many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
I think what you are saying is that there is either validity in all gods or whatever happened to me when i needed help was not from God neither were the things written about in the bible.
Maybe your right Cantleave. Maybe your not.
But the question was why do I believe the Bible to be inspired and i answered that. I dont think you can prove beyond doubt that it isn't.
I always feel I have to be careful in commenting on other people's faith. So I decline to go further.
many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
What does faith offer? A promise without any foundation.
this point that you made. I can understand that you feel this way. but many people don't. Billions dont
I know and know of people who are christian and teach in Universities. These are well educated people.
many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
Cantleave,
Does your faith hold more validity than that of a Muslim or a Hindu?
I dont really understand what you are asking me. Are you asking about salvation? Or my personal viewpoint of the validity of being a Muslim or Hindu? What do you mean by validity? That Christianity is more sound in argument than other religions?
many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
still thinking
The original question was
I don't believe the Bible is Inspired of God- Why do you/ don't you?
My answer was because I have faith in the Christ ransom that gives me hope. The bible was the original point of discovery for this faith.
I dont have all the answers but I do have faith and that faith has got me through and demonstrated to me the power of God.
many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
But you and I may not have tomorrow.
many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
still thinking
I wouldn't want my faith tested in a hungry lion's den. Would you? Sometimes are faith is tested and the circumstances are not pleasant. In the lions den when it works out there is not a doubt as to why.
John 20:21
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (NIV)
I could tell you what happened in my life but it would make no more difference than reading the accounts in the bible I cant give you them for scientific analysis.
When these things happened to the Apostle Paul do you think he wasn't praying why did God not stop them?
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,
26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.
27 I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
At the end of Paul's life he had fought the fine fight and was assured of his reward. His faith got him through and God knew what he needed. Pray for more faith.
many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
Cantleave
I think you are wrong if your illustration is saying that my post is circular reasoning. I agree it sounds like it.
"It gives me hope. I've not seen a better deal being offered to me.
I said this. This is what i meant. I have hope based on faith. Strong faith. Faith is a fruitage of the spirit. The evidence in my life. I have this because I believe in Christ who is God's means of saving us. God's eternal purpose, his divine plan of the ages. I first learnt of this plan from the Bible hence it is inspired."
However the faith is the evidence and great things are accomplished in faith.
Hebrews 11. 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; [e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. (NIV)
I have seen things in my own life due to faith.
many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
C of C
My surprise is over that elders are supposed to be able to teach. They believe they are informed more than the rest of the congregation.
As elders they are not new to the bible or what the bible teachs.
The then later discover that they no longer believe it. They feel they have been misled maybe.
However informed they then become they still cannot say for sure that the God they believed and loved for so long doesnt exist.
The God they loved hasn't changed he is always the same. All of the things they learnt about him are still the same. Unlike what you say here.
"Suppose for a moment you were really into buying his clothing. It's ALL you ever bought. One day you get confirmed news that all his clothing is made by little children in a sweat shop, which is something you absolutely detest."
The organization may change but God doesnt.
In being fooled, misled or becoming more informed and deciding to leave the congregation for whatever reason. My surprise is that having been wrong once they would without positive proof of the non existence of God now ridicule him as if they are wrong they will lose. Then they would have been wrong twice. I just tend to be more cautious.
Maybe ridicule was the wrong word. I couldn't think of a better one at the time.
many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
It gives me hope. I've not seen a better deal being offered to me.
I said this. This is what i meant. I have hope based on faith. Strong faith. Faith is a fruitage of the spirit. The evidence in my life. I have this because I believe in Christ who is God's means of saving us. God's eternal purpose, his divine plan of the ages. I first learnt of this plan from the Bible hence it is inspired.
many of you may know that i was brought up a witness and stayed in until the age of 42, even reaching the dizzy heights of being a congregation elder.
i was unusual in that, even as a witness i studied to degree level, on a part time basis, sponsored by my employer.
my first was in chemistry and my masters is in business administration.
Cantleave and Cofty,
the first series of Sherlock I wasn't to keen on it. I prefered the one with Jeremy Brett. Sherlock was too updated. But like you say Cantleave last weeks was really good. (sorry to be off topic)
