A hard time

[Bork]

It seems as if during the summer I slip into a deep depression, which unfortunately correlates to a pessimistic outlook and little to no faith in god.

Here are some questions that are constantly bothering me lately.

1) The doctrine of hell: I have seen some criticism stating that hell is not apart of christianity, but was utilized as a metaphor. If this is true, what necessity is there to believe in God?
2) Biblical criticism: It is hard to go through a lot of biblical criticism, many people in the field seem to be lapsed christians (Jesus Seminar, etc). I am trying to go through and understand the dating of the gospels, and etc. Anyone have any knowledge or can reccomend a book?
3) Pain and suffering: This is one of the big problems I have with christianity, honestly. I understand the necessity of pain for joy (relativism), but why do some groups suffer more than others? Eg, why do children suffer?
4) Another big question: Messiah myths, I understand that if Jesus did what is displayed in the bible than he is god. However, there are some contemporary myths. My problem is that I cannot find a scholarly source that disputes some of these claims by other religions. Any reccomendations?
5) The soul: there doesn't seem to be any evidence for a soul. Atleast none I have seen. Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[MelissaShae]

It seems as if during the summer I slip into a deep depression, which unfortunately correlates to a pessimistic outlook and little to no faith in god.

Here are some questions that are constantly bothering me lately.

1) The doctrine of hell: I have seen some criticism stating that hell is not apart of christianity, but was utilized as a metaphor. If this is true, what necessity is there to believe in God?
2) Biblical criticism: It is hard to go through a lot of biblical criticism, many people in the field seem to be lapsed christians (Jesus Seminar, etc). I am trying to go through and understand the dating of the gospels, and etc. Anyone have any knowledge or can reccomend a book?
3) Pain and suffering: This is one of the big problems I have with christianity, honestly. I understand the necessity of pain for joy (relativism), but why do some groups suffer more than others? Eg, why do children suffer?
4) Another big question: Messiah myths, I understand that if Jesus did what is displayed in the bible than he is god. However, there are some contemporary myths. My problem is that I cannot find a scholarly source that disputes some of these claims by other religions. Any reccomendations?
5) The soul: there doesn't seem to be any evidence for a soul. Atleast none I have seen. Any ideas?

Thanks.

1. hell is not a metaphor but it will happen after the second coming but will not last an eternity it will burn up everything including the earth. (all in revelations)

2. I can't not reccommend anything for this.....sorry

3. Why have a problem with Christianity about this? Why not have a problem with humanity in general, humans cause pain and suffering, not God.

4. no reccommendations here either

5. do you have a conscience? A conscience can be compared to the soul that we feel remorse when we have wronged someone or when we do something immoral, not much different than a soul.

 

[calidog]

(1) When you read the bible you'll discover that heaven or hell is where our souls will spend eternity.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

----------------------------------

Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Rev 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
Rev 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

2Co 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2Co 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

 

[calidog]

(2) biblical critisism


http://www.ibs.org/bibles/about/index.php

 

[calidog]

(3) pain and suffering.

With the fall of mankind came suffering and death.

Christ has restored us back to God and He will make all things new.

 

[calidog]

(4) Messiah myths.

You'll have to be specific.

 

[calidog]

(5) The soul.


The evidence for the existence of your soul is the very reason you are asking these questions.


Ecc 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

May God bless you in your search.

 

[Bork]

Why do you only think of these things when you are depressed?

I don't.

It is only one I am depressed that I can't put them to the side. Eg. No mental rest.

 

[E-beth]

1) The doctrine of hell: I have seen some criticism stating that hell is not apart of christianity, but was utilized as a metaphor. If this is true, what necessity is there to believe in God?

I personally do not believe hell is a metaphor. But even if it were, whatever it represented is not something I would want to deal with. Hell is a place of separation from God, where no good thing is. Who would want to live like that?

2) Biblical criticism: It is hard to go through a lot of biblical criticism, many people in the field seem to be lapsed christians (Jesus Seminar, etc). I am trying to go through and understand the dating of the gospels, and etc. Anyone have any knowledge or can reccomend a book?

