I want to become Christian, help?

[MandyGee]

Today, I made a hopefully life changing decision. I've always admired Christianity, as it teaches good principles and all that. Even when I decided I was atheist, I still followed pretty much every Christian principle there was

I really want to become Christian. I've wanted it for a while, but I've always been held back because although I've always believed in a higher power I've been uncertain about how God can be omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent all at once. It made me doubt Him. Furthermore, I used to feel like Hell was a medieval method used to scare people into believing, because they didn't want to suffer for eternity. I don't like being bullied into anything. It got my back up.

But, I realised that I've always wanted to love God I just needed to stop using excuses. I want Him to be in my life, and I want Him to love me too.

My friends are completely atheist/agnostic. I think if I told them I wanted to be Christian they'd laugh at me. They think people go to church on Sunday are weird. My family is pretty non-religious too, although they don't have a problem with religion. I'm English, and alot of English people aren't religious. Christians are the minority. So... how do I do it? I don't know what to do next.

How do I find a church; is there someone I can talk to about my new faith? I'm not Christened - is it silly for a nearly eighteen year old girl to get Christened?

Furthermore, there's this tiny naggling thought in the back of my head that I'm wrong. Because I've never had any kind of religious experience, I would almost feel stupid suddenly kneel down and start to pray. But I do want to.

I've never told anyone this. It's a huge step for me. I'm hoping this forum can help

 

[ebia]

Today, I made a hopefully life changing decision. I've always admired Christianity, as it teaches good principles and all that. Even when I decided I was atheist, I still followed pretty much every Christian principle there was

I really want to become Christian. I've wanted it for a while, but I've always been held back because although I've always believed in a higher power I've been uncertain about how God can be omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent all at once. It made me doubt Him. Furthermore, I used to feel like Hell was a medieval method used to scare people into believing, because they didn't want to suffer for eternity. I don't like being bullied into anything. It got my back up.

But, I realised that I've always wanted to love God I just needed to stop using excuses. I want Him to be in my life, and I want Him to love me too.

My friends are completely atheist/agnostic. I think if I told them I wanted to be Christian they'd laugh at me. They think people go to church on Sunday are weird. My family is pretty non-religious too, although they don't have a problem with religion. I'm English, and alot of English people aren't religious. Christians are the minority. So... how do I do it? I don't know what to do next.

How do I find a church; is there someone I can talk to about my new faith? I'm not Christened - is it silly for a nearly eighteen year old girl to get Christened?

Furthermore, there's this tiny naggling thought in the back of my head that I'm wrong. Because I've never had any kind of religious experience, I would almost feel stupid suddenly kneel down and start to pray. But I do want to.

I've never told anyone this. It's a huge step for me. I'm hoping this forum can help

Walking in to a church for the first time can be a bit scary. Once you get talking to people a lot of that should evaporate. You could just pick your local parish church, check the notice board for service times, and go along to the main one. The chances are that people will start talking to you, and if they don't try a different one next time.

Or you could look up the minister's name on the notice board and give them a ring.

Or, if you live in a city with one you could go along to a Cathedral at any time, tell the people on the door you would like to talk to a minister, and away you go.

Or you could look out for a course like Alpha, Emmaus or Christianity Explored being run in a church that would take you through the steps in a setting with other people exploring the faith.

 

[Sketcher]

Converts are baptized all the time. Those in the church will be happy for you, not laughing at you or thinking less of you in any way.

Now, let me get my biases out there for you first, and I'll tell you the rest. I am a non-denominational Protestant, which means my faith is not defined by any one denomination of churches. And I go by the Bible, and do not consider any tradition to be equal to it, let alone superior to it. I can only recommend a church that has a similar outlook. If they have other "holy books," or insist on any one translation, or consider the Bible to be outdated, you should stay away from there. If they talk about politics more than they talk about Jesus, stay away from there. If they call themselves Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, or "Christian" Scientists, stay away from them.

Wherever you go, the kind of service will depend on the kind of church it is. A service at an Anglican church will be a certain way, a service at a Baptist church will be another way. But either way, I think you'll be alright. Services aren't that hard to "get."

Here's something to get you started, though.

1) God exists and is perfect.
2) All people have fallen short of perfection, and cannot be with God out of their own goodness. Our best goodness cannot be good enough to be with God.
3) Since we cannot reach up to God, he reached down to us. God the Father sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life and die an unjust death to pay for the sins we have committed.
4) Jesus rose from the grave to triumph over death, and to give all who would believe in him forgiveness of sins and life with God.
5) He ascended into Heaven, but sent down the Holy Spirit to help believers live God-honoring lives until he comes back.

