the Nazis? Or is it possible that God could have had morally sufficient reasons for ordering the destruction of these nations?

A basic knowledge of Canaanite culture reveals its inherent moral wickedness. The Canaanites were a brutal, aggressive people who engaged in inappropriate behavior with animals, incest, and even child sacrifice. Deviant sexual acts were the norm. The Canaanites’ sin was so repellent that God said, “The land vomited out its inhabitants” (Leviticus 18:25). Even so, the destruction was directed more at the Canaanite religion (Deuteronomy 7:3-5, 12:2-3) than at the Canaanite people per se. The judgment was not ethnically motivated. Individual Canaanites, like Rahab in Jericho, could still find that mercy follows repentance (Joshua 2). God's desire is that the wicked turn from their sin rather than die (Ezekiel 18:31-32, 33:11).

Besides dealing with national sins, God used the conquest of Canaan to create a religious/historical context in which He could eventually introduce the Messiah to the world. This Messiah would bring salvation not only to Israel, but also to Israel’s enemies, including Canaan (Psalm 87:4-6; Mark 7:25-30).

It must be remembered that God gave the Canaanite people more than sufficient time to repent of their evil ways—over 400 years (Genesis 15:13-16)! The book of Hebrews tells us that the Canaanites were "disobedient," a word that implies moral culpability on their part (Hebrews 11:31). The Canaanites were aware of God's power (Joshua 2:10-11, 9:9) and could have sought repentance. Except in rare instances, they continued their rebellion against God until the bitter end.

But didn't God also command the Israelites to kill non-combatants? The biblical record is clear that He did. Here again, we must remember that while it is true the Canaanite women did not fight, this in no way means they were innocent, as their seductive behavior in Numbers 25 indicates (Numbers 25:1-3). However, the question still remains: what about the children? This is not an easy question to answer but we must keep several things in mind. First, no human person (including infants) is truly innocent. The Scripture teaches that we are all born in sin (Psalm 51:5, 58:3). This implies that all people are morally culpable for Adam’s sin in some way. Infants are just as condemned from sin as adults are.

Second, God is sovereign over all of life and can take it whenever He sees fit. God, and God alone, can give life and God alone has the right to take it whenever He so chooses. In fact, He ultimately takes every person's life at death. It is not our life to begin with but God’s. While it is wrong for us to take a life, except in instances of capital punishment, war, and self-defense, this does not mean that it is wrong for God to do so. We intuitively recognize this when we accuse some person or authority who takes human life as "playing God." God is under no obligation to extend anyone's life for even another day. How and when we die is completely up to Him.

Third, an argument could be made that it would have been cruel for God to take the lives of all the Canaanites except the infants and children. Without the protection and support of their parents, the infants and small children were likely to face death anyway due to starvation. The chances of survival for an orphan in the ancient Near East were not good.

Finally, and most importantly, God may have provided for the salvation for those infants who would not have otherwise attained salvation if they had lived into adulthood. We must remember that the Canaanites were a barbarous and evil culture. If those infants and children had lived into adulthood, it is very likely they would have turned into something similar to their parents and been condemned to hell after they died. If all infants and young children who die before an age of moral accountability go straight to heaven (as we believe), then those children are in a far better place than if God had allowed them to live and grow to maturity in a depraved culture.

Surely the issue of God commanding violence in the Old Testament is difficult. However, we must remember that God sees things from an eternal perspective, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). The Apostle Paul tells us that God is both kind and severe (Romans 11:22). While it is true that God's holy character demands that sin be punished, His grace and mercy remain extended to those who are willing to repent and be saved. The Canaanite destruction provides us with a sober reminder that while our God is gracious and merciful, He is also a God of holiness and wrath.

Source: Why did God condone such terrible violence in the Old Testament?
 
Upvote 0

thesunisout

growing in grace
Site Supporter
Mar 24, 2011
4,761
1,399
He lifts me up
✟159,601.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I'm not very sure if i'm a new christian, I grew up believing in God. I went to churches, attend services on and off, and now off for many years. Basically, I don't pray much, BUT only when I am in need of help.

Hey wheredowego, welcome to the forum and don't be ashamed; it's biblical to wrestle with God. Just don't put Him on trial because none of us are entitled to judge Him. The one thing we know for sure is that we are all morally imperfect beings and therefore we cannot judge a holy God.

