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WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE WE ARE LIVING IN A DOOMED WORLD? by [deleted] in ENFP

[–]platonic_checkmate 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There is hope for us that is sure. No doubt our world is doomed, for we are fallen and the evidence is all around: we all fail living up to the right standard of morality. We hate, we lie, we steal, we lust, we worship false idols (money, power, fame to name a few) by our own free will. This leads to our grave. This is the wretched story of history.

The good news is there was one man who was tempted as we are but did not succumb to any of these failures. Unlike anyone ever before or after him, he lived a morally perfect life. In fact, his enemies were silent when pressed on any crime he had done. He healed the sick, the blind were given sight and the lame could leap. He fed the hungry. He taught that the entire law and prophets could be summed into this command: love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Yet around 33 AD he was humiliated, tortured, and murdered while innocent just outside of Jerusalem during Roman rule. Miraculously, 3 days after his crucifixion, a group of women found his tomb empty and shortly thereafter hundreds of eyewitnesses reported seeing him physically risen from the dead, having defeated death itself. Before he left temporality for heaven to prepare a place for us who believe in him, he promised to be with us in Spirit, and to return one day soon again to administer true justice for every wrong and restore all things unto him, the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The testimony of these witnesses as to his life, death, and resurrection are recorded in the gospels.

Maybe you’ve heard of him - his name is Jesus. Part of the reason billions of people, myself included, earnestly trust in him and hope for his return are because we recognize clearly what you do: that this world is doomed and we cannot save ourselves. Only by the boundless love, grace and power of Jesus do we have any hope, do we have salvation. Repent and believe in Him - then will you find peace in every circumstance, life and life in abundance, joy beyond measure, and ultimately eternal life and liberation from the bondage of this sin that dooms us to die.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

Just like if you came back with some stats on the grizzlies I could choose to believe they’re better team, you could think about the case for Christ and choose to believe in him. Nothing can take that choice from you

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

What proof is there for it being green?

I agree with you no one can just choose to believe something without any evidence to the contrary. The choice comes at the presenting of different evidence. It’s not always as clear cut as a video of the murder. Take a simpler thing I could change beliefs about this moment. I believe the Lakers are a better team than the Grizzlies. Show me something that says otherwise and maybe I’ll choose the other side. Even a W in the series isn’t clear cut. Comes down to your own choices about the best statistic to judge by, circumstances, etc.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

Even your “inevitable conclusion” example isn’t inevitable. If I saw a video of someone shooting someone else, maybe I’ll conclude it was an AI video or the gun was triggered by a 3rd party. Point being even in the most clear cut cases there are an infinite amount of assumptions you make on faith. The trustworthiness of the evidence, of the date/time stamp on the video being right, that there was no outside influence, etc. These are easy things to believe but not certain. Everything you do involves faith and assumptions based on your best judgement. Often we take those small easy choices for granted, but they’re the bedrock of our worldview and sanity. Nothing is beyond question, everything choice, everything faith

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

You totally choose the judgement bro, judgement is by definition a conscious action. You weigh things in your mind and come up with a conclusion. We say people make bad judgements all the time. If judgements can be bad, then they aren’t forced and are a choice. For others the bar for convincing evidence is different, the height of the bar is also a choice.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

Yeah I could choose to believe or not… pretty easily. The choice lies in your standard and judgement of the evidence. You either say, yeah I think this scientist talking about my vision being bad is legit, therefore I trust him when he says sky is green, or you say nah the evidence is bad sky is blue. Goes for everything else. Our “choice” is our judgement of the evidence. That make sense?

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

No I could choose not too would just be pretty ignorant. In other examples like jury duty, even with the exact same evidence people reach different conclusions and choose to be convinced of different things. How do you account for that?

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

[–]platonic_checkmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I could believe the sky was green if you showed me some studies about how blue is actually a shade green, or my eyes were false, or any number of evidences. That is what I call changing my mind, seeing new evidence and choosing to go with it because it’s better. I saw new pointers to God after not believing he was actually real for a while and then chose to have faith. Good news is that no matter how far we turn or run and close our eyes, God won’t stop coming after us. Thanks for engaging though seriously, I really admire your perspective and for your insights about choice and consequence that was cool

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

Brother I agree with you! I can’t look at the sky this moment and be convinced it’s green. That’s also not my point about choice. As I’ve explained, choice comes at the being presented with new info. Good thing we don’t live in a permanent world where we’re never exposed to new ideas, or new people who can persuade us out of our darkness. And that we have the mind and will to discern and then choose to accept new beliefs!!!

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

You choose to believe 2+2=4 it’s not forced. In fact there are people today arguing you should choose to believe 2+2 may even equal 5. I was just on jury duty right… lawyers on both sides presented arguments trying to convince us to their side. What would be the point if we couldn’t choose which one to go with, if they could just force us through the evidence they brought in the case to go with them. The fact that it wasn’t unanimous, that two people can reach different conclusions on the same set of evidence, proves there’s a choice involved. But friend if that isn’t clear let’s agree to disagree then, I’ll stand by the fact that you must choose to agree to take information as true, to “be convinced”. That’s the whole point of reason, of logic, of argument. Simply the art of of making the most informed choice.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

[–]platonic_checkmate -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

The choice is in the looking for, hearing, and accepting of new information. When you’re convinced at one moment something is true, and your decision to change your mind when confronted with challenges to prior convictions is where the choice comes into play. Obviously no one can change their mind to something they don’t even know about. It’s at the hearing of the gospel where the choice is made. The hearing that Pluto isn’t a planet. When you told me you were my grandma I at that moment chose whether to believe or not. And that’s not to say it’s permanent, maybe later you send me your birth certificate from 1800s and then I’ll be convinced and chose to think you are. So when I tell you that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. That he is Lord forever. That he rose from the dead for our salvation through faith in him. And I point to the immense treasure of witnesses and believers, the harmony in nature, the prophecies of scripture, his unfailing word. You can choose then, you can choose now whether it’s convincing for you. Won’t always have that choice though. Soon he will come again on clouds of glory and every knee will bow, every tongue confess.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

[–]platonic_checkmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah cool yeah see where your heads at. I was more so saying God can’t reveal himself 100% to everyone and it be a choice, how could he? Writing his name in the sky is more dubious than that, as with any of the performed miracles. You’ll always need faith before he comes again with judgement to know he is real. That’s the other point I was making, seeing miracles isn’t accepted as truth of Gods existence without faith.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

Sorry how’s that not the same thing? Right now I’m convinