Thank you for your kind words, even though i was raised agnostic, I feel it is important to have atleast a basic understanding of the religion that played such an important role in the realisation of the western culture and society. And while i am not tempted to become a Christian at this moment, i do feel like i begin to understand (a very tiny bit) why people do. There is something beautiful about the bible, while at first (i.e. the story of Noach) i [please do accept my apology if this is a bit incoherent, it's 04 in the morning and i am pretty tired] just thought how in world can 2 of all animals fit in an arch for a couple of months, and why would God ever destroy everything he created, i feel like i kind off begin to understand. Thats not saying i agree with it though. Maybe that will come after some more reading
. You mentioned Solomon's Proverbs, could you please give some examples?
There really is a lot to know about God's plan for redemption, and the very nature of humankind is working against us in realising that speedily (we are born with zero knowledge, easily misled, inclined to conceal inconvenient truths, oppressed by fears etc). Anyway, God does see all that goes on in forming our hearts, and He does judge fairly according to our reasons. There comes a time when we cannot keep going with an atheist perspective, whether we are still able to contribute in the world or not (Ecclesiastes 9:6).
Christians recognise that Jesus came as the representation of God's own Word (message, command, voice) in human form for the purpose that we should recognise His Word in spirit. We disciples who have recognised Him, we follow His leadership and example to refine our own character and speech, that we can reflect His nature and thereby represent His voice in the world. You might well understand, based upon the various degrees of human faults, we progress in character through enduring various challenges and learning to live in a manner that is pleasing (and therefore useful) to Him (consider Romans 5:1-5, Matthew 7:15-27).
One of the many interesting things that Jesus said, and one of the more potent, is John 15:22. This shows His righteousness in judgement, that ignorance and knowledge are key considerations in determining culpability. Jesus was saying in this that although He had existed as The Eternal Word of God before being born (this is the entity of wisdom that we have been discussing - the life-giving spirit), it is because He had always existed as a spirit speaking indirectly to us, that men could choose to ignore what He would place upon their conscience (Genesis 3:8-10). By His physical speech in human form, He has made a direct statement to the world that divides the righteous from the wicked (Jeremiah 17:10).
As I am such a disciple, I often testify about how I did once live in denial of His conviction upon my conscience, and even while I was a professing Christian, I had fallen into a trap of deceit whereby I was not living according to His expectations of me. It should encourage you to see that this is not an isolated event, indeed many Christians are easily led astray by their beliefs and philosophies, to live contrary to The Holy Spirit's guidance in their life (though this also means they cannot be easily told so). I also testify that He sought me while I was in that condition and redeemed me to repent, so as to receive this knowledge. So now my recognition of Him in spirit serves to judge and instruct me as I go day by day, and because of this relationship, I have confidence that any person who accuses me of error (if they are not doing so in holy spirit), is simply mistaken and in need of correction. This is the power of 1 Timothy 2:5.
With this confidence, knowing that I am representing Him to you with good conscience, and knowing the value of this opportunity to speak to you in that capacity, I advise you with regard to your quest for security in faith: that if you maintain reverence that God see's all things and that He judges in truth and righteousness without favouritism, and if you keep good conscience so as to not compromise truth (eg: for flattery, or to belong), and you are not dismissing or avoiding valid truths, then you can also trust Him to lead you to an eventual knowledge that He is with you.
When Jesus said "I am the bread of life" and "I am the living water", this is what He was describing. If we keep on receiving what life is teaching us, making sure to not stop growing in truth with good conscience, eventually we become strong in what we have learned and we will recognise that it is Him, The Holy Spirit who we have been receiving from (aka "the spirit of truth" - in whom is only love without sin).
.. so, now to answer your question about the Proverbs of Solomon!
The two that came off the top of my head for you as a law student, are Proverbs 18:17 and Proverbs 25:8-10:
"The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him."
"Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?"
(in fact, that one is quite a specific application of Proverbs 18:13).
.. as I opened the bible to make a list for you, it fell on chapter 21. These are the ones I see there that are easily relevant: Proverbs 21:15, Proverbs 21:28, Proverbs 21:5-8, Proverbs 21:14.
.. but I think it would do you well to just take your time to digest the whole lot of them. It certainly wouldn't be wasted.
Welcome to the website, BTW! I hope I have been worthwhile to you and that you will be open to asking more questions about Christianity here
