I'm losing faith in God... (Long read. Please pray for me.)

Bee_Brian

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Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

A long time ago, I dedicated my life to philosophy. I want to be a philosopher and that hadn't changed. It's still my pursuit in life, and I'm still actively and rigorously studying about relevant things in the world. Of course, God and religion will be a part of my studies. However, before I am a Christian, I am first a philosopher. And although I don't identify with Pyrrho the Skeptic, I share his meticulous attitude of rigorously examining the facts that are given to us. I conclude that Jesus definitely rose from the dead. In fact, I do believe that the Bible is archaeologically sound, that what it says is historical and is evidence-based.

What I am struggling with, however, is when the debate goes outside of Christ's resurrection (which itself is undisputed.).

Lately, as I keep digging on philosophy, everything is starting to seem like God either does not exist or that He is not what we think He is. There's a lot to be said about it.

I ask you, dear friends, to tackle this issue of mine intellectually. No empty positivity, please. What I need right now are arguments that can combat my slowly-turning-into-atheist brain. I'll be as brief as I can. The following are some issues I'm struggling with...

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

Thank you, my friends. Please pray for me. More importantly, give me some answers to these.
 

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Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

A long time ago, I dedicated my life to philosophy. I want to be a philosopher and that hadn't changed. It's still my pursuit in life, and I'm still actively and rigorously studying about relevant things in the world. Of course, God and religion will be a part of my studies. However, before I am a Christian, I am first a philosopher. And although I don't identify with Pyrrho the Skeptic, I share his meticulous attitude of rigorously examining the facts that are given to us. I conclude that Jesus definitely rose from the dead. In fact, I do believe that the Bible is archaeologically sound, that what it says is historical and is evidence-based.

What I am struggling with, however, is when the debate goes outside of Christ's resurrection (which itself is undisputed.).

Lately, as I keep digging on philosophy, everything is starting to seem like God either does not exist or that He is not what we think He is. There's a lot to be said about it.

I ask you, dear friends, to tackle this issue of mine intellectually. No empty positivity, please. What I need right now are arguments that can combat my slowly-turning-into-atheist brain. I'll be as brief as I can. The following are some issues I'm struggling with...

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

Thank you, my friends. Please pray for me. More importantly, give me some answers to these.

Hi Bee Brian.

Man, that's a lot to take in all at once, isn't it? I have to say that because I, too, am a 'striving' philosopher and I'll readily admit that everything you've listed out is quite the chore to contend with conceptually and (thereafter) emotionally.

Brian, I empathize with your position since I've been through some of that myself as I've wrestled over the years with a train-load of philosophical conundrums that seem to rock the Christian ship. And in my realizing all of this here years later, and with the little wisdom I've gained so far, would it bother you if I said that I don't think all of your questions can be answered? I think some can, but some can't.

Peace.
 
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Bee_Brian

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Hi Bee Brian.

Man, that's a lot to take in all at once, isn't it? I have to say that because I, too, am a 'striving' philosopher and I'll readily admit that everything you've listed out is quite the chore to contend with conceptually and (thereafter) emotionally.

Brian, I empathize with your position since I've been through some of that myself as I've wrestled over the years with a train-load of philosophical conundrums that seem to rock the Christian ship. And in my realizing all of this here years later, and with the little wisdom I've gained so far, would it bother you if I said that I don't think all of your questions can be answered? I think some can, but some can't.

Peace.

It wouldn't bother me at all.

Please do what you can.
 
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Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

A long time ago, I dedicated my life to philosophy. I want to be a philosopher and that hadn't changed. It's still my pursuit in life, and I'm still actively and rigorously studying about relevant things in the world. Of course, God and religion will be a part of my studies. However, before I am a Christian, I am first a philosopher. And although I don't identify with Pyrrho the Skeptic, I share his meticulous attitude of rigorously examining the facts that are given to us. I conclude that Jesus definitely rose from the dead. In fact, I do believe that the Bible is archaeologically sound, that what it says is historical and is evidence-based.

What I am struggling with, however, is when the debate goes outside of Christ's resurrection (which itself is undisputed.).

Lately, as I keep digging on philosophy, everything is starting to seem like God either does not exist or that He is not what we think He is. There's a lot to be said about it.

