Why does God choose to remain invisible and undetectable?

[bhsmte]

People make God "their" God. Roman Catholics did the same thing, distorted the bible to their viewpoint.

Problem is, if you actually read the bible, it really asks us to do a lot of things we don't want to do.

Problem is, when a person reads the bible, their own brain interprets it and that brings into play, the interpretation that suits one's needs.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Problem is, when a person reads the bible, their own brain interprets it and that brings into play, the interpretation that suits one's needs.

Yes, but let's keep in mind that there are many methods of interpretation. It's not as if everyone is using the same method but arriving at different conclusions. No, they are using different methods AND arriving at different conclusions.

 

[bhsmte]

Yes, but let's keep in mind that there are many methods of interpretation. It's not as if everyone is using the same method but arriving at different conclusions.

And every method is filtered through a human mind.

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

Problem is, when a person reads the bible, their own brain interprets it and that brings into play, the interpretation that suits one's needs.

Well, we aren't supposed to do that. I'm guilty of it too, I can be extremely judgmental against people who aren't radical Christians. Then in the process, I'm not being humble and allowing God to direct me in all things.

We are human, we inject our own views into the bible because it makes us feel better about ourselves. I think the essence of the forums brings out the bad side to many of the Christians here. We are constantly looking to debate, argue, etc, we want to be legalistic. We become like the people who crucified Jesus.

I'm the worst offender, sometimes because my views are more radical, disciplined, I want to tell others they are wrong. That wouldn't be a problem at all if I was doing it for God, but I'm doing it for me, MY ego.

The bible tells us how to conduct ourselves, the reason you have so many different views is because we talk too much and do very little action. Let's be honest, Christians shouldn't be on these forums anyway, we should be hitting the pavement talking about God.

 

[madaz]

I concede the obvious train wreck of the common Christian explanation.

There are different explanations and different interpretations around the same events that could lead one to a more plausible understanding of what happened, of the truth.

* The Sin of Adam and Eve as original and inheritable, and even that they were the first humans, was speculation in contradiction to evidence that the earth was already populated as Cain if fearful of tribes outside the garden in the Land of Nod.....where he found a wife.

* Judaism rejected the original gospel of Jesus taught 3+ years before the cross, so it was adopted and simultaneously, unintentionally altered in the teachings of Paul to the Greco-Roman world.

* The Pagan world was more receptive to a remixed interpretation of the meaning of the cross because they already had an atonement, human sacrifice theology. Christianity was born, but it's a compromise to the original to make it more appealing to the Pagan world.

This was not not the response I expected, I'm pleasantly surprised and impressed by your open mindedness, you have obviously given this some thought.

I tend to agree (if somewhat tentatively) with your first two explanations however I agree entirely on your third.

 

[Return to Skepticism]

Well, we aren't supposed to do that. I'm guilty of it too, I can be extremely judgmental against people who aren't radical Christians. Then in the process, I'm not being humble and allowing God to direct me in all things.

We are human, we inject our own views into the bible because it makes us feel better about ourselves. I think the essence of the forums brings out the bad side to many of the Christians here. We are constantly looking to debate, argue, etc, we want to be legalistic. We become like the people who crucified Jesus.

I'm the worst offender, sometimes because my views are more radical, disciplined, I want to tell others they are wrong. That wouldn't be a problem at all if I was doing it for God, but I'm doing it for me, MY ego.

The bible tells us how to conduct ourselves, the reason you have so many different views is because we talk too much and do very little action. Let's be honest, Christians shouldn't be on these forums anyway, we should be hitting the pavement talking about God.

so is the only real way to "interpret" the bible is to shut off the mind?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

And every method is filtered through a human mind.

True, but that's not my point. My point is that one should not expect Christians, being human, to necessarily arrive at the same conclusions without doing cognitive work and experiencing cognitive friction with other minds. Unless one holds some kind of 'Charismatic' presuppositions...which I don't.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Well, we aren't supposed to do that. I'm guilty of it too, I can be extremely judgmental against people who aren't radical Christians. Then in the process, I'm not being humble and allowing God to direct me in all things.

