If you don't really have a good, solid, thought-through reason for why you believe in something you cannot see, is it still called faith? Or is it just ignorance...or worse, laziness? I'm curious about how many Christians can actually give the reasons for their faith. You say you believe in God? Great! But why? What about Jesus? Have you done your homework? Can you say something other than "because the Bible says so"?Seriously. This is something that really concerns me. I spend a lot of time thinking about such things. There's faith, and then there's people who have just always gone to church. They know the language, the songs and the handshake (just kidding...we don't have a handshake - not a bad idea though...jk!). But have you ever really stopped to think about WHY you believe? Without any bias?
For those reading who aren't sure what you think about the whole God thing, this goes for you too. Why have you rejected the idea? Really. Is it because you really don't believe it's possible, or is it because you've always felt like Christians were falling for a lie? Have you taken serious time to study the concept and just think logically about it? Without any bias?
Isn't it true that for both the believer and the un-believer, we tend to NOT spend enough time thinking about all this? I mean, we're all biased to some degree, right? We all grew up a certain way and have had certain experiences along the way to turn us onto or off the idea of "church" and "God."
I can say with the utmost confidence that I know why I believe what I say I believe. And please understand that it has taken me a long time to get there. I grew up in a Christian home...been to church all my life. I've had to fight through many "what if none of this is real?" phases of my faith. But I've come out stronger...because I have studied...and studied and studied. I have thought, a LOT. Of course, most of it, for me, comes down to simple logic.
I'd like some feedback.
1. Why do you believe/not believe in the God of the Bible? 2. Why do you believe/not believe that Jesus really walked this earth, that He's God's Son, that He died and rose back to life, and that all of that somehow helps us?
And no cheesy, easy-way-out answers, alright?!?
Posts
May 12, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Just like a father would say..."Because I said so." Is that good or too simple? Ha!
Deep question. Growing up in church was kinda like be a part of a club. "Oh I'm Episcopal" or "Oh I'm Baptist" or "I'm Jewish" or "I'm a Rotarian";0) you know? I can really remember saying "We're kinda like a mix of Catholics and Presbyterian" What the heck does that mean?! I did however pray and think I understood that there was a God that created me and everything else. Living with a very Christian Grandmother helped a ton! But it didn't keep me from doing what I wanted to most of my young life.
Sometimes it takes hitting Rock bottom! Which hurts, but it's the only way for certain people - a ton of people to get it or cry out.
If I'm approached with your question, I have to say that my faith in God & Jesus comes from what I've experienced through the past 10 years of life (the life change plus the little things through faith that never cease to amaze me) plus what I've witnessed in others. I believe there is overwhelming truth/proof in the Bible (historically speaking) and that if you dig into it, something happens...you change. Whew!
May 12, 2009 at 10:42 PM
well said, my friend.
anybody else?
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