I do find it frustrating, especially during times when I'm not feeling
particularly pantheistic (or is it panentheistic?) where everything I
see is God manifested. Sometimes I wish we didn't have to settle
for the theoretical, in a world where statues and/or paintings of the
Divine are the closest thing to a "direct" manifestation, and just see
Him full-on.
Maybe this phase of our existence is like the gestational phase for
unborn babies. They can't see Mom. She's all around them, and --
like we do in God -- in her they live, move and have their being.
But if one could hold a conversation with an unborn baby and tell
them there's a Mom, they'd likely be skeptical, because they can't
see her.
However, they'll be able to see Mom face-to-face once they exit
her body, just as we will see God face-to-face once we exit our
bodies.
A time and a place for everything, I suppose...
.
I'm not sure why we would assume we can see God when we're dead?
1 Corinthians 13:12
(NIV)
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 John 3:2
(NIV)
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Matthew 5:8
(NIV)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Revelation 22
(NIV)
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Psalm 17:15
(NIV)
15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
Why? If God chooses not to reveal his existence to us, why should we even walk the road? There are untold deities we could choose to try to meet - if God deigns not to give us evidence that Christianity is the right why, why shouldn't we prostrate ourselves in a Mosque, or pay homage to Ghanesh?Ken, it's two-way street. We meet God mutually in most cases.
Does this apply to me, too? Did God bring me here to convert me to atheism, because that's what's happen since I've come hereBy the way, it's no accident you are on CF.
Why? If God chooses not to reveal his existence to us, why should we even walk the road? There are untold deities we could choose to try to meet - if God deigns not to give us evidence that Christianity is the right why, why shouldn't we prostrate ourselves in a Mosque, or pay homage to Ghanesh?
2 Peter 3:9
(NIV)
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
When, exactly, is this choice made? I don't recall making it, which makes me suspect that it was ever my choice to begin with.Wiccan Child, it is not God who 'chooses' to 'not reveal Himself', it is us who choose not to welcome His revelation. We make the choice in this life.
How, exactly?God is spiritual, therefore we need to reach out to Him, spiritually.
I have always been open to God, and for actively sought him in the past. Nothing came of it. If he isn't going to come to me, why should I come to him?Each person knows deep down in their hearts whether they have been fair in this exchange, even if they won't admit it outwardly. God knows this too and will refuse any who aren't whole-heartedly seeking Him fairly. He is patient with us, therefore we should be patient with Him.
Why does the opportunity end at death?Until our last breathe the opportunity to truly 'know' Him is always there...He is waiting.
The more I live and see religions, the more i recognize that gods are concepts.
When, exactly, is this choice made? I don't recall making it, which makes me suspect that it was ever my choice to begin with.
I have always been open to God, and for actively sought him in the past. Nothing came of it.
Why does the opportunity end at death?
You may see concepts on the surface. Truth runs deeper
That seems like a bit of a cheat. It's like giving someone a polygraph test, asking them if the would loot a shop, and when they say "yes", they go to jail for theft. If it's our choice, it should be, y'know, our choice. What my heart grunts, and what my brain deduces, are different things.This is a very fair question. God looks on the heart; you know, that thing that is deceitful above all things? We can make this choice, and not even be aware of it. The science of psychology confirms this idea, as being possible
Well, things happened - children kept dying in Africa, birds kept singing in their trees - but nothing happened that said "Hey, I'm God, and I exist". I was (and am) open to belief - why wouldn't I want there to be an all-powerful entity that is love incarnate? - but surely it's not unreasonable to not believe in the absence of evidence?
Really. Nothing?
If God wishes to be cryptic and hidden in statistically minutiae, that's his business, but I think it's unfair to damn me to Hell because he wants to play games.How bout, not what you wanted or expected? And what "came of it," you don't (yet) recognize?
But isn't it the Christian's belief that we persist after death? If so, why is death the 'pencils down' point? Why can't we die, see God and Jesus are real, repent and all the rest, and then go to Heaven? It seems peculiar that this mortal life is the only time we're allowed to make up our minds.Cuz then we're, umm ... dead? And for the record, from that position, you may be better able to see my point, that your previous efforts on the subject are currently benefitting you.
Isn't it weird that we can't technically see God unless we are dead?
The deeper I evaluate religions, the deeper I notice that they are fake stories, old fabrications and a bunch of mythologies designed to answer what science did not answer back then.
That is self-satisfaction. And willful ignorance.
God's the creator of the universe - what's keeping him?Keep the faith God is trying to get through to you. Blessings!
God's the creator of the universe - what's keeping him?