Bible Verses - please share

[Lord Maye]

@Dingleberry @Deus Irae

Using Apostle Thomas as an example, do you think questioning or seeking evidence of God can coexist with strong faith? Didn't Thomas doubt, but once given proof, became Jesus' most loyal follower?

 

[Dingleberry]

@Dingleberry @Deus Irae

Using Apostle Thomas as an example, do you think questioning or seeking evidence of God can coexist with strong faith? Didn't Thomas doubt, but once given proof, became Jesus' most loyal follower?

A few thoughts.

1. Thomas wasn't a chronic doubter or questioner of God. He only doubted the resurrection itself.

2. And yes, once he was shown that Jesus has come back, his faith and commitment to Jesus was even stronger.

Seeking evidence of God is natural. Questioning God? If you mean questioning His existence or authority, I do not find that natural. Personally, I don't see how any person can look at the universe, nature, everything, and NOT see God! This complex universe and every complex creature came to be out of chaos? Out of an explosion?

I'd need to take a far greater leap of faith to buy the Big Bang theory. It's nonsensical. But people have an unhealthy way of buying anything because some scientists or "experts" say so. See Covid for more on that phenomena.

Even though I see evidence of God everywhere, I love seeking more evidence of God and biblical truths. But I EXPECT to find the evidence. It's all out of faith and then the opportunity to share with others. With disbelievers especially. You can find many faithful Apologetics who essentially defend Christianity with evidence. They use evidence as a way of witnessing and hopefully saving souls.

If you are seeking evidence because you lack faith? You're certainly not alone out there. Keep asking and seeking! But I'd recommend sincerely asking God to reveal Himself to you as well.

 

[Dingleberry]

@Dingleberry @Deus Irae

Using Apostle Thomas as an example, do you think questioning or seeking evidence of God can coexist with strong faith? Didn't Thomas doubt, but once given proof, became Jesus' most loyal follower?

Better yet, listen to Jesus.


“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

- Matthew 7:7-8

 

[Deus Irae]

@Dingleberry @Deus Irae

Using Apostle Thomas as an example, do you think questioning or seeking evidence of God can coexist with strong faith? Didn't Thomas doubt, but once given proof, became Jesus' most loyal follower?

Doubt is the killer of faith. But doubt overcome often results in stronger faith than was present prior to the doubt.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re-reading the Bible again. Found this one interesting:

 

[Kontradiction]

Deuteronomy 13: 1-5 tells people what they should have done with Muhammad.

If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams,appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods”(gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the Lord your God you must follow,and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.

 

[Beers]

so ive never read the bible, but have been giving it serious thought lately

do you approach it like you would any other book, and just start reading from front to back? i know there are like hundreds of chapters, and "book of matthew", "book of paul", "revelations", etc

but i dont really understand the structure, would you just recommend i pick it up and start reading, or just dive in on chapters etc that interest me the most?

I'm in a similar boat as you. I've read much of the Bible when I was much younger, but am going through it again now with more attention. I'd echo others in starting with the Apostles, Mathew seems to be a good place to start. I have been jumping around a bit to parts read by my Pastor at Church, and I've been watching "The Chosen" which is pretty good, the show has lead me to look into different parts of the Old Testament, as they quote it a ton, and the new because of certain scenes with Jesus' followers or events that I become interested in knowing more about.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm in a similar boat as you. I've read much of the Bible when I was much younger, but am going through it again now with more attention. I'd echo others in starting with the Apostles, Mathew seems to be a good place to start. I have been jumping around a bit to parts read by my Pastor at Church, and I've been watching "The Chosen" which is pretty good, the show has lead me to look into different parts of the Old Testament, as they quote it a ton, and the new because of certain scenes with Jesus' followers or events that I become interested in knowing more about.

You can read it Genesis - Revelation (my recommendation) or in chronological order.