What makes you convinced?

[wellwisher]

Hello Good People.

I am interested in what makes you (personally) convinced of your belief in Jesus and the Bible as the Word of God. What is your strongest, most compelling piece of evidence? The thing/s that made you think 'okay - this is true?' and the thing that helps restore your faith when it is shaken?

For me, I believe in God because I cannot shake the feeling that there is a God. The feeling is stronger than my analytic thinking. So, for me, it is a feeling. Is it a feeling with you?

Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards.
WW.

 

[JonathanP]

In a sense it is a feeling. As Christians we have a personal relationship with God. So answers to prayers, miracles and other people's testimonies as well as an awareness of His presence at certain times are a major part of it. Apart from this I have found the Christian faith to be intellectually robust. The more I have learned about the Bible (such as fulfilled prophecies and statements later confirmed by science as being true) the more convinced I am that it is no ordinary book. The evidence for the resurrection is particularly impressive.

 

[wellwisher]

Thank you for such a fast reply!

So, for you it is a number of things - a feeling, or sense of God's presence, and the occurrence of things that cannot be readily explained, on a worldly scale and a personal scale - and you accept other people's testimonies as true...

That's very interesting. Thank you so much.

 

[JonathanP]

So, for you it is a number of things - a feeling, or sense of God's presence, and the occurrence of things that cannot be readily explained, on a worldly scale and a personal scale - and you accept other people's testimonies as true...

Yes, but I do want to be very clear that it isn't "blind faith." There are times when I don't feel much at all.

 

[wellwisher]

Yes, but I do want to be very clear that it isn't "blind faith." There are times when I don't feel much at all.

Thank you, Jonathon.

During those times when you dont feel much at all, do you find yourself doubting your faith? What is the best way for you, personally, to strengthen your faith?

Regards,
WW.

 

[theVirginian]

What is your strongest, most compelling piece of evidence? The thing/s that made you think 'okay - this is true?' and the thing that helps restore your faith when it is shaken?

I went to a prayer meeting that I couldn't weasel my way out of. During the meeting, God made himself real to me in a way that there was no way I could deny his existance which lead to me turning my life over to him. Since then, along with that initial experience, learning that if I do my part, God is very serious about fulfilling the promises he made in the Bible has had a compounding effect over the years that keeps hard times from shaking me much.

 

[Determinedheart]

I went to a prayer meeting that I couldn't weasel my way out of. During the meeting, God made himself real to me in a way that there was no way I could deny his existance which lead to me turning my life over to him. Since then, along with that initial experience, learning that if I do my part, God is very serious about fulfilling the promises he made in the Bible has had a compounding effect over the years that keeps hard times from shaking me much.

How true this is my friend,I have had very simular things happen and you are right about God fulfilling His promises if we do our part !! Another thing I am reminded of and I don't know if this happens to everyone but when I was just a new christian and never read my bible yet in my prayer time I would pray and God would tell me stuff and as I starting reading my bible I would remember the words he spoke to me in my prayer time were the exact words I was reading in my bible this happened a number of times it was really amazing It always made me in awe of Him and still does till this day.

 

[ebia]

Hello Good People.

I am interested in what makes you (personally) convinced of your belief in Jesus and the Bible as the Word of God. What is your strongest, most compelling piece of evidence? The thing/s that made you think 'okay - this is true?' and the thing that helps restore your faith when it is shaken?

For me, I believe in God because I cannot shake the feeling that there is a God. The feeling is stronger than my analytic thinking. So, for me, it is a feeling. Is it a feeling with you?

Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards.
WW.

I can't not believe in God. I've tried, and it didn't work.

 

[calidog]

Hello Good People.

I am interested in what makes you (personally) convinced of your belief in Jesus and the Bible as the Word of God. What is your strongest, most compelling piece of evidence? The thing/s that made you think 'okay - this is true?' and the thing that helps restore your faith when it is shaken?

For me, I believe in God because I cannot shake the feeling that there is a God. The feeling is stronger than my analytic thinking. So, for me, it is a feeling. Is it a feeling with you?

Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards.
WW.

God has rewarded my faith over the years with instances of His revelation of Himself which, in turn, strengthened my faith.

Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

 

[ManOfTheAmish]

What makes you convinced that you are a nice person?

What makes you convinced that life is worth living for?

The answer to both of these questions are resolved by the same thing that convinces that God is true in their lives.

