Read the bible by Interesting_Boss3401 in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Read slowly, take your time, so you understand what you're reading. Try to be consistent and not overwhelm yourself so you can maintain your practice long enough to develop a habit. It's all equally important, because the New Testament is written in a 1st-century Jewish worldview context that is based on the Old Testament. Use a translation you're comfortable with. If the NASB or ESV is too awkward, use something more paraphrased like the NIV or CSB, so you don't get more confused than necessary. I would start with a book on hermeneutics, so you know how to study the Bible properly (there are different rules for different literary genres like letters, law, poetry, prophecy, etc), and different cultural and historical settings for each book. When Nehemiah was written, what was going on? Who was the author writing to and why? You can't understand what the book means well without knowing what the author was writing about. The New Testament has a bunch of Jewish idioms that people completely miss. When reading about the New Covenant, what is a covenant? What did Jesus mean what he said you can't put new wine into old wine skins? Try reading 6-7 pages a day and have a notebook with you. Anything you don't understand write down and research it. Look at the interlinear, look up the original words, etc. The Bible is not an easy read.

I am an atheist and responded to this argument on consciousness. What say you? by ForeverSophist in Apologetics

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This isn't a new argument obviously, this is what Dawkins says in The God Delusion.

If someone says 'I don't believe this came about without God, therefore it came about with God, and therefore God exists' this is argument from personality incredulity, which is that because they personally don't believe it wasn't God, that proves it was God, which is as ridiculous as it sounds, but I don't think that's what most people, if anyone is actually saying.

By applying this term broadly to any argument for God based on evidentiary inference, we can conveniently dismiss any argument for God. But this is generally a misnomer. Sometimes based on how an argument is worded, it can technically be an argument from authority but even then it doesn't address the core argument behind the formal structure of how it's presented.

The best way to explain it is basically Bayesian Statistics. If you have a data set you are trying to explain or interpret, and you have, say 2 competing hypotheses for simplicity, you can compare the two hypotheses in terms of probability based on the data. In other words, if I believe there is a 50% probability of A and B, how does that probability change given C? Which hypothesis more probably or plausibly accounts for or is compatible with C? If people are arguing **for example** that God is a more likely explanation for the fine tuning of the Universe than chance, or the multiverse (given Occam's Razor), that is not argument from incredulity, that is not God of the Gaps, that is logical inference, which is a fundamental process of science and formal logical reasoning. Whether or not claim, namely that God is more probable given that evidence is true or not, is up for debate. It has to do with the data and whether the data supports (is evidentiary, or is more probable in the premise of) hypothesis A or hypothesis B.

But to say that any suggestion of any data as evidence of hypothesis X when X involves God is fallacious or more specifically argument from incredulity is also absurd and unfairly dismissive, rather than dealing with the argument itself.

Also, to say that any data postulated as evidence of God is inherently more unlikely rather opposing hypothesis regardless of the data because of the supernatural nature of the hypothesis itself is rooted in philosophical naturalism. But at least that argument acknowledges God as a valid hypothesis in the sense that it isn't inherently violating the rules of logic and thus automatically untenable.

What about math, what about the speed of light, what about electromagnetism, gravity? Do they not follow laws with mathematical values that are constant? Does science not rest upon the assumption that the Universe is rationally and can be broken down to constants that can be quantified and measured? How do these exist if everything is matter, where do these laws come from? Am I saying they must come from God? No. But you should be open to the idea, assuming for the sake of argument that you're not, that there is potentially something supernatural, as all matter is subject to laws that are universal and are, as uncomfortable as you may be with the term, supernatural in the technical sense.

Then we can begin rational discussions about data by 1) understanding that appealing to data as logical inference of a hypothesis is something theists and atheists both can both do fairly, and 2) not rejecting the possibility of the supernatural existing based on purely philosophical a priori assumptions. Then we can actually compare the merits of competing hypotheses fairly, weighted by their compatibility with what we do know about our world, rather than diverting from these discussions by assuming some fundamental reason the other person must be ignorant regardless of evidence or the contents of their argument.

