Can you really tell me why I should believe the christian God is the one true God and Why I should disregard all others?

God bless you!

I believe that Christianity is the right way because it is the belief system that most satisfactorily answers the 4 fundamental questions of human existence. Origin, Evil and human suffering, Meaning/Purpose and Destiny.

Origin: Where did we come from?
The bible says that God (a supernatural and transcendent being) created us in His image.

Evil and Human Suffering: Why is there so much suffering?

The bible explains that when God created us, there was neither suffering nor sin on earth but everything was Good!
Sin came into the world when Adam (the first man) disobeyed God's command fully knowing that the consequences of his disobedience would be death!
Sin disrupted the entirety of God's creation on the earth.
When sin came into the world evil and suffering came with it.
Evil and Suffering are consequences of sin.

Meaning / Purpose: What are we here for?

The bible says God created humans to be in charge of the earth that He had created. We are the guardians of the earth!
The earth was here long before us.

The bible says in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the earth BECAME void and without form.
I believe this must have been as a result of the cataclysmic event that wiped out the dinosaurs. (most likely as a result of the sin of the first guardians)
God then recreated the earth and made everything good before creating man as the guardian.

God commanded man to be responsible for the earth.
(Gen 1:28 MSG) God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."

God created man to tend and nurture His other creation similar to the way a computer programmer creates a master controller to direct all the other parts of his program.

Destiny: What happens when we die?

According to the bible, humans were not meant to die until sin was introduced into the earth.
Now, it is appointed unto men to die once and after that to be judged on how their lives were spent on the earth.

We are not exterminated at death. Our spirits and souls are merely detached from our physical bodies.

P.S. I think it will be better if I answer closed-ended questions one by one as there are so many ocassions for digressions when answering open ended questions.

Thanks for your reply. But I'm gonna say most religions have their theory about what you call the '4 fundamental questions of human existence'. What I want to know is why should I believe the christian story?

It is true that there are so many questions to be answered.

I think it is better if one focuses on answering the questions that are placed before him/her by their unique situations and circumstances in life.

So sir, what questions has life placed before you?

logic1:

Meaning / Purpose: What are we here for?

The bible says God created humans to be in charge of the earth that He had created. We are the guardians of the earth!
The earth was here long before us.

The bible says in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the earth BECAME void and without form.
I believe this must have been as a result of the cataclysmic event that wiped out the dinosaurs. (most likely as a result of the sin of the first guardians)
God then recreated the earth and made everything good before creating man as the guardian.

God commanded man to be responsible for the earth.
(Gen 1:28 MSG)  God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."

God created man to tend and nurture His other creation similar to the way a computer programmer creates a master controller to direct all the other parts of his program.

Good job on the thread, logic1. But I think you got the outlined part above wrong.

There were no animals of any kind before Genesis 1:2. The Bible does not say there were.

The dinosaurs were animals created at the same time as, say, the horses, cats and lizards. I believe they went extinct over time just like the dodos did. This is the reason humans are more concerned about wildlife conservation now than ever before.

The pre-Adamic creation story is fallacious eisegesis.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo

Yes indeed. The questions placed before me now is Why should I accept the christian God as the true God and disregard all others?

Well, If I attempt to answer this open-ended question, I risk spending all my time in the process and still not answering it sufficiently for you.
Note that an answer that is sufficient for me may not be sufficient for you as we do not have exactly the same circumstances in life.

Another way to look at this is for you to post reasons why you think you shouldn't accept Christianity and let me try to tackle them.

Thank you.

There were no animals of any kind before Genesis 1:2. The Bible does not say there were.

The dinosaurs were animals created at the same time as, say, the horses, cats and lizards. I believe they went extinct over time just like the dodos did. This is the reason humans are more concerned about wildlife conservation now than ever before.

The pre-Adamic creation story is fallacious eisegesis.

There are many theories for pre-Adamic life and some are definitely fallacious exegeses but that does not mean that pre-adamic life is a fallacious exegesis.

I have not come across any proof that dinosaurs were created at the same time as the animals we know today.
In fact carbon dating prooves that dinosaurs were wiped out approximately 65 million years ago therefore except carbon dating is fallacious then dinosaurs were not created the same time as the animals we know today.

