Do Christians start with a basic assumption that the bible is true?

Question

And do they then get lost in a swamp of theological "nonsense" and call it "faith"?

for clarification, I am a Christian. The above question is in reference to an answer to a question I posed earlier today. I would like to know what both Christians and non believers think about this statement.
Do you agree or disagree and why?

thank you. :)

Answer 1

I dont think so..I think they start with the assumption that there is something greater then themselves...i am a fence sitter BTW

Answer 2

Do Christians start with a basic assumption that the bible is true?

Many do, yes. If you start with that assumption, then you will have little problem seeing the inspiration of God in the Bible. Also, those who look at the world assuming that the Bible's statements are always true, tend to see the world in a more realistic light.


And do they then get lost in a swamp of theological "nonsense" and call it "faith"?

Nope. I have spent a long time researching the Bible as well as the arguments for and against it's validity. Thus far, I've seen NO physical evidence that suggests that the Bible is wrong, err'd, or anything other than the inspired word of God. There's plenty of theories and plenty of "what ifs", but none of them mean anything.

Answer 3

Personally, I began with a childlike faith...because I was a child. As I grew in age and intellect, I began to question, and even deny that parts of the Bible were true. As I became an adult, I gave it very little thought; living my life as I thought was right; even attending church, but not buying into the entire "Christian" thing.

After God's grace convinced me that I could not go on without salvation, I began again to research and read. The more I read, the more the words became life to me. Things that made no sense to me years before seemed so clear now.

I found that the "theological nonsense" was man made, and that the Truth is really quite simple and clear.

Answer 4

I can only judge from my experience, but I accepted the Bible as literally true because that was how I was raised. There was no questioning Christianity in my childhood home, so I was a Christian by default. When I left home and started to question, I eventually became an Atheist.

I think this is generally the case with Christians, in that they are Christian because they are raised to be. Even those who aren't raised Christian cannot help but feel the cultural pressure(particularly in America) in western society to conform to the religious majority. Granted, this cultural pressure is true in any and every society, but, like I said, Christianity has been my experience.

Answer 5

Assumptions are not a generally good think to make. The search for truth must end with truth and not assumption. If you don't know something is true, find out how you can prove it right or wrong and do so. Use the scientific method as best you know how...I know the Bible is true as far as it is translated correctly.

Answer 6

I start with the assumption that the Bible is true. And then with faith I go into the swamp theology if you will. I think that is closer to the truth for me. Not that I think that theology is a swamp, but you get the point. God Bless.

Answer 7

Nope I don't.

I came to Christ and wanted to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the bible was true. I have been in some monstrous searches, done studies, read my eyes out and prayed for answers to be found to some of my huge questions.

The answers came.....

However again, if someone wants to not believe in God, no evidence will be sufficent for them. I wanted to believe but wanted proof also. I have that proof now.

I am very assured, educated, knowledgable both with my head and my heart about Christ. Its definately not a blind faith.

Answer 8

At this late date, there's plenty of historical evidence to prove that at least 2/3 of what the bible records is true, since it's already come to pass, as written.

Based on that, we have every reason to expect that the other 1/3 will also come to pass.

Only those who are either too lazy, or too ignorant to do some independent research could come to any other conclusion.

Answer 9

I believe Christians read the Bible the way teenagers used to read Peyton Place when I was a kid. They look for the juicy parts. The parts they can use to force their beliefs off on others.

The parts they can use to justify betraying people who trust them.

The parts they can use to feel the warm fuzzy holier-than-thou while they proselytize.

Because I believe Christians are basically dishonest, and they're drawn to Christianity because it puts them into others exactly the same as themselves.

Answer 10

My mother was a missionary, but she died when I was 6. My father was mentally ill, so I was pretty much "on my own" emotionally at a very tender age. Perhaps one of the most profound experiences I had as a child was being a boy scout and camping out and spending a lot of waking hours staring at the stars.
A child's intellect told me there was a God. My younger brother is 44, and today he would tell you about a favorite Christmas Eve when I got my driver's lisence before he did, I asked him to go for a ride with me. I went a short distaance from home, stopped the car on the edge of a farm field, got out and walked out into the field and laid down in the frosty grass and stared at the clear sky and I told my brother "He's up there, Steve" We both just laid there until we were so cold we couldn't stand it, then got back in the car.
I don't remember asking Jesus in my heart because that memory is lost in the cobwebs of childhood, but I was baptised at a Baptist Church on April 23, 1967. I was 10. I still attend the same church. Back then, it was about 100 or so people and today it is about 3000.
I do not completely understand the Bible, and I'm sure I'll get to heaven before I do, but I've NEVER questioned its validity. I believe every word. Refer to: Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
My wife has a College Degree in Christian Education from Manhatten Christian College, and we are both bookworms. We have read best selling christian books such as The Case for Christ by Lee Stroebel, Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh Mcdowell, Christianity in Crisis by Hank Hanegraaff, and too many others to list. We have a library room; we are Homeschoolers, refer to My Profile.
I don't know what you mean by theological nonsense, but yes, I call it faith, and Yahoo! doesn't have the space and you don't have the time for me to tell you all the reasons I believe. They increase daily. I guess the best explanation I can give for my faith is to start singing:

On Christ, The Solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
My Hope is built on nothing Less,
Than Jesus Blood and Righteousness.
On Christ, The Solid Rock I stand.

This MUST be sung loud and strong, whether you're on key or not.

In His Service,
John the Baptist

Answer 11

First I believed in God, but I had to find the religion that knew him. After looking in several areas I began to read the Bible, meditate on its doctrines, check its validity in my heart, apply it in my life, check it against the other truths I learned such as science. However, when my heart leaped from reading the Sermon on the Mount, I knew I had found the truth. The words were alive and living, the author knew me, and He was alive and living. That was my confirmation that the Bible was true - the Spirit of God testified with my heart that it was.