Being pulled in different directions

[CarolT]

Let me start off by saying that I do believe in God.

I was a christian for many years,then I found paganism.It gave me the freedom i yearned,the trouble is it gave me so much freedom with my beliefs that I found myself floundering.
I need God.
Due to study though i am confused by the whole pagan/christian holidays.Who celebrated it first?
I know the Bible has been mistranslated and now i don't know what is of God and what is of man
I believe in God but I don't believe in the devil
I believe in heaven but don't believe in hell.
I believe Jesus died for my sins,but I don't believe it should be forever spoken about to make us feel bad.
I believe in a God of love but not one of fear.

I feel like I'm being torn in different directions,and don't know where to turn.
I want to believe,but I doubt so much.I need God.

 

[salida]

It sounds like your at a cross roads. Let me give you some information about the christian faith and the Bible.

1) Mistranslated? No not at all. When one does their research you will find that the Bible is the most accurate history book in the world. Comparing todays standard versions like the King James and NIV version for example among several, it says what the dead sea scrolls says. No other book is that accurate at all anywhere in the world.

2,3,4) You believe in God but no devil, died for sins but it makes people feel bad and a God of love but not fear. All three of these can be addressed under one heading. Lets ask ourselves how reliable the Bible is? First I strongly suggest reading The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell (it would stand up in a court of law concerning biblical evidence without a shadow of a doubt). And Examine the Evidence by Muncaster (a former athiest).

The purpose of Christ? Are you a good person? The Good Test Can you keep the 10 Commandments 100% of the time all the time? Only Jesus did. This is why mankind needs a Lord and Savior. Its the only spiritual medicine that will cure us. No one would hesitate if it was a physical problem and the doctor had only one cure. Below is more on bible - only nutshell information because there is so much more here.

There is a divine law just like there is a law of gravity. Many times people may say "oh I'm not as bad as that guy" - but then you have hundreds of standards. Wouldn't the world go nuts if there were hundreds of laws of gravities?

Biblical Evidence (Scratching the Surface Only)

Internal Evidences
Prophesies that are confirmed within Bible

- Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen 49:10 - Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Luke's time period is 60-70 AD)

Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5 -Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60-70 AD)

Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14/Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(60-70 AD)

**I can list at least 20 more of these.
-Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 - four kingdoms are described in the interpretation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek - Daniel 8:21, 10:20) and a fourth great kingdom to follow - part iron and clay - which is the Roman Empire - during this empire Christ came and the church was established - Daniel 2:44.

-Historical Accuracy
The Bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events hundreds of years ago, yet has not been proven incorrect on any.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents):
New Testament - starts at 25 years - between original and first surviving copies
Homer - starts at 500 years
Demosthenes - at 1400 years
Plato - at 1200 years
Caesar - at 1000 years

Number of Manuscript Copies
New Testament - 5,686
Homer - 643
Demosthenes - 200
Plato - 7
Caesar - 10

Consistency
Written by at least 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years, and has no internal inconsistencies.

Claim of Inspiration
It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Tim 3:16-17). No other religious book makes such claims.

External Evidences
(Prophesies Outside the Bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never be built again.
Nineveh - Nahum 1:10, 3:7,15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon - Isaiah 13:1-22)
Tyre (Ezekiel 26:1-28)

Bible before Science
He hangs the earth on nothing - Job 26:7
(Job was written at least 1000 years ago - some scholars think it could be even 3000 years ago)
Note: Man only knew this for 350 years
Earth is a sphere, Isaiah 40:22
Air has weight, Job 28:25
Gravity - Job 26:7, Job 38:31-33
Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6

Documents that Prove Bible is True
Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles

Archealogoical Finds
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel

 

[GaryP]

Let me start off by saying that I do believe in God.

I was a christian for many years,then I found paganism.It gave me the freedom i yearned,the trouble is it gave me so much freedom with my beliefs that I found myself floundering.
I need God.
We all need him.
Due to study though i am confused by the whole pagan/christian holidays.Who celebrated it first?
Stop looking toward Creation for the Answers. John the Baptist
was born in late December.

