A few questions from an open-minded agnostic.

[John Doe Smith]

Hello. I'm somebody who has never been religious, but is curious about the beliefs and mentality of believers. I appreciate Christianity for its cultural importance and the great works of art it inspired, but for various reasons never became a believer myself. There's a few questions which have kept at nagging me, so I want to actually hear what answers Christians have for them instead of making assumptions. I apologize if these questions are inappropriate or if I phrase them in an offensive way. I plan on reading the bible cover to cover after this.

What is the correct canonicity and how do you know? : The book of Enoch is one example of a book with debatable canonicity. In it, an angel named Sariel teaches men about the moon cycles and sleeps with women against god's wishes(I'm just going off of what little I know from reading articles). Jewish rabbis at some point deemed this book non-canonical because according to Jewish belief, angels cannot willfully disobey god. They aren't capable of it. They can only make mistakes and be punished for it. Now, obviously Christians do not agree with this belief(Satan). So, why not go back and reconsider the Book of Enoch? Why should I believe Jewish rabbis who dismissed the book on false grounds(according to Christianity)? On top of that, what about texts that were burned or lost? I've seen one answer that said "God would have orchestrated events so that his word would stay perfect", but why then do different denominations have slightly different canonicity? How am I supposed to know which one is true? There isn't an angel coming down and setting things straight for some reason. Why has Christianity been confounded? Why believe in the perfect word of god if it's clearly been mangled by humans?

One response might be that slight differences in canonicity don't matter. As long as Jesus is in your heart, you will go to heaven. What about the way i'm supposed to live in life though? The bible should give me all the answers, but how can I be sure that some mistranslation, or specific choice didn't warp the meaning of the text? If a translator decides to write the same word congregation in positive contexts, and synagogue in negative ones, wouldn't that change the message a bit? Why am I denied a perfect truth?

How do you know the current consensus on "Christian morality" is correct? : One of the main pillars of Christianity is the idea of objective morality as far as I understand. Even if a person has never heard of Jesus before, they innately have a sense for God's morality, so their sins are not excused. However, the "common morality" of Christians has not remained constant. What was considered a few hundreds of years ago to be morally acceptable by typical Christians: colonialism, marrying people far younger that what is now considered acceptable, etc, is not anymore. How do you know our "modern morality" is the correct one? How do you know secular society and its "common morality" hasn't influenced and poisoned "Christian morality"? What if people from the past were right and we're wrong, even if it's only in a few ways?

Why did God create man to be so weak and dependent? : God created man to bring glory to him, but god does not need glory because he is complete. Man needs to give god glory to elevate himself. Why though? Why did god create human beings so that they need to give him glory? Even if Adam and Eve didn't need to do so, why did God create Adam and Eve to be weak enough to succumb to temptation? In fact, why did God give humans free will at all? I looked for answers to this before, and what I found amounted to " well of course he did because you cannot love if you do not have free will". Except God isn't limited by human logic. He created logic. If he wanted to, he could make it so beings without free will can love. He can do anything what so ever with no limitations if he is all-powerful.

Those are the big three. I'm not looking for a debate and I'll accept any answers given to me.

 

[OzSpen]

This is a bit off-topic, but I feel like saying it. I don't believe humans are special. We have feelings and inclinations and patterns of behavior, but I don't trust them to point to any truth.

John DS,

If human beings are not special, then surely we should resort to this:
image courtesy Adam's Tavern, Blacktown NSW, Australia.

Walk into your nearest butcher shop or supermarket’s meat department and look at the choices: beef, veal, mutton, lamb, pork and chicken. In some meat departments you may find turkey, geese and duck.

However, there is a kind of flesh you will not find in Australian butchers’ meat trays.

Which meat is missing?

Why can’t I buy homo sapiens’ chops, people porterhouse steak, mortal mince, lady beef rissoles, macho sausages, and human BBQ spare ribs? Why not?

Tribes of human beings in the past used to eat each other. They were called cannibals.

Is it illegal to eat human flesh in your country? Why or why not? If human beings are not special, why can't we expect to see their flesh with BBQ spare ribs along with monkey rib fillet?

Oz

 

[John Doe Smith]

Is it illegal to eat human flesh in your country? Why or why not? If human beings are not special, why can't we expect to see their flesh with BBQ spare ribs along with monkey rib fillet?