I am happy to tell you that the character of God can withstand any scrutiny because He is a perfectly good God; holy, just and righteous. I can also tell you that Heaven is real, and Jesus is the messiah. How do I know that? Because I have had an encounter with the living God and He made me into a new person. I know the bible is His word because He showed me that it is, and also, it is the only book that accurately explains what happened to me.

What is wonderful to me is what you said a few posts back; you said that if God is real and Jesus is His Son you will worship Him. That is exactly the correct posture to take! A holy and loving God commands our worship because He is worthy of it, and we are privileged to be able to do so. A heart that desires to know and worship God will receive revelation that He exists:

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

If you read that you will see that it is not just you who are seeking God; it is He that is seeking you! The gospel of John makes this statement:

John 20:31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

It is saying that the gospel of John is written specifically to show you that Jesus is the Christ. So my suggestion is to read that gospel from start to finish. Before you begin, pray this prayer:

God, I don't know if you're there or not, and I don't know if Jesus is your Son or not, but if you are there, and Jesus is your Son I want to know about it. Please reveal yourself to me and give me faith so that I may worship you in Spirit and in truth.

Pray that and then read the gospel slowly, a few verses at a time, making sure you understand what you're reading. Pray every time you read for Gods revelation and help in understanding it. After you're finished I guarantee God will reveal something to you which will lead you to faith in Christ if you follow it. God bless.
 
Upvote 0

Arcwood

Junior Member
Nov 27, 2013
121
3
✟370.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Engaged
PM me if you like my replies.

1.) "holy wars" exist because people use them as excuses to profit their own agenda. In regards to the Exodus to The Promised land though, The people in the promised land before the Jews were so wicked, their destruction was for the benefit of the entire world. As Gods actions throughout the bible are more to avoid conflict then resolve it (as we are the conflicts ourselves). Other holy wars, such as the Egyptians attacking the Persians after they had acquired the Ark of the Covenant would assumably be for the same reason. (I can only think of these Two wars [the rest were not depicted as Holy]).
The thing is you can't forgive someone for their action when it has yet to happen. and the only Holy war depicted in the bible was the taking of the Promised land. These people were wicked, and the world's history would be a much worse thing if they had survived.

2.) Denominations in the church made it very easy for atheists to ignore Christianity. The bible says it's a sin to have denominations in the church. True faith is in God through his Son. Knowing it is only by Christ that we come to know God. Understanding Jesus is in fact our Lord, existing before the flesh.

3.) Iin the book of Job it speaks of a creature living in the Jordan river which has a tail with the likeness of a tree, and skin that repels arrows. The only creature this depicts is a long neck suck as the bronciosaurous.
and again, the King of Babylon had a dragon for a pet. True though. this isn't much.
Presumably though, Man ate as much of the dinosaurs as they could. They would only be to proud to kill one (I've seen my friends shoot deer) and they could feed the whole village.
Carbon dating is also an implausible theory to support evolution because the decomposition rates are unpredictable after a certain period of time (such as 200-300 years) the events which take place alter regulated carbon degeneration (such as rain, compost, geological erosion etc...)

4.) I'm told Moses wrote the book of Genesis. but I am unsure. in fact. we all are.
But in the book of Genesis a note is written presumed to be written by Moses that says. "Man will only have 120 years to live."
after this man lived longer than 120 years. with several examples. and only once man had become lazy, over burdened with wealth and slaves, wine and wives did they begin to die off younger than 120 years.
 
Upvote 0

theophilus40

Newbie
Nov 6, 2012
876
44
✟8,807.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
3) Evolution theory may be man-made. But how about dinosaurs? Aren't dinosaurs real? Why didn't the bible talk about dinosaurs? Perhaps it was mentioned somewhere in the bible, but every thing was vague. How did the Noah Ark kept the dinosaurs? And dinosaurs weren't supposed to be 65 million years ago?
Most of the responses you have received are good but one contained a lot of false information in regard to this question. The best place to find out about evolution, dinosaurs, and the flood is this site.

Answers in Genesis - Creation, Evolution, Christian Apologetics

Dinosaurs are mentioned in the Bible but they aren't called by that name because the word dinosaur hadn't been invented. There are references to dragons and chapters 40 and 41 of Job contain references to two animals called behemoth and leviathan, which can only be dinosaurs because no animal now existing meets their description.

