Believe in God, but not the church?

[ioahulk]

Since we have a bible savant throwing out scripture quotes, that brings up another good question... Bible: Fact or Fiction?

I personally believe in God, but don't really go to church for many of the reasons already given in this thread, though I do drop in a few Sunday's a year. While I believe the Bible to be a good book with a decent message, I believe it is largely fictional and created by man to illustrate his perception of God. I believe the new testiment is probably more fact based than the old, however like the whole, it is far from an infalable source of information.

 

[2funny2c]

Since we have a bible savant throwing out scripture quotes, that brings up another good question... Bible: Fact or Fiction?

I personally believe in God, but don't really go to church for many of the reasons already given in this thread, though I do drop in a few Sunday's a year. While I believe the Bible to be a good book with a decent message, I believe it is largely fictional and created by man to illustrate his perception of God. I believe the new testiment is probably more fact based than the old, however like the whole, it is far from an infalable source of information.

If you are really serious about looking into this, I would suggest you read Lee Stroebel's Case for Christ or any of his "Case" books. Lee was a journalist who was an atheist and came to Christ through his studies.

Another excellent resource is Josh McDowell's Beyond Belief to Conviction which addresses the validity of the Bible and compares it to other texts from the same era. It does a great job of laying out how the Bible has been preserved thoughout the ages.

 

[hokiefan33]

Since we have a bible savant throwing out scripture quotes, that brings up another good question... Bible: Fact or Fiction?

I personally believe in God, but don't really go to church for many of the reasons already given in this thread, though I do drop in a few Sunday's a year. While I believe the Bible to be a good book with a decent message, I believe it is largely fictional and created by man to illustrate his perception of God. I believe the new testiment is probably more fact based than the old, however like the whole, it is far from an infalable source of information.

And WHY do you believe this about the Bible? Is it from personal study and investigation that you have done? Personal opinion? Heard it from others? What is your basis?

 

[ioahulk]

And WHY do you believe this about the Bible? Is it from personal study and investigation that you have done? Personal opinion? Heard it from others? What is your basis?

Personal opinion having read it.

 

[ioahulk]

If you are really serious about looking into this, I would suggest you read Lee Stroebel's Case for Christ or any of his "Case" books. Lee was a journalist who was an atheist and came to Christ through his studies.

Another excellent resource is Josh McDowell's Beyond Belief to Conviction which addresses the validity of the Bible and compares it to other texts from the same era. It does a great job of laying out how the Bible has been preserved thoughout the ages.

I have the Case for a Creator and had the Case for Heaven until I lent that one out to someone who experienced a recent loss. I do believe in God and a creator...I just don't think he wrote the Bible.

 

[hokiefan33]

Personal opinion having read it.

OK, that's a starting point. Do you know that there is a TON of documents, factual evidence, etc... to back up the Bible, more than there is to back up the writings of Plato, Aristotle, or Homer COMBINED? It's out there, it's just never mentioned. But nobody doubts the works of those 3 writers, yet a lot of people doubt the works of the Bible...

 

[2funny2c]

OK, that's a starting point. Do you know that there is a TON of documents, factual evidence, etc... to back up the Bible, more than there is to back up the writings of Plato, Aristotle, or Homer COMBINED? It's out there, it's just never mentioned. But nobody doubts the works of those 3 writers, yet a lot of people doubt the works of the Bible...

thats exactly the point that McDowell addresses.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Would it be Okay to ask you to give a few specifics to back up your belief that God is not the Divine Author of the Bible.

You say you have indeed done some Bible reading... I am thinking that there are specific things that have brought you to your belief?

You mention that you have the 'Case' books.

How would you make-your-case that the Bible is fiction....

 

[ioahulk]

Would it be Okay to ask you to give a few specifics to back up your belief that God is not the Divine Author of the Bible.

You say you have indeed done some Bible reading... I am thinking that there are specific things that have brought you to your belief?

You mention that you have the 'Case' books.

How would you make-your-case that the Bible is fiction....

Well, again this is all my opinion, but... I don't believe that earth and the universe was created in 6 days. I don't think that all humans did not descend from Adam and Eve. I don't think that an intelligent person should believe that human beings were ever turned into pillar's of salt or that someone waved a stick and parted the sea.

 

[hokiefan33]

Well, again this is all my opinion, but... I don't believe that earth and the universe was created in 6 days. I don't think that all humans did not descend from Adam and Eve. I don't think that an intelligent person should believe that human beings were ever turned into pillar's of salt or that someone waved a stick and parted the sea.

