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That only means you know you feel you have faith. Referencing passages in the Bible doesn't show you know you're right. It only shows you know what is written in the Bible.Because we believe we feel we have faith....we know and that in my opinion is all you need to know.
John 3:16
What does it mean to be dead in our sins?Like Paul said, if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not raised, and we are all still dead in our sins and still damned like the rest of mankind.
That only means you know you feel you have faith. Referencing passages in the Bible doesn't show you know you're right. It only shows you know what is written in the Bible.
How do you know you're right?
In one case you see something which you know is made by man. In the other case, you see something for which you don't know how it came into existence.When I go to a craft show and see an intricate wood carving for sale, I do not doubt the existence of its creator. I've never looked them in they eye and shaken their hand, but they obviously are real.
When I look at and ponder the marvel that is our universe, I also do not doubt its creator. Through the truth revealed in scripture, through prayer, and through accepting what is obvious to me, I've grown to know our Creator, guided by his Holy Spirit, and through his Son.
How do you know you're right?Reference my post
John 3:16
I'm often asked to consider what if I'm wrong. What if I'm wrong and I end up going to hell and suffer for eternity. Christians have presented Pascal's Wager to me in an apparent attempt to keep me from suffering for eternity in hell. But it's a two way street:
What if those who hold belief in the Christian God go to a hell of eternal punishment and suffering, while rational non-believers go to an eternal paradise full of love and happiness.
Have you ever considered this?
I've frequently considered it. Before I decided to become a Christian I desperately wanted Christianity to be false, so I was investigating it coming from a vested interest of wanting it to collapse under scrutiny. Even so I still came to the conclusion that Jesus Christ is who he said he is, and that worshipping and following Jesus Christ is the right thing to be doing.
In many ways Pascal's Wager is a useful analogy but as you say it starts to fall down when there are so many different options, many of which say they are the only true way. We can discount the universalism-based approaches that teach that all paths lead to God, because if those are true it doesn't really matter what we do.
Could I be wrong? It's theoretically possible. But I'm sufficiently convinced that I'm willing to stake my eternal future on following Jesus.
Not looking for support. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how Christians think.
This was suggested in the gospel of Judas. It is a scary thought, there is plenty to fear of the unknown. I trust Jesus, He is so right.I'm often asked to consider what if I'm wrong. What if I'm wrong and I end up going to hell and suffer for eternity. Christians have presented Pascal's Wager to me in an apparent attempt to keep me from suffering for eternity in hell. But it's a two way street:
What if those who hold belief in the Christian God go to a hell of eternal punishment and suffering, while rational non-believers go to an eternal paradise full of love and happiness.
Have you ever considered this?
I think this could be worded more effectively and less of an attack/defense. Are you actually interested in the truth? This person has made an interesting claim, I should think that if you were interested in knowing more about how Christians think, this would be a very valuable opportunity to gain some insight.Did you take any photographs? Do you have any objectively measurable evidence of this encounter?
You might want to reflect on that a bit more. Is there something about yourself that would make Him want or not want it?Does he want me to believe he exists?
I find that this is most often stated without the especially beneficial context of the verse that follows.I agree
John 3:16
A very good question, one you should treat seriously.Why would a loving God allow evil?
I say you are not considering another option. The fact exists that some people like evil and others don't. Do you not think it is useful to know which is which?No need to read threads on why God allows evil.
If God exists in the presence of evil, then either:
1) God is incapable of doing anything about it (or is impotent)
2) God doesn't want to do anything about it (or is apathetic)
I'm often asked to consider what if I'm wrong. What if I'm wrong and I end up going to hell and suffer for eternity. Christians have presented Pascal's Wager to me in an apparent attempt to keep me from suffering for eternity in hell. But it's a two way street:
What if those who hold belief in the Christian God go to a hell of eternal punishment and suffering, while rational non-believers go to an eternal paradise full of love and happiness.
Have you ever considered this?
No need to read threads on why God allows evil.
If God exists in the presence of evil, then either:
1) God is incapable of doing anything about it (or is impotent)
2) God doesn't want to do anything about it (or is apathetic)
I am interested in the truth. One of the things I'd like to know more about Christians is how they feel about the fact that they might be wrong. I'm humble enough to know I don't know the truth. But many Christians come across as being highly arrogant, making claims about the universe & its history that advanced scientists don't even claim to know.Hi Akureyri, I have read the rest of the thread and I do have to say that Sedoy seems to be correct in his last paragraph of post #4. Are you aware that this is how you come across? Is it intentional, or are you just naturally quite brief?
Here's a couple of comments I'd like to contribute toward:
I think this could be worded more effectively and less of an attack/defense. Are you actually interested in the truth? This person has made an interesting claim, I should think that if you were interested in knowing more about how Christians think, this would be a very valuable opportunity to gain some insight.
I can only go by what Christians say. They say God wants me to believe he exists. Therefore, if God is real and can do anything, it would behoove him to do whatever it takes to get me to believe he exists. So far I've seen nothing. This means either no god exists or if a god exists, he either can't do anything or doesn't care if I believe he exists.You might want to reflect on that a bit more. Is there something about yourself that would make Him want or not want it?
The only answer to the problem of evil if God exists and is all loving is that he is incapable of doing anything.I find that this is most often stated without the especially beneficial context of the verse that follows.
A very good question, one you should treat seriously.
Think again.I say you are not considering another option. The fact exists that some people like evil and others don't. Do you not think it is useful to know which is which?
I am interested in the truth. One of the things I'd like to know more about Christians is how they feel about the fact that they might be wrong. I'm humble enough to know I don't know the truth. But many Christians come across as being highly arrogant, making claims about the universe & its history that advanced scientists don't even claim to know.
I can only go by what Christians say. They say God wants me to believe he exists. Therefore, if God is real and can do anything, it would behoove him to do whatever it takes to get me to believe he exists. So far I've seen nothing. This means either no god exists or if a god exists, he either can't do anything or doesn't care if I believe he exists.
The only answer to the problem of evil if God exists and is all loving is that he is incapable of doing anything.
Think again.
If God exists in the presence of evil, then either:
1) God is incapable of doing anything about it (or is impotent)
2) God doesn't want to do anything about it (or is apathetic)
How could a typhoon slamming into the Philippines be because some people like evil?
How does us having free will make it any less possible for an all-powerful God to prevent disastrous typhoons such as the one which slammed into the Philippines?This really is the same old tired line that keeps getting trotted out, usually with an implied "hah, bet you didn't think of that one".
God gives us free will. That means we get to choose good or evil. So that means if I've got a big stick it's up to me whether I hit you with it. If I hit you with a big stick it's going to hurt (i.e. something bad happens to you). So does that make God impotent (unable to protect you) or apathetic (unwilling to protect you)? You forgot malicious (amused at your suffering) by the way.
Or does it mean God isn't going to override my free will even if he doesn't approve of the decisions I make? If he were to override my free will I become some kind of automaton, unable to make any decisions for myself because if I choose the wrong thing God steps in and overrules me.
I'm often asked to consider what if I'm wrong. What if I'm wrong and I end up going to hell and suffer for eternity. Christians have presented Pascal's Wager to me in an apparent attempt to keep me from suffering for eternity in hell. But it's a two way street:
What if those who hold belief in the Christian God go to a hell of eternal punishment and suffering, while rational non-believers go to an eternal paradise full of love and happiness.
Have you ever considered this?
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