Christian Questions and Answers
~ My Witness and how I answered certain questions about Christianity for myself~
***Note: I tried to represent everything accurately, and quote everything how it was. Some things came from memory, and obviously humans are fallible, so I cannot say that this whole thing is 100% perfect, but I have tried to faithfully put down facts I believe are true, and the reasons why I believe like I do. Also all the bible passages are taken from the King James Version (KJV), the Blue Letter Bible (BLB), or the New International Version (NIV). The KJV is the old version that is still in old English and can be hard to understand at times. I use the BLB because it is on my computer, and is easy to search for passages. It is translated into modern English and so is the NIV. The NIV I use because I have this in study bible form, which helps explain the meaning of passages, and gives interesting facts about people, places, and things. Bible passages are highlighted in red. Also note if there is a “…” before a passage it means that some of the words before it have been taken out because they were not pertinent to proving the point I was making.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. My Witness
1. Why does God send people to hell?
2. Why is there so much suffering and pain in the world?
3. Why does religion cause so many wars
4. Why do bad things happen to good people?
5. What is wrong with sin?
6. Why do Christians oftentimes act so Unchrist like?
7. Evolution, Science, Age of the Earth,
8. Out of so many religions why is Christianity true alone?
9. Is the bible historically accurate? Is our bible the same as the original?
10. Errors in the Bible, Contradictions (Four Gospels are different)
11. Was Jesus the Messiah or just a good moral teacher? (Liar, Lunatic, Lord)
12. How come the End of Days hasn’t happened yet?
13. If God is true, then why doesn’t he just reveal himself?
14. Trinity
15. Fate/ Predestination
16. Feelings (It doesn’t feel right)
17. Continuity of the Bible – God of old vs. God of new Testament
18. God doesn’t interfere in my everyday life so why do I have to worry about it?
19. Bible Code 2 Corinthians 2:1?
Introduction
First of all let me say that there are intellectual problems for the faith, and they do have answers. However God may not provide us with all the answers we are looking for at first. That does not mean we can use this as an excuse to not explore his word. Jesus said
If we come to God and honestly seek him as hard as we can, and want to find him, we will. Jesus in Matthew 7:7-8 in the Blue Letter Bible says:
”Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. 8For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.”
If you start reading the scriptures with an honest open heart, with a mind that is open to the fact that maybe it doesn’t know everything, that maybe the bible could be true, God will reveal himself to you. But if you go to the bible deciding to tear it down, and are already convinced its wrong, it will probably not reveal itself to you, although there are cases of this happening to people. One noted case involves Lee Strobel, who is a famous investigative journalist. His wife became a Christian, but he was not. He decided to do research, and prove that the bible was false. He came away a Christian, and wrote the books: The Case for Christ, the Case for Faith, and The Case for God.
Jesus said in Matthew 13: 9,11-15 in the Blue Letter Bible
“Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!””To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them. 13That is why I tell these stories, because people see what I do, but they don’t really see. They hear what I say, but they don’t really hear, and they don’t understand. 14This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which says:
`You will hear my words,
but you will not understand;
you will see what I do,
but you will not perceive its meaning.
15
For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes--
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.
The teachings of Jesus are not a denial of the facts. We don’t have to believe in fairy tales, and against the evidence. The Bible is not a fairy tale, and everything in it is true. We are very arrogant as a society, however, we tend to believe we know everything and science is infallible. We have so much faith in science; we fail to see we worship it as a flawless God. Science is useful, and provides knowledge, but we must realize that as fallible humans much of science is probably wrong. Look at generations past; they believed ridiculous things that we view as laughable today. While ignoring the fact that we also believe things that are wrong. No doubt future generations will look back at our science and laugh as well.
But the truth of the bible is never changing, because the truth is always the truth, and is NOT subjective. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Jesus says in John 8:32:
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
He also says in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (NIV)
So we can test the bible against reality and if we do this it will reveal that its words are wise and true. That it is a solid rock we can build our lives on.
However we mustn’t get so wound up in trying to prove the bible is true that we forget the whole point. Yes science is constantly confirming that the bible is an accurate book. However, we could spend a life time trying to prove it all. The easy way around this is start reading it, and understanding that at first you will not comprehend it all, and some of the teachings seem hard. However, as we spend more time with God, and his word, and apply it to our lives, he reveals more and more to us, and we begin to see positive changes in our lives.
When we get grieved by what we read we should pray to God to reveal his true meaning to us. Much of the time the bible appears to say one thing on the surface but means another. Some of the reason for this is probably translation, and that it was originally intended for a Jewish audience who are 2000-5000 years past. However, as we read the bible and study it we became able to understand it more. God gives you as much as you ask for. When coming to a confusing place in the bible we should not try to understand it solely on what it says, but understand the context of what the author is trying to say, and use other scripture to interpret it. This doesn’t mean we try to make it say whatever we want it to say. We are trying to understand the true meaning. The author only meant one thing when he wrote what he was writing, but we bring our beliefs and preconceived notions to our understanding of things, and this can cloud the true meaning of what we are reading. We must be careful to not read into things that are not there, and the author did not intend.
My Witness
Well, I grew up in a Christian family, and was raised an Apostolic Lutheran. I went through Sunday school, and all that, and learned about God as I was a young kid. I didn’t really pay a lot of attention in church. We just tend to accept everything we hear as kids.
As I got older, and went to high school and college, I was presented with other beliefs. I questioned my faith and whether it was true or not. I was presented with science as an alternative to God. I felt like biology, and psychology and sociology text books all are written from a perspective that there is no God, and only what is on the surface is what there is. I had a high school biology teacher who told me evolution was a FACT. I had a very outspoken atheist teacher of psychology in college. He didn’t teach about psych much, he just pretty much told us how stupid Christianity was, and he debated us about why God doesn’t exist. It seems like his life quest was to refute God. He was very passionate about tearing down our faith, and had a lot of emotional investment in this. I became friends with many people who didn’t believe in God, or were not sure if he existed. So as I was presented with these beliefs counter to what I had been taught as I child I began to doubt. Was I correct, was there a God? How can I figure this out? I don’t want to believe a lie. I want to know the truth.
So I stayed up at night battling my will trying to figure out what to do. So with a soul in turmoil I eventually decided to pray to a God I wasn’t even sure existed. I said if you are real; help me to know that you are. A peaceful assurance came over me, and I went to sleep. I feel God led me to certain books, which made me aware of the fact that an honest, truth seeking person can believe in God. That it isn’t a denial of reality, and that in fact Science does support the bible, and does not rule out its possibility.