I know the Bible has been mistranslated and now i don't know what is of God and what is of man
Don't look or listen to Creation.
I believe in God but I don't believe in the devil
Satan's trick has worked.
I believe in heaven but don't believe in hell.
Ditto, the Sun burns out, and Hell is Frozen, First is Last.
I believe Jesus died for my sins,but I don't believe it should be forever spoken about to make us feel bad.
Jesus became alive on the cross. He took the BLADE, lance. He gave
100% you gave 0.. Your paid for. now rest. He said it was finished.

I believe in a God of love but not one of fear.

I feel like I'm being torn in different directions,and don't know where to turn.
Turn to Jesus.
I want to believe,but I doubt so much.I need God.

It a action. Go to God. The Temple is open, lights on, Mark 15:38

 

[GaryP]

It is not about emotion or how you feel. What anyone says or if words can convince you.
It is all about the Act of Jesus. To Find God, you go to Him. If your Love is Pure, You do not care or look, listen to Creation. God's Will Saves You. Go to the Cross, Drop yours, cast your silver at his feet, bask in the Living Blood and Living Water. As He departs to the Father you grasp him and you never let go. He will take you to the Father. Jesus is the Word, But you can not read, Jesus is the Light but you can not see.
To Him and Him alone you hold and with Him you can rest. Rock of Ages.
He will take you through the Temple, if you can not walk. He gave all and
It is Finished. You are paid for. Go to God and rest your spirit.

 

[aiki]

Let me start off by saying that I do believe in God.

Which god is that, exactly?

I was a christian for many years,then I found paganism.It gave me the freedom i yearned,the trouble is it gave me so much freedom with my beliefs that I found myself floundering.
I need God.

Yes, we all do.

Due to study though i am confused by the whole pagan/christian holidays.Who celebrated it first?

Pagan and Christian holidays got all mixed up together via the Roman Catholic church. It was much easier for Rome to impose Christianity as the state religion when it incorporated many of the elements of popular pagan religions.

I know the Bible has been mistranslated and now i don't know what is of God and what is of man

Actually you are mistaken in this belief. There are some 25,000 extant manuscripts of the original text of the Bible by which it is possible to assess the accuracy of present-day translations. No other historical text in existence can boast anywhere near as many manuscripts as support for textual accuracy. If we can't trust that the text of the Bible is accurate, then all other ancient texts are totally corrupt.

I believe in God but I don't believe in the devil

Well, the Bible makes it very plain that the devil exists. If you are going to believe there is a God, why can't you believe there is a devil?

I believe in heaven but don't believe in hell.

That's...convenient. Again, the Bible states very clearly that there is a fiery place of torment prepared for the devil and his angels and into which the unsaved will also be cast at the Last Judgment.

I believe Jesus died for my sins,but I don't believe it should be forever spoken about to make us feel bad.

Well, the Bible commands us to speak of the gospel to all nations. This necessarily involves speaking of the fact that Jesus died for our sins. If you have sin in your life, the fact that Jesus had to die for your sins ought to make you feel bad. If, however, you're living a life that is righteous and God-honoring, the fact that Jesus died for your sins ought to make you joyful and give you a sense of freedom from the guilt of forgiven sin.

I believe in a God of love but not one of fear.

The Bible doesn't teach us that God is a God of fear. It does teach us that God is holy, and just, and wrathful. He will not pussyfoot around with sin.

I feel like I'm being torn in different directions,and don't know where to turn.

The Word of God makes it very clear where you should turn:

"See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil: in that I command you this day to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live...and the Lord your God shall bless you in the land where you go to possess it. But if your heart turn away, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away to other gods, and serve them...you shall surely perish...I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live." (Deut. 30:15-19)

I want to believe,but I doubt so much.I need God.

It sounds like you want to believe in a God who caters to what you prefer. But God cannot be God and be subject to your preferences. You must conform to Him, not vice versa.

Peace to you.

 

[CarolT]

Thank you to everybody who took the time to reply.
Things that have been said really have spoken to me,and I know that I must return to God.I know I cannot go on with my life the way it is.

 

[fm107]

Let me start off by saying that I do believe in God.

I was a christian for many years,then I found paganism.It gave me the freedom i yearned,the trouble is it gave me so much freedom with my beliefs that I found myself floundering.
I need God.
Due to study though i am confused by the whole pagan/christian holidays.Who celebrated it first?
I know the Bible has been mistranslated and now i don't know what is of God and what is of man
I believe in God but I don't believe in the devil
I believe in heaven but don't believe in hell.
I believe Jesus died for my sins,but I don't believe it should be forever spoken about to make us feel bad.
I believe in a God of love but not one of fear.

