Expert: Brenda Martin - 7/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: Although I was a strong Christian for a long time my belief has waned in recent years.  So much about the Bible just doesn't make sense.  I have had some discussions with some friends of mine regarding this subject and they suggested I ask people who have more knowledge on the subject.  I consider myself a truth-seeker but do not take things on faith, I look for evidence.  If you answer me by saying, "because the Bible says so" then that does not take me to the truth as we first have to prove that the Bible is the word of God.  If that is so then why are there so many contradictions in the Bible?  So often my Christian friends have to fall back on "you just have to have faith" and this is unacceptable to me.  If God wants us to belive in him and the Bible, why all the mystery?  Why not make it plain everyday?  Why not have clouds pass by and spell out the word of God for all to see?  Why are so called miracles never ones that you really see evidence of?  Sure, people who claim to be blind can later see but what of evidence that can be measured, like growing of missing limbs back?  You NEVER see this type of miracle, only those that cannot be measured.  And why would a loving God care about my prayers to get a job in suburban Chicago while 90% of women have been raped in the Congo?  Isn't the issues in the Congo much more important than me having a job?  So much makes such little sense to me, can you help explain all this?

Thanks,

Chuck

ANSWER: HI Chuck, you said--"PROVE THAT THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD".

Here are just some breif reasons why I believe the bible to be the “word of God”

1. Bible prophecy explains the meaning of world conditions

2. The Bible enables us to understand the purpose of life

3. It is filled with prophecies reflecting detailed knowledge of the future—something impossible for humans

4. Its contents are scientifically sound on matters that human researchers discovered only at a later date.

5. Its internal harmony is significant

This is especially so in view of the fact that the books of the Bible were recorded by some 40 men as diverse as king, prophet, herdsman, tax collector, and physician. They did the writing over a period of 1,610 years; so there was no opportunity for collusion. Yet their writings agree, even in the smallest detail. To appreciate the extent to which the various portions of the Bible are harmoniously intertwined, you must read and study it personally.

"WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE?"

I have studied the bible now for over 30 years & I have yet to find a contradiction; there are many SEEMING contradictions such as the popular one “If Adam & Eve only had 2 boys, where did Cain get his wife?” the answer; Adam & Eve didn’t just have Cain & Abel, Genesis tells us they had “sons & daughters” Cain therefore married one of his sister’s or cousins.

"WHY ARE SO CALLED MIRACLES NEVER ONES THAT YOU REALLY SEE EVIDENCE OF?"

Now this is an excellent question because you’re absolutely right, God does not perform miracles on earth today, the bible tells us they stopped with the death of the apostles.

"WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD CARE ABOUT MY PRAYERS TO GET A JOB IN SUBURBAN CHICAGO WHILE 90% OF WOMEN HAVE BEEN RAPED IN THE CONGO? ISN'T THE ISSUES IN THE CONGO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN ME HAVING A JOB?"

God cares about us and invites us to call on him in prayer. (Psalm 50:15) He promises to respond to heartfelt prayers that are in harmony with his will. (Psalm 55:16, 22; Luke 11:5-13; 2 Corinthians 4:7) God listens to “whatever prayer, whatever request for favour there may occur on the part of any man or of all his people.” Hence, if we put our trust in God, pray for his help, and draw close to him, we will experience his loving care and guidance. (Proverbs 3:5, 6) The Bible writer James assures us: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.”—James 4:8.

What we see around us at present is not God’s will or purpose, he never intended or wanted women to be raped, or men to be unemployed etc. He created mankind to be happy, not have stress of any kind, so whatever stresses us, he is very interested.

I look forward to discussing some of these points with you in greater detail.

All the best
Brenda
 



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for your answers but I do see many contradictions.  One for example:
MAT 27:46,50: "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?" that is to say, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ...Jesus, when he cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost."

LUK 23:46: "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, "Father, unto thy hands I commend my spirit:" and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."