I ask you, dear friends, to tackle this issue of mine intellectually. No empty positivity, please. What I need right now are arguments that can combat my slowly-turning-into-atheist brain. I'll be as brief as I can. The following are some issues I'm struggling with...

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

Thank you, my friends. Please pray for me. More importantly, give me some answers to these.
I would say you might have a problem caused by rejecting so much of the Catholic faith that you inevitably began to lose faith in God. I will try to help. Not on every issue mind you.

First, many people think they know all about Thomas Aquinas. Far fewer people have ever bothered to read anything by Thomas Aquinas. I recommend the 'Catana Aurea' and the 'Summa Theologica'. I started on the 'Summa Contra Gentiles'. As A guide use books by Josef Pieper or G. K. Chesterton or Ralph McInerney or Peter Kreeft. The latter was Protestant but became Catholic. He would be most aware of issues you might have about the Catholic Church.

Second, Creationism is a relatively new belief even among Protestants. It is taken by many as Gospel truth but it's not really. You can be Christian but not a creationist as long as you believe that God is indeed the creator of the universe, that God can and does act in the universe, that God did create humanity, and that all humans are related to each other. Within that framework you can believe in fossils and plate tectonics and DNA, not having to stand squarely against science to be a believer. Again, literal six day creation is a new thing, of the past 200 years, and you can be freed of this man invented doctrine. Catholics are free to believe evolution in the limited sense I listed above. No need for a lobotomy. No need to put faith vs science.

Fourth, We are simply not a 'people of the book' as Muslims are. We are the continuation of the community Jesus Christ founded when he hand picked his followers and taught them over three years. Our Bible comes out of that community but it did not form that community in the first place. Jesus formed the community. The community still endures. The community authored the Bible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. So the Bible is trustable. But it is not, was never, and should not now be taken like a Muslim takes the Quran, as the whole enchilada. The Muslim idea is frankly the wrong idea. Our idea comes from the religion of Israel, where Torah is revered but not the whole enchilada.

Sixth, yes there are terrible things in the history of the Catholic Church. There were terrible things in the religion of Israel, including sacrifice of children to Moloch. And yet to which people did Jesus come to as a baby? There are terrible things in the history of Calvinism (the burning of Michael Servetus), of Anglicanism (the crushing of Margaret Clitherow) and every group that has had a long enough history. Some of the most anti-Catholic denominations out there have rich histories of sexual abuse. So do many televangelists. If you want to avoid any sordid history you need to be a denomination of one. But then who'se to say that one person is actually as pure as the driven snow? Nobody. What I look for is the presence of actual saints. I presume the worst and look for the outliers in the other direction. That's why I'm Catholic. Because of the saints who rise up and show Jesus to the world. All those others show the failure to follow the teaching and the moral standard of Christ. But these show the God enables success of following the same teaching and moral standard of Christ.

Lastly, I can see Jesus, touch and taste him. I can know my prayers are heard. I can speak my sins to a priest and know that Jesus himself forgives me. It's not just a book devoid of context for me. It is Christ with us, still with us after all of these years, hiding in plain sight. I suggest that you lighten up on your anti-Catholicism. I don't think it helps you. I do think it has painted you into a corner, perhaps because you have been so consistent about it. Explore one little bit of what I have mentioned, and see where it leads. Do so prayerfully because theology is best done on one's knees, as Hans Urs Von Balthasar, a brilliant Catholic theologian has said. I will pray for you this morning when I watch the live stream of my parish mass on about an hour.
 
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Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

A long time ago, I dedicated my life to philosophy. I want to be a philosopher and that hadn't changed. It's still my pursuit in life, and I'm still actively and rigorously studying about relevant things in the world. Of course, God and religion will be a part of my studies. However, before I am a Christian, I am first a philosopher. And although I don't identify with Pyrrho the Skeptic, I share his meticulous attitude of rigorously examining the facts that are given to us. I conclude that Jesus definitely rose from the dead. In fact, I do believe that the Bible is archaeologically sound, that what it says is historical and is evidence-based.

What I am struggling with, however, is when the debate goes outside of Christ's resurrection (which itself is undisputed.).

Lately, as I keep digging on philosophy, everything is starting to seem like God either does not exist or that He is not what we think He is. There's a lot to be said about it.

I ask you, dear friends, to tackle this issue of mine intellectually. No empty positivity, please. What I need right now are arguments that can combat my slowly-turning-into-atheist brain. I'll be as brief as I can. The following are some issues I'm struggling with...

