What are the Characteristics of a NT Christian?

[Brian37]

Evidence, but not convincing evidence, at least not for me and many others. 

If jesus was god (that whole trinity thing) and god can do anything (that whole omnipotent thing) then it should not be a problem for god to show up and put an end to the lack of convincing evidence. Evidence any anyone holding any belief would be able to say "that is god, I'm convinced". 


So SteveII, why doesn't this happen?

1. Most people do not start with "there is no God". We are wired to believe in the supernatural--and most humans do. That is why a reading of the NT and the genuine changing power of a conversion in a persons life (other people's testimony) is compelling to many people every day  (there are millions of adult conversions every year). 
2. Whether or not you are aware of the formal natural theology arguments, most people can understand deep down that the universe calls out for an explanation. Conscienceless calls out for an explanation. Morality calls out for an explanation. You have to develop alternate explanations to support atheism--I don't think they are intuitive.  
3. Regarding what God could have done a better job convincing, a few points:
  a. It is not clear that ongoing flashing, crowd-convincing miracles would not be coercive to free will. I believe that minor miracles happen every day and many Christians are convinced of the same. 
  b. God is not concerned if you believe he exists. He is only interested in having a relationship with you. If your heart is searching, there is more than enough evidence that he exists.

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Thank you for your response, SteveII.  With all due respect, out of curiosity, suppose the people back then possessed humanity's current level of knowledge and understanding.  Do you think that the information quoted above in your post would've been as convincing to them as it was when they didn't possess that knowledge?

Also, do today's current practitioners of Christianity take humanity's current knowledge and understanding and try to make sense of it via a 2,000 year old mindset (for example, the writings in the NT)? Has the Christian mindset evolved with advancements in human knowledge and understanding? Would today's Christian practitioners be seen as foreign to the Christian practitioners around the time of Christ?  Thanks SteveII.

What current level of understanding do you think we have that would have made the people interpret things differently? Cripples do not walk on command, leprosy is not cured on command, 5000 people do not get fed from a basket, people never have walked on water, and dead people certainly never came back to life. 

I don't think Christian understanding has changed in 2000 years. Do you have something specifically that might have changed (some important feature)?

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As I said you are unwilling to provide evidence aside from "the bible is true because god said so. God is real because the bible said so". It is pointless continuing the debate with you until you man up and provide evidence.

You are spouting an objection from your atheist quick list--but it does not apply to my answer. Try to keep up.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA  You, "Try to keep up" ..... That's rich.

We have evolution that explains the process of life we don't need old mythology claiming men magically popped out of dirt. You are simply getting pissed nobody is buying your old bronze age comic book. 

When God goes on Maury Povich and proves his paternity with a DNA sample we'll consider your findings, but let me clue you in, IT IS A MYTH. That was then, this is now. 

You want us to buy an old book with scientifically absurd claims written by humans who had no clue of modern science. Ok, but please don't lecture us about who is up to date.

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Steve, "Why wont you buy my magic man story?"

Me, "Because humans wrote those bad claims when they didn't know any better".

Can't dumb it down any further for you Steve. Someone sold you some elaborate tripe. Not our fault the writers had no damned clue at the time.