1 Peter 3:15 Arguments

[leafy]

1st Peter 3:15 says:

But sanctify the Lord God in you hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I'm looking for valid arguments for the existence of God. I have yet to hear any. Not trolling, it's just that I can't possibly hope to hear all arguments from all people.

 

[DTrain]

Just to be a little bit more brief, and due to the fact that I am not as smart as the guy that wrote this P), I will post the link to this great article.

http://www.leaderu.com/real/ri9403/evidence.html

The design requirements for our universe are like a chain of 1000 links. If any link breaks, we do not have a less optimal universe for life -- we have a universe incapable of sustaining life! The evidence I have present is daunting, but still short of "proof". I must conclude that it takes a great deal more faith to believe in an accidental universe than to believe in an intelligent creator, or God who crafted such a marvelous universe and beautiful place of habitation in planet Earth, and then created life (including human beings) to occupy it.

I will try to answer any questions that you have. :/

 

[leafy]

Just to be a little bit more brief, and due to the fact that I am not as smart as the guy that wrote this P), I will post the link to this great article.



I will try to answer any questions that you have. :/

I've already heard the argument from design. Just because life evolved this way doesn't make all other ways life could have arisen impossible because the constants of the universe are changed.

I don't know anyone who says that the universe is an "accident" - the Big Bang is not an accident nor is it governed by chance.

The way in which we recognize design is not complexity, because complexity can arise from random and simple processes (evolution). We don't recognize design from the improbability of random processes. We recognize design because we've SEEN things designed before - we recognize a watch as designed because we've seen watches designed before. We haven't seen anyone or anything design a human being before. Simply put, the notion of design presupposes a designer.

Explained in a different way, we have to establish that God exists before we posit him as an explanation for the design of something.

 

[YoungPilgrim]

Hi, leafy. You have asked a good question, and I will try to point you in what I think might be a positive direction.

How do you know that the wind exists? Do you believe that the wind exists because you have read a logical discourse on its existence? Or how do you know that the sun exists that for that matter? Is it because someone gave you a valid argument as proof?

I know that the reason I believe that the wind and the sun exist are because I have experienced them. I have felt the wind and seen its effect on things around me. I have felt the heat of the sun, and because of the light it gives I can see other things that exist. It is for these same reasons that I believe in the existence of God. I have experienced God. I have felt and seen His effects on the world around me. I have seen other things in light of His existence and His word, and it has made more sense in this light than from any other point of view.

How then will you experience God to see if He exists? I would tell you to "taste and see that the Lord is good," as it says in Psalm 34:8. In other words, you must try it on. To find proof of God you cannot dispassionately look for it from afar. You cannot assume that He does not exist and then try to prove to yourself otherwise. You must first assume that God exists, and then you can search for proof.

"You must do the truth to know it," as a friend of mine once said. Jesus himself said, "If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority." Do you want to know if the Bible is true? Then I would tell you that you must try to do God's will. Try to obey Him perfectly. I can tell you right now, though, that you will not be able to do God's will perfectly; I say this because the Bible says it, and because I have experientially found it to be true. If you try to live by the Bible, your experiences may end up proving its truth to you.

No one can know God unless the spirit of God reveals it to him. It would be pointless to know that God exists without knowing who God is. In fact, if you do not believe God to be who He says that He is, then you do not believe in His existence at all. But if it is up to God to decide who will know Him, how can anyone know Him? I will answer this question with another question. While it is true that it is only by God's mercy that anyone ever knows Him, how can you know how God's mercy will manifest itself? Perhaps He plans for it to be manifest through your own choices and actions, which I would submit to you that He often does.

"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." If you want to be proven the existence of God, then seek God's mercy. I hope and pray that God will lead you to that, and that you will one day say with David, "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy."

 

[NaLuvena]

1st Peter 3:15 says:



I'm looking for valid arguments for the existence of God. I have yet to hear any. Not trolling, it's just that I can't possibly hope to hear all arguments from all people.

The only way to prove beyond doubt that God exists is to meet Him.

 

[Hentenza]

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[Hentenza]

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[chosenpath]

First God is not to be argued about and second "you" are looking for validity and have yet to hear anything to meet "your" expectations. All I can tell you is what I read in God's word. So in meekness without argument and fear of misrepresenting God. The only way to explain God's existance is through his Word. I will be happy to discuss this with you if you prefer.

 

[drich0150]

I'm looking for valid arguments for the existence of God. I have yet to hear any. Not trolling, it's just that I can't possibly hope to hear all arguments from all people.

As I'm sure your well aware 1Pt.3:15 says, "and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" This hope as nothing to do with "Valid arguments for the existence of God."