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

Thank you, my friends. Please pray for me. More importantly, give me some answers to these.
Hi friend, I'd just like to make a few points which may shed some light on these questions.
Firstly, God has revealed a lot to us already and He will reveal much more in time to come. He did come and live with us for 33 years, so He revealed a lot during those years as well.
Secondly, every single person who ever lived or lives now knows that God exists but they don't believe in Him. God wrote His law on everyone's heart and revealed Himself through His creation.
God is not looking for coverts to His religion, He just creates them and casts the rest into hell.
God's Word the Bible, only makes sense to His elect. It's foolishness to the reprobate, God hides the truth from wise men and reveals it to the humble.
You will find that 90% of worlds most intelligent people can't accept God's Word. They see it as foolishness, that's why God has called them fools.
Noah's Ark was found a long time ago, it's sitting on top of Mt Ararat in Turkey but the Muslim government won't allow anyone to go near it.
If you feel like you may be losing your faith, it could be that God has turned His back on you.
Faith is a gift which God gives to certain people, it's not something that can be discovered or produced.
 
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Allen of the Cross

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Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

By Omni-God, I presume you mean, "omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent." You say the bible doesn't support this. Consider the following verses:
"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." - 1 john 3:20.
"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." - Proverbs 15:3.

Consider this: God being all-knowing also makes Him all-present, because if He knows everything, then He might as well actually be there. If He intimately knows where every blade of grass is, His presence might as well be there, as well. Does this make sense? :) His "eyes" are everywhere. He can see all. There's nothing you can do to hide from the Lord. No thought you can hide.
Is God all-powerful? Well, think of this: His tongue is a double-edged sword. He can speak galaxies into creation, He can also destroy armies with an utterance. This is all biblical stuff.

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

I'm not sure if the theory of evolution can disprove God, personally. If it suits you, perhaps you can view the Genesis 1-12 account to be allegory, or metaphorical. People have all sorts of various ideas about how exactly the creation account in the bible works. Remember that the Genesis account was not written as a scientific assertion. It seems the main focus on Genesis 1 is to portray God as author of the universe, and Genesis 2-12 to display the fall of mankind, and the future redemption. The fact that God is creator, that humans are fallen, and that God wants to redeem us, if you understand, are what are most important. If the typical creation belief of the average Christian doesn't suit you, simply don't follow it. You can still be a Christian and question things, and in fact, I encourage it. Same thing with the Big Bang Theory.

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

Except when we consider Jesus Christ, we see that He didn't do things for public opinion or approval. In fact, He often told people after He performed miracles to stay silent about it. If it was just an alien wanting to look good, why did was His ministry so.. weird? If he was wanting to accomplish the goal of spreading awareness about Himself, why didn't He go to Rome, overthrow the Emperor, and conquer the earth? No, He hid himself from the eyes of the public, until the day of His death for our sins.

If God is an alien, does God have a God? Is there a God above that? Who made the universe? "God being an alien," as a theory, poses WAY more questions then it answers.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

Define "non"-divinity. Most Christians seem to believe it was "inspired" by God, or quite literally, "God-breathed." We don't revere the bible like Muslims revere the Quran, because they believe their god literally took over the writer and wrote through him. Christians hold no such belief; the bible is not "wrote" by God, but inspired. Tell most Christians they don't revere the bible enough, and they will probably be very confused. A lot of Christians are very passionate about the bible - ESPECIALLY those KJV-only folks. Even non-kjv-only folks are still passionate about the bible. Heck, it's often called by many, "God's Word."

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?
Has any wooden structure from thousands (if not tens or hundreds of thousands) of years ago survived?

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

What you are describing is the Temple, a place where God's realm and our realm overlap, and where God communes with His people. This was once a real thing; the presence of God would dwell, quite visibly, within the Temple. There were all sorts of rules and laws one had to follow to even get near the Temple; being unclean near the temple would kill you. So what happened?

