FK: "I don't know how I can even try to give you what you really WANT if you won't tell me what it is." I am trying to show you that there is no proof that will satisfy our reason.
Yes, that is what I was trying to flesh out. There is no proof that will satisfy your personal reason, and perhaps the reason of the men of your Church. That, of course, does not apply to so called Bible-believing Christians, as Harley so ably demonstrated in his response, quoting from Romans.
Wouldn't that mean that there is nothing behind your faith by simple definition? :) I'm sure you would (correctly) say that your faith is superior to that of the Heaven's Gate cult, but why should anyone believe you? You appear to be unable to obey God when He says through Peter: "1 Peter 3:15 : 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ..."
So you are defining that UNLESS a thing comes from man alone, it is irrational? If God is irrational, then do you think that man generates his own reason apart from God? I mean, how can God give something He Himself does not have to give?
Well, I for one KNOW that my faith is stronger because it is in conformity with the reality of our world and existence. The Christian faith matches what we know .... IS.
FK: "Rationalization is the enemy of reason."
The Bible says that God gives knowledge, as I quoted earlier. I suppose the Bible is either right or wrong.
So you would say that based on your 21st century mind, that God doesn't execute wrath through storms or earthquakes? And you further know that God does not afflict with boils and sores? Of course some overdo it by declaring above their own knowledge. For example, someone saying he KNOWS that 9/11 was God's wrath against the US. But that isn't the point. The point is believing that God DOES what the Bible says He does, OR, believing that if there is ANOTHER explanation consistent with modern science, that the scientific explanation MUST be true and the Biblical explanation MUST be false.
All false faiths ultimately "make no sense". Why should Christianity be like them?
Of course not EVERYTHING of God appears logical to us. But ENOUGH of His revelation is logical that we can know He is a rational Being. ENOUGH of His revelation proves to us that He is a personal Being.
If you don't think gravity is logical then I can't imagine what you would say IS logical. :) We know that God created all matter with gravimetric properties. Today, we have a pretty good idea how many of those properties work. Would it be more logical if all matter just floated around in space, and if so, why? :) The point is, IF God wanted us to live on the earth (for now), then gravity makes perfect sense.
Thanks. Well put.
Thank you for the kind words my brother! :)