A Strange Feeling...

[thomhughes]

Well, as the title suggests (albeit rather amiguously) I have an odd feeling that turns up when I specifically think about God, and I'll elaborate further as to why this bothers me so and why I feel the need to come for advice on the internet.

So, to get to the point, I'm a non-believer on the whole, I think. What I mean is, I usually can't bring myself to believe in God since it just doesn't make enough sense...logically. However...when I think about God or more specifically when I sit down and say to myself...'OK, I believe, I don't know what I believe but I know you are there and that is enough for me' I feel...amazing, it's similar to that nervy, fluttering love feeling you may or may not now, but without all the negative feelings that come with your love for another person.

My problem, then, is this. I can admit I believe, but what? I certainly refuse to join a church, simply because I am a very liberal minded individual and too many of the denominations (or cults, in some cases) just go against every shred of 'fairness' I believe in. I also can't bring myself to take the bible as anything more as a 'guidline' because I believe, strongly and with justification, that it's wrote by man and therefore tainted and not the true word of God.

So, what now? Well I don't know. I have, until recently, been happy enough to stick with science (and don't get me wrong, I still love science and all it does) but that feeling is still there...that incomparable warmth I get when I think of or talk to God.

Any ideas on what I should do?

 

[ChristianT]

G_d has ways of letting people, who want to believe, learn that He exists. His Spirit is what gets a lot of non-Christians to realize that, hey, God does exist. and yes, the bible was written down by people, and may have some language barriers, but that doesn't mean it's false.

I say try out a non-denominational church (they usually can't tolerate any 1 denom and have the basics needed for a Christian life), and see how it works with you. If it still doesn't go with you too well, try another church. If all else fails, grab a bible and learn what G_d may have to reveal to you about himself.

 

[joey_downunder]

First suggestion - C.S.Lewis wrote an extremely good fictional book where the main character goes through the process of what it sounds like you are currently going through.
Amazon.com: Pilgrim's Regress (9780802806413): C. S. Lewis, Michael Hague: Books

I have just actually lent my copy to an acquaintance who is a seeker but not an actual believer like yourself.

Second - have you looked at any decent christian apologetics websites about why the Bible can be trusted?

 

[thomhughes]

Oh I know all about C.S Lewis being from the same part of the world he's from, interestingly enough.

I was considering a non-denomination but I honestly don't know where to start.

As for the Bible, I've done research aplenty (from both sides of the argument) and I've settled firmly on the side of 'it can't be trusted'. So I'd rather not go through endless quotations from websites like CARM claiming the Bible is one thing or the other.

I've read it, extensively, too, incase anyone brings that up in the future. It is non-negotiable, for my part, to use the Bible as anything other than a rough guidline on how to live your life i.e be nice to others.

Really my problem is accepting in my head what my 'heart' has already accepted...if that makes sense.

 

[joey_downunder]

I was considering a non-denomination but I honestly don't know where to start.

Maybe you could go the non-denomination section for advice then?

As for the Bible, I've done research aplenty (from both sides of the argument) and I've settled firmly on the side of 'it can't be trusted'. So I'd rather not go through endless quotations from websites like CARM claiming the Bible is one thing or the other.

Did you make sure that you looked at evidence from BOTH sides of the fence? A lot of anti-Bible websites take verses out of context and conveniently leave out verses that contradict them. At the moment though it sounds like for you christian apologetics can be left alone for a whole until you are more sure about where you stand.

I've read it, extensively, too, incase anyone brings that up in the future. It is non-negotiable, for my part, to use the Bible as anything other than a rough guidline on how to live your life i.e be nice to others.

At this point in time are you comfortable with learning about what Jesus said and did then for your own personal guidance? The Gospel of Matthew and Luke are very detailed in their Sermon on the Mount sections.

Really my problem is accepting in my head what my 'heart' has already accepted...if that makes sense.

It makes perfect sense. Changing your whole worldview from a non-Christian one to a Christian one can be a very challenging process.

 

[thomhughes]

Did you make sure that you looked at evidence from BOTH sides of the fence? A lot of anti-Bible websites take verses out of context and conveniently leave out verses that contradict them.

I understand that a lot of information out there is deliberately misleading and constructed by people with agendas (on both sides), but from my own research I am comfortable with where I stand on the issue of the Bible. That isn't to say it doesn't have merit, but for my own personal beliefs I don't think I can take it any further than I have previously mentioned. To each their own

At this point in time are you comfortable with learning about what Jesus said and did then for your own personal guidance? The Gospel of Matthew and Luke are very detailed in their Sermon on the Mount sections.

If there is one part of the Bible that I have a stronger faith in, it is the Gospels. I'm comfortable with learning about Jesus and his life (and have) and there is plenty to admire about his teachings. Which, I suppose, narrows down things to a preference for Christianity. The only problem is my interpretation differs from a lot of churches, you know? I still read Matthew most days, as it's the most concise, but I do feel something when read about Jesus and what he says, so I'll no doubt be following that up and reading and learning more about Jesus.

