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Answers to top objections (click here)
More
questions and answers from ChristianAnswers.net (click here)
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Ethan thinking? (click here)
Top
OBJECTIONS
1)
"If God is perfect, why did He make an imperfect creation?"
The book of Genesis tells us that the earth was created perfect (Genesis
1:31). There was no
sin and therefore no suffering
or death in the garden of Eden. God didn't create a robotic race, but instead a
human race that was free to
choose right from wrong and whether to follow God or follow self. Adam and Eve
chose to sin, and God did
continue to love them, but their choice caused what was perfect to become
tainted (Romans
5:12-13). The good news is that
God continues to love His creation and will put everything back in order in His
time.
2)
"God made me like this. Sin is His fault!"
3)
"My parents raised me in the church and were hypocrites. All
Christians are hypocrites."
4)
"Why is there suffering? That proves there is no ‘loving’ God."
5)
"It’s intolerant to say that Jesus is the only way to God!"
6)
"I’m as good as any Christian!"
7)
"I tried church before, but it didn't work for me."
Top
2)
"God made me like this. Sin is His fault!"
It would take a pretty inept Judge to fall for the old "God made me do it"
defense. We are responsible for our
own actions. Like Adam and Eve, we are given the opportunity whether to follow
God or whether to follow our
own selfish motives. Adam tried to blame both God and Eve for his sin and Eve
tried to blame the serpent,
but the "buck" stopped with Adam. It is human nature to try to place blame
elsewhere, but it doesn’t work
with God. Even though Adam and Eve tried to blame others in a lie, God continued
to love them and care for
them. He is still that same loving Father to us today.
3)
"My parents raised me in the church and were hypocrites. All
Christians are hypocrites."
4)
"Why is there suffering? That proves there is no ‘loving’ God."
5)
"It’s intolerant to say that Jesus is the only way to God!"
6)
"I’m as good as any Christian!"
7)
"I tried church before, but it didn't work for me."
Top
3)
"My parents raised me in the church and were hypocrites. All
Christians are hypocrites."
Actually, the Church is made up of true believers; hypocrites are the
"pretenders" who sit among God’s
people. God knows those who love Him, and the Bible warns that He will sort out
the true converts from the
false on the Day of Judgment. (Matthew
25:31-46). Think of it this way; Many of the
folks sitting in the church
do have a true, deep relationship with God and are born again. Some of the folks
are there knowing they are
not saved and either want to become saved or are curious if this is the true
way. Still others think they are
born again, but are not. They go through the motions they see others doing and
can hold it together easily
enough while at church, but don't try if no Christians are present. A true
Christians knows God is watching and
with the help of the Lord, do walk in a changed or regenerate way. That is not
to say they are perfect, but
when they blow it they get it right with God and with any others they have hurt.
A final set of folks are those
who greet salvation with excitement, but the focus of the world makes them not
walk in relationship with the
Father. Which one of these your parents were, I cannot guess. Christians aren't
perfect, but they are
forgiven and they do get it right more than not.
4)
"Why is there suffering? That proves there is no ‘loving’ God."
5)
"It’s intolerant to say that Jesus is the only way to God!"
6)
"I’m as good as any Christian!"
7)
"I tried church before, but it didn't work for me."
Top
4)
"Why is there suffering? That proves there is no ‘loving’ God."
Sin and suffering were brought into the world trough Adam and Eve and have been
perpetuated by the
actions of all those who have followed. God is all we need for all of our needs. Whether sickness, hunger or
loneliness -
God is there for us.
It actually sometimes takes suffering to draw our attention off of our
selfishness and to open our eyes to our
need for God and also to show us our need to serve each other. That is
selflessness and it is the example
Jesus gave us by suffering and dying on the cross in payment for our sin, so we
don't have to suffer and die
for our sin.
Life it temporary. It is hard for us to think about that, and so we fixate on
those things that seem hard and
horrible now, but are not as grand in the grand scheme of things. God is eternal
and life is just a twinkle in
eternity. Our time with God will so outshine this "light and momentary"
suffering. I know that isn't consolation
for someone as they walk through a trying and horrible time, but afterward, it
does give comfort.
5)
"It’s intolerant to say that Jesus is the only way to God!"
6)
"I’m as good as any Christian!"
7)
"I tried church before, but it didn't work for me."
Top
5)
"It’s intolerant to say that Jesus is the only way to God!"
Jesus is the One who said that He is the only way to the Father. For Christians
to say that there are other
ways to find peace with God is to "bear false testimony." "Salvation
is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by
which we must be saved." (Acts
4:12), and "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy
2:5).
It is a hard fact for those that want to go their own way, but those pursuits
are really self seeking anyway.
God's way is the only way.
