What makes you believe?

onfiringsquad · Post by **onfiringsquad** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:31 pm

I come from a very conservative Baptist background. Recently I have been having doubts with Christianity. I have witnessed to many people, but most reject; often times they argue even when I don't, and they make great points. So, I must ask you Christians; why do you believe?

godslanguage · Post by **godslanguage** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:50 pm

Simple, it is logical to believe

onfiringsquad · Post by **onfiringsquad** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:59 pm

That's what Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Jews say. How so?

puritan lad · Post by **puritan lad** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:03 am

onfiringsquad,

There are many different directions that we can go here. It might be helpful if you would post specific "points" that others have made to you that have cuased you to doubt.

YLTYLT · Post by **YLTYLT** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:38 am

It seems as if there is an option missing in the poll.

shouldn't "Never seriouly considered." be another option?

YLTYLT · Post by **YLTYLT** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:47 am

onfiringsquad,

I would be curious as to what approach you are using to witness to people. Certain approaches that people have been using for the past few generations have definite flaws (for instance the incorrect Wealth and Health approach as a reason to accept Christ.) that are always open to arguements that cannot be answered with scripture.

godslanguage · Post by **godslanguage** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:02 am

I would have to agree with Puritan Lad

Having "doubts" about Christianity can also be related to "leaving" Christianity. But not necessarily both, we all have doubts about Christianity at some point, what that could mean, is nothing. If you are a true believer and have honestly accepted the holy spirit in you at some point, you may leave Christianity but the holy spirit will never leave you!

FFC · Post by **FFC** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:12 pm

For me I believe because God opened my spiritual eyes and heart and I just knew it was true. 30 years later I still do. I couldn't back anything up then because I knew next to nothing, and I can't, positively without a shadow of a doubt, back everything now either, but I'll still take God at His word over any of the jaded and unbelieving skeptics any day of the week.

I believe God and take Him at His word. We are called to walk by faith and not by sight. It is cool to have evidence, and there is a lot out there, but all the evidence in the world isn't going to change an unbelieving heart. Only God can do that.

That's my opinion anyway.

andyredeemed · Post by **andyredeemed** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:52 am

I have often wondered what on earth I've been thinking of for the last twenty years...when it's difficult and I start counting the cost, I really do struggle. On the other hand, when things really are hard, like six years ago when my wife and I had a stillborn child, God drew close in such a real, intimate way, that I don't think I could ever just forget about Him. I don't have evidence that I can point to, or documents or arguments, all I know is what God has done for me, and how much I have depended on Him. It probably isn't very convincing and maybe I am the worst kind of advert for Christianity, having no significant education or towering intellect, but Christianity is a relationship, not a religion, not a theology and certainly not a science.

acrossandasong · Post by **acrossandasong** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:20 am

i've seen people come and go in Christianity and i think that most peoples biggest problem is that they come to God because they want something and when they dont get it right away they give up.

but i believe in God because i've seen what he does for those who stick with him and who are obedient/ i agree that Christianity is a relationship not just a religion and those who are truely saved know that there is a God because you can feel him and you know he's there and you can see where he is working in your life. you know God because he changes you. and that is why i believe, because i have been changed

puritan lad · Post by **puritan lad** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:31 pm

acrossandasong wrote:i think that most peoples biggest problem is that they come to God because they want something and when they dont get it right away they give up. :roll:

You nailed this one. If we refuse to let the sinner know about the wrath of God on the unbeliever, we have not preached the gospel. All too often, we attempt to get people to the altar by promising remedies for their temporal problems, rather that redemption from their sin. We then prescribe some sort of 3 or 4 step program that the need to follow to "get saved". They follow the program, and think they are saved because of it.

zoegirl · Post by **zoegirl** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:17 pm

Love to read everybody's posting...what an amazing "cloud of witnesses". My sympathies to you Andyredeemed for your loss of your child.

Also agree with YLTYLT with the missing option...kind of leading, isn't it?

I would be "never seriously considered". There have been time where, like Paul, I have prayed for the thorn removed. 8 years ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and hospitalized for a week. Periods of relapses where your body, your immune system, essentially rebels! Just recovering from a relapse now. The wondeful thing about a relationship with Christ is that He wants us to give everything to Him, including our grief, out pain, our frustration. The Psalms provide many examples where the writers as pouring out their angst, their anger, and yet they end with their acknowledgement of God and His position in their lives.

Why do I continue to believe? God has provided His grace and that is sufficient for me.

j316 · Post by **j316** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:50 pm

acrossandasong wrote:i've seen people come and go in Christianity and i think that most peoples biggest problem is that they come to God because they want something and when they dont get it right away they give up. but i believe in God because i've seen what he does for those who stick with him and who are obedient/ i agree that Christianity is a relationship not just a religion and those who are truely saved know that there is a God because you can feel him and you know he's there and you can see where he is working in your life. you know God because he changes you. and that is why i believe, because i have been changed

I completely agree with this statement and I find that the longer I stay in this relationship the less important anything other than it becomes. It is totally sufficient and totally binding.

Gman · Post by **Gman** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:49 pm

onfiringsquad wrote:That's what Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Jews say. How so?

onfiringsquad,

I would like to see another religion where God dies for his followers... I would like to see another religion where the love of all mankind is the centerpiece of it's faith... I would like to see another religion where salvation in NOT obtained by good works but by faith alone...

Just some food for thought...

G -

FFC · Post by **FFC** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 1:35 pm

This verse has always popped into my mind whenever I have entertained the passing thought of whether it was all worth it. It always brings things into perspective for me.

John 6:68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.

Evidence for God from Science

What makes you believe?

How many times have you seriously considerd leaving Christianity?

What makes you believe?

doubts about christianity