Only two options for the origin of the universe

[WoundedDeep]

If God gives to all that ask, I would think there are others who claim to interpret scripture based on what God inspires them to believe. So, with so many different interpretations of scripture amongst Christians, is God not capable of giving every Christian the same interpretation, through divine inspiration?

That is primarily a Christian concern, so what are you trying to achieve by asking a question that does not concern your beliefs?

 

[bhsmte]

That is primarily a Christian concern, so what are you trying to achieve by asking a question that does not concern your beliefs?

If it is a Christian concern, how does a Christian reconcile all the different interpretations?

If want to avoid answering the question, just say so.

 

[Davian]

bhsmte, let me talk this through.

You are an atheist. As such, you categorically deny the substance and authenticity of the Bible. You also deny the existence of God and deny God can have any sort of influence on humans other than that of superstitious belief. Am I on track so far?

Since you've pretty much said this in other posts, you're stuck with saying 'yes' to the above - or exposing yourself as self-contradictory.

As an atheist, I would not say that I "deny the substance and authenticity of the Bible", I would say that I am not convinced, or that I do not accept that premise.

No contradictions.

So my question is, how do you even pretend to have any standing to ask any of the questions you've asked in the last page or so? You have no knowledge of the subject, no grasp of God and no credential to suggest you have any interest in the subject. Other than a desperate and pathological need to deny it all.

Say good night, Gracie.

I have a curiosity regarding those that claim to have a "grasp of God" yet are unable to define in some testable and/or falsifiable manner what they are claiming to have grasped.

 

[WoundedDeep]

If it is a Christian concern, how does a Christian reconcile all the different interpretations?

If want to avoid answering the question, just say so.

I can reconcile because God had made known to us it will happen. I do not need to provide evidence since you don't believe in Christianity in the first place. It is a matter that is discussed among Christians.

 

[bhsmte]

I can reconcile because God had made known to us it will happen. I do not need to provide evidence since you don't believe in Christianity in the first place. It is a matter that is discussed among Christians.

ok.

 

[quatona]

Originally Posted by WoundedDeep

The Bible did say to all Christians: "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

I asked, and I received since God does give to all who ask. Are you trying to discredit me?
​

No. In view of the variety of interpretations that people claim to be given to them directly from God, I don´t know whom to cut slack and whom to discredit. That´s the way it happens to be with ipse dixits. It´s not that I am particularly skeptical of your personal interpretation, it´s more like I don´t know whom to give special credit despite the lack of any intersubjective evidence.
Don´t take it personally.

 

[WoundedDeep]

No. In view of the variety interpretations that people claim to be given their diverging interpretations directly from God, I don´t know whom to cut slack and whom to discredit. That´s the way it happens to be with ipse dixits.

Like the Bible said, anyone who needs wisdom needs to ask from God. And wisdom of God makes interpretation of the Bible possible because such spiritual interpretation rings true for the entire Bible. There will be no contradictions. The fact that contradictions happen is because not all interpretation is from God.

I am 6-7 years into my faith, I have discussed with countless people about the Bible. I can certainly tell whether my understanding is God given or not simply by testing if my understanding contradicts with other scripture verses. I can confidently say the understanding I had during the time I was forbidden from attending church was indeed from God. I still interpret the Bible with that understanding and the rest of Scriptures just confirm or substantiate it. I don't know if the same can be said about other Bible studies.

 

[Davian]

Refer to " Apologia of the Cosmos, Evidence of God Thread".

It is a thread on the Kalam

Have you posted on this site under the username of Elioenai26?

 

[quatona]

Have you posted on this site under the username of Elioenai26?

Yes. I think this is an open secret.

 

[quatona]

Like the Bible said, anyone who needs wisdom needs to ask from God. And wisdom of God makes interpretation of the Bible possible because such spiritual interpretation rings true for the entire Bible. There will be no contradictions. The fact that contradictions happen is because not all interpretation is from God.

I am 6-7 years into my faith, I have discussed with countless people about the Bible. I can certainly tell whether my understanding is God given or not simply by testing if my understanding contradicts with other scripture verses. I can confidently say the understanding I had during the time I was forbidden from attending church was indeed from God. I still interpret the Bible with that understanding and the rest of Scriptures just confirm or substantiate it. I don't know if the same can be said about other Bible studies.