The thought that all religions lead to the same God and that all god's are the
same God, has its origination at
a non-Christian "World Conference of Religions" at the turn of the 20th century
(1900's). There a Maharaja
started this tempting thought. It is the start of the New Age religion and their
push to unite all religions. It is
actually the same thought that Satan tempted Adam and Eve with, "You can be as
God." It may be
tempting to think we can be God's, but it is a lie and actually leads us away
from God and is the height of
selfishness.
6)
"I’m as good as any Christian!"
7)
"I tried church before, but it didn't work for me."
Top
6)
"I’m as good as any Christian!"
A Christian by himself isn’t good. Any Christian can tell you that. Jesus said
that only God is good. The only
"goodness," or righteousness, that the believer has comes from Christ (2
Corinthians 5:21;
Philippians 3:9).
That's why Jesus died for us. Only He was so good that in death He had no
penalty to pay and so He took
our penalty upon Himself and paid the price for us. His righteousness is given
to us on credit, when we give
our life to Him and accept His payment. The Bible tells us that, without Christ,
man is corrupt and filthy;
"All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one
who does good, not even one." (Psalm 14:3). Jesus' perfection is
on loan to us and it allows us
to enter into a relationship with God the Father and with Jesus the Son. The
Holy Spirit is given as a helper
and with His help, we can actually say no to sin.
7)
"I tried church before, but it didn't work for me."
Top
7)
"I tried church before, but it didn't work for me."
Trying Church isn't the same thing as experiencing God. Let's assume that you
are either born again, and unable to find the right church for you, or that you
are not born again, and you had the notion that going to church somehow qualifies
you for heaven, and church was boring to you.
The purpose of church is not to regenerate you. The purpose of church is to give
us a place to come together and plug into one another's lives. We are a body with
many parts and each one of us has it's place and function, but all of us need
the other parts of our body. God doesn't hire lone rangers. God wants to use us
to touch each other. To meet each others needs. To correct each other when we go
astray and to build each other up.
The word of God is preached there, and it changes the lives of those born again,
and also those who are seeking God. Some people come expecting to be
entertained, but that is not the right reason, and is also not the right emphasis,
and so many who come go away disappointed. This is really selfishness, to come
expecting to be entertained. Go to church to plug into the lives of others, and
have them plug into yours. Sing praises TO God, in order to touch His heart.
Focus on Him, and on others around you, and you won't be dissatisfied.
God will sometimes place desires in our heart so that He can fulfill them. He may
have placed certain desires in your heart, in order to lead you to the portion
of the body or the actual church He wants to plug you into. There is only need
for one right arm on a body, so if you are feeling completely disjointed where you are,
there is a good chance you are attaching yourself to the wrong body.
When you are looking, look for a church that teaches out of the bible, and where
the folks are family to each other. Whatever type of music that helps you enter
into a worshipful attitude, and helps you focus on God is something God will use
to place you in the correct body, along with other things like dress code and
programs. Avoid a church that teaches an excess on one topic, such as riches or
giving of your money, or Spiritual power, etc., The gospel is balanced and so
should the teaching of the Pastor. Try to find a church that goes verse by verse
through the bible and doesn't skip parts of the bible.
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Top
QUESTIONS
1)
"Is my sin is too bad for God to forgive?"
There are two answers to this.
One: any sin, even a minor sin, is
enough to separate us from God (Isaiah
59:2) unless you have a payment for your
sin (Colossians
1:19-20). The wages of sin is death according to (Romans
6:23), and so if you sin
you must pay for it with death. Jesus died on the cross, and since He
didn't have any of His own sin to pay for, He could take the sin of
others on Himself. He took all our sin on Himself (1
John 2:2). If you accept His
payment and give your life to Him then your sin is forgiven (Ephesians
1:7-8).
Two: Jesus said all sins will be
forgiven man, except the sin of blasphemy in the Holy Spirit (or
blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) (Luke
12:10). Think of the sin that caused the
angel Lucifer to become Satan. He knew God, and His goodness, and His
all sufficiency, and yet he rejected that, and chose to turn and walk
away, and exalted himself above God (Isaiah
14:12-13). This is what Jesus is talking
about. The Holy Spirit is called a deposit in
2 Corinthians 1:21-22, and with the Holy
Spirit present in your life, through salvation, you have the ability
to say no to sin, and as you walk along in life you are transformed
from a sinful man (or woman), into one more and more like Jesus (Titus
2:11-14). That
is possible with the Holy Spirit leading you. Now if you turn from God
you may not necessarily have wholly rejected the Lord, and the Holy
Spirit. The Lord will draw you back to Himself, but repeated hard
hearted rejection will lead to this sin.
2)
"Does someone go to hell for committing suicide?"
3)
"Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?"
4)
"How do I receive forgiveness from God?"
5)
"What does it mean to be a born again Christian?"