That is not the end of it, however. God has proven himself to me in many other ways. Something that stands out is the phenomenal way that everything the bible instructs us to do have such an effect on our lives. We began to see that the teachings in the bible are wise beyond any other thing in the world. Its like everything in our society asserts to have truth, but when we follow their teachings we find them to be all hype, and no substance. The bible however, is not like anything else in the world. If we apply the teachings of the bible to our lives we begin to see dramatic changes take place. For instance the bible is constantly warning us about the evil or loving money. As we begin to take the money we spent on our pleasures, and give it to the poor, we begin to feel a deep heartfelt satisfaction that none of our self seeking could ever satisfy. Or if we begin spending our time doing good, instead of doing our own thing, we also become more satisfied that we are doing becoming how we are meant to be. The bible is so full of wisdom, all we have to do is look, and apply it. I can see so many positive changes in my life it amazed me. I am sure of what I believe, and am convicted of the truth.
Another way God has confirmed himself to me is that is through answered prayers. I have prayed for things and had it answered in a very miraculous way. Not on the magnitude of say parting the Sea, but in a way that seems highly coincidental. The coincidences keep stacking up until only a fool would believe they are the product of mere chance.
I realize this evidence is only anecdotal, but that is what a witness is, the testimony of the experience of a person about God. I am a witness to the workings of God in my life. I was addicted to sin. God has delivered me from many, and is working on others. I see it in my life. However that’s just my life. If you really want to experience God, invite him in, and have faith, and trust him. If you are actually interested in the truth, then accept the man who said I AM the truth. Let him show you that everything he says is as he says.
Think about it. This is actually the MOST important question in life. Is God real? If he is, then we are offered eternal life. We don’t have to cease to exist. We have a purpose, we have truth. Are you positive that God is not true? 100%? What if you were about to be executed for murder, and you heard a rumor that someone wanted to come forward, and take your place. Would you say, I don’t believe it, and so accept death? Or would you do everything in your power to find out if this was true? Even if it is remotely possible it’s the only chance we have of being saved. So you would be crazy not to investigate this matter further. Its not just about being saved from death. Its also about living a life that makes a difference. Having a purpose, and learning to love and be loved in a way that you could never have dreamed of before.
Perhaps we will never be 100% sure God exists, but we can be 99%, and the other 1% is where our faith comes in. God wants to love you, and save you. All you have to do is let him. Are you going to ignore your only shot at being saved? If you are still not convinced, let me tell you how I have tried to answer some of the biggest questions challenged to Christianity for myself. Key word there is myself. You need to figure these things out for yourselves. However, this may help you answer some questions you had. I don’t have all the answers, but I don’t have to because God does. You probably have different obstacles then I do, and need to figure certain things out for yourselves. Just remember there is help if you but ask God.
2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. (KJV)
Christian Q/A – Is God/Jesus/Christianity Real?
1. Why does God send people to hell?
2. Why is there so much suffering and pain in the world?
3. Why does religion cause so many wars
4. Why do bad things happen to good people?
5. What is wrong with sin?
6. Why do Christians oftentimes act so unlike Christ?
7. Evolution, Science, Age of the Earth
8. Out of so many religions why is Christianity true alone?
9. Is the bible historically accurate? Is our bible the same as the original?
10. Errors in the Bible, Contradictions (Four Gospels are different)
11. Was Jesus the Messiah or just a good moral teacher? (Liar, Lunatic, Lord)
12. How come the End of Days hasn’t happened yet?
13. If God is true, then why doesn’t he just reveal himself?
14. Trinity
15. Fate/ Predestination
16. Feelings (It doesn’t feel right)
17. Continuity of the Bible – God of old vs. God of new Testament
18. God doesn’t interfere in my everyday life so why do I have to worry about it?
19. Bible Code 2 Corinthians 2:1?
1. How could a loving God send people to hell?
First of all we must realize that hell was not meant for humans. It was made for Satan, and his followers who rebelled against God. In the beginning God created paradise on earth for us. He wants to bless us, and give us fulfillment, but it was we who rejected this; when we choose to rebel against God. God didn’t want to force us to follow him. He created free will. In order for us to have choice, we have to have something to choose between. Good or evil, God or ourselves, love or hate, etc. God doesn’t want a bunch of slaves who he forces to follow him. We wouldn’t want that either. So it is because of his great goodness that he created free will to allow us to choose whether we wanted to follow him or not. He loved us so much that he knew people could potentially get lost, and fall away from him, but he allowed them to do that, not out of an eternal wrath, but out of love.
The opposite of good is evil and evil is wrong. It must be punished. If God is truly good then, he must also be just. If we see someone murder somebody we don’t think that person is undeserving of punishment. However, since God loves us so much, he does provide a way for us to escape his punishment, and that is Jesus Christ. Again, he does not force us to accept Jesus as our savior. He lets us choose between our own way, and his way.
God doesn’t send anyone to hell; he was tortured, and died a horrible death so that we didn’t have to go there. He wants nothing more than for everyone to be saved, yet he will allow you to go to hell if you really want to. He is trying his hardest to get your attention, saying that every road leads to hell, but He knows a secret way that leads to paradise. However he does not force us to his path. So you see God doesn’t send anyone to hell, it’s really us who want to go there.
2 Peter 3:9 …”He (The Lord) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (NIV)
2. Why is there so much suffering and pain in the world?
You could dredge up many terrible scenarios about the evils of the world; Murder, rape, the persecution of the Jews during WWII, poor starving children, the Salem Witch Trials, The Inquisition, persecution of the blacks, abortions, deformities, etc.
You ask; “How could a loving God allow this?” Well like I stated before, in the beginning, we lived in a paradise, which was perfect, and met our every need. However, we didn’t obey God, and consequently sin entered the world. The world became corrupted because of our rebellion against God. It was our punishment because of it. We deserved it. Honestly, we are all guilty according to the bible.
God does not like evil. He doesn’t condone torturing his people. Sin is our fault because we rebel against God. We cause it, not God. However, pain and suffering can be good teachers, and helpful at times. If everything was perfect we would learn nothing, its through our trials that we learn the most.