Well, monkey is still eaten in some places. Humans are special to humans because it is beneficial to humans. That alone doesn't say anything about humans being special on a celestial scale. If I had to choose between living in a society where anybody could murder me with no consequence or my dead body could be eaten, and a society where that isn't the case, I would pick the latter. I think eating monkeys being somewhat taboo in most places supports my view. They're certainly not special, but they remind us of ourselves too much. Crows have funerals and families and some animals can see more colors than we can. I obviously can't prove we're not important on a grand scale though.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

This is a bit off-topic, but I feel like saying it. I don't believe humans are special.

At times it is hard for us to have hope for humanity or all feel like we are just a speck in this big old world of all these people.

If people weren't so special then why do we have the ability to self reflect upon our lives and actions? A lion doesn't sit there and feel guilty about the gazelle they killed and ate earlier. Animals do not have the capability to self reflect like we do. I would say that is one things that makes people special.

Supposedly DNA if stretched from end to end could go from the sun and back about 600 times. How special to have a code so complex and small naturally in our bodies. How is it that we can have millions or billions of people on this planet and we all habe different dna? Each person is unique and special!

God wanted to share His divine nature with us. I feel that is definitely something to treasure. Just as a few thoughts.

 

[John Doe Smith]

If people weren't so special then why do we have the ability to self reflect upon our lives and actions? A lion doesn't sit there and feel guilty about the gazelle they killed and ate earlier. Animals do not have the capability to self reflect like we do. I would say that is one things that makes people special.

We don't really know what lions are thinking, but we know they aren't very smart. A dog is smarter, and a pig is smarter than a dog and a crow is smarter still. What goes through their minds is a mystery. DNA isn't unique to us either. Language is what I think sets humans apart from "animals" most. The part in our brain responsible for that is unique to us. I'm know very little about that. Special can mean a lot of things, but within Christianity it seems to mean us both being modeled after the perfect maker of everything and us being the most important thing to this creator.

Of course we would rather believe we resemble God rather than something far older like jellyfish or bacteria. That wouldn't feel as good. We don't have any reason to think there's anything better than us, but i'm not certain it's not out there. The whole idea of changing our "design" in some way doesn't seem to gel well with Christianity, but I feel we are headed in that direction. Nobody here is happy with where things seem to be going though, right?

 

[Boaz]

We don't really know what lions are thinking, but we know they aren't very smart. A dog is smarter, and a pig is smarter than a dog and a crow is smarter still. What goes through their minds is a mystery. DNA isn't unique to us either. Language is what I think sets humans apart from "animals" most. The part in our brain responsible for that is unique to us. I'm know very little about that. Special can mean a lot of things, but within Christianity it seems to mean us both being modeled after the perfect maker of everything and us being the most important thing to this creator.

Of course we would rather believe we resemble God rather than something far older like jellyfish or bacteria. That wouldn't feel as good. We don't have any reason to think there's anything better than us, but i'm not certain it's not out there. The whole idea of changing our "design" in some way doesn't seem to gel well with Christianity, but I feel we are headed in that direction. Nobody here is happy with where things seem to be going though, right?

But Christians have hope and they know, because God has told them in His Word, which is the Bible, what is laid up in Heaven for the future for those who believe. Not all the details of course but we know all things broken in this world will be restored, never to be broken again.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

We don't really know what lions are thinking, but we know they aren't very smart. A dog is smarter, and a pig is smarter than a dog and a crow is smarter still. What goes through their minds is a mystery. DNA isn't unique to us either. Language is what I think sets humans apart from "animals" most. The part in our brain responsible for that is unique to us. I'm know very little about that. Special can mean a lot of things, but within Christianity it seems to mean us both being modeled after the perfect maker of everything and us being the most important thing to this creator.

Of course we would rather believe we resemble God rather than something far older like jellyfish or bacteria. That wouldn't feel as good. We don't have any reason to think there's anything better than us, but i'm not certain it's not out there. The whole idea of changing our "design" in some way doesn't seem to gel well with Christianity, but I feel we are headed in that direction. Nobody here is happy with where things seem to be going though, right?

