I'll let you answer as you see fit. However, you must know that it is impossible without being pre-ordained by God. I.e. you will not be going to eternal LIFE unless God has written your name in the Lamb's book of life (i.e. Jesus'). Now, no body but God knows who is in there..so there's still a chance for you..if you accept by faith that Jesus is your savior. Read the bible starting with John and then move on to Romans and Ephesians.
Yea..yeah..I know you pagans and mockers will scoff at this post..go ahead and scoff..your destruction is nigh..dudes!
2007-08-24 09:25:17 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No! I don't care how many times they've read it, it will be 'just a book' to them until they open their hearts to Jesus and ask for Him to reveal the knowledge and truth to them. That is why they can't understand our answers either. When Christians say to each other, "For God so loved the world.."we know what it means to us; to them..nothing.
2007-08-24 09:34:30 · answer #1 · answered by dawnUSA 5 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Just because I can understand something does not mean that I will make it the main focus of my existence.
I understand how an internal combustion engine works but my life does not revolve around my car.
I understand the teachings of Jesus, but that does not mean that I believe he is the ONLY God when in fact he says that the Roman Centurion who comes to Jesus to have his servant healed shows more FAITH than the Jews of the time. I think you forget that the Centurion did NOT know the GOSPEL and was in fact *gasp* PAGAN (Lock up your brains! There are inconvenient things from the Bible present)
2007-08-24 16:41:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In a sense, the answer is yes. It is possible to understand the literary structure, the concepts involved, the theology, the narrative arc, etc without believing. But one could not fully understand the gospel and its implications without believing what it said.
It's not a matter of accepting it and then understanding it. It's a matter of when Truth speaks it causes changes in our thoughts and lives. Full understanding would include a spiritual understanding as well.
2007-08-24 17:03:02 · answer #3 · answered by Swish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it possible for every bible thumper out there to believe that if someone doesn't: go to church, read the bible, live life according to the ten commandments that they might go to your heaven anyways? I've had my conversation with God, he's fine with me not doing those things. I don't spend my life on my knees or not eating meat on a Friday because I'M ok with it and I've been TOLD it's ok. Live your life without being pulled around by your nose (or 2 1/2 ft lower), you'll find it's just as rewarding.
2007-08-24 16:48:27 · answer #4 · answered by sdmf4u2000 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you are spouting is called revealed religion and stems from the teachings of John Calvin. You will note he was a man and not Jesus or god. God stated in Isaiah all one needs for salvation is to ask. Please show where the NT states only believers can understand?
Buy the way, is it not a silly concept that you must blindly believe before the truth will be revealed to you?
2007-08-24 16:45:45 · answer #5 · answered by honshu01 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have read the bible several times, trained in bible study and taught bible study and evangelism.
And it is exactly that understanding of the bible that turned me from a Christian into an atheist some 15 years ago.
(Thank you ndmagicman for that phrasing, which I echo but have adapted to my personal experience.)
Of course I understand the Gospel, and I'm an unbeliever.
I'm quite clear what the message is that I've concluded is not, at core, true.
2007-08-24 17:01:23 · answer #6 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, first off, having your name in the Lambs Book of Life is NOT the same as being pre-ordained. Second, YES! Everyone can understand the gospel. Everyone may not choose to but its there for those who want to.
2007-08-24 16:32:10 · answer #7 · answered by Lance F 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have read the bible several times, even have taken classes in the study of the bible. And it is exactly that understanding of the bible that turned me from a christian into a atheist some 25 years ago.
Your logic is flawed. You must blindly believe to understand? I think you have it totally backwards.
2007-08-24 16:50:22 · answer #8 · answered by ndmagicman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hold on... what happened to free will? I thought it was our choice not pre-ordination.
But Ok, you what to chage the rules, let's play that game, by your statement, since I no longer believe I can't understand the Gospels which is strange as I still understand them o mean the same thing as before. And as we are pre- ordained to goto hevean or hell, god essentially created us as damned, in this case it doesnt matter what I do or don't do I still go to hell. So what's my incentive to listen to you or your religion? The only think that is rational for me is to then is to put us out of our misery as my actions are meaningless.
2007-08-24 16:38:05 · answer #9 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes I know the Bible says we can't (I heard it from another answerer - I haven't got that far re-reading it yet) but isn't there something wrong with that? Like to understand something you have to accept what it tells you without question?
Surely someone who tells you to accept what they're saying without question would only tell you this if they were talking a load of old bollocks.
I'm anticipating my destruction already, dude.
2007-08-24 16:34:46 · answer #10 · answered by Citizen Justin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gotta take issue with your predestination, dude. I believe that grace is available to any person in the universe who chooses to accept it and live in its influence. And of course unbelievers can understand the gospel- at first there were only a few Christians and now there are a billion, so clearly a lot of people have understood!
2007-08-24 16:31:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