For example, after the resurrection, Jesus revealed himself to Saul of Tarsus so that Saul would a) stop killing his followers and b) accept him as the true messiah and share that news with others.
I understand that faith plays a big part in the christianity, but it seems that certain people are exempt from having to rely on faith alone and are given the gift of personal experience.
Since there have been exceptions to the rule, why doesn't god reveal himself to those who need it the most? Saul obviously would never have believed if he hadn't witnessed it firsthand.
If we are to believe the bible literally, god can reveal himself and doing so would save probably millions of people from an eternity in hell.
Wouldn't a truly benevolent god put aside his pride and save his children, that he loves so much, from that fate? After all, he did it for Saul of Tarsus ... so why doesn't he stop the "persecutors" of today?
2007-09-23 22:04:25 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Great quote, straightshooter.
2007-09-23 22:13:37 · update #1
Jeremiah -- No, but neither was Saul of Tarsus. That's the point I'm trying to make.
And yes, I was one of "god's faithful" at a previous point in my life.
2007-09-23 22:14:28 · update #2
Don't sidestep the question, people!
I said I understand the issue of faith. I understand the issue of god revealing himself through his word. I'm talking about the occasions in which god has revealed himself in the physical sense. Situations where god appeared and gave someone a very clear and precise personal message.
2007-09-23 22:16:23 · update #3
mad cat -- Because he is supposed to love us all equally. I never claimed to love everyone equally. And I don't have the power to hang out with everyone. I'm limited by my resources. God isn't.
2007-09-23 22:17:54 · update #4
Another great quote from rockymountain. Thanks!
2007-09-23 22:19:15 · update #5
This was what the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, was asking his Jesuit mentors.
If we need to know about God for our own salvation, then why did God make it so difficult to find him ?
We need food for our body's survival. It's easy to find it (compared to finding God necessary for our eternal survival).
2007-09-23 22:13:49 · answer #1 · answered by kent☼wn 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Oh come on the respond is basic! people who stay actual don't have that style of delusion. it rather is totally actual of all sturdy Christians! people who declare God revealed himself to them no longer in basic terms ridicule God and all Christians yet choose some expert scientific help! no longer something harms Christianity better than fake claims and fantasies!
2016-10-05 06:38:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question is insightful. Saul was not a seeker and his "personal experience with God" was blasted upon him in spite of his hatred. A plausible explanation that fits within the established story line would be that Saul/Paul was particularly suited to play a particular role that God wanted played. He was the man. It appears that Saul/Paul responded in spite of himself, an offer he couldn't refuse, perhaps?
2007-09-23 22:29:17 · answer #3 · answered by jaicee 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Please. Do not underestimate the power of your faith. There is a rich reward for those who believe without first having seen. Jesus said that, and that greater blessing is yours.
Many see faith as a baseless assumption or blind. My own faith is based upon evidence and that realization is what keeps it so strong. At a very young age I became aware of the presence of sin in my life and that awareness is evidence. When I submitted to the will of God and He filled me with the Holy Spirit I more clearly understood the things I previously did not, and that serves as evidence. The many times I fell to my own devices and had to come back to God with a heart full of sorrow for my failing that sorrow served as evidence. As our walk with God continues and we experience more of His creation and His blessings those things as well serve as evidence. As that evidence grows so does our faith. When his disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith he told them a parable. With each parable they saw more truth and their faith grew. So, see, faith is not blind. Our faith is far superior to opinion.
God knows the heart of man so much better than we ever can. He knew each of us before our birth and where our affections would lie. In our confusion we must trust Him to know and do all good things.
An Apostle is one who knew Christ and saw him in his time here on earth. To them he gave very specific and important instructions. There were originally 12, then one died and another from among the many disciples who witnessed Christ's ministry was appointed to take his place. Paul is also an Apostle by direct appointment by Christ. Paul was in his presence at his conversion and was blinded by his glory. Jesus said to him, "Saul, Saul. Why do you persecute me? Why do you kick against the goads ( translated as "pricks" in some versions to signify a thing that is hard to conquer without damage to self)?" The highly intelligent Jewish Pharisee who debated and persecuted the Christians became a huge witness for Christ because he finally realized that all his arguments to the contrary were wrong. The evidence he already possessed and the new revelation he had just received was evidence for his faith.
All of these Apostles except one were martyred for their faith in Christ. They were killed. Is it also fitting that only those who are martyred should receive salvation? God is righteous in His judgement.
2007-09-23 23:00:01 · answer #4 · answered by sympleesymple 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
First there is a time for everything, second He did save His children, all it take for one to be saved is to call on the name of Jesus. Third, with that all said, God reveals Him self every day some just won't believe it. Now let me ask you a question, what if saul would have said" I imagined it." or "I'm buggin."' after Jesus revealed Him self?
2007-09-23 22:19:27 · answer #5 · answered by TYRONE S 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
God in the Bible is a fairytale. Evidence of God Not In the Bible is available to everyone. The Big Bang, Abiogenesis, Evolution, Life, The Universe and Everything In It.
If you can't see God in that, it's not for God's lack of trying.
2007-09-23 22:10:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
Some people lie, others hallucinate, and still others accept the high probability that there is no god.
2007-09-23 22:11:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Maybe there is no god. What a frightening idea that is, but it would explain much of the questions regarding what god does or doesn't do and for what reason. "Free your mind from mental slavery, non but ourselves can free our minds", wise words from Bob Marley...
2007-09-23 22:12:32 · answer #8 · answered by straightshooter 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
My Child...God has revealed himself to both you and I a lot of times....Only we fail to "NOTICE" him!
He may be the beggar that you pushed aside asking for a dime to fill his tummy, he may be the person who you just made fun of with your friends, he may be that old chap sitting in the bus and you deliberately ignored him because he is dressed in rags...
He maybe anyone worthless that we refuse to take notice of simply because they worth nothing...because our eyes are closed.
Open your eyes Child and see God..for he is everywhere and anywhere!
2007-09-23 22:32:25 · answer #9 · answered by redzonecash 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because through his Grace he has blessed us with faith. Through Faith....we believe.......Life will follow in paradise.
2014-11-03 17:31:53 · answer #10 · answered by Aztec Eyes 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