Jesus explains why “evil” people are allowed to live among us very well in this passage:
Matthew 13:24 - Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares (weeds) also. Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Mat 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. Mat 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked [one]; Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (BLB)
So if “evil” people were destroyed, you would see the presence of God, and you would no longer have a choice to believe, and so there goes free will. There is probably much more in this passage then that, but I think that is part of it.
So that’s why “evil” people are allowed to live among us, but what about suffering? Well we talked about suffering, being a good teacher. I also said suffering is a result of sin, but let me elaborate. First, let me say that I believe that pretty much everything in and of itself is good. However, its when people pervert God’s purpose to their own, that it is a sin. An example would be food is good, but when you eat too much it is bad. Drinking is allowed in the bible, but drinking to excess is not. Loving a person is good, but stalking someone isn’t. Sex is a gift of God, but when it is done outside of marriage, many terrible things happen; abortions, single parent families, unloved children, abandoned children, child support, guilt, etc.
The point of showing some examples of sin is to show you that sin isn’t just something God choose randomly for us not to do. Sin is actually harmful to us, and God warns us of this. He cares about our well being, and doesn’t want us to needlessly suffer. But the reality of the world is that we choose our way much of the time instead of God’s and consequently make the wrong choice, which lead to pain. If we did everything God’s way we will definitely suffer, and maybe even more so. However, its different suffering.
Jesus said my burden is light. When I hear that it makes me think that if we follow the word of God, our guilt is gone. I can’t describe how fulfilled, and happy, and complete God makes me feel. Its wonderful, and something I never had before. I never realized how horrible sin makes me feel until I became a practicing Christian. Sin creates guilt, and feelings of self loathing, and despair, that we are not even aware are there until God cleanses us of them. Sin causes pain, and many other afflictions.
Everyone has a God shaped hole as that one song goes. Sin is what we try to fill the hole with. We all feel a need for pleasure, and love, and acceptance. We try to get those things the wrong way, and am never satisfied with what we have, because we think we want something, but when we get something we just want something else. It’s a never ending cycle. Look at all the celebrities in Rehab. Why do they feel a need to do drugs and get drunk? Their fame, and money, friends, and cars cannot complete them, so they are looking for escape, and it is ruining their life. They are trying to put a square peg in a round hole. It can never satisfy them. Sure we can feel some temporary pleasure, but its nothing compared to the completeness, and purpose, and contentment that God offers.
3. Why does religion cause so many wars
It doesn’t! People cause wars. This is not Gods will for people to slaughter each other. Jesus came for people to repent, and turn to him. How can they do that if you kill them? Just because a person says he is doing a specific action in the name of God doesn’t mean they are. If we even glance at the teaching of Jesus, and the bible we see clearly that Jesus is opposed to violence.
Matthew 5:21 “You have heard it was said to the people of long ago. ‘Do not murder.’ And anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother (more than your biological brother) will be subject to judgment. ( NIV)
Matthew 18:21 – Then Peter came to Jesus and asked. “Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? 18:22 Jesus answered, “I tell you not seven times, but seventy seven times.” (times innumerable) (NIV)
Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke also. Mat 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans (tax collectors) do the same? (BLB)
Another example is when Jesus was arrested; one of his companions drew his sword, and cut off one of the soldier’s ear. Jesus healed the ear, and rebuked his companion, and said he who lives by the sword dies by it.
The last example I have is after Jesus was falsely accused, tortured, mocked, humiliated, and crucified, he said forgive them Father for they know not what they do.
So as its pretty obvious Jesus does NOT tell us to slaughter each other. These are false teachers and profits that say and do these evil acts… in the name of God no less!
4. Why do bad things happen to good people?
Well let me begin by saying that according to the bible there are no “good people.” Everyone has sinned, and fallen short. Nobody is perfect, not one. No matter how hard we try we cannot become perfect. The bible says if we have broken one command we have broken all. If you have ever been angry at someone, you are a sinner. If you have looked at a beautiful woman lustfully you are a sinner. If you have broken a law in your country, even a small one, you are a sinner. We are all sinners, it would be impossible for us not to be. We are all guilty, and disobedient.
God created us to serve him, and if we do not fulfill our purpose, then we are worthless. If you made yourself a glass, and that glass had a hole in it wouldn’t you throw it out? Or what if you had a dog that constantly bit you, wouldn’t that dog be put down? However, we are worth infinitely more to God than we could ever know, and he doesn’t want to throw us out. Therefore even if we deserve death, he is faithful to us that if we let him he will fix us. However, If we want to continue biting our master, and saying we don’t want him, God loves us enough that he lets us make that choice. See God doesn’t allow anyone to perish, apart from their own desire to.
Now that we have analyzed “good people” let us examine “bad things.” What is a bad thing? Is it something that causes us pain? Well pain actually can be beneficial to us. Without it we would never learn. There are horrible cases of people who have no pain sensors. They can put their hands in boiling water, and not be aware that it is scalding their hands. Pain in this case is good. Or suppose we didn’t get hungry, we would never have the urge to eat, and would die. What if when we broke a bone it didn’t hurt? You would end up doing more damage to it by still using it because you are not aware you are causing further harm.
Further instruction we receive from pain comes through life experiences. If we avoided it at all cost we would never grow. Take for instance when you first learned to walk. You probably fell a few times, and no doubt it hurt, but you kept going through, and you learned to overcome the pain. Another example is a relationship, a breakup can be one of the most painful times in a person’s life, but sometimes it is necessary in order to find that person that is right for us.
We could argue that the person who has had to live on the street and fend for himself is quite a bit more smart in practical knowledge then the coddle prince. It takes the painful experiences to learn that there are evil people out there, who are swindlers, and cheats, and worse. The young prince who is smothered in pleasure has no idea about the “real world.” His pleasure teaches him to be selfish, and self seeking, and naïve. So we see that pleasure actually can be detrimental at times, and pain positive.
Romans 5:3 - …because we know suffering produces; perseverance, and perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us. (NIV)
I find it helpful to think of humans to animals, to relate God to people at times. So imagine that you see a young fawn caught in a cruel trap. You decide to go over, and help it. It sees you, and assumes it is you that is causing it pain. Not that its own action led to the pain. Then you must cause it even more pain to release it from the trap before it can go free, and heal. Now we can see from the animal’s perspective that you are a cruel evil thing that is causing it pain. However, what the animal can’t understand is that you acted out of love, and was actually helping it by causing pain. I think it is the same way with God. Imagine a being so powerful that not only did he create the Universe in all of its vastness, but he also created the microscopic world in all of its subtle complexities. His ways are obviously much higher than ours, so how could we even begin to understand him? The gap between our knowledge and his is even greater than us and the fawn. Compared to him we are less than a speck of dust compared to all of creation. How could we even begin to think we know better than him? Can we create life? Can we make a planet? Can we hold the sun upon nothing, and make the planets orbit around it? Of course not! God created your sense of moral authority, so how can you say the creator doesn’t understand his creation? If you feel like the evils of the world are appalling, he must feel infinitely worse then you could imagine. So let us put away this naïve nonsense about God being cruel. God loves everyone.
