Does the Bible Contradict Itself?

[spockrates]

You said believing is done with the heart, not the mind. I'm unsure about what heart you are speaking and how it differs from the mind.

One can find 'logical' reasons for anything. The trouble lies in finding the right logic. For simplicity, let's narrow it down to two: believing in Christ and not believing in Christ. Each uses a different starting point. A nonbeliever uses "me" logic--self-interestedness. A believer uses selflessness logic. A nonbeliever thinks the answer lies within them (in the way that worldly religions require works for salvation). A believer sees that he needs outside help; or to put it another way, we don't have to fight alone. A nonbeliever is always thinking about other people's perceptions of them (Adam and Eve noticing their nakedness). A believer is too occupied with others' needs to care. As infants, we start out with "me" logic. The transformation takes place with help of the Holy Spirit, who fills us with unnatural thinking habits--because, of course, selflessness makes no logical sense in our world. We must be not attack atheists for not being logical, for in a worldly sense they are more logical than us. "If I want pleasures I have to go out and get them for myself. It's a dog eat dog world; I stop running and I'll be run over."

Thanks for the thoughtful answer. I ask because I'm going through a time of uncertainty in my Christian walk and appreciate the help.



I don't think that I'd go so far as to say that every non-Christain practices egotism as their code of ethics. Nor would I say that Christians are immune to selfishness.

There is an unnatural (spiritual) logic. And it is not reached by the brain, for our brain is of earthly matter. It thinks only of itself, as it is inclined to do. We are the dog that seeks prey, that desires to be the alpha dog, because that is our only evident immediate purpose.

I'm not so sure there are different kinds of logic, or perhaps I don't quite grasp your meaning. I mean, the structure of a logical argument (its premises, conclusion and the way the premises support the conclusion) is the same, whether the thinker is Christian, or atheist. An informal logical fallacy is just as illogical when used by a Christian as it is when used by an atheist. Perhaps you mean to say that the atheist is of the opinion that certain premises used in such a logical argument carry less weight to her than they do to the Christian? Or are you saying there is a method that transcends mere logic, which is available only to the Christian? It seems clear to me that we are to use logical reason, for God said through Isaiah:

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

(Isaiah 1:18)

Isn't God saying he desires to reason with us?

The Holy Spirit is our trainer. He teaches us not to be ravenous wild beasts looking for the next meal, but self-controlled, disciplined persons. Our new logic tells us to trust our master--He knows what is best for us. He points out pleasures that are more lasting and fulfilling. This set of goggles is cleaner and more in line with the Truth of the world, and our intended purpose in it.

I guess my question is this: In what way does the Holy Spirit teach us? I mean, can we know for certain when he speaks and when we only imagine he spoke, but were mistaken? For example, when I read passages about salvation and pray for wisdom, I don't get the answers I seek. I can see, for example how both the Protestant and the Catholic interpretations of these passages might be true. Yet the promise of God is that he will give us wisdom when we sincerely ask for it:

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

(James 1:5)

So I wonder if the fact that scripture is at times ambiguous is the wisdom God has chosen to reveal.

The transition between goggles is done with the heart, via the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 explains this well. 9-10 quotes Isaiah, As it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
And Romans 12:2,
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Are you saying, then that the difference between a believer and a non-believer is that the former chooses to trust scripture, but the latter chooses not to trust scripture? Or is there something more to it than that?