Why did Jesus Leave?

[HitchSlap]

Well, there was a witness at my work to one of the ''occasions.'' lol He didn't deny that it could be the Holy Spirit, because on that day, there wasn't a plausible explanation for what was happening. Likewise, you can't prove God doesn't exist. Absence of evidence isn't really 'evidence.'

So why believe in something for which there is an absence of evidence?

 

[Deidre32]

So why believe in something for which there is an absence of evidence?

There isn't an absence for me ...for you, there is.

Are you superior to me that I wouldn't understand evidence when I see it? Hmmmm?

 

[HitchSlap]

There isn't an absence for me ...for you, there is.

Are you superior to me that I wouldn't understand evidence when I see it? Hmmmm?

Not superior by any means. I'm just asking what evidence you have that is objective?

 

[Deidre32]

Not superior by any means. I'm just asking what evidence you have that is objective?

I've shared it here before, but not going to repeat it. It led me back to faith. If/when you believe someday, it will be your own experience that leads you to God, not anything anyone will tell you. No one can convince you to believe in God. It isn't like learning a math equation, that you're struggling with...and one day you're like 'ah ha! I get it now!' Faith isn't like that ... you'll see... and you'll be amazed if you allow yourself to be open to it. The key is allowing yourself to be open to all the possibilities in this world.

 

[HitchSlap]

I've shared it here before, but not going to repeat it. It led me back to faith. If/when you believe someday, it will be your own experience that leads you to God, not anything anyone will tell you. No one can convince you to believe in God. It isn't like learning a math equation, that you're struggling with...and one day you're like 'ah ha! I get it now!' Faith isn't like that ... you'll see... and you'll be amazed if you allow yourself to be open to it. The key is allowing yourself to be open to all the possibilities in this world.

Abosulutely. I want to believe as many true things as possible.

 

[ScottA]

I think it's a valid question from a position of any given skeptic.

I really don't buy the oversimplified answers like "If he didn't leave then Holy Spirit wouldn't come", Or "He left because the mission to spread the Gospel had to be fulfilled", or to "Prepare a place", again neither make a lot of sense in a scope what Christianity is and what it expects.

The question is whether this world is better if Jesus is there for all to be able to experience apart from some "feeling" or a book narrative? It wouldn't make Christianity to be so doubtable. Every Thomas out there could visit a 2000 year old dude with holes in his hands and believe.

Why leave without a trace, and except leave the world with a story and a promise of hope.

It seems like a good excuse to mask the reason as to why Jesus is not here. "Well, he was here, but you've missed him by about 2000 years, BUT he's coming back soon... so just wait and read this book about him".

Perhaps there are other reasonable explanations, but what would these be? What do you think?

The short answer? Because, "It is finished."

The longer answer? Because He is the Apex of all human history - history, is His story.

Up until Jesus arrived, His story was being unpacked. Since then, it is being packed up again. The first part of the story takes humanity from the first man born of the flesh, to the last man - Jesus is the First and the Last. The second part of the story takes humanity from the first person born of the spirit of God, to the last person - Jesus is the First and the Last. Each person comes in their own time 1 Corinthians 15:23.

In the beginning, the hourglass of human history began to flow out (from God), and when it was finished, it was turned to flow back again (to God).

 

[Ana the Ist]

The notion that he would then go on to preach in Cyprus or Arabia, conduct classes on the meaning of his accomplishment like some guru, or open an office and hire secretaries or whatever else was in our friend's mind...and that any of this would strengthen the appeal is just unrealistic IMO. It would be anti-climatic, in fact.

So basically, he left because it was a better story than if he stayed?

 

[Job8]

Perhaps there are other reasonable explanations, but what would these be? What do you think?

Please study the epistle to the Hebrews. There are multiple reasons why Christ returned to Heaven.

 

[Job8]

So basically, he left because it was a better story than if he stayed?

You are treating Bible truth as fantasy. This is not about a *story* but about the realities of God. Of course, since in your estimation He does not exist, why are you even bothering to respond?

 

[ScottA]

I'm just asking what evidence you have that is objective?

By the root definition of the word ("objective"), if there were objective evidence - it wouldn't be evidence.

In order for evidence of the spiritual world to be evidence...it must be spiritual.

 

[Deidre32]

Abosulutely. I want to believe as many true things as possible.

Then, you will.

 

[SteveB28]

I believe God , the Creator of EVERYTHING, said plainly that IF you trust men, HE (GOD) curses you. (anyone who trusts in the flesh).
i.e. men are NOT trustworthy - they will fail you, even if they never failed before they still could.

God has never failed anyone. And He says so.
Without FAITH, it is impossible to please God.
BUT
you can't go get faith somewhere. Can't buy faith anywhere. Sorry.

It's a sheer gift, for those who seek God or are called and chosen by God for His Purpose.

Men are untrustworthy? And yet it is the word of MEN that you accept in building the picture of your God.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Men are untrustworthy? And yet it is the word of MEN that you accept in building the picture of your God.

God says men are notoriously wicked and untrustworthy. Especially TODAY.

 

[SteveB28]

I've shared it here before, but not going to repeat it. It led me back to faith. If/when you believe someday, it will be your own experience that leads you to God, not anything anyone will tell you. No one can convince you to believe in God. It isn't like learning a math equation, that you're struggling with...and one day you're like 'ah ha! I get it now!' Faith isn't like that ... you'll see... and you'll be amazed if you allow yourself to be open to it. The key is allowing yourself to be open to all the possibilities in this world.

There is no difference between what you have described and a delusion. How would you know?

 

[SteveB28]

Apologies, repeated message

 

[SteveB28]

God says men are notoriously wicked and untrustworthy. Especially TODAY.

And yet you trust the word of wicked men in your bible.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

And yet you trust the word of wicked men in your bible.

I guess you think that, even though it is not what I posted ?
What is your definition of "wicked men" ? (include yourself, obviously)

 

[SteveB28]

I guess you think that, even though it is not what I posted ?
What is your definition of "wicked men" ? (include yourself, obviously)

You said that your God curses those who listen to the words of men. You said that men are wicked and untrustworthy. YOU said these things.

Yet you accept the word of men when they wrote the bible.

 

[Ana the Ist]

You are treating Bible truth as fantasy. This is not about a *story* but about the realities of God. Of course, since in your estimation He does not exist, why are you even bothering to respond?

Pretend this is a philosophy forum and someone made a thread asking a question.

 

[Albion]

So basically, he left because it was a better story than if he stayed?

Let's be clear. The objection to his Ascension (which I didn't make but only answered to) made the point that he would have had a 'better story' if he'd stayed around.

If you find that way of looking at the matter to be punk, I did too! I also found the particular argument that was presented to us to be unpersuasive.