Don't know what I believe anymore. (Eden, scripture, evolution, praying)

[carmac]

Originally Posted by ArmyPoohFan317

Dear A,
You have a lot going on, and I feel for you. We live in a society that tells us to base everything on feeling. Did what you did today make you happy? If so, do it again, if not, just do something else. How is your self-esteem, because how you feel about yourself is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately this is all false and happiness is a terrible mistress and will claim as many slaves as possible.
Christianity is described by many as a feeling, but it isn't. It is based on the truth. As another poster has said, the Bible is full of prophecies that have been fulfilled, and there is outside proof that those prophecies were written long before the stories of their fulfillment. And, just in case you start to think "well duh! the people back then knew the prophecies, so of course they wrote Scripture that would show the fulfillment." Remember that these people (according to the Bible and outside sources) were killed directly because of these beliefs. These people were convinced and staked their lives on the truth that is contained in the Bible.
Now, I imagine that someone here will want to say "other faiths have that too- just look at the Muslims." So let us look at the Muslims. What are they actually dying for: their belief or something else? Generally it is something else. I'll give them that they do believe when they die they will make it their version of Heaven, but that is not enough for them. The families of suicide bombers and the like are paid and well cared for, and this in countries were the quality of life is a lot lower than ours. Seems to me, that if you are really convinced that your faith is THE faith than you wouldn't need monetary incentives to hurry your way to Paradise.
Not only that, but even if you believe in other gods, which god would you rather serve? Allah is vengeful and requires 1 good deed for every bad deed (except for being a martyr, martyrs go straight to Paradise). That seems like a lot of work and stress. And that is if you are a guy. If you are a woman like I am, than my eternal future is dependent upon the whim of not just Allah, but of my husband. Now I love my fiancee but I don't want him to be in charge of my eternal future! What if we have a slight argument, he goes back to Iraq, gets killed and the last thing he remembers is that we argued? Is he really going to want me up there with him and his virgins!?! (I hope so, but there is that risk).
The Christian God is one of love and forgiveness. All a Christian really has to do is believe and accept the gift of God's love as it is laid out in the Bible. The rest tends to flow naturally from that love relationship the Christian shares with God. But a person's deeds (good and bad) don't decide their fate. That is a lot more reassuring to me.
Take atheism next. The belief that god doesn't exist or that he is dead. That takes a lot more faith for me, and is depressing. To think that this life, these 60-100 years are all I have and then I cease to exist! Sad. And to think that this world was created from nothing! Where that first something come from that caused the Big Bang? And if you take the track that God did exist and has just died or that he is uninterested in our lives, that is just as depressing because why would you create something as interesting as the earth and the universe and then just ignore. Most of us, if we create something, we do it for a reason, for it to be used or enjoyed.
I could go on, but I'll stop here! I hope some of these answers in this thread have helped. I remember questioning God, my faith and what life here was all about and for me it came down to the attractiveness of Christianity (the belief and not necessarily all the people-because the church is made of saved but imperfect beings, so of course Christians are going to screw up all the time) first and as I dug deeper and questioned it, and questioned God I found that there was too much outside evidence not to believe!
Some good books are:
The Case for Faith, The Case for a Creator and The Case for Christ all be Lee Strobel
Lee Strobel looks at faith from a journalistic standpoint and a lawyer's standpoint. Basically he takes Christianity to court and writes about the verdict.
What's So Great About Christianity by Dinesh D'Souza
He is one of my favorite apologists.
The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
Josh McDowell is an interesting guy he was in college when he decided that he was going to prove that god didn't exist, and this book shows what he found on his journey to prove that christians were basically stupid.

Great post Pooh! Good suggestions on the books also!

[carmac]

Originally Posted by RobinD69

Great post Armypoohfan317 and great points.

Gretchen_SDCA, not to argue but you do realize that the science community doesnt have any concrete evidence or theory for the begining of the universe and that many scientist believe in the creation perspective but are forbidden to voice this publically for fear of loosing their jobs and credibility.

Ajeck; Some other great ideas are certain websites and movies that can be very helpfull such as;

Expelled with Ben Stein

Way of the Master

and there is plenty of information for all sides on the internet.

Rep points to you too RobinD!!

[driftwoodpoint]

Excellent book choices Armypoohfan. We can't base our beliefs on our feelings, we need the truth of God's word. I would also pray and tell God how you feel. Ask him to help you in your faith...it only takes the faith of a mustard seed...Bless you

[World Citizen]

All humans spend seasons away from God in our walk if we've known God for very long ...