Well, seems like - since being the one of all who has figured it all out - you deserve a more prominent position than that of an anonymous poster on the internet.

 

[WoundedDeep]

Well, seems like - since being the one of all who has figured it all out - you deserve a more prominent position than that of an anonymous poster on the internet.

That's not true. I merely figured out what it means to have an interpretation from God, and from my own applications and experience, I found that out to be true. I don't claim perfect knowledge of the Scriptures, just that in certain areas critical to our faith, I have confidence my understanding is from God. To say I'm deserving of a prominent position is to elevate me above my standing with God, I cannot accept that elevation even if you mean well. God does not favor me above anyone else who has a heart for God, not even among those who try to discredit Him. I also firmly believe there are Christians who are of one mind and understanding, maybe just difficult to spot at an instance seeing that anyone can say they are a Christian.

 

[quatona]

That's not true. I merely figured out what it means to have an interpretation from God, and from my own applications and experience, I found that out to be true.

Good luck with convincing anyone of your own experiences being the accurate means of confirming your interpretation of your experiences - without any intersubjective evidence to support this idea.

 

[Jeremy E Walker]

That's not true. I merely figured out what it means to have an interpretation from God, and from my own applications and experience, I found that out to be true. I don't claim perfect knowledge of the Scriptures, just that in certain areas critical to our faith, I have confidence my understanding is from God. To say I'm deserving of a prominent position is to elevate me above my standing with God, I cannot accept that elevation even if you mean well. God does not favor me above anyone else who has a heart for God, not even among those who try to discredit Him. I also firmly believe there are Christians who are of one mind and understanding, maybe just difficult to spot at an instance seeing that anyone can say they are a Christian.

WoundedDeep and I are of one mind and spirit.

She, like myself, loves Jesus and we know that He loves us. He has made us a King and Queen and priests in His kingdom and we try to represent Him here in this world in a manner that brings Him glory. We love Him and seek to love our neighbor as ourselves with that love that He has shed abroad in our hearts.

At the end of the day, that's what matters.

 

[WoundedDeep]

WoundedDeep and I are of one mind and spirit.

She, like myself, loves Jesus and we know that He loves us. He has made us a King and Queen and priests in His kingdom and we try to represent Him here in this world in a manner that brings Him glory. We love Him and seek to love our neighbor as ourselves with that love that He has shed abroad in our hearts.

At the end of the day, that's what matters.

 

[WoundedDeep]

Good luck with convincing anyone of your own experiences being the accurate means of confirming your interpretation of your experiences - without any intersubjective evidence to support this idea.

The convincing must happen to each believer independently and individually, from God and not men. I am just stating it out for you to see. How are you sure I have no evidence?

 

[quatona]

The convincing must happen to each believer independently and individually, from God and not men. I am just stating it out for you to see. How are you sure I have no evidence?

I´m not sure that you have got intersubjective evidence. I am just going by what you offer here, and these are plain ipse dixits.
If you had intersubjective evidence, you wouldn´t be left with making statements such as the first sentence in the paragraph above.

 

[WoundedDeep]

I´m not sure that you have got intersubjective evidence. I am just going by what you offer here, and these are plain ipse dixits.
If you had intersubjective evidence, you wouldn´t be left with making statements such as the first sentence in the paragraph above.

I say I have evidence because when I discussed with fellow Christians about the fundamental tenets of the faith, I realize that I have the exact same understanding with them even though my understanding came during a period of complete isolation from open Bible study and theology education. That does not contradict the fact that every Christian does need to be individually convinced that their interpretation is from God, does it

 

[Davian]

Have you posted on this site under the username of Elioenai26?

Yes. I think this is an open secret.

I'm always the last to know.

I ignored "Jeremy's" presuppositional apologetics until recently, but when he fell into the Elio routine it stood out for me.

My guess is that we will be dealing with this for many socks to come.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

God is a consuming fire according to Hebrews 12:29. So the Divine Flame you claim as proven in cosmology is a confirmation of God's existence.

Yes, it's confirmation that what you call 'God' is the Divine Flame.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Which premise do you object to and why?

We can debate it if you want.

We've already had that debate.