Christians - Is it impossible not to be converted by the Bible?

Question

A few Christians always bring up the same comeback when I ask a question regarding their religion... and it usually goes along the lines of, "If you truly read the Bible you would..."

But I have read the Bible. Thoroughly.

Christians, in your mind, is it impossible not to be converted by the Bible from a young age - with no other influences, by reading it word for word and understanding everything?

Or is fully understanding the Bible the real demise of Christianity and the spawning of Atheist believers?

Or is someone born with a lack of belief, or intelligence to figure out the contradicting beliefs, morals and discrimination within the Bible?

Or is it the work of Satan trying to overrule God?

Answer 1

I have several atheist friends who've read the entire Bible multiple times, and one who even wrote a book on the Bible. They remain atheists to this day. So, reading the Bible doesn't guarantee a conversion.

Answer 2

The Bible can be read at many different levels: as historical facts about things that happened, as stories invented by people to bring society under control, as mythohistorical stories of the creation of the world in an atempt to understand why we are here, as guidelines to live an ethical life, as a true path to finding God, amongst many others... you choose. For the Catholic and Orthodox churches it is the book that accompanies the church, but the church was first. For all other Christians after the times of Reform it is the basis upon which their beliefs are upheld given they choose to split from the original Church. Ie: first came the church, then the Bible was compiled I think around 200 AC (but not sure of the date), then came Protestant reform in the 1500s (think). As it was compiled by many different people over hundreds of years (not to mention the old testament going back couple thousand maybe), in different languages, it is not suprising that you can find contradictions. I suggest start by reading the new testament, which is the foundation of Christian belief and then go for the Old Testament, which is the context of this foundation. And if it doesn't speak to you, and you are truly looking for a path to God or spirituality, you can try reading the Tao, or really any holy book. I think it is good to introduce children to your religion if it is an intricate part of your culture, but then as we grow older we are allowed to question.

Answer 3

If indeed you have read the Bible thoroughly, you know that God bestows the gift of faith on whoever He chooses. See Romans 9. The Pharisees were “masters” of the Torah, yet they hated the Son of God, and continued trying to discredit him even after He convincingly rose from the dead. Jesus once explained this. He told them they did not believe, *because* they were not His sheep. See John 10:26. Note the direction of causation. He does not say they were not his because they didn't believe. He said they didn't believe because they were not His. If you really have read the Bible thoroughly, you already knew this. Why are you asking us?

Answer 4

Reading the Bible a thousand times, receiving a PHD in Theology or Doctorates doesn't compare to the the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Mental abilities or psychological intellect only confuse and obfuscate scriptural intentions. Basically, without the help of the holy spirit man cannot understand what the bible teaches.

Answer 5

Greg, you may desire to have theory approximately it very plenty earlier making an significant decision to transform. that is your decision. that's the alternative given to each guy or woman. with the help of burying or burning the Bible, you're actually not harming God by any skill. The Bible is composed of His truths and plans for guy's salvation, forgiveness and healing and maximum suitable reconciliation with Himself. His be conscious can exchange our lives with the help of the truths printed therein. The Bible isn't a talisman, it won't injury God, you or every physique with the help of basically in ordinary terms burying or burning or mutilating it. notwithstanding, you may provide your Bible away to a chum and enable your chum study God's e book?

Answer 6

You may read the Bible but you did not do so with intent, and therefore you do not understand the Bible. You don't just take a few things out of context and say, OK I've got it. It takes a lifetime of study and devotion to do it any justice at all.

PS No demise of Christianity where I live. Growing by leaps and bounds, and mostly in a positive way.

Answer 7

O come on,any one with half a brain and some thinking power left can see the "almightly,loving,carying god" of the bible,is not true.

God loves all right? Except the ones he has damned to spend eternity in hell

God can not sin,yet he created sin,supports sin in HIS own book(they do not believe as you do,kill them,its there take a look),he himself is a mass murderer toruturer,and has plans to destroy the world...............hhhmmmmmm whose fanitical?

God says "The Devil" is evil,ok,who created the devil?Who makes sure the devil keeps going?

God says we are made in his OWN image,yet he can not sin,and we can.........

Come on,I have read the bible,few times over.I dont let the easter bunny in my heart when I read easter cards,just as I dont let harry potter in there when I read those stupid books.

True,I dont want to believe,I see way to much in my personal life that supports my ideals,I believe in God,the god right there in your bible that most christians base every thought out of.And i see him for what he his,plain and simple.

So yes,read the Bible,and not be "converted" is possible.

UUUMMMM completly impossible to fully understand that book of stories and lies,even if there is some truth mixed in.

The Bible is racist,highly prejudice against basically anyone who does not follow it,utterly contridicting,but the basics morals for how to live half decent life is there,if you can get passed the rest of the crap.

God made angels(DDDDUUHHHH),angels have no free will,wich is why he made humans.He made humans to have free-will,so they could choose to love him or not.Since angels have no free will,and Satan was an angel,see where I'm going with this?

ANd yes the bible does not say god made angels,but it does say angels have no free-will.Now I came to conclusion god made angels simply,"In the begining" other wise there was not only god in the begining and the entire book is full of crap..........Logic sucks LMAO

Answer 8

In my humble experience, the most powerful form of evangelism is to live the faith. Then others will be attracted and start asking questions. But the most evangelical vicar in our deanery claims that he jogs with unbelievers and they are converted. I think it has something to do with the fact that he is very fit and can keep up the chat whilst the other can't.

Answer 9

Of course its possible. Its completely possible for a person to read The Bible, understand its message, and still choose another path.

Answer 10

Actually it's the work of the predecessors of today's NWO/Illuminati types. It's designed to help the "peasants" to feel disempowered, fearful and subservient. A slick brainwashing tool to help forward the agenda of the "elite" psychopaths as they move closer to owning everything and controlling everyone.

Unfortunately, once they do, you may find yourself among the 80+ % of the "useless" they intend to murder in their depopulation program, a top agenda item, as they build their "utopia". A planet where the survivors remaining among the "untouchable class" are enslaved by the "elites"/ terminally obese (in body, ego and bank account.) :))