At what point are you content with the answers you get?

[DarkProphet]

One thing that bugs me the most about Christians is that they seem content to live in ignorance. I don't mean in regards to science, although that happens a lot too, but in regards to their own religion.

I remember once a evangelist came up to me and after talking with me a bit I asked how he resolved the contradictions in the Bible. As an example I gave the contradiction between the first creation story and the second creation story in the order of the animals. I'll admit it's a nitpicky detail but he didn't even know such a contradiction existed. I've had numerous incidents like this where Christians didn't know some of the darker or inconsistent aspects of their own religion.

So how many questions should a Christian ask about their own religion? At what point should that person be content with the answers (or lack there of)?

 

[solarwave]

I get your point, but not everyone can study theology. My point is that, though you may not have ether, you are not expected to know it all, but you seem to be basically saying that every Christian should know every detail of their religion. You maybe have this 'contradiction', then there is someone else with another, and another, so you end up with a Christian ether being asked to know everything or the more reasonable task of finding out more about a certain bit when it is brought to their attention, like you bring this up. I hope you get what I mean.

To be honest Im not exactly sure about this contradiction of yours, and I do try and look into these things, but I also know it will may years before I know all the things I want to.

I don't think that a Christian (or anyone) should live in ignorance and should look into the main criticisms of Christianity.

 

[drich0150]

So how many questions should a Christian ask about their own religion? At what point should that person be content with the answers (or lack there of)?

This is the absolutely one of better aspects of Christianity. We are commanded to Love the Lord God with all of our Hearts, Minds, Strength.. Basically with all of our being. That said, because we are all different with Different IQ levels and different abilities on how we love or can love God, there isn't a specific standard in which to Judge each other by.. We are simply to do the best that we can with, what we have been given.. So that means someone with a faith like a child, but who is giving it all they have, can/will exceed in righteousness more than someone who could account for any contradiction you might want to bring up, but hasn't applied themselves to God as the one with faith like a child.

Thankfully we can graduate into a relationship with God without the academic exercise, or if we are so inclined we can become bible answer men.. The only thing we are expected to do is to use the gift given to their fullest.. that's it.

So if the brother you asked couldn't answer that question or wasn't aware of your perceived contradiction, then it doesn't mean his faith or relationship was lacking in anyway. It just looks differently than what your's might look like if you chose to have one.

 

[SimplyNothing]

I think questions are the basis for both the growing and the reshaping of someone's faith. I think they are essential. I think they should be asked about anything, no matter how trivial, and the answers looked into. If you cannot find a good answer to your question, then perhaps your worldview must be reshaped with the new data (or lack thereof) taken into account.

That's just what I believe though.

 

[chosenpath]

One thing that bugs me the most about Christians is that they seem content to live in ignorance. I don't mean in regards to science, although that happens a lot too, but in regards to their own religion.

I remember once a evangelist came up to me and after talking with me a bit I asked how he resolved the contradictions in the Bible. As an example I gave the contradiction between the first creation story and the second creation story in the order of the animals. I'll admit it's a nitpicky detail but he didn't even know such a contradiction existed. I've had numerous incidents like this where Christians didn't know some of the darker or inconsistent aspects of their own religion.

So how many questions should a Christian ask about their own religion? At what point should that person be content with the answers (or lack there of)?

Do you know all the current events that are happening right now around the world?

It's sort of like this:

You buy a piece of electronic equipment. In order to learn how it functions properly you have to read the instruction manual. You learn the basics enough to get it up and running. As time goes on you are faced with more challenging applications of the equipment and have to refer back to the manual and if there is something you quite don't understand you may have to call tech support.

As a christian it is my responsibility to keep myself absorbed in the word and if I have a question to ask someone who is creditable. Do I know everything? Heck no! What I do know is enough to spur me on to a deeper and more fuller understanding. Everyday I learn something new.

 

[BobW188]

Too many Christians think they know the Bible because they were exposed to it in Sunday School, can find the Ten Commandments and hear portions of it every Sunday. Bible study should be lifelong and, just like education, progressive and age-adjusted.
Most denominations offer a Bible study course. I went through the Disciple Bible Study and its course on the prophets, two of several offered at many United Methodist churches. Each lasted 32 weeks, the weekly class ranging between 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours. They were worth every minute.
Who here would go to a lawyer or doctor whose last continuing education was 20, 30, in my case 50 years ago? I'm afraid Dark Prophet hits this nail squarely on the head.