We are human, we inject our own views into the bible because it makes us feel better about ourselves. I think the essence of the forums brings out the bad side to many of the Christians here. We are constantly looking to debate, argue, etc, we want to be legalistic. We become like the people who crucified Jesus.

I'm the worst offender, sometimes because my views are more radical, disciplined, I want to tell others they are wrong. That wouldn't be a problem at all if I was doing it for God, but I'm doing it for me, MY ego.

The bible tells us how to conduct ourselves, the reason you have so many different views is because we talk too much and do very little action. Let's be honest, Christians shouldn't be on these forums anyway, we should be hitting the pavement talking about God.

Hi Chris,

Isn't "being on the Forums" one kind of "hitting the pavement"?

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

so is the only real way to "interpret" the bible is to shut off the mind?

I could try to explain it to you, but you have a different understanding than I do.

And you know what, man? That's fine. Christians debating with atheists is also talked about in the bible.

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

Hi Chris,

Isn't "being on the Forums" one kind of "hitting the pavement"?

In some cases, but debating atheists who view us as fools?

 

[Return to Skepticism]

I could try to explain it to you, but you have a different understanding than I do.

And you know what, man? That's fine. Christians debating with atheists is also talked about in the bible.

I doubt you need to explain it to me. I was a Christian for decades.

In some cases, but debating atheists who view us as fools?

Do Christians not view atheists as fools?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

In some cases, but debating atheists who view us as fools?

True, I agree. It does seem that in this case we can see the reason why both Jesus and Paul seem to affirm limits to the extent to which we should 'persist' in sharing the Gospel with resistant individuals.

However, the forums, despite the seeming futility, can be a good learning experience or practice ground, if one doesn't waste too much time herein.

 

[bhsmte]

True, but that's not my point. My point is that one should not expect Christians, being human, to necessarily arrive at the same conclusions without doing cognitive work and experiencing cognitive friction with other minds. Unless one holds some kind of 'Charismatic' presuppositions...which I don't.

Yes, I would not expect human's (Christians) to come to the same conclusions in regards to content that is somewhat subjective and open to interpretation.

Any faith belief that relies on personal experience as a key part of the formula, is going to bring different takes on many parts of Christianity.

 

[bhsmte]

I doubt you need to explain it to me. I was a Christian for decades.



Do Christians not view atheists as fools?

I have heard much worse than fools being launched towards atheists from some Christians on this board.

 

[Return to Skepticism]

I have heard much worse than fools being launched towards atheists from some Christians on this board.

we ARE the great unwashed that their pastor warned them about.

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

I doubt you need to explain it to me. I was a Christian for decades.



Do Christians not view atheists as fools?

No, I view no man as a fool.

 

[bhsmte]

we ARE the great unwashed that their pastor warned them about.

I was a Christian for decades as well.

On this board, there are some Christians that acknowledge that their belief is a faith belief and they refrain from judging those who disagree with them and they also do not choose to deny well evidenced reality in maintaining their faith. I have no issue with these Christians and would never tell them their faith belief is wrong, but would just say that I disagree.

There are other Christians though, that will tell you:

-you are being led by evil
-you really believe in a God and just deny his existence
-you are a non-believer because you want to live a life of sin
-they claim they are morally superior to non-believers
-they claim they have objective evidence to support their faith belief
-they misrepresent well evidenced science and or deny the same to protect their personal faith belief

If a Christian can refrain from the above, I would never question their faith belief, because it very well may be the best thing for them personally. The one's who do engage in the above, I will challenge their positions and ask them to substantiate their claims.

 

[Return to Skepticism]

No, I view no man as a fool.

I sincerely doubt that, but if accurate, it's very nice.

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

I sincerely doubt that, but if accurate, it's very nice.

I live by scripture or at least try to.

Matthew 5:22
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

That has some serious implications to me.

 

[Return to Skepticism]

I live by scripture or at least try to.

Matthew 5:22
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

That has some serious implications to me.

really?

stone any adulterers lately?