Why do YOU believe the Bible?

ReformedDave · #1 03-21-2007, 09:32 AM

Just interested in your responses. At the gym this morning I listened to a program that asked kids at a Christian college this question. Very interesting responses.

Carpenter · #2 03-21-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

Just interested in your responses. At the gym this morning I listened to a program that asked kids at a Christian college this question. Very interesting responses.

I just read a book called, "Don't know much about the BIBLE" The guy who wrote it also wrote a great book on American History called "Don't know much about History."

He goes through the bible book by book, explaining scripture, but also contrasting it with history. It isn't deep, and there is no agenda, but there are questions and what he thinks are contradicitons about certain things.

I thought for a time, how do I know what is true to actually be true? It occured to me in a powerful way that I have lived, experienced, and felt the spirit and presence of God in direct congruence with the word, and nothing can change that.

So I would say it is true by validation throught the Spirit of the Living God in my life and in my spirit.

OGIA · #3 03-21-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carpenter

So I would say it is true by validation throught the Spirit of the Living God in my life and in my spirit.

I agree, Carpenter!

ReformedDave · #4 03-21-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carpenter

I just read a book called, "Don't know much about the BIBLE" The guy who wrote it also wrote a great book on American History called "Don't know much about History."

He goes through the bible book by book, explaining scripture, but also contrasting it with history. It isn't deep, and there is no agenda, but there are questions and what he thinks are contradicitons about certain things.

I thought for a time, how do I know what is true to actually be true? It occured to me in a powerful way that I have lived, experienced, and felt the spirit and presence of God in direct congruence with the word, and nothing can change that.

So I would say it is true by validation throught the Spirit of the Living God in my life and in my spirit.

You do realize that Mormons can make the same esoteric claim.......Why should I accept Christianity on your 'feelings'?

mizpeh · #5 03-21-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

You do realize that Mormons can make the same esoteric claim.......Why should I accept Christianity on your 'feelings'?

You can't accept Christianity on MY feelings, you must test God and His word yourself.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

If you obey him, he will prove himself to you. If you seek him, he will be found of you.

ReformedDave · #6 03-21-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh

You can't accept Christianity on MY feelings, you must test God and His word yourself.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

If you obey him, he will prove himself to you. If you seek him, he will be found of you.

Why should I believe the Bible when others have equal if not greater experiences? If I came to you and said that I've found perfect peace as a Zen Buddhist and I don't need Christianity. And BTW, many have found peace through Buddhism. You experience is of no greater authority than mine.

What if I told you I bought a car because I had some 'experience' when thinking about it. You would say I was a real flake.

Michlow · #7 03-21-2007, 10:14 AM

Sadly I don't know. I have been asking myself this question (and many others) lately.

I do know that there was a point of faith. At one time the Bible was just a spiritual book, and eventually I saw some truth in it. Eventually I came to a crossroads, and needed to determine if I was going to relegate it to absolute truth or dismiss it as error. I chose to have faith that it was Truth.

The problem came, when rather than having all the answers, it seems to simply lead to more questions.

mizpeh · #8 03-21-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

Why should I believe the Bible when others have equal if not greater experiences? If I came to you and said that I've found perfect peace as a Zen Buddhist and I don't need Christianity. And BTW, many have found peace through Buddhism. You experience is of no greater authority than mine.

What if I told you I bought a car because I had some 'experience' when thinking about it. You would say I was a real flake.

The thing is my experience with the God of the Bible is enough for me to believe the Bible is true. He has answered my prayers. He has confirmed his word to me when I obeyed Him. Because of the relationship I have developed with Him, I have no doubt who God is and that the Bible is His word for me.

I'm convinced. I can only say to you to try Jesus Christ and see for yourself.

crakjak · #9 03-21-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

Why should I believe the Bible when others have equal if not greater experiences? If I came to you and said that I've found perfect peace as a Zen Buddhist and I don't need Christianity. And BTW, many have found peace through Buddhism. You experience is of no greater authority than mine.

What if I told you I bought a car because I had some 'experience' when thinking about it. You would say I was a real flake.

These are very good questions, faith and experience require investigation to find evidence that our belief is based in fact and in truth. My faith that the Bible contains a revelation of the true God comes from a life time of experience as well as study.

Since I believe Jesus is the Savior of the whole world I believe all will come face to face with the true God with equal opportunity to embrace Him as Savior. I do not take on the responsibility of the Savior so I can talk to those of other faiths and if the Father is calling them at that time maybe I can be an instrument in His hands. All must come to willingly accept by faith the Savior to enter into His life.

Carpenter · #10 03-22-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

You do realize that Mormons can make the same esoteric claim.......Why should I accept Christianity on your 'feelings'?

Sorry to be so late on this Dave, but the original question was why do YOU (as in I) belive the bible. I am not making any attempt to get you to believe anything based on my experience.

I used my skills and abilities in an absence of truth, to cause my daughter to believe in Santa Claus one year.

Sometimes, though, certain people use their influence and are even deluded in some respects because they have the skills to cause people to believe based on their experience and understanding.

Too bad, those folks have traded a knowledge of the word for a ring in their nose.