Saying nobody is happy with how things are going ia more of an absolute. I am happy with the way things in life are going. I believe God has blessed us and I couldn't be more grateful. I am alive, my health is improving, and I have loving family in my life. Sure, the world is scary and things happen every day that I don't agree with out there. However, I won't let it steal my hope and faith in God. No matter what happens, I know God will keep me safe.

It doesn't sound realistic to me to come from bacteria or a jellyfish or whatever. I don't say that because being created sounds better, but because it is true. How is it possible we were created from bacteria into something like a human being? That is like saying we somehow made ourselves, that we didn't need a Creator to survive.

If we see a building, do we assume it built itself? No, there was a construction team or engineers to build it. If we see a painting, do we assume it just appeared. Probably not, that painting needed a painter or designer. In the same way, creation has a Creator.

I know without a doubt that God created us all special and with purpose to fulfill His will =)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21)

We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 

[John Doe Smith]

It doesn't sound realistic to me to come from bacteria or a jellyfish or whatever. I don't say that because being created sounds better, but because it is true. How is it possible we were created from bacteria into something like a human being?

If we see a building, do we assume it built itself? No, there was a construction team or engineers to build it. If we see a painting, do we assume it just appeared. Probably not, that painting needed a painter or designer. In the same way, creation has a Creator.

Human have a tiny life span, and our brains are very limited. If you try to imagine five of something, like five apples, it's easy. I mean every individual apple. Then you get to ten and it's a bit trickier. At twenty it's much easier to just imagine 20 as an abstract number. One hundred is just one with two zeroes after it, but to see every apple out of a hundred all at once in your head is superhuman. Billions of years don't mean anything to us outside of an abstract sense because it's beyond us. You can picture a jellyfish and you can picture a human and you can picture a day, but you can't picture billions of years.

Even if somebody makes a watch, as soon as it's made they don't have to do anything. It just runs on its own. A building just stands on its own, apart from very deliberate maintenance. If the world and its creatures were unchanging and remained pristine I would be very compelled to think it's all deliberate. These are just my thoughts. Aside from your personal life, do you think the world is headed in a bad direction? Are we approaching the end of this way of living?

 

[Luminous_Rose]

Aside from your personal life, do you think the world is headed in a bad direction? Are we approaching the end of this way of living?

I do believe there is a lot of sin in the world and many nations that are not accepting God's laws. The world is full of sin. So yes, I do believe the world is headed the wrong direction. Just because I am joyful in my own life doesn't mean there isn't a world full of sorrow out there. We are instructed not to be of this world.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.


It is guranteed that the world will hate believers and that is a sign of a world that doesn't love God so that is bad.


John 15:19
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Yes, the world is getting closer to it's end each day. One day, God will decide to send Jesus back. We do not know when, but it will happen.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
or the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Of course in Revelation it mentions much about the end of the world. The world will follow on more than likely a steadily growing corrupt path because of sin.

It is still important to remember we have hope because Jesus has called us out of the world. As humans, we have all sinned. Have you ever stolen a pen? Then you are a thief. Have you ever lied? Then you are a liar. Ever lusted after someone? Then you have committed adultery in your heart. According to God's law (Exodus 20) that is already 3/10 commandments we have broken. The bad news is if you die, you will stand before God and go to Hell. The good news is Jesus died for your sins. The fine has been paid. God can legally dismiss your case and allow you into Heaven, He has forgiven you. What you need to do is ask for forgiveness, repent of your sins, and read God's word (The Holy Bible) daily and obey it!

I take comfort in the hope and faith I have that one day in Heaven there will be no suffering, no danger, no illness, or no starvation.

 

[OzSpen]

Well, monkey is still eaten in some places. Humans are special to humans because it is beneficial to humans. That alone doesn't say anything about humans being special on a celestial scale. If I had to choose between living in a society where anybody could murder me with no consequence or my dead body could be eaten, and a society where that isn't the case, I would pick the latter. I think eating monkeys being somewhat taboo in most places supports my view. They're certainly not special, but they remind us of ourselves too much. Crows have funerals and families and some animals can see more colors than we can. I obviously can't prove we're not important on a grand scale though.

