Posted on 03/21/2021 7:29:05 AM PDT by Kaslin
Let me be honest from the start of this. I’m not religious. I’m an agnostic. That is, I cannot say with any degree of certainty whether God exists or not. That would be any God, Christian, Muslim, or take your pick. My belief is much like a coin, flipped into the air to land, improbably, on edge and stand there. Perhaps wobbling and teetering a bit, but not ready to take that leap of faith one way or the other.
To me, it seems that deciding to believe that God’s there or not, has to be done without the benefit of convincing evidence for or against simply because such evidence won’t be found. The choice, whether made deliberately or accidentally, must come directly from the heart. That is what’s being tested after all. And perhaps God, assuming he’s around to care at all, considers reliance on mere physical proof as a form of cheating. Sort of like peeking at crib notes when you were supposed to have learned the subject matter by heart.
The consequence of my agnosticism is that I sit here and dither, wobbling but never falling as the winds of events blow. Ideally, I should just make the decision on principle since I can’t discern the difference between God’s nonexistence and an actual God’s determination to withhold firm proof. Practically speaking, though, I suspect that God bedevils me with crafty hints just when I lean too far away from Him. A case in point is the 2020 election and its ongoing aftermath.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
That's all I need to read to know that I don't want to know what he has to say. The EVIDENCE for God's existence and omnipotence is EVERYWHERE, if only one will SEE.
An honest study of fulfilled prophecies, just in the life of Jesus Christ alone, provides an astonishing degree of accuracy beyond anything conceivable by man. So too, with the prophecies concerning His second coming which have not been fulfilled but are marked down for our study. As we honestly and prayerfully read the Scriptures we see that everything predicted is falling neatly into place.
Many of good servants of the Lord Christ started out as atheists and agnostics that set out to prove to their satisfaction that it was all a lie - and were convinced by their efforts that it is all true.
Now, perhaps it is your turn?
I believe it is a mistake to assume that the Creator should do as we would do if we were Him. He doesn’t see, think, believe, see or feel as we do. Our brief, myopic existence does not provide us with the experience or capacity to see or comprehend the same.
God can’t see as we do because of the sin in our heart. He still loves us but as we love our children we have to punish them sometimes because of their disobedience. Right now we’re being punished. Cause the rain falls on the just and unjust.
It’s a good article. Don’t worry about his unbelief at this point. God will open his eyes if and when God does so. In a way, it proves that we all have the knowledge that God exists, though in the flesh our natural will rebels against Him.
That is why it is called 'faith'. As Hebrews says, "faith is the evidence of things unseen."
This is the closest I’ve ever seen to the Third Temple being built and the Mark being prepared.
‘That’s all I need to read to know that I don’t want to know what he has to say.’
that’s pretty broadminded of you; one has to share your belief systems or he/she can’t produce anything of value...?
‘Now, perhaps it is your turn?’
not mine; it went the other way for me...
Things aren’t falling apart, they’re falling into place according to His plan.
We are witnessing the fulfilling of Bible prophecy.
That’s all I need to read to know that I don’t want to know what he has to say. The EVIDENCE for God’s existence and omnipotence is EVERYWHERE, if only one will SEE.
That’s exactly what I think.......you don’t believe in God I don’t believe in you.....(not you Gina).....;)
Broad-mindedness is a good thing? Yes, I'm narrow-minded when it comes to Truth. When someone's foundation is fatally flawed, whatever they "produce" will be questionable, at best. There's always the blind squirrel theory, too, but why bother with it?
:-D
Walderson highlights a few interesting points. His imaginations as to what God can or should do could explain his agnosticism. After all how can one believe in something when one cannot comprehend its’ essence. Perhaps the author should apply his own reasoning as to whether he himself exists. Or is he, and his mind, just an illusion created by the motions of matter?
Once he decides that issue of his own existence...he can pursue the historical and temporal evidences for the existence of God. I recommend looking at the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth without any starting prejudices.
"That is why it is called 'faith'. As Hebrews says, "faith is the evidence of things unseen.""
That is actually saying that faith is based upon evidence, of effects testifying to a cause, "that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3) Scripture simply does not teach blind faith, but as in life, confidence is based upon varying degrees of evidential warrant. See my above post.
There is no deciding, based on logical evidence, there is only the Gift of Faith, or not.
You either believe or you don't.
There have been many great "logical thinkers" down through the ages that have tried to "reason" their way to God.
The arrogance of those 'thinkers' would mean that they could understand the Mind of God, i.e. that they are God's equal.
Can't be done, we've all tried.
You have a choice, not a logical decision.
^^^That^^^ is why you might find the rest of the story interesting.
The writer seems to be honest about looking for clues and about finding them, too.
And, the writer is also asking good questions while seeking to learn, understand and answer the “how does God work?” question. Where is His Hand in our events? Are these things really evidence of Him? How does He work?
I’m trying to remind my self that, instead of begging for His Help all of the tine, I should be thanking Him now for the seen and unseen things He is doing and that His Will is being done.
Instead of wailing and moaning to Him about my doubts, fears and feelings of loss and impending doom, etc., it’s better that I thank Him now, in and in spite of this time of gathering darkness, for answering our prayers as though those prayers have already been answered.
As I walk through this valley of darkness, I have no fear. Instead, I now have an even greater curiosity and fascination to look for Him everywhere now in this target rich environment, even more now than before!
Because, He is busy(!) and the writer is seeking and finding evidence:
“ Above all of it, I can almost glimpse God's stern, yet patient, visage as we re-learn lessons we forgot.”Yeah, me, too! All credit, praise and glory belongs to Him ... Thank YOU, God!
Isaiah 55:8-9. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
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