Why is God so hidden? Why must we seek Him to Find Him?

[SkyWriting]

Question. Do you believe in a literal hell?

As in literature? Sure.
As in encased in fire bricks and you have to fall
through a crack in your coffin and the earth to get there? No.

I'm not sure anything after you die is exactly "literal."

 

[Shempster]

You know, this whole idea of truth being hidden goes deeper than we might imagine. I actually believe that Satan and his crew are responsible for covering up much of the truth. The thing is if that is true, then God MUST not only allow it but He must actually want it to be hidden. Think about it, Jesus spoke in parables. Obviously He does this all the time. Why you ask?
If God wants us ALL saved then why on earth would He allow Satan to cover up truth? Im not 100% sure but I am sure Ockham's Razor applies here.

Perhaps there is a deeper meaning of salvation. Perhaps its not about the details of biblical doctrine. Perhaps it is so simple that few will accept it.

 

[MerriestHouse]

The way I know Him now is nothing like I "knew" God when I was younger. But I would never have known Him like I do now if it were not for the years of 1. Praying 2.studying scriptures 3. taking notes about my experiences and comparing them to the bible and modern science...I could go on and on. What I am wondering is that if I had not done all of that over the last 20 years I might have no clue who He is or even if He even exists in the first place.

So why is it that God hides himself so cleverly? So much so that honestly nobody can really PROVE any doctrine because there is always a verse to debunk the theory.

Thoughts?

The prophet Isaiah could say for sure that he had found God but still he said: "Truly; thou art a God who hidest thyself." Isaiah 45. Moses spoke with God "as a man speaks with his friend," but was not allowed to see the glory of God. The Lord said, "you cannot see my face," for "man shall not see me and live." Exodus 33. We must stand in awe of God.

"He is not far from every one of us." "The secret things belong to the Lord or God." Deuteronomy 29:29. God who holds secrets has revealed some things to us because in that same passage he says "but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children." He has revealed everything that is necessary for living a life in Christ.

Doctrines do not save or give us peace. Peace comes to us when we have simple trusting faith. Trust. It is impossible to please God without faith. Hebrews 11:1. If we knew all things, we would not need faith, and we could not please God.

 

[SteveB28]

The prophet Isaiah could say for sure that he had found God but still he said: "Truly; thou art a God who hidest thyself." Isaiah 45. Moses spoke with God "as a man speaks with his friend," but was not allowed to see the glory of God. The Lord said, "you cannot see my face," for "man shall not see me and live." Exodus 33. We must stand in awe of God.

"He is not far from every one of us." "The secret things belong to the Lord or God." Deuteronomy 29:29. God who holds secrets has revealed some things to us because in that same passage he says "but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children." He has revealed everything that is necessary for living a life in Christ.

Doctrines do not save or give us peace. Peace comes to us when we have simple trusting faith. Trust. It is impossible to please God without faith. Hebrews 11:1. If we knew all things, we would not need faith, and we could not please God.

In every other aspect of human affairs we value the qualities of openness and honesty.

Only religious observance requires a reverence for the darkness and secrecy of 'faith'.

I wonder why.

 

[Extraneous]

In every other aspect of human affairs we value the qualities of openness and honesty.

Only religious observance requires a reverence for the darkness and secrecy of 'faith'.

I wonder why.

I dont agree. I think mankind is altogether dishonest and we all wear masks.

 

[SteveB28]

I dont agree. I think mankind is altogether dishonest and we all wear masks.

That may be so, but do we not strive for honesty nevertheless? Do we not admire those who are open? Are we not scornful of those who are secretive?

And yet, when it comes to religion, the practice of things being 'hidden' is seen as a virtue.

 

[Extraneous]

That may be so, but do we not strive for honesty nevertheless? Do we not admire those who are open? Are we not scornful of those who are secretive?

And yet, when it comes to religion, the practice of things being 'hidden' is seen as a virtue.

I would say no, because we praise politicians, and they are all secretive and cunning. Justice is bought and sold and everyone has a price. The world is blinded by illusions. We hide behind our own masks of pride and prejudice. Every man is a hypocrite.

 

[SteveB28]

I would say no, because we praise politicians, and they are all secretive and cunning. Justice is bought and sold and everyone has a price. The world is blinded by illusions. We hide behind our own masks of pride and prejudice. Every man is a hypocrite.

We praise politicians? Really?

You continue to make my point. You characterise secrecy and illusion as negative qualities. This is what I said.

And yet, when it comes to religious allegiance, secrecy and 'hiddenness' and absence of evidence are seen as virtuous.

 

[MerriestHouse]

In every other aspect of human affairs we value the qualities of openness and honesty.

Only religious observance requires a reverence for the darkness and secrecy of 'faith'.

I wonder why.