Here are some links in the Answers in Genesis site that you might find helpful in finding the information you need.

The 10 Best Evidences from Science that Confirm a Young Earth - Answers in Genesis

Answers Magazine, Volume 2, Number 2 - Answers in Genesis

Root - Answers in Genesis

The age of 6,000 years for the earth is based on the genealogies in the Bible. It is based on the assumption that they are complete and there are no gaps in them. There is evidence in the Bible itself that shows there could be gaps in the genealogies.

When did the creation take place? | clydeherrin

While the earth may be more than 6,000 years old it cannot possibly be the millions of years old claimed by evolutionists. Some people claim that it is possible to reconcile the theory of evolution with the Bible. This can't be done without denying the truth of the Bible.

Doublethink | clydeherrin
 
Upvote 0

PROPHECYKID

Veteran
Site Supporter
Oct 28, 2007
5,982
528
35
The isle of spice
Visit site
✟73,684.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
1) Why do Holy Wars exist? Why before Jesus was born, God commanded people to kill other people? Though the other people were against god, shouldn't we all forgive each other? Isn't it in the 10 commandments that thou shall not kill?

Back in those days all of these heathen nations had gods. Winning wars was seen as a sign of whose god was stronger. Once Israel was successful in wars, all other nations would then acknowledge God. It was never God's intention to have wars and bloodshed but the world that resulted from God's creation is not his ideal. It is what man turned it into. The whole idea of Jesus Christ dying on the cross and redeeming us is because, through sin, God lost us. Satan took control and set up his rules. So God had to choose a people and try to reach the world through this people. Since they wanted to fight, Israel had to fight and prove that their God is the only true God.

2) I can understand why there are so many Christian denominations, but there are just too many controversies? Some says Jesus wasn't even the Messiah? Praying to Mary? Who and what should I stick with? Where should my faith goes to? What is for sure? If nothing is for sure, how can I have faith?

The bible is truth.
Let's use just the examples you stated. If a denomination says Jesus isn't the Messiah they are false because the bible says he is. If a denomination teaches praying to Mary the bible does not instruct that nor does the bible condone praying to anyone besides God. You have to let the bible be your guide. The bible is sure.

3) Evolution theory may be man-made. But how about dinosaurs? Aren't dinosaurs real? Why didn't the bible talk about dinosaurs? Perhaps it was mentioned somewhere in the bible, but every thing was vague. How did the Noah Ark kept the dinosaurs? And dinosaurs weren't supposed to be 65 million years ago?

Dinosaurs did once exist. The bible is focused on showing the plan of salvation unfold from the time of man's sin to the time of restoration. So there are certain things that the bible would not cover. I mean the bible isn't a biology book. They found Red Blood Cells in the bones of Dinosaur fossils and the scientific world agrees that blood cells cannot survive past 10,000 years. So they could not be 65 Million years old.

4) Who wrote the bible in Genesis? How would anyone else know except God, who created the world in the first 6 days? Who could knew about Adam and Eve?

Well you answered your own question. God knew. According to the bible, men wrote the bible under the influence of God. Moses wrote the book of Genesis and God told him what to write.
 
Upvote 0

ALEA40

Regular Member
Nov 22, 2013
231
36
NC
✟8,167.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I'm not very sure if i'm a new christian, I grew up believing in God. I went to churches, attend services on and off, and now off for many years. Basically, I don't pray much, BUT only when I am in need of help.

I feel very disturbed, depressed. Ashamed.

I only look forward to the day my life could end, but I would never kill myself because of the fear of pain.

I am only searching for the truth. Something that I can hold on to, the faith, the hope that there is the kingdom - heaven. I hope I can be there.

They are so many questions I wish someone could answer me to strengthen my faith. As I read the Bible and look at life, my questions were never answered, and even if they are, the answers are 'because we will never be able to understand the works of god.'


1) Why do Holy Wars exist? Why before Jesus was born, God commanded people to kill other people? Though the other people were against god, shouldn't we all forgive each other? Isn't it in the 10 commandments that thou shall not kill?

2) I can understand why there are so many Christian denominations, but there are just too many controversies? Some says Jesus wasn't even the Messiah? Praying to Mary? Who and what should I stick with? Where should my faith goes to? What is for sure? If nothing is for sure, how can I have faith?

