Plagued by doubts

[mandelduke]

Hi, moonseeker,
you need to take a break from reading the atheists' websites and start reading the bible. You also need to start praying to God to grant you more faith to believe in Him.

Visit Christian Answers Network

This website contains some answers to difficult questions. Spend your time on this website and it will help increases your faith.

 

[chilehed]

These lectures by Peter Kreeft might be helpful.

 

[kpfru2]

Here's why i believe in God, on an intellectual basis. Building, builder. Painting, painter. Scaffolding, Scaffolder. Teaching, Teacher. Creation, Big bang?i think not. Intellectual being with the ability to reason, to love, to create and to plan, with DNA that is highly unique to each individual, and with a conciounss based on the commandmants found in the bible? EVOLUTION? i think not.

maybe this helps with the theism vs atheism argument

 

[Emmy]

Dear moonseeker. Jesus gives us good advice in Matthew 22: 35-40:
" The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it. Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus states this great truth: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." What can we do? We start by treating all we know and all we meet, friends or not friends, we treat them as we would love to be treated: kindly and always with friendly words, and a helping hand where needed.
Jesus will give us his Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with His Love, also. Jesus told us to: " ask and ye will receive," then we thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour. We keep asking God and thanking God, then sharing all Love and Joy with all around us. God will see our sincere efforts, and God will Bless us. ( Matthew 7: 7-8) Jesus our Saviour will help and guide us all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY. We might stumble and forget, but then we get up and keep sharing all Love and Joy with our neighbour: in all we
say or do, and all we advise and stand for.
The Bible tells us to" Repent," to change from being selfish and unloving--to
loving and caring. Soon we will be the men and women which God our Heavenly Father wants us to be. Love is a Christian`s great weapon, Love will overcome all enmity and wrong behaviour, and life will be like Jesus promised us: "Life Abundant." You`ll never know until you try it, moonseeker. I say this
with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[If Not For Grace]

Moonseeker:

FOR Me..Christianity hinges on one thing. Was there a resurrection? Yes or No.

I set about studing that fact (unchurched heathern that I was). I did not limit my materials to the KJ or any other version of the Bible..I used outside texts, asked questions from various vocations including history, science and philosophy, medical and legal professionals and came to my own conclusion.

When you answer that ONE question; all the dogma or religious flavors of the month in the religious world will not matter. If I believe Jesus rose from the dead-whether I understand or think something else someone along the way teaches is right or wrong will carry little weight..If I know that fact to be true..If I declare It unture..then I won't be reading any of that stuff or hanging with the religious crowd anyway

 

[Bible2]

If Not For Grace said in post 25:

FOR Me..Christianity hinges on one thing. Was there a resurrection? Yes or No.

That brings to mind what the Bible says:

"Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (1 Corinthians 15:12-23).

"... if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved" (Romans 10:9).

 

[AndrewK9]

Hello everyone. Though I was born a Christian, I have only returned to Christ recently, so that's why I thought I would post here.

My problem is that though I have accepted Christ, I'm still plagued by doubts of the existence of God. I go to atheist websites and read their arguments, and their arguments do make sense to me - I can't deny that. But I WANT to believe in God because it makes me happy to think that there is a God. I don't know what to do. There is also the problem that my father is an atheist, and doesn't like the idea that I'm becoming religious.

Is there any good apolegetic websites anyone could direct me to? I just really need guidance .

There are a couple of things I would recommend, try having a look at "Evidence that Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell, and when it comes to faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, there is a short book I would recommend, only about 12 chapters, called "Around the Wicket Gate" by C.H. Spurgeon. It was written in the 1800's so the language may be a bit difficult, but it's a good read. Here is an online link to the whole book I will post for you - chapters 3-8 are helpful especially:

http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/wg.htm#Jesus%20Only

 

[jd01]

Hi Moonseeker,

Great question.