First, the Jews didn't keep the promises they made to God, so God exiled them from their land. God's presence left the temple, and the temple was destroyed.
But then, a new temple was built: Herod's temple. God's presence was not in this temple like others: there wasn't a glory cloud radiating from the temple, for example, where as with the tabernacle of Moses, and with the Temple of Solomon, the glory cloud was visible.
When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the Most Holy Place, (the place where God's presence was most direct,) was torn in two. This means that God's presence is now not in one specific place, but is now available to all humans, everywhere, throughout all of time. Why did God choose to make His Temple in His believers? It's to have a much more personal relationship with God. There is also the fact that Jesus wants us to believe in Him without seeing. For whatever reason, this is well pleasing to Him, "For without faith, it is impossible to please Him."

--------------------------------------------​

I would like to share my testimony with you, to encourage you.

One day, I was out preaching the gospel (quite poorly.) But I was so sad, and mad, for various reasons, and I cursed God. I didn't have a car and it was a several mile walk home. All of the sudden, this black cloud appears quickly over a nearby mountain, and it begins to rain. God was punishing me. The rain was whipping, and lashing. I remember thinking: the rain drops are ANGRY. It was the single most scariest - yet most thrilling - moment of my life. I started shouting into the air, "I love You!!" I had already known God is real, but my faith was strengthened.

So I walked towards home, and sat down on the street to read the bible. A minute or so later, a hand touches my shoulder. It's my friend, her name is Christa. And she tells me to get in. As we start driving down the road: I get this thought. "If God is all powerful, then He can do anything, including speaking through people. Let's try it out." So I talked to God, while I talked to them. I said: "Will I be okay?" Because I had just made God very upset, and was struggling mentally.

God. Spoke. He spoke through them, and gave me a speech. It was epic. He didn't even answer that question, He talked about certain aspects of Himself, such as Him being an invocation. He told me evil flees from Him. He asked me if I've ever played with an Ouija board. He asked me if I told it goodbye. We talked about a lot that I don't currently remember. It was the single greatest day of my life.

I am either crazy, or God is real. I am either insane, or God spoke to me. I am either madly in love, or this faith is all in vain.

I hope you find the answers you seek. Message me anytime and I will talk to you. God bless you.
 
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John stones

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Hi Brian

I will certainly pray for you. I hope that God can build and strengthen your faith through my words.

John

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

A long time ago, I dedicated my life to philosophy. I want to be a philosopher and that hadn't changed. It's still my pursuit in life, and I'm still actively and rigorously studying about relevant things in the world. Of course, God and religion will be a part of my studies. However, before I am a Christian, I am first a philosopher. And although I don't identify with Pyrrho the Skeptic, I share his meticulous attitude of rigorously examining the facts that are given to us. I conclude that Jesus definitely rose from the dead. In fact, I do believe that the Bible is archaeologically sound, that what it says is historical and is evidence-based.
Very true and time a time again even though many have tried they have failed to disprove this. We constantly find cities that people swore never existed.


What I am struggling with, however, is when the debate goes outside of Christ's resurrection (which itself is undisputed.).

Lately, as I keep digging on philosophy, everything is starting to seem like God either does not exist or that He is not what we think He is. There's a lot to be said about it.

I ask you, dear friends, to tackle this issue of mine intellectually. No empty positivity, please. What I need right now are arguments that can combat my slowly-turning-into-atheist brain. I'll be as brief as I can. The following are some issues I'm struggling with...

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

There are plenty of verses that back this up. This was well agreed upon before Thomas Aquinas

Psalm 139:7-10

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me

There are many church Creed's that affirm this well before aquinases time

Tools
Verse page
" data-hasqtip="10" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(57, 84, 127); transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; transition-property: color; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700;">Psalm 139:7-10


Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Omnipresence (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

I can find church Creed's if you want as well there are several.



Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

I believe the theory is easy to defeat. I simply believe we want to believe it because it makes us morally accountable and when our conscience pricks our heart for the sins we have committed we want to escape that feeling and so evolution is an easy out .

1. Something cannot come from nothing. Yes there are theories that things pop in and out of existence. Yet this is a huge question mark of the origination of the universe for evolutionists.

2. Even Darwin said if you cannot find these transitional species this theory cannot be proven. If you look at the transitional species they say that are alive today they basically look like sea snails. Yet they swear that we all came from one cell and we all evolved from the mid. Why then isn't there a monkey -man? Why don't we see a frog-bird? Why don't we see alive today species that are transitioning? Why aren't all creators headed twoards being humans? Why do some animals devolve? Basically I'm trying to say you would literally see a squirrel money or squirrel bird today , you can combine any animal that came from any other animal, where is that transotioning species right now?

