Subject: Where should I turn?????? |
Bible Note: I agree there are valid questions that should be answered, but why the need rule out the use of Scripture? Javelin stated in post #154487: “Using the bible to prove God's existence is circular reasoning.” That would indicate that it is futile to use the Bible to prove God’s existence and I disagree with that. I don’t dissuade the use of extra-biblical material in answering valid questions so long as their sources are validated by the God-inspired scriptures. You seem to hold Paul’s epistles in high regard, so let us look at what Paul wrote concerning the subject. A look into 1 Corinthians 1 (vs 20-23 specifically) shows us that Paul, when preaching, in fact preached Christ crucified. 20Where is the wise man (the philosopher)? Where is the scribe (the scholar)? Where is the investigator (the logician, the debater) of this present time and age? Has not God shown up the nonsense and the folly of this world's wisdom? 21For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him). 22For while Jews [demandingly] ask for signs and miracles and Greeks pursue philosophy and wisdom, 23We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense. Where in fact do we learn the truth about Christ’s crucifixion and what it means to us? That would be the Bible. Why did Paul in all his godly wisdom choose to preach this way? Matthew Henry explains it this way: “Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the fountain of all our joys. And by his death we live. The preaching of salvation for lost sinners by the sufferings and death of the Son of God, if explained and faithfully applied, appears foolishness to those in the way to destruction. The sensual, the covetous, the proud, and ambitious, alike see that the gospel opposes their favourite pursuits. But those who receive the gospel, and are enlightened by the Spirit of God, see more of God's wisdom and power in the doctrine of Christ crucified, than in all his other works. God left a great part of the world to follow the dictates of man's boasted reason, and the event has shown that human wisdom is folly, and is unable to find or retain the knowledge of God as the Creator. It pleased him, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe. By the foolishness of preaching; not by what could justly be called foolish preaching. But the thing preached was foolishness to wordly-wise men. The gospel ever was, and ever will be, foolishness to all in the road to destruction. The message of Christ, plainly delivered, ever has been a sure touchstone by which men may learn what road they are travelling. But the despised doctrine of salvation by faith in a crucified Saviour, God in human nature, purchasing the church with his own blood, to save multitudes, even all that believe, from ignorance, delusion, and vice, has been blessed in every age. And the weakest instruments God uses, are stronger in their effects, than the strongest men can use. Not that there is foolishness or weakness in God, but what men consider as such, overcomes all their admired wisdom and strength.” John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. When we witness, we need to witness Christ, who leads to God. Man has a funny way of making God become anything he wants Him to become, to satisfy his own mind. In pointing the lost to Christ, they’ll come to the Father in the way of proper understanding the way they need to. You must have faith in Christ to begin that journey. We have a true eyewitness account of our Lord given by the Gospels, the Bible. I also disagree that faith completes our journey to salvation. Our journey is complete when we are glorified with Christ when He returns. When that happens, I’ll no longer need faith, for then, I will see Him face to face. WOS |