Christians, do you think we (we being Christians) should say we "Believe" or "Know" when talking about God?

Question

Do you think we as Christians should say that we "KNOW" God is there or "BELIEVE" God is there? Please explain why you think we should say one and why we shouldn't say the other.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Divinity is truly unknowable. The concept that a true god can be is so far beyond the scope of human understanding that to say you "know" is self deceiving. Alternatively, you could say something to the effect of "I know in my heart." This implies that it is the absolute truth as you understand it, but you are leaving room for improvement as your understanding of god expands (as it should continually).

Answer 2

I have often used both when answering a question in here. I usually use believe, but for myself I know there is a God and so sometimes I say that.

Answer 3

It depends on the audience and topic.

I always say that I believe, because I do. The more time I spend learning about God, the more depth I find in Him, and the more I realize how little I actually know. I do know what His word says, however, and I will say that as well.

I've just confused myself...

Answer 4

Believe would be a more accurate term. I believe God exists on faith alone. Saying we "know" would cause many other non-believers to question us and ask for proof on how we know.

Answer 5

I say I KNOW- but many will say I only believe because I cannot prove it. But there are times I do say "I believe" too.
However I myself "know" because God lives in me, and it is only by His power and Spirit that I do know. It is hard for someone who does not know to understand because they do not have the Holy Spirit living in them.
I also say "The Bible says" or "God says this" because God's words are more important than our own--- His word is truth and it is alive and active as it says in Hebrews 4.

Answer 6

Most would have to say they believe God is there.

For only those who have direct, personal experience of God - thus having not a doubt ever again - could say they KNOW.

Knowing is from experience - not FAITH or BELIEF.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 7

i myself hate seeing christians asserting issues like this. It makes me indignant and unhappy on a similar time. jointly as i replaced right into a sparkling born christian I had an elder in the church question my salvation and say quite lots a similar venture you're asserting now. i myself do no longer see the helpful cost in christians doing that to a minimum of one yet another or to somebody who replaced into until now following Jesus and christianity. you may comprehend that guy can no longer see what's in the heart of yet another, yet God can. And God may be the only one that could desire to question the place yet another persons heart is at. i like and comprehend you NCWJ yet at the instant a number of your questions have somewhat been scraping the backside of the barrel. i'm commencing up to contemplate whether I had the incorrect theory approximately you and is this the real you?

Answer 8

I say both depends on the situation. Becuase I believe God is there and I know He is there.

Answer 9

Agnostic-ish here, but thanks for asking the question. It's a good one.

As an agnostic I think that no believer can claim the certainty of knowing, and that 'miracles' which are used to justify the claim of knowing can be explained in other ways. I am willing to accept 'know' with indisputable proof, which is admittedly probably impossible to obtain.

Answer 10

I think you should not spend time thinking about the words and and focus on the heart. I often say , "I believe" . . . what I mean is "I know".

As one secular representative made . . it is all faith. He obviously has more faith. It would take more faith to believe there is no God with all the proof there is.