(Mods - this thread is not intended to proselytize. I am writing this only to clarify questions I have seen in other threads and a complete explanation involves some statement of my beliefs. I do hope this does not violate forum rules and will not be offended if you question me about some of the statements or need to edit something, but I do think it will make my post less explanatory if you do)
I know that many of you question why someone would join this forum if they are really Christian. Here is my explanation in Q&A format. Feel free to ask questions; I will answer honestly as my time permits.
Are you a Christian? Yes. So how do you prove Christianity is logical and the correct way? I can't – and have no intention of trying. If you are wanting a logic based, step by step reasoning of the truth of Christianity then I recommend you read “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel or “Cold-Case Christianity” by J. Warner Wallace.
So why won't you try to convince everyone here that you are right and they are wrong? Two reasons: first, I am not trained in apologetics, and second that is not what God says is my responsibility. All I am asked to do is proclaim the gospel – so here it is: All people have sinned and lost their eligibility to enter heaven when they die. God is perfect but loves us and wants us to live with him. Christ died on the cross to pay for those sins, and was resurrected to provide everlasting life for those who accept the free gift of salvation in Him through faith. That's it; everything else is window dressing. If you want to know more, there are tons of online resources including bibles, study guides and books. Be wary of those who claim to have the only valid interpretation.
Do you really believe this? Yes. Don't you have doubts? Of course I have doubts! I am not perfect and never will be. I have had many “dark nights of the soul” where I thought that I must be nuts to think that God would ever care about someone like me. But they passed and I am still a believer.
Wait a minute. Aren't you going to tell us that we are hopelessly lost unless we accept everything you say and join the right church? Not a chance, bub. I gave you the entire gospel message above. Churches are filled with people who are sinners just like you and me and they can't do a thing to make you to be saved without your willing acceptance of the gospel message. I have been in a lot of churches where it felt like they were actively hindering the spread of the gospel with their fixation on “rightly dividing the word of God” which is church speak for “Either you believe my way or you are going to Hell!”
Okay, so you are not a fundamentalist with the emphasis on “mental” like so many that descend on us here? Actually, I do consider myself a fundamentalist (but not the “mental” kind!). I believe in the fundamentals of faith – which is the gospel message and nothing more. As for those who come here determined to prove that they can save even an atheist I pity both them and you. They can basically be categorized in one of two ways. There are the ones who are convinced it is their sworn obligation to spread their interpretation of Christianity to everyone and “God will bless” by bringing those who hear it to salvation. Once they figure out that they will be challenged on their reasoning they slink away quietly to nurse their wounds and try again another time and place. The second group is less sympathetic; they come swooping in and make large amounts of noise about their wisdom in biblical interpretation and EVERYONE SHOULD BELIEVE THEM (sorry, couldn't resist mimicking their attitude). The difference with these people is that when their interpretation is challenged they stalk off in high dudgeon stating that they are “turning you over to a reprobate mind” (once again church speak for believe my way or.... well, you know the rest).
My attitude, and that of the other Christians I have seen stay around here, is completely different. I believe that the best way to represent my faith is as stated in Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” And as for thumping others over the head with the Bible and my interpretation, not gonna happen. I can explain this best with another Bible quotation from Luke 18:13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “ That is me – a sinner. I am no better or more intelligent than you so I am not going to pretend I have all the answers.
So why are you REALLY here? Simple. I like reading conversations between intelligent well informed people, and there are a lot of them here. Of course you have those who can be considered atheist “fundamentalists” with the same attitude as the Christian ones but they are a minority and there are a lot of seriously smart and congenial people here that I can enjoy reading.
Fire when ready
Ruth