 

[ReformedChapin]

I have tried to find the most logical world view and the one that best fits the bill according to my search it's Christianity. It covers the logical and answers the question Why is there something rather than nothing. It explains human behavior and the reasons why human beings are evil. There is no scientifically emperical evidence that contradicts the bible. It also fits the psychological bill in regards to human needs for a purpose and love.

 

[JWA]

Hello Good People.

I am interested in what makes you (personally) convinced of your belief in Jesus and the Bible as the Word of God. What is your strongest, most compelling piece of evidence? The thing/s that made you think 'okay - this is true?' and the thing that helps restore your faith when it is shaken?

For me, I believe in God because I cannot shake the feeling that there is a God. The feeling is stronger than my analytic thinking. So, for me, it is a feeling. Is it a feeling with you?

Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards.
WW.

When i was little my parents took us kids to church and sunday school and I was able to hear the word of God. Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I really loved the book of Daniel. I still do to this day and the other bible stories of Samson, David and Goliath, etc..etc.. To me the word of God was more than a collection of mere stories. There was something about it that touched me at the very core, my heart and soul. I see all of creation ( I love the outdoors ) as a testimony to God and His awesome nature and character. I see the evidence of God all around me.
I've heard him speak to me through His Holy Spirit, and many times through other people, especially my kids. He also speaks to me through His word the bible. My God is totally AWESOME and there is none that can compare to Him. In fact there is no other God except Him. I love Him and I know that Jesus Christ died for me so that I can have a relationship with Him. Thank You Jesus!!

God bless!

 

[wellwisher]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

It seems as though most people refer to personal experience as their reason for belief in God, and some go further to argue for the validity of the Bible based on fulfilled prophecy, etc.

Now for those who argue for the validity of the Bible, have you read the critiques of those scientist/historians who say that prophecy has been fulfilled? I mean, is it the case that you objectively weigh the arguments, or is it the case that you are satisfied because you "know that you know" that they are true (ie. something within you testifies to the truth of these things).

And (related to the above paragraph) how does anyone know that their personal experience is objectively true? What I mean is, our culture is saturated with God concepts and Biblical quotes. It is easy to recall them and think it is God talking to you - just as easy as recalling other sayings/teachings from one's childhood, etc. Could it be the case that you are looking for evidence in the things that happen to you? Like if I pray for my cancer to be healed, and then it is suddenly healed...how do I know it was God (the Father)? As far as I can tell, this kind of thing happens all over the world, all the time, across all belief systems, with or without prayer. Surely that is evidence that such things just happen as part of the nature of our reality and have no bearing on type of beliefs held? (that's a question that gives away how I think about things).

I am not being argumentative, just trying to understand whether Christians are actually critical of their experience, or whether they accept all unusual events as evidence for God's intervention in their life.

The reason that I ask is that I automatically ask these kinds of questions and subject everything to critical analysis. That is who I have always been, and it may not be the correct way (that's for sure). I accept that about myself nowadays.

Yet I have been working with Christians a lot lately and I have observed that they attribute everything good that happens to God and everything bad to Satan or some kind of attack. These individuals seem to have no personal hand in what happens at all!! And yet they seem to be racking up a lot of evidence for their beliefs because they dont look for normal explanations first (like good things happen to them because they have worked hard on bringing them about).

Man of the Amish said:

"What makes you convinced that you are a nice person?

What makes you convinced that life is worth living for?"

I am not at all sure or convinced of either of these points and I am not sure how anyone could be. Maybe its just me...I dont know. That's what I am trying to work out - with your help I hope!

Once again - I am simply airing my own personal concerns and hope that you can help. I am not out for a debate (nor interested in one). It would just help to hear some ideas from people who believe. I cannot ask the people at work these questions, because they could become upset (thinking that I am challenging their beliefs) - and it is sincerely not my intention to upset anyone, nor challenge anyone's beliefs. I just want to understand.

PS. Sorry I only just saw the last two posts...thank you to you both.

Kind regards,
WW.

 

[ditzi]

I believe because of things that have happened to me that I can't explain any other way than that they happened by the grace of God to kick my ass into properly looking for the truth, and because of having spent a good few months looking and trying to find other explanations, I can't. And the fact that now that I do believe, I can't not. There's too much stuff that comes together for the Bible to just be an extraordinarily well-put together work of fiction, and Jesus to just have been a crazy man with delusions of grandeur.

d xx

 

[ditzi]

Sorry, I didn't read the whole thread before I posted, and didn't see this bit!