Also note that I did not say pre-Adamic man, I said pre-Adamic life.

@logic1:

I never said you mentioned pre-Adamic man.

Please I will like to see your Biblical proof for any pre-Adamic life / biological creation (i.e. before the 6 days of creation in Genesis).

And by the way, I strongly believe carbon dating is flawed. Science is just too stubborn to realize that. Maybe later on they will.

Please I will like to see your Biblical proof for any pre-Adamic creation (i.e. before the 6 days of creation in Genesis).

I don't think I have come across a direct allusion to a pre-Adamic creation.

Genesis 1:1 says the earth BECAME without form and void therefore if it became then it was something before.

Also the bible doesn't say there was no pre-Adamic life.
I may be wrong but I have not found proof that I am wrong.

I hope I have answered your question.

Brother, I think this is inadequate as I said before, every religion out there will give 'satisfactory' answers if you asked to give reasons why you shouldn't join them. They all have some form of answer and explanations to whatever objection you might have. Its normal.

My basic question I ask every one be you of whatever faith is, Why should I take your God as the true God?

Ok let's start this way.
Explain your fundamental belief system so I can have some bearing in answering your open-ended question.

@logic. Please Evolution vs Biblical creation account which should i trust from a theistic view point?

@logic. Please Evolution vs Biblical creation account which should i trust from a theistic view point?

Evolution is as theoretical as theoretical can get. It has not been proved but proving it is not even the real problem as atheists also say there is no empirical proof of the Biblical creation account.

The problem with Evolution is that it does not explain how imagination and other meta-physical characteristics of Man evolved.
Darwinists (proponents of the evolution theory) have only been trying to explain the evolution of the physical attributes of Man.

Another thing is that you cannot say that just because two things are similar then one of them evolved from the other.
When darwinists try to sell me the evolution theory by saying that 99% of human genes are contained in the ape I simply tell them that God chose to create our physical bodies that way.

The genius of man is not his physical body. The genius of man is imagination and other meta-physical attributes. Those are the things that really separate us from the animal kingdom.

Therefore from any point of view Evolution cannot be correct.

Guy, nothing against your intentions for the opening up of this thread (i understand, since your god is incapable of speaking for himself) but i think it'll be best to recommend people to do their own studying themselves than rely on the ill-conceived explanations from an anonymous online forumer. explanations relating to the christian faith is subjective, this is why we have thousands of divergent and differing theologies and denominations (even you yourself have already started clashing with a fellow christian on the explanation of all that pre/post adamic bullcrap). people should go study history (both jewish and christian and everything around that) themselves, read the bible themselves and be able to discern themselves what the crap is about. as for me, I've read/studied the bible enough to see it for what it is--a book of mostly unsubstantiated jewish historical accounts laced with a bunch of jewish legends and myths and fairy tale stories plagiarized from other prior ancient religions. only a totally brainwashed and deluded person-or a child-would think otherwise

Guy, nothing against your intentions for the opening up of this thread (i understand, since your god is incapable of speaking for himself) but i think it'll be best to recommend people to do their own studying themselves than rely on the ill-conceived explanations from an anonymous online forumer. explanations relating to the christian faith is subjective, this is why we have thousands of divergent and differing theologies and denominations (even you yourself have already started clashing with a fellow christian on the explanation of all that pre/post adamic bullcrap). people should go study history (both jewish and christian and everything around that) themselves, read the bible themselves and be able to discern themselves what the crap is about. as for me, I've read/studied the bible enough to see it for what it is--a book of mostly unsubstantiated jewish historical accounts laced with a bunch of jewish legends and myths and fairy tale stories plagiarized from other ancient religions prior--only a brainwashed and deluded person would think otherwise

Yes people should do their own studying.
Studying involves getting information from various sources and verifying the information before drawing conclusions.
I believe getting information from people who have studied a subject you wish to study is a good way to study hence this thread.

There are various ideas I have concerning issues that the bible is silent about. Pre-adamic life is one of such issues.
In cases like this I just have opinions not convictions.

