A good question and something about Advent

[Mark Dohle]

A good question and something about Advent​

A man responded to one of my postings with this question. "How can you possibly believe in God? The whole concept is absurd and irrational"! It was written in anger I believe, though it is hard to really know, since it was typed on the internet.

We often use terms that are totally subjective in nature but are often thought to be based on reality. We can stick with those who believe as we do and as a group, possibly laugh at those who believe differently, or maybe have no beliefs at all. Now that is irrational as if all others where simply straw-men and women.

There are days when the thought of God can seem absurd, then, of course, the thought that there is no God is even more so. So there you go, absurd if you do, absurd if you don’t. The word God can be a problem as well. Yet most people do believe in God, though concepts vary, evolve and mature. Humans are unstable, we grow, fall back, change our minds, are emotional, very irrational and yes capable of rational thought from time to time. However, to be too rational can also be a form of being crazy…..at least they can sound like it. Logic can be used to bolster any argument, that is why a good debater can change sides and still win, all because of the use of logic in arguing and a gift of blarney.

We are suspended in a world of not knowing when it comes to the really deep questions. Yet there is faith. Christians base their faith on the Scriptures and mostly on the New Testament which is a sharing of the early Churches experience of the Risen Lord. Many try to disprove it, so many theories postulated in so many books, yet none seem to hold up. The world is filled with a graveyard of so-called breakthroughs in who and what Jesus is, or was, yet they all just fade away. Why? Because the life of the Church is the Risen Lord, no matter how messed up we Christians can be, the things we do, the scandals we give out, yet, Jesus is Lord and the Church lives on.

In Advent, we contemplate the Lord who is always coming to us in love and mercy. Christians are not surprised at failure, sin, evil, it is part of all of us…..we know it is grace that heals, forgives and accompanies us in all of our lives, so if don’t forget that, we can show compassion towards all. Sad to say, it is easy to forget. Judging from a place of arrogance or contempt is a great evil, often overlooked. When Christians do it, the evil I believe is compounded. Pope Francis is doing a lot in trying to help us to see as Jesus saw when he walked the earth…..hopefully, we will listen.--Br.MD

 

[Tolworth John]

If he has given you the opertunity to reply ask him 'Why do you believe that ? and
What evidence do you have for your belief?

Christian belief is rational and reasonable, in fact our whole civilisation rests on Christian philisophical ideas.

 

[Mark Dohle]

If he has given you the opertunity to reply ask him 'Why do you believe that ? and
What evidence do you have for your belief?

Christian belief is rational and reasonable, in fact our whole civilisation rests on Christian philisophical ideas.

I agree, thanks for the comment. We still have to choose, don't we?

Peace
Mark

 

[Tolworth John]

coldcasechristianity has some good challenges see:-
Quick Shot: "Believing in God is the same as believing in the 'Flying Spaghetti Monster'" | Cold Case Christianity

 

[Mark Dohle]

coldcasechristianity has some good challenges see:-
Quick Shot: "Believing in God is the same as believing in the 'Flying Spaghetti Monster'" | Cold Case Christianity

LOL, now those are some interesting people, they like to wear ladlels on their heads. I do not argue anymore, a waste of time, I just tell them of my faith, how the Lord has healed me, and that I see the Universe as manifesting a great deal of intelligence in how it is made, operates, etc.f

Peace
Mark

 

[RickardoHolmes]

I stopped Posting Advent Devotionals on this forum a while back, after a number of trolls complained and found ways to have my posts removed and of the ones that they could not, just incited argument.

Advent is a time of Hope, a time of Love and Peace, of anticipation and celebration. For some people, sadly, these concepts do not exist. Advent is a time in which we could foster the positive aspects of faith, and show the world how believing in something does in fact lift us up to a higher spiritual level.
Sadly, there are some, both believers and non believers who will never be able to understand this. But for us, we move on ahead with our Advent celebrations anyway and each year, learn something new.

 

[Mark Dohle]

I stopped Posting Advent Devotionals on this forum a while back, after a number of trolls complained and found ways to have my posts removed and of the ones that they could not, just incited argument.

Advent is a time of Hope, a time of Love and Peace, of anticipation and celebration. For some people, sadly, these concepts do not exist. Advent is a time in which we could foster the positive aspects of faith, and show the world how believing in something does in fact lift us up to a higher spiritual level.
Sadly, there are some, both believers and non believers who will never be able to understand this. But for us, we move on ahead with our Advent celebrations anyway and each year, learn something new.

I can't imagine Christmas, without Advent. It is peaceful waiting that I love.

Peace
Mark

 

[RickardoHolmes]

I do agree. The Advent is my favorite season by far. I am very involved in activities, meditations, devotionals.....I find great rewards in the anticipation.

 

[Mark Dohle]

I do agree. The Advent is my favorite season by far. I am very involved in activities, meditations, devotionals.....I find great rewards in the anticipation.

I will pray that this is grace filled season for you.....or perhaps better than any other ;-)
Peace
Mark