Originally posted by checkbaiterI did try it. For a long time. And, ultimately, it didn't work. Telling an unbeliever and non-Christian that "either you or God would be lying" is for the birds. It's also another old hat. 😉
Don't say you tried all that and it didn't work, because then either you or God would be lying. Guess who I would believe?
Originally posted by FMFYour rejection of the faith was caused by being open minded to that which is contrary to the truth of God's Word.
My escape from Christianity was caused by being open-minded.
When you say that the Word of a God is not the Word of God, then what you are really saying is that the Word of God is a lie.
2 Peter 1:19-21
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.
Your alleged "escape" from "Christianity" is nothing less than a failure to believe the truth. Far, far from anything even remotely open minded.
Originally posted by josephwWell obviously I don't believe it is "the truth of God's Word" and I've made no secret of that. And I know that you are (still) a Christian and that you think it is.
Your rejection of the faith was caused by being open minded to that which is contrary to the truth of God's Word.
Originally posted by josephwNo, what I am saying is that ~ on reflection, after many years ~ I stopped believing that the Bible is "the Word of God". If you continue to think it is, and say so, then we simply have different beliefs. I am not accusing you of telling "a lie" about what you believe.
When you say that the Word of a God is not the Word of God, then what you are really saying is that the Word of God is a lie.
Originally posted by josephwWell obviously, being a non-Christian, I don't think what you believe is "the truth", so I clearly don't see my coming to that conclusion as "a failure". You, still being a Christian, have every reason to label escape as "a failure". I am not sure your brandishing of labels is proselytism at its most effective, to put it mildly. Your strong faith does not appear to have equipped you with strong, persuasive things to say to me [or about yourself, comer to think of it]. 🙂
Your alleged "escape" from "Christianity" is nothing less than a failure to believe the truth. Far, far from anything even remotely open minded.
Originally posted by FMFWhy beat around the bush FMF? Your belief is that there is no "Word of God", based on whatever knowledge it is you cling to that informs you.
No, what I am saying is that ~ on reflection, after many years ~ I stopped believing that the Bible is "the Word of God". If you continue to think it is, and say so, then we simply have different beliefs. I am not accusing you of telling "a lie" about what you believe.
Your knowledge supersedes and negates the Bible.
Originally posted by josephwLook, I get that you are still a Christian. I'm not having any difficulty with understanding that you believe the Bible is "Word of God". Post after post, you seem to think I do not understand where you are coming from. But I do.
Why beat around the bush FMF? Your belief is that there is no "Word of God", based on whatever knowledge it is you cling to that informs you.
Your knowledge supersedes and negates the Bible.
-Removed-27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Originally posted by whodeyI can GUARANTEE you if people would actually start to rise from the dead and warn about the impending doom of not believing, most of the living would start to believe in a heartbeat. Even without death threats it would be a game changer for billions of people.
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ ...[text shortened]... ten to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Originally posted by Great King RatReally?
I can GUARANTEE you if people would actually start to rise from the dead and warn about the impending doom of not believing, most of the living would start to believe in a heartbeat. Even without death threats it would be a game changer for billions of people.
According to scripture Jesus raised people from the dead, and then they nailed him to a cross.
In fact, I knew a nurse once who was not a believer who personally witnessed a patient of hers come back to life after family members prayed for them. They had been dead an hour.
She never became a believer.