I don't get it.
Assumptions:
1. God gives humans free will.
2. God "reveals" himself through an ambiguous book but refuses to make himself continuously known in a physical form on Earth.
3. Those who refuse to pledge their fealty ala John 3:16 are sent to hell.
Why would a god need to test his creations? Is this some experiment? The only answer I can come up with is:
42
If you do not understand this answer, you did not ask the right question.
The Earth is a supercomputer designed by hyper-dimensional pan-dimensional beings to figure out the ultimate question to life, the universe, and everything.
2007-12-12 03:42:27 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Please do not use circular reasoning or biblical references. Look WITHIN YOURSELF or for empirical proof.
2007-12-12 03:45:15 · update #1
The earth was ordered and built for the mice.
Your 3 assumptions are correct and reasonable.
Why did God do all these great miracles, i.e. part the red sea, raise the dead, etc for those Bible folks and yet strangely today, we have no supernatural appearances or even a hint of God?
Wouldn't God just appearing to the whole world every 30 years or so solve a lot of questions? Why do we have this cosmic Easter egg hunt for truth, using an ancient story book that by its very cryptic nature almost guarantees thousands of different interpretations?
Religion invented faith because it has no facts.
2007-12-12 05:35:46 · answer #1 · answered by isnrblogdotcalm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ib
You make some pretty bad assumptions.
1) You assume God gives humans free will. (this may be true, but why are you assuming it?)
2) You assume the Bible is ambiguous. (only to some)
3) You equate "pledging fealty" with being "born again" or "regenerated" (or whatever you want to call the conversion experience)
4) You are assuming there IS a "point" of salvation. (at least from a human perspective)
5) You assume God is "testing" His creation
Your last comment about the "earth" and "supercomputer" is just to silly for comment.
You ARE right about one thing though. I DONT understand "42". I'm not into game-playing or brain teasers.
(maybe you meant "area 51"? That makes about as much sense as YOUR comment)
You are making MAN the center and be-all of everything. Not even close.
Gods whole point is: Jesus came to save SINNERS. Since you do not see yourself as one, then He has NOTHING to say to YOU.
In fact, God says that until you see yourself as a being in rebellion againt HIM, then NONE of this will make any sense
This is why the Gospel is called GOOD NEWS. It is good news to those who know that they have a fatal problem that cannot be fixed by themselves.
To others, it is simply "foolishness".
The simple truth is: You dont WANT to know.
As God says; "You will seek Me, and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart". (Jeremiah 29:13)
The funny thing is, is that, You KNOW there is a God. I can confidently say this because, God says He PUT that knowledge into the human soul. And it can NEVER be completely erased.
"I have come to seek and to save that which was lost"--Jesus Christ.
....theBerean
2007-12-12 05:33:37 · answer #2 · answered by theBerean 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Your assumptions are in error:
1. God gives humans free will. - Wrong, because of the consequence of sin, humans have limited free will. Our choices are limited by the decisions we make, and like it or not, because of the decisions others make that influence us.
2. God "reveals" himself through an ambiguous book but refuses to make himself continuously known in a physical form on Earth. - Wrong. God has revealed himself in every conceivable way possible; through creation, by direct communication with man, by scripture and most importantly by coming to earth. Because some people are too stupid to realize the obvious is not God's fault.
3. Those who refuse to pledge their fealty ala John 3:16 are sent to hell. Wrong, man is on a path that leads to hell. God provided a way of escape. See John 3:18.
We were not created as a experiment, we were created for a relationship. The point of salvation is redemption, a second chance.
2007-12-12 03:57:38 · answer #3 · answered by Sambo 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Just keep watching those Matrix movies over and over...FYI we needn't be saved from anything other than poor choices we make. There isn't anyone looking out for those and hence we are NOT a part of a supercomputer because we continuously make those poor choices. Your assumption that we're part of a program implies that someone somewhere is watching the experiment...It additionally implies that they would correct the programming on occasion...That's just not happening so you're postulation/theory is not correct. Happy Holidays!
2007-12-12 03:49:27 · answer #4 · answered by thebigm57 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reasons God gives a person free will is to determine whether that person will choose to follow him or reject him. He doesn't necessarily want people to follow like robots, but to have a heart and make a decision on whom he is and whether or not you wish to worship him as God.
He reveals himself through a book and is not seen continuously on Earth perhaps as a test of Faith. It is easy to believe in Jesus if you saw him on the streets everyday performing miracles, you would believe only because you have seen; but it still isn't total faith. Faith relies on you being willing to take the proverbial "leap of faith", where sometimes you question but still have enough of a belief to make that leap.
Yes it is a test and a question many grapple with. In 3:16 John there is no pledge, it is either a belief in Jesus Christ as lord or Savior or a refusal of God and his creations.
If you refuse God and say no to his son, do you think he really is going to want you in his presence? If you refuse your creator and follow another path, do you really think it will be blessed because you want to do it?
2007-12-12 04:08:23 · answer #5 · answered by cheap advice 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You've asked a question concerning God, but you preclude answers that refer to the only source of knowledge about God. How smart is that?
You've assumed that the Bible is an "ambiguous book," although it is cl;ear you know nothing about the Bible.
You misread John 3:16, and did not read John 3:17. As you say, there is a lot about the subject of God and the Bible that you don't get. So, can you say you know what you're talking abouit?
2007-12-12 03:58:32 · answer #6 · answered by joseph8638 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The wisdom of man is foolishness to God. With all due respect, my friend, your arrogance and pride are your stumbling blocks to truth. Die to self and seek Him and you will have all the proof you desire (if indeed you do desire it).
By the way, this so-called ambiguous book, which is called the Bible, has NEVER been disproved. Moreover, countless artifacts and historical proof exist as regards the events of the Bible.
To refute them is akin to blindness, albeit a spiritual one. In addition, the odds of prophecy coming true even 10 times, much less 1,000's, exceeds statistical probability.
2007-12-12 03:51:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You've got it back to front, friend! It's not God testing his creatures - it's his creatures testing God! It began with a heavenly creature rebelling against God and bringing Adam and Eve on to his side of independence from God. Ever since then, all humanity has resisted God to some degree or other. He would be perfectly entitled to wipe us, and planet Earth, out of existence. We're like spoiled little brats whining that we want this and we want that, we don't want to do what we're told and we lash out any way we can against our heavenly Father. We want free will, don't we? Then what do we do with it when we get it?
Salvation is God's supreme answer to sinful creation as to the extent of his holiness combining with love. It will all work out to glorify God and those who love him will enjoy him forever.
2007-12-12 03:57:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I believe in God. But I can't prove a thing about Him/Her. I only know that I believe. And I would prefer not to experience Hell when I die, because I've seen enough of a Hell preview here on earth. In keeping with the last lines of your question...don't forget to imbibe in some decent barley/hop brewed muscle relaxant...and don't forget your towel either. Always know where your towel is.
2007-12-12 03:59:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The point of salvation is reconciliation with God. Man has turned his back on his creator and separated himself from the love of God. God continues to love all mankind but many reject that love. Only through salvation can we know the peace and joy of His love. He won't force any to believe-He is patient and awaits our decision to accept the gift of His love. He stands at the door and knocks-you have to open the door and invite Him in.
2007-12-12 04:34:25 · answer #10 · answered by Country girl 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