Yes, monkey is eaten in some cultures and is considered 'wild meat'. Eating it is not recommended. The Daily Mail (UK) reported:
African scientists warn that eating monkeys and apes could cause 'the next HIV'

• 80% of meat eaten in Cameroon is bushmeat including gorilla and chimp
• HIV-like virus called 'Simian foamy virus' could jump to humans, say researchers
• Hunters become infected with Simian virus
• Meat has also caused mass deaths possibly due to Ebola

By Rob Waugh, Daily Mail (UK),Published: 03:18 AEDT, 26 May 2012 | Updated: 04:54 AEDT, 26 May 2012

Scientists in Cameroon have warned that eating monkeys and apes could cause the next HIV.​

They are already tracking a HIV-like virus called simian foamy virus, and fear more viruses could spread and lead to a global health crisis.​

80 per cent of the meat eaten in Cameroon is killed in the wild and is known as ‘bushmeat’,with gorilla, chimpanzee or monkey favourites.​

John, you seem to have missed my point. You say there's nothing special about human beings. If that's so, why can't you and I buy BBQ human spare ribs in the meat department at the local supermarket?

The Scriptures state human beings are special and radically different from any animal on the planet.

Are you interested in knowing more?

Oz

 

[John Doe Smith]

John, you seem to have missed my point. You say there's nothing special about human beings. If that's so, why can't you and I buy BBQ human spare ribs in the meat department at the local supermarket?

Are you interested in knowing more?

Diseases are spread between primates and us because of our biological similarities. It's the same with pigs to a lesser extent. I wrote "if I had to choose between living in a society where anybody could murder me with no consequence or my dead body could be eaten, and a society where that isn't the case, I would pick the latter". My assumption is that most people feel similar. Society exists to make life easier. Supermarkets are part of that and so is not having to worry as much about losing your life. It's a very old, mutual agreement among people. We also empathize with what reminds us of ourselves and that has helped us in the past. Ants and bees have something similar to altruism and it helps them as a group too.

I am interested in knowing more about your perspective. Assuming humans are special, what else would you like to tell me about? I'm also curious about Christian's thoughts on Annihilationism.

 

[OzSpen]

Diseases are spread between primates and us because of our biological similarities. It's the same with pigs to a lesser extent. I wrote "if I had to choose between living in a society where anybody could murder me with no consequence or my dead body could be eaten, and a society where that isn't the case, I would pick the latter". My assumption is that most people feel similar. Society exists to make life easier. Supermarkets are part of that and so is not having to worry as much about losing your life. It's a very old, mutual agreement among people. We also empathize with what reminds us of ourselves and that has helped us in the past. Ants and bees have something similar to altruism and it helps them as a group too.

I am interested in knowing more about your perspective. Assuming humans are special, what else would you like to tell me about? I'm also curious about Christian's thoughts on Annihilationism.

John D S,

I'm not discussing human beings as similar to primates - because they aren't. Have you ever tried to talk with a gorilla and communicate to make rational sense? You stated:

"if I had to choose between living in a society where anybody could murder me with no consequence or my dead body could be eaten, and a society where that isn't the case, I would pick the latter". My assumption is that most people feel similar.​

You admit this is your 'assumption' and most people 'feel similar'. Assumptions and feelings don't make for a rational society. Assumptions need to be demonstrated to be true and feelings are so unreliable.

God's perspective is radically different. Human beings are special. Take a read of Genesis 1:24-27 (NLT):

24 Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. 25 God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.​

​

26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”​

​

27 So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.​

God made animals and then he made human beings 'in our image, to be like us'.

The difference among monkeys, chooks, cattle, kangaroos and human beings is that only human beings are made in the image of God. One of the roles of human beings is to rule over fish, birds, livestock, wild animals and animals that scurry along the ground.

The uniqueness of human beings is clearly seen by comparing these human beings with chickens: Sir Isaac Newton, William Wilberforce, William & Catherine Booth, Richard Dawkins, Stephen Hawking, NASA scientists, Billy Graham, the terrorists of 9/11, you and me.

So what does it mean to be made in the image of God? Think about it.

As for annihilation, why don't you start another thread that deals with it? I consider the better alternative would be for you to make sure you experience eternal life now and forever.

Oz

 

[John Doe Smith]

You admit this is your 'assumption' and most people 'feel similar'. Assumptions and feelings don't make for a rational society. Assumptions need to be demonstrated to be true and feelings are so unreliable.

