Subject: Where should I turn?????? |
Bible Note: Javelin, I believe I understand what you are saying. you wrote: "But an unbeliever may respond, "Those passages are not prophetic at all as they were proven to have been written after the events in question" What would you answer? Exactly!" May I ask, exactly what? If in fact, you were to ask, and answer, as such, there remains a small problem. It would be hard to argue that the Bible was written in the last 100 years, and yet some of the prophetic fulfillments have occured in the last 100 years. The Septuagint is well substantiated as being complete prior to 250 BC, yet it prophesied much that was not fulfilled until later. If you wish to ignore these things, you will ignore whatever else you choose to. You can call the Bible false, yet if you don't accept that there is a nation called Israel, you are seriously deluded. If you choose to ignore that the Bible said there would be an Israel, you are willfully ingorant. I do not know of any way to debate or convince the wilfully ignorant. I am aware of the so-called "higher criticism", but there is a deeper problem that this covers up. Our relationship with God is a matter of the spirit, and of the heart. Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. If the heart will not believe, there is nothing that the mind will accept. 1Co 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. Satan has disparaged the Word of God from the beginnning, and it's no different now. But it is not with the mind a man believes, its with the heart. And its not logical proofs we believe in, its Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. You can argue and debate with a man until the cows come home, but unless he wants to believe, he won't. I don't spend much time debating with the non-believer, once it becomes clear they just want a reason to not have to repent. Salvation results from preaching mixed with faith. I hope this clarifies more where I am coming from. Love in Christ, Mark |