Trying to understand christianity. I don't get it.?

Question

I will try and ask this as objectively as possible, and note that I am not trying to stir trouble with the religious people in the community, it is a genuine question, so please try and remove your emotion and preaching from any replies.

1) Does Christianity state the world is not as old as science has proved, in and around 5.5 billion years by carbon dating. Stating that evolution is not true, and all animals were just simply 'made'.

2) Does Christianity address the issues that MEN wrote the bible, men that by all recent scholarly accounts were flawed and just like MEN of today. That the Bible which is now interpreted so literally, was in fact written by human beings, an 'animal' who eats, drinks, sleeps, and goes to the bathroom, hardly divine.

3) Is it not obvious how Christianity has been used as a tool through through their subject populations, from justifications of sacking the crusades, to the bible actually stating that God thinks you should donate 10% of your income.

Using 'faith' as an answer is the same as saying voodoo just works, trust me, you have to believe. I'm not asking for empirical evidence obviously but don't even answer with a cop-out reply like, JUST BELIEVE. If you can not contribute do not post.

Answer 1

I will answer this to the best of my ability but in the end it does all come down to faith. No matter what direction you came at it from- there are always going to be unanswered questions- even in science which so many place their trust in, there are mountains of unanswered questions. No matter what you choose to believe, there is going to have to be some level of faith to sustain that belief. I do believe that God has given us evidence all around and that we do have the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and discernment, helping us to be able to answer some of these questions and solidify our faith.
So here goes:
1) I cannot say that I am 100% understanding of God's timeline in the Bible- because of the wording , I believe that 7 days is 7 days but there are certain things that make me question how much time passed during certain events. Personally, I don't think that science has undisputably proven that the earth is 5.5 billion years old. When you consider the structure of the earth before the flood, worldwide flooding, the after effects, and the problems with carbon dating- you have to consider that though this might be a reasonable theory- we also have to take into account the many unanswered questions we have about the universe- any one of these undiscovered facts could change drastically what was previously believed. How much more faith does it take to believe that God who is life and the source of all life created us and the universe than to believe that a particle of anything that had no life suddenly became a living thing, especially when we have absolutely no evidence of this.

2) yes, the Bible does take into amount that it was written by men- the men that wrote the Bible were very open about their flaws and very open about how God used them despite these flaws- no one ever claimed these men were perfect or sinless - but that is kind of the point- We can come to God just as we are and He will still work in our lives, forgiving us, changing us, growing us to perfection. We can argue it to the depth but there is no getting past the fact that humans, though there are many similarities, are incredibly different from animals. No we are not divine, but we were created by the divine and He desires to dwell with us and within us.
THere are many that argue about inconsistancies in the Bible , but every supposed inconsistency comes down to a scripture taken out of context in various different ways. When you come down to it, there is no other book, written by about 60 different men over the course of thousands of years and it flows together in such agreement and harmony and has such a powerful impact on man individually and as a whole.

3) yes, unfortunately the Bible has been used as a weapon or means of control over the years. Just because man in his own pride, greed , imperfection has used it in this manner does not mean God intended it for use in this manner. These actions are often attributed to religion but that is just on the surface- men use religion as a mask to disguise their real intentions- getting to the root of these atrocities throughout history, one finds that these ungodly actions have nothing to do with a man's love for God but his love for power, wealth, control, etc. There are many things in life misused that way - religion just seems to be the most convenient. Just because someone uses a hammer, which can be an indispensible tool to commit a murder, does not make the hammer the problem. The Bible is not what the problem is, it is the hearts and will of men.

Answer 2

About 1) These theories, whether you believe them or not, do not make or unmake you a Christian. I happen to believe that tradition set the world at 6000 years old, not the Bible, and I could show you where. But it has nothing to do with being a Christian. Evolution is the same, I can either believe in Evolution or not. I happen to not believe in it, but it doesn't make me or unmake me a Christian.

About 2) Yes. Reading the Bible literally has nothing to do with how you interpret it, unless you want it to. The is the funniest of all your questions. Because you act like we all have adopted something without thinking about it. That's something which we are attacked with pretty consistently.

About 3) Actually you are referring to the Crusades as if that were soemthing used to control believers. It wasn't. It was to control unbelievers. The knights and such who were involved on the Christian side romanticized war. So please, don't make it sound like they were fooled into fighting it. As far as 'donating' 10% of your income, your sentence itself misses the reason for giving a tithe. Even the Christians get this wrong, so just to let you know, giving a tithe isn't really giving anything. It's just applying an Old Testament command the way God said.