If you believe this, if you want this, you can pray to God and sincerely ask for it:

"Dear God, you are you there, and you are perfect. I have sinned against you. Jesus died on the cross and he rose from the grave so I could be forgiven. I ask that you forgive me, and send me the Holy Spirit. Jesus, I give you my whole self and my whole life, and you will be my boss instead of me. In Jesus' name, amen."

If you believe this, and you mean this, God's going to hear you and that is your first step as a Christian. The next step would be to find a church and get baptized. And then, learn all you can, meet with believers regularly, and start living your new life!

 

[aiki]

Today, I made a hopefully life changing decision. I've always admired Christianity, as it teaches good principles and all that. Even when I decided I was atheist, I still followed pretty much every Christian principle there was

Interesting...

I

really want to become Christian. I've wanted it for a while, but I've always been held back because although I've always believed in a higher power I've been uncertain about how God can be omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent all at once. It made me doubt Him.

"Omnibenevolent"? I'm not sure what you mean. Can you explain?

Furthermore, I used to feel like Hell was a medieval method used to scare people into believing, because they didn't want to suffer for eternity. I don't like being bullied into anything. It got my back up.

Hell isn't a bully's tactic, its the just "reward" for a life lived in rebellion toward God. God no more warns us of Hell with the thought of bullying us into Heaven than a doctor warns of cancer with the thought of bullying his patient into treatment. What sort of a doctor would not alert his patient to a tumorous cancer growing within the patient's body? An evil one! What sort of a God would not warn us of the eternal danger of denying Him? An evil one!

No, it is a testament to God's goodness that we are warned of the "wrath to come." It is a further testament to His goodness that in spite of our deserving Hell, God has made a way - at terrible cost to Himself - for us to avoid eternal punishment.

But, I realised that I've always wanted to love God I just needed to stop using excuses. I want Him to be in my life, and I want Him to love me too.

Two things you might want to think about:

1). God doesn't want to be merely in your life. He wants to be your life. Is that what you want? God isn't an accessory to living, but the center of life.

2). God already loves you. He loves you more fully, and deeply, and purely than you can imagine.

My friends are completely atheist/agnostic. I think if I told them I wanted to be Christian they'd laugh at me. They think people go to church on Sunday are weird. My family is pretty non-religious too, although they don't have a problem with religion. I'm English, and alot of English people aren't religious. Christians are the minority. So... how do I do it? I don't know what to do next.

Count the cost. Jesus said that each person who wishes to be one of his followers must be willing to suffer loss and persecution just as he did. Are you so hungry for Christ that you are willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to walk with him?

How do I find a church; is there someone I can talk to about my new faith? I'm not Christened - is it silly for a nearly eighteen year old girl to get Christened?

The Bible says nothing about christening. It does, however, urge new believers in Christ to be baptized by full immersion in water as a public sign of their spiritual death, burial and resurrection with Christ.

Furthermore, there's this tiny naggling thought in the back of my head that I'm wrong. Because I've never had any kind of religious experience, I would almost feel stupid suddenly kneel down and start to pray. But I do want to.

You have, I think, yet to be truly born again, but you sound like God is drawing you to Himself. When you finally fully yield yourself to Christ, prayer will seem quite natural and your doubts will dissolve into a deep conviction of God's presence and love.

I've never told anyone this. It's a huge step for me. I'm hoping this forum can help

What can I do to help?

Peace.

 

[traditionalist]

If you havnt already, then I would go out and buy a bible. My recommendation would be a NIV or student study bible and start exploring. Pray can be intimidating at first but continue to talk to God. Seek out a local youth group. If you are truly sincere about opening your heart to Jesus then you do need to make the step of publicaly announcing it. You have nothing to be ashamed of. The good news is that this scary step can be aided by God! stepping outside your comfort zone is far easier with God at your side

Remember that the New birth into christianhood is a divine act of grace and cannot be forced. It can only be acchieved through surrendering yourself to God.

Luke 15:9 tells us that all Heaven rejoices when every person commits to him. If you do commit to Christ the whole heavens will sing for you, God will cry for you because he loves you.

God bless

 

[1Prophetess]

If you want to become a Christian, you need to believe that Jesus is God, that he died for you, that he rose again. And then you say that you believe. You have to say something like, "I believe in You Jesus. Will You give me everlasting life?"