I feel like I'm being torn in different directions,and don't know where to turn.
I want to believe,but I doubt so much.I need God.

You believe in heaven but not in hell, God but not the devil. People only want to believe and what sounds good to them as your doing.

You need to recognise that you’re doing this and that is wrong.

You seem to favour paganism as it gives you more freewill. But in doing this you’re ignoring God's will this too is wrong.

You don't believe that being told of what Jesus has done for us should be repeated as it makes you feel bad. Really, it should fill you with joy every time you here it. Perhaps you feel bad because of sins you have committed through your paganism beliefs.

There may have been mistranslated parts of the bible however there are so many different translations out there. But that doesn't matter as much, what matters is the bigger picture and what the overall messages are from the bible. Also, pray to the holy spirit before reading it, ask for his guidance and God shall reveal the bible teachings to you.

I suggest you pray to God and ask for his help, for his hand is already extended all you need to do is reach up and grab that hand.

 

[[serious]]

It looks like you are getting caught up in the fairly contemporary views on christianity. I'll address points/answer questions as they come up:

Let me start off by saying that I do believe in God.

I was a christian for many years,then I found paganism.It gave me the freedom i yearned,the trouble is it gave me so much freedom with my beliefs that I found myself floundering.
I need God.
Due to study though i am confused by the whole pagan/christian holidays.Who celebrated it first?

Many of the dates and celebrations are borrowed from other cultures/religions. Not really a big deal. Arbitrary dates were chosen to celebrate various events described in the bible.

I know the Bible has been mistranslated and now i don't know what is of God and what is of man

Well, keep in mind that various parts were written at various times. There will be a reflection of the culture each part was written in. The Bible wasn't consolidated into any unified form until much later and that was only in response to numerous "gospels" popping up. The council of nicea made no claim to divine guidance though it's often assumed that they got it perfect now.

I believe in God but I don't believe in the devil

You aren't alone in this. While most contemporary christians believe Satan exists, there is a great range of opinions on how active a role he plays in stuff.

I believe in heaven but don't believe in hell.

This is actually a view supported by some passages in the bible. It is also a historical view in the judeochristian religions. There are verses supporting most any view of the afterlife. This is also represented in a few contemporary denominations. Unitarian Universalism takes the the view that everyone goes to heaven. The Quakers have a wide range of views of the afterlife ranging from a Sadducee like view of no afterlife to heaven and no hell, to mainstream views.

I believe Jesus died for my sins,but I don't believe it should be forever spoken about to make us feel bad.
I believe in a God of love but not one of fear.

these don't exactly look like anything you are going to get much debate on. Paul was especially outspoken on the dangers of falling into perpetual feelings of guilt.

I feel like I'm being torn in different directions,and don't know where to turn.
I want to believe,but I doubt so much.I need God.

Try different churches in your area. Find one that you are comfortable in and shares/accepts your views. I think you will find a healthy debate about many of these theological concepts in the christian community as a whole.

 

[CarolT]

Thank you Serious.(((hug)))

I have read and re-read all the replies.I have to say that to begin with,i felt very judged.I had come here with my thoughts,feeling lost and everybody just made me feel worse.
But do you know what, for a few days now I have done a lot of soul searching and you were right-i did want things to be easy but they can't be.I cannot just take the bits I like out of Christianity and ignore the rest.

I am beginning to feel clearer about things,and do feel that I want to re-commit.It may take some time,and lots of study and prayer,but i do feel like I'm on the right path at last.

So,thank you.

 

[Soul_Searcher]

Hi Carol,

"Let me start off by saying that I do believe in God."

I believe in some kind of Creator, or creative power/energy/spirit, but I cannot begin to define it.

"I was a christian for many years,then I found paganism. It gave me the freedom i yearned,the trouble is it gave me so much freedom with my beliefs that I found myself floundering."

In what way were you foundering? What was happening with you?

"I need God."

Maybe, but it sounds like you need structure of some kind.

"Due to study though i am confused by the whole pagan/christian holidays.Who celebrated it first?"