The command from peter simply says to explain why you are hopeful when asked.. It doesn't say explain yourself to the exacting standards of the atheistic community. So adherence to this command can be as simple as "I love Jesus, because he first loved me." That's it, commandment full filled, even if you don't have what you are looking for, as an atheist or someone seeking God.

Baiting those young in the faith with this an obligation, To your exacting standards, that seemingly is tied to scripture is a deplorable act. If you were honestly looking for answers then why not just ask the question, and simply leave the scripture out of it?

To answer your question God has said through scripture that He will hide is presents from the foolishly learn-ed, and reveal himself to the humble, and meek.. That this was his good pleasure to do so. If you are so willing to force answers from us through scripture, then you should be as equally willing to accept answers grounded in the same texts..

According to scripture if you want true evidence then humble yourself to God, and allow him to lift you up. Otherwise, as it is written you in your current state, you will never be able to know God.

 

[heron]

Practitioners of Eastern religions can say that they are searching for enlightenment, and everyone sighs "ooh."

All humans are searching for enlightenment and reason, security and understanding, empowerment and help in some way or another. It is not shameful to make the searching process long.

No one answer is going to click that light bulb inside you that makes you say oh yes of course. Understanding comes over time.

Similarly, knowing the person of God comes over many communications and experiences together. It is a thing to treasure, to keep close to your heart.

When we turn our faith into a debate, something that must be vehemently defended, then we lose the preciousness of what we have found. It gets put on a public stage for the rowdy to throw tomatoes at.

Jesus said: Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.

 

[visionary]

The best argument I can give.. IS... Meet Him... He is real and He has offered to meet with you.. The best way is to prepare to meet the God of the Bible. is to read His book and ask Him to show you what you need to do in order to meet Him Get a concordance.. you can use this one online

concordance

Get a scribbler.. You will need it to write down all your questions and all your personal studies on the different subjects that have puzzled you about God. Pray to God before opening up his Word. Pray to God while you are reading His word. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find it... remember to seek His Kingdom first and then everything will be added unto to it.

This may take months but perserverance will work... God will honor an earnest seeker. When God believes you are ready to meet Him, because you have prepared your mind and heart, He will come.. He is Holy.. so repent of all your sins and ask Him to show you any sins you may have still written in your Book of Life.. He will give you the "peace that passes all understanding" when your Book has been covered with His Blood. He will then place the "robe of His righteousness" upon you so that you may stand in His Presence. He is really real. He will come...

Put your finger on Rev 3:20 and know your day is coming and it will be you He comes to visit.. That is His promise...

 

[leafy]

As I'm sure your well aware 1Pt.3:15 says, "and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" This hope as nothing to do with "Valid arguments for the existence of God."

The command from peter simply says to explain why you are hopeful when asked.. It doesn't say explain yourself to the exacting standards of the atheistic community. So adherence to this command can be as simple as "I love Jesus, because he first loved me." That's it, commandment full filled, even if you don't have what you are looking for, as an atheist or someone seeking God.

Baiting those young in the faith with this an obligation, To your exacting standards, that seemingly is tied to scripture is a deplorable act. If you were honestly looking for answers then why not just ask the question, and simply leave the scripture out of it?

To answer your question God has said through scripture that He will hide is presents from the foolishly learn-ed, and reveal himself to the humble, and meek.. That this was his good pleasure to do so. If you are so willing to force answers from us through scripture, then you should be as equally willing to accept answers grounded in the same texts..

According to scripture if you want true evidence then humble yourself to God, and allow him to lift you up. Otherwise, as it is written you in your current state, you will never be able to know God.

That's rather weak. "I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you" - "He hasn't revealed himself to you". You have to assume it's truth before evaluating it's truth.

If you humble yourself to Zeus, and allow him to lift you up, you will believe.

All humans are searching for enlightenment and reason, security and understanding, empowerment and help in some way or another. It is not shameful to make the searching process long.

And the best way to do that is through believing something that never changes - never updates it's information and assumes that it's correct forever? The track record of that is staggeringly bad - Dark Ages? The Age of reason is at hand - religion is antithetical to reason as it doesn't inquire if it's wrong - if you assume that you're right then you'll never be sure that you're right to any extent.

No one answer is going to click that light bulb inside you that makes you say oh yes of course. Understanding comes over time.

I've been alive for a while and I understand christianity perfectly - I don't believe any of it.

Similarly, knowing the person of God comes over many communications and experiences together. It is a thing to treasure, to keep close to your heart.

You don't "know" it - you just believe. Knowledge is justified true belief and yours isn't justified as the only thing you have is faith.

When we turn our faith into a debate, something that must be vehemently defended, then we lose the preciousness of what we have found. It gets put on a public stage for the rowdy to throw tomatoes at.

Why is faith something to respect or admire? It's not a virtue.

Jesus said: Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.

In other words, assume that he exists to find out that he exists.