I don't know how rational our society is, but i'm glad it exists. I read that part of Genesis. I wonder what it means to rule over animals. Is in the image of God a physical similarity or a mental one? Humans did not have knowledge of good and evil, and we are not omniscient, so if there is some mental similarity, wouldn't humans be a partial image? Just how much better are we than everything else? Is the soul what matters?

 

[OzSpen]

I don't know how rational our society is, but i'm glad it exists. I read that part of Genesis. I wonder what it means to rule over animals. Is in the image of God a physical similarity or a mental one? Humans did not have knowledge of good and evil, and we are not omniscient, so if there is some mental similarity, wouldn't humans be a partial image? Just how much better are we than everything else? Is the soul what matters?

JDS,

Surely you know what it is to 'rule over animals'. What happens in your country with farmers who raise cattle, sheep, pigs, etc? They rule over them by feeding, herding to take to markets, and slaughtering for meat.

To be made in the image of God cannot refer to physical image as God is not seen in flesh and blood. He is spirit (John 4:24). What then could God's image in human beings include? I consider it refers to the immaterial parts of human beings.

We have soul, mind, emotions, knowledge, etc. See this article which explains the nature of human beings being made in the image of God: What does it mean that humanity is made in the image of God (imago dei)?

Oz

P.S. In which part of Washington State do you live? I graduated from a college in Kirkland WA. Or are you in Washington DC?

 

[John Doe Smith]

P.S. In which part of Washington State do you live? I graduated from a college in Kirkland WA. Or are you in Washington DC?

I'm in DC.

 

[LovethroughDove]

Is the soul what matters?

Yes. The soul is eternal and we are either being called into the light or will be in darkness. That is why Jesus gave his flesh up, because it wasn't the end. We are to do the will of God here on earth until "he" calls us home. God is building his eternal family. It's not about us, it is about him. And, God is Love.

 

[GodsGrace]

hi. im jumping in here -very- late, just...couldn't resist the urge to type my 2 cents worth, as they say.


OK...the canon was decided I think in 325 CE or so. fun fact: the original JKV Bibles included The Apocrypha. I think it was purged in the 19th century or so. As a Christian...

I believe that The Bible, as is, is a result of God moving thru men and women and getting the correct books together for future generations whom He would choose to draw nigh unto Him. and...

yes, morality shifts and changes over the years, centuries. why? well...

Scripture speaks of building one's house (life) on "the solid rock," which would be Jesus and The Good News. Christ, and Him Resurrected, basically. This is compared to building on sand, the shifting and changing whims of the surrounding world. And yet...

1) human nature is fairly constant. we're all self-centered, self-loving, prideful, boastful, turned away from God...from birth, no less. So...a lot of the shifts in morality have more to do with with social and economic shifts (I'd recommend skimming Marx for more on that), not any change in the core of human nature.

2) Christianity at the core is fairly constant. God is omnipotent and omniscient and, thank goodness, omnibenevolent--"...'twas grace that saved a wretch like me." I think you posted a question about marriage. Early Christians were often celibate. Marriage for the faithful is a big deal...you get 1 shot (usually...) at a meaningful, -life long- , faithful union with someone of the other sex. many do not marry. many cannot marry.

3) Remember this: The Good Lord saves His people from sin, satan, self, death, and the world. notice: The World. In The Pilgrim's Progress, the world is shown as "Vanity Fair," if I recall correctly, and it is a constant source of temptation and sometimes pain for the faithful believer.

4) I cannot convince you to repent and be saved. I don't think anyone can. I can see about planting seeds that may or may not bear fruit in the days and years to come. It is God who gives the increase, after all.

5) God is Love.

6) Scripture makes a whole lot more sense to me -now- , after Jesus took serious pity on me and I repented, than it did when I was unrepentant, still in and of the world. I found The Bible rather dull back then...now, I see wisdom and, above all else, Truth.

ok. off to bed now. have a nice day.

What a great post CE !

 

[Shekinahglory]

Hello. I'm somebody who has never been religious, but is curious about the beliefs and mentality of believers. I appreciate Christianity for its cultural importance and the great works of art it inspired, but for various reasons never became a believer myself. There's a few questions which have kept at nagging me, so I want to actually hear what answers Christians have for them instead of making assumptions. I apologize if these questions are inappropriate or if I phrase them in an offensive way. I plan on reading the bible cover to cover after this. if I may suggest read Romans 8 until it is written on your heart because it is God’s heart opened to us.

