Thanks for all the responses to my question on why believe the bible. Your comments were very well stated. The exercise was not so much to come up with a definitive answer for all people but to put thought to our belief and faith in God. I said I would give my thoughts on it and so here they are.
I grew up in a Christian family like those of you who responded. I went to church three times a week. I attended Sunday shool both on Sunday and Wednesday night, VBS in the summer as well as church camp. All I ever heard about God, Jesus and the bible were taught to me by family (both physically and spiritually). I am very grateful and blessed to have been raised the way I was but to be totally honest had I been raised in a Muslim family, a Buddhist family or an atheistic family I would have believed what I was taught by them. So at some point I needed a better defense of why I believe in the bible as the word of the one true God.
The Bible as we have it today claims to be God's gospel to mankind (John 3:16) and many have put their faith in its promises, truth and hope for the future. It was written by numerous authors over a large period of time with their writings being supported by historical and archeological evidence.
But belief that the bible is God’s word takes faith, not blind faith or unaware faith but true faith. The choice is ours to make and it is both an intellectual issue and a heart issue. These are not and should not be in conflict with each other.
Peter says we should be ready to give an answer to what we believe not out of arrogance but in humility, love and grace just as Jesus did.
1 Peter 3:15-22 (NIV) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
I believe in my heart and in my mind we have a great big GOD!!! I believe that Jesus is his Son and that he came not just as my substitute for punishment satisfying God’s demand for sacrifice but also as my redeemer and friend. I believe it so much that I decided to live out the life of Jesus in my daily walk so that not only would the things I do, say and think give glory to God but also give opportunity for others to engage me in conversation on why I believe as I do.
Roger, over and out!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
IMHO
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2 comments:
The old law having been fulfilled before we were born and the perfect (spotless lamb) sacrifice having been provided by God himself (it is all recorded to be read and taught, it is clean pure water for our souls (without dross and we are to add none to it!), that we are commanded to remember as we gather before him and worship. It is that new law that liberates us from “the legalism” of that law, that law that those; trying to bind on others did not understand as they crucified our Lord. Latter they repented were baptized and were forgiven. We are all guilty and all may benefit, if we are faithful (he who knows our heart mind and soul, will know and make us whole as we welcome Him in and serve Him first and foremost, as His sanctified, devoted children. Go before him selflessly offering Him the sweet sacrifice of praise that he deserves.
I grew up in a “Christian” family, I was exposed to many “Christians” at a very young age. I was told “if you don’t go forward and get dunked under the water before you die, you will burn forever in hell, that is what the bible says” I never lost my faith in God but I did lose my faith in and let go of the legalism as I began to read the bible for myself without the influence of those who claimed to be the only ones who will go to heaven, ‘because, they were the only ones who do church the right way’. I get it and I know it is true, I don’t ever want to be without it. It is like a deep cool fountain or a river that never ends, flowing with pure fresh water that we can but approach for another with our little spoon to give another a drink and point them to the source of: mercy, grace and life everlasting. It is the only way and it is not “our way” it is from the author of life Himself and should not be tainted with legalism. It is His grace, His mercy and His love, it is His blood and His alone that has the power to save mankind from his own destruction. The law has been fulfilled; that evidence left on the bank, to be swept away in His flood, to be seen. . . no more. May the feet of your soul know the clear (polished glass) streets of gold that will never need to be cleaned for you or by you. One day when the work here is done, as He wills, He will gather His there as He promised it will come to pass of that you can be sure.
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