How do you decide if something is factual?

[Kylie]

Not quite as I think of that wording, the actual wording. I see the "strong east wind" suggesting the water was pushed one direction. Of course this could leave water on both sides.. This is merely the detail, but you asked.

But no one has ever actually seen this happen at any other time.

In fact, outside the Bible, there are NO accounts of this happening, are there?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Okay, how do you know that it really happened?

I guess it is sad in a person's life if there is no one they could ever trust.
Even so, there is joy daily, trusting the One Who can Always Be Trusted.
No one, ever, has ever been disappointed trusting in Him.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

In fact, outside the Bible, there are NO accounts of this happening, are there?

Actually, there IS a lot of evidence. If the book is still available,
it is in the book titled "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" (might be 2 volumes or editions).
There is more evidence in fact, that the flood happened as written,
than there is that you are a living woman in Australia.

 

[Kylie]

I guess it is sad in a person's life if there is no one they could ever trust.
Even so, there is joy daily, trusting the One Who can Always Be Trusted.
No one, ever, has ever been disappointed trusting in Him.

There are plenty of people I trust. But an old book that makes claims that violate the laws of nature and provide not a single shred of evidence to back up those claims is NOT something I trust.

 

[Kylie]

Actually, there IS a lot of evidence. If the book is still available,
it is in the book titled "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" (might be 2 volumes or editions).
There is more evidence in fact, that the flood happened as written,
than there is that you are a living woman in Australia.

Ah, you mean that book that has been thoroughly debunked?

The Jury Is In: The Ruling on Josh McDowell's "Evidence"

Please, give me some examples of evidence that the Flood happened as described in the Bible.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Your faith is already established, it seems.
Not in the truth or in the creator, but in yourself.

Without faith, faith in the creator, there is no way to please him.

He even says, re judgment day, let your idol(s) , your god(s), save you .

 

[Tinker Grey]

Your faith is already established, it seems.
Not in the truth or in the creator, but in yourself.

Without faith, faith in the creator, there is no way to please him.

He even says, re judgment day, let your idol(s) , your god(s), save you .

When all else fails, threaten.

 

[TLK Valentine]

When all else fails, threaten.

Notice how often all else fails?

 

[Halbhh]

Ignoring the fact that a wind that strong would blow the Hebrews halfway to Hoboken, an "east wind" -- that is to say, blowing from the East -- would've blown the waters right at them.

Maybe there's another answer besides straight up literalism?

The style of the section shows this to be purely a recounting of actual events only, not even with any metaphorical aspects I think.

 

[Halbhh]

But no one has ever actually seen this happen at any other time.

In fact, outside the Bible, there are NO accounts of this happening, are there?

That's correct so far as I'm aware, and if you mean as a just the right moment miracle.

Of course a variety of lesser (more natural) water movements have happened plenty.

 

[TLK Valentine]

The style of the section shows this to be purely a recounting of actual events only, not even with any metaphorical aspects I think.

And you're certainly entitled to think that.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

That's correct so far as I'm aware, and if you mean as a just the right moment miracle.

It did happen again, in Scripture, when the people of Yahweh were prepared to enter the Promised land as Yahweh led them.
(as soon as the priests stepped into the river, it 'backed up' quite a ways and the people crossed on dry ground).
It may also happen , may have happened, many other times not recorded, as Yahweh does not cater to men nor to man's desires, but does as He Pleases, and leads and guards His people as He Chooses.

 

[Kylie]

Your faith is already established, it seems.
Not in the truth or in the creator, but in yourself.

Without faith, faith in the creator, there is no way to please him.

He even says, re judgment day, let your idol(s) , your god(s), save you .

Why should I worry about pleasing a being that I don't believe exists?

 

[Kylie]

That's correct so far as I'm aware, and if you mean as a just the right moment miracle.

Of course a variety of lesser (more natural) water movements have happened plenty.

So? It's still not evidence that the parting of the red sea happened.

You can claim that the writing style of that part suggests a literal description, but then again, the writing style of the Harry Potter books suggests exactly the same thing.

 

[Halbhh]

So? It's still not evidence that the parting of the red sea happened.
...

That's right. If I told you I have a car and that I was recused from mid air, my statement isn't 'evidence' unless you are willing to trust me. You could merely choose to distrust.

The only way to find out if God exists is the one Christ gave -- seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened -- done the way said "with all of your heart", meaning some leap of faith is involved. An openness.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Why should I worry about pleasing a being that I don't believe exists?

You shouldn't,
not until, if and when you want eternal life and all that the unknown One has to offer, IF it is still possible.

,,,
The only way to find out if God exists is the one Christ gave -- seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened -- done the way said "with all of your heart", meaning some leap of faith is involved. An openness.

 

[Kylie]

That's right. If I told you I have a car and that I was recused from mid air, my statement isn't 'evidence' unless you are willing to trust me. You could merely choose to distrust.

Actually, if you made that claim, I'd be perfectly happy to believe you - IF you gave me satisfactory evidence.

The only way to find out if God exists is the one Christ gave -- seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened -- done the way said "with all of your heart", meaning some leap of faith is involved. An openness.

In other words, choose to believe, and you'll end up believing. Not really the best way to find out the truth, is it?

Sorry, you'll need to do better than that.

 

[Kylie]

You shouldn't,
not until, if and when you want eternal life and all that the unknown One has to offer, IF it is still possible.

That's a remarkable thing that religion has done, isn't it? Get you to give payment now for a reward that you don't get until after you die. And of course, anyone who dies and finds out they were wrong is in no position to complain, so there are no negative reviews!

 

[TLK Valentine]

You shouldn't,
not until, if and when you want eternal life and all that the unknown One has to offer, IF it is still possible.

Wanting something and getting a plausible offer are two different things.

 

[Halbhh]

Actually, if you made that claim, I'd be perfectly happy to believe you - IF you gave me satisfactory evidence.



In other words, choose to believe, and you'll end up believing. Not really the best way to find out the truth, is it?

Sorry, you'll need to do better than that.

I can't do better than Christ.

Matthew 7:7-12