What is the correct canonicity and how do you know? : The book of Enoch is one example of a book with debatable canonicity. In it, an angel named Sariel teaches men about the moon cycles and sleeps with women against god's wishes(I'm just going off of what little I know from reading articles). Jewish rabbis at some point deemed this book non-canonical because according to Jewish belief, angels cannot willfully disobey god. They aren't capable of it. They can only make mistakes and be punished for it. Now, obviously Christians do not agree with this belief(Satan). So, why not go back and reconsider the Book of Enoch? Why should I believe Jewish rabbis who dismissed the book on false grounds(according to Christianity)? On top of that, what about texts that were burned or lost? I've seen one answer that said "God would have orchestrated events so that his word would stay perfect", but why then do different denominations have slightly different canonicity? How am I supposed to know which one is true? There isn't an angel coming down and setting things straight for some reason. Why has Christianity been confounded? Why believe in the perfect word of god if it's clearly been mangled by humans? believe it or not the Bible is far and away the most backed book of antiquity. The second place isn’t even close. Such an astute explanation is already given I would like to try the others.

One response might be that slight differences in canonicity don't matter. As long as Jesus is in your heart, you will go to heaven. What about the way i'm supposed to live in life though? The bible should give me all the answers, but how can I be sure that some mistranslation, or specific choice didn't warp the meaning of the text? If a translator decides to write the same word congregation in positive contexts, and synagogue in negative ones, wouldn't that change the message a bit? Why am I denied a perfect truth?

How do you know the current consensus on "Christian morality" is correct? : One of the main pillars of Christianity is the idea of objective morality as far as I understand. Even if a person has never heard of Jesus before, they innately have a sense for God's morality, so their sins are not excused. However, the "common morality" of Christians has not remained constant. What was considered a few hundreds of years ago to be morally acceptable by typical Christians: colonialism, marrying people far younger that what is now considered acceptable, etc, is not anymore. How do you know our "modern morality" is the correct one? How do you know secular society and its "common morality" hasn't influenced and poisoned "Christian morality"? What if people from the past were right and we're wrong, even if it's only in a few ways? Those of us who have felt His call, such as yourself, are all trying to follow the Lord as best we can. We are imperfect but strive everyday to follow Him more closely. Do we miss the mark some times you better believe. we are like a bunch of blind people who are regaining our sight. We each have part of the elephant in our hand. I have his trunk, you his leg and so on and because the Lord has never been seen by the present Body of Christ there will be differences in our understanding but there is no difference in our God He is the same yesterday, tomorrow and forever. The Lord has begun a work in each of us and when He finishes that work we will be like Him.

Why did God create man to be so weak and dependent? : God created man to bring glory to him, but god does not need glory because he is complete. Man needs to give god glory to elevate himself. Why though? Why did god create human beings so that they need to give him glory? Even if Adam and Eve didn't need to do so, why did God create Adam and Eve to be weak enough to succumb to temptation? In fact, why did God give humans free will at all? I looked for answers to this before, and what I found amounted to " well of course he did because you cannot love if you do not have free will". Except God isn't limited by human logic. He created logic. If he wanted to, he could make it so beings without free will can love. He can do anything what so ever with no limitations if he is all-powerful. when we are weak He is strong. Satan has convinced Man that freedom is complete independence but we are truly free when we are completely dependent on the Lord. Man was created to worship and we will worship God or whatever is smarter or stronger than we are. Satan stands in heaven continually accusing the brethren before God day and night. The book of Job gives great insight into Satan’s workings as well as revealing God as good or better than any book in Scripture. When you go through Scipture God has bound Himself to His people and He has paid a heavy price to teach us something’s. First He chose a time when possibly the worst way to kill men had been invented. So awful is crucifixon they did not have an adequate word to describe it. A manner of execution that was so horrendous they broke the condemned legs not to save the condemned some pain by dying quicker but because the guards had difficulty being there while the people died. Oh yeah, the word they came up with is excruciating which means out of the cross. Another thing the Lord was teaching how much He loves men at how far and what price He places on us.

you are in my prayers that you will hear His voice, as you appear to be doing, and one day we will be with Him forever! God bless

Those are the big three. I'm not looking for a debate and I'll accept any answers given to me.