When I got saved, it was a real, life changing "born again" experience. There was no question that something had happened to me and I was changed. I was a young adult when I accepted Jesus into my life. But, I would think that what you're feeling is a normal part of growing up for someone who was "raised in church" and who has never spent time in the world.

There are many Scriptures that come to mind that speak to your question but I don't want to get into a debate of any kind.
It's too bad that there are some that are so ready to condemn you instead of offering you hope. Romans chapter 8 is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. You might want to read it.

God did not send His Son into this world to die for the sins of humanity -- knowing humanity the way He does -- because of judgment... or because He wanted to quickly cast us aside.

God sees your heart.

As I've matured, I've begun to see all of the examples of human weakness that are throughout the Word of God -- Old Testament and New.
You can look at God's dealings with the Israelites, David's life, the prodigal son...these are only a few.
Except for the grace of God, none of us would ever make it. None of us are good enough to go to heaven.

Don't get your eyes on people. Don't look to people for your answers. Don't let the voices of condemnation keep you from knowing a renewed relationship with God.

Maybe you should visit some different kinds of christian churches. Ask God to lead you. One thing that always works for me when I feel far away from God is listening to contemporary christian music. God is blessed by the praise of His people. A church that has anointed praise and worship is worth seeking out.

God is the one friend that will never leave you or forsake you. But, He will let you walk away from Him...

God bless you~

[freedom]

Ajeck,

Do you like who you are? Do you love yourself?


godspeed,


freedom

[ted08721]

Ajeck you should checkout Thomas Merton
Merton was a keen proponent of inter-religious understanding, engaging in spiritual dialogues with the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and D. T. Suzuki

[carmac]

Originally Posted by HotinAZ

I was a "dead" Christian for many years. Having once said a prayer, I then fell to sin, and destruction. I would argue with the bible thumpers, and the atheists alike. I did this for about 15 or 20 years. But the remarkable thing is, God never gives up on those who are His. I will admit, the bible made little sense to me, but I was reading it from a literal standpoint, instead of a love letter, or a map to the Kingdom of Christ, which is not "of" this world. Now I see the remarkable, instead of the insane. I see the Truth, instead of the parable. And Jesus is our guide, our Sheperd, and no one, not even the bible, can replace Him who sits on the throne..

I know that 'dead' feeling HotinAZ...it was the feeling I had for many years. I was raised as a Catholic (and I am not putting down Catholics here, it was just how I felt)...but, praise God for my oldest son who was a Born-again believer, he didn't give up on me or his dad. So after much prayer and soul searching, on Easter Sunday, 1996, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and my life has never been the same. That 'dead/empty' hole inside was filled with Jesus! I too, didn't understand the Bible or know much about it...I didn't think it was really relevant to today...until, I too, found out it was a love letter, to us, from our God and Father...it then took on a new meaning. I couldn't live without my Bible today...it is such a comfort in both good times and bad...I don't know how anyone can find peace any other way, but through God and His Word!

[Fundamentalist]

Originally Posted by HotinAZ

Repentance is a journey that takes some a lifetime to achieve. I don't know of any "perfect" people so I would only assume this is how you are as well? To be repentant you must have Understanding and Knowledge, for this is what this word means. "With understanding", you turn around, and have a change of heart for the wrongs in our lives against our fellow mankind, and against God.

The Bible gives no evidence that the new birth can be taken away.

(Romans 8:38-39)

38 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Remember the same God who saved you is the same God who will keep you.

Are you able to separate yourself from the love of God?

p.s. You are agree with atheists (former "Christians") over me. Who will you believe them or God's words?

[spm62]

Originally Posted by blue62

Ajeck, maybe you are relying on the things man has been telling you about what you should and shouldn't do? Maybe He is nudging you a little? In a way, I think I can relate to how you are feeling..I didn't want NOT to believe, but what religion was telling me I HAD to believe just left a huge hole in my soul..In desperation to know, I did what I should have done years ago..I tearfully and humbly and sincerely prayed that this Holy spirit that Jesus promised would come awake inside me and be my comfortor, my teacher and my "change of heart" and to first cleanse my mind of all manmade teachings and to lead me through scripture that would restore my faith and give me peace..It took patience, it took prayer, it took "giving up giving in" to family members religions.. but it worked

reps to you blue

[spm62]

Originally Posted by meerkat2

<Sigh> You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to blue62 again.

I was there for a long time ............. I found that to find truth you need to seek truth.

I agree with Blue62, instead of seeking christianity - christianity is not the way, the truth, the life (as there are many different versions/doctrines/dogmas/denominations) Seek the truth - The Son of God is aka Jesus the Christ, Yahshua The Messiah.

reps to my friend meerkat... One has to seek the truth..Jesus Christ...not the church!