Why don't you "think" so, though? What is your personal basis for not believing that those things happened? Impossible? Made up? You say that you "believe in" God, but not the Bible. What exactly do you believe ABOUT God, though? You obviously don't believe that He is all-powerful, or else you could believe that the things in the Bible happened. If you believe "in" God, why CAN'T you believe that He did, or caused to happen, all of the things you mention?

 

[Albertan mom]

Hey, just found this thread. I have been avoiding the Community Board lately, but thought I would drop by quickly....

We go to church. After I committed my life to the Lord, I figured that was part of it. Going to church, with other believers. Learning more, having a time of singing and worship, praying with other believers. I think Christians need that fellowship, accountability and support from each other.

I may get flamed for this, but I think that too often Christians use excuses--They want all my money. There are too many hypocrites there. They dress too fancy. It is a social time. They want my money. It is the only day I have to sleep in.
-Too many excuses.

God wants us to go to church. Yes, I worship God all week. I do my devotions daily. I pray lots in a day. I talk about God with my kids. I go to prayer group one morning a week. I go to small group one night a week.
But I still need to go to church. I need to have that time of worship.

I think if you go to church with an open heart, ready to worship, all the 'excuses' will seem non-relevant. Yes, there will be hypocrites there. Nobody is perfect. Yes, some dress fancy, but some don't. I don't think you will get judged! Yes, it is a social time--what is wrong with visiting with others? You want to sleep in? Go to church, come home and have an afternoon nap!
Yes, they want your money. They have bills to pay, wages to pay, mortgages to pay etc... just like you do. (BTW who doesn't want your money these days!! I get phone calls and letters everyday from Diabetes, Cancer, Heart, MS, you name it!!)

If you had a bad experience with one church, don't stop going to all. Try another one until you find your fit. It is good.

Have a great day!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Fist time I saw this thread, so I have not read all the posts.

I believe in God. Did not go to church for years until this past summer I went to my friend's which is Baptist. I do enjoy the singing and the down-to earth atmosphere of it. I'm not sure if I want to leave the Catholic church yet.

I still don't like the fact that all these religions request donations of certain amounts.

 

[cardaway]

I may get flamed for this, but I think that too often Christians use excuses--They want all my money. There are too many hypocrites there. They dress too fancy. It is a social time. They want my money. It is the only day I have to sleep in.
-Too many excuses.

Except they are not "excuses" to the people who are experiencing them. I also don't remember many posts (if any) giving reasons like dress codes, sleeping in, and social circles either.

Look no further than some of the reponses in this thread. Perfect examples of the types of people and attitudes in churches that others are right to try and avoid.

 

[Buckalew11]

I still don't like the fact that all these religions request donations of certain amounts.

I'm just wondering what 'certain amount' means? I guess I hear 10% more than anything whenever $ is discussed in church. But, really, I have never had anyone tell me how much to give. For a long time I didn't give much and went every week. No one ever said anything about it.

I do remember taking my niece when she was real little and her coming home and telling her mommy that they charged a quarter to go there! Obviously they passed a collection plate and many of the kids put a quarter in.

 

[Albertan mom]

That quarter story is cute!!

I have never been told I need to give a certain amount either. We give what we give, nobody tells us to do any differently.

 

[hokiefan33]

Except they are not "excuses" to the people who are experiencing them. I also don't remember many posts (if any) giving reasons like dress codes, sleeping in, and social circles either.

Look no further than some of the reponses in this thread. Perfect examples of the types of people and attitudes in churches that others are right to try and avoid.

Yes, they are still "excuses", even to those who give them, b/c they are poor reasons to not come to church. Whether people specifically mentioned them in prior posts or not, you get her drift.

And despite your attitude(s), Cardaway, I'd still love to have you in my church!

 

[glass-slipper]

Yes, they are still "excuses", even to those who give them, b/c they are poor reasons to not come to church. Whether people specifically mentioned them in prior posts or not, you get her drift.

And despite your attitude(s), Cardaway, I'd still love to have you in my church!

A person's reasons for not going to church are personal and shouldn't be judged negatively by others who do attend church.

 

[hokiefan33]

A person's reasons for not going to church are personal and shouldn't be judged negatively by others who do attend church.

According to who? To you? Or to God? You must have a basis, or it's a groundless statement.

Read 1 Corinthians 5:12 and see what it says about judging those inside the church.

 

[cardaway]

A person's reasons for not going to church are personal and shouldn't be judged negatively by others who do attend church.

Some of the reasons people give for going TO church could be called "excuses" as well.

But of course, in THAT case, doing so would be rude.

 

[Albertan mom]

Some of the reasons people give for going TO church could be called "excuses" as well.

But of course, in THAT case, doing so would be rude.

Could you give an example of what some excuses FOR going to church would be?