Believing in God

[Reformationist]

Reformationist - please don't link faith in God with creationism

Well, Karl, being that she asked for my opinion about these things it might be pertinent to post what you believe. If you will take note, I didn't say my faith was the product of acknowledge the hand of God in creation. I said that my faith was solely the product of His work, without even so much as a request on my part.

especially if you do so with things that aren't entirely true - amoebas did not evolve into men according to evolutionary theory;

My point wasn't to make a scientific exegis on the issue of evolution. I was merely pointing out that the evolutionary system as a whole is flawed, at least as an argument against God.

"believers" do not automatically reject evolution - indeed many don't - they are not in opposition;

I am not sure if it is still an accepted theory but the idea that man is evolved from apes is in opposition to the Gospel.

and species to species evolution is extremely well documented.

Species to species? Really? Can you give me some examples? I would sincerely appreciate it.

It doesn't do to associate something you want someone to believe with things they may well already know aren't true. Evolution is not a problem to evangelism unless you set it up as one.

Listen Karl, you are more than free to disagree with my take on the secular view of our existance but evolution, at least with regard to man, is a problem to evangelism. Do you even disagree or are you just defending evolution? Can you see yourself witnessing to someone telling them that, despite the Bible's complete lack of mention, we evolved from some lower lifeform?

God bless

 

[Rooth]

MMmmmm thoughts mmmm
As partly a liberal christian I´m critical to searching for signs... however, I started to wonder about my own faith, and why I believe.

As you said God cannot be scientifically proved to exists. Someone can believe there must be a God because of life in the universe, but that isn´t proof, it´s just a good theory.
I had an experience (but then again, experiences do not have to be connected to God) after beeing with in a fundamentalistic (partly gnostic) christian movement, where I lost my faith (if I ever had one)... I felt very strongly how God loved me as the human I was... and by the years found him, no miracle, more like growing up, understanding more (while getting more questions too)..

Well this said, I have had a lot of other experiences, that I today, don´t believe were from God... even if my fellow christians said they were.

I think we all would like a thunderstrike lighten up the sky with a blue cross, saying... I AM... but most of us if not all, will still be hoping for this, as it doesn´t happen.

I use to think about this in a few ways... more important than if you know IF GOD EXISTS, is do you want a connection to him, in case he existed?
Think if GOD could be scientifically prooved. Would anyone have a choice to believe, follow him, or would it be neccessary if you liked it or not. Of some reaason already before the first angel fell, God wanted spiritual beeings as later humans, to have a freedom of choice.

Thomas didn´t believe that Jesus had risen and asked to see the holes in Jesus hands. We all feel it would be easier if we saw. Also when Jesus preached he said that this generation wants signs..
Signs can become a false path (as it became for me)... faith is trusting in God, walking on, even if there are no miraculos signs to be seen.

Just thoughts

 

[LegomasterJC]

"Signs can become a false path (as it became for me)... faith is trusting in God, walking on, even if there are no miraculos signs to be seen."
That is very true. You have to be careful you don't put your focus on the signs instead of God. Faith, however, does rise with miracles are done and testimonies are shared. The things that help your faith grow:
Fulfilled prophecy Mathew 34:33
Romans 10:17 Reading God's word, hearing God's word, understanding God's word.
Hebrews 11:8 Obeying God's word
Ephesians 2:8-9 God's Spiritual Gift of faith.
1 John 5:14-15 Answered prayer
Mark 9:24 asking for Faith
I Thessalonians 5:17-18 Giving thanks
Hebrews 13:7 Observing Godly people
I Peter 1:6-7 getting through adverse situations
II Peter 1:5-9 process of maturity... Add to your Faith, goodness, knowlege to goodness, self control to knowlege, perseverance to self control, Godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

 

[HardKor]

One of the things that I find pretty amazing is sometimes while lying in bed or somewhere quiet, I will just start talking to god, and after about five minutes the strangest thing happens, I will ask god a question and then immediately answers start coming to me seemingly out of nowhere, for example if I ask god a question about why something has happened or why did he do this thing or that thing, I start getting answers to my questions, it really is the strangest thing I cant really explain it all I can say is just try it.

