No This is to be handled with reverence, slowly, chapter by chapter and you are painting on the wrong canvas.
Yes. That does fall under "study" but this isn't that kind of study. We are following a reading plan to read through the bible in a year. The questions are there to engage conversation and thought into what was read on that particular day. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As a believer, how do you explain and or justify... - Where God came from? God was Always. He is the beginning and the End Why is God referred to as "he" or "Him" when with almighty powers, gender and reproduction would not be necessary? Because we humans have puny minds and understand 'He' and 'Father'. I don't think most Christians really believe He must have human male genitalia nor do we believe that He, as our Father, impregnated our moms. - the Salem witch trials where women were burned alive for different beliefs. Many people have been and will continue to be killed by weird justifications. Just because it is declared to be in the name of God does not make it so. Also, after Jesus was resurrected his apostles were persecuted and killed, a great apostasy followed. Jesus warned "Then many people will fall away, will betray one another, and will hate one another. " Matthew 24:10 - The Crusades? See above. - Tricking first nations peoples into believing their illnesses would be alleviated once converted to Christianity... their demise was inevitable due to a lack of antibodies to European illnesses. ?? Where are you pulling this one from?? Salvation is for the soul, not the mortal body, though for most of us, Salvation is good for body and soul. BTW, I'm part Blackfoot so, not everybdy died. - Invasions of foreign countries like Iraq and Afghanistan where thousands were killed. This has what to do with Christianity? Don't you listen to Obama? This isn't a war of religions. We're not even a Christian nation. - Slavery, rampant across the USA for decades and centuries... does the Bible not say that all men shall be treated equally? The most vocal opponents of slavery were often the Christians. The most vocal supporters of civil rights were usually the Christians. (Rev. Martin Luther King ring a bell?) Killing a Mormon was legal in Missouri because Mormons opposed slavery. - Do you believe the women are on earth for men? No. We are here for each other. - How do you feel about other races? I'm Japanese, Indian and a mix of Caucasian. What of it? We are all God's children. - Do you believe in extra terrestrials? I would be surprised if there is no life outside of what is on Earth. This does not present a problem for my faith at all. - Are non-christians (roughly 6 billion of the 7 billion on earth) immediately not going to heaven as a result of the beliefs? What happened to the millions of people before Christianity was formed? Chinese beliefs span a far longer period of time for example. God loves his children. All will have more than one chance to join the Kingdom of God. - Evolution I believe Creation and Evolution do not have to be independent of each other. Through God, all things are possible. For what it's worth, I was raised Buddhist. I went to many, many different churches. I even went to a Mosque. (Once) I am 45 years old and just got baptized this past Saturday. For some, it's long, long path. I have to say though, my life has definitely changed for the better. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. -James 1:5
Ok... Your response is clear evidence supporting previous statements... So, I'll "study" under your pretenses. Q1 What did God create “in the beginning?” Ever wonder what it means by heavens (plural)? If you want to go deeper, doing a word study on the word “heavens” makes a great study.... I don't know... I was not there, and I have no proof to support a belief in a fact that "it" was there at all. Can someone provide some proof please? Heavens... stars, solar systems, galaxies etc. Understandings "back then" pertaining to the magnitude of space and the universe were far more limited than current understandings which I assume will be far further advanced in the future. Advancements occur daily given research, technology and questioning. Q2.What did God say after He created everything? Why would He say that? How do we know "it" created everything or anything for that matter, other than from interpretations from a book written centuries ago.... Conceptualizations that long ago are easily misinterpreted...what is everything?... did God also create the future which apparently has not yet happened? I don't know... I was not there, and I have no proof to support a belief in a fact that "it" was there at all. Can someone provide some proof please? Why would "He" say that? How do you know "it" was a "he" is that not in and of itself condescending towards and almighty power.. placing animistic tendencies would surely belittle such greatness. What do you think a world without sin would look/feel like? One where humans do not exist... a much more balanced environment equal to the billions of years prior to human development. How might it appear different than our present world? Humans would not exist. Q3. What is your most favorite thing that God created? Least favorite? Weirdest? Well, that requires me to believe that God created anything or existed at all.. I have no evidence to support this beyond a book, stories and fables. If you answered my questions, I may have some faith development which is apparently what you are trying to do...IF "it" created everything, then my least favorite would be humanity and IF "Man" was created in Gods image then that was a mistake.. I cannot believe a deity or almighty entity would make mistakes. 4. Is there any way you can create something from nothing? Absolutely... religion and belief are based on nothing except pure speculation.... Did God? If "it" existed, and "it" is as powerful as some report, then surely something could be created from nothing by God. We as mere mortal humans do this all the time... so it would seem plausible that God could. How? Through stories, fables, and warnings much like current religions are based. T
Wow wonderful some concrete answers... thanks. However, apparently this is the wrong place to pose many of these questions so I will respond no further. T
I think it was pulled further before your input, which was good, BTW. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'll take a crack at answering some of your objections to Christianity/ questions. God is a non contingent being, having no beginning and no end. Just like scientists who build a maze for mice to go through to find the chesse, God stands outside the laws of His creation (the scientists are not held to the laws of their creation). (John 4:24) God is a spirit- so why refer to God as a male- God chose to use these designations to help us understand Him better. Anthropomorphism and anthropopathism is where human body parts and emotions and such are attributed to God i.e. the hand of God, the mind of God etc. What about all the atrocities that have been or can be attributed or traced back to Christianity?