Doubting Thomas is perhaps the most famous skeptic in the Bible?

Question

It's well known that he "had to have concrete proof" Jesus was resurected by feeling the wounds and such before he would believe. It's, then, fair to say,if he were born any other time he would have been an atheist. The question, then, is why was proof given to him and not, say, skeptics of today? Thomas supposedly saw Jesus perform numerous miracules too and was still skeptical of Jesus. So how is it fair that he got special treatment? The same could be said of Paul.

johhny - you whackjob - i'man atheist

Answer 1

Interesting. This Thomas saw miracles and didn't believe, then he sees holes in the palms and believes it. It's inconsistent. I think that story was made up by other disciples to make Thomas look bad. The various writers of the Roman bible are having a go at each other. "The disciple whom Jesus loved", etc. Peter & Paul are against each other, Jesus calls Peter "Satan", etc. Roman bible is a soap opera.

Answer 2

Well, I'm not going to answer the question directly, but I hope you think about what I say. At one point in the New Testament, it's said of people who were witnesses to all that Jesus did WOULD NOT believe in Him, and because of this, they COULD NOT believe.

That's in John 12:37-41. You can read it here, if you'd like:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012:37-41%20;&version=31;

The same is true today. We have to make a conscious choice to WANT to believe. If we say, "Well, I WANT to believe, but the only way I will is if God Himself comes down and tells me He exists...."....well, it doesn't quite work that way.

I know this doesn't directly answer the question, but the thing is, there IS no direct answer, and for that...I'm sorry. Or maybe there is a direct answer, and I just don't know what it is, and I'm sorry for that, too.

What I DO know is this: Some of us would be hardened against God no matter what. Even if God Himself came down, we would still deny Him. So what each of us have to decide is just what would convince us. We have to make a conscious decision to believe...or not.

One last thing. At one point, in Mark 9, Jesus is confronted with a man whose child was epileptic. At one point, the man says to Jesus, "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!" Because the man was sincere, and he WANTED to believe, Jesus helped him. And He'll do the same even now. Ask any Christian if that's true. They'll tell you.

Answer 3

Jesus lived in the flesh only 33 years and only preached in a small area the longest journey he took was a 2 day walk (not including his 40 days in the wilderness/desert) it is believed that it was a choice made for the same reason as a modern church he was aiming to intinsify his message and effect more people had he traveled the entire world he would have to be here longer and speand days on end at each location to effect the same amount of people he did in his 33 years. He died to save us of our sins and to show us how to spread the gospel ourselves. God asks us not to test himin any area other than finances but you can talk to many people including myself that have had incounters with the one true God and hear our miracles. Once you are a true Christian and have asked Jesus into your heart and meant every word of it, then all it takes is approaching the thrown boldly and with confidence and your mountain will be cast into the sea. I have seen so many miracles and experienced them 1st hand. mind you though its not the miracles that make you a christian its your heart. I mean even the isrealites saw God part the Red Sea through Moses and yet Many of them still reverted back 2 their old lives only months later.

Answer 4

No. I John 5:7 does not say "3 persons." The Trinity is the thought the father, Son, and Holy Spirit are 3 distinctive persons, each and each being God, each and each co-equivalent and co-everlasting with the others. that's actual 3 Gods pretending to be one. If the father sends the Holy Spirit, then that makes the father enhanced to the Holy Spirit. the actual Bible doctrine is actual fairly elementary. there is one God, and which you're able to make himself popular to us in distinctive techniques. the father is who God is; the Holy Spirit is what God is. Jesus is the single guy or woman in whom dwells the fulness of deity; Colossians 2:9-10. on the baptism of Jesus, you do not see 3 persons; you ehar a voice (does God could be a "guy or woman" to communicate? No.). you spot a kind like a dove; is the Holy Spirit completely contained in that dove? No; impossible. The Spirit of God became in no way at any time restricted to a minimum of one actual region.

Answer 5

yes true, there are many skeptics in the world today but do you really think that it would change mans perception one bit if christ were here in his magnificent glory??? I say nay. God has sent representatives to act in his place and noone listens to them....like prophets, evangelists, and so forth. Heck its hard enough to keep teenagers at home listening to their parents. Thomas had his "special treatment" as did Paul because it was the will of God. The idea behind the story is to remember what Jesus said to Thomas after he touched the piercings in his hands and in his feet. "Because thou (Thomas) hast seen thou hast believed. Blessed are those who have not seen (Believers/Christians), yet believe!" A blessing was extended to those who believe without seeing and touching the body of Christ--that blessing is extended to all Christians who believe in the true gospel of Christ and believe that he is truly the son of God. Furthermore, Christ knew that Thomas was a unbeliever but he allowed Thomas to touch his body so that he can believe and become a "SPECIAL WITNESS" that the son of GOD lives and has been resurrected, that his testimony would be spread amongst those who wanted to hear and become believers in HIM. Jesus will come again in His own time and when he does we will be able to feel of the wounds in his hands and in his feet. People heard the testimony of Thomas as he shared it with many until he was martyred. Nevertheless the spiritual lessons behind the story are still available to us today even thousands of years later. Ultimately, as a people in Christ we are blessed because we believe, and have not seen!

Answer 6

The ressurrection was hard to swallow for him. But Jesus heard him even though he was in the room. So he appeared and humbled him by answering his question Thomas asked even though he wasn't even there.

Jesus said put your hands in my side AND touch my wounds on my hands. He fell on the floor and exclaimed My Lord, And my God.!!!!!! Hmmm, why would he say that?!!!

Cause it's a hoax???? Dont be a fool! you'll find out here or at judgment. You and J the atheist

Answer 7

Jesus said blessed are you which have seen and believed but more blessed are those which have not seen and believe speaking of believers to come. Today we have God's word and Jesus is still available for us today, the problem with most people is they don't give the God of the bible and Jesus Christ a sincere chance in their life to show them that he is real. If people would sincerely apply the teachings of Jesus and the New testament and sincerely pray to God for forgiveness in Jesus and give him a chance through faith in him he will show you that he is real even today.

Answer 8

Thomas is the witness of His wounds. No one had given testimony that they put their fingers through the nail or spear holes--and that is what Thomas required. He did it and bore witness that Jesus was both Lord and God incarnate. If you do not believe his testimony, you would not believe it in the flesh.

Answer 9

Experts aren't sure of the answer to the question about Thomas.

As for Paul, that's an entirely different kettle of fish.

Answer 10

Grace. Simply grace.

Since you're an atheist ... grace is God's unmerited favor, and it is also a share in his divine life.