 

[LegomasterJC]

I wish it was like that all the time for me but I still have some maturing to do before I get to where I can hear God right away.... Sometimes I do but rarely when I ask him a question. It happens most when I am somewhere else where the Spirit is strong in a gathering (mostly during worship) at a youth retreat or missions trip in Brazil, and once in a while I'll really tune myself in at church and be led by him.

 

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

Ref - if you want to take it to the science boards, I can most certainly furnish you with examples of speciation.

I have always evangelised with the shared knowledge that biologically speaking we share a common ancestor with modern apes. It's never been an issue.

 

[Reformationist]

Ref - if you want to take it to the science boards, I can most certainly furnish you with examples of speciation.

Thanks Karl. I appreciate your willingness.

I have always evangelised with the shared knowledge that biologically speaking we share a common ancestor with modern apes. It's never been an issue.

And you base this on scientific fact? Or is this something that you'd rather discuss on the science boards? If possible, and if you feel inclined, is there any way that we can discuss this via PM? I'd rather avoid having more people involved than necessary.

Thanks again,
God bless

 

[Rafael]

According to the scripture, man has no excuse for not believing in the evidence of God just by the creation that they exist in and see, and that it angers Him to wrath when they push the truth away and accept their own imaginations that produce puny results - such as power over the elements or the ability to create life of any kind.
This blindness is not uncommon, and I experienced it for many years until God opened my eyes to the truth. Once my eyes were opened, I wondered how I could have ever argued that there was little scientific proof for God or evidence of Him when we are literally surrounded by life and things we barely no how to name and much less create.
While blind, I know I didn't need proof of God and didn't really want any, and found it easy to agree with anyone who spoke against Him, but once my eyes were opened, I knew that I had been a fool and a rebel, who was blinded by pride, and although I didn't really have anything to be proud of, I was heir to my fallen nature and the pride of life that comes with it and the world.

Romans 1:18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.
19 For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts.
20 From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

 

[HardKor]

Thanks for the blessings everyone! the other day I had 13 now I have 213, cool!

In regard to raphes comments

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

What exactly does this mean? that men and women are not supposed to lust after eachother? can you clarify?
Thanks

 

[PleaseHelpMe]

I think thats exactly what it means- worldly sinful desires did not come from God, but are of ourselves. (lust is adultery of the heart)

 

[TheMainException]

I have felt something I never thought that I would feel in all my time alive. I have felt love...and it is not fleeting love...it is pure love that I know is real and I know where it comes from...from above, from the Holy One who was, is and is to come. I have felt love like no other. When I want to die, he picks me up and holds me close. There is nothing like this love. It isn't like other love that is here for a moment and then passes away. This love stays in me and it makes me want to sing and scream and praise him forever. It is such an amazing feeling. It's my experience with the God of love. I know that I am the beloved. I am the disciple Jesus loves, leaning on his breast. He loves me and died for me. He loves me enough to come to earth, he was a king, and be a pauper for me and die a death of a thief...what kind of God is this? He chose to lose his Kingship for a while and become like one of us...is this God of mine crazy? Why choose such a thing? I don't understand this love, it is too great, and I love it. I love because he first loved me. He is so amazing...I can't fully grasp the love he's got for me...I just know that I crave every bit of it.

 

[Boomygrrl]

I want to thank everyone who has responded so far. You've really given me a lot to think about.