And (related to the above paragraph) how does anyone know that their personal experience is objectively true? What I mean is, our culture is saturated with God concepts and Biblical quotes. It is easy to recall them and think it is God talking to you - just as easy as recalling other sayings/teachings from one's childhood, etc. Could it be the case that you are looking for evidence in the things that happen to you?

I totally agree with you, the human mind is amazing at randomly reminding us of something we've seen, or heard, at some point in our lives and its entirely possible that Biblical quotes can just pop to the forefront at random, especially if, even subconsciously, we're looking for them. But my personal experience tells me that I was either EXTRAORDINARILY lucky, or that God intervened. At the time I was entirely an atheist, didn't beleive in God or Satan, didn't really believe in Heaven & Hell, and believed that whilst Jesus may have been alive a long time ago, he was probably just some crazy homeless guy wandering around believing he was the Son of God, poor thing. And even through that, I knew it wasn't luck. I knew that it was impossible for me to have been as lucky as I was, and that something much bigger than me had come in and saved me. That said, it still took me over a year to completely accept that it was God!

Hope that answers your question a bit, feel free to PM me if you want me to elaborate some more, or whatever

d xx

 

[wellwisher]

Thanks Ditzi - you dont sound very ditzi to me!!

So, extraordinary events seem to have a big role to play here in many people's responses. Things start to come together, so to speak.

Thank you.

 

[flaglady]

Why do I believe in God? Because once, out of the proverbial 'clear blue sky' He spoke to me and gave me a job to do. It was not an easy job and I know I couldn't have done it without His help but it made me what I am today, a happy, rejoicing, fulfilled Christian.

 

[ditzi]

Thanks Ditzi - you dont sound very ditzi to me!!

So, extraordinary events seem to have a big role to play here in many people's responses. Things start to come together, so to speak.

Thank you.

Any time *tips hat* (they need a little smiley that does that!), I'm really glad things are adding up for you

d xx

 

[salida]

wellwisher-

A variety of things for intellectual reasons even though its a living spiritual experience first. First, the Bible has hundreds of detailed prophesies in it that has already come true and more to be fulfilled. Only a supernatural book does this. I find this the most compelling that a book knows the future thousands of years before it happens. It has overwhelming evidence to support it more than any book that exists - objective truths.

I strongly suggest you get Evidence that Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell - it would stand up in court. And Examine the Evidence by Muncaster (a former athiest but now he is a christian)

www.reasons.org - combines science and faith. The person that created this website has a PhD in Chemistry. I'm a chemist myself.

 

[salida]

More information: Again this is just some information.

Biblical Evidence (Scratching the Surface Only)

Internal Evidences
Prophesies that are confirmed within Bible

- Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen 49:10 - Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Luke's time period is 60-70 AD)

Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5 -Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60-70 AD)

Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14/Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(60-70 AD)

**I can list at least 20 more of these.
-Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 - four kingdoms are described in the interpretation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek - Daniel 8:21, 10:20) and a fourth great kingdom to follow - part iron and clay - which is the Roman Empire - during this empire Christ came and the church was established - Daniel 2:44.

-Historical Accuracy
The Bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events hundreds of years ago, yet has not been proven incorrect on any.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents):
New Testament - starts at 25 years - between original and first surviving copies
Homer - starts at 500 years
Demosthenes - at 1400 years
Plato - at 1200 years
Caesar - at 1000 years

Number of Manuscript Copies
New Testament - 5,686
Homer - 643
Demosthenes - 200
Plato - 7
Caesar - 10

Consistency
Written by at least 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years, and has no internal inconsistencies.

Claim of Inspiration
It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Tim 3:16-17). No other religious book makes such claims.

External Evidences
(Prophesies Outside the Bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never be built again.
Nineveh - Nahum 1:10, 3:7,15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon - Isaiah 13:1-22)
Tyre (Ezekiel 26:1-28)

Bible before Science
He hangs the earth on nothing - Job 26:7
(Job was written at least 1000 years ago - some scholars think it could be even 3000 years ago)
Note: Man only knew this for 350 years
Earth is a sphere, Isaiah 40:22
Air has weight, Job 28:25
Gravity - Job 26:7, Job 38:31-33
Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6

Documents that Prove Bible is True
Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles

Archealogoical Finds
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel