What do you need to know about me...

What do you need to know about me in order to share your faith?

If I can, I'll answer any questions, but I'm interested in what you feel you need to know and why.

Why do you want us to share our faith? I don't actually need to know anything in particular.. is there a reason you think I would?

Criada said:

Why do you want us to share our faith?

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Hello Criada. Thank you for replying.

The presence of this forum, "Exploring Christianity," seems to imply a desire on someone's part that the sharing of the Christian faith will take place. Perhaps I have assumed too much and such is not the case. Perhaps "share your faith" was a poor choice of terms.

Criada said:

I don't actually need to know anything in particular.. is there a reason you think I would?

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I thought that perhaps sharing one's faith (and again, I may have chosen the wrong terms or misunderstood the purpose of the forum) might be a somewhat personal undertaking. If it involves only the giving of specific information, perhaps you do not need to know anything about me after all.

InkBlott said:

What do you need to know about me in order to share your faith?

If I can, I'll answer any questions, but I'm interested in what you feel you need to know and why.

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MY DEAR FRIEND,

My all-important (to me, at least) question is "why are you here and what do you want?"--i.e. are you seeking TRUTH or seeking arguments; looking for light in the darkness or seeking to build yourself up by tearing the beliefs of others down?

The majority of the "honestly questioning" individuals who show up on this site are in the latter catagory--how about you?

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

ephraimanesti said:

MY DEAR FRIEND,

My all-important (to me, at least) question is "why are you here and what do you want?"--i.e. are you seeking TRUTH or seeking arguments; looking for light in the darkness or seeking to build yourself up by tearing the beliefs of others down?

The majority of the "honestly questioning" individuals who show up on this site are in the latter catagory--how about you?

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

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I have the feeling that I have walked into a forum in which there has been trouble.

Shall I turn around and walk back out?

InkBlott said:

What do you need to know about me in order to share your faith?

If I can, I'll answer any questions, but I'm interested in what you feel you need to know and why.

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MY DEAR FRIEND,

My all-important (at least to me) questions would be #1. Why are you here and what do you REALLY want--i.e., are you seeking TRUTH or argumentation; a way out of darkness or a way to build yourself up by tearing down the beliefs of others?

Most "questioners" practicing their art in this Forum are in the later category.

#2. Given that, as you say, you were "FORMERLY transparent" but apparently are not so any longer--what's the point of engaging you anyway?

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

InkBlott said:

I have the feeling that I have walked into a forum in which there has been trouble.

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Well, not trouble so much as a sense of futility and a temptation to fall back into stereotypes and, sin of all sins (for me) judgmentalism. Probably my bad/weakness.

InkBlott said:

Shall I turn around and walk back out?

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MY FRIEND,

Depends on the REAL reason that you are here. Hint: honesty will bring out a welcome mat every time.

ephraim

Please don't walk out.. if you are genuinely interested in knowing more about Christianity, that is great. It is just that most people come here with questions, rather than asking to be questioned.
Christianity is very personal, but it is also universal, and the basic message is the same, whatever your situation.
Perhaps you could read the "Be a Christian" section of this forum and let us know what you think of the message there, and whether you have any questions about it?

Thank you both for replying to my topic.

InkBlott said:

Thank you both for replying to my topic.

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MY FRIEND,

So now that the preliminaries are over--what's up?

ephraim

Hi Inkblott, the usual procedure is for a non-Christian to ask a question concerning Christianity. And the majority of opening questions have been formulated by atheists to disparage Christianity. Very few questions are asked where the person is actually interested in becoming a disciple of Christ.

I am not much of a Bible student, but I do not recall where scripture records a presentation of faith to folks who do not believe in God. For example Paul made a case to non-jews based on their belief in the "unknown God." So it would seem pointless to me to share my faith with an atheist. He or she probably does not actually want to learn about Christianity, what they usually want is to demonstrate how their atheist view is superior. And so since it takes two to tango, sharing the Christian faith with an atheist is usually futile.

Van said:

Hi Inkblott, the usual procedure is for a non-Christian to ask a question concerning Christianity. And the majority of opening questions have been formulated by atheists to disparage Christianity. Very few questions are asked where the person is actually interested in becoming a disciple of Christ.