JOH 19:30: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished:" and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

These are minor issues to me but if some things are contradictory and untrue then the possibility exists that other parts of the Bible are not true as well, correct?  I do agree that the Bible gives meaning to life and for my strong Christian friends I am happy they have found this.  But I am an intellectual and cannot (or will not) believe something on faith alone, no matter what salvation is promised me.

As to the prayers, I understand what you are saying about prayers will be answered if they are God's will.  However, if it is God's will that women in the Congo live in constant fear of rape then I am not sure I want to worship such a God.  Why would a God who desires to be worshipped allow such horrible things to happen?  Could we not give him the worshiping that he claims to demand without the horrors that are talked about in the Bible as well as exist in present day?  It just doesn't pass the commonsense test.

Regards,

Chuck

Answer
HI there Chuck, you said--"MAT 27:46, 50: LUK 23:46: JOHN 19:30:

3 eyewitness accounts give us the full picture--At about three o’clock in the afternoon, Jesus feels that his end is near. “I am thirsty,” he says. Then with a loud voice, he cries out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Upon hearing this, some who are standing nearby exclaim: “See! He is calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them runs and, using a sponge soaked with sour wine on the end of a hyssop stalk, gives him a drink. Having had some of the wine, Jesus gasps: “It has been accomplished!” Then he cries out, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit,” bows his head, and expires.—John 19:28-30; Matthew 27:46; Luke 23:46

IF SOME THINGS ARE CONTRADICTORY AND UNTRUE THEN THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT OTHER PARTS OF THE BIBLE ARE NOT TRUE AS WELL, CORRECT?  

Absolutely!! That’s why there are none :¬)

I AM AN INTELLECTUAL AND CANNOT (OR WILL NOT) BELIEVE SOMETHING ON FAITH ALONE

By this answer you imply that only stupid people believe :¬) which of course is not the case—

I quote—“WOLF-EKKEHARD LÖNNIG: Over the past 28 years, I have done scientific work dealing with genetic mutation in plants. For 21 of those years, I have been employed by the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, in Cologne, Germany. My empirical research in genetics and my studies of biological subjects such as physiology and morphology bring me face-to-face with the enormous and often unfathomable complexities of life. My study of these topics has reinforced my conviction that life, even the most basic forms of life, must have an intelligent origin.

BYRON LEON MEADOWS: I live in the United States and work at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the field of laser physics. Presently I am involved in the development of technology to improve the ability to monitor global climate, weather, and other planetary phenomena.

In my research I often work with the principles of physics. I seek to understand how and why certain things happen. In my field of study, I find clear evidence that everything I observe has a cause. I believe that it is scientifically reasonable to accept that God is the original cause of all things in nature. The laws of nature are too stable for me not to believe that they were put in place by an Organizer, a Creator.”

ENRIQUE HERNÁNDEZ-LEMUS--a theoretical physicist working at the National University of Mexico. My current work involves finding a thermodynamically feasible explanation for the phenomenon known as the gravothermal catastrophe, which is a mechanism of star growth. I have also worked with complexity in DNA sequences.

People are often surprised when I tell them that I am a Christian, sometimes they ask me how I can believe in God. Their reaction is understandable, since most religions do not encourage their believers to ask for proof of what they are taught or to research their beliefs. However, the Bible encourages us to use our “thinking ability.” (Proverbs 3:21) All the evidence of intelligent design in nature, together with evidence from the Bible, convinces me that God not only exists but is also interested in our prayers.”

Just 3 examples of intellectuals who believe in God & the bible.

IF IT IS GOD'S WILL THAT WOMEN IN THE CONGO LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR OF RAPE THEN I AM NOT SURE I WANT TO WORSHIP SUCH A GOD.  

As I said in my last post “It is NOT God’s will” & if it were, like you, I wouldn’t want to worship such a God either. The bible explains what God’s will is, what his original purpose for mankind was, & why we have suffering today, plus what God will soon do to eliminate such things.