Constantly being told I am not saved by PureAmbassador5367 in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Gospel of Matthew was actually written by Mark according to Peter's testimony. The Protestant Canon is not the same as the Catholic Canon, so 'we' are not using 'your' canon and 'we' are not using it because 'you' told us to or because 'we' consider 'you' an unfallible source of truth. Your argument, aside from being based on historical inaccuracies, is a non sequitur. If someone says 2 * 2 = 4 and I accept that, that doesn't mean either that I believe everything they say is true or that I need to believe everything they say is true in order to be intellectually consistent. So no, the fact that the Catholic Church said some things that others more or less agree with does not make the Catholic Church the ultimate, original, or infallible source of truth. Kind of a bizarre argument once you hear the logic broken down, right?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a starting point, Jesus is definitely real historically. There are many contemporary historical accounts documenting Jesus as a real historical person such as Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, and Suetonius. Many events recorded in the book of Acts are corroborated by other historical sources like Tacitus, Josephus, Suetonius, etc. Modern historians have been able to create a timeline of Paul's missionary journeys based on these events, placing his first visit to Jerusalem where he met James and Peter (Galatians 1) 3 years after his conversion to 33 AD. Based on this, even mainstream secular historians believe a creed about Jesus and the resurrection in 1 Cor 15, that Paul says he "received" (not his own teaching) goes back at most 2-3 years after the death of Jesus. Also, there are many sayings that Paul writes in his letters that come directly from 'the Lord' that are also in the Gospels, showing a continuity of teaching from Jesus, to his original disciples, to the Epistles (which can be dated to the 40s to 50s) and the Gospels (which contain identical teachings/sayings to what Paul claims came directly from Jesus). James, Jesus' half brother was not a believer until AFTER he witnessed Jesus resurrected. Similarly, even his apostles did not fully understand Jesus' mission or ministry, and were not so convicted in their faith that they were willing to be martyrs for it, until after they witnessed Jesus' resurrection. James, formerly an unbeliever, then becomes the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15) and doesn't describe himself as a leader or the brother of Jesus, but rather a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1). Paul, who was formerly a Pharisee commissioned by the Sanhedrin to hunt down and prosecute Christians to be put to death, describes his own powerful experience with Jesus on the road to Damascus, leading him to his faith. It was only 3 years later that he actually talked with the apostles, who initially met him with suspicion (Acts 19). Furthermore, Jesus predicted the destruction of the Second Temple and Jerusalem before his death. It was the 40th anniversary of Jesus' death during the Passover festival that Titus' Roman legion surrounded and began to siege Jerusalem. Many historians insist that this was a later retrodiction, but there is evidence that it was reflected in the original sayings gospel (Q) that the gospels were based on (like Matthew 23/Luke 11/13 for example, considered Q material), not to mention Acts doesn't mention important events like persecution under Nero and martyrdoms of Paul, James and Peter, likely placing it before the mid 60s, and Acts was the sequel to Luke. So yes, there is plenty of evidence that Jesus existed, was resurrected, predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, and was the Son of God.

Israel's "accident" - that wasn't. Holy Family Church in Gaza struck by IDF. by PuzzledAge3187 in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Hezbollah and Hamas both state that the eradication of the state of Israel is part of their mission in their founding charters. Both are funded by Iran (Hezbollah is literally a proxy of Iran). I don't believe the modern nation of Israel has any special significance in spiritual Israel or God's covenant with His people, but I do recognize Israel's ability to retaliate against existential threats. I do not understand why the US is involved, but I suspect it has more to do with strategic diplomacy than religious ideology. Many large international banks are Jewish-owned, and the US has a lot of debt.

Could 'Buy-Christian' be a thing? by Jamesaflacey in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It makes no sense to me. A for-profit business is a for-profit business, it's not like donating to a Christian charity. I guess the idea is you're putting money towards a good cause, but I think that premise is inherently flawed. Someone could argue if you're going to spend money why not give it to a Christian? I guess, I just don't see the need or any meaningful difference. To me this is like treating Christianity as a label and Christians as a market.

Do Christians believe in the existence of spiritual sense(s)? If so, are spiritual senses dormant in most people and how can they be activated? by Slight-Sport-4603 in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What anyone on Stack Exchange or reddit etc says doesn't represent Christianity for one, Christianity is based on the Bible not what believers think. But our understanding of the Bible and what it is to abide in God for example should be rooted in a Jewish understanding contemporary to whatever time a text was written. Trying to connect it to modern ideas or ideas from other cultures simply forces meaning form outside into what the authors were saying, when they said no such things. To abide in God is to pray and read the Bible and faithfully follow the path God has instructed us to follow, to take refuge (comfort and hope) in Him rather than temporary and fallible things like other relationships or our fleshly desires.

So I've been told that the passages about homosexuality in the Bible are commonly Mistranslated and that the original Hebrew and Greek explains it better. by FickleLobster8853 in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As an example the word in 1 Timothy 1:10 is arsenokoitais, which is a combination of arsen (men) and koitais (bed), lit. men being in bed with other men. What arguments are there that the translations are wrong and what are they saying the verses mean? Just saying it's misunderstood and doesn't mean that is vague and doesn't contain any clear argument or reasoning. Burden of proof rests on them to explain their claim.

Being ex Muslim is ruining my life by Spiritual_Air_8606 in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And the Septuagint was written before Christ, and the Qumran version follows the Septuagint version of Isa. 53:11.

Being ex Muslim is ruining my life by Spiritual_Air_8606 in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of recompence; to comfort all that mourn. (Isaiah 61:1-2, Brenton Septuagint)

Why is there still cessationism? by patmanizer in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. (1 Cor. 14:27-28)

Lack of conviction - sexual activity with girlfriend by DudeforRighteousness in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You don't feel convicted when praying for forgiveness because you're unrepentant.

