Expert: Brian Thompson - 2/11/2005

Question
This may be a difficult question to answer, or maybe it's very simple but I'm just trying to understand.  Good day to you by the way.  I am just looking for answers.  How do you know that what you believe is right?  What I mean is, there are so many different religions, and even derivations of Christianity (Catholic, Lutheran, etc.) how does one know which one is truly correct?  In terms of seeing miracles, they have happened in nearly all forms of other religions.  We could deny that mircles happen in other religions, but are we just closing our minds to other possibilities because it would affect our beliefs, instead of the fact that there might be merit or truth behind other people's beliefs as well?  

What I mean is that my brother is a new age healer (I am not new age), and he has healed people through what he calls white light and love.  I think from a Christian standpoint that would be considered power from the devil, but he is healing and enlightening people, making their lives better without any deviousness, there's no trechery no dark evil underlying theme.  I don't understand why he would be condemned any more than a priest who heals someone who is blind or can't walk?  

I mean, how do we know that a book written over 2000 years ago is accurate?  People believed alot of crazy things back in those days, and people believe alot of crazy things even now, how can we fullheartedly believe the Bible is all truth, especially when it is based on what people had witnessed including incredibly crazy things that don't happen anymore (ie. talking dogs, world flooded, etc.)?  Why would God, who loves you more than your mother or father, ever send you to burn in hell for a choice that you have mistakenly made?  

These are all questions that I have wondered.  I am just wondering if someone could give me an answer that made more sense.  Last time I asked, they kept quoting bible verses, but when I'm asking "how do we know that the Bible is correct" by quoting the Bible, it does not help because if it were incorrect, it would not make a difference.   You know?

Thank you very much for your time.

Answer
Hi Ken

All very valid questions. Lets take them one at a time.

"How do you know that what you believe is right?"

Christian denomonations are an expression of the diversity of humanity. All Christian denominations have the one central truth. That Jesus Christ died as a one time attonement for our sins, and that by believing on Him we are born to eternal life.

Over the centuries, Christianity came into contact with many cultures and absorbed some of their traditions. In some cases these traditions have become more important than the Christian message. When people began to examine the Scriptures they realised that some essential truths had been lost. In the restoration of these truths to the Church, some would not accept it, forcing those who wanted to follow a more fundamental path to form their own fellowships. In some cases there was great violence associated with this, very regrettable, but a manifestation of human nature.

The Assemblies of God is a group of people who follow very fundamental beliefs based in Scripture, not tradition. They are Pentacostal in teaching, that is they believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Spiritual Gifts. (Read the Book of Acts).

"What I mean is, there are so many different religions, and even derivations of Christianity (Catholic, Lutheran, etc.) how does one know which one is truly correct? "

Jesus told us I am the way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but through me, that specifically puts all other religions outside the true revelation of God. Christianity is the only religion that tells you if we have believed a lie, we are to be pitied more than any other people. The real question is, does the group you belong to agree with the fundamental christian beliefs regarding the Person of Jesus Christ? I learned a long time ago, that it doesn't so much matter which door you walk in, it's whether you know the owner of the house that is important. Of course, there are some doors which will lead you the wrong way. You need discernment. Any group which tells you we are the "only" way is on the wrong track. God is interested in His relationship with you, not the trappings of religion.

"In terms of seeing miracles, they have happened in nearly all forms of other religions. We could deny that mircles happen in other religions, but are we just closing our minds to other possibilities because it would affect our beliefs, instead of the fact that there might be merit or truth behind other people's beliefs as well? "

Miracles, what do you mean by miracles? Something supernatural? I see miracles often and they should be an everyday thing for a Christian. I pray for someone in pain and the pain is relieved, etc.

"What I mean is that my brother is a new age healer (I am not new age), and he has healed people through what he calls white light and love. I think from a Christian standpoint that would be considered power from the devil, but he is healing and enlightening people, making their lives better without any deviousness, there's no trechery no dark evil underlying theme. I don't understand why he would be condemned any more than a priest who heals someone who is blind or can't walk? "

Your brother is free to do what he does, but he has no right to claim it is from God. I have also heard of such people, for every true gift of God there is a counterfeit. The human mind is a remarkable thing, sometimes our sickness is in our mind. If he does not do what he does in the name of Jesus Christ, then what he does is of the anti-Christ, the devil. That's not condemning him, just stating a fact.

"I mean, how do we know that a book written over 2000 years ago is accurate? People believed alot of crazy things back in those days, and people believe alot of crazy things even now, how can we fullheartedly believe the Bible is all truth, especially when it is based on what people had witnessed including incredibly crazy things that don't happen anymore (ie. talking dogs, world flooded, etc.)? Why would God, who loves you more than your mother or father, ever send you to burn in hell for a choice that you have mistakenly made? "

The Bible is accurate. We know the Jews were very meticulous in preserving the Scriptures. I suggest you read "Evidence that demands a verdict" and "More than a Carpenter" by Josh McDowell, this will give you a perspective on the authenticity of the Bible. The question isn't whether the Bible is accurate, but whether we can intrepret what it says. For this we need the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I also think that God would not have us follow a lie, if it were wrong He would have told us so. That may be difficult to accept unless you have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but God does speak to us and lead us through His Holy Spirit and it never conflicts with His Word, the Bible.

These are all questions that I have wondered. I am just wondering if someone could give me an answer that made more sense. Last time I asked, they kept quoting bible verses, but when I'm asking "how do we know that the Bible is correct" by quoting the Bible, it does not help because if it were incorrect, it would not make a difference. You know?

Christianity is the only religion which will tell you, if we have believed a lie, we are to be pitied more than any other. It's all according to Faith. I would like to help you further but it does need a little faith. I am now going to pray for you and I hope you accept it. If you do, please say yes. The prayer I pray is Lord, Please reveal Jesus to Ken.


vaya con Dios.