He will say yes.

Then get to a church.

You're going the right direction. He is truly the answer.

 

[Benedictiō]

Its great to hear that you want to become a Christian

I definitely agree with the advice to go purchase a good study Bible. We believe the Bible to be the Word of God; its the entire base of Christianity and extremely important for our spiritual growth and developing a relationship with Christ. Its also a guide to life. Anything we need to know, everything God wants us to know, its in the Bible.

As for finding a Church, for now, just pick one and go see what its like. Don't feel obligated to stay in one church or pick one and stick with it. You can visit several and attend several as your relationship with God grows. Just try to find one you like for now that you are comfortable in

And your friends? I think they can just deal with your new found faith. If they DO give you a hard time about it, or make fun of you or mock you, then perhaps you should reconsider why you call them your friends. If they are truly your friends, they may tease you, but they should accept and respect your decision.

 

[JasperJackson]

Ah, praise God!

Just some more advice to add to the pile people have already given...

When you pray, don't worry about it feeling weird. It does at first. Just talk to God like you'd talk to anyone. Don't think you have to put on a "prayer accent" or something like that. If you still have doubts, say that to God too.

 

[RobertMerton]

. Furthermore, I used to feel like Hell was a medieval method used to scare people into believing, because they didn't want to suffer for eternity. I don't like being bullied into anything. It got my back up.

Alot of people seem to have this negative connotation regarding hell.

Hell is not a place where God blackmails people, where he damns them if they don't believe in him.

Rather, God gave us a free will - the choice to accept him or reject him ; and he gave us this life.

see, God loves you so much that he will respect the decision you take in this life time.

For instance, if you reject God, and walk away from him in this lifetime, God will say 'Okay fine, because you've rejected me in this life time, and because i respect your decision you made, i will put you in a place without me for all of eternity'.. which is basically what hell is.

on the otherhand, if you accept God, then God will say 'you chose to accept me, i respect that decision, you can live with me in heaven'

 

[Maranatha27]

Hi Mandygee,

I think its great you are pondering making a decision for Christ!

 

[Benedictiō]

Ah, praise God!

Just some more advice to add to the pile people have already given...

When you pray, don't worry about it feeling weird. It does at first. Just talk to God like you'd talk to anyone. Don't think you have to put on a "prayer accent" or something like that. If you still have doubts, say that to God too.

Great advice!

That is so totally true. God is our father, and we can talk to him like He is. Prayer doesn't have to be just asking for something, giving thanks or repenting. We can tell God whatever is on our minds, whenever we want to.

 

[Coralie]

You've been given good advice... I just wanted to let you know that I was in the same position as you (atheist/agnostic parents and friends, weirded out by what they would think of me, not sure what to do next, etc.), and that I am always here to chat to you!

God bless you on your journey.

 

[MandyGee]

"Omnibenevolent"? I'm not sure what you mean. Can you explain?

It's the inconsistent triangle - I study Philosophy and its a key topic. The idea that God can't be all loving (omnibenevolent), all powerful and all knowing if suffering exists. One of them has to be falsehood.
Philosophy hasn't helped me express my Christian feelings - the Christians in my philosophy class get jeered at by the atheists who mock all the Christian theories, such as the story of creation and the problem of evil, etc. I think the class is 80% atheist, 10% Jewish and 10% Christian.

When you pray, don't worry about it feeling weird. It does at first. Just talk to God like you'd talk to anyone. Don't think you have to put on a "prayer accent" or something like that. If you still have doubts, say that to God too.

I did this, thank you. I can't really explain how I felt, it was very private to me.

Interesting...

Really, you think? Me, I think it's quite natural for atheists to still continue several Christian teachings. It's written in our country's laws, for example. The fact that the teachings seem so natural to me further the feeling that it's the right one.

I just wanted to let you know that I was in the same position as you (atheist/agnostic parents and friends, weirded out by what they would think of me, not sure what to do next, etc.), and that I am always here to chat to you!

Thank you, that means a lot ^^

I have read a lot of the bible, from studying philosophy, but I want to read it again, away from class and all the atheists.

Anyway, I'm going to tell my friends today. I think this is probably the next step. Thank you all, I will chat to you all soon I'm sure

 

[RobertMerton]

if you want you can check our christian apologetics.

here's one of my favs

Give Me An Answer! Real answers to your tough questions about Christianity

its with cliffe knechtle

 

[aiki]

It's the inconsistent triangle - I study Philosophy and its a key topic. The idea that God can't be all loving (omnibenevolent), all powerful and all knowing if suffering exists. One of them has to be falsehood.

