My pastor was a devout Christian for around 60 years, went back to school (PhD) and after years of intense research and prayer, came to the conclusion that all he had left was faith, because he discovered that Jesus probably never existed at all, and too many other things to mention.
He quit the ministry and people kept saying that he never was a true Christian, or that he had some besetting sin in his life, or that he blasphemed, etc, etc..
But the truth is, that he simply learned more about what he believed and found it to be lacking so much that to continue to believe it would be ridiculous! Just like people who didn't believe in cells or atoms, or that the Earth wasn't the center of the solar system - when they looked through the microscope or telescope - and saw that what they believed just couldn't be - why, they were left with no choice but to CHANGE their belief!
I will stand by my knowledge FOREVER - that my pastor was a GENUINE CHRISTIAN. Now he's human - and better!
2007-09-06 21:05:02 · 10 answers · asked by The Burninator 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
it is possible.
'He quit the ministry and people kept saying that he never was a true Christian, or that he had some besetting sin in his life, or that he blasphemed, etc, etc'
these people are ignorant .imagine this scenerio , what IF your pastor secretly lose faith and pretend to be a devout christian.
then people will still assume he's a real christian till he die .. right ?
thats whats people meant ' judge book by the cover '
similarly , when a true atheist convert into christianity or islam , can i say this atheist were never true atheist ? no i cant.
do i believe that superman or wonder woman exist ? no i don't . however if one day they appear , and i believe they exist , does that mean all the way till now , i am a false non-believer ? no it doesnt.
atheist are atheist because there's no proof god exist .
similarly a christian is a christian because there's proof to them that god exist
you cant just say someone is fake because he convert in or out.
currently , i consider myself agnostic . if one day i convert into catholic or turn full atheist , does that meant i am not a true agnostic ?
there will be people here who are true atheist / christian who will convert out / in in the future , does that prove that they are not true to themselves ?
a fake christian would be one that classified himselves as a christian , and no trouble turning into an atheist .
same goes for a fake atheist.
a real christian/atheist would convert IF they see evidence that are convincing for them.
if people cant see this simple facts , i wonder how they interpret the bible / scientific evidence
2007-09-06 21:08:22 · answer #1 · answered by Curious 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think he was a genuine Christian before. However, he lost his faith due to becoming confused about what he learnt at university - which often concentrates more on philosophical/historical education of Christianity, rather than spiritual faith. There is almost no doubt that the historical figure of Jesus did exist because he is mentioned in writings soon after his death, by various commentators. What happened to your pastor was that he started to rely on his head in trying to understanding God, rather than the peace that faith in God gave him in his heart.
2007-09-07 04:18:36 · answer #2 · answered by Jake D 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Was is a correct assesment on your part, but having said that... was is the past tense, meaning since [you think] he was a genuine example of a christian the only thing that was accomplished through him is to pass on dougbt and insecurity to his followers who in turn have strayed from the path if they were ever on it at all.
This has been explained to us by our prophets that in the last days there will arise false teachers deciving many and leading many to stray from the truth.
The messiah stood till the end with his conviction shouldn't we do the same? We who have belived in him are likened to little messiah's ourselves this is our extention of him.
But your "pastor" in your words he found christianity lacking and he left the faith because what.... he was more learned then what he beleived? Hahahahaha Don't make me laugh if he was genuine he would've continued and if he thought he had some knowledge given to him from the L-rd to contribute why then couldn't he bring it to the table sort of speak in other words bring it to his congregants. The issue here is not how one starts a race but who has the determination to finish it.
In responce to single eye----down below, you have answered as I knew you would have, as I determined your error in my question's page, Your problem is very simple you have recieved erronious teachings and are condeming yourself with your own words because you miss the point of context to the topics given in the writtings of the covenent.
Please stop making a fool of yourself.
I didn't know I was supperior to you why did you acuse me of it are you insicure about yourself? And why do you hope I am punished in hell since you say we'll see in judgment day my outcome? And how do you beleive in judgment day and do not beleive that the writtings of Moses is inspired by the Holy spirit of G-d? You hypocrit don't you know that SATAN has cluddered your mind?
2007-09-07 04:27:55 · answer #3 · answered by Free Cuba 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe in God but I don't believe in Christianity. Your pastor and I have taken similar paths. I believed in the whole Jesus thing at one time, but as you really dig into it, it just falls apart. No offense to those who who believe in him. That's your choice, but I just can't anymore and maintain any sense of truth to myself. That's probably how your pastor felt.
2007-09-08 00:52:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First define christian. A follower of Christ. In my experience I have yet to meet such a person. The people I read about in the n.t. who followed Jesus do not resemble anyone I know of today who calls themself a christian. News Flash! the bible is corrupt and does not give a consistant description of God. God would not contradict Himself by saying "thou shall not kill" and then tell the Jews to kill every living thing in the promised land. What part of hypocrisy and contradiction do bible believers NOT understand?
In response to hear o israel above: enjoy your feeling of superiority while you can. We will see at the judgment who the fool was.
2007-09-07 06:35:37 · answer #5 · answered by single eye 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that they can. I know too many devout Christians who were extremely serious about their faith who've now either changed their religion altogether or become atheists. The way I see it, anyone can change their minds about anything at any time.
2007-09-07 04:12:56 · answer #6 · answered by solarius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Christian apologists you mentioned in your last question were for the most part adamant Atheists before converting to Christianity... no reason that it couldn't work the other way around.
2007-09-07 04:09:07 · answer #7 · answered by SDW 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I myself will never stop believing because I'm to afraid that there really is a God and there really is a hell and I don't want to go there.
2007-09-07 04:14:43 · answer #8 · answered by rednine 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you just make this up. Not your first time with this story either. Redundancy
2007-09-11 03:54:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I think it's what u do not what u believe that count.
2007-09-07 04:09:07 · answer #10 · answered by Luken 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