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: Dear Yampa78, The short answer to your question is...NO! Joesph and Tim have done the Lord's work in exhorting you to trust in Christ's ability. Make no mistake, He is able to keep His own from falling away so as to be lost for all eternity. He is the Good Shepherd is He not? John 10:4,5 "When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." Good grief Charlie Brown! What kind of shepherd let's His sheep wander off and kill themselves. That fellow would be a laughing stock and likely would be fired. Therefore, if a mere human keeper of sheep is expected to preserve his flock, how much more GOD ALMIGHTY himself! You are not the first christian who has experienced a crisis in his faith. If the truth be known, you are probably among a great number who God has chosen to refine by fire. In my personal walk with Christ, I to have fallen into the "slough of despond". Up to my neck in the muck of fear doubt and confusion. Had not the Shepherd pulled me out, I surely would have sunk into oblivion. Despite the advise that some would offer, place your trust in the word of Christ and lean not to your own understanding (i.e. human wisdom). True reason will confirm the truth of Scripture, not refute it. As to others who rip verses fom there context so as to support their personal doctrines...If you truly are among the flock of God, you will not follow the voice of the stranger. May God bless you my friend, John Reformed |