Did you search for evidence, or rely strictly on faith, in your acceptance of Christ?

Question

If you rely only on faith, then is there any other way to accept Christianity over any other religion, or any sect of Christianity over another, besides convenience?

If you rely on evidence you have seen, can that evidence be presented to me in a way that a reasonably critical mind could accept as genuine?

Answer 1

i don't accept him

Answer 2

Yes, I did search for evidence. But faith also plays a part of it. As I studied evolution, I came to believe that it takes more faith to believe in evolution than creation. The "science" of evolution is always changing, and will continue to with no real answer ever given. Plus, there are too many questions that are never answered by evolutionists, such as, "how do habits evolve?" Meaning, some animals have incredible mating habits like the Penguin. For that to evolve, they would have had to die off first. There are 100s of other examples. There's not enough room here to debate all of this, but nonetheless, I concluded that evolution is faith based.

In the end, though I still don't know 100% and neither do scientists, I had to conclude that something created us. There is no way our universe came from nothing. So I figured, if a creator does exist, then does that mean Christianity is real? Again, when I looked at the difference between Christianity and other faiths, I found that Christianity was really not a religion. The Church and history has made it that way, but the Bible calls us merely to a relationship with Christ. The whole religion is based on Christ, one person. So I read other books and found that he was genuinly a historical person. Not a myth. I also looked at what people considered contradictions in the Bible and with Christ and found that they weren't really contradictions, rather, two different stories of the same event, just like it would happen in the real world. When you look at the historical documentation of Christ and the early church, it is more reliable on every history of that time including Ceasar. It's pretty amazing.

There's ton's more I can discuss in an email. Any longer here, and you won't continue to read with all your other responses.

Answer 3

You have to rely on both. Faith since you can't see, and for the logically minded, evidence.

Here is the way I see it. Since we are here, since there is a universe, there has to be a creator.

When comparing Christianity to other religions there are a couple distinct ideas. The main one is 'selflessness'. This is what Christ taught. To do to others what is best for them. That is the purest teaching out there. His life was devoted to it.

Other religions teach similar ideas, in fact, budism is very close in many ways to christianity. They believe in respecting all life. However, they believe that you should try to hold down emotion. To them emotions are the cause of evil in the world.

Anyways, there is no true 'evidence' of Christ, I've looked. Many say there are artifacts, historical writings(all which are disputed), etc. You'll never find any hard evidence with Christianity or any other religion. The only hard evidence is that we are here and were created. From there, Christ's teachings are the most logical, basic truth that there is. Those two simple sentences sum up why I must belief in a God.

It is plain ignorance to deny a creator.

Answer 4

I can't say I relied strictly on either evidence or faith to accept Christ. My parents are of different faiths (mom - Christian, dad - Bahai) Neither of them forced me to believe anything, but as is natural, I went to church with my mom most of the time. I had plenty of questions about the Bible as a kid -- it drove my pastor and my parents crazy. But I never just accepted what I was told.

I always believed there was a God (just looking at the stars and clouds in the sky served as enough evidence for me). From there, I think faith and evidence become intertwined. As I kept seeking answers, I believe God gave them to me (in a Scripture I picked up, a person saying just what I needed to hear, etc.) Some would call these instances coincidences, but I took it as a sign that God hears and shows himself to those looking for Him.

I don't have the hard evidence to present, which is why I say it's a combination of what you can see and faith (Hebrews 11:1 says: Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen)

In his "The Case for..." books, Lee Strobel states his arguments for faith, Christ, and for a Creator. These books make good cases for each of these things with evidence he has put together, but the most cynical heart or critical mind won't sway unless they take a step out on faith.

Answer 5

The New Testament has stood the test for 2000 years. It was written by men that were alive at the time of Christ and there were many people, especially the Jews, that would have said it was just a story/lie at the time but couldn't because there were people that were living witnesses to its claims. By the time they were all dead it had been too well established as factual to be refuted.

Answer 6

When I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart to be Lord and Savior, he put his Holy Spirit into me. I don't need any more proof that he is real. Every true born again Christian will tell you the same thing. When reading the Bible you can fine hundreds of places where it talks about God's Spirit being inside a believer.

John 14:17 even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him, for he abideth with you, and SHALL BE IN YOU.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dewelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his SPIRIT that DWELLETH IN YOU.

Romans 8:16 The SPIRIT himself beareth witness with our SPIRIT, that we are children of God.

I found God, or should I say God found me, from reading the Bible, and from Christians sharing Jesus Christ with me. I was a young surfer and really loved life and never wanted it to end. So in my search for evidence if God was real. I found out He really is. I believe 100% that I have everlasting life and am very happy, with love, peace and joy everyday.

God wants us to have real life, John 10:10 "I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly".

Answer 7

I relied on faith for my acceptance of Christ at nine yrs. of age. I have relied on education to substain my faith for the last 47 years.

Answer 8

I relied strictly on faith in my acceptance of Jesus Christ and his teachings.

Answer 9

Through my faith in Christ, I've been delivered out of many troubles such as homesexuality, and suicide.

One day, my uncle's church had a youth service, and I decided to attend. We were worshiping in the sancuary(sp?) and there was a large adjustment in the atmosphere. The room felt heavy, and our spirits, light. The power of the Holy Spirit had fell upon the room, and everyone was left sobbing their hearts out, on their knees, banging on the walls and floor. The Spirit was so heavy that the musicians couldn't play their music. They were on the floor too. That night, I had felt that my sins were cleansed and my soul was saved because I gave myself to the Lord. Also, 4 gangbangers turned their lives to Him.

I've seen drug addicts, prostitutes, convicts, and murderers turning their life to Christ.
I'm sure you'd like more evidence, but I've got more of life ahead of me. I'm only 13!!

I hope you turn your life to Christ.
See you in Everlasting Life.
God BUH-LESS.

Answer 10

I believed from the beginning but never really thought much about God. I was too caught up in my day to day life, and you might have considered me agnostic for a while. That didn't stop me from looking for evidence for God's existence. I searched our ancient mythology (history really), science, conspiracies, religion, modern day events, how they all tied together, and eventually I found the truth. A partial truth, but enough to *prove* the existence of God. Then he came to me (she?)... but that's another story.

Answer 11

I spent my childhood in an ungodly home. It wasn't until I was on my own and after doing about four years of research and searching that I came to the decision to follow Christ.

Evidence brought me to faith.