02 Nov 14
Originally posted by FMFCan't you read? The quote you dragged out of its context says "anyone" doesn't it?
And yet it was you yourself who admitted this yesterday: [b]"Anyone can sound spiritual when referring to God, but that is no guarantee that they know God." Are we to conclude that by "anyone", you meant anyone except you?[/b]
Quit obfuscating FMF. It's disingenuous and intellectually dishonest.
02 Nov 14
Originally posted by josephwBut all you offer are assertions about your personal opinions and your beliefs. If one were to say 'never mind about josephw's assertions' then that would leave your posts completely empty of content.
Never mind my assertions.
If the people reading my posts can't see clearly, as you appear not to, that what I'm saying is that it is God that has spoken, and it is what is written by the inspiration of God that I make assertion of, then so be it.
02 Nov 14
Originally posted by josephwHow is it out of context? It is a declarative statement about "God" and "anyone" and about a "guarantee" ~ or lack of ~ about what they "know". You said it: "Anyone can sound spiritual when referring to God, but that is no guarantee that they know God."
Can't you read? The quote you dragged out of its context says "anyone" doesn't it?
Quit obfuscating FMF. It's disingenuous and intellectually dishonest.
So, by "anyone", you meant anyone except you, right?
02 Nov 14
FMF: "I have no reason to doubt that you are absolutely certain about the personal beliefs that you describe."Your absolutely certainty about your personal beliefs is all that you offer here post after post.
Originally posted by josephw
So? Glad to hear to it, but whether or not I'm absolutely certain about my personal beliefs is not the topic of discussion.
02 Nov 14
Originally posted by stellspalfieThrough faith.
this only explains why 'think' he has revealed himself. it does not explain how you 'know'.
how do you know?
What is faith you ask?
Hebrews 11:1&3
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Do you want faith?
Romans 10:17
So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Believe the Word of God and you will receive all the faith you will ever need to know God.
02 Nov 14
Originally posted by FMFAre you trying to trap me into saying something that would undermine the truth of God's Word?
How is it out of context? It is a declarative statement about "God" and "anyone" and about a "guarantee" ~ or lack of ~ about what they "know". You said it: "Anyone can sound spiritual when referring to God, but that is no guarantee that they know God."
So, by "anyone", you meant anyone except you, right?
God isn't wrong. I believe God. But you don't, and it gripes you to the core that anyone else does.
Why don't you be honest? You don't know a thing about God because you don't believe God. That's what it boils down to. You can't stand the idea that I know God by His Word because you failed to believe and have faith.
You have no faith. That's your problem, and you can't believe I do. For you faith doesn't exist.
02 Nov 14
Originally posted by FMFAs difficult as it is for you to imagine, what I'm "offering" isn't my beliefs, but what God says is true.
Your absolutely certainty about your personal beliefs is all that you offer here post after post.
I am merely echoing what God has already said, namely, that Jesus died and rose again. Only God can say that. We can only believe it.
02 Nov 14
Originally posted by josephwLike I said, I have no reason to doubt that you are absolutely certain about the personal beliefs that you describe. The only reason we are discussing your beliefs is because we are in a discussion forum where discussions about beliefs take place.
God isn't wrong. I believe God. But you don't, and it gripes you to the core that anyone else does.
02 Nov 14
Originally posted by josephwI spent a considerable part of my life studying the book that gives rise to your beliefs and faith, and I came to the conclusion that it isn't a revelation by God but is instead a man made ideology rooted in superstition and ancient mythology. I therefore have no reason to believe your assertions about "knowing God by His Word" and, while I think you should go ahead believe whatever you want to believe if it helps you make sense of life and navigate it as best you can, I can honestly say that your proselytism-by-circular-logic does not work on me.
Why don't you be honest? You don't know a thing about God because you don't believe God. That's what it boils down to. You can't stand the idea that I know God by His Word because you failed to believe and have faith.
02 Nov 14
1 edit
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyThe question is: has God revealed Himself to us? Nothing you have said or presented to this forum has ever given me a convincing reason to believe that God has revealed Himself to you.
"If God didn't exist, what possible difference would it make whether or not people put their faith in Him?" -JV.
So there would be absolutely no point in "putting my faith" in the God figure you happen to imagine ~ and the same goes for the versions of God propagated by religions other than yours... unless I encounter one that is convincing and that inspires belief. I am sure no religionists ~ including yourself ~ are seriously suggesting one should feign faith, right?
As for your quote, if God does not exist, then ~ to my way of thinking ~ a life spent 'hedging' by 'putting faith in Him' would be in many respects a life in which the potential of one's human spirit has been squandered by subscribing to a package of mundane prefabricated doctrines and, in so doing, settling for those doctrines instead of being open minded, curious and spiritually empowered.
Empowered? Yes, by not frittering one's wonderful life away grumbling about how 'there must be more to life than this' and pinning one's hopes on one being immortal even without a single jot of evidence that it is so.
"What possible difference would it make...?" I'd say it makes a big difference.
02 Nov 14
Originally posted by FMF"The question is: has God revealed Himself to us?"
The question is: has God revealed Himself to us? Nothing you have said or presented to this forum has ever given me a convincing reason to believe that God has revealed Himself to you.
So there would be absolutely no point in "putting my faith" in the God figure you happen to imagine ~ and the same goes for the versions of God propagated by religions other t ...[text shortened]... at it is so.
"What possible difference would it make...?" I'd say it makes a big difference.
The answer is: yes!
Colossians 1:15-19
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.
For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell;
There it is in plain English. You won't find it written anywhere else in the whole of creation except in the scriptures which are the inspired Word of God.
God has revealed Himself in His son, and God will reveal Himself in you when you, through faith, believe that Jesus paid your sin debt in full on the cross.
It's as simple as it gets. God makes it easy and simple to understand. God reveals Himself in man through faith in His son. From there on it just stays simple. No grandiose spiritual awakening of cosmic proportions with out of body transcendental supernatural brain hemorrhaging I'm better and smarter than everyone else now religious experience to it.
It's all about Him (Jesus Christ) and nothing about us except as it is related to the fact that we are now "accepted in the beloved" (Jesus Christ).
God revealed.