Until I became convinced that I must believe every word of the Bible, or none of it. Literalism is dangerous for Christianity.
I would hazard a guess that you already held a literal interpretation of Genesis, especially given your statement that you " studied in college with the intent of becoming a missionary."
Actually no. My studies were in the 70's, before the relatively recent "Creation Science" movement of the 80's. I was actually taught in a Southern Baptist Church retreat that there were no conflicts between science (evolution) and Genesis. I was taught that all you had to do was read Genesis correctly, and all was well. My Old Testament history class in college backed that up. After studying the questionable sources for Genesis and other parts of the Old Testament, it was no problem to ignore a litteral interpretation of it
That doctrine has since changed. The same Church that taught me that science and Genesis were compatible, now teaches literalism and fights science every way they can. That left me wondering, were they wrong in the 70's, or are they wrong now? And if church doctrine can be so utterly wrong depending on when you attend, then was it ever right? My conclusion was that it never was.
No, It is not this person you are angry with...it is God.
I know who I'm angry with. They post on this forum. God does not.
Christ said blessed are those who believe without seeing.
Jesus was a very bright man (yes, I believe he existed, just as Oral Roberts exists). Even he knew that he could offer no objective reason to believe in God. Only emotion. Emotion can lead humans to any number of things, both good and bad. Which only demonstrates that it cannot be relied upon to offer truth.
Oops.
Matthew 9:4-6:
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your heart? Which is easier: to say 'Your sins ar e forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
Matthew 14, the miracles of the loaves and fishes.
Look at verse 14:20 -- they all ate and were satisfied. You might be able to psychosomatically rid yourself of an ailment, but you cannot psychosomatically generate an extra hunk of bread to do the eating *on*.
Nice try, though.
Cheers!
...oh, and Merry Christmas!
This statement is demonstratively false.