I am a new Christian that has done a lot of study and reading. Frankly I am very suspicious of any christian apologetic / literature and would stir clear of it. There is tons of it around. It is usually grounded in doctrine that is not examined very carefully and goes from there. It is a form of literature that is not based on reasoned argument from the ground up which sounds like what you are looking for. But ask yourself this question. Do you believe Jesus rose again? If yes, then Jesus is a pretty special person. Did Jesus believe in God? If there is one thing we can be sure of - it is that. And that is good enough for me and probably that is the best we have.

 

[delvida]

I like that answer jd01

 

[Khasilooluv]

Can I say, you all are awesome!

 

[asiyreh]

Hi Moonseeker,

Great question.

I am a new Christian that has done a lot of study and reading. Frankly I am very suspicious of any christian apologetic / literature and would stir clear of it. There is tons of it around. It is usually grounded in doctrine that is not examined very carefully and goes from there. It is a form of literature that is not based on reasoned argument from the ground up which sounds like what you are looking for. But ask yourself this question. Do you believe Jesus rose again? If yes, then Jesus is a pretty special person. Did Jesus believe in God? If there is one thing we can be sure of - it is that. And that is good enough for me and probably that is the best we have.

I find this possibly the saddest post I've ever read.

I know what you need my friend a big bowl of Dr. Gary Habermas on the evidences for the resurrection. Add a portion or two of Dr. William Lane Craig and you begin to feel right as rain.

My friend you need a hug. Seriously. If you believe God raised Jesus from the dead, then the seems to necessarily follow, that the claims he made must also be true. If not then why would God raise him?

Christ claimed to be the revelation of the Father in heaven. He wasn't just considered some special guy.

Paul who penned some of the earliest new testament literature tells us; we
await the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory
of the great God and Savior our Jesus Christ Titus 2:13

And John tells us Thomas confessed;upon placing his hands in Christ wounds; my Lord and my God. john 20:28

Christ himself told us, unless you believe I am he you will die in your sins. Verily verily I tell you before Abraham was I am. john 8:24 and john 8:58

Just let it all go dude. Welcome Christ into your life and you can experience him first hand. And have a hug

 

[jd01]

I find this possibly the saddest post I've ever read.

I know what you need my friend a big bowl of Dr. Gary Habermas on the evidences for the resurrection. Add a portion or two of Dr. William Lane Craig and you begin to feel right as rain.

My friend you need a hug. Seriously. If you believe God raised Jesus from the dead, then the seems to necessarily follow, that the claims he made must also be true. If not then why would God raise him?

Christ claimed to be the revelation of the Father in heaven. He wasn't just considered some special guy.

Paul who penned some of the earliest new testament literature tells us; we
await the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory
of the great God and Savior our Jesus Christ Titus 2:13

And John tells us Thomas confessed;upon placing his hands in Christ wounds; my Lord and my God. john 20:28

Christ himself told us, unless you believe I am he you will die in your sins. Verily verily I tell you before Abraham was I am. john 8:24 and john 8:58

Just let it all go dude. Welcome Christ into your life and you can experience him first hand. And have a hug

Sad? Really? The saddest ever! Now I am sad too.

I am not sure I need Christian Scholars, but I certainly need scholars.

I will take any hugs I can get.

God did raise Jesus from death and so what Jesus said and did must be scrutinized carefully. But remember that the Gospels are not transcripts of what Jesus said and did. So we have to proceed carefully and not cherry pick or ignore context or considered non-christian scholarly opinion.

Also I was expressing a basic position for folks who have doubts and do not know how to proceed. A response to the initial thread.

 

[Bible2]

jd01 said in post 32:

But remember that the Gospels are not transcripts of what Jesus said and did.

They are (for example, Matthew 4:7, Luke 9:43).

Why do you think they aren't?

 

[Lordservent]

Hello everyone. Though I was born a Christian, I have only returned to Christ recently, so that's why I thought I would post here.

