RE: Without citing the bible, what marks the bible as the one book with God's message?
January 5, 2013 at 1:38 am
(This post was last modified: January 5, 2013 at 1:48 am by ronedee.)
(January 4, 2013 at 8:25 pm)whateverist Wrote: [quote='ronedee' pid='381286' dateline='1357331625']
So...I'll assume that you are indeed an "unbeliever", and choosing that route.
(January 4, 2013 at 8:25 pm)whateverist Wrote: To clarify yes I am an unbeliever and an atheist, as I assume you are also. I simply believe in one less god than you do. But I am not out to part Christians from their faith. I also don't fault them for believing what I don't believe. I don't think that it is possible to live a life free of beliefs that are not based on evidence. I do it too, just not where gods are concerned.
You sound more like an agnostic. My younger brother is, and has the same view... My dad on the other hand is an atheist, and thinks that "possibly" extraterrestrials dropped us here! He's always in a state of flux on the subject of creation!
It's interesting that "all" atheists have a different POV about their non-belief, and want to protect themselves and others from religion. While agnostics sound mostly like libertarians.
(January 4, 2013 at 8:25 pm)whateverist Wrote: And no, I'm not concerned with refuting the bible. I imagine there is some value there but I don't personally believe any of the references to divinity or the supernatural - mostly because I find both of those concepts vapid and absurd. My real reason for asking about the bible is I see it as a handicap to Christians who read it in a literal way. So many people use it to create an illusion of certainty when that is never really possible. Believe what you like but I'd have more respect for you if you could acknowledge what you believe without the false certainty provided by the bible.
There is a lot of assuming on your part here! So....lets keep it going!
Just as you can believe in physical science that is only theory, or w/o solid proof.... So can I. You would say there is visible evidence of these things. But I would say why can't God be responsible for these things, being there is no apparent proof of either! Just because you see the result of something that can't be completely explained doesn't justify the means by which it is explained.
Really now..... what is the difference between us? I believe that God is the reason...or "means" to life explained (THE WORD OF GOD) in the bible! Whereas you are willing to trust in the "theory of things" written by men in books.
...and men have been proven wrong over and over again!! God on the other hand? I can't think of one instance....unless of course you believe He has let men down! But then.... why would a God be serving man?
(January 4, 2013 at 8:25 pm)whateverist Wrote: I'm first and foremost an agnostic because I don't have a clue what the fuck a god could be. I'm a defacto atheist because I obviously can't entertain any belief in something I've not only never experienced but something I find it very hard to even make any sense of. I'm not as invested in being an atheist as I am in being straight with myself about what I do and don't have good reason to believe.
At least you are honest about your thoughts and feelings! That is refreshing around here!!
(January 4, 2013 at 8:25 pm)whateverist Wrote: Let me ask you a new question. Do you think it is possible to be a Christian without believing every word and deed described in the bible happened exactly as written? Could a person be a Christian and remain agnostic about the true meaning and origins of the bible? I think so but then I'm not sure you'd still consider them a Christian.
Well....... a Christian is anyone who acts like Christ! Jesus said: "There are many of my followers not of this fold."
He also said: "To enter Heaven you must be like little children."
I don't know many biblical scholar children!
So to answer your question? By all means! Jesus wants our hearts, not our minds.
The Holy Bible is a great source of information, and inspiration to me and millions of others. But God won't be testing us on scripture. He will be judging us by what we've done for others!
It's interesting and ironic that Jesus' every reference to sin in the bible is what we "don't do". Sins of "omission".
Jesus has saved us from what we've done....But what about what we don't do?
Jesus talks about Judgement Day:
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
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Notice that the sheep and the goats ask the same question. And also just helping ONE PERSON could save us in Jesus' eyes!
Man... I love this stuff!!! You just can't make this up!!! Praise The Lord!!!
Thank you for your questions... they have been honest, interesting and have inspired the Holy Spirit!
Quis ut Deus?
