You miss the point of the passage. The subjunctive in a dependent clause in Greek is not about “maybe it’ll happen and maybe it won’t,’ as would be typical with English “may,” and “might.” Rather, it is about purpose. Something has been done and here’s the reason it has been done. On John 20:31, John is explaining why he left out all the unrecorded miracles. They were unnecessary to His purpose, and his purpose was to give people what they needed in order to (purpose) believe in Jesus, and they believe in order to (purpose) have eternal life. John is saying whatever miracles are recorded are enough that if you believe these, you have eternal life, Just as Jesus said elsewhere. Cause and effect.
But it always amazes me how some can take a passage designed to encourage the believer’s heart and turn it into a basis for fear and doubt. You mentioned the tactics of Satan earlier. What is the first thing Satan did in communicating with the human race? Engender doubt in the word and therefore the character of God. No one should thoughtlessly presume themselves to be OK with God. We do need to believe in Jesus to acquire all the benefits of that belief. But once we believe, all that He has promised applies to us. To doubt His own purpose to bring us all the way home is to defame His character. He will do all that He has promised. You may rely upon it.
Peace,
SR
THAT, sir, is a keeper.
Most excellent. And so true. It is the tactic of Satan to cause people to doubt God and His word and impugn His character.
“... John is saying whatever miracles are recorded are enough that if you believe these, you have eternal life...”
You misunderstand me. The belief in Jesus is the doorway. The door must be entered, as in your belief must be tested, and the test is that of obedience.
Read all that Jesus taught and ask if you are obedient to it all. In as much as you aren’t, you don’t have faith in his miracles.
Welcome to the weekly wrestling with ‘invincible ignorance’ episode. The party to whom you direct reasoned and educated posts must refuse to get the point because it would shatter the catholiciism shell so carefully erected and maintained ... by invincible willful ignorance.
For some reason this popped into mind.
Charlie Brown: I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel.
Charlie Brown: I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.
Linus Van Pelt: Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy's right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059026/quotes
Catholics can take a wonderful passage like John 20:31 and become Charlie Brown.