I believe in God, but not sure about Jesus and the Bible.?

Question

I was raised Catholic, but didn't get much out of church. I recently started going to a Christian church and find it much more informative, without all the rituals.

There have been a few times where I felt pretty helpless and asked "God" for help and was somewhat surprised to find that it worked. However, I typically find myself praying to "God" in these instances, not Jesus.

I like hearing/reading the word of Jesus, but just not sold on the whole bible and it's story.

Why would God only send down his "son" to such a small group of people in the world. What about all the Chinese people? Why didn't he go talk to them? If I were God, that's not how I would have done it.

Anyone else feel this way?

Answer 1

Yes, I have felt that way in the past too. The thing to remember is that Jesus left a mission for us to accomplish. It is the same mission that was left for the apostles and that is to bring people to him. We are all to be fishers of men and women. A good book to read that would help explain the bible and Jesus would be "Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. It helps to understand the accuracy of the bible and breaks down common myths about Jesus.

Keep your head up and keep praying. It will all be revealed in due time.

Answer 2

Sort of. There are things I would do different. I'm not God though, so maybe I don't know the best way.

Anyway, have you considered Matthew 28?

Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Do you know what the Greek for "all nations" means? It means "ALL nations". That would include China. God didn't just come for the Jews - He started there. He left some work for his disciples to do. Guess what? It's working - I'm practically on the other side of the world from where they were and I've heard about Jesus' love.

Answer 3

"It seems like the only place when I feel comfortable is when I pray... By myself, when I talk to god... When I confide in him... " Ah...The peace you feel when spending time with God is the key. Walk in the understanding you have, what brings you peace and what you know honors God. Maybe find another church. Each church, even in the same denomination, can be so different. Most of my Christian strength, joy, and growth is from my personal time with God, reading great teaching materials, and in being "God's hands extended" here on earth. The volunteer work I do isn't connected to my church but it is for God and gives me such joy. I go to church more to give spiritually to others and fellowship. If the sermon is good then that's great too. If you're depressed, check with your doctor or a counselor. It will affect how you view everything. There can be so many health reasons that can cause depression. Wish you well.

Answer 4

You have picked a hard question to be answered in a short form.
I dont want to spout off and read lots of passages to you, I shall try to keep it short.
First I am glad that you have found a church that you are feeling comfortable with...keep at it and surely there is someone at the church who can give you some answers.
You are correct to pray to God, but dont forget Jesus, he did die for you. God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all one.
So when we pray to God we ask in Jesus's name {this is our bridge to God} and the Holy Spirit works with your Spirit. Does that make sense.
God sent His Son to all the world, and His promises are still the same today and have reached most corners of the world.
But it is all free choice whether we choose to believe or not and always will be.
It never ceases to amaze me how religion can still get in the way of spiritual growth....or this arguing about who said what and when or who is right and wrong. If you have found God then you have found LOVE in the true sense and all will be revealed to you as you grow in spritual truths.
Just enjoy your journey of truth and may God bless you and keep you.

Answer 5

Congratulations, Hon: you recognize a book of fairy tales when you see one.
It's perfectly OK to believe in a god and not think that it's Jesus Christ (or any other specific entity.) It's OK to believe in a higher power without having to resort to the drivel that is organized religion.
I too was raised Catholic. I'm no longer a Christian in any way, shape or form; I believe that Jesus existed, but I'd need a hell of a lot more proof than some book to convince me that he's the Son of God. I'm now happy to be Pagan. If "god" can't be found in nature, and in the means that the earth provides for us to survive, then he does not, in my opinion, exist at all.

Answer 6

You're not the first, and you won't be the last. You're experiencing doubts, and you have two options:
1) Stifle 'em quick, and move back into your comfort zone, or
2) Deal with them honestly, in spite of the scariness that might be involved.

I was raised a fundie Christian, but in my late twenties I developed some serious doubts. Actually, I'd been struggling to "fit" into that square peg for awhile. I went to my pastor & my Bible study leader and asked for help, and the things they had to say as "proof" seemed to me to be very weak. I mean, if *I* could see through it, it couldn't be that deep!

My doubts, like yours, centered around the Christian man-god. It didn't make sense that something as big as G-d could--or would!--come down to earth and be killed. In the end, I just couldn't believe it. I left Christianity, and for awhile I did Buddhist meditation. I liked it because it was something spiritual, but G-d wasn't involved. You see, I'd been so brainwashed that I figured that if I didn't believe in the Christian man-god, I didn't believe in G-d.

Eventually I began to explore Judaism. It's a long story--won't go into it--just to say that I'm an Orthodox Jew now. Through years of study and searching I learned that I don't need a 'mediator'. I can go to G-d by myself. And no, G-d did not become a man--in fact, according to my scriptures, such a thing is preposterous.

This isn't to convince you to become Jewish. It's to say: Be honest. Explore your doubts. Those who tell you not to explore your doubts must not be too sure of their faith! And know that if you seek G-d honestly, He'll respond. There's no point trying to believe something to impress Him, after all. I think that if you stay honest about your search, and really reach out to G-d, you'll end up in a good place. I wish you the best.

Answer 7

Do you know the word of God? God shows no favorites. Gentiles cover all races. Anything other than Jewish. But they are also included. Do you have to be sold on the whole Bible story? Well I am not sold on the whole man story either. Man is evil and blind. Jesus is easy to those that are called. Jesus found more faith among the non-Jewish community. Acts chapter 10 tells us that what God has cleansed no man can say he is unclean. God created all men of every race. If you were God? But you are not him. If you where Jesus? Thank God you are not him. We pray to God in the name of Jesus.God gave Jesus the authority to do things for us. He said what ever you ask the father in my name I will give it to you. Sometimes out of our ignorance God grants us our request. To get our attention. But when we are off the milk of the word and began to eat meat of the word.We began to recognize God's will for our lives through the work of the spirit.Jesus is spirit and truth. You can not have God without Jesus and you can not have Jesus without God. The world was smaller than now. Jesus was present to all mankind. He sent his disciples out to the world with instructions. That is mans problem,God has a plan and man says "If I would have done it?" God made your brain and heart and if you consider your position to God the creator and orchestrater of mans life and source. You would save your breath. God's plan will come forth no matter what man thinks or says. If I were God? What are you saying? The world likes hearing and reading the word of God. Yet they do not have a clue! So you think you are special? I think not. Jesus is special! So is my lord. Be careful whom you choose as your teacher. Pray. Luke 18.

Answer 8

Thats an honest question. You know that jesus's followers were commanded to preach, right? Notice what the apostle Paul said in 2Corinthians 1:8 ''''''For we do not wish YOU to be ignorant, brothers, about the tribulation that happened to us in the [district of] Asia, that we were under extreme pressure beyond our strength, so that we were very uncertain even of our lives''''

He said that he and others were threatened for preaching in Asia! And also, Matthew 24:14 says ''''And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come'''''
Jehovah's Witnesses follow this command, thats why you see them at your door preaching.

Answer 9

If you are reading the Bible regularly, then you know that the Bible states to pray TO the Father IN the name of Jesus, right? The Bible speaks numerous times of Jesus. How can you not believe the Bible, yet still call yourself a Christian?

Answer 10

Its the message inherent in nearly every religion of the world. Forget the dogma, and the ritual. Those are man-made constructs. They are myths created by men to explain the world around them. But at the center of them all is the same thing.

Their is a higher truth. It has no name, no personification. It is the Tao, it is Dharma... it is the flow of the universe. Jump on the bus homie!