Apologetics: witnessing to atheists
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The fourth reason for falling from faith is suffering, perhaps caused by the loss of one's child or some other loved one despite praying for healing. Fortunately, I have not experienced such tragedy, but I am aware of it, which is why I have a rather macabre awareness of impending death almost every day I continue to live, which prompts me to smell a lot of roses!
Okay, the next reason people might cease being a Christian is this: The influence of college education, where atheist professors demean faith in God.
Fortunately, I did not experience such professors where I attended, but we know that many of the Dem leaders of my generation did, including Hillary Clinton, who wrote a dissertation dedicated to the atheist Alinsky. Also, I spent breaks between classes associating with Christian friends at the Baptist Student Union.
Unfortunately, my own children were not able to duplicate the BSU support, although they also did not have atheist professors where they attended.
Fortunately, I did not experience such professors where I attended, but we know that many of the Dem leaders of my generation did, including Hillary Clinton, who wrote a dissertation dedicated to the atheist Alinsky. Also, I spent breaks between classes associating with Christian friends at the Baptist Student Union.
Unfortunately, my own children were not able to duplicate the BSU support, although they also did not have atheist professors where they attended.
Although the ISSUE is more likely related to a lack of understanding of what "Biblical FAITH" is. What appears to be a more common understanding is that faith is a STRONGLY HELD BELIEF - A "Mental assent" to a belief structure.
However Heb 11:1 sets out two criteria for Biblical faith. It mast have SUBSTANCE, and it must be EVIDENCE of what you don't see - yet.
A fair percentage of religious "FAITH" has no "substance" at all, and isn't "evidence" of anything at all, other than how you happen to feel at the time.
Bottom line - IF you have to cling to, and defend what you call FAITH - then it's not Biblical FAITH AT ALL. it's nothing but religious belief, and won't get you anywhere spiritually. Denominations aren't "Faiths" they're nothing but Religious businesses with a descriptive charter enumerating the "theologies" which make up the individual denominational packages. Some are closer to BIBLICAL TRUTHS, and some are completely in "Left Field".
FAITH isn't threatened, of dimished by what some educated theological fool proclaims. FAITH holds YOU against the intellectual storm. If your "FAITH" doesn't, then it's not FAITH at all.
However Heb 11:1 sets out two criteria for Biblical faith. It mast have SUBSTANCE, and it must be EVIDENCE of what you don't see - yet.
A fair percentage of religious "FAITH" has no "substance" at all, and isn't "evidence" of anything at all, other than how you happen to feel at the time.
Bottom line - IF you have to cling to, and defend what you call FAITH - then it's not Biblical FAITH AT ALL. it's nothing but religious belief, and won't get you anywhere spiritually. Denominations aren't "Faiths" they're nothing but Religious businesses with a descriptive charter enumerating the "theologies" which make up the individual denominational packages. Some are closer to BIBLICAL TRUTHS, and some are completely in "Left Field".
FAITH isn't threatened, of dimished by what some educated theological fool proclaims. FAITH holds YOU against the intellectual storm. If your "FAITH" doesn't, then it's not FAITH at all.
Actually, atheists also have faith, but in false gods, which is I-dolatry, whereas Christian faith speaks/has a spiritual message of wisdom about salvation and ultimate truth. As we mature spiritually via learning God's Word guided taught by the Holy Spirit, our faith becomes like the perfect mind of Christ. (Cf. 1CR 2:6-16, JN 14:15-20, 16:12-15)
Absolute anything applies only to the infinite God (1TM 1:17), before Whom we should walk humbly (MIC 6:8) or being teachable (MT 11:29), confessing our finiteness and fallibility (1CR 15:9). IOW, all walk by faith (2CR 5:7); don't delude yourself (2THS 2:11). We have assurance/confidence of salvation (2CR 3:4) only as we persevere in faith (2CR 2:15-17, 3:5).
Belief = Faith, which is the opposite of absolute/infallible certainty that only the infinite/omniscient God has, despite papal claimants such as yourself, so all born-again fallible Christians must walk by faith/belief per NT teaching. Otherwise, Paul would have written, "We walk by proof/absolute certainty, not by faith", and Jesus would have said, "...that whoever has absolute certainty regarding him, not merely faith, shall not perish."
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Evidence, yes; confidence, yes, but certainty? Not really, although there are three beliefs that seem to be unavoidable:
1. Truth or reality exists. EX 3:14 calls God “I am” (the essence of existence).
2. (Objective) reality is subjectively known by seekers. 2 CR 5:7 expresses this truth by saying, “We live by faith, not by sight” (proof or certainty, cf. 1CR 13:9&12)
3. Reality is meaningful and communicable or able to be discussed rationally in fellowship with other truthseekers. As Isaiah 1:18a (c.735 B.C.) says, “Come now, let us reason together.”
Beyond these, death and taxes are fairly certain also.
1. Truth or reality exists. EX 3:14 calls God “I am” (the essence of existence).
2. (Objective) reality is subjectively known by seekers. 2 CR 5:7 expresses this truth by saying, “We live by faith, not by sight” (proof or certainty, cf. 1CR 13:9&12)
3. Reality is meaningful and communicable or able to be discussed rationally in fellowship with other truthseekers. As Isaiah 1:18a (c.735 B.C.) says, “Come now, let us reason together.”
Beyond these, death and taxes are fairly certain also.
1 John 5:11-13 + John 6:47 ~ This is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
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Yes, but PTL, God gives us volition, so we may choose to doubt our doubts = have faith, even confident faith because of so many good reasons to believe in Christ.
BTW, faith must coincide with God's will/GW in order for prayer requests to be granted. Otherwise, the answer to what we ask will be "No".
BTW, faith must coincide with God's will/GW in order for prayer requests to be granted. Otherwise, the answer to what we ask will be "No".
No, I showed you that faith is an act of will (not a meritorious work BTW) that must agree with God's will (to accept Jesus as Messiah and Lord) in order to be salvific or effective in prayer (thy will be done).
I have also noted that those who are fallible cannot have absolute or infallible certainty.
I have also noted that those who are fallible cannot have absolute or infallible certainty.