Answer 3

--YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT the christianity of the perverted christian Constantine about 300 AD--He murdered his wife and several of his immediate family who would not be baptized in his obscene type of christianity!
--THE BIBLE & Christs Christianity does indeed allow for the earth to be what true science has estimated in the 4-5 billion year range!
--CREATIONISM IS different from Biblical Creation or "INTELLIGENT DESIGN"

*** g 9/06 pp. 18-19 Does Science Contradict the Genesis Account? ***
---The Bible’s Viewpoint
***Does Science Contradict the Genesis Account?
--MANY people claim that science disproves the Bible’s account of creation. But the real contradiction is between science and, not the Bible, but the opinions of so-called Christian Fundamentalists. Some of these groups falsely assert that according to the Bible, all physical creation was produced in six 24-hour days some 10,000 years ago.
--The Bible, however, does not support such a conclusion. If it did, then many scientific discoveries over the past hundred years would indeed discredit the Bible. A careful study of the Bible text reveals no conflict with established scientific facts. For that reason, Jehovah’s Witnesses disagree with “Christian” Fundamentalists and many creationists. The following shows what the Bible really teaches.
***When Was “the Beginning”?
--The Genesis account opens with the simple, powerful statement: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Bible scholars agree that this verse describes an action separate from the creative days recounted from verse 3 onward. The implication is profound. According to the Bible’s opening statement, the universe, including our planet Earth, was in existence for an indefinite time before the creative days began.
--Geologists estimate that the earth is approximately 4 billion years old, and astronomers calculate that the universe may be as much as 15 billion years old. Do these findings—or their potential future refinements—contradict Genesis 1:1? No. The Bible does not specify the actual age of “the heavens and the earth.” Science does not disprove the Biblical text.
***How Long Were the Creative Days?
--What about the length of the creative days? Were they literally 24 hours long? Some claim that because Moses—the writer of Genesis—later referred to the day that followed the six creative days as a model for the weekly Sabbath, each of the creative days must be literally 24 hours long. (Exodus 20:11) Does the wording of Genesis support this conclusion?
--No, it does not. The fact is that the Hebrew word translated “day” can mean various lengths of time, not just a 24-hour period. For example, when summarizing God’s creative work, Moses refers to all six creative days as one day. (Genesis 2:4) In addition, on the first creative day, “God began calling the light Day, but the darkness he called Night.” (Genesis 1:5) Here, only a portion of a 24-hour period is defined by the term “day.” Certainly, there is no basis in Scripture for arbitrarily stating that each creative day was 24 hours long.
--How long, then, were the creative days? The wording of Genesis chapters 1 and 2 indicates that considerable lengths of time were involved.

*** g 9/06 p. 20 Does Science Contradict the Genesis Account?
Contrary to the claims of some Fundamentalists, Genesis does not teach that the universe, including the earth and all living things on it, was created in a short period of time in the relatively recent past. Rather, the description in Genesis of the creation of the universe and the appearance of life on earth harmonizes with many recent scientific discoveries."

Answer 4

You are caught up in matters that really are not the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Answering those questions will not help you understand Christianity at all.

The Bible is written by men, physically, but through the inspiration of God. Do some research, but it is AMAZING how those books were written by different men at different times and line up so beautifully and perfectly b/c it was God's inspiration, God's Words.

Yes, we tithe a portion of our income. All of our blessings are the Lord's. We should give it all back to Him, but he only asks for the first 10 %. I'm a stay at home mother and my husband doesn't make more than a teacher, but we faithfully tithe. We are happy to give back to God. We have been so blessed, it's the least we can do.

As far as the age of the earth, I personally don't get into all of that b/c I could care less. If you want to read Genesis and see what the Word says, go ahead. I know that Christ changed my life when I repented of my sins and believed in Him. The scientists can say whatever they want about the earth. It will not waver my faith in Christ one iota!

Hope that helps.

Although there really are more pressing questions that could be asked about Christianity then those three 'token' ones.

I was just listening to a guest preacher in our church this morning that was discussing Apologetics to our congregation.

He mentioned a few atheists who became believers. Lee Strobel (A Case for Christ), and C.S. Lewis (Narnia, and dozens more books).

If you don't know about Lee Strobel, look him up and read his book. Maybe it will help you with the 'questions' that you have.

Answer 5

Thank you for trying to be objective. I know that there are too many people on this site that are just trying to stir up trouble. I seek to give an objective answer:
1. Science has never proved how old the world is. Carbon dating to my knowledge is not an exact science (for instance, I once heard that someone carbon dated th Shroud of Tourin to be 50,000 years old or something like that). Evolution is only a theory that from my perspective has significantly less evidence than any Creation theory I have heard. If evolution is to be believed, why are there missing links? If just one creature evolved so slowly over millions of years, where are all the evolving forms? Seems like there should be more missing links than links.
2. Christianity does address the issue that men wrote the Bible as it declares that "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."- 2 Peter 1:16-21.
And though men are flawed, I would never consider myself to be wholly alike with animals, unless you can tell me what animals have created such advanced civilizations, such beautiful poetry, such amazing philosophy. Christianity does also address that man was made in the image of God. It refers to no animal that way. Therefore, man has the capability to relate with God in a way that no animal can.
3. This hardly sounds like an objective question, considering how you have decided it is obvious. I will never justify the crusades, and the Bible does not condone that behavior either. The crusades were a wealth-driven massacre that someone got the bright idea of blaming on God.
As far as the second point, "God does not think that you should donate 10%" 10% was actually what was demanded of the kingdom of Israel under the Old Covenant. When Jesus Christ came, His sacrifice completed the law according to the Bible. That technically completed the need to give 10%. However, Christ taught that we should never allow our possession to have control over us. It is stated that God loves those who give cheerfully in 2 Corinthians 9:7, meaning that God desires those who want to give to Him willingly.
Does that mean that people have not used it for their own purposes. Well, as you said it, people are flawed.

