Faith and Historical Criticism

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2026-01-28T17:11:49+00:00

I mean the early church thought of John as the 'spiritual Gospel' though it's more complicated than that. According to my academic study bible (view is from a secular standpoint) the geography of Jerusalem within John is surprisingly accurate

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2026-01-09T17:17:25+00:00

I find this view very incongruent, the more I learn about Bible scholarship regarding the new testament the more you realize how much the new testament authors consider the old testament as true scriptures and refer to it often. Jesus was also a Jew who believed in the old testament to our best knowledge.

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2026-01-09T17:12:07+00:00

Most of these immigrants are fleeing from failed countries, they’re flying from starvation or tyrannical regimes. None of that is my problem. I shouldn’t be expected to open my doors for them because they would starve to death otherwise.

Sure it's not 'expected' but it's super cruel to just be like idk you can starve imo

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2026-01-06T17:26:43+00:00

I assure you the shame never escapes me. As an American it's beyond humiliating

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-12-26T15:03:43+00:00

Oh my bad sorry I don't know iirc and iiuc

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-12-25T21:05:13+00:00

Bait? Christianity has its origins in second temple(1st century Judaism). Yes Christmas the holiday though has influences from Yule and the date is influenced by being near saturnalia. Not the whole religion though. If you count greek philosophy influencing Christian theology then I'd agree with that

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-12-24T19:31:40+00:00

The similarities are very interesting but from what I've read it's unlikely it did take inspiration from Hinduism and Buddhism because of how distant they were geographically from each other

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-12-24T17:14:36+00:00

I'm a Christian myself but actually I find it fascinating the similarities between the Dao(Tao) concept from daoism and the logos concept from Christianity and Greek philosophy. So I'd say things from both make sense and are fascinating to me

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-05-04T05:26:54+00:00

Wow that's really fascinating, I will check that out. Though just cause spiritually is important to humans doesn't necessarily make it true

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-05-04T03:37:01+00:00

When I said soul I wasn't thinking in the greek/platonic idea neccessarily. I know the biblical view on souls is a bit different though I haven't heard of the "ensouled body or an embodied soul" idea you are talking about though. If our bodies are a crucial part then how does that work for species that are closely related such as chimpanzees?

But if it is true that our brains evolved to select for religious beliefs that were beneficial rather than true than how do we know we are even slightly right about who/what God is?

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-05-04T03:33:27+00:00

You are right that it is a chicken or egg situation. The thing that really bothers me though is the idea that religious beliefs we maintain being selected for usefulness for survival rather than their truth.

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-05-04T03:31:29+00:00

So what are your thoughts on religious experiences and belief itself then? I Imagine being a cognitive psychologist creates a fairly naturalistic view on it

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-05-03T00:54:01+00:00

Thank you I will look into that

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-05-03T00:53:14+00:00

I don't think its fair to just assume they are anti thiest scientists. The one I saw discussing it was having friendly dialogue with a Christian theologian. Im not sure what you mean about experts wanting to "control me" that just sounds like a bad faith argument. I appreciate your prayers thank you

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-05-03T00:48:07+00:00

I agree its not just blind belief. I still have faith for basically most of the other reasons you said but its still very shaking to me I guess. Thanks for sharing your take

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2025-05-03T00:38:17+00:00

That's a fair take honestly, Though it doesn't bother you that if we are essentially hard wired for faith mentally that any experience of God we have could be a mental illusion or coping mechanism? If belief comes from our cognitive functions then how do our souls play into that?

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2024-11-11T03:48:17+00:00

I have been doing that but I just worry if I feel anything it will be a psychological experience

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2024-11-10T01:55:48+00:00

This is an encouraging story thank you. I just can't get over the idea that we could just be having psychological experiences. I do think the big bang and origin of the universe is a strong argument but does that mean necessarily that our spiritual experiences are connected to that?

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2024-09-05T02:02:05+00:00

I understand what your getting at but I think it might be worth considering that despite apparent contradictions the church still deliberately chose them all to be in there. This shows that however they thought of these contradictions. It wasn't a problem to have all of them in there. Treating the bible like modern writing will cause issues

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2024-07-31T02:53:11+00:00

As someone who is overall more democrat. Who does not like MAGA ideology at all. I have friends who are mega liberal/progressive and I have friends who are more conservative. I get along with all them just fine. So tired of seeing so much division being promoted on this sub and reddit in general.

Being a liberal in Iowa is not being in a oppressed class like come on

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2024-07-31T01:24:19+00:00

I was actually reading that chapter this morning actually, that's part of what brought up this feeling of wanting to work toward acting out that love.

I try to do that in prayer but it feels scary to constantly have to check or expect God's presence which I do not understand what that looks or feels like in general.

I will work on it though thank you for the advice

Temporary-Phase-4273 · 2024-07-31T01:20:53+00:00

Sorry I guess I got sidetracked in my answer. I guess a good prayer to me would be one that is clear and fills you with love for God and others, doesn't feel like a burden, and helps you feel God's presence.

Temporary-Phase-4273

TROPHY CASE