6)
"Does going to Church guarantee my salvation?"
7)
"How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?"
Top
2) "Does someone go to hell for committing suicide?"
Really, just read the above question.
Here it is reposted in italics.
One: any sin, even a minor
sin, is enough to separate us from God
(Isaiah
59:2) unless you have a payment for your sin (Colossians
1:19-20). The wages of sin is death according to (Romans
6:23), and so if you sin you must pay for it with death. Jesus
died on the cross, and since He didn't have any of His own sin to
pay for, He could take the sin of others on Himself. He took all our
sin on Himself (1
John 2:2). If you accept His payment and give your life to Him
then your sin is forgiven (Ephesians
1:7-8).
Two: Jesus said all sins
will be forgiven man, except the sin of blasphemy in the Holy Spirit
(or blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) (Luke
12:10). Think of the sin that caused the angel Lucifer to become
Satan. He knew God, and His goodness, and His all sufficiency, and
yet he rejected that, and chose to turn and walk away, and exalted
himself above God (Isaiah
14:12-13). This is what Jesus is talking about. The Holy Spirit
is called a deposit in
2 Corinthians 1:21-22, and with the Holy Spirit present in your
life, through salvation, you have the ability to say no to sin, and
as you walk along in life you are transformed from a sinful man (or
woman), into one more and more like Jesus (Titus
2:11-14). That is possible with the Holy Spirit leading you. Now
if you turn from God you may not necessarily have wholly rejected
the Lord, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord will draw you back to
Himself, but repeated hard hearted rejection will lead to this sin.
Since committing suicide isn't the
same thing as blasphemy in the Holy Spirit, we can be sure it in
itself won't cause one to go to hell. It does get a little
complicated here though. What is at the root of that self
destructive behavior and is it preceded by a whole hearted rejection
of the Lord? See where I am going?
3)
"Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?"
4)
"How do I receive forgiveness from God?"
5)
"What does it mean to be a born again Christian?"
6)
"Does going to Church guarantee my salvation?"
7)
"How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?"
Top
3)
"Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?"
Adam and Eve had it great in the
Garden of Eden. No sickness, no pain, no suffering. They didn't even
have to break a sweat-all their needs were met. They made a choice
though, that had lasting implications. They brought sin into the
world and that brought sickness, pain and suffering. Still God was
there for them, as He is for us. (Romans
5:18-19)
Their choices had consequences. Our
choices have consequences. If you plant a seed of wheat, you should
expect wheat to grow, not something else. God made rules to govern
creation and has said that man must reap what he has sown (Galatians
6:7-8).
Unfortunately, other people are often hurt by the bad decisions we
make, just the same as we are by the choices Adam and Eve made. God
is still there for us through those hard times caused by the choices
that have been made. (Hebrews
4:15)
God also turns those bad things in our
life, into things that benefit us (Romans
8:28-30). It actually sometimes takes
suffering to draw our attention off of our selfishness and to open
our eyes to our need for God and also to show us our need to serve
each other. That is selflessness and it is the example Jesus gave us
by suffering and dying on the cross in payment for our sin, so we
don't have to suffer and die for our sin.
Life is temporary. It is hard for us
to think about that, and so we fixate on those things that seem hard
and horrible now, but are not as grand in the grand scheme of
things. God is eternal and life is just a twinkle in eternity. Our
time with God will so outshine this "light and momentary" suffering
(2
Corinthians 4:7-18).
I know that isn't consolation for someone as they walk through a
trying and horrible time, but afterward it does give comfort.
4)
"How do I receive forgiveness from God?"
5)
"What does it mean to be a born again Christian?"
6)
"Does going to Church guarantee my salvation?"
7)
"How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?"
Top
4)
"How do I receive forgiveness from God?"
Depending on what you mean, there are
two ways I can answer this:
If you already have a relationship
with God, then in order to receive forgiveness, you must do three
things: tell Him you are sorry (and mean it), ask for His
forgiveness, and then repent of it. It is the last one that seems to
trip us up. Repentance is this - recognizing where you are and where
you are going and turning around and walking away from it. It means
making a decision to not do it any more, and then taking action to
keep that decision.
If you do not have a relationship with
God, you must first get God to hear you, before you can have His
forgiveness. Our sin separates us from God. We cannot be in His
presence and we cannot even ask for His forgiveness. The wages for
sin is death, so if you have sinned the penalty must be paid. The
good news is that since Jesus didn't sin, when He died on the cross,
He was allowed to make a sacrifice of Himself for the sin of others.