One last example; If God HIMSELF came down to earth, and emptied himself of power, and glory, and knowledge to suffer for our sins, was tortured, mocked, crucified, and died for our sins how do you think you have room to complain? God didn’t owe us anything. He willing came down, being totally sinless and holy to suffer horribly for us so that we may have eternal life, and be forgiven of our sins. A thing we did not even remotely deserve. It was our rebellion that causes GOD so much pain.
Matthew 27:26 –…But he (Pilate) had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Matthew 27: 27 – Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in from of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (NIV)
Not just physical pain, but emotional as well.
Genesis 6:5 – The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on earth, and his heart was filled with pain. (NIV)
If Jesus wasn’t spared by evil people and pain, what makes you think you will be? I doubt many of us will ever go through a tenth as much pain as Jesus went through. And Jesus was INNOCENT! Not to mention he has to see his children suffering, and some of them turning away from him. How would you feel if your child was going down a road that was leading to his death? Now imagine you have billions of children who are doing that, we could never grasp that reality even if we wanted it.
But fear not:
Revelations 7:15 – Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in
his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will
spread his tent over them.
Never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the
throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water,
And God will wipe away every tear
from their eyes.”
5. What is wrong with sin?
The Microsoft Encarta Dictionary defines sin as: 1 Transgression of theological principals an act, a thought, or a behavior that goes against the laws or teachings of a particular religion, especially when the person who commits it is aware of this. 2. Shameful Offense something that offends a moral or ethical principal. 3 Estrangement from God in Christian Theology, the condition of being denied God’s Grace because of a sin or sins committed.
So first off this right here this tells us that there is a moral law, which is written on each of our hearts so even if we don’t know God, we are still guilty of breaking the law. Also within the bible the law is expanded by the Ten Commandments, the law (first 5 books of the OT) and the prophets (The rest of the OT). The bible says that we are all guilty of transgression against the law.
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (NIV)
Transgression of theological Principals- So why does this matter? Well not only is God our father, but he is also our judge. Not only a judge, but a perfect, and honorable judge who cannot lie, and must uphold, and punish the transgressors of the law. If he did not do that, he is a liar, and God cannot lie. God is just.
2. Shameful Offense - The Microsoft Encarta Dictionary goes on to define Shame as: 2. Negative Emotion a negative emotion that causes feelings of dishonor, unworthiness, and embarrassment.
So we can infer from this definition that sin causes us to feel horrible. Yes sin can cause us great pleasure at times, and temporal fulfillment. However, it also makes us feel guilty, unfulfilled, inadequate, etc. Sometimes, we have been so lost in sin that the spirit no longer convicts our hearts that we are doing wrong, and we don’t even feel shame. This is called quenching the spirit, and God will abandon you to your sins according to your will. Because God allows you to have free will. However, you still have guilt and those feelings deep down. You just don’t even realize it because you are so used to living in corruption that it feels natural and right to you. However, if you truly turn from your sins, and decide to follow God, your burdens fall away, and you will realize how terrible, and stressful, and negative sin made you feel.
Matthew 11:28 – Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle, and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (NIV)
I think he said that because sin is a heavy weight on our heart, and if we follow him, we are released from the burdens of sin.
3 Estrangement from God (or separation) – Our sin separates us from God because God is the opposite of sin. He cannot tolerate it. Most of us don’t even realize how detestable to God sin is. The whole bible is about how we have turned away from God because of our sins, the consequences of that action, and Gods infinite love, that he would die for us so we could be reunited with him, and cleansed of our sin.
We may think our sins are little, but it’s not the sin itself that is bad, it’s our rebellion. Would you trust a murderer to babysit your children? The bible says if you break one commandment you have broken them all. You may say, I may do a few bad things, but at least I am not Charles Manson. Well according to God, you are the same because you both are rebelling against God. You have the same spirit of transgression in your heart; yours just manifests itself in a different way. However, you both are sinful, and deserve judgment.
With our sinful nature we cannot please God. Sin is self love, true love is for God. Everything was created good, but sin corrupts everything. If we are busy loving ourselves we cannot please God. He created us to serve him, but if we do not want to serve him, then he will allow us to do our will. Pain is a tool God used to correct or refine us, and bring us back to him. God disciplines the ones he loves. However if you don’t care about him he will abandon you to your sins, and you will die from him, and be eternally separated from all him and all his blessings.
Romans 8:5 – Those live according to the sinful nature have their minds set upon what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the spirit have their minds set on what the spirit desires. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to Gods law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (NIV)
So sin is disobedience that God being a just God must judge. Sin makes us feel guilty, and horrible. Sin separates us from God, and our true purpose in life.
Sin is detestable to God, and leads to death. Sin leads to pain for ourselves, it has no love for others; it serves its own will at the expense of everything else. It is willfully ignorant, full of self delusion, lies, arrogance, and pride. The truth is far from the sinful man’s heart. All night long he slithers in a dark pit of his disgusting self. Unable to please his desires, yet doomed to repeat the same vile actions over and over, hoping that one day his own vomit will satiate his need for fulfillment that only God can supply.
6. Why do Christians oftentimes act so Unchrist like?
We should be aware that not everyone who says they are a Christian truly is. We can liken this to saying some people claim to be your friend, but do not act like a friend. You could lose faith in people, and say friends are worthless, but that wouldn’t be true, because that person was not a friend. So that person would not be an accurate representation of what a true friend is, and consequently it would be an error on our part to judge friends worthless by taking the actions of a non-friend as a true friend. They may be just using you to meet their own ends.
Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (NIV)
Now we know that Jesus created a very strict moral code on which we are supposed to put others before ourselves, and a true follower of Christ does the will of the father. His will is for you to treat others as you would have them treat you.