My problem is that though I have accepted Christ, I'm still plagued by doubts of the existence of God. I go to atheist websites and read their arguments, and their arguments do make sense to me - I can't deny that. But I WANT to believe in God because it makes me happy to think that there is a God. I don't know what to do. There is also the problem that my father is an atheist, and doesn't like the idea that I'm becoming religious.

Is there any good apolegetic websites anyone could direct me to? I just really need guidance .

You need to understand one thing! The atheists have good arguments indeed but sometimes a good argument is empty, without truth.
You need to see the both sides so you can choose the truth or not, Atheists are arrogant people and some of them think they know everything, well let me give you my argument here about God's EXISTENCE.

The universe is too complex, this complex reality around you could never become real without the a creator, try this in your home:
1-Break your watch.
2-Put the pieces of the watch in a bag.
3-Shake the bag for about...hm lets say... Billions of years.
4- You will see that nothing complex happened, the pieces will still be pieces and the watch will never be a watch again.
The watch when was working was made by someone intelligent a creator.
Look at nature, nature is like a computer program look at the seasons, they always come on their right time like...a watch! Look at the human brain, it is too complex, it certainly didn't came from a Billions of "evolutionary" years, if that's true why is evolution gone nowadays? Why are we the only intelligent species?
Why is the theory of evolution changed every year? Why is it still a theory? Why are most of the fossils hoaxes like the Nebraska man? If evolution requires different species matting why can't a cow mate with a dog to make a codog?
Now this one is easy.
1-Pick up two stones.
2-Put them together.
3-Wait a Billion years and see if a planet appe...wait no, those stone were there before you touched them and nothing was happening...nothing complex.

I could go on and on and on but you see? Atheist arguments are "strong" because they go against your beliefs, and that makes you think and makes you sometimes accept strange and stupid things. Did you know Darwin was extremely religious? And even him had a doubt about his theory! The Bible is not just a book it has historical and spiritual proof all over it, Jesus walked on earth and He was the Biggest proof of all, in fact his steps were recorded by many historians and normal people.

Christians also have good arguments, in fact we have better arguments than them.
Remember there is no way to proof G-d doesn't exist! And believe me those who tried died and and G-d is still around.
Check the PPsimmons Youtube channel and Blog, they have arguments against evolution and many other anti Christian arguments.
And if your dad doesn't want you to believe think about those Christians who died during the time of Nero, Nero wanted the Christians to stop believing and they died for Yeshua and now they are with the Lord.
Keep your faith Strong! For He died for you why wouldn't you keep his name in your soul?
G-d Bless.

 

[Lordservent]

"God did raise Jesus from death and so what Jesus said and did must be scrutinized carefully. But remember that the Gospels are not transcripts of what Jesus said and did. So we have to proceed carefully and not cherry pick or ignore context or considered non-christian scholarly opinion."

In my Opinion you're wrong, and that's because all the scriptures refer to the same exact words, there were many involved in the making of the Gospel, those men and women were next to Yeshua and heard what he Said clearly.
These people discussed about his words, and who knows if Yeshua himself didn't inspire them and even told them what to wright?
He appeared to them for about 40 days so who knows, you can't just say "But remember that the Gospels are not transcripts of what Jesus said and did" you weren't there to listen too him (sadly).
Many people even out of the gospel were talking about Yeshua's Miracles, even great people like CORNELIUS TACITUS.
Yeshua was more then a mere man.

 

[asiyreh]

But remember that the Gospels are not transcripts of what Jesus said and did.

Technically you're correct most scholars conclude the gospels fall under the popular biographical literature types of the time period if memory serves.

They probably needed to fit on a single scroll and that's why you may see the authors of the gospels take acceptable literally shortcuts. Time compression and other such acceptable techniques of the time would have been employed to save space.

For example - one gospel author will say Jesus cursed the fig tree they went off to preach for the day. They returned the next morning and the tree had withered.

Another will say Jesus cursed the tree and it withered.