Boomygrrl

 

[dojuice]

Hi Boomygrrl. One experience that I've had that helped me remove all doubt from my faith was a sort of spiritual attack that I experienced about 4 months ago. I'm a normal 17-year-old girl, and this was definitely an out-of-the-ordinary experience. I was lying in bed one day, just waking up from a nap, but since I didn't want to get up just yet, I was praying. Anyway, I suddenly felt really scared and I felt a cold, eerie presence in my room. I don't know how else to describe it besides I knew something was wrong. Anyway, since I was already in prayer, I asked God to protect me. Then I felt/heard a noise, it wasn't aloud, it was in my head, and it's hard to describe, but it was a sound with like a force, i guess. The first time it wasn't that strong. I said, "God protect me" and it faded away. Then it came again really strong, and with force, like a sound that I could feel pushing at me in my mind. Anyway, I prayed "In the name of Christ Jesus I command you to get away from me". It immediately stopped. I stayed in prayer for awhile, and then got up and went on with life. I know it sounds kind of creepy, since I do believe that it was an encounter with a demon, but the point of sharing the story is that there is a spiritual battle that we cannot see that is going on around us everywhere. But you don't have to be afraid because demons cannot touch you if you have Jesus Christ in your heart. Also, all you have to do is utter the words "Jesus Christ" and the demons flee with fear. I never thought that anything like this would happen to me, but it has made me stronger, and i hope it helps you too, boomygrrl

 

[LegomasterJC]

There are some people (one guy in particular) that I know see in the spiritual realm almost all the time. The one guy I talk about is Davi, a worship leader that was at the missions trip in Brazil that I went to. He was healed of downs syndrom when he was around 7 I think. He still has the physical traits of someone with downs syndrom but none of the symptoms. Anyway while we were down there, he told us of how the Angels came down in the huge tents we met in, and tore apart the demons, casting them out of the tent. We who could not actually see into the spiritual realm could still see the evidence of it. Posessed people delivered, thousands healed, etc. My mom has a strong feeling of when there is evil in a room, neighborhood, or area. I only have slight feelings of this for which I am glad in a way. I know that there are Angels around me and my family and my church, and I know there is spiritual warefare going on. I do not need to see it to believe it... But that would still be very cool to see all the action.

 

[MinDach]

In other words, did anything happen in your life or did you witness anything that made you say "there's no doubt about it

This is a very simple Question to answer............I met the Holy Spirit.........Thats it in a Nut shell. Every Christian you meet will have a testimonies for What God had done for them, from sickness to a life that there was no hope, how God came in there hearts and changed every thing...........For in the darkest places, God will come in and place a light, to lead us out.

 

[xiod]

Why should you live your life in this confused state? Choose one way or the other and then you will see evidence to prove which ever way you choose.

If you chooses not to believe in God, then you will find evidence that there is no God.
If you chooses to Believe that there is a God, then you will find evidence of His exsistance.

But in the end, it really does not require any particular Belief in either way on your part to refute reality.

If there is no God and death truly is the end, then will you even care that you spent your life serving a god that does not exsist? I don't think you will, since your exsistance had ended.

But if there is a God, and you die and you are facing God face to face, I think you would be glad to have spent your life in his service.

So really, I think you ought to choose one way or the other, then at least you have purpose. That's my opinion.

 

[Boomygrrl]

Why should you live your life in this confused state? Choose one way or the other and then you will see evidence to prove which ever way you choose.

If you chooses not to believe in God, then you will find evidence that there is no God.
If you chooses to Believe that there is a God, then you will find evidence of His exsistance.

But in the end, it really does not require any particular Belief in either way on your part to refute reality.

If there is no God and death truly is the end, then will you even care that you spent your life serving a god that does not exsist? I don't think you will, since your exsistance had ended.

But if there is a God, and you die and you are facing God face to face, I think you would be glad to have spent your life in his service.

So really, I think you ought to choose one way or the other, then at least you have purpose. That's my opinion.

Ah, Pascal's wager! But which God should we believe? After all, if we pick the wrong one, then we're no better off than the atheist.
I'm not a betting woman. I hate Vegas. I'm, instead, one of those kind of people that likes to study things, get the facts, or at least get some kind of information, and then make a decision.