Christians...?

Question

Would you be offended if I said I think an unflinching belief in the Bible as a verbatim account has undermined the advancement of theology and spiritualism throughout the world?

Faith need not be blind. True faith answers the questions of those who have asked them. Faith is faith that faith will guide you when you cannot see. It is not about reciting answers for those who question, but answering the questions of those who may be genuinely seeking answers. To question faith is human. We are human. To answer those questions about faith is to find what out faith really is.

This IS a challenge of sorts. It seems like too many hide behind their faith rather than utilize it in the world.

I use the Bible as a guide to FIND God in MY own life, through MY own experience.

My point exactly!!!

Why must so many retorts to my inquiry come in the form of scripted quotations?

In our own words here, please!!!

Answer 1

you said, "To answer those questions about faith is to find what out faith really is."

We are human, so perfection does not belong to us. Neither do perfect answers belong to us. To answer spiritual questions with a human understanding is imperfection.

True and reliable answers can only come from God, and from His Word.

Answer 2

No, I'm not offended. In fact, it's a very legitimate question.
I do believe that the Bible is the unerring word of God, and that the absolute truth is found within it.
And no, faith doesn't have to be blind. I'm a Christian because I see the intelligence of God in the things He does. His way is THE way. There is so much application that makes good, common, everyday sense. Its too bad that people try to complicate it so much.
If a person is truly looking for answers, I believe they can be found in the bible. It is its best commentary.
Also, in my opinion, its been man whose undermined the advancements you speak of.
God loves you.

Answer 3

What is there to be advanced?

I believe in the Bible with no changes what so ever.

The advancement is actually rather simple..it comes down to you and I as individuals. We each have a choice to make as we live our lives...but fortunately we have an opportunity with each breath we take to evaluate and make a new choice before the next breath.

The contradictions that so many like to find in scripture are not contradictions at all, but rather a mixed view of interpretation and how they respond to God's word.

I find it amazing how people in general are so quick to dismiss the bible...basically to acknowledge it as truth would challenge so much from an individuals life...yet the very same people find it easy to believe or have faith in other theories.

For example to believe in Evolution one need not be challenged about any other 'Value" in their life...For someone to give credit to Creation would further validate the Bible as truth and thus they become challenged on other areas of their life...areas in which one does NOT want to admit wrong doing and thus does not want to take action to Change.

I humble myself and know that I am a sinner and that each day I am working to Change my choices...some days I do better than others, but God and His word are the basis for how I live today. I am learning through one word at a time, but I have a Big Picture vision of life and I must say that the alternative to Bible living is not attractive to me.

Answer 4

No I would (am not) offended by that question however, I certainly do not agree with it at all.

I do agree that Faith need not be blind; “Fides quaerens intellectum” – faith seeking understanding and “Credo ut intelligam” I believe in order to understand are terms coined by Augustine and Anselm of Canterbury give emphasis to the priority and necessity of belief in the Christian’s intellectual pursuits. One cannot truly and fully understand spiritual matters unless he or she first believes them to be true.

I do believe that “answering the questions of those who may be genuinely seeking answers” is a part of that seeking of knowledge. It is one of the reasons I hang around here. The one question in a thousand posited here that is sincere is a blessing to answer and an aid to my own quest.

It is not my Faith that I question it is my ability to understand and acknowledge that is in a constant state of questioning, the answers then serve to strengthen that Faith.

Answer 5

Faith is not blind. The scripture says this in Roman 1, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made. Faith without works is a dead faith. Have an answer for every man that ask you of the hope that liest in you. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Answer 6

I would not be offended but I will pray for your soul.
I think if a questioned asked is answered by 'just have faith' you are not teaching them much. To believers it's OK because we understand the concept , it's those that question who need a more in depth answer.

Answer 7

I'm not a Christian, but I do think that the right-wing Christian tendancy to shun science in favor of the Bible is having a detrimental effect on America at least. I'm afraid I can't speak intelliegntly on the rest of the world.

Answer 8

If I understand correctly what you've said, I would say you need to have faith only in Christ, NOT faith in FAITH.
Undermined? No. And I am not offended.
The matter is, we do not get to make up or decide what we should believe in theology. The Bible is our one true sourcebook for all our beliefs. What criteria would you use to determine your beliefs? What? If you don't like it, discard itr? Don't understand it? Discard it?

Answer 9

No, I would not be offended. Many Christians have forgotten or do not know that significant portions of the Bible were never meant to be taken too literally. Jesus' teachings, for example, are meant to be pondered over time to absorb their meaning. The real trick is knowing which parts are literal and which are there for teaching spiritual truths.

Answer 10

When I ask this question I play Russian Roulette with 5 bullets in a six shooter. It helps.