Originally posted by scottishinnz
What would it take to prove to you [generic theist, rather than Kelly specifically] that God does not exist? If the answer is "nothing", then you clearly DO NOT accept that you might be wrong.[/b]
Ok, I will take a stab at this. I have tried to explain my position in previous threads so here it goes. Faith has less to do with a mental acknowledgement that God exists as it does being relational in nature. For example, there are many Biblical examples of situations where God has provided evidence for his existence to people yet they lost faith in him. Examples include Adam and Eve, the children of Israel watching the Red Sea part before them, Jesus healing people and raising people from the dead etc. yet many did not place there faith in God despite having ample evidence for his existence. In fact, I bet if God phsically appeared in front of you you might try to explain such a phenonemon away by saying you were delusional etc.
The greatest commandment in the Bible is to love God and your fellow man. Therefore, if one does so what are the implications? Is not faith a natural byproduct of love? You may think that I exist, however, do you have faith in me? Perhaps if you loved me you might place your faith in me but not until. Therefore, a better question is why we love God than asking why we believe in his existence. I suppose to errode ones faith one must attack the core reasons we love our God. For me, the teachings of Christ resonated to such a degree with me that I knew that I knew them to be truth and words of life to me. I can relate with the disciples when they walked with Christ after Jesus had delivered a hard teaching and many forsook him afterwards. He looked at them and asked them if they would leave as well. The smiled and asked him where they would go because he beheld the words of life. Christ once said that when he came into the world he was a light that revealed darkness from light and that men then either preferred the light because they preferred righteousness or the darkness because their deeds were evil and they did not want to be discovered. As for me, I prefer the light.
I will say that I have other evidences for my belief in God. For example, the God of the Bible has ancient roots. You might say that others who have served him and claimed his existence to be evidence for such an existence. For example, if people started coming to you and saying that pink unicorns exist and they appear to be somewhat intelligent and relaiable sources then you may begin to wonder. It is not proof, rather, it is merely evidence. Also there is the issue of Biblical truth in terms of its rich history, prohphesy, and wisdom and truth. For example, stories in the OT that are often laughed at by those not of the faith might have archeological evidence for possibly occuring and often do. In terms of prophecy, the most striking to me is Daniel 9:24-27 which provides a calendar for the coming Messiah the first go round. If we have not discussed this together I could elaborate if you wish.
So you see, I have not divorced reason, rather, I have merely extended beyond my own limited reasoning abilities because I feel compelled to do so because of my love for my God. It is akin to someone you love whom everyone else might loose faith in and give up on. You still believe in them because you love them no matter what everyone else may say about them.
Who's game?
14 Dec '07 04:53
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