Some interesting thoughts...
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Originally Posted by JMS
god has harmed and killed people, and people have harmed and killed others in his name, in the bible.
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Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
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when i read the bible, i cant come away with any conclusion other than "this makes no sense." secularists dont all presume there is no life beyond death, i know i dont. ive simply come to terms with the fact that i just dont know.
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A very honest answer.
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why didnt god just wipe them all out and start over? maybe because god cant.
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I don't think he will do it with a flood, anyway.
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does god have the power to do anything and everything?
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Yes.
Job 42:2 I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted .
Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
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can god really see the future?
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Acts 15:16-18 [16] 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, [17] that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things' [18] that have been known for ages.
Isaiah 46:9-10 [9] Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. [10] I make known the end from the begin- ning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Yes.
1 John 3:19-20 [19] This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence [20] whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Job 37:16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
Psalms 147:5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
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if so, why bother giving people life on this planet?
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Because it pleases him to do so.
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god already knows what theyll do, right? isnt giving us life a waste of time in that context? why not just put people in heaven or hell from the start, since god already knows everything?
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Nope. et.al.
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why the theatrics? is god really that powerful? if thats the case, how can anyone influence gods actions?
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James 4:12-15 [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you -- who are you to judge your neighbor? [13] Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." [14] Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. [15] Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
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doesnt the belief that humans can pray or act in order to influence gods judgment strike you as a bit presumptuous?
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Nope. Because he promises this:
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Isaiah 49:7 This is what the LORD says -- the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel -- to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." 1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
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is there a god? how can anyone possibly know?
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By faith. There are certainly enough road signs to get there. All you have to do is begin following them.
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if thats still unanswered, how can anyone possibly claim to know what he wants or how to influence him?
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By reading the Bible.
Psa 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psa 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
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because the bible says? and what of other religions?
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Jer 25:6 And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
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are we to believe what their gods say, too? why not? whats the difference?
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Consider why you believe or don't believe things people say. Ask God to introduce you to people who actually serve Him, and He will. I promise. But you must believe that if He is real, then He will hear you and answer you. Believe me. He worked it out with me... I have no complaints. I only wish I knew him sooner in my life.
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"I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution." March 4, 1869, Grant's First Inaugural Address
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