Bible Question:
I grew up in a Christian home, but lately I've been searching for truth and trying to take my faith as my own. The biggest obstacle in my faith right now is the first hand stories I hear about people leaving the faith. I'm not talking about John and Jane who come to church once a month, sit in the back row, and read their bible once in a blue moon. I'm talking about former evangelists, pastors, missionaries, and seminary students. Charles Templeton is a prime example. Their conversion stories seem sincere, but they all come to a point where they see the world as it truly is and begin to doubt the existence of a loving God. Then they begin to find inconsistencies in the Bible that they had previously accepted by faith. Then they start thinking that if some of the Bible is inaccurate, then how can they trust it as a whole. At that point the foundation falls out beneath them, and all hope is lost. If John 10:25-30 is true, how can these people of faith come to a point where they can no longer believe? The most disturbing thing about the stories I've heard is that most of these people wish they were still able to believe, but their reason won't let them. They miss the hope and security of faith in Christ, but they've come to a conclusion in their minds that can not be reversed! Please help me as this issue is causing major distress in my quest for truth and my personal faith in Christ! At times it seems a curse to be such a deep philosophical thinker. Sometimes I wish I was able to have the simple childlike faith that many Christians have. |
Bible Answer: Hello yampa78, I find it interesting that YOUR faith is shaken by struggles that OTHERS have with supposed inconsistencies with the Bible. First of all, I don't believe that there are inconstancies in the Word of God. I have yet to encounter one. If I encountered what seemed like an inconstancy I would study the verse and research it until I came to better understand it. I have always found that what I once thought was inconsistent was in reality very consistent and it was my thinking that was inconsistent. I would be interested to know what you consider to be inconsistent in the Word of God. Could you share what you believe to be an inconsitency with me? Secondly, these former evangelists, pastors, missionaries, and seminary students that you refer to, who is to say they were even true believers (i.e. the parable of the wheat and the tares). Then again who are we to say that they are not prodigals that will eventually return to their Father? Thirdly, I don't believe that we need to just accept inconsistencies by blind faith. If we are willing to take the time and pray, God will open our minds to understand what seems to be an inconsistency. In Isa 1:18 the LORD say, "Come now, let us reason together," God's Word is not unreasonable and requires blind faith. He is a God of order and logic. I assure you that John 10:25-30 is true! But keep in mind what Christ told the non-believing Jews, "You do not believe because you are not my sheep!" Wow, those are powerful words! In John 6:44 Jesus also said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him... We must also keep in mind that there are many who seem to be doing the work of the Lord today, yet will hear the words that Christ spoke in Matt 7:22-23, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Wow! Once again, these are powerful words! It is not reason that prevents these people from coming to Christ, it is that they have not yet been enabled to come to Him. It is not about reason, but until the Spirit of God opens their eyes to understand the Truth of His Word, they CAN'T come to Him. That is what Christ was telling Nic in John 3. Unless he is born from above, he could not see the things of God. I sure that there were many in Nic's day that would have considered him a very religious and active in his Church. However, it meant nothing to Christ. He was as blind as a bat, until God went to work in his heart and opened his mind to Spiritual Truth. There are no inconsistencies in the Bible, only darkened and finite minds attempting to comprehend an infinite and Holy God. For only God can open our minds…so if any of us lack Spiritual wisdom from God, we must cry out to God and humble ourselves and ask for His Wisdom, not the wisdom of the world but the wisdom that only comes from Him. Then He will be glorified when He opens our eyes! Listen to James 1:5-8 Where he said, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." 1 Cor 1:27-31 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-- and the things that are not-- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." Note: It is because of who, that you are in Christ Jesus….who has become WISDOM from God? I will be praying the God will continue to increase your faith. God bless you yampa78! In Christ….Doug PS A few more verses for you…. Phil 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Note: Notice in verse 13, who it is who is working in you? It is God who worked the salvation into a believer and it is God who will enable us to work it out of us and as we work out our salvation it is done with great fear and trembling of His Word! Ps 96:9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Isa 66:5a Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word |