(December 10, 2009 at 2:17 am)Rhizomorph13 Wrote: [quote='rjh4' pid='45023' dateline='1260407178']
[quote='Rhizomorph13' pid='44876' dateline='1260316603']
No you had it right, but my faith in God was shining and pure as a child... but as time wore on, I obtained new information that didn't jive with my beliefs. Rhizo
Why did you assume or conclude that the new information was correct and your beliefs were wrong?
[/quote]
Trial and error. Prayers weren't answered in any coherent pattern, following where the spirit led me resulted in a lot of tail chasing and wild goose following. One of the best reasons was that it was a struggle just to maintain a belief in something that doesn't make sense and delving into the bible just made things worse. It is just a really old form of wish fulfillment and ultimately doesn't add up.
[/quote]
At the time did you only study the bible? I find my prayers answered in a coherent pattern justifiable given enough time. I follow where my "holy spirit" leads me and I couldn't be in a happier or more content place with my accomplishments. Belief is a struglle to achieve, but not maintain IMO. I agree that it's difficult to make sense of a lot of things that aren't right in front of your face. How would you say it's an old form of wish fufillment?
(December 10, 2009 at 4:12 am)Craveman Wrote: [quote='fr0d0' pid='44783' dateline='1260263359']
Quote:The bible teaches that natural man will never be able to understand its truth on his own; for only the Spirit of God, who understands the mind of God, can reveal the truths of God, which are in direct opposition to the wisdom of the world (1 Cor. 2:10-16; cf. Acts 8:30-31). However, when the bible is read or heard, the Spirit works as he chooses, giving understanding and producing faith in many who hear (Jn. 3:4-12; 16:7-14; cf. Acts 16:14).
Therefore, it is of great benefit for anyone who so desires to study the bible, knowing that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17), and that God gives his wisdom liberally to all men who ask him in faith (James 1:5-6); indeed, no one who hungers and thirsts for God's truth will be turned away, if he cries out to the Savior and applies himself to study the bible, for Jesus has invited us all with these words, “If anyone thirst, let him come unto me and drink” (John 7:37).
So if the "Spirit of God" guides Christians, why are there so many different types of Christianity?
If I may take a crack at this. I wouldn't say the "Spirit of God" guides, it "reveals truths". Nor is it just for Christians, because (I hate to sound cliche') but Jesus died for all mankind (infer womankind as well). Chrisitanity like all religions I can think of are man made constructs. They differ as much as our opinions on which shade of green is true green. Someone at crayola said this is lime-green this is teal, blue-green and this one yup it's green. Instead of one person naming their "color" of God, lots of people have views simply out of the fact that God is unknowable.