JUST OPEN YOUR HEART, DAMMIT!

[Godscreated]

I try not to say to atheist to read with an open heart, instead I say with an open mind or to not limit themselves to just one passage and then pass judgement on a subject or entire Bible. I often say to atheist to study the Bible or actually a subject within the Bible before they condemn what the Bible says on a particular subject, then what do I hear, tell me the verses, that's me doing their study and yet if I were to do that they would still deny what the scriptures say about a subject without ever studying and probably without reading what I had to say, very illogical for those who claim to have a logical mind. Logic is a big part of understanding the scriptures. Some subjects in the Bible will not become clear without reading on the subject in both the NT and OT, yes just like studying a subject in school the answers come from actual study, to cherry pick a science book or the Bible means one cares little for what either has to say and will always bring condemnation from the cherry picker. A non-believer or Christian who ties to understand the deeper meanings that only God can reveal will never get it unless the Holy Spirit reveals it, the Christian should understand this and the non-believer seems to believe there is no deeper meaning, I've seen different.
I will always say to a Christian to read the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit and keep your heart open to what He has to say, why, because they should be looking to the spiritual for a deeper and/or greater meaning than can come from a surface reading and understanding of scripture, they are to be looking to grow in a relationship with God, unlike non-believers who should be searching for God.

GC

Many atheists, being former believers are quite familiar with the book. I actually participated in Bible study on a regular basis as a Christian. I found that cherry-picking was actually the only way I could justify believing the Bible was actually the Word of God. Logic was not at all a big part of understanding the scriptures, as you have suggested. It was quite the opposite for me; I couldn't employ logic to believe things that defied physics and every law of nature. I had to compartmentalize my beliefs in order to maintain them.
Btw, why should non-believers be searching for God? Should non-believers in Puff the Magic Dragon, be searching for him? What would be the point in that?

I have a very simple answer for your question, believers do not need to find God they already have it's those who do not believe that need to search, they don't have to and I wasn't saying they had to it's their choice. As far as Puff goes his creator has said he is fictional and only non-believers say God is fictional, and might I add with no proof.
I noticed when you said you did Bible study you didn't mention the guidance of the Holy Spirit, didn't your church believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Also if you had to cherry pick it seems to me you were trying to live a life as what you believed Christians should instead of growing in a relationship with God and allowing Him to teach you. Why would you believe that the spiritual world would have to hold to the physics of the physical world, that makes no sense to me, God being the creator and being outside of nature can accomplish whatever He desires, at least Christians are taught this through the scriptures.
I also can't understand how you could not see how things in scripture tied together, what denomination did you belong to?

GC