God as our creator.

[Byfaithalone1]

Most (if not all) of us likely agree that God is the creator. It seems that some who post here may view this concept of God as the creator as representing the cornerstone upon which all other concepts are built (and I may have misunderstood). Regardless of the emphasis that you place on this subject, my simple question in this thread is the following:

Q: How do you know that God is the creator?
​

BFA

 

[StormyOne]

God is one title that humans have given The Creator.... having said that, the basic assumption is that The Creator created everything we see, unless you can come up with a reasonable alternative....

 

[Avonia]

Q: How do you know that God is the creator?
​

If you are referring to a process - a revealing - an evolution - this is a very good question. And by its nature precludes any statements of belief.

 

[sentipente]

When you say "God," to whom are you referring?

 

[Byfaithalone1]

If you are referring to a process - a revealing - an evolution - this is a very good question. And by its nature precludes any statements of belief.

What is the answer?

BFA

 

[Byfaithalone1]

When you say "God," to whom are you referring?

I am reffering to whatever entity you view as creator. Now, kindly answer the original post.

BFA

 

[Avonia]

What is the answer?

BFA

If you ever arrive at one, you can be sure you have not fully grasped the question.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

If you ever arrive at one, you can be sure you have not fully grasped the question.

So God may not be creator--yes?

BFA

 

[sentipente]

I am reffering to whatever entity you view as creator. Now, kindly answer the original post.

BFA

You have just nullified your original question into a non-question. Your original question implies that you had a particular person in mind when you referred to "God." As your OP stands it is not different from someone asking, "How do you know that she is the president of the company?" I would have to know who "she" is before I could answer the question. Chances are that I do not believe that "she" is the president of the company.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

You have just nullified your original question into a non-question. Your original question implies that you had a particular person in mind when you referred to "God." As your OP stands it is not different from someone asking, "How do you know that she is the president of the company?" I would have to know who "she" is before I could answer the question. Chances are that I do not believe that "she" is the president of the company.

So if we must jump through this hoop, please articulate who God is.

BFA

 

[Avonia]

So God may not be creator--yes?

BFA

You are confusing deciding with knowing.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

You are confusing deciding with knowing.

Answer the question.

BFA

 

[AzA]

BFA, are you interested in epistemology or in apologetic? Repeating your request for "the answer" makes it sound as if you'd prefer apologetic, but the people you're speaking with are more likely to engage epistemological questions than apologetics ones. I say this only because I've come to know them!

For them, how we come to know something tells us much more than what we conclude having decided how to know. There is a relationship between process and conclusion. As a start, a process can preclude particular conclusions because it narrows our sightline and filters otherwise reasonable possibilities out.

Given all that, would you mind clarifying which kind of discussion you'd like to have?
I don't want you to frustrate yourself.

 

[sentipente]

So if we must jump through this hoop, please articulate who God is.

BFA

You are the one who posed the question so you must define the terms.

 

[Cribstyl]

Most (if not all) of us likely agree that God is the creator. It seems that some who post here may view this concept of God as the creator as representing the cornerstone upon which all other concepts are built (and I may have misunderstood). Regardless of the emphasis that you place on this subject, my simple question in this thread is the following:

Q: How do you know that God is the creator?
​

BFA

My answer: We never know that God is the creator, but rather we believe that God is the creator.

I believe that God is the creator because He has used prophets to fortell things to happen next in creation. Only God can say what will come to pass and never make an error. The main reason I believe that God is the creator is because He has provided the bible as a record of His creation history. The fact that this same record has existed for thousands of years is evident that all men will be accountable to God for His word to the world.


CRIB

 

[Byfaithalone1]

My answer: We never know that God is the creator, but rather we believe that God is the creator.

I believe that God is the creator because He has used prophets to fortell things to happen next in creation. Only God can say what will come to pass and never make an error. The main reason I believe that God is the creator is because He has provided the bible as a record of His creation history. The fact that this same record has existed for thousands of years is evident that all men will be accountable to God for His word to the world.

CRIB

Now that is an answer. Thank you.

However, a response need not correspond with my thinking in order to represent an answer. For example, a person might have responded that he believes that God is the creator because he sees evidence of it in the world around Him. A person might have responded that she believes that God is the creator because she sees evidence of it in her own experiences. Heck, a person might have even responded that he finds no evidence that God is the creator. All of these possible responses (and a number of other possibilities I haven't mentioned) would represent answers to the question posed in the original post even if I don't happen to share the viewpoint of the person responding. Further note that none of these possible responses represent apologetics.

From my perspective, it appears that the prevailing view here is that questions posed by only one school of thought are the ones for which answers should be provided. All other questions are moot and unworthy of discussion. This thread provides only one more piece of evidence to confirm my suspicion in this regard. Why the retiscence to have open dialogue on a simple question the merits of which have been confirmed by several posters?

This isn't an issue of apologetics. It is an issue of where to begin in our dialogue. If we cannot at least explore the place from which we begin, will we ever really understand one another? Why do we believe what we believe?

I don't buy dodges anymore. They don't run very well.

BFA

 

[Avonia]

For example, a person might have responded that he believes that God is the creator because he sees evidence of it in the world around Him. A person might have responded that she believes that God is the creator because she sees evidence of it in her own experiences.

You did not ask "What do you believe," you asked "How do you know."

There is a difference between believing and knowing. Did you mean to ask a question about believing?

 

[sentipente]

I don't buy dodges anymore. They don't run very well.

BFA

That is a strange comment coming from someone who had dodged every opportunity to explain what he means by "God."

 

[Byfaithalone1]

You did not ask "What do you believe," you asked "How do you know."

There is a difference between believing and knowing. Did you mean to ask a question about believing?

Yes, I did. My apologies if my question was not clear.

Q: Do you believe that God, whoever you believe Him (or Her) to be, is creator? If so, why?

BFA

 

[Byfaithalone1]

That is a strange comment coming from someone who had dodged every opportunity to explain what he means by "God."

God is the ultimate expression of love, sovereignty, omnipotence, omnipresence, authority, judgment and grace.

However, I notice that what I mean by "God" has no impact on your answer, for your understanding of "God" could vary from mine and you could still answer the question. My question predates yours and yet no answer is offered.

Q: Do you believe that God, whoever you believe Him (or Her) to be, is creator? If so, why?

BFA