I am not much of a Bible student, but I do not recall where scripture records a presentation of faith to folks who do not believe in God. For example Paul made a case to non-jews based on their belief in the "unknown God." So it would seem pointless to me to share my faith with an atheist. He or she probably does not actually want to learn about Christianity, what they usually want is to demonstrate how their atheist view is superior. And so since it takes two to tango, sharing the Christian faith with an atheist is usually futile.

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Thank you for your reply, Van.

I had looked forward to some pleasant discussion here, but it would seem I am being vetted out of this forum. There is but one thing you need to know about me and it is communicated by means of my faith icon. It is not the answer I anticipated, but I will accept it.

It won't be necessary for anyone else to make this same point. We can consider this topic concluded. I'll not start any others in this forum.

Good day all.

InkBlott said:

Thank you for your reply, Van.

I had looked forward to some pleasant discussion here, but it would seem I am being vetted out of this forum. There is but one thing you need to know about me and it is communicated by means of my faith icon. It is not the answer I anticipated, but I will accept it.

It won't be necessary for anyone else to make this same point. We can consider this topic concluded. I'll not start any others in this forum.

Good day all.

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MY DEAR FRIEND,

It saddens me that you give up the all-important search for TRUTH--if that it indeed is--so easily. You are not being "vetted out" of anything and i, for one, was hoping that you would join us--your demeanor is, to say the least, refreshing.

You asked to be asked questions; these questions were asked; all cards were put on the table. Why retreat?

ephraim

Again. Thank you.

I've had a family tragedy since I last posted in this topic, so truly this will be my last contribution to it.

I am very sorry to hear that.
You and your family have my prayers.

If you do ever look back here, know there is someone who is willing to share what they believe. Sorry that you are going through a tough time. As far as knowing about you, it would be good to know what your view of sin and God / Jesus is. It would be good to find out if you recognize what sin is. Also, it wouldn't hurt to know what led you to believing the way you do, so that we can better know what your knowledge level is of what is in the Bible. I'd hate for you to feel chased away. Believing the best about people such as yourself is a good thing. I know people have had people who weren't open to what we believe post, but I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I don't get on here all the time, but I'd be happy to share. I know going through something traumatic is difficult, but I hope that you will be open to look for answers here. For those who believe, God is a God of comfort as well. I will pray for you now that you will come to know Jesus. Do some investigating of the Bible please. Try reading the book of John and Romans for starters. If you were a Christian, I would recommend reading the book of Psalms right now in your time of tragedy.
Sin is what separates us from God. Repentance, belief in Jesus' sacrifice for sin, and a commitment to the Lord is necessary for salvation. Also, believing in the resurrection.
If you do come back on, you could either post on this thread, or a question related to anything brought up here for starters. You can even ask about bad things happening to people and why.

InkBlott said:

Again. Thank you.

I've had a family tragedy since I last posted in this topic, so truly this will be my last contribution to it.

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MY FRIEND,

i am sorry for whatever it is that has happened to you and your family. May God bless and keep you all and heal the pain of what has occcured.

As was mentioned above, you and your family will be in our prayers.

A BOND-SLAVE OF CHRIST,
ephraim

ephraimanesti said:

MY DEAR FRIEND,

My all-important (to me, at least) question is "why are you here and what do you want?"--i.e. are you seeking TRUTH or seeking arguments; looking for light in the darkness or seeking to build yourself up by tearing the beliefs of others down?

The majority of the "honestly questioning" individuals who show up on this site are in the latter catagory--how about you?

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

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Good day ephraimanesti.

After prolonged consideration, it seems to me that your questions do deserve an answer. I did not answer them at first because it seemed to me that rather than asking me about myself (as I had offered to provide information) you were requiring that I justify my presence here, which I did not feel I needed to do.

However, the questions have merit despite their being initially off-putting in the context (and sounding somewhat like the opening credits to The Prisoner). I acknowledge that we both may have reason to be rather prickly, and allowing you to be as prickly concerning me as I sometimes am concerning Christianity may be one of the lessons I need to learn upon my return here.


Why am I here?

I will go on the assumption that this is not an existential question and has to do with why I started this topic in this forum.