A question you should also ask yourself would be: is a Christian perfect? Well we are commissioned to strive towards perfection, but the Lord said no one is perfect, not one, except God himself. So we must realize that a Christian will sin, and not one of us can act like Christ all the time, otherwise we would be perfect. However, a true Christian who has been following the Lord for an extended period of time will definitely change. We may know who the true Christian is by how he conducts his life, and interacts with others.
Now what about the Church that caused so many wars, and repressed science, and learning, and free thought? Well was that truly the Church of God? Was God commanding the Church to hate, and oppress, and kill people? Is our God evil? Does he rejoice in pain and suffering? Surely not! God is love, and God loves. He is the opposite of evil things. Just because a person is in the church does not mean he belongs to God. We cannot say it was God’s will to do evil, when his character is the opposite of evil. How can fire and ice exist in the same place? They cannot. His spirit perhaps left the Church for some reason or another for a period of time, because of rebellion or some unknown reason, and when God left, evil took his place. I don’t know obviously, but it wasn’t God’s will to oppress people for evil. Satan may intend things for evil, but God intends everything for good, and makes good come from the plans of evil.
So we must understand that a Christian is also a human, and makes mistakes, but a true Christian will bear good fruit (works) in accordance with the will of the Father. A new Christian is like a baby. He is only barely learning to walk, and he will make mistakes before he becomes a true Christian. However, God is refining him in his own time. We cannot expect a new Christian to be as perfect as Christ.
7. Evolution, Science, Age of the Earth
Ahh evolution… the bane of Christians, and the God whom certain scientists worship and put blind faith in. I am sorry but some scientists do worship evolution as an infallible God. They are so convinced that the theory of evolution is a fact they will not even consider that it is not. I find it ironic that many Christians have came to faith because they have examined the evidence on both sides, and drew the conclusion that God is real. While the atheist says he has the truth, and is unbiased, but he is unable to consider the possibility of God. I don’t think evolution is really that important honestly because if it is true it does not disprove God. It simply says there were small variations over time that created the species we see today… how does that disprove God? If God made nature obviously he would make it so it would sustain itself, and adapt to its environment. If species didn’t adapt they would die. Because nature works how does that disprove God? It doesn’t, but we should look at the larger picture: evolution cannot tell us how everything started. How did we get from non-life to life? According to science by a massive explosion everything was created all of a sudden for no apparent reason, and some soup on a big rock was struck by lightning, which then turned into life, and we all came from a bunch of simple organisms became fish, and evolved and became monkeys and then became humans… Ok now tell me who has the fairy tale science or religion? Science cannot tell us how we came to be. How can you come from non-life to life without a creator? Well would you look at a car, and assume that no one created it? With its complex systems, that all work together, and support each other for a specific purpose? The car is many times simpler then the human body, it was created by intelligence, and yet instead of improving itself, and becoming superior, it is gradually being destroyed from the moment it is made. How can we say that something created by intelligence is many times inferior to something created by chance? So evolution doesn’t disprove God, it doesn’t prove how the earth came about. I am not sure why so many Christians feel so threatened by it. I guess maybe because science carries it around as the holy relic of science displaying it to the world as if it provides the only enlightenment to man, and can save them from the abyss.
This conclusion leads to the inevitable question; if everything needs a creator, then who created God? The answer is nobody because he doesn’t have a beginning, or an end. He doesn’t need a creator because he is infinite. His reality is also different from this reality, so we cannot understand it fully. Our laws of reality do not apply to his, because he created these laws, and he is not governed by laws. He is the governor of the laws. He was kind enough to reveal parts of himself to us, so that we could understand him better, and have a relationship with him.
Another thing people have problems with is the age of the earth. They say well the bible says the earth is 6000 years old. Science says it is millions of years so the bible must be untrue. That is a wrong assumption. There is no place in the bible where it says the earth was created in the year 4000 BC. It doesn’t tell us that information, and we must be careful when trying to calculate it out. Some people have came up with this by adding up all the generations of people back to Adam, and by using their age calculating how old the earth is. Well perhaps that will take us back to Adam, perhaps not, but either way it still doesn’t tell us how much time passed between when God created the world, and put man on it. It does say six days, but the bible also says to God a day is like a 1000 years and a 1000 years like a day. So his time is different than ours. It could also be that, heaven forbid, science is wrong, and we actually don’t know everything with infallible certainty. Perhaps we are simply mistaken, and the world is actually 6000 or so years old. I think we should be careful however to not draw conclusions about things that the bible actually doesn’t say.
8. Out of so many religions why is Christianity alone true?
Well this is a really complicated subject which I cannot really answer satisfactorily for you. I have read books on the subject that have helped convince me that there is only one God and not many, and that Christianity is authentic, but I will not try to summarize. I would recommend The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, and Evidence for Christianity.
9. Is the bible historically accurate? Is our bible the same as the original?
Recently we have been fortunate enough to discover an incredible collection of works called the Dead Sea Scrolls. These are ancient manuscripts that date back to the time of Christ. These scrolls were the work of a sect of Jews, who were a religious group zealous about preserving the true worship of Gods. They were living out in the Dead Sea area waiting for the coming Messiah. They left many of their writings which included almost the entire Old Testament behind for us to find, and compare to our bible we have today. Many scholars have worked to determine that our bible has in fact been diligently taken care of, and is accurate compared to the original.
We must also realize the character of the Jews. They were incredible meticulous people with an unparalleled attention to detail. They have family histories dating back many hundreds of years, many can recite the entire bible from memory, and before the printing press some scribes would devote their whole lives to copying the bible, with accuracy. After they wrote their passage, they would check and recheck to make sure there were no errors in their works. This was their livelihood, and the bible was the most important thing in many of their lives. They took great pride in their works, and were very careful to not make mistakes.
That’s not to say there aren’t mistakes, but the bible is the most quoted book on earth. We have many manuscripts to compare to insure accuracy. If every bible was destroyed on earth we would be able to reconstruct it from quotes alone. So it was and is easy to check and make sure what is accurate.
Sometimes we possibly have mistranslated words, or the meaning can sometimes get slightly changed because some words do not travel between languages very well. But I believe it is still a reliable source. Think about it, if it is the inspired word of God, of course he is going to make sure that his bible is still accurate.
I have heard it said if you don’t trust the bible you cannot trust anything written in history because the bible has more supporting manuscripts that back up what was written in it than the next 10 most popular works in history combined.