3) Evolution theory may be man-made. But how about dinosaurs? Aren't dinosaurs real? Why didn't the bible talk about dinosaurs? Perhaps it was mentioned somewhere in the bible, but every thing was vague. How did the Noah Ark kept the dinosaurs? And dinosaurs weren't supposed to be 65 million years ago?

4) Who wrote the bible in Genesis? How would anyone else know except God, who created the world in the first 6 days? Who could knew about Adam and Eve?

May someone bring some light to me...............

As a newbie myself, I have found all of these questions answered many times over in my NIV study bible. I strongly recommend picking up a copy or two (I purchased 3 like new for 1 cent plus 3.99 shipping). Other study versions may cover these topics as well.

God commanded the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan because they were practicing horrific human sacrifices (children/babies) to pagan gods (demons) and they were engaging in sexually deviant practices. Not to mention that this was the land promised to Abraham's descendants.

Regarding multiple denominations, I used to get hung up on trying to figure out which is the right one for me. I finally just went non-denominational because I don't have a family tradition with any particular church and it's right down the road from our house:) Once I became a Christian, only the Word of God really mattered, the differences just kind of faded away. Praying to Mary? That's a Catholic tradition. Search online for more info. It's a perspective thing. Pray, pray, pray and God will lead you to the right church for you and your family.

Regarding specific topics like dinosaurs, I encourage you to search online for creationism and dinosaurs. There are some really great websites like answersingenesis.org

Also look up the the soft tissue and red blood cells found in a supposedly 67 million year old T-rex fossil:)

Blessings!!!

Who wrote Genesis? Moses is credited with writing Genesis. Again, you would find this probably in any bible with a summary in the front of each chapter. Moses spoke to God on a regular basis. It is not hard to imagine that God would tell Moses exactly what to write regarding how the earth was formed and Adam and Eve.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Ellwood3

Active Member
Oct 23, 2013
276
12
God's magic forest
✟483.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
I'm not very sure if i'm a new christian, I grew up believing in God. I went to churches, attend services on and off, and now off for many years. Basically, I don't pray much, BUT only when I am in need of help.

I feel very disturbed, depressed. Ashamed.

I only look forward to the day my life could end, but I would never kill myself because of the fear of pain.

I am only searching for the truth. Something that I can hold on to, the faith, the hope that there is the kingdom - heaven. I hope I can be there.

They are so many questions I wish someone could answer me to strengthen my faith. As I read the Bible and look at life, my questions were never answered, and even if they are, the answers are 'because we will never be able to understand the works of god.'


1) Why do Holy Wars exist? Why before Jesus was born, God commanded people to kill other people? Though the other people were against god, shouldn't we all forgive each other? Isn't it in the 10 commandments that thou shall not kill?

2) I can understand why there are so many Christian denominations, but there are just too many controversies? Some says Jesus wasn't even the Messiah? Praying to Mary? Who and what should I stick with? Where should my faith goes to? What is for sure? If nothing is for sure, how can I have faith?

3) Evolution theory may be man-made. But how about dinosaurs? Aren't dinosaurs real? Why didn't the bible talk about dinosaurs? Perhaps it was mentioned somewhere in the bible, but every thing was vague. How did the Noah Ark kept the dinosaurs? And dinosaurs weren't supposed to be 65 million years ago?

4) Who wrote the bible in Genesis? How would anyone else know except God, who created the world in the first 6 days? Who could knew about Adam and Eve?


May someone bring some light to me...............



Learn to love the questions. Grab on to what is more important. Our first commandment is to love God with all our hearts (Deuteronomy 6:4). Everything follows out of that. The better questions are questions like, am I willing to search for God? Do I love Him? How's my prayer life?

But for your questions I'll give extremely brief answers since others have posted.

1) Holy wars existed because we have a spiritual enemy who loves to steal, kill, and destroy, and did that using Christians, creating plenty of confusion to this day. (And some Christians were also killed. It was a horror.)

2) Denominations exist in part because people differ and it accommodates differences, but mostly because we have a spiritual enemy who loves to divide and conquer.

3) Dinosaurs are wonderful. Much of the confusion is badly interpreted scripture.

4) Ultimately, the entire Bible, all 66 books, are written by God. His Holy Spirit was the true author, working through people.

Anyway--nice meeting you Wheredowego.

Years ago Amy Grant had a song on her children's album "where do we go when we need a hero ...?" I need to listen to that again.
 
Upvote 0