First God is not to be argued about

Not to be argued about? How absurd. If it wasn't to be argued about, then you would never gain any new members of the church unless through indoctrination.

and second "you" are looking for validity and have yet to hear anything to meet "your" expectations. All I can tell you is what I read in God's word. So in meekness without argument and fear of misrepresenting God. The only way to explain God's existance is through his Word. I will be happy to discuss this with you if you prefer.

Tell me why you believe, or why I should believe.

 

[thk]

Hi Leafy,

What do you believe in? Do you believe in love, loyalty, hate, friendship? What will cause you to believe in these things? I don't think logic, science or knowledge alone can cause you to believe in these things. Similarly, no logic, science or knowledge alone can cause you to believe in God. Nevertheless, I do pray that you will believe in Him someday!

 

[GoodNewsJim]

God let me know he is real.

So I am a guy that knows God is real.

God revealed himself to people in the Bible so you know that is a quality of God.

God uses people.

So when I tell you that I know God is real, it isn't something farfetched, right?


That is my argument for God: I know God is real, and I wouldn't lie to you because lies are of the enemy and God is truth.

 

[arunma]

Practitioners of Eastern religions can say that they are searching for enlightenment, and everyone sighs "ooh."

Interesting observation. Every experience I've had with such religion suggests to me that this so-called enlightenment is veiled in mystery because it has no substance. I'm sure there's a reason that the use of illicit drugs is referred to as "smoking the Buddha" in American slang. I think the appeal of these religions has more to do with the fact that they require no lifestyle change on the part of the adherant than any real benefit that they afford.

Anyway, sorry for digressing.

 

[drich0150]

Not trolling, it's just that I can't possibly hope to hear all arguments from all people.

But...

If you humble yourself to Zeus, and allow him to lift you up, you will believe.

So what do you consider "trolling?"
________________________________

That's rather weak. "I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you" - "He hasn't revealed himself to you". You have to assume it's truth before evaluating it's truth.

That's a rather closed minded statement is it not? If you come to a person looking for answers, and He/She gives you an answer, but you do not except it, then what exactly are you looking for? Answers to questions, or an opportunity to test your metal?

If you are looking for a chance to test what you've been programed with, then why the subterfuge? Why the deception? Why the need to quote scripture to bait unsuspecting christians, yet refuse the answers written from the same text?? By doing this you would hold us to a standard you do not recognize, does this behavior not ring of hypocrisy in your community? If so, does the opportunity to pad your ego out weigh, the need for simple honor and respect? Is this what it means to be an atheist now, or are you doing this of your own accord?
If this describes your intent here, Then be aware at this point, all I've seen from you is a small minded religious bigot, who wants to destroy that, which in his current position, can not know anything about.

If you are in fact looking for God, you have your answer before you, and like I said earlier, the answers Given do not have to be to your liking.. You ask for the rules, well there they are. Humble yourself before God and He will lift you up..
It's as simple as that. Maybe because it is so simple, is the reason this principle confounds people who think themselves as educated.. If you were honest and not afraid to seek God, and did so. All of your doubt would be countered with truth, and reassureance...

If this is what you seek then I apologize for my earlier remark. I have a real problem with liars and bullies, in that my patients for them is far less than what it should be. I can, and have had, many civil conversations with the people of your faith. Your faith is not the problem, it the dishonor I perceive (perhaps mistakenly) that your written words bring to this place that I take issue with.. Know if this is the case that, The Dishonor you have expressed here is not an acceptable practice. Others may not take issue with it, but I will quickly wash my hand of it.

 

[visionary]

Give God a chance...

Admit you are a sinner.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)

Be willing to turn from sin (repent).
Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Acts 17:30)

Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour.
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

 

[chosenpath]

Because God is life and the only way to gain eternal everlasting life is through his son Jesus Christ. In order to believe this you have to gain an understanding through the Word of God. This may sound absurd also, but thats skeptical thinking. If we become humble and meek in thinking a clear picture will develop. This is why ego and self prevent us from seeing God it is exposed to the elements of worldly ideas.

 

[70x7]

How can you prove gravity?
How can you prove love?

You cannot see either one of those, but we know they both exist because we can see thier effects. It's what we don't see that gives us our foundation for those.

We see evidence of God all around us. The presise structure of the earth and the universe, the interworkings of the smallest most complex cells, the human conscience.....

You agree the universe has a beginning. To have a beginning needs a cause. What is the cause for the universe? God.
We are able to recognize design like you agree, so what gave it that design? If the earth were tilted a couple more degrees then life couldnt survive, if the atmosphere wasnt as presise with its composition of chemicals, then we would all burn up. If the gravity of the sun were different, the solar system as we know it could not be stablized...on and on.....
The clear evidence for design is there, but are you willing to accept the Creator?