10. Errors in the Bible, Contradictions (Four Gospels are different)
Sometimes we see the bible making a contradiction; I used to find them occasionally but it turns out I simply misunderstood what the text was saying. The bible can be made to say very different things then it intends if we just take a certain passage at face value. We must look at the larger picture, and use the other text to interpret it. For instance in one part we are told we are saved by faith alone, and in another we are told we are saved by works. If we investigate these seemingly contradictory passages further we see that we are saved by faith alone, and our works are the fruit of our faith, and that’s how you may identify a believer. It is simply saying to know you are saved you need works because that shows faith, but its not the works that save you, its faith in Christ.
An example would be in school when the student questions the teacher, and says she is wrong. Usually it is simply the student not understanding the subject, and not assuming he was wrong, but it must have been the teacher. Well who is wrong, us or God?
Another interesting thing is that there are four gospels for the same story of Jesus. However, if we study these gospels we see that they are dissimilar. How can this be? Well let me put it this way, if they were all the same there wouldn’t need to be four gospels, only one. So the original writers intended there to be four gospels that were different. Each gospel has a different purpose, and was written by a different person. When we have different purposes in mind we tend to leave things out that are not important to our purposes, while including that’s that are. Also since they were written by different people, their perception colors how they see the world. Two authors were Apostles of Jesus, one was written from speeches Peter did about Jesus, and one was written by a Greek doctor who investigated and participated in biblical events. Perhaps they were even written for different audiences.
If you interview people who have both witnessed the same events sometimes we can get different pictures of what happened. If the gospels were all the same it would be strange. It actually makes sense and lends to their credence that they are different.
11. Was Jesus the Messiah or just a good moral teacher?
Some Muslims and Jews recognize Jesus as a prophet and a good moral teacher, but not the risen Son of God. Some people think of him this way to. Some people may say he preached love, and had some good ideas, but he never really claimed to be the messiah, people just blew that out of proportion, and he wasn’t really raised from the dead. However Jesus quite obviously claimed he was the Messiah, the Savior, and the Son of God:
Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (NIV)
Matthew 26:64 “Yes it is as you say,” Jesus replied “But I say unto you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (NIV)
So now we see that Jesus in fact claimed to be the Messiah. So if he is not actually the Son of God while claiming to be then he is either insane or a liar, neither a candidate for a good moral teacher.
Well first let us examine whether he is insane. When he was twelve years old this took place:
Luke 2:46 – After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking the questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Let u go further and examine how Jesus acts. He is calm and collected. He is patient, and is slow to anger. He is full of wisdom, and authority. Thousand listen to him and adore him. Jewish priests, and Roman authorities fear him. Everything he says makes sense, and changes people’s lives radically, and miraculously. How could a crazy person do such things?
He was born a poor son of a carpenter in a small village in the middle of nowhere. He had no formal education, and was not the son of anyone exceedingly important. Yet he is the most famous man in history. People all over the world have heard his name. In fact, they say the gospel will have reached almost the entire world in a few years. We measure time in reference to before his birth and after his death. BC and AD. His name inspires such devotion, and love among others, and such exceeding hate and fear in others. His name has changed countless lives for the better. How could such a person do any of this being crazy? It just doesn’t make any sense. If you read about his life, and understand his teachings there is no way we could think they were from a lunatic.
So this moves us along to him being a liar. Would a liar die for what he believed in? The nature of a liar is that of a selfish person. People lie to benefit themselves. Jesus had countless opportunities to say, “Hey guys this is a big mistake you don’t have to crucify me I am not the Messiah.” However he knew what he was doing, and that it would lead to death. He had nothing to gain, and everything to lose. A liar would have ran away as fast as he could with the peoples money because a liar has a poor character. Jesus had the most perfect character, and had a very strict moral code.
Also we must look at what it meant to be a follower of Jesus. Back in those days Christians were persecuted brutally and hated. The ones who taught the gospel lived on the road, in poverty, with barely a cloak to keep them warm. Is this the life on someone who is living a lie? These are the people that witnessed the events of the Cross. If they were not totally convinced that Jesus was who he said he was, then why would they live like this? Paul says:
1 Corinthians 15:32 - …If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.
They were quite aware that it would be a waste of time to believe in Christ if he wasn’t who he said he was. It says
1. Corinthians 17:19 If only for this life we have faith in Christ we are to be pitied more than all men.
Some of these men were witnesses to Christ, and he appeared to them after he was resurrected. So they believed because they seen that Christ was real. Otherwise they would have no reason to want to be persecuted so.
12. How come the End of Days hasn’t happened yet?
Didn’t the apostles believe that Jesus would come back in their lifetime? Wasn’t Revelations meant only for the first century believers? Well I believe that the apostles did believe that Jesus was coming back in their lifetimes. However, we see time and time again that the people in the bible, tend to misunderstand what God is saying. If we look at many of the things Jesus was saying about Jewish society of his day we see the Jews had misunderstood much of what God had told them. For instance: to love ones enemies, how to be saved, making his temple a den of thieves, not committing adultery with the eyes, divorce, doing acts of righteousness to get praise from people, praying in front of others to appear holy, judging others, obeying the letter of the law instead of the true meaning, etc. So we can see that they had not understood what God was trying to say, or they would hopefully be doing it. We also see that Jesus never says when he is coming back. Jesus gives a prophecy of how one will know when the end times are coming, and says in Mark 13:30-
I tell you the truth this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. (NIV)
This passage seems to say that these people that he is talking to will see him coming, but obviously this isn’t so because that generation is no more. So Jesus must be talking about some other generation. I believe he is talking about the generation that sees the beginning of the signs of the end of days. I believe the next passage after Mark 13:31 supports that it isn’t that generation he is addressing that he is talking about:
Mark 13:32 – No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. (NIV)
Mark 13:35 – Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ (NIV)
Jesus himself says he doesn’t know when he is coming back, so obviously the disciples have less of an idea than him. So they may have believed he was coming soon, but we all can hold opinions that are wrong, that’s why they are called opinions. One thing that makes it pretty obvious that Jesus’ wasn’t coming back right away is this passage where Jesus is talking about the end of the age:
Matthew 24:14 – And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (NIV)
Well at this present time we are actually very close to the bible being preached to all peoples of the world. Not everyone is a believer obviously, but the bible is almost everywhere. Even in places like China, where the government persecutes Christians forcefully, there is a vast underground movement to preach the gospel, and masses of believes are being converted daily. Christianity is being preached in places like Iraq, and Iran, its spreading throughout the middle east like never before. These organizations like Compassion International are spreading the gospel as they help the poor in places like South America, and Africa, and many other places. I think we could say that Canada, America, and Europe, and Australia, have been saturated with the Gospel for many years now, and many other places. So only some people in very remote areas haven’t heard the gospel. Its growing exponentially Its everywhere! However I don’t think this is so apparent in the United States because we have become complacent about the bible. Accepting its there, but not really caring. We have gotten used to our prosperity, and grown comfortable because all our needs are being met. We don’t realize we need the bible now more than ever. Like the song in the hit movie Fireproof says: “It’s a slow fade.” America is gradually forgetting our need for a Savior as the rest of the world is realizing it.
