10 Reasons to Believe in the Christian Faith - Lesson 1.2

1.2 Warming Up

What are some of the most common objections you have heard for not accepting the Christian faith? Have you held any of these views yourself? What influences led you from doubt to faith? In what ways is the credibility of Jesus of Nazareth central to the Christian faith?

 

 

 I wasn't actually going to start this course tonight, but I do want to touch a little on the questions posed in this part of the first lesson, only because a long moment of doubt is what has led me to this course... 

First - the idea of a higher power - something we cannot see or have any true tangible proof of - is something difficult for people to grasp. Yes, we have the Bible. Yes, there is creation itself and all the creatures and such. And for a religious person - these things are proof. For someone who does not believe in God... the Bible is a book of fiction and creation can be explained by science. You can't use these two things as "proof" of a god if one chooses to not believe. 

Second - many people believe that having faith in a god of any sort is a weakness. It's something we grasp when we need answers or need to believe there is something more. A storm kills a family... we need to believe that there is hope... that there is a light at the end of it all. Religion is that. But, for those who are "strong" enough, they don't need to grab hold of fictional things such as a God. 

Third - in regards to Christianity itself... really? A virgin has a baby? Uh huh... sounds like a woman who got knocked up out of wedlock and is looking to save her own rear. This baby grows up and performs miracles? Ok, maybe possible... with a little slight of hand. And then he dies on the cross... only to rise from the dead? Uh huh. Yup. Ok. And yet people look at me like I've lost my marbles when I claim to have seen a ghost in my parents' home. 

 

Fourth - the Bible... if it truly is the Word of God, why a) does it contradict itself; b) are there only limited books within it... (i.e. there are hundreds of books which the Roman Catholic Church determined should not be part of the Canon, even though they were written by the same authors and by the hand of God). 

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Yes, I have given each of these a lot of thought. I still do from time to time. I've looked at all the religions in the world and wondered why we have so many. Is it really that hard to believe that all these religions actually point to the one and same God? Even those religions which have multiple gods... they have a "father" god. The main big guy. What if each of the "lesser" gods are actually angels? And satan? We're talking about a bunch of humans attempting to make sense of things... is it not possible they saw and angel and, in their lack of ability to name it for what it was, gave it the name and importance of a god or goddess?

One of my biggest issues with Christianity is that most people I have met have insisted it must be God and only God and nothing else matters. There couldn't have been a Big Bang. Other religions could not truly be real and the same. You can't have science and religion. You can't have other religions and Christianity. You must not question Christianity or the Bible.

Another issue for me is the Bible. I have read many of these books that did not make it into the Bible. Christianity has been turned into what humans (specifically, at least at first, what the Catholics) wanted. It isn't about God anymore. The Bible isn't about God. It's about what humans wanted to allow others to learn. 

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One influence led me from doubt to faith (though, I always had some faith... and I do still have some doubts). A year ago, I met a pastor who wasn't afraid to tell me that it is possible to have both science and religion - that the Big Bang theory could have happened, and truly doesn't mess up any religious beliefs. It IS possible that many of the different religions are the same thing, just with different names. It IS ok to question things. Someone didn't insist on Christianity being wrapped up in its own pretty little package... someone realized that Christianity can and does fit into this world without having to be forced. 

Questions, Unquiet Mind

Again, this isn't a sermon. It's simply a rambling because my mind is anything but quiet at the moment, and I need to attempt to calm it... 

I spent a good part of today catching up on reading from the “Christ in our Home” booklet. I’m not good at reading from this daily, but do like to eventually take it all in. It used to be that I would just read these devotions and move on. I’m finding recently, however, that the more I read, the more questions I have. And these questions aren’t necessarily related to the reading, although they are brought on by the reading – or by another question from the reading. Perhaps it’s because I read seven days worth today, but I found myself having a lot more questions than I usually do.

Two main questions seem to be sticking with me; and as much as I am trying to find the answers, there seems to be very differing answers on the one question. And the second question, there doesn’t seem to be any real answer.

First: in 1 John 5:16, depending on which version of the Bible you read, it mentions fatal sin, or sin that brings death. Basically, it appears to be talking about a sin that is so bad, it will bring death of some sort to the transgressor. But what sin is considered a fatal sin?