Since Pagans have been around much longer than Christians, we'll give this one to the Pagans. I believe some of their holidays were co-opted by Christians. But this is really unimportant in the scheme of things.

"I know the Bible has been mistranslated and now i don't know what is of God and what is of man."

God, as I see it, speaks through all of us, and speaks to all of us, through words and songs and actions. You know what's right because you can feel it is right. Would a loving God ask a father to sacrifice his son? Would a loving God choose sides between his children? Would a loving God kill his whole creation?

"I believe in God but I don't believe in the devil."

Me either. The devil is only the fear that dwells within us.

"I believe in heaven but don't believe in hell."

Agreed, yet Hell is with us when we live in fear, and Heaven is with us when we live in love. Almost too simple, no?

"I believe Jesus died for my sins,but I don't believe it should be forever spoken about to make us feel bad."

This seems to be a great big place of confusion. Why would Jesus die for our sins? What was gained by that? If you have Jesus dying for us, then he must have a reason, such as keeping us from Hell, which you don't believe in.

"I believe in a God of love but not one of fear."

God IS Love, plain and simple. Those who fear God are missing the point.

"I feel like I'm being torn in different directions, and don't know where to turn. I want to believe, but I doubt so much. I need God."

Tell us about the 'need' for God. What is it you need God to do for you?

 

[Soul_Searcher]

Nevermind, doubled up.

 

[Bain_Adaneth]

Let me start off by saying that I do believe in God.

I was a christian for many years,then I found paganism.It gave me the freedom i yearned,the trouble is it gave me so much freedom with my beliefs that I found myself floundering.
I need God.
Due to study though i am confused by the whole pagan/christian holidays.Who celebrated it first?
I know the Bible has been mistranslated and now i don't know what is of God and what is of man
I believe in God but I don't believe in the devil
I believe in heaven but don't believe in hell.
I believe Jesus died for my sins,but I don't believe it should be forever spoken about to make us feel bad.
I believe in a God of love but not one of fear.

I feel like I'm being torn in different directions,and don't know where to turn.
I want to believe,but I doubt so much.I need God.

Hi CarolT,

Let me ask you some questions. Can you explain how you believe in heaven, but don’t believe in Hell?
Also, I’d like to tell you that Noah told the people about the flood, they were telling him to shut up. That it’s never gonna happen, to stop scaring them. They should have been scared, but they weren’t. He was really worried, but did what God wanted him to do. He built the ark anyways, even though people were throwing insults at him. And then, when people were celebrating, and feasting, that’s when the flood came. When they did not know it. If you were in Noah’s shoes, and you knew the flood was coming, wouldn’t you tell others to get into the ark too? And wouldn’t you warn them that a flood was coming?

It’s not God’s will for us to go scaring people, but to go out into the world to tell them the truth. It might scare them, and it certainly should offend them. Because the gospel offends, it convicts the soul of sin. But it may save them when they believe.

Carol, it’s okay to have questions. But don’t doubt Him.

Believe in Him. Have faith. Write your questions down and search the scriptures and ask people for help. You will find answers to most of your questions. We do not know everything, but the scripture is sufficient for us to believe.

The early church did not go hunting for eggs on Easter and neither did they hang ornaments and had Christmas trees.

Much of this pagan religion has infested the churches of America. Some Christians know about it and do not observe these holidays as the secular people do, but most turn a deaf ear. Not a lot of Christians know about these things, but some do. A lot of these were things added by churches in Roman history. The Romans have many gods and they worship gods from other countries too. In the Roman Catholic churches now, there are worship of the saints, the mother and child, and also the Pope.

In pagan religion eggs represent fertility, and so does rabbits. If you’ve ever raised rabbits, you will know just how fertile they are. Ashtoreth is the goddess of love and fertility worshipped in many people groups. Some suggested that Easter is another translation for Ashtoreth. Over and over again the Lord had warned the people against Baal worship and the worship of Ashtoreth. Easter celebration was not mentioned in the church as a holiday.

I don’t know too much about it, but it’s good to do some research by yourself on this topic. I am not a scholar. I also don’t know how in the world it came from Jesus Christ, to rabbits, eggs, and “Easter" and Christmas trees.

Christmas and Easter are not biblical terms or biblical holidays.