It makes perfect sense. Changing your whole worldview from a non-Christian one to a Christian one can be a very challenging process.

Don't I know it!

 

[razeontherock]

Really my problem is accepting in my head what my 'heart' has already accepted...if that makes sense.

Yes, it makes sense. You are already WAY ahead of most men, in that at age 21 you realize you have not only a head, but a heart. And you should be able to recognize that "G-d looks on the heart."

Ok. Not a whole lot to go on there, huh? You need more info. Where to gather it? Hopefully you have already learned that experience is the cruelest teacher? I'd much rather learn from other's mistakes, and if I have to learn from my own, at least they should be original As in, my own mistakes.

You say the Bible is "not to be trusted." It is a collection of other's experiences, specifically on the subject of their relationship to G-d. Not sure if you've looked at it that way, but that's what it is. In that light, I'm not sure it would make any sense to make it be "something to be trusted."

Christianity is not a Faith in a book, it is a relationship with the Living Christ. You're going to need to gather some info from somewhere, and you seem to have cut yourself off from the Source. There are plenty of bad Churches no doubt, and they are easy to find. Anybody can do that, but what about a good one? Isolating yourself from both the Bible and the Church, I don't give you a snowball's chance in hell to be able to maintain a viable relationship with the Lord. Sorry, I don't mean to be harsh, but I am responsible for the Truth He's given me. And this world is not getting any easier for believers!

In the meantime, I came to the Lord via logic, and you may be able to find some support here. There are some truly wonderful posters, with a wide array of insight and experience ...

Ray

 

[drich0150]

Well, as the title suggests (albeit rather amiguously) I have an odd feeling that turns up when I specifically think about God, and I'll elaborate further as to why this bothers me so and why I feel the need to come for advice on the internet.

So, to get to the point, I'm a non-believer on the whole, I think. What I mean is, I usually can't bring myself to believe in God since it just doesn't make enough sense...logically. However...when I think about God or more specifically when I sit down and say to myself...'OK, I believe, I don't know what I believe but I know you are there and that is enough for me' I feel...amazing, it's similar to that nervy, fluttering love feeling you may or may not now, but without all the negative feelings that come with your love for another person.

My problem, then, is this. I can admit I believe, but what? I certainly refuse to join a church, simply because I am a very liberal minded individual and too many of the denominations (or cults, in some cases) just go against every shred of 'fairness' I believe in. I also can't bring myself to take the bible as anything more as a 'guidline' because I believe, strongly and with justification, that it's wrote by man and therefore tainted and not the true word of God.

So, what now? Well I don't know. I have, until recently, been happy enough to stick with science (and don't get me wrong, I still love science and all it does) but that feeling is still there...that incomparable warmth I get when I think of or talk to God.

Any ideas on what I should do?

Oneplace.com is a good start. It is a list of some the countries best radio ministers.

Charles Stanly, James Mcdowell, look for these men's ministry and go to the archeives and go down the list of teachings and pick a few that catch your eye.
If you want some help picking a few out let me know.

 

[thomhughes]

Christianity is not a Faith in a book, it is a relationship with the Living Christ.

I agree with this, and it's pretty much the problem when it comes to 'finding' a church suitable for me. Many are dogmatic or have a style of worship that differs from my own preferances. To make it clearer, I believe in Jesus and what he said, and the rest is superfluous in my view, so maybe I should find a church that focuses solely on His teachings and pays little service to creed etc.



To the above poster, I'll check out oneplace.com, thanks

 

[razeontherock]

maybe I should find a church that focuses solely on His teachings and pays little service to creed etc.

I think it's Baptists that specifically state they're not bound be Creed? Somebody does. Also, Thomas Jefferson compiled a Bible based on exactly what you're saying; you might look into that. He sent it to a personal friend along with a letter of introduction, you might find that interesting too.

I do think the resulting path might be a lot better than much of churchianity, although I'll never agree the rest of the Bible is superfluous. I mean, 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs, never more than 31 days in a month. Read a chapter a day, and you'll ALWAYS find something applicable and helpful that day ...

 

[thomhughes]

Jefferson's Bible looks like my cup of tea, thanks for the tip

And you're right, there is plenty of excellent passages and knowledge in the Old Testament, and plenty to be learned from it, but in my opinion really as a tool for understanding Jesus better, rather than taking it literally on it's own merit, if you see what I mean.

 

[razeontherock]

Well I am certainly one to maintain that a lot of the OT gives us a more detailed look at who Jesus is than anything in the NT. Proverbs is especially good at showing us which elements of what is within us, may be from G-d, or not. This can be taken on it's own merit, as well as teaching us of Christ, if you choose to look at the pros as "Christ in you."

Of course you can just look at it as recognizing the difference between right and wrong, and maintain a completely naturalistic POV, and in this life the argument can certainly be made that helps every bit as much

No harm in that, IMHO. Be Blessed!

Oh and don't write off Baptist Churches too fast either Some have some very good teachers, they do tend to focus on Jesus, and my man, where else will you find such a favorable male / female ratio?