I believe that how science and morality coexists and how the world is, it definitely points to an intelligent designer and not a random explosion that happened, which I add is mathematically impossible and has been proven as such.




Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

I think mans idea of himself is he is great. God created man is his image, meaning with a soul and with lots of intelligence and to live forever. Man thinks he is great because God is great and He has imparted His image into us so therefore we are great in a small way compared to God but in a big way compared to the dirt for example. I don't think we can just say that an alien is or isn't coming ECT ECT , but we know that there aren't alien lifeforms as of yet and if there are then they aren't intelligent beings. I believe that God is working His purposes for His glory in this world .



Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

The Bible is a great resource. It has been used in many fields of science to this day. Most archeologists use it in great length.
The Bible has other wisdoms in it like man is born in sin. There isn't a man or women on this Earth that isn't a sinner. It has much wisdom in the proverbs like

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance…” — Proverbs 1:5

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

They speculate on this but like I said above there are plenty of archeological discoveries that prove the Bible's veracity. One could ask where is the garden of Eden or the ark of the covenant? There are still many things left to be discovered.

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.
Sadly the Protestant church has a terrible history. Just because someone says they are religious it doesn't mean they are good. More often than not I've seen most people inside the church are faking it and only use the church for their own fulfillment and purposes and not for God's glory. All you have to do is put some pressure on them in their lives or call them in times of need or call them out of their sin and you will begin to see the true man that is beneath that flesh.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

God did take on flesh in the man of Christ. I don't think he stuck around because God saves us by faith through grace and Jesus gave us His Spirit to lead and guide us through our lives. The Holy Spirit is our guide. There are many churches who try and act like you have to find God only in their building or by giving alms or offerings. The reality is that God wants to have a relationship with you and He has give us His word and His Spirit. If you have God's spirit it will help you understand God's word and that's how God is communicating to us and having a relationship with us.


Thank you, my friends. Please pray for me. More importantly, give me some answers to these.

Done. You are welcome . Tha k you fro being so open and honest I believe God is turning in your inner being and working on you brother. I hope and pray the best for you.

Sincerely,

John
 
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Broken Fence

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Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

A long time ago, I dedicated my life to philosophy. I want to be a philosopher and that hadn't changed. It's still my pursuit in life, and I'm still actively and rigorously studying about relevant things in the world. Of course, God and religion will be a part of my studies. However, before I am a Christian, I am first a philosopher. And although I don't identify with Pyrrho the Skeptic, I share his meticulous attitude of rigorously examining the facts that are given to us. I conclude that Jesus definitely rose from the dead. In fact, I do believe that the Bible is archaeologically sound, that what it says is historical and is evidence-based.

What I am struggling with, however, is when the debate goes outside of Christ's resurrection (which itself is undisputed.).

Lately, as I keep digging on philosophy, everything is starting to seem like God either does not exist or that He is not what we think He is. There's a lot to be said about it.

I ask you, dear friends, to tackle this issue of mine intellectually. No empty positivity, please. What I need right now are arguments that can combat my slowly-turning-into-atheist brain. I'll be as brief as I can. The following are some issues I'm struggling with...

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

Thank you, my friends. Please pray for me. More importantly, give me some answers to these.
Greetings Bee_Brain,
I would first commend you for keeping the faith. Your issue to me is simple you take philosophy over the Word of God, the Bible. I would encourage you too spend as much time in the Bible as you can.
The Bible is God's love letter to humanity, if you had any idea how many people have died over the centuries so you could have that Bible in your hand, you would be astonished. That Bible is literally written in the blood of the saints.
The fact of God being omnipresent is in the old Testament and the new testament. I would earnestly contend with you too understand you are in a battle with a supernatural enemy who wants to destroy your faith. Please put on your armor grit up your moxy and take the fight to the adversary. Jesus has work for you to do.
 
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You need to experience God himself, like something with the Holy spirit, or Jesus, then all those arguments fail. You need faith in God, and to seek him a lot, a "personal encounter with God" is the best, there is a spiritual world you can get your eyes open to, if God gives you his spirit, there is no denying God after you meet him like that.

Once i went to a church, i barely believed, i thought God was this far away thing, judging people up there far away, that he didn't got close to people, never imagined that someone like the Holy spirit existed, until God made me experience him. Now i know God can interact with people!. And in an undeniable way.
 