Evil men dwell in darkness, God dwells in light. That passage I quoted has nothing to do with God's trustworthiness. Intelligent parents only tell children what they think they can handle. Ignorant people tell everything they know.

I don't know anything about those kinds of religious observances. Enlighten me.

 

[Extraneous]

We praise politicians? Really?

You continue to make my point. You characterise secrecy and illusion as negative qualities. This is what I said.

And yet, when it comes to religious allegiance, secrecy and 'hiddenness' and absence of evidence are seen as virtuous.

I disagree. Politicians are of the world. The world has those negative qualities.

The evidence is found within our heart. Its hidden there. You probably believe we will discover more scientific evidence of some scientific thing, you know the truth is hidden somewhere, and that it will come out as science progresses. This is how it is with us as well. WE progress in the spirit and evidence is gathered. It is however spiritual, not natural.

 

[SteveB28]

Evil men dwell in darkness, God dwells in light. That passage I quoted has nothing to do with God's trustworthiness. Intelligent parents only tell children what they think they can handle. Ignorant people tell everything they know.

I don't know anything about those kinds of religious observances. Enlighten me.

All religions tell us that we "must have faith", when it comes to the silence and invisibility of their gods.

The maths student tells his teacher that, even though he answered no questions in his exam, the teacher "must have faith" that the student knows his work.

The accused tells the court that, although he can present no evidence nor any alibi, the court "must have faith" that he is innocent.

The quack claims that, although he can produce no medical research, the patient "must have faith" that his snake oil will cure cancer.

Please explain why, in 3 of these 4 examples, we would dismiss the claims out of hand.

 

[Extraneous]

All religions tell us that we "must have faith", when it comes to the silence and invisibility of their gods.

The maths student tells his teacher that, even though he answered no questions in his exam, the teacher "must have faith" that the student knows his work.

The accused tells the court that, although he can present no evidence nor any alibi, the court "must have faith" that he is innocent.

The quack claims that, although he can produce no medical research, the patient "must have faith" that his snake oil will cure cancer.

Please explain why, in 3 of these 4 examples, we would dismiss the claims out of hand.

Even science works in faith at times.

 

[SteveB28]

Even science works in faith at times.

No it doesn't. It's the very antithesis of "faith". Hiddenness, blind conjecture, lack of evidence. These are not the tools of scientific enquiry. Your attempt to drag others down to your level fails.

Religion is the only arena in which one man tells another "you just have to believe me" and neither of them feels anything strange about this.

 

[Extraneous]

No it doesn't. It's the very antithesis of "faith". Hiddenness, blind conjecture, lack of evidence. These are not the tools of scientific enquiry. Your attempt to drag others down to your level fails.

Religion is the only arena in which one man tells another "you just have to believe me" and neither of them feels anything strange about this.

That's where you are wrong. The Lord promises us His spirit. What more proof does one need?

Science does utilize faith, just as every other endeavor of mankind also does.

 

[SteveB28]

That's where you are wrong. The Lord promises us His spirit. What more proof does one need?

"The Lord" promises you nothing! You can show me nothing that was written by a god. All that you can show me are promises written by MEN who claim they are speaking for a god.

Just as the snake oil salesman CLAIMS that he cures cancer!

Science does utilize faith, just as every other endeavor of mankind also does.

You are either lying or you understand nothing about science.

And tell me, why is it that, when one of you people wish to disparage science, the worst insult you can bestow is to liken it to a religion !?

 

[Extraneous]

"The Lord" promises you nothing! You can show me nothing that was written by a god. All that you can show me are promises written by MEN who claim they are speaking for a god.

Just as the snake oil salesman CLAIMS that he cures cancer!



You are either lying or you understand nothing about science.

And tell me, why is it that, when one of you people wish to disparage science, the worst insult you can bestow is to liken it to a religion !?

Gods writes on a persons heart.

 

[SteveB28]

Gods writes on a persons heart.

Are there any more meaningless platitudes you wish to offer, rather than addressing the issue?

 

[Extraneous]

Are there any more meaningless platitudes you wish to offer, rather than addressing the issue?

In order to see the word, we must first allow it to humble us. After that you are blessed.

 

[SteveB28]

In order to see the word, we must first allow it to humble us. After that you are blessed.

Any more? Or are you ready to address the issue?

 

[MerriestHouse]

All religions tell us that we "must have faith", when it comes to the silence and invisibility of their gods.

The maths student tells his teacher that, even though he answered no questions in his exam, the teacher "must have faith" that the student knows his work.

The accused tells the court that, although he can present no evidence nor any alibi, the court "must have faith" that he is innocent.

The quack claims that, although he can produce no medical research, the patient "must have faith" that his snake oil will cure cancer.

Please explain why, in 3 of these 4 examples, we would dismiss the claims out of hand.

Belief in God and "religious observances," are not the same. I thought you were talking about religious rituals and ceremonies. Religion is man's way of worshiping/serving God.