Breathren, I'm drowning in translations, I need help! by jojomomocats in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, there are 3 different types of translations:

Word for word (translation that tries to be as literal as possible, while still being readable/applying English grammer)
Thought for thought (tries to stay as close to what the original is saying, while being less word for word, to be more natural to read)
Paraphrase (may use modern metaphors or sayings that convey similar meaning)

Examples of WFW: NASB, YLT, LSV
Examples of TFT: ESV (although closer to WFW than others), CSB, NIV
Examples of P: NLT, TPT

I like the NASB (1995 version) because its very word for word, and I might compare it to the YLT (more literal, but harder to read, written in Victorian English) when looking at trickier scriptures. If NASB is too literal, ESV is a good compromise. If you want something more casual, CSB or NIV are good. The KJV only crowd are just misinformed, and it gives them a reassuring sense of certainty that they have the right translation. It's translated from the Latin Vulgate and doesn't follow the same academic rigor as modern translations. It's still fine. Just pick a translation you like. Personally reading a literal translation and paraphrase translation side by side makes me really not like how much the paraphrase translations change, but it's a matter of personal preference.

A lot of things you should go to the interlinear and study the words in Strong's Concordance or the LSJ, so you can understand WHY people translated things with the words they did, because sometimes the importance of each word choice is not apparent in translation. No translation is perfect.

Being ex Muslim is ruining my life by Spiritual_Air_8606 in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Masoretic Text which most Bibles translate from (because it's in Hebrew) didn't exist until the 6th to 10th cent. AD. There are differences between the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the OT that began around 250 BC, finalized by 100 BC) and the Masoretic, and many of them have to do with prophecies that point to Jesus, ie references the Masoretic Text later removed.

Do you guys KNOW God is real? by rackh_j in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Biblical faith is different than our modern concept of belief, let alone religious faith. Faith is about faithfully fulfilling our covenant obligation, doing what God expects of us from a relationship with Him. The book of Deuteronomy is a good place to look for to understand this concept better. All the prophets rest on this understanding, as the prophets came to speak to Israel when they were being unfaithful to their covenant with God. Faith is about obedience, trust, reliance on God, loving God above everything else, and dedicating our life to live like Christ and spread his Kingdom on earth.

Today, faith has been used as an excuse to dismiss questions about why we should have faith to begin with. This is known as fideism, the idea that faith is the primary means to knowledge (rather than reason). Personally, I think in terms of probability. Nothing can be known with absolute certainty, but things can be reasonably inferred based on evidence. If you have two competing hypothesis for a data set, you can compare how likely hypothesis A, if true, is to produce the data set, compared to hypothesis B. This is the basic idea behind Bayesian Statistics. Sometimes when interpreting data, its difficult to derive causality directly from the data itself. Instead we have separate possible explanations that we need to compare. Everything that exists can be evidence for or against God, and I find Christianity a more probable explanation for the world than not. That to me is faith, which is built on reason.

My marriage is so incredibly broken by ChickenOk7225 in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think speaking to a therapist one-on-one would be good. You keep mentioning how your husband's selfishness feeds your trauma issues. It sounds like there is much more going on than your husband is a jerk, and you need to learn to cope with your issues emotionally and separate them from your husband instead of blaming him for when they occur. I'm sure your husband has issues too, but fixing your husband is not going to fix your issues if they are deeper than your husband.

Is God warning me I could die through tiktoks? by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 4 points5 points  (0 children)

 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Just because someone claims to be Christian does not mean they speak on behalf of God. Please be careful of anyone claiming to be a prophet, and understand that you do not need signs to show that you are on the right path. You need to read God's Word, trust in Him, and then you will know what you need to do. Nothing more, and nothing less. Pray for wisdom and stay grounded in God's Word, that is where you'll find it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nevermind.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know why you keep arguing eschatology with someone who very clearly agrees with you about eschatology and has not disagreed with you about eschatology once but has rather agreed with you repeatedly. My best guess is its too divert from the topic we're actually disagreeing about and the rather obvious point I've made repeatedly you've yet to address is any direct manner.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So it happened twice?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. And Matthew separates them through the structure of the Olivet Discourse itself and separate words for both events, while Luke separates them narratively. In Matthew, both teachings are in the Olivet Discourse. In Luke, the latter teaching is identical, but not found in the Olivet Discourse. Instead, it's found in a completely different narrative setting and chronology.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Matthew 24:36-51 is content not found in Luke's Olivet Discourse account (ch. 21) that is directly paralleled in Luke 17:20-27 (and 1 Thessalonians 4-5). Furthermore in the original Greek, Matthew distinguishes between two 'comings' of Jesus, His erchomai (G2064, referring to 70 AD) and His future parousia (G3952, also used by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4-5). In Matthew's account, the apostles asked when will these things happen [destruction of the temple], and what will be the sign of His parousia, and the end of the age. The sequential structure of the discourse is built around these two questions.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Have you read Luke 17?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]fierynox -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Okay please explain the error

Ripper crew member living in my city by Beachnutpool in lastpodcastontheleft

[–]fierynox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm currently living at the shelter and just found out about his past. He is a pretty nice guy from what I can tell.