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I will only address evolution at this time. You should take a look at the gap theory, or old earth creationism. Gap creationism - Wikipedia It suggests that the earth "became without form and void." In other words, it was used for other purposes, previously before God recreated it in Gen 1:3. That not only explains how old the earth might be, but also gives some insight as to what Lucifer was doing previously before Adam was created. There seems no way to dispute this as a plausible theory. It also takes quite a bit of faith that humans could evolve to what we are now.
 
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Hi Brian. :) I am similar to you in the way that I too am very philosophical and often find myself quite critical to the fundamentalist beliefs that I grew up being taught. The beauty of faith though is that you can make it your own. Because of Jesus we are allowed to find our own pasture. (John 10:9) Just because you are starting to challenge some of the things you've been taught does not mean you are turning atheist or losing your faith. In fact I would argue that it is making your faith stronger. The fact you have come here to look for answers proves to me that you are actively seeking the Father and actively looking for ways to harmonize your spirituality with your philosophy.

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

What is your definition of an Omni-God?

Although the words "omnipresent" and "omniscient" did not come from the Bible, I do believe that some aspects of their definitions can characterize God.

Omnipresent can mean "widely or constantly encountered". It does not have to mean that God is literally everywhere at all times. I believe that God can be found in the mundane of our every day world. There is not a corner of the world where a spiritual experience with God cannot occur. We all have had very real experiences of feeling like God is present with us. When we feel peace, comfort, gratitude, joy, love - I believe those feelings represent the omnipresence of God.

Omniscient's definition means "knowing everything" - you do not have to take that at face value. I do however believe in a God that knows every soul intimately. I am not sure how our petitionary prayers take away from his all-knowingness so maybe you can clarify what you mean by that?

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

I choose to not take the Creation account too literally. You can believe that God created the World and you can also believe in science and evolution. :)

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

I don't worship God simply because He's a good guy. I worship Him because I credit Him with the very REAL experiences of amazing grace and love that I see all around me. Science and philosophy cannot explain to me why I feel the way I do when I see a beautiful sunset or am brought to tears by the sound of music.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

I do not know enough about other religions to speak on it but like I said, I do believe in a God that can be "widely and constantly encountered". As a CHRISTIAN, I have chosen to meet and know God through the person of Jesus. As a CHRISTIAN, I do not believe that I can know the Father unless through Jesus Christ His Son.

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

Again you can choose not to take the Noah's Ark account literally. I will not argue that science cannot prove the occurrence of a worldwide flood at any point in time but it has proven that there have been massive floods throughout ancient history that have wiped out entire civilizations. The Noah's Ark account is ONE flood account among many ancient stories (in fact it borrows many of its story elements from earlier flood accounts). Focusing on whether or not the Genesis flood account actually happened is asking the wrong question. You should be instead trying to discern how the CHRISTIAN Flood Story is different than other flood stories and what ours says about God.

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.

I agree, but the Catholic Church is not the only time in history where humans have used the Bible to justify their own agendas. We can not throw out the entire book based on how some humans have decided to use it. Instead all Christians need to carefully examine whether or not our doctrines align with the message of Jesus Christ.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

Christ tells us that He has to leave in order for the Holy Spirit to take His place. If he were still here in the flesh then our faith would not be faith. In fact I think a spiritual relationship with God is more powerful than a physical relationship.

I am not sure if anything I said remotely helped you or answered any of your questions, but these are just my opinions. :) You are not losing your faith you are strengthening it. I hope you find the guidance and wisdom from God that you are looking for.
 
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The OP doesn't contain anything that hasn't been acknowledged by mainline Protestant theology (and a lot of recent Catholic theology) for the last 100 years.

Some aspects can't be talked about under CF rules. For most of the rest, the underlying question is what the Bible is. We think God has worked with humans to help them understand what he wants, including sending Jesus as his representative. But the Bible is a record written by humans describing this from their point of view. There are lots of things people didn't understand during the period 2000 - 3000 years ago. There are also rather varied reactions. But that doesn't rule out God working with them.

If you've never read treatments of this kind of question from a mainline perspective, you might like Doug Ottati's book "Theology for Liberal Protestants: God the Creator." This is the first volume of a two-volume systematic theology. The second hasn't been finished, but I think this volume may be more relevant to your questions.
 
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2PhiloVoid

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It wouldn't bother me at all.