His death means we can be forgiven for all the sins we have
committed and will commit, if we believe these things with all of
our hearts;
Accept that Jesus is fully God (Colossians
2:9): That
He came to earth and became fully man (John
1:14) (Hebrews
4:15) (which means He was tempted in every way, just as we are
tempted - like a new Adam): That He was born of the virgin Mary (Matthew
1:18-25)
(this one's important - it means He didn't have an earthly Father
and thus was not bound to sin): That He lived a sin free life (and
thus could take our sin upon Himself): That He suffered and died for
our sins (Hebrews
13:11-13): That He rose again on the third day, after paying the
penalty of death for our sins (1
Corinthians 15:3-5): That He is the only way to heaven
(Acts
4:12): Confess to others that Jesus is God and believe it
with all your heart (Romans
10:9-10): Admit you have sinned, and cannot get into
heaven or keep from sinning on your own (Romans
3:10-12): Ask Jesus into your life
and then give God your life - you must give Him control of it (Deuteronomy
4:29): Tell
others you are born again (Matthew
10:32-33), and get plugged into a healthy church that
teaches from God's word (Hebrews
10:24-25).
Once this happens your sins are
forgiven, and in the future when you sin, you will feel guilty. In
order to feel released from this guilt, follow the first step above.
5)
"What does it mean to be a born again Christian?"
6)
"Does going to Church guarantee my salvation?"
7) "How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?"
Top
5)
"What does it mean to be a born again Christian?"
When you are born, you are born into
sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, it was a curse to all who would
follow them in their lineage. You had no choice but to sin from
birth.
Jesus wasn't conceived the normal way;
He was a "new Adam" that wasn't born under sin. That's why He was
born to a virgin, via the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He was a
second chance to get it right.
Jesus lived a sin free life and in
death, He took our sins upon Himself, and gave us a chance to start
all over, without the compulsion to sin that we are born with. When
we accept Jesus' act of taking away our sins, and give Him our old
life, He regenerates us, and we are reborn or born again, without
that compulsion to sin. We truly CAN say no to sin.
Sin's temptation is strong though, and
ultimately we do make bad choices, but because Jesus' work on the
cross was for all our sins (that which we committed before, and
after being born again), we don't need to be born again each time we
sin, but instead we just need to get it right with the Lord by
repenting (confessing to the Lord that we have sinned, and are
sorry, and then making the choice to not do the sin again and then
make changes that will keep us from sinning), then we need to reject
the devil and our desire to sin, and then we are back to not being
in bondage to sin and we walk in an unhindered relationship with
God.
6)
"Does going to Church guarantee my salvation?"
7)
"How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?"
Top
6)
"Does going to Church guarantee my salvation?"
Going to church does not give you
salvation. Jesus is the only way to the Father. Really, it's about
the relationship with God. If you have had your sins forgiven by
being born again, then you can have a relationship with God the
Father, and Jesus the Son. The Holy Spirit is given as a deposit and
teaches you all things.
But just like a sheep, who can not be
separated from the herd, and live for very long, so a Christian can
not be separated from fellowship with other Christians. Going to
church is SO important. God works in us through each other. I am
convinced that the Holy Spirit works in each of us in different ways
on purpose. That way a new believer has stuff to teach the oldest,
most mature believer. God has made it so we must rely on each other
to grow and continue in the faith. It is like a body. You may be the
arm or the foot. The body needs it's arm, and foot, and all the
other parts - otherwise it is incomplete and even unhealthy.
7)
"How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?"
Top
7) "How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?"
Think of the Bible as a big jigsaw
puzzle. It all fits together, and none of it contradicts the rest.
How is this possible, since it was written by 40 different authors
over 1800 years? Just think how hard it is to get 3 different
witnesses to the same accident to give the same story, due to their
different perspectives, and you can start to understand how
impossible it would be to somehow get the whole Bible to agree with
itself.
This is not due to revision after
revision to correct the errors either. In the cave in Qumran when
they discovered what is called the Dead Sea Scrolls, they come
across some of the oldest and most complete versions of Old
Testament books and their accuracy compared to the much more recent
versions we have relied on is remarkable.
This is due to the fact that it wasn't
man that wrote the various books that make up the Bible. It was God,
who inspired man to write down what He was saying to us (2
Timothy 3:16-17).
A large proportion of the Bible’s
prophecies, written thousands of years ago, have been fulfilled. The
accuracy of these prophecies is a proof in itself. For instance in
the book of Daniel, prophecies about the future kingdoms of the
world were always pointed out as proof by unbelievers that the Bible
was revised as it went along. With the Dead Sea Scrolls, that
portion of the book of Daniel was found, and was dated to show that
it predated the events, and thus was not added, but instead was
prophecy that accurately foretold the future events.
Frankly modern archeology has gone a
long way to establish the accuracy of the bible - most of this since
the early 1700's. The Bible was laughed at as having created nations
and peoples that never existed, because they were never talked about
in any other text. Most of them have now been found and the Bible
venerated as being extremely accurate.
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