The printing press has really helped spread the gospel, and now with the invention of radio, tv, and the internet its spreading like an unquenchable wildfire! How could something that was a lie be so compelling to people all over the world? How could a lie teach people the art of wisdom, and correct living? How could liars satisfy people, spread love, and change lives? Evil destroys, it doesn’t create, anything of lasting value.
Now we can tackle the issue of Revelations. Was it meant for a first century audience, or for us? Well I believe it was meant for both. Since we do not know when the end is coming, it calls us to live our lives as though the end was coming tomorrow. I believe Revelations was talking to every generation, and I also believe it is talking about ours as well. I think perhaps it is partially to do with the Roman Empire, as some people say, but I think it is also talking about the eventual rebirth of it, and the consequent destruction. Not the Roman Empire the first century Jews knew. Because we see that in the end of times Jesus is supposed to come back, and there are many prophecies in Revelations that haven’t been fulfilled yet.
Revelations is talking about the final reckoning between God and everything in creation, be it Satan, the believer, or the unbeliever. How God’s final plan will unfold, and what the fulfillment of all things will be. I think it’s really ignoring the facts of Revelations when people say that it has already happened. How could this be? Have we seen Jesus coming on the clouds in great glory? Have we seen the dead arise, and Satan defeated? Has the rapture happened? Have the heavens and earth been changed? Has the new Jewish temple came down from heaven? Have all the enemies of Israel been humbled? Has Babylon come to rule the world, and become the center for wealth, and culture, only to be destroyed? Has the Antichrist come, uniting the world with one religion, currency, and government? Only to betray the world, create chaos, until Jesus throws him into hell, and delivers the world? Obviously these are all future events which have not happened yet. So how could Revelations be meant for a first century audience, while the events foretold therein are obviously about a future time?
13. If God is true, then why doesn’t he just reveal himself?
Why does God make it so hard to find him? Let’s refer to 1 Peter 5:5-6
…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
If we assume we know everything, and think our knowledge is infallible, then we cannot know God. However, if we accept the fact that we are small creatures in a vastness we find hard to understand, and maybe we have overlooked some facts that point toward God, then we are on our way to understanding better.
Revelations 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (NIV)
So we see that Jesus isn’t trying to hide himself from us. He is seeking us, it is us who are running away. We don’t want to admit we were wrong; we don’t want to lose control, and surrender our destiny to him. We want to continue doing things our way, and enjoy life. God was there all the time; we just have chosen to close our ears.
1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; [but] the LORD [was] not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; [but] the LORD [was] not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; [but] the LORD [was] not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (BLB)
So we see the nature of the Lord is not a boom in your face here I am! Now bow down and worship me or I will be destroyed! The Lord is a still small voice inside of us, which we can hear, if we only humble ourselves, and allow ourselves to be aware of it.
If the Lord revealed himself to us, then we would have no free choice. We would have to believe in him. God values free will, and so do we. So I think we will confess that we find this way preferable. God doesn’t want a bunch of mindless slaves who follow him because he forces us. We don’t want to be that either.
1 Chronicles 28:9 …If you seek him he will be found by you; but if you forsake him he will reject you forever. (NIV)
Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me and those who seek me find me. (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:13 – You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. (NIV)
Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV)
14. Trinity
Some people have a hard time believing in the Trinity, or the triune God, or the 3 in 1 God. What we mean by this is the Father (God), Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) are all one. Jesus is God and God is Jesus, and the spirit is one with both. They are separate, yet they are one.
Jesus says in John 10:30 -
I and the father are one. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit is there is freedom. (NIV)
To be honest I think it is impossible to fully understand this wonder. However, we can make some comparisons to help us understand. Take for instance a human being. He is one distinct organism, but he is made up of multiple parts that work together to be a cohesive unit. We have the heart (emotions), and the head (logic), and then we have the soul (the one that chooses between logic and emotions). They are all separate, serve a different purpose, but are also considered three in one. Everything is made up of separate pieces that come together to make a larger whole. I don’t really have a problem with this, but apparently some people do. So I hope that maybe helped a little bit. I have thought that maybe we could almost say that Jesus is the heart, the Holy Spirit is the logic, and God is the Chooser, I don’t think that is in the bible, and am not aware of other people saying that, but I just made that connection one day. I am not saying what that means, only that their characteristics can be at times similar to those things.
15. Fate/ Predestination
Every one of us wants to be the masters of our own destiny. We all want to believe the choices we make are our own. We can see that from the beginning God gave us free will.
Genesis 2:16 and the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. (NIV)
We see clearly here that God said we can freely choose who we want to follow: God or ourselves. We have this freedom; however he gives us the warning that choosing to follow your own ways leads to death. However, if we follow the ways of God we can have eternal life.
It is true that God knows what we are going to do, but that doesn’t mean we are predestined to do it. If we know someone really well we could predict reasonably accurately what they were going to do in a certain situation. If we knew a person fully, we could probably predict correctly what they were going to do most of the time. Now pretend we could read tomorrows newspaper today… We know what the future is going to bring, but that doesn’t mean we picked their future just because we know what it is. Why does this bug people so much that they might not have free will? Do people even really think about why they do what they do, I mean really think about it? Most of the time people just go by what their feelings tell them, and don’t stop to consider why they do what they do. They have free will, but don’t even care to use it, they just follow the crowd, or their desires. Do they just want to have it because once in a blue moon they might want to use it?
Feelings (It doesn’t feel right)
I have heard a few people say things such as Christianity just didn’t feel right. This perplexes me quite a bit. Did God ever say following him would be easy? Is it supposed to be? Have you ever read the bible? Do you understand what people did to our savior Jesus? A loving God came to us to preach forgiveness and love, and redemption, and we crucified him! How do you expect they are going to treat you better then they treated him? What do you think Christianity does? Does it serve a social function for you to so you can meet women, or provide a place to hang out with nice people on Sunday? Do you want to feel all the warm and fuzzy things while not doing the hard things the bible tells us to?