WHY WOULD A GOD WHO DESIRES TO BE WORSHIPPED ALLOW SUCH HORRIBLE THINGS TO HAPPEN?

Ah the million dollar question :¬) which is answered by the way in the bible, but it’s a long answer, so I will try to make it brief for now.

People of various religions have gone to their religious leaders and teachers to ask why there is so much suffering. Often, the response is that suffering is God’s will and that he long ago determined everything that would ever happen, including tragic events. Many are told that God’s ways are mysterious or that he brings death upon people—even children—so that he can have them in heaven with him.

**However the Bible says: “Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly!”—Job 34:10.

Do you know why people make the mistake of blaming God for all the suffering in the world? In many cases, they blame Almighty God because they think that he is the real ruler of this world. They do not know a simple but important truth that the Bible teaches. The real ruler of this world is Satan the Devil.

The Bible clearly states: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) When you think about it, does that not make sense? This world reflects the personality of the invisible spirit creature who is “misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (Revelation 12:9) Satan is hateful, deceptive, and cruel. So the world, under his influence, is full of hatred, deceit, and cruelty. That is ONE REASON why there is so much suffering.

A SECOND reason why there is so much suffering is that, mankind has been imperfect and sinful ever since the rebellion in the garden of Eden. Sinful humans tend to struggle for dominance, and this results in wars, oppression, and suffering. (Ecclesiastes 4:1; 8:9)

A THIRD reason for suffering is “time and unforeseen occurrence.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) In a world without God as a protective Ruler, people may suffer because they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

To find out why God allows suffering, we need to think back to the time when suffering began. When Satan led Adam and Eve into disobeying God, an important question was raised. Satan did not call into question God’s power. Even Satan knows that there is no limit to God’s power. Rather, Satan questioned God’s right to rule. By calling God a liar who withholds good from his subjects, Satan charged that God is a bad ruler. (Genesis 3:2-5) Satan implied that mankind would be better off without God’s rulership. This was an attack on God’s sovereignty, his right to rule.

Adam and Eve rebelled against God. In effect, they said: “We do not need God as our Ruler. We can decide for ourselves what is right and what is wrong.” How could God settle that issue? How could he teach all intelligent creatures that the rebels were wrong and that his way truly is best? Someone might say that God should simply have destroyed the rebels and made a fresh start. But God had stated his purpose to fill the earth with the offspring of Adam and Eve, and he wanted them to live in an earthly paradise. (Genesis 1:28) God always fulfills his purposes. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) Besides that, getting rid of the rebels in Eden would not have answered the question that had been raised regarding God’s right to rule.

Let us consider an illustration. Imagine that a teacher is telling his students how to solve a difficult problem. A clever but rebellious student claims that the teacher’s way of solving the problem is wrong. Implying that the teacher is not capable, this rebel insists that he knows a much better way to solve the problem. Some students think that he is right, and they also become rebellious. What should the teacher do? If he throws the rebels out of the class, what will be the effect on the other students? Will they not believe that their fellow student and those who joined him are right? All the other students in the class might lose respect for the teacher, thinking that he is afraid of being proved wrong. But suppose that the teacher allows the rebel to show the class how he would solve the problem.

The teacher in our illustration knows that the rebel and the students on his side are wrong. But he also knows that allowing them the opportunity to try to prove their point will benefit the whole class. When the rebels fail, all honest students will see that the teacher is the only one qualified to lead the class. They will understand why the teacher thereafter removes any rebels from the class. Similarly, God knows that all honesthearted humans and angels will benefit from seeing that Satan and his fellow rebels have failed and that humans cannot govern themselves. Like Jeremiah of old, they will learn this vital truth: “I well know, O God, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”—Jeremiah 10:23.

That was the shortened version :¬) but I hope it gives you an idea as to why “horrible” things happen today & why God permits it.

I look forward to your response

Brenda