Please do what you can.

That's good to hear, because sometimes when I suggest this kind of things to people, they kind of flinch since they're looking to Christianity to somehow provide a kind of comprehensive 'system' of thought about the nature of our common faith. And as one who, like you, is a philosopher before anything else, I have to go with Pascal and Kierkegaard and assert that Christian theology, even as we draw it from both the Bible and from various extra-biblical informants and intelligent minds, isn't going to be systematic but rather a more existentially dynamic state of inquiry.

Notice the quotes that I have in my signature below, Brian?
 
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The only thing you need to really believe to be a Christian is this: 1 John 5:10-13. It explains it quite simply, I believe. John 3:16 tells us that believing in God's Son gives us everlasting life, and 1 John 5:10-13 explains what it means to believe in God's Son.

If God is all powerful, couldn't he have MADE things to evolve? Couldn't evolution and Christianity coinside? I dont know, just a thought. Again the only thing you have to believe in is Jesus.
I have not studied a lot about these things so I feel unequiped to argue these subjects, except for the Noah's ark thing. If you google, 'Noah's Ark Found' you'll find articles about it being found, allegedly. If you want to dig some more you can google about chariot wheels being found in the red sea. Again, you dont HAVE to believe that Noah's ark has been found or the chariot wheels, and it very well could be false articles- i dont know.

You dont have to know everything or believe everything in the bible to believe in Jesus and go to heaven when you die.
 
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Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

A long time ago, I dedicated my life to philosophy. I want to be a philosopher and that hadn't changed. It's still my pursuit in life, and I'm still actively and rigorously studying about relevant things in the world. Of course, God and religion will be a part of my studies. However, before I am a Christian, I am first a philosopher. And although I don't identify with Pyrrho the Skeptic, I share his meticulous attitude of rigorously examining the facts that are given to us. I conclude that Jesus definitely rose from the dead. In fact, I do believe that the Bible is archaeologically sound, that what it says is historical and is evidence-based.

What I am struggling with, however, is when the debate goes outside of Christ's resurrection (which itself is undisputed.).

Lately, as I keep digging on philosophy, everything is starting to seem like God either does not exist or that He is not what we think He is. There's a lot to be said about it.

I ask you, dear friends, to tackle this issue of mine intellectually. No empty positivity, please. What I need right now are arguments that can combat my slowly-turning-into-atheist brain. I'll be as brief as I can. The following are some issues I'm struggling with...

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

Thank you, my friends. Please pray for me. More importantly, give me some answers to these.
I very much enjoy intellectual
answers so this is good.

First a short version.
1. Omni problem: Your understanding of God’s way needs input. Because He is present doesn’t mean He acts. He is also not acting in ur favor when He does. His goal is that he do right, not that we’re happy. So this means that He has to do right. So He acts in response to our deeds and/or prayers. There is much more to be said on this, but do you see what I mean?

2. Evolution is a theory in deep crises and if you look into it, you will find it is not close to as solid as it PR claims.

3. Powerful men tend to build up a false image and when in power are not morally good. God is good and doesn’t lie to convince us to worship Him. Powerful men do.

4. Men who walked with God were inspired to write. From their writings we can come to know Jim too although a real relationship is necessary. It’s true we don’t venerate a mere book. We venerate the God described therein, isn’t that superior than worshipping a book?

5. Modern Turkey

6. Jesus says there’d be those who kill real believers claiming they’re serving God. And evil people love power. Why should we be surprised a church established by Constantine should be anything but tyrannical. Because there is fake money doesn’t mean no genuine money exists.

7. Because seeing Him or hearing His voice clearly is a matter of holiness not the 5 senses. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Questions? I could say more but this is the short version.
 
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John stones

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Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

A long time ago, I dedicated my life to philosophy. I want to be a philosopher and that hadn't changed. It's still my pursuit in life, and I'm still actively and rigorously studying about relevant things in the world. Of course, God and religion will be a part of my studies. However, before I am a Christian, I am first a philosopher. And although I don't identify with Pyrrho the Skeptic, I share his meticulous attitude of rigorously examining the facts that are given to us. I conclude that Jesus definitely rose from the dead. In fact, I do believe that the Bible is archaeologically sound, that what it says is historical and is evidence-based.

What I am struggling with, however, is when the debate goes outside of Christ's resurrection (which itself is undisputed.).

