Where is proof?

[whatsgoingoninthisthread]

I want to believe God, but where is proof he is real?

 

[BobW188]

If you mean, as most people with this question seem to, proof by the standards of science, there isn't. (If there were, we'd've presented it centuries ago, for heaven's sake.)

We Christians speak of the Holy Spirit but, since you're not with us yet, I'd say you'll find your "proof" one way or another as it's found in a court of law. As judge, you decide what evidence (facts, arguments, opinions, etc) are admissible. (You find them worth considering.) As jury, you decide whether the evidence you've considered is persuasive. Many of us, obviously, have found it very persuasive.

Lawyers like to remind jurors that they decide what the facts are. There are no facts in a courtroom until the jury says there are and says what they are. You are very much in their position.

 

[kevlite2020]

If you mean, as most people with this question seem to, proof by the standards of science, there isn't. (If there were, we'd've presented it centuries ago, for heaven's sake.)

We Christians speak of the Holy Spirit but, since you're not with us yet, I'd say you'll find your "proof" one way or another as it's found in a court of law. As judge, you decide what evidence (facts, arguments, opinions, etc) are admissible. (You find them worth considering.) As jury, you decide whether the evidence you've considered is persuasive. Many of us, obviously, have found it very persuasive.

Lawyers like to remind jurors that they decide what the facts are. There are no facts in a courtroom until the jury says there are and says what they are. You are very much in their position.

Just to build on this, the book "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel has a lot of the key evidences and facts and arguments behind Christianity. He approaches it from as much a scientifical angle as you can and I think you may be surprised with some of the incredible amounts of evidence for God.

 

[Bible2]

The proof that God exists is the existence of everything else: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalms 14:1). "Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves" (Psalms 100:3). "In him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28). "He is before all things, and by him all things consist" (Colossians 1:17).

 

[TimAM]

Here is a site for scientific facts: Eternal Productions - 101 Scientific Facts and Foreknowledge

Christians walk by faith and not by sight, however.

 

[salida]

I will show you proof-but that doesn't mean you will accept it. Knowing God is a spiritual experience initially-so I can show you all the proof in the world but it may not convince you. First, we must ask ourselves-is the Bible true....Also, read The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell (it would stand up in a court of law concerning overwhelming circumstantial evidence) and Examine the Evidence by Muncaster (a former athiest).

www.TheBibleProofBook.com, www.reasons.org, www.CARM.org

Biblical Circumstantial 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

 

[freeport]

I want to believe God, but where is proof he is real?

How do you know I am real? Maybe I am a figment of your imagination.

How do you know anything is real? Because people told you so. And they never lie nor are wrong.

What about Jesus? And what he said? Love your enemies, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile... and did. Is it plausible he didn't do all those things? People like Pharisees would have done all that. He was right about self-righteousness, hypocritical systems of rules, hypocrisy... all very congruent. And completely supernatural.

And smarter then you.

In fact, why assume everyone on the planet who believes in God or somesort of "God"... the vast majority, really are more stupid and weak then you?

Are they all really ignorant fools who just happen to come up with the same sorts of ideas across all these religions... many of which never had any conceivable connection with the other?


Or, what is a cat, or a dog. Look at them as puppies or kittens. What do they do? Cats play mouse. They practice hunting. Dogs do the same sort of thing showing their innate instincts and nature as even little creatures. They don't understand what it is they are doing. We can see their nature by it, though. We understand when kittens play stalk they are practicing.


So, exactly what do children do? They play God with toys, little barbies and castles and GI Joes... creating elaborate stories with villains and heroes and heroines, or controlling from high above these toys...

And what is it people want to really be like, but like God? Whom they know exist. Having godlike powers is an universal aspiration of people.


We create stories and share them, constantly: movies, books, television. Fake backdrops. Fake stories. Fake heroes. Fake heroines. Fake villains. We do not question such highly odd behavior.


What is it then that makes one not believe in God? Quite simple, isn't it? The world is evil. Pain. Death. Disease. Destruction.

Hard to believe in God when you watch your kid or parent die before you. Or when you experience things going wrong, or see all the evil things people do in this world.


But, then, Jesus said all of these evil things were the work of the Devil and he came to destroy them. To reveal that God is really love.


But ultimately, God hides so well, I can't tell someone why they should believe in God. If God does not want to reveal His invisible hand to us, what hope do we have? We are but as characters in a book. We can not naturally see the Author of this Book.

 

[Van]

One more thought, your Icon proclaims that your are Muslim, so you would seem to believe in the God of Islam. So is your question "Why is there just as much proof for my God as for your God?" The answer of course is in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. He is our "proof" that the God of the Bible is real.

 

[childofGod31]

I want to believe God, but where is proof he is real?

There is no real proof. But there IS proof of spiritual world. Read stories on the internet. There is just too much. And as time goes on, there will be more and more proof. There will be more and more miracles. But the trick is to know whether this contact is with the bad side of the spiritual world (satan) or a good side (God)

You will probably believe that there IS something. But how will you know where is God and where is the other side?

That's where the power of God comes in. Those who are attracted to Him, who want Him, He draws to Himself and helps them to understand the truth at some point. Read the Bible. Study it. And if there is a connection, an attraction to God in your soul, you will find Him and you will draw close to Him. And if you will, then He will reveal Himself to you. He reveals Himself to those who diligently seek Him.

Talk to Him in your thoughts. He can hear them. Tell Him of your desire to know Him and then study the Bible to see the glimpses of Him.

Meditate and slowly reflect on each word and let it wash over your soul and bring some fruit of understanding.

Faith is a magical thing. It just comes. It's a secret from a spiritual world. Faith comes from hearing. Faith gets activated by reading. The more you read, the more you believe. I would recommend you start to read the Bible (maybe start with the Gospel of John). God might speak to you through your thoughts, which you might not recognize as His voice. But He can also speak in other ways.

But anyways, the Bible is the LIVING WORD. It penetrates the soul through belief. And belief just comes to you (to some people anyways).

And most of all, pray that He would lead you to believe.

Those of us who believe are very blessed and lucky. There is not really a logical explanation. Faith just comes over you at some point.

And He talks to me. So to me that's proof. Although I must admit I was a Christian from childhood and never doubted His existence. I guess I was just really lucky.