 

[Golden_Cross]

Personally, I don't really care about the details.

No one is going to know how the universe was made... not by details anyways. I think that some science can play apart in creation. God did it. That's all I care bout. You can call it ignorance if you want to the truth is Christians can't know everything about our religion... Everyone has their strengths. A good example would be like doters.... They all know the general things BUT most of them specialize... like a foot doctor---bone doctor-- you get the point. I don't believe in pushing my opinions on people. However, I do like to make people think. I hear non Christians ask a lot of questions and that's good... sometimes I think that non Christians study the bible more then the Christians. The sad truth is that people that are truly saved know that they won't go to hell no matter what... SO they slack off but the people that don't- seem to take more of an interest..(mostly to try to prove it wrong) but still.

I just want to stress that this life is all we have to make a choice... and we will have to live with it for eternity. You know when you feel God, You know when he's near.(hard to explain) Just remember something... if you read the bible you'll notice that hell isn't the final place for the wicked... Because when Jesus comes back he's going to through hell along with death and so on in a fiery lake(Revelation 2o:14) Should it really matter weather the animal or humans came first? I think not. Every prediction came true.... THE bible was never wrong on that.... So Far anyways... Time is running out so.

People that don't have Christ, you will suffer in the long run if all your dought is based on small details. The main thing is to give him a chance and try to feel his presence.

 

[ebia]

One thing that bugs me the most about Christians is that they seem content to live in ignorance. I don't mean in regards to science, although that happens a lot too, but in regards to their own religion.

I remember once a evangelist came up to me and after talking with me a bit I asked how he resolved the contradictions in the Bible. As an example I gave the contradiction between the first creation story and the second creation story in the order of the animals. I'll admit it's a nitpicky detail but he didn't even know such a contradiction existed. I've had numerous incidents like this where Christians didn't know some of the darker or inconsistent aspects of their own religion.

So how many questions should a Christian ask about their own religion? At what point should that person be content with the answers (or lack there of)?

A thinking, alive, faith means always being willing to struggle with the difficult questions. Stop doing that and one has stopped growing in one's faith.

However, that doesn't mean one could, let alone should, be aware of every question that might crop up.

 

[divided sky]

I think the issue is how ignorant some Christians are about their faith. We all have things to learn about our faith. No one will ever have all the answers that could be raised about the Christian faith. Most Christians have busy lives and limited time to study deeply all questions about their faith. This isn't an excuse not to spend time studying when you can. If you're going to say you're a Christian, you should be able to articulate the basics of your faith.

What's irritating is Christians who don't study for themselves and simply take on the views of their favorite pastor or theologian, and then spout those answers in discussions with non-Christians. There's no short cut. Christians must study on their own and think deeply about their faith. It's okay if you don't have all the answers. It's better to respond, "I don't have an answer for that question at this point" than to make something up, or copy and paste a response from your favorite Christian web site.

And responses such as not really caring about the details or telling science to take a hike is unacceptable, IMO. You should care about the details. Again, no Christian is expected to have all the answers but an attempt should be made to understand as much as possible.

 

[BereanTodd]

Plenty of people of great and enormous intellect have searched and sought and studied and been content with the answers they find. I do not count myself as a "great mind" but I have excelled at all levels of scholarship from primary school to graduate school; I grew up an atheist and I have read a great deal. I always question everything and anything, and I believe that seeking and searching and questioning are good things. And I have come to believe the Scriptures (in their original autographs) are the infallable word and work of God.

When should you content yourself with the answers as your thread title states? When you are content with what you have found. I have full faith in God and the Bible and have no problem subjecting my faith to criticism or question.

 

[BereanTodd]

I also have a follow on question and that is this ... have you subjected your own faith and presuppositions to the same scrutiny that you claim to have subjected Christianity and the Bible? Are you willing to honestly question and seek in respect to your own faith and core beliefs?