God shows us his mark in everything and these are just physical items. Its amazing what He can do to the human heart!

 

[DeaconDean]

You know, its just my experience but if I were to give you irrefutable proof that God does indeed exist, would you believe?

I sincerely doubt it.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh so to speak. Even Satan doubted this to a certain extent. He asked for a sign, visible proof that Jesus was God:

"If thou be the Son of God," -Mt. 3:4 (KJV)

The scribes and the Pharisees also asked for visible proof:

"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee." -Mt. 12:38 (KJV)

Not that seeing a sign would have changeds there mind though, but the reason why I point this passage of scripture out is that skeptics seek signs, and "proof." And even in the face of proof, they would not believe. So what good would it do to show irrefutable proof?

There are two kinds of doubters in the realm of spiritual truth. There are those hard-boiled rationalists who say, "I don't believe it and there's nothing that will make me believe it." Such people enjoy their doubt, talk about it, laugh about it, and get angry when they are refuted. A person like that is not looking for answers; he's looking for an argument. He counts the difficulties, seizes objections, and looks for loopholes. The Pharisees fall into that category. When they asked Jesus for a sign, he refused, calling them "an evil and adulterous generation" (Matthew 16:1-4).

The Bible also tells us:

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" -Rom. 1:20 (KJV)

Somebody has already used this reasoning and it has been rejected, but the fact still remains, nature itself bears witness to the fact that there is an Almighty God.

The Bible also tells us:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." -Heb. 11:1 (KJV)

Augustine said:

Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe.

When your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend tells you they love you, how do you know? It is by faith you accept it. You accept it based on the observations you have made. Your mate, has forsaken others for you, they are no longer interested in others, they only have eyes for you.

Well, the same thing can be said of God. He loves you, and He loves you so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die in your place.

Prove to me there is such a thing as "wind."

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:" -Jn. 3:8 (KJV)

I can't see the wind even though I can feel it blowing, I can see the trees bending, the leaves falling. But prove to me there is such a thing as wind.

I don't need proof that there is such a thing as wind, I can see the evidence for it to know its there.

Likewise, I don't need visible proof that God exists. I have seen seen what He has done in others.

I have seen the alcoholic become sober.

I have seen the drug addict become clean.

I have seen the woman beater, cry and ask for forgiveness at the recognition of what they have done in the past.

I have seen the thief stop stealing.

I have seen God's working in the lives of those who did not believe.

Little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your soul.

No my friend, I do not need proof for I have seen Him working.

Augustine also said:

God does not expect us to submit our faith to him without reason, but the very limits of our reason make faith a necessity.

So I ask, what proof could I give that would make you believe?

Christ never asks us to believe for no reason at all. He told Thomas to check out the evidence and come to his own conclusion. He makes the same invitation to you and to me. Ours is a skeptical, jaded generation that has learned to question everything. We've been lied to by people in authority and misled so often by the media and by Hollywood that we automatically doubt any claims to absolute truth. When Christians declare that Christ is risen from the dead, we shouldn't be surprised when someone says, "Oh yeah? I saw that on the David Copperfield special the other night." Over the centuries unbelievers have propounded many theories to explain away the bodily resurrection of Jesus: That Jesus didn't really die, he just passed out and revived in the tomb; That the women went to the wrong tomb; That someone stole the body—the Romans, the Jews, the disciples; That Jesus somehow faked his own death and then pretended to come back from the dead; That the disciples had a mass hallucination and imagined that Jesus rose from the dead; That Jesus rose spiritually while his body remained in the tomb; That the early church concocted the whole story. Even today there are those who still cling to these outmoded, discredited ideas. We say to everyone what Jesus said to Thomas: "Come and see for yourself. Check out the evidence. Read the story with an open heart and an open mind. Stop doubting and believe." We believe that when all the evidence has been fairly evaluated, the only possible conclusion will be that on Good Friday Jesus died and was buried and on Easter Sunday morning he rose from the dead. The entire Christian faith hangs on this one fact: Jesus rose from the dead—literally, physically, bodily, visibly.

Doubt does have its uses. Deep doubt is often the prelude to an even deeper faith. I love the way Frederick Buechner expresses it: "Whether your faith is that there is a God or that there is not a God, if you don't have any doubts you are either kidding yourself or asleep. Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving" (from the book Wishful Thinking). It is a wonderful truth that the greatest doubters often become the strongest believers. And the honest doubts—once resolved—often become the bedrock of an unshakeable faith. It has been said that no truth is so strongly believed as that which you once doubted. In the history of the Christian church, the greatest doubters have often become the strongest believers. That's why the story of Thomas is in the Bible—so that honest doubters might be encouraged to bring their honest doubts to the empty tomb. Thomas did, and his doubts were washed away by the person of Jesus Christ—alive from the dead.

God Bless

Till all are one.