 

[JLB]

Hello. I'm somebody who has never been religious, but is curious about the beliefs and mentality of believers. I appreciate Christianity for its cultural importance and the great works of art it inspired, but for various reasons never became a believer myself. There's a few questions which have kept at nagging me, so I want to actually hear what answers Christians have for them instead of making assumptions. I apologize if these questions are inappropriate or if I phrase them in an offensive way. I plan on reading the bible cover to cover after this.

What is the correct canonicity and how do you know? : The book of Enoch is one example of a book with debatable canonicity. In it, an angel named Sariel teaches men about the moon cycles and sleeps with women against god's wishes(I'm just going off of what little I know from reading articles). Jewish rabbis at some point deemed this book non-canonical because according to Jewish belief, angels cannot willfully disobey god. They aren't capable of it. They can only make mistakes and be punished for it. Now, obviously Christians do not agree with this belief(Satan). So, why not go back and reconsider the Book of Enoch? Why should I believe Jewish rabbis who dismissed the book on false grounds(according to Christianity)? On top of that, what about texts that were burned or lost? I've seen one answer that said "God would have orchestrated events so that his word would stay perfect", but why then do different denominations have slightly different canonicity? How am I supposed to know which one is true? There isn't an angel coming down and setting things straight for some reason. Why has Christianity been confounded? Why believe in the perfect word of god if it's clearly been mangled by humans?

One response might be that slight differences in canonicity don't matter. As long as Jesus is in your heart, you will go to heaven. What about the way i'm supposed to live in life though? The bible should give me all the answers, but how can I be sure that some mistranslation, or specific choice didn't warp the meaning of the text? If a translator decides to write the same word congregation in positive contexts, and synagogue in negative ones, wouldn't that change the message a bit? Why am I denied a perfect truth?

How do you know the current consensus on "Christian morality" is correct? : One of the main pillars of Christianity is the idea of objective morality as far as I understand. Even if a person has never heard of Jesus before, they innately have a sense for God's morality, so their sins are not excused. However, the "common morality" of Christians has not remained constant. What was considered a few hundreds of years ago to be morally acceptable by typical Christians: colonialism, marrying people far younger that what is now considered acceptable, etc, is not anymore. How do you know our "modern morality" is the correct one? How do you know secular society and its "common morality" hasn't influenced and poisoned "Christian morality"? What if people from the past were right and we're wrong, even if it's only in a few ways?

Why did God create man to be so weak and dependent? : God created man to bring glory to him, but god does not need glory because he is complete. Man needs to give god glory to elevate himself. Why though? Why did god create human beings so that they need to give him glory? Even if Adam and Eve didn't need to do so, why did God create Adam and Eve to be weak enough to succumb to temptation? In fact, why did God give humans free will at all? I looked for answers to this before, and what I found amounted to " well of course he did because you cannot love if you do not have free will". Except God isn't limited by human logic. He created logic. If he wanted to, he could make it so beings without free will can love. He can do anything what so ever with no limitations if he is all-powerful.

Those are the big three. I'm not looking for a debate and I'll accept any answers given to me.

God sent His Son into this world to die for our sins before there was a New Testament written.

His Spirit dwells within those who believe in which He puts His laws in our mind and writes them on our heart.

His Spirit within us leads us and guides us.


I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:27



JLB

 

[John Doe Smith]

I'm up to Numbers now. Reading about the Tabernacle and dipping birds in the blood of other birds(guess that's what ruling over animals means) and the difference between sin offerings and free will offerings and seasonal offerings was not very compelling to be honest. The parts about what a person should do if they commit a sin when they were ignorant of that sin were confusing since I thought people couldn't be ignorant of any sin in their heart or something.

Anyway, I've thought more about biblical implications on daily life. All christians by definition love all other christians and anybody can be saved, right? What about psychopaths? First I want to clarify some things. Psychopathy is a metal disability in which an individual is incapable of experiencing many emotions, including love, and emotional empathy. Sociopaths, psychopaths and narcissists are sub-types of a more general condition called antisocial personality disorder. The terms socioapth and psychopath aren't really part of psychology, but within neurology, the distinction is that sociopaths are a result of their enviroment and experiences, while psychopaths are born.

