For some reason, yesterday, Sunday, I was thinking of what I would like to preach the next time the opportunity arises. The title would be something like this: "Why a Skeptic Believes in Christianity". I have mentioned before that I am a big-time skeptic. I am NOT easily convinced of much.
I have heard a LOT of apologetics, and by "apologetics" I mean arguments for the existence of G^d, and for Christianity. I think about these, and weigh them carefully. To me, the most compelling argument for G^d is the details of Christianity. Let's look at a few of these.
First Christianity begins in Genesis. In Genesis 1 &2, G^d creates the heavens and the earth. By early Genesis 3, man has fallen, as Adam and Eve exercise their G^d-give free will to disobey the ONLY commandment G^d had given. They are immediately ashamed. And G^d covers their shame by KILLING animals for skins to clothe them. So we see that sacrifice is required when we sin and blood is shed to "cover" us. Strange...
Then throughout the Jewish Scriptures we see that G^d had crucified Jesus "before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4; Matt 25:34). But think about this. The Christ was not a solution to an unanticipated problem, He was the solution given in time, BEFORE the problem needed solving!
And then He comes to earth in a VIRGIN birth? What? Outrageous--except is is true and needful. Then G^d Himself dwells among us, full of grace and truth- as foretold in great detail in the Jewish Scriptures, and verified in the Gospels. He performs many miracles, most of which are astounding. He then does what? He DIES at the hands of his created beings!! You can't make this stuff up!
When men create a religion, take Scientology for example ("...launched in May 1952 by American author L. Ron Hubbard"). Here is a believable religion based on study and training. Nothing too mysterious. It has no virgin birth, nor miracles, nor G^d becoming man.
And then this Christ makes good on His claims and on His promise and comes back from the dead! Does what? Yes, He defeats death. He who is part of the incomprehensible Trinity, resurrects to reign in Heaven for ALL time. Time is suspended! What?
You cannot make this stuff up! It MUST be true, and it evidences much that is ABOVE human conception.
Think about it. It is true, and its truth is obvious, because humans could have NEVER dreamed us such a story. And this is from a skeptic!
I have heard a LOT of apologetics, and by "apologetics" I mean arguments for the existence of G^d, and for Christianity. I think about these, and weigh them carefully. To me, the most compelling argument for G^d is the details of Christianity. Let's look at a few of these.
First Christianity begins in Genesis. In Genesis 1 &2, G^d creates the heavens and the earth. By early Genesis 3, man has fallen, as Adam and Eve exercise their G^d-give free will to disobey the ONLY commandment G^d had given. They are immediately ashamed. And G^d covers their shame by KILLING animals for skins to clothe them. So we see that sacrifice is required when we sin and blood is shed to "cover" us. Strange...
Then throughout the Jewish Scriptures we see that G^d had crucified Jesus "before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4; Matt 25:34). But think about this. The Christ was not a solution to an unanticipated problem, He was the solution given in time, BEFORE the problem needed solving!
And then He comes to earth in a VIRGIN birth? What? Outrageous--except is is true and needful. Then G^d Himself dwells among us, full of grace and truth- as foretold in great detail in the Jewish Scriptures, and verified in the Gospels. He performs many miracles, most of which are astounding. He then does what? He DIES at the hands of his created beings!! You can't make this stuff up!
When men create a religion, take Scientology for example ("...launched in May 1952 by American author L. Ron Hubbard"). Here is a believable religion based on study and training. Nothing too mysterious. It has no virgin birth, nor miracles, nor G^d becoming man.
And then this Christ makes good on His claims and on His promise and comes back from the dead! Does what? Yes, He defeats death. He who is part of the incomprehensible Trinity, resurrects to reign in Heaven for ALL time. Time is suspended! What?
You cannot make this stuff up! It MUST be true, and it evidences much that is ABOVE human conception.
Think about it. It is true, and its truth is obvious, because humans could have NEVER dreamed us such a story. And this is from a skeptic!
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