I hope that this answers your question, feel free to leave more dialogue.

Answer 6

1) Science has not proven the age of the earth. Carbon dating has several presuppositions that are off. According to the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the earth is less than 10,000 years old. However, not all Christians believe this.

2) The Bible includes the words of men and devils, of saints and sinners. We call it the word of God because we believe (and yes, there is proof for this faith) that God moved men to write what written, and we have the words that God wants us to read.

3) People have done atrocious things in the name of God. However, people have also done atrocious things in the name of money, but we don't stop using money. People have done atrocious things from love ("If I can't have her, I won't let you have her" ... BANG!) but that doesn't mean we should all become celibate.

3) The Bible does say that we should tithe. The reason is to support those who labor in the Word. By tithing money to them, you show your appreciation and support them so they can continue in their work. People do this as with any charity or support of anyone else.

Answer 7

The bible actually proves that the six day period was not six literal days as some have so interpreted it to mean. The word used to describe the length of time indicates vast generations or expanses of the passage of time, which one should remember, too, that there was no concept of time then as we know it today. The earth is, by some religious scholars estimate, closer to the 16 billion year mark in our understanding of time.
As for the men who wrote the bible, it is written that they wrote as they were inspired by God to do so, and that fact simply cannot be refuted when one considers the fact that its contents and meaning have remained intact and unaltered even though certain men have tried desperately to mix in other messages with the theme of biblical doctrine.
The Crusades were instigated, financed, and conducted under the close and watchful eye of the vatican. Messianic Christians (Nazarene Jews and Gentiles) had nothing to do with the crusades.

Answer 8

Good question! Yes, I understand how people can get emotionally stirred. Normally it is because they lack faith in their faith.

Let me also say that true christianity is without relgion- relgion is man-made.

Yes, the bible was written by man by inspired by God (father of Jesus). The writings are holy and within the words themselves exists even greater truths you might call 'revelations'. These come only as God (father of Jesus) intends as a righteous heart by His definition will allow.

Be very careful of science, and I hate to say this being somewhat of a science fan- but collectively scientists are godless. However, the bible provides no exact dates so that does not conflict.

AND YES! Christianity has been used a tool to spread propaganda- this is because most leaders are not christian and they are playing on people who think they are! Real christianity will for the most part stay away from politics.

GREAT QUESTION! We should speak more- im or email me anytime- yes I am a christian- not by man- but by Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

who knows how old the earth is ? Bible does not say. Whether the creation days were 24 hours or an age of time who knows. The bile does say that one day with Jehovah is as a thousand years.
2 . Yes the bible was written by men, who were inspired of god. I could write from now until i die and declare myself inspired by god's holy spirit but it does not mean i am. By studying the bible you may come to see for yourself that the bible like any other book has a theme running right throughout it. God's kingdom. It gives us our history from god. It lets us know what he has done to redeem mankind by means of the ransom sacrifice of his faithful witness, The Christ of god, the maessiah, his son Jesus. The bible also is filled with prophecy fulfiiled and a promise of a marvellous wonderful future for those wh orespond to god and are drawn to him on discovering his message for themselves.
3 Thithing was a part of the law god gave to moses. Jesus fulfilled that old covenant and instoututed the new covenant. In the new testament, PAul encourages to let no one do anything out of obligation but from the heart as god loves a cheerful giver. There is no need for dutiful adherence to this divine principle belonging to the former time when god's blessed people were the israleites of the holy land. The centre for god's true worship is not in Jerusalem but the Heavenly throne of God's majestic Kingdom. Heavenly Jerusalem.

Answer 10

Christianity means to be Christ like. The Holy Spirit helped the men to write the Bible. Think about it. Moses wrote the 1st five books of the OT, and he wasn't born to know the beginning. The Holy Spirit had to tell him what to write. We don't know the exact date the world began. We can only go by what God has told us. Ever thing here on earth is God's. All that you have He has given to you. When He asked for 10% back He is just seeing if you will trust Him with it. When you give to God out of a loving heart. He will bless you beyond measure, and take care of you. All Jesus ever did was love people, and show them how to be a kind and loving person. He showed them that they can pray to God, and to lean on Him. He showed acceptance when people shunned others, and He gave His life for all of us, so that we don't have to go to Hell if we accept Him as our personal Savior. We were created to Worship God. He gave everyone a choice to follow Him, or turn from Him. You have to make up your mind. No one else can do it for you.