I have two questions for you:
1. What are the things you read in the bible that convinced you that only a brainwashed and deluded person would think it is not a book of myths and fairy tales?
2. What do you believe in or rather what is your belief system?

i am a christian >>> by Christian I understand a person who follows the teaching of Christ and believes in the life, death and resurrection of Christ

my doubt is not with Jesus Christ >>> it's mainly with the Christians who follow Christ and His Word >>> i bear grudges with 'organized Christianity'

question 1 >>> why curse ? at one time or the other pastors I've encountered warn their congregation to 'be careful' on issues lest the garner the curse of God upon themselves. In this regard >>> "Touch not my anointed; and do my prophets no harm" is a mantra. >>>

question 2 >>> what about healing ? >>> Mark 16:18 >>> why are't miracles of the kind Jesus did ubiquitous >>> why not just go out and heal the sick, raise the dead, and (as one atheist_4gotten the profile name_always asks) heal the amputees ? >>> all we we got is hearsay testimonies ? >>> at least, as far as I know.

question 3 >>> why hide ? >>> on issues of porn, masturbation, homosexuality >>> we tend to pretend they don't exist (particularly in Nigeria) >>> we brush them aside as evil instead of tackling such issues head on. >>> don't even give complete info >>> all you get is stereotypes_albeit 'the other side' is guilty of this too IMO.

I am disillusioned with organized Christianity. >>> but I would be lying if i said my faith is strong >>> given many atheists' arguments >>> it's actually at its lowest ebb >>> kind of how NEPA fluctuates >>> but it's there

Assume I was Just born today, I have been born with no preconceived notion of God. Preachers from every religion on the face of this planet including you have come before me and spoken. Now the question is this, can you intellectually tell me Why I should  take your christian God as the true God and disregard others? Why should I believe you?

First if you were born today there would be no need to preach to you.
Life is designed such that circumstances and situations are supposed to lead you on a search for truth.

Truth for truth's sake doesn't really mean anything.
For example what would it mean to you if we were debating on the brand of my computer if you didn't even know who I was and had no business with the brand of my computer?

Also if you were born today and faced judgement today there would be nothing to judge you on.

I do not like being circular so I'd appreciate it if you give me a realistic place to start. Thank you.

@ Muddley

@ uyi

Well I wouldn't advise you to bear grudges of any kind against anyone or anything.

I think you should focus on Jesus rather than on organized christianity.

Please post the atheistic ideas that have made your Christianity to be reduced to its lowest ebb so we can tackle them to the end that your Christianity can come alive again.

God loves you.

@ logic >>> if it's my last post u are referring to >>> SMH >>> you ain't seen Mudley yet

as for atheist arguments >>> leave 'em to me >>> what is my major concern as regards my personal faith and the organized Christianity >>> is what i previously outlined in the 3 questions i gave and expatiated upon

logic1:

I have two questions for you:
1. What are the things you read in the bible that convinced you that only a brainwashed and deluded person would think it is not a book of myths and fairy tales?
2. What do you believe in or rather what is your belief system?

to your first question, i wouldn't want to derail or belabor your thread by highlighting the obvious absurdities, unnecessary barbaric acts, contradictions, both scientific and historical inconsistencies, false prophesies, plagiarized concepts and stories etc that plagues your god book called the bible cos they're too numerous to mention. if belief in talking snakes and donkeys is your forte, good for you

the second question is rather vague and like i said earlier i don't wanna derail your thread, but even if i should be DELUDED enough to believe in a MAN-MADE god it wouldn't be a genocidal monster concocted by ancient JEWISH goat herders

goodluck in getting some converts to subscribe to your delusions in here

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@ Uyi
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as for atheist arguments >>> leave 'em to me >>> what is my major concern as regards my personal faith and the organized Christianity >>> is what i previously outlined in the 3 questions i gave and expatiated upon

In that case let me try to tackle them.

why curse ? at one time or the other pastors I've encountered warn their congregation to 'be careful' on issues lest the garner the curse of God upon themselves. In this regard >>> "Touch not my anointed; and do my prophets no harm" is a mantra.

I do not believe that cursing is right in most circumstances as it introduces more evil and suffering into the earth.
In a few ocassions people commit crimes that are so heinous that the people at the receiving end of their crimes feel justified to utter curses on them. I sincerely hope I don't find myself in such a situation.