Second, in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, spiritual gifts are discussed. In my opinion, these gifts sound as if some of them could be considered “psychic” abilities… unnatural abilities which I have been taught do not truly exist. This opened up a myriad of questions and theories I have held for quite some time now. Perhaps I will write on this later.

Then, tonight, after exhausting my search for answers to these questions, I went back to an email I had received recently which referred me to the Sermon on the Mount. So, as I hadn’t yet read these chapters in Matthew (well, I have read them – just not in quite some time, and never truly paid attention to what I was reading), I jumped online to the Bible (yes, I read my Bible online… every version at the tips of my fingers) and read Matthew 5-7.

And I found my mind going every which way on possible topics to write about and what to say and what to believe. How should these chapters be read and interpreted? Am I applying these lessons to my life? How can I better apply them?

My mind is so busy, I am finding it difficult to relax my thoughts and meditate on what I’ve read – or even not think at all. And thus I have turned to this blog for now. Perhaps in getting these questions and thoughts and pent up intellectual and spiritual energy onto this screen, my mind will quiet for at least a few moments.

This is important to all of us – a chance to quiet our minds from all the daily tasks and thoughts which spin around constantly. We need to find time each day to meditate on the events of the day – to reflect on lessons learned, and events which have happened. We need to find time to pray – to thank the Lord for all the beauty of the day; to reflect on what we’ve done against God and pray for forgiveness; to consider those in need and pray for them. We need to make time to read scripture, and reflect on it. We need to make time to simply reflect on life – on the beauty and joy within this life. Even during difficult times, or perhaps especially during difficult times, we need to allow ourselves to see this beauty and be grateful for it.

And now, I shall take my own advice and attempt to meditate – or, given the late hour, fall asleep….

Questions

As I mentioned in a prior post, questions regarding God and religion are something many of us experience. Some of these questions I have posed in previous posts, but..

Is there truly a God? If so, why does he allow tragedy?

Are there some actions which are unforgivable?

Are there some people who are unforgivable?

Why does God abandon people in their greatest time of need?

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When I started this post, I had a good dozen or more questions running through my head. But as soon as I started typing, they all seemed to disappear. Ah well, such is life. As no one has the answers anyway, it's quite pointless to even ask the questions. Instead, we just stumble along blindly and alone.

Ah, there's another one... does anyone truly care? Is there anyone actually there for you, or me, or any of us? Or are we truly alone? (ok, that was actually 3)

Does any of it even matter?

Does it matter if we have the answers? Does it matter if we ask the questions? Does it matter if we're each alone? Does it matter if we believe? Does it matter if we care? Does it matter if we live?

And with that multitude of "does it matter" questions, I end this rather pointless post on this rather pointless blog. Oh, there's a good question I will be pondering tonight... why do I bother writing on this blog? Or on my other blog? Or anywhere else? 

Questions

I'm quite certain many people are wondering a) why I am keeping up with this blog; b) where on earth I get off preaching; c) if I really know what I'm talking about or if I'm just sputtering out a bunch of bull; and d) well, I'm not sure what "d" is, but I'm sure there is one.

Anyway, this post isn't a sermon, but rather a chance for me to answer the above questions, and pose a few questions of my own.

A) I started this blog for fun because of a challenge aimed in my direction. I am keeping it up because I'm enjoying the challenge, and because I am finding it educational. It's also a very good writing exercise.

B) I have been preached at by everyone from pastors to parents to strangers who think they have the right to tell me I'm a horrible person for things I have done. If they can do it, so can I. Besides, I am enjoying it. I would even try to get my own little cult going, but my Twin has already started this, and I can't take it away from him.

C) I'm just sputtering out a bunch of bull. And it's great fun. I will point out, however, that I do believe the bull I'm sputtering.

Ok, those questions answers, now allow me to ask a few of my own. These are questions I have often considered and thought about. I have my own answers, but am curious what others think...

1) Is suicide an unforgivable sin? I've heard it is, and heard the reasons. But, I find it difficult to believe that God would send someone to hell whom was simply trying to escape such a hell

2) How are we to believe the Bible as a true and accurate account of God if the Roman Catholics left out so many books?

3) If a child promises their soul to the devil in exchange for peace, are they then soulless? Is there any hope?

4) Well, I'm sure there is a "4" somewhere, but my brain is quickly shutting down tonight.