Does the Bible Contradict Itself?

[spockrates]

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?

Yes, each side has valid arguments. It is the truth of the premises which the two are divided on. If I put on "naturalism" goggles, I see the world as an arrangement of chemicals. Using this viewpoint, I backtrack to the origin of life--chance and the unknown. With the origin in mind, I confidently conclude life is purposeless. The only logical goal I can have is to find pleasures so life is more bearable. Since we are simply chemicals, I need not abide by a moral code. The only possible reason I have to gratify my fellow chemicals is if there is something in it for me--after all, they are no more than rocks on a hillside.
If I put on "spiritual" goggles, I see a physical world designed by an unseen, personal God. He loved us enough to create us in his image, each unique. His love makes me want to love, and I find more satisfaction in loving (others and God) when I have a God to share it with. But in fact, I don't love for satisfaction or pleasure. If I did, that would put me on the earthly, selfish side. I love because God loved us enough to sacrifice his son/himself, the ultimate selfless act. And it just seems logical. God made us and loved us, therefore the purpose of life is to love. Valid argument, assumed premise. Except it's not assumed out of thin air. The Holy Spirit enters my "natural" realm and lets me know of his "spiritual" realm. This is done in the heart/mind/soul. And since he comes in natural form or thought, he can easily be dismissed as nature. Believers accept. Nonbelievers dismiss. If you feel left out for having apparently dismissed the opportunity, there is still time. You have not dismissed until you are dead. You are in the center world, the walkway over the fence. That is not a bad place to be until the walkway collapses and you have to pick a side.

Sorry for taking so long to respond. Well, actually, my crisis is one born from uncertainty, rather than doubt. I do not yet have good reason to doubt that the Bible conveys the truth about Jesus--who he is and what he did. It's not what it says about him I doubt; it's what it expects me to do about him that I'm uncertain about. For the Biblical passages regarding salvation are unclear, due to their ambiguous wording.

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?

1 John 4:2 "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God." Everything that acknowledges Christ's selfless act and encourages our selfless response is good and true. Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Love is the root of all good. Ask, “What would a loving God want me to think when I read this verse?” God wants your heart, not your actions. And the actions will follow. Continue to read the Bible with “Christology” in mind—i.e. ask what every verse has to do with Jesus. You will receive the wisdom you need, though maybe not the wisdom you want.

Yes, but both Catholics and Protestants believe Jesus was God incarnate; both show changed lives as evidence for the genuiness of their faiths. So these passages do not help me determine what denomination teaches the truth about salvation. You see?

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?

Trusting scripture is the result. First you must choose to serve the Maker of the Universe or serve yourself. The Holy Spirit (I think) meets you simultaneously. The moment you have knowledge of the truth, you choose. Paul in Romans 10 asks, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" suggesting our part in the process, through which the Holy Spirit works. Then the simple response, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
You might ask, "If everyone knows the truth, why do they all not accept God and reap the rewards in heaven?" The answer is that you cannot fully accept God with a selfish 'reward' mindset. Believers are the ones who would follow Christ even if there were no heaven.

So would you say both Catholics and Protestants are believers? If so, does what one believe about how to get to heaven have nothing to do with becoming such a believer?