"touch not my anointed; and do my prophets no harm" is contained in the bible.
Anyone who minds his business and does not go about gossiping will most likely never find himself/herself contravening the "mantra"

Therefore I don't think you should worry yourself about it.
The same thing goes for asking honest questions about the veracity of the bible or the whole of Christianity.

why are't miracles of the kind Jesus did ubiquitous >>> why not just go out and heal the sick, raise the dead, and (as one atheist_4gotten the profile name_always asks) heal the amputees ? >>> all we we got is hearsay testimonies ? >>> at least, as far as I know

Everything (including truth) can be classified as hearsay from a person't point of view until the person has first hand experience.

If there were no miracles then miracle crusades would in all probability have faded away by now considering that miracle crusades are done by so many people who have no contact with each other.
Except there is a massive global conspiracy surrounding miracle crusades, I dont think it would have survived for this long.

I think I have heard of miracles that involve people's limbs growing out but I've not experienced one close up.

Also most people are no where near the spiritual levels of the early church so it shouldn't be surprising that miracles are not as common place as they were then.

why hide ? >>> on issues of indecency, self-service, homosexuality >>> we tend to pretend they don't exist (particularly in Nigeria) >>> we brush them aside as evil instead of tackling such issues head on. >>> don't even give complete info >>> all you get is stereotypes_albeit 'the other side' is guilty of this too IMO

If you have any questions concerning indecency, self-service (I don't know what you are refering to) and homosexuality, you can post them and I'll try my best as much as God will help me to answer them.

logic1:

First if you were born today there would be no need to preach to you.
Life is designed such that circumstances and situations are supposed to lead you on a search for truth.

Truth for truth's sake doesn't really mean anything.
For example what would it mean to you if we were debating on the brand of my computer if you didn't even know who I was and had no business with the brand of my computer?

Also if you were born today and faced judgement today there would be nothing to judge you on.

I do not like being circular so I'd appreciate it if you give me a realistic place to start. Thank you.

Brother, when I said assume I was born today I plainly stated the basis on which the assumption should be made which is I have NO preconceived notion about any God. I didnt tell you to get all literal and assume i'm still suckling bosoms.

I really dont know what you're on about but from what I know about christianity it is said the truth is for all irrespective of anything. It doesn't really matter if you know God or not but the important thing is he knows you, not so? So you computer analogy is just ridiculous.
Why are you contradicting your belief?

When you start waiting for me to reveal my circumstances, challenges, problems etc  then you can tailor your "truth" to meet my needs, I think that is plain wrong and you're merely taking advantage of my "poor" situation. This is not feasible because as soon as I see another version of "Truth" that better meets my selfish needs I scamper. This is what we see in churches and different faiths today.

The "Truth" should be universal irrespective of my situation, circumstance or who I am. It bends for no one.

Truth for truth's sake doesnt mean anything? Well I guess its Truth for "for my selfish interest" that means alot, sells far and wide and converts more people. Such does not appeal to me.

I've been here before and I've learnt  when people begin circumventing and contradicting their doctrines/beliefs/teaching in a bid not to answer your query then its safe not to expect any tangible answers from them.

Thank you for your time, I really appreciate you for trying.

Brother, when I said assume I was born today I plainly stated the basis on which the assumption should be made which is I have NO preconceived notion about any God. I didnt tell you to get all literal and assume i'm still suckling bosoms.

Even if you have no preconceived notion about any god which is extremely unlikely, many events have taken place in your life. It is a summary of those questions that form the basis for you believing anything and that is what I need to get started.

For example you can say, I have a Nigerian background and I've seen so much suffering, so much corruption or you can say I have a Nigerian background and I have seen so much wealth and I don't know what this means.

There is nothing truly objective in life when it concerns humans. Even the application of natural laws (which are universal) depend on the particular situation we find ourselves.
For example, Gravity is seen as a positive when you are at the periphery of the earth's magnetic field and are in danger of being lost in space whereas when you are hanging precipitously at the edge on top of a 80 storey building, Gravity is seen as a negative.

I hope you understand.

I believe I gave you the basics of why I accept Christianity but you said it was not satisfactory for you that's why I asked for your fundamental position so I know where to start.