Brain scans have shown that the brains of psychopaths have abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex and the areas which control emotions are extremely weak. I can't remember the details off the top of my head, but the point is, they are born with their condition, their condition is clearly due to physical causes, their condition is incurable. Something else to keep in mind, the majority of psychopaths are not murderers or criminals. The majority of them live regular lives. Maybe being in a relationship with one might have consequences, but even that's not necessarily true. They can learn to understand and imitate other people's emotions(cognitive empathy), however they will never be able to experience love directly. Why would god create such people? They are disabled, but not intellectually, so you can't say they aren't responsible for their actions.

I've looked up the Christian perspective on this topic before online and all I could find is wacky stuff which totally lacks an understanding of the condition. One christian website said psychopaths are just "logical atheists".

Another thing. What value does living have? If anybody, no matter how young, has a soul, isn't dying as soon as possible preferrable? The heaven someone who died as an infant goes to is just as good as the heaven someone who dies at 100 goes to. Any number compared to infinity is insignificant. Life is one big elaborate test where you're stuck with people and circumstances that will constantly challenge your faith. Who likes tests? The only stopper to this line of thinking is that you can't commit suicide, so dying completely by accident is like winning the lottery. I wonder if smoking to shorten your lifespan counts as suicide?

 

[Shekinahglory]

I'm up to Numbers now. Reading about the Tabernacle and dipping birds in the blood of other birds(guess that's what ruling over animals means) and the difference between sin offerings and free will offerings and seasonal offerings was not very compelling to be honest. The parts about what a person should do if they commit a sin when they were ignorant of that sin were confusing since I thought people couldn't be ignorant of any sin in their heart or something.

Anyway, I've thought more about biblical implications on daily life. All christians by definition love all other christians and anybody can be saved, right? What about psychopaths? First I want to clarify some things. Psychopathy is a metal disability in which an individual is incapable of experiencing many emotions, including love, and emotional empathy. Sociopaths, psychopaths and narcissists are sub-types of a more general condition called antisocial personality disorder. The terms socioapth and psychopath aren't really part of psychology, but within neurology, the distinction is that sociopaths are a result of their enviroment and experiences, while psychopaths are born.

Brain scans have shown that the brains of psychopaths have abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex and the areas which control emotions are extremely weak. I can't remember the details off the top of my head, but the point is, they are born with their condition, their condition is clearly due to physical causes, their condition is incurable. Something else to keep in mind, the majority of psychopaths are not murderers or criminals. The majority of them live regular lives. Maybe being in a relationship with one might have consequences, but even that's not necessarily true. They can learn to understand and imitate other people's emotions(cognitive empathy), however they will never be able to experience love directly. Why would god create such people? They are disabled, but not intellectually, so you can't say they aren't responsible for their actions.

I've looked up the Christian perspective on this topic before online and all I could find is wacky stuff which totally lacks an understanding of the condition. One christian website said psychopaths are just "logical atheists".

Another thing. What's value does living have? If anybody, no matter how young, has a soul, isn't dying as soon as possible preferrable? The heaven someone who died as an infant goes to is just as good as the heaven someone who dies at 100 goes to. Any number compared to infinity is insignificant. Life is one big elaborate test where you're stuck with people and circumstances that will constantly challenge your faith. Who likes tests? The only stopper to this line of thinking is that you can't commit suicide, so dying completely by accident is like winning the lottery. I wonder if smoking to shorten your lifespan counts as suicide?

Great text.
we are called to love everyone especially our enemies you see how well we are doing with never ending wars fought mostly by Christians. We are trying but no matter how long I live in this Body I will always have my flesh which wars against me and is a terrible Enemy.
pyschopaths are people and we are called to love them. Christ says how do you know you love me who you cannot see when those you do see you fail to love. Then the Lord tells us everything we do and don’t do to others is like we did it to Christ Himself. Of course you would have to proof your house just like for anyone with special needs.

suicide, tough subject. How terrible anyone reaches that point of hopelessness. What value is there in living? Even Paul felt similar when he spoke of being poured out that he could be with Christ. there is much to living. We get to serve the Lord. Bringing people to our Lord. Here we are commissioned to take the “Good News “ to all men and this work is very rewarding and some might just meet us there.every reason to be with Christ is superior to the world.