If you had God's powers, how would you communicate with people?

[MrsFoundit]

Yes, but none of them really seem to address the question.

They look like direct answers to me.

 

[MrsFoundit]

I'm curious, is there anything you will NOT find if you truly seek? You can find tooth fairies too, IF you seek truly.

True, to an extent, but what would your motive be?

 

[thomas_t]

If He had presented it differently, He would have had a different reaction. So, why didn't He present His message so He had a more favourable reaction?

well, th red part is speculation.
The Bible presents different modes of presenting the Gospel, sometimes God used to be a cloud during the day and fire at night. Exodus 13:32
At another occasion, Jesus made wonders, but people wouldn't listen to him, either. Matthew 11:23
In Revelation 11:12, he lifted (will lift) two prophets up into heaven in front of their eyes, and yet they wouldn't listen either.

... So God changed his mode of communication all the time.
No popularity, though.
God wants everybody to be saved... but the moment they don't want to he might change his mind. Who would save someone unwilling to be saved?

Why did (my) #5 not address the issue of the op, IA?
Even after the discussion I wouldn't change my reply.

Thomas

 

[MrsFoundit]

God wants everybody to be saved... but the moment they don't want to he might change his mind. Who would save someone unwilling to be saved?

Very good question.

 

[MrsFoundit]

Then how would you save the child from being all burnt up?

You appear to be confusing protection and force.

 

[keith99]

Very good question.

Dirty Harry or anyone else trying to save someone who is suicidal. Or Jaime Escalante or thousands of others like him who help students who at least at first do not want help or education. Or for that matter any parent who looks out for their children's best interests over their immediate gratification.

 

[MrsFoundit]

Dirty Harry or anyone else trying to save someone who is suicidal. Or Jaime Escalante or thousands of others like him who help students who at least at first do not want help or education. Or for that matter any parent who looks out for their children's best interests over their immediate gratification.

You seem to be confusing crisis intervention and nursery care for the needs of the entire human race. So one answer might be someone who can tell when someone is sane, and not two years old.

 

[Larniavc]

You appear to be confusing protection and force.

What if the only option to save the child was to force her not to run into the fire?

Would that take precedence over her desire to run into the burning house.

 

[BigV]

True, to an extent, but what would your motive be?

What is the motive to 'seek' a Christian God?

 

[BigV]

What if the only option to save the child was to force her not to run into the fire?

Would that take precedence over her desire to run into the burning house.

Well, considering the creator of the fire, one may understand the hesitation to save anyone running towards it.

 

[BigV]

God wants everybody to be saved... but the moment they don't want to he might change his mind. Who would save someone unwilling to be saved?

Well, funny how this only works one way. If, for example, after I die, and I find that there is a Hell and I don't want to go there, would God let me in heaven? Or would he say.. too bad, you've made your choice while you were living?

And if God will say the latter, then he is perfectly fine with not saving people against their will. Consider also that even Christians' salvation is not guaranteed. There is a school of taught in Christianity that says salvation can be forfeited or lost, and you can forfeit it by your behavior even.

 

[MrsFoundit]

What is the motive to 'seek' a Christian God?

I believe the issue is God versus tooth fairy.

If you do not see a reason to look for either, do not look, problem solved.

My own post 6 -
I would not force anyone to hear me, so some would and some would not.

 

[MrsFoundit]

What if the only option to save the child was to force her not to run into the fire?

You are talking about protection, not avoidance of force.

 

[BigV]

I believe the issue is God versus tooth fairy.

If you do not see a reason to look for either, do not look, problem solved.

My own post 6 -
I would not force anyone to hear me, so some would and some would not.

But do you hold to the idea of eternal punishment? What happens to those not saved by God?

 

[MrsFoundit]

And if God will say the latter, then he is perfectly fine with not saving people against their will. Consider also that even Christians' salvation is not guaranteed. There is a school of taught in Christianity that says salvation can be forfeited or lost, and you can forfeit it by your behavior even.

CF Statement of Faith | Christian Forums - this is CF Statement of Faith, not anything purported to be Christianity anywhere you have ever seen or been.

 

[MrsFoundit]

But do you hold to the idea of eternal punishment? What happens to those not saved by God?

Why does any idea of my own matter to your choice?

If the idea of eternal punishment is a reality, my opinion is of no affect to that fact or your choice. Obliterate me, and you still exist, so does your choice.

If the idea of eternal punishment is not a reality, my opinion is of no affect to that fact or your choice. Obliterate me, and you still exist, so does your choice.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Mark, those three posts were very handsomely said, and I appreciate your civility.
However, those deserve a full and proper reply, and it's getting late in my time zone. So I'll have to answer tomorrow.
Goodnight!

Thank you. I look forward to it.

 

[cvanwey]

Would you
(a) rely on ancient texts, written by unknown/anonymous sources, or
(b) find other ways to reach out to people?

I'll give this a twirl...

- Write the Bible Myself
- Have it type-written, with a carbon fiber cover
- Have a translator button within it, with all future known languages
- The ones whom cannot read, have an audible option
- Hand it out personally to all nations, not just one region, at the onset of humanity
- Make all copies indestructible
- Place a disclaimer stating "do not covet these words", but try to live by them as best you can
- Place information in the Book, which is not yet known to civilization
- Place a button at the end, like 'Alexa' or 'Google', to answer any/all pertinent questions - (including to meet God)
- Make such text, to where there looks to be little/no contradictions present

Viola, hardly any atheists left to contend with. Yes, some may still rebel, but then they would be actively choosing not to conform with His requests.
-

 

[ananda]

Would you
(a) rely on ancient texts, written by unknown/anonymous sources, or
(b) find other ways to reach out to people?

Write my message in the deepest, most fundamental laws governing reality.

That would be unquestionable, infallible, equally applicable to all throughout space & time, without any need for fallible intermediaries (e.g. human, paper, language, etc.)

(That's essentially the perspective of early Buddhism: we focus on those deepest laws).

 

[InterestedAtheist]

I'll give this a twirl...

- Write the Bible Myself
- Have it type-written, with a carbon fiber cover
- Have a translator button within it, with all future known languages
- The ones whom cannot read, have an audible option
- Hand it out personally to all nations, not just one region, at the onset of humanity
- Make all copies indestructible
- Place a disclaimer stating "do not covet these words", but try to live by them as best you can
- Place information in the Book, which is not yet known to civilization
- Place a button at the end, like 'Alexa' or 'Google', to answer any/all pertinent questions - (including to meet God)
- Make such text, to where there looks to be little/no contradictions present

Viola, hardly any atheists left to contend with. Yes, some may still rebel, but then they would be actively choosing not to conform with His requests.
-

Wow. that would solve all religion problems as a stroke.
It's amazing that God didn't do something like that.