Matthew 10:38 – and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (NIV)
Romans 8:35 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” (NIV)
Matthew 7:13 - Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (NIV)
Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (NIV)
We must understand that our feelings can be deceptive. Our heart sometimes can be a liar. It tells us to do many selfish things, without thinking about the consequences. If we do not discipline our heart, and give in to all of it desires, it will run out of control, and take advantage of you, and make you be a slave to its evil desires. I do not believe Christianity because it feels good. Initially it felt good, but then for a while it also “didn’t feel right.” However, this is only a temporary feeling, possibly meant to root out the people who are not serious. I don’t believe in God, and try to live according to his commandments because it makes me feel good. I do it because I believe it is true wisdom, and it is the truth. I have seen time and time again that God’[s instructions lead to positive outcomes, and when we desire to live according to our will, it leads to hardship, and many terrible things.
We cannot let feelings control us. However, we also cannot let our logic control us. We need to live a balanced life accepting advice from both of these faculties, and judge what they are saying in accordance with God’s will. This and only this can lead to true happiness, and fulfillment. At first it is really hard to deny yourself, and do the will of God. However, after a while of hardship we begin to see a myriad of positive changes take place. As we fill our heart with God, instead of with ourselves, we soon find ourselves to be overflowing with joy. However to feel this joy in completeness, we need to surrender to God fully. It took me a long time to accept this, but I am glad I finally did. I still struggle obviously, but I have seen so many positive changes in my life, and have finally found a purpose, completeness, and true knowledge, and true happiness.
What if everyone only did what felt right? We know there are things that at first feel painful but have to be done, and then you will feel better. Take for instance, a tooth that is ready to be pulled, or getting out of the shower to a cold room, or having a baby, or setting a bone. Sometimes things initially feel bad, but they are not actually bad, but good. Sometimes there are things that are necessary for our survival, and well being that initially hurt, but must be done. So we can see that just because our heart tells us one thing does not mean it is correct. We must also use our logic with our heart to make an informed decision.
16. Continuity of the Bible – God of Old vs. God of New Testament
This is a very big question that people ask. We know that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He doesn’t change. This poses a problem however, because in the Old Testament, God tells the Israelites to go to war with certain people, and slaughter everyone, including woman and children. This stands in stark contrast to the Jesus we know: a savior who died for us so that we many live. How do we reconcile the two?
I do not know the inner thoughts and motivation of God. However, he created us, and that gives him the right to destroy us. We belong to him, and we are his property. He created us to love him, and if we do not love him, we are not fulfilling our purpose. What would the game warden do to a bear that attacks people? He gets rid of it so that it doesn’t kill innocent people. This was precisely what God was doing for his Chosen people the Israelites. These people God was driving out of their promised land were Godless and wicked people who would try to corrupt the Israelites with their ways, and/or kill them. God had to preserve his people, because Jesus came from the Jews. If he didn’t drive these people out, they would have either made the Jews become as them, and forget God, and his ways, or destroy them utterly. If either one of these things happened there would be no savior, no eternal life, and no forgiveness of sins. These people God ordered destroyed were ravenous bears, who would have mercilessly attacked the Israelites if they hadn’t gotten rid of them.
Also the God of the Old Testament was a very loving, patient, and forgiving God. Take for instance that God created everything good, and placed us in a paradise. He created the incredible and wonderful creature that is woman for us, he made animal companions for us, and many tasty fruit trees to eat. Everyone was perfect, and happy, and life was good. However, he also gave us a choice and free will. We chose to disobey him, and follow our own will. He could have destroyed us at that point, and did something else, but he devised a plan to endure torture, pain, and hatred, and to sacrifice himself for us so that we could be cleansed of our sins, and live in paradise again. That alone is incredible. Then we have Noah. He saved Noah from the flood, and his whole family. He had compassion on Sodom, and said he would spare it if he found ten righteous people. He found only Lot and his family, so he let the righteous flee the destruction of the evil people who lived there. He told Abraham to sacrifice his Son Isaac, but at the last moment, relented because Abraham proved he loved God enough. Israel rebelled so many times, and turned from God, but every time God accepted them back when they repented. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, and delivered them from slavery.
There is many more things that God did in the Old Testament that showed he is a compassionate God, who is loving, and slow to anger. However he is also a God of justice, and must deal with people who sin against him, and do evil. If you look in the Old Testament, and do some searching, you will find a loving and compassionate God, whose endurance of our constant desire to do evil is amazing. Every time he is faithful to brings us back to him, as long as we want him to.
18. God doesn’t interfere in my everyday life so why do I have to worry about it?
I couldn’t believe people actually believe this, but I guess they do. I think this sentiment is actually pretty common. These people believe in God, but they don’t care to follow his ways, so they are no better off than the unbeliever.
How could a God who put so much care, and love in creating you and bringing you so many good things not care how his children are doing? Think of a very loving father, and tell me if you think he wants nothing to do with his son. Of course he wants to be involved. He wants to teach his little one to be just like him, and instruct him in the ways of wisdom, and bring him up to be a constructive part of society. Now compared to God’s love that fathers love is quite a bit less.
This view is totally against everything in the bible. The whole bible is about how God loves us, and how we rebelled, yet how God still loves us, and how He reconciled us to him.
Matthew 10:29 - Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don’t be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows. (NIV)
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)
Obviously our God loves us more then we could ever know, and desires for us to love him as well. Take a look at the book of Matthew, and then tell me if you think God doesn’t want to be involved in our life. We see Jesus relying only on God for everything; his guidance, strength, endurance, needs, food, knowledge, and much, much more.
The End
So this is how I have answered certain questions about the faith for myself. I have read many books on the subject, and have been earnestly seeking the truth about God, because I want to know the truth. I recognize that I have found it, and hope that you can find it as well. Don’t take my answers as your own; you must seek them for yourselves.
1 Corinthians 1:19 – For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (NIV)
What I believe this means is people who estimate themselves to be wise and intelligent in their own minds God will oppose, because they are proud. When we decide to let go of our preconceived notions, and seek the truth, we will find it. So start seeking, life is short, and where you are going to spend eternity is the number one most important question you can ask. Just remember:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:
Jeremiah 29:13 – You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. (NIV)