- (1 Timothy 4:1-5) (2 Timothy 4:2-5) both explicitly warn that there would be a time coming that people would leave true Christianity. The acts that you are referring to I would personally classify under groups who have departed from true Christianity according to the word of God. God does not condone those actions and those people will be held accountable for those actions. As far as other religions and groups are concerned this is how I would answer that question: If God exists and wished to reveal His will to mankind, inspiration transmitted to a written form would be the best way to communicate and ensure that message would be preserved. If God's word was communicated and written down that book would have to say it was from God. I don't pick up the newspaper or Pride & Prejudice and declare this must be from God. The book would have to proclaim that it originates from God i.e. (Exodus 16:4, Exodus 17:5, Exodus 19:9, Exodus 20:1, Jeremiah 14:1, Ezekiel 17:1, 2 Timothy 3:16 Matthew 17:5 and many more) But just because a book says it's from God it doesn't make it so. But in order for it to be from God it would be expected to have this within it Next, the people, places, and events mentioned within this book would be expected to be historically accurate. The Bible contains real people, places, and events that can be verified historically. David was a real king, Jesus was a real person, Jerusalem is a real place etc.. Just because the book contains real people, places, and events, that does not guarantee that it comes from God. However, in order for it to originate from God it would be expected to have these things Finally, if the book contained predictive prophecies that were precise and fullfilled, then that book would be confirmed as authentic and from God. I'm not talking about predicting who is going to win the world series or the super bowl but things that are predicted hundreds of years in advance. For instance (Isaiah 7:14) accurately predicts the virgin birth some 700 years before it happened and was fulfilled by Christ. (Psalm 22) accurately predicts the sufferings of the messiah that were predicted hundreds of years before it was fulfilled by Christ- they ridiculed Jesus vs.6, His tongue was dried up vs. 15, they pierced His hands and feet vs. 16, they divided His garments vs. 18. The Bible says it's from God, it has real people, places, and events, and it contains predictive prophecies and corresponding fulfillment. Therefore, the Bible is the word of God From my personal study, no other religious book passes the test on all of these except the Bible. Hope this helps.
I only have time to answer quickly right now. Side note I use ESV. 1. For the sake of study I wanted to point out a few things I think people missed. God 'created' only a few things. Verse 1: God created the heavens and earth. verse 21: God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves. Verse 27: God created man in his image. If you look closely, God created these 3 things, and from them he made every thing else. Example: "Let there be light", "Let the earth sprout vegetation", "And God made the two great lights- the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night" 2. And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitfol and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have cominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds in the heavens and over every living thing that moves the earth." God said to go and hunt and fish, and to eat of the land. This is your land, work it, hunt it, for I have made it for you. 3. God created man in his image. I have the ability to not be broken and weak, I can work and strive to be more like my father and emulate Him. 4. God created somthing from nothing. Ever sense then nothing is created, it just changes state. How is not something I am smart enough to answer, nor do I think man will ever know.
I would say the same thing before I read the book, but now I believe Colton and everything he says about it.
Job 1:21-22 Job said - 21*"Naked I came fourth from my mother's womb, and naked shall I go back again. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be be name of the Lord!" 22*In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God. This was what Job said after the first trial. Q: How many trials did Job have and how many "friends" sat with him?
As far as other religions they ars started or based on a man that could of been any human. Jesus is the son of God and there is only one. Take HIM out of the religion and there is no Christianity. Why don't you try one question at a time if your REALLY seeking answers. Ps. If your not sure about Jesus you can still learn and live a happier life through the bible and its teachings just like you may not like Donald Trump but you can read his books and learn a lot about busines through it. Just a thought.
Why don't you start a thread on the topic? Lots of very knowledgable people here on the topic. This Bible Study thread is a fantastic idea and it would be nice to keep it on topic. I'm just saying
Today's readings are : Genesis 3 - 5 and Job 3 -4. The questions are from Job 1: 1. Who brought up Job’s name? Who was He talking to and where were they? Do you think these kinds of conversations happen today? What would they say about you? 2. Were the trials of Job listed in this chapter a result of his bad choices? Why was he experiencing these trials? 3. List some of the terrible things that happened to Job in this chapter. Could Satan do anything beyond what God allowed? How does that make you feel? 4. Can you think of a time when you have had a storm of trials in your life and depended on God? Was it easy or hard? Explain. Why does God allow “storms” to happen in our life?
I'm not exactly a Bible believer and I don't intend to participate in this thread. So this will be my only post. Although reading it could be interesting. I don't think it's appropriate or polite to come in here with challenging posts on a thread which is aimed purely at Bible study. It's only one thread and it isn't going to take over the forum. On the other hand, people who want to simply discuss the Bible in an organized, systematic manner, could simply ignore off-topic posts. May The Sheep Be With You
I think it would be best for people to read the readings before they post in this thread, I'm all for general discussion on the bible but it would be nice to stay focused here Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1. The Lord brought up Job's name to Satan. I don't know where they were, but it says that there was a day that the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord. Does this meant that those who were in Heaven came before the lord? If it is the people of heaven then I would believe that these conversations still take place today. I imagine that Satan would say something along the lines of "God, give me a challenge please" when talking about me. 2. No, the trials were not from his wrong doing, they were tests from God to show Satan how faithful Job was, and show how Job would not deny God even in the midst of trial. 3. All of his possessions, servants, and children were killed. God gave Satan one rule; that he could not take Job's life. I believe Satan would not be able to take Job's life. God would not let him. 4. I think God allows storms in our life because during storms, He can see where we truly are in our faith. Anyone can praise God when they get a promotion or win the lottery. But those who praise God during the loss of a loved one or in the middle of misery are true followers of God. I haven't gone through anything nearly as awful as Job has already gone through, but I feel more dependent on God when I go through my own smaller troubles. I feel like He is the one person I can put all my troubles before and he will take them up and carry them for me. I find this most when I worry about things. When I give my worries to God, and let him guide me, I find that the solution comes to me.