Hmmm... I have heard that the Reese Chronological Bible is a Bible sorted chronologically, but I have never read through one. But I do know that many non-believers will point out every seeming mistake in the Bible, while totally ignoring any nugget of truth or guide to eternal life in it.

3) Pain and suffering: This is one of the big problems I have with christianity, honestly. I understand the necessity of pain for joy (relativism), but why do some groups suffer more than others? Eg, why do children suffer?

I am no scholar, but my guess is that the forces who want you to turn away from God will do whatever they can to get your attention. Children suffer like all humans suffer, but when it happens to an innocent, we are left thinking, "How could a loving God allow that to happen?" The bad things that happen are not from God, but He can use them for the good in some way. He also comforts those who grieve.

4) Another big question: Messiah myths, I understand that if Jesus did what is displayed in the bible than he is god. However, there are some contemporary myths. My problem is that I cannot find a scholarly source that disputes some of these claims by other religions. Any reccomendations?

I would say The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel.

5) The soul: there doesn't seem to be any evidence for a soul. Atleast none I have seen. Any ideas?

Thanks.

All I can tell you is that I can feel God's Holy Spirit in my soul. It is hard to explain, but when you accept Christ, you know.

I am very sorry that you get depressed in the summer. I will pray that you get some peace of mind and a heart at rest.

 

[Key]

It seems as if during the summer I slip into a deep depression, which unfortunately correlates to a pessimistic outlook and little to no faith in god.

That's got to be really hard, is this a SAD (Seasonal Attitude Disorder) problem?

Most people get more depressed in the winter however, so this is stunning really.

Here are some questions that are constantly bothering me lately.

I'll try to answer what I can.

1) The doctrine of hell: I have seen some criticism stating that hell is not apart of christianity, but was utilized as a metaphor. If this is true, what necessity is there to believe in God?

There are two ends to Life, you either go to Heaven, or you don't make it to Heaven. Not making it to Heaven.. is Hell, in the simple form.

5) The soul: there doesn't seem to be any evidence for a soul. Atleast none I have seen. Any ideas?

Thanks.

The Soul, is the part of us, that is not "Chemical Reactions and Electrical Impulses", which, it seems, is a very large part of us, when we study it.

Because, if all we were, is Chemical Reactions and Electrical Impulses, then coming back to life, would be a no-brainier. But, something happens once our bodies die, something, is lost, that is more then simple reactions, it seems, it is something we can not reproduce.

That would be the "soul".. in the Scientific Sense.

Hope this Helps

I'll try to explain #3 when I have time, as 2 and 4 seem to have been very well covered.

God Bless

Key

 

[kompia]

Q1 - Hell is as real as it gets. Not just a metaphor. It's created by God to keep fallen angels prisoned till judgement day (2 Peter 2:4). The last resting place for those not for God, names that are not in the book of life and the fallen angels at the judgement day is to be thrown into the lake of fire (second death). (see Revelation 20:14-15). Book recommended - Revelation of Hell by Mary K Baxter.

Q2 - Try understanding the bible first. Then, you try to handle the biblical criticism. If cannot, post it here... we can braim strom together.

Q3 - Well, the word of God said tell us about it two thousand years ago. What do you expect from the current self loving world people.

Mat 24:4-14
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Q4 - What are the disputes by other religions? Got any other religions that the founder claimed that "He is the way and the truth and the life. And nobody can get to the Father except through Him"(John 14:6). Dispute that.

Q5 - You are built from three parts :- body, soul and spirit. Your soul is the part that experiences the emotions; pain, fear, joy and etc. Your spirit is the one that you cannot felt nowadays, because the connection was cut off because of our forefather (Adam) sin, and that why we need the Holy Spirit to be in us to ammend that. Book recommended: - He came to set us free by Rebecca Brown.

God bless

 

[Criada]

It seems as if during the summer I slip into a deep depression, which unfortunately correlates to a pessimistic outlook and little to no faith in god.

Sorry to hera that.
I will pray foryou.

Here are some questions that are constantly bothering me lately.

1) The doctrine of hell: I have seen some criticism stating that hell is not apart of christianity, but was utilized as a metaphor. If this is true, what necessity is there to believe in God?