At least as far as the Bible is concerned, God isn't all-loving: He hates sin. You see, God is "holy, holy, holy". The Bible says that "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." Consequently, He absolutely abhors sin.

The Bible teaches that when God ended the process of creation He saw what He had made and it was "very good." There was no disease or death at the beginning. It was only after Adam and Eve chose to sin that evil and death entered the human experience. "The wages of sin is death," the Bible says, and so it is.

Philosophy hasn't helped me express my Christian feelings - the Christians in my philosophy class get jeered at by the atheists who mock all the Christian theories, such as the story of creation and the problem of evil, etc. I think the class is 80% atheist, 10% Jewish and 10% Christian.

Yes, well, atheists use jeering and ad hominem quite frequently to obscure their logically bankrupt thinking.

Really, you think? Me, I think it's quite natural for atheists to still continue several Christian teachings.

It is not philosophically or logically consistent to deny God's existence and then adopt His laws.

Peace.

 

[Albion]

Anyway, I'm going to tell my friends today. I think this is probably the next step. Thank you all, I will chat to you all soon I'm sure

And one more suggestion...when you reveal your decision, don't debate it with them. Your friends, being friends might not do this to you, but you can anticipate that the atheists will challenge your decision in a "how can you say that X makes sense?" way. Don't feel any obligation to debate it with them.

Just say that this is your personal decision and you've already studied the religion enough to have made an informed choice. You could add something about respecting the decisions they've made about religion so you hope they will extend the same courtesy to you...but that's all.

 

[seashale76]

It never hurts to do your research. It is a very big commitment and it shouldn't be one you go into blindly.

I will post a few things that it certainly wouldn't hurt for you to read that explain the Christian faith fairly well.

What Is Most Important
The One
Introduction to the Bible
Excerpts from the Orthodox Church by Bishop Kallistos Ware
Excerpts from the Orthodox Church by Bishop Kallistos Ware

Here is some advice for you. Pray! Through prayer you will find yourself open to the direction of God's will for your life.

To get you started, here are some helpful resources regarding prayer:
P r a y e r
Let us
Abbreviated Prayerbook
The Message of the Lord's Prayer

Belief is the first step. The next step is to find a church and talk to a priest. Inquirer's classes are designed so that you can have your questions about the faith answered, learn about the faith, and (if and when you are ready) baptized and chrismated.

Click here to find a church in your area: Orthodoxy in America

May God continue to guide you to Himself.

 

[marlowe007]

It's the inconsistent triangle - I study Philosophy and its a key topic. The idea that God can't be all loving (omnibenevolent), all powerful and all knowing if suffering exists. One of them has to be falsehood.
Philosophy hasn't helped me express my Christian feelings - the Christians in my philosophy class get jeered at by the atheists who mock all the Christian theories, such as the story of creation and the problem of evil, etc. I think the class is 80% atheist, 10% Jewish and 10% Christian.

Have you ever read Johann Georg Hamann? He was a Christian philosopher who rebelled against the reason-worship of the Enlightenment, whom we can actually consider the spiritual godfather of the whole Romantic movement.

 

[1Prophetess]

It's the inconsistent triangle - I study Philosophy and its a key topic. The idea that God can't be all loving (omnibenevolent), all powerful and all knowing if suffering exists. One of them has to be falsehood.
Philosophy hasn't helped me express my Christian feelings - the Christians in my philosophy class get jeered at by the atheists who mock all the Christian theories, such as the story of creation and the problem of evil, etc. I think the class is 80% atheist, 10% Jewish and 10% Christian.

I agree that God is not "all loving" in the sense that it is His primary concern. His primary concern is to give each and every person freedom. He chooses to squelch His own personal wishes so that we can choose for ourselves. That is His primary concern.

After that, I think He is righteousness. I think that because He had to make things upright between God and man--a sort of leveling. And His justice knew there had to be a price paid for wrongdoing. But because He loved us, He found a way to make it level and pay the price for us so we could go to heaven. He knew we would never be able to do it since His standards were so high. So He did it for us.

Thank God, He did it for us.



Oh, and by the way, I never have thought that Philosophy would ever bring us closer to God. It is a method to explain why we shouldn't be interested in God and why God does not exist IMHO. It is the philosophy of raising man to godhood.

 

[Nilla]

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