Why do YOU believe the Bible?

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by Esther

You are right. Experience to vary. But that in itself speaks a loud voice.

But if you noticed I did not limit it to ONLY experience. I noted that the things written in the Bible have been proven by sceintist in the past and still seem to even today.

Prophecies given have come to pass.

I would have to say show me something in the Bible that you can prove is NOT truth!

How do you know what experience is valid? On what basis do you judge?

Scientists are no more neutral than you and I. Their theories change every day. At best, all they can show is what is, at that moment, and not what ought.

Prophecies come to pass but they do in the writings of others.

[ReformedDave]

Just so some will not forget. I hold that the Scripture is the inerrant word of God. It's just that so many hold to fallacious reasons and 'proofs' that are a mockery to the name of Christ. I deal with educated 'fools' on a daily basis and it pains me to hear the same old dishonest arguments brought as a defense of the Truth I hold dear. God deserves better.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

How do you know what experience is valid? On what basis do you judge?

Scientists are no more neutral than you and I. Their theories change every day. At best, all they can show is what is, at that moment, and not what ought.

Prophecies come to pass but they do in the writings of others.

Experiences that affect my live are valid to ME. Each person has experiences in their life and like it or not make decisions based on them.

Scientists are quite often biased AGAINST scripture and then they find proof that they were wrong.

I guess you are saying others have prophecied and it came to pass???

If so, I am guessing you mean non christian folks?

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by nathan_slatter

And I'm in that same boat. Except for the absolute truth thing or dismissing it for error. Your last sentence, though, that is saying a mouthful -- something I implicitly agree with. The question is: Is that such a bad thing?

Not so much now, as it used to be. I have always been a black and white person. I approached Christianity the same way I approached everything else in life. I wanted to know everything. Separate it, label it, and use it as necessary.

That didn't work well for me. All of the endless questions allowed me to get very bogged down, mixed up, confused and down right frustrated! Especially as those around me kept insisting that there WERE black and white answers I just refused to see them.

So now, I am trying to live with the questions. But its hard, sometimes I worry that I will never know ANYTHING with any certainty.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

Been busy. Will try!

Great!

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Michi

Not so much now, as it used to be. I have always been a black and white person. I approached Christianity the same way I approached everything else in life. I wanted to know everything. Separate it, label it, and use it as necessary.

That didn't work well for me. All of the endless questions allowed me to get very bogged down, mixed up, confused and down right frustrated! Especially as those around me kept insisting that there WERE black and white answers I just refused to see them.

So now, I am trying to live with the questions. But its hard, sometimes I worry that I will never know ANYTHING with any certainty.

Are you talking about the Bible or God?

If I may ask what kind of questions are you struggling with? Perhaps someone here may have an answer for you.

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

I stated that it is insane to have no reason to believe something. That is insanity.

Well, I think I've given you plenty of reasons to believe this 'something'.

That doesn't mean that we no everything about God but that we have a reasonable amount of truth about Him.

So, why the questioning? Are you admitting that we have enough truth to believe in Him and His word?

BTW, what is your definition of the term "faith"?

While Hebrews 11:1 seems to give the only concrete definition -- "Now faith is" -- I have had trouble putting it into words. I did go on about a 3-month journey where it seemed every topic God put before me dealt with faith -- my pastor's sermon, a bible study here at work, one with a group of non-Apostolics, articles I'd just happen to pick up. It was good and did give me a better understanding of faith, but not enough to write a definition out. The best I can tell you is that faith is not a noun, but a verb. The object that allows me to have faith to start and finish this race is Jesus Christ. Faith is about HIM, not me or anything else. It starts and ends with Him. It is about His integrity (faithfulness, just-ness, honesty, character, etc) and whether I am willing to believe He is what He says He is and will do what He says He will do.

After all of that, I must act or it's just head goo.

That's about as good as I can do on here.

The scripture in question is 1 Peter 3:15- always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

Do you feel that the person asking gets to define whether the "defense" given was adequate, or does the one giving the defense define its adequacy? Just because someone doesn't agree that I didn't give adequate defense of the hope in me (eg: continues to disagree and object) certainly doesn't mean I didn't. In fact, if it's by the Holy Ghost, I don't really care what someone else thinks about my defense or reasoning.

As my brother told me years ago, sometimes you're witnessing to people, sometimes against them.

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

God deserves better.

Sounds like you think He deserves us all to be like you?

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by Esther

Experiences that affect my live are valid to ME. Each person has experiences in their life and like it or not make decisions based on them.

Scientists are quite often biased AGAINST scripture and then they find proof that they were wrong.

I guess you are saying others have prophecied and it came to pass???

If so, I am guessing you mean non christian folks?

Esther, I might not be making myself clear. Your experiences, some are valid and some are not. How do you know which ones to base your life's decisions on? What objective(outside of yourself) tool do you use to validate them?

Yes others, non-Christians, have 'prophesied' things that have come to pass.

Many scientists find 'proofs' that are opposite of the presuppositions and still hold to them in spite of the information. It depends on how information is interpreted.

[ReformedDave]

OGIA,

Well, I think I've given you plenty of reasons to believe this 'something'.

Except I've poked holes in them.

why the questioning? Are you admitting that we have enough truth to believe in Him and His word?

I believe that the Bible defines the Truth AND the way it's to be presented.

Do you feel that the person asking gets to define whether the "defense" given was adequate, or does the one giving the defense define its adequacy? Just because someone doesn't agree that I didn't give adequate defense of the hope in me (eg: continues to disagree and object) certainly doesn't mean I didn't. In fact, if it's by the Holy Ghost, I don't really care what someone else thinks about my defense or reasoning.

As my brother told me years ago, sometimes you're witnessing to people, sometimes against them.

Scripture defines it's own terms. Not you or me. I agree that 'proof' isn't 'persuasion'. I've said that before. The Holy Spirit takes the frailties of man and uses it for His glory in spite of us but that does not mean we are to think and argue in a way that is fallacious logically or philosophically. We are not to make the Gospel any more of an offense then it all ready is.