Lately, as I keep digging on philosophy, everything is starting to seem like God either does not exist or that He is not what we think He is. There's a lot to be said about it.

I ask you, dear friends, to tackle this issue of mine intellectually. No empty positivity, please. What I need right now are arguments that can combat my slowly-turning-into-atheist brain. I'll be as brief as I can. The following are some issues I'm struggling with...

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

Thank you, my friends. Please pray for me. More importantly, give me some answers to these.
How are you doing? I wanted to check in on you. I have been praying for you. God loves you and wants a personal relationship with you and can forgive any sin. I hope you are well.

J
 
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SeekingGloryOnThisJourney

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Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

A long time ago, I dedicated my life to philosophy. I want to be a philosopher and that hadn't changed. It's still my pursuit in life, and I'm still actively and rigorously studying about relevant things in the world. Of course, God and religion will be a part of my studies. However, before I am a Christian, I am first a philosopher. And although I don't identify with Pyrrho the Skeptic, I share his meticulous attitude of rigorously examining the facts that are given to us. I conclude that Jesus definitely rose from the dead. In fact, I do believe that the Bible is archaeologically sound, that what it says is historical and is evidence-based.

What I am struggling with, however, is when the debate goes outside of Christ's resurrection (which itself is undisputed.).

Lately, as I keep digging on philosophy, everything is starting to seem like God either does not exist or that He is not what we think He is. There's a lot to be said about it.

I ask you, dear friends, to tackle this issue of mine intellectually. No empty positivity, please. What I need right now are arguments that can combat my slowly-turning-into-atheist brain. I'll be as brief as I can. The following are some issues I'm struggling with...

Firstly, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around God being an "Omni-God". There's a lot of problems with it, but the one I will point out is this: Our petitionary prayers are meant to urge God into intervening things in our lives in a way that is favorable to each of us. But if petitionary prayers are to work, we really do have to assume that God is not Omnipresent and, like us, have no knowledge of the future. If you look at the Bible, you will see that God is an active participant in history. It's almost as if He's one of us. The conception of God's Omni-Godness came not from the Bible, but from the thinking of the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. And if something is not supported by the Bible, why believe it? What reason do we have to believe that God is truly an Omni-God?

Secondly, the theory of evolution. It's hard to dispute it. Include the Big Bang theory in it and Creationism becomes very very shaky.

Thirdly, a look at how the greatest men in history became godlike and how they dealt with their public image. Let's, for example, look at Napoleon. Like any "good" politician, he did his best to make himself impeccably amazing in his autobiographies. How do we know that God's greatness in the Bible is not just an advanced alien's attempt to make himself look good? Because if you want your subjects to worship you, you better be an impeccable person, free from earthly imperfections.

Fourthly, the "non"-divinity of the Holy Bible. The Qu'ran is to Islam as Christ is to Christianity. Basically, the Qu'ran is revered in Islam as Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity. If that really is the case, we must trivialize the Bible. If Christianity is truly a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, then that must how our spirituality should look like. And if that is the case, why is the Bible even a good source of wisdom if we can pray our way through life through a relationship with God? I know I mentioned that I believe the Bible is archaeologically sound, but what if we are wrong about that?

Fifthly, where is Noah's Ark?

Sixthly, the terrible history of the Catholic Church. I'm a protestant at heart and there's a reason for that.

And lastly, I want everyone to see things in a political perspective. If Christ restored our intimacy with God by dying for our sins, why didn't God establish a home-base on earth where we can literally talk to Him in a non-telepathic way? Adam and Eve used to be able to see God as a human walking in the Garden of Eden. What they lost, we regained through Christ. So why is God not taking on a temporal fleshy form in which He could rule over us all in a manner where it would be hard to doubt if He exists? Isn't it a given that we should just believe in Him by default? If that's so, why are we having to prove to Him our faith by believing in the unseen?

Thank you, my friends. Please pray for me. More importantly, give me some answers to these.

you should watch this stuff, filled with Biblical knowledge and easy to understand. Really helped me while having similar doubts.
1 John 3:20
“For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.“
Isaiah 42:9
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Psalm 147:5
“Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”
Exodus 20:4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.“
Revelation 19:10
“Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Deuteronomy 18:10-11
“There shall not be found among you who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practiced witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.”
John 14:15
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
Praying!
 
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