I think however when they were directly quoting the words of Christ they would have taken extreme care to convey the message correctly.

I'm not opposed to the idea of the Q document hypothesis either. Matthew for example might have been an excellent candidate in a role transcribing Christ's original sermons. Can't really back it up. But it's a strong possibility I feel.

I have enough information in this area to satisfy myself. I've left this particular field of study behind some years ago having been fully convinced of whatever questions I needed to answer.

But I'll say it again, spend some time maybe a month or so soaking up everything you can find from Dr. Gary Habbermas.

http://www.garyhabermas.com/

Nt wright is another worthwhile endeavour in this area. - http://www.ntwrightonline.com/

Or a personal favorite of mine Mike Licona - http://www.risenjesus.com/

I'm not sure I would go browsing in the area of non Christian new testament scholarship without appropriate adult supervision. If I want to research a non Christian new testament scholar the first thing I'll do is look for a debate between the heretic and someone I know I can trust. Most of their lies will be exposed uncovered and explained in the ensuing debate. On the other hand if you go see listen to these people directly, they'll run riot all over your faith.

 

[jd01]

They are (for example, Matthew 4:7, Luke 9:43).

Why do you think they aren't?

Sorry I am not trying to be funny, but why would you think they are? A transcript is a true word for word record like in a court room or on video tape.

 

[jd01]

Technically you're correct most scholars conclude the gospels fall under the popular biographical literature types of the time period if memory serves.

They probably needed to fit on a single scroll and that's why you may see the authors of the gospels take acceptable literally shortcuts. Time compression and other such acceptable techniques of the time would have been employed to save space.

For example - one gospel author will say Jesus cursed the fig tree they went off to preach for the day. They returned the next morning and the tree had withered.

Another will say Jesus cursed the tree and it withered.

I think however when they were directly quoting the words of Christ they would have taken extreme care to convey the message correctly.

I'm not opposed to the idea of the Q document hypothesis either. Matthew for example might have been an excellent candidate in a role transcribing Christ's original sermons. Can't really back it up. But it's a strong possibility I feel.

I have enough information in this area to satisfy myself. I've left this particular field of study behind some years ago having been fully convinced of whatever questions I needed to answer.

But I'll say it again, spend some time maybe a month or so soaking up everything you can find from Dr. Gary Habbermas.

http://www.garyhabermas.com/

Nt wright is another worthwhile endeavour in this area. - http://www.ntwrightonline.com/

Or a personal favorite of mine Mike Licona - http://www.risenjesus.com/

I'm not sure I would go browsing in the area of non Christian new testament scholarship without appropriate adult supervision. If I want to research a non Christian new testament scholar the first thing I'll do is look for a debate between the heretic and someone I know I can trust. Most of their lies will be exposed uncovered and explained in the ensuing debate. On the other hand if you go see listen to these people directly, they'll run riot all over your faith.

Thanks asiyreh,

My impression was that the teaching and preaching that the disciples did was molded to circumstance. Rabbi students were expected to not invent but to emphasis and de-emphasis, comment on, contextulize, interpret the teacher's wisdom in order to teach others. As long as the point was gotten across and there was no dishonesty the presentation was quite malleable.

Regarding scholars why not go with those that are objective rather than those with an agenda?

 

[asiyreh]

Everyone's... got an agenda my friend

Ours is to tell you that Christ is alive with us, his presence dwells inside all of us; his glad servants. He wants also to make his home with you. This is the greatest gift you will ever receive and it is my hope you find his truth my brother. We, your family, will be waiting for you when you do.

 

[jd01]

Everyone's... got an agenda my friend

Ours is to tell you that Christ is alive with us, his presence dwells inside all of us; his glad servants. He wants also to make his home with you. This is the greatest gift you will ever receive and it is my hope you find his truth my brother. We, your family, will be waiting for you when you do.

Yes they do. Hopefully the agenda is reasoned, objective and not pre-determined.

What makes you think I am not now?