Different Christians have varying beliefs about hell - as is obvious from previous answers.
BUT my faith is not because of fear of hell!
Anyone who believes in God out of fear is missing out on what God wants for us!
I am a Christian because I love God, because I am eternally grateful for what Jesus has done for me, because i know His peace, love and joy in my life.
And that doesn't depend on what is going to happen to me, but on who He is!

2) Biblical criticism: It is hard to go through a lot of biblical criticism, many people in the field seem to be lapsed christians (Jesus Seminar, etc). I am trying to go through and understand the dating of the gospels, and etc. Anyone have any knowledge or can reccomend a book?

Can't help here, I'm afraid!
Have you tried googling it?

3) Pain and suffering: This is one of the big problems I have with christianity, honestly. I understand the necessity of pain for joy (relativism), but why do some groups suffer more than others? Eg, why do children suffer?

I'm not sure why you think that children suffer more than others.
Suffering is not part of God's original plan - it came about because of siin. And one day, God will get rid of it permanently.
In the meanntime, our free will allows us to make bad choices and causes suffering!

4) Another big question: Messiah myths, I understand that if Jesus did what is displayed in the bible than he is god. However, there are some contemporary myths. My problem is that I cannot find a scholarly source that disputes some of these claims by other religions. Any reccomendations?

Can't think of a better one than that already suggested!
"Who moved the Stone?" is also good - can't remember who wrote it at the moment, but I'll look it up later.

5) The soul: there doesn't seem to be any evidence for a soul. Atleast none I have seen. Any ideas?

What do you mean by evidence?
Your soul is the part of you that feels, loves, experiences spiritual reality. It is the eternal part of you which can know God.
It is the part which scientists cannot reproduce.
However much we understand about our bodies and brains, scientists cannot create a human. Only God can put a soul into a mass of chemicals, organs etc. and create a person!

But that is hard to measure in a laboratory!



God bless you in your search for truth - I hope that some of this helps.
But if you truly want to know, you need to ask God to reveal it to you - no one can see the things of God unless He helps!

 

[Tinkerbell33]

It seems as if during the summer I slip into a deep depression, which unfortunately correlates to a pessimistic outlook and little to no faith in god.

Here are some questions that are constantly bothering me lately.

1) The doctrine of hell: I have seen some criticism stating that hell is not apart of christianity, but was utilized as a metaphor. If this is true, what necessity is there to believe in God?
2) Biblical criticism: It is hard to go through a lot of biblical criticism, many people in the field seem to be lapsed christians (Jesus Seminar, etc). I am trying to go through and understand the dating of the gospels, and etc. Anyone have any knowledge or can reccomend a book?
3) Pain and suffering: This is one of the big problems I have with christianity, honestly. I understand the necessity of pain for joy (relativism), but why do some groups suffer more than others? Eg, why do children suffer?
4) Another big question: Messiah myths, I understand that if Jesus did what is displayed in the bible than he is god. However, there are some contemporary myths. My problem is that I cannot find a scholarly source that disputes some of these claims by other religions. Any reccomendations?
5) The soul: there doesn't seem to be any evidence for a soul. Atleast none I have seen. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Hi,
Im sorry to hear that you have lost your faith due to depression.

In answer to question one, Hell exists, there is not much in the bible about it, thats why there are so many differing views about what happens after death. The people who you are talking about who call Hell a metaphor probably dont mean that there is no such thing as Hell but that Hell is not a place but an eternal spiritual state far from God. But some believe it is a real physical place. In the end it doesnt matter if it is a physical place or a spiritual state - we know its not something we want to experience for eternity.The bible warns us of Hell so we need to avoid it. Go on google and type Hell in christian beliefs wikipedia - that will help you.

2.) for question two i can recommend "Christianity for Dummies" it has helped me a lot. DIGITALWALK is the authors website. If you type on google DIGITALWALK WALK YOUR FAITH then you will find it- on there. Go on BOOKS, then click on the christianity for dummies book - then you will need to scroll down and then you will be able to read the first chapter and a free study guide.