Do you believe in God?

[Eastoff]

No I get you; but that really wasn't the question by vanilla. He is asking "do you believe in a conscious higher power?" In this regard, my definition is the true question.

Debating who is this being is for another thread.

Well he did frame the question wrong though, if that was his intent. He said "God" not "a god."

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Well he did frame the question wrong though, if that was his intent. He said "God" not "a god."

In my mind, God doesn't mean ABM's God, which is extremely self centered. God refers to any form of one.

 

[magnifier661]

Well he did frame the question wrong though, if that was his intent. He said "God" not "a god."

Why would that matter? Joe Smith's "God" could be something entirely different than Jane Doe's "God"

 

[VanillaGorilla]

In other words, you might think you believe in something, but what does it get you in the end. That's where the rubber truly meets the road.

You also think you believe in something.

And you claim to know what it gets you in the end?

The pomposity is overwhelming.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Debating who is this being is for another thread.

Exactly.

 

[Natebishop3]

Personally, I disagree with that notion. From an absolute purist perspective, I believe that: either you believe in God...absolutely including, the only way to eternal life with Him is through honest faith in Jesus Christ (as the way, the truth, and the life.)

.....or you don't believe in God at all.

In other words, you might think you believe in something, but what does it get you in the end. That's where the rubber truly meets the road.

If anyone here totally disagrees with what I've just said, that's OK. I'm merely stating what I believe to be truth.

Honest question ABM:

How do you even know who God is? You're basing everything you know about God from one book, and that book is been handled, edited, and crafted by some of the most evil pieces of shit to walk this earth. It's already known that some parts of the Bible have been taken out. How could the Bible be the word of God if it has been edited by man?

If God appeared in front of me, and handed me a book, only then would I believe it is the unequivocal word of God. But the Bible has been corrupted by the hands of man, so I cannot give it much credence.

 

[ABM]

Honest question ABM:

How do you even know who God is? You're basing everything you know about God from one book, and that book is been handled, edited, and crafted by some of the most evil pieces of shit to walk this earth. It's already known that some parts of the Bible have been taken out. How could the Bible be the word of God if it has been edited by man?

If God appeared in front of me, and handed me a book, only then would I believe it is the unequivocal word of God. But the Bible has been corrupted by the hands of man, so I cannot give it much credence.

I had determined that (a)man, and everything on the earth didn't just create itself on its own. If so, then (b)there must have been a creator. I finally came to the conclusion that said creator was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In other words, the God of the Bible. Ultimately, I surrendered my life to Him. It was a very easy decision, and I've never regretted it even one day of my life since.

I also believe that the Bible is God's divine Word to me....a map, if you will, that (a)helps me to better understand God's true nature and the significance/miracle of Jesus Christ and (b)provides total guidance as to how I can/should best live my life.

I believe (without question) God has also filled me with His Holy Spirit.....which was/is given to all believers upon Jesus ascension. While I'm still man....a sinner by nature (no thanks to Adam and Eve), the Holy Spirit prompts me towards living my life in a manner that is pleasing unto God.

I plan to spend eternity in Heaven.

That said, a non-believer would have no concept nor understanding towards what I am speaking of. Only a true follower of Christ is able to grasp "gift" from God and live out his/her life accordingly.

 

[Further]

I believe in Crystal Light so I believe in me!

 

[MadeFromDust]

Honest question ABM:

How do you even know who God is? You're basing everything you know about God from one book, and that book is been handled, edited, and crafted by some of the most evil pieces of shit to walk this earth. It's already known that some parts of the Bible have been taken out. How could the Bible be the word of God if it has been edited by man?

If God appeared in front of me, and handed me a book, only then would I believe it is the unequivocal word of God. But the Bible has been corrupted by the hands of man, so I cannot give it much credence.

Who told you this?

 

[Further]

Who told you this?

an interesting take on the matter

 

[Eastoff]

In the English language, the capitalized form of God continues to represent a distinction between monotheistic "God" and "gods" in polytheism.[10][11] The English word "God" and its counterparts in other languages are normally used for any and all conceptions and, in spite of significant differences between religions, the term remains an English translation common to all. The same holds for Hebrew El, but in Judaism, God is also given a proper name, the tetragrammaton (written YHWH), in origin the name of an Edomite or Midianite deity, Yahweh. In many translations of the Bible, when the word "LORD" is in all capitals, it signifies that the word represents the tetragrammaton.[12] Allāh (Arabic: الله‎ allāh) is the Arabic term with no plural or gender used by Muslims and Arabic speaking Christians and Jews meaning "The God" (with a capital G), while "ʾilāh" (Arabic: إله‎ ellāh) is the term used for a deity or a god in general.[13][14][15] God may also be given a proper name in monotheistic currents of Hinduism which emphasize the personal nature of God, with early references to his name as Krishna-Vasudeva in Bhagavata or later Vishnu and Hari.[16]

My point being, semantics. I think your question is important, but I still think that's like saying a trail blazer is the same as a TrailBlazer. Capitalization and participles mean something, despite their frequent misuse.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

[video=youtube;AHb4gs1hwck]

 

[ABM]

an interesting take on the matter

For centuries, many folks have been debating who wrote the various books. For example, nobody seems to know for sure who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. None of this shakes my faith in the slightest. I'm steadfast and extremely content in my walk with Christ.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

For centuries, many folks have been debating who wrote the various books. For example, nobody seems to know for sure who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. None of this shakes my faith in the slightest. I'm steadfast and extremely content in my walk with Christ.

So you don't care who wrote the Bible or what's been done to it over the years?

I thought it was your favorite book..

 

[MadeFromDust]

So you don't care who wrote the Bible or what's been done to it over the years?

I thought it was your favorite book..

We have more documented manuscript evidence for the Bible from all around the world through history, from different times and languages and thus we possess more ancient manuscript evidence for the Bible than any other book in ancient history. In fact, more than the next ten combined. We are able to compare these manuscripts and do what you call Textual Criticism to see if there are any differences in the scriptures. Christians have a rich collection of biblical and nonbiblical historical documentation, so we have always been open about it. Even if we lost every Bible or manuscript in the world, we could still make up the entire New Testament by quoting the works of the early church fathers, minus 11 verses.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

We have more documented manuscript evidence for the Bible from all around the world through history, from different times and languages and thus we possess more ancient manuscript evidence for the Bible than any other book in ancient history. In fact, more than the next ten combined. We are able to compare these manuscripts and do what you call Textual Criticism to see if there are any differences in the scriptures. Christians have a rich collection of biblical and nonbiblical historical documentation, so we have always been open about it. Even if we lost every Bible or manuscript in the world, we could still make up the entire New Testament by quoting the works of the early church fathers, minus 11 verses.

I don't think this is true. Prove it?

 

[MadeFromDust]

I don't think this is true. Prove it?

http://carm.org/manuscript-evidence

 

[ABM]

So you don't care who wrote the Bible or what's been done to it over the years?

I thought it was your favorite book..

Of course I care. Thing is, though, all the objections in regards to so-called contradictions, who wrote what, etc., etc. are entirely speculative.

That said, sure, I have faith. That's why they call it....uhh.....faith.

Oh, and my faith is my faith. What, wanna fight about it?