I am currently returning to CF after a year-long self-ban. I find, on my return that CF has been retooled so as to allow very few venues in which a non-Christian can explore Christianity in any depth. Be that as it may. I will work around it. That is why I am here. If I were allowed to participate in apologetics or theology discussions I would do so, but I cannot.

What do I want?

It occurred to me that allowing you to ask me questions would be an interesting two-edged sword. It would allow you to glean information about me that might later leave me more vulnerable in our discussions, something which can be either good or bad depending upon how that vulnerability is approached (or exploited).

The other edge of the sword is the information I might glean about you and how you approach your faith by means of the questions you ask me. What questions you choose and how you ask them may convey more (and subtler) information than the answers you would give if I were to ask the questions.

Am I seeking the truth or seeking arguments?

I am seeking to test and refine my thinking on a number of issues related to Christianity. As to whether this constitutes seeking the truth, I will leave for you to judge, as it is possible you have a definition in mind for seeking the truth that may not match my own.

I am not seeking arguments. I may find disagreement. In fact, I hope I do. It is difficult to hone one's thinking when one encounters only agreement. I am resolved, however, not to allow disagreements to devolve into arguments. If I find that constructive communication is not possible in a particular situation, I intend to simply walk away.

Am I looking for light in the darkness

I am in favor of knowledge over ignorance, understanding over confusion, hope over despair. Again, I will leave it up to you as to whether this constitutes looking for light over darkness.

Am I seeking to build myself up by tearing the beliefs of others down?

I am, one might say, looking to break down my own beliefs, prejudices, suppositions, etc. as one might break down an engine, examining each part. If there are Christians here who are willing to do the same along side me, I think that would be CF at its best. Let me say that I am not here to gloss over the high points of Christianity, but to truly explore it in depth.

I acknowledge that this may be an uncomfortable thing to do. I found last year, due to a number of factors, that I was not able to tolerate the breaking down of my own beliefs that the discussions here on CF were generating. I walked away for a year, and not on good terms. So, I understand the discomfort this sort of exploration can produce.

The freedom to step away from the discussion goes both ways. I have no desire to break down someone else's beliefs in a way that is not mutually beneficial, mutually strengthening. I understand that any of us may cling to a fragile belief for an important reason. I hope I can respect that.

Am I honestly questioning (sans scare quotes)?

Yes. This does not mean that I presume that you or anyone else has the answer to my questions. It does mean that I am genuinely interested in what you have to say and will give it due consideration. I am a skeptic. That's what skeptics do.

(By the way, not all atheists are skeptics. I think you will find, if you have not already found so, that you will like those of us who are a little better. )

Criada said:

Why do you want us to share our faith? I don't actually need to know anything in particular.. is there a reason you think I would?

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You may already know a little about me. If you have not already found it, there is a PM for you at a certain umlauted site. (Hmmm. Does the word "umlaut" require an umlaut?)

Criada said:

Please don't walk out.. if you are genuinely interested in knowing more about Christianity, that is great. It is just that most people come here with questions, rather than asking to be questioned.

Christianity is very personal, but it is also universal, and the basic message is the same, whatever your situation.

Perhaps you could read the "Be a Christian" section of this forum and let us know what you think of the message there, and whether you have any questions about it?

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I'm fairly determined to walk away from any discussions that even begin to feel hurtful. However, it would probably be better not to announce such.



I will read the "Be a Christian" section if it pleases you.

Criada said:

I am very sorry to hear that.
You and your family have my prayers.

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You are a dear soul. Thank you. I lost my father on Monday of last week.

ephraimanesti said:

Given that, as you say, you were "FORMERLY transparent" but apparently are not so any longer--what's the point of engaging you anyway?

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The usertitle is a little joke for those who are in the know as to another username I favor. It is not meant to convey that I plan to be less than forthcoming.

My previous usertitle was "Non-theistic Follower of Christ." I am less enamored of Christ's teachings than I once was, so a change in title was needed.

If you wish to engage me only if there is to be a particular outcome to be had, you may be disappointed. If a lively exchange of ideas seems point enough, and the outcome left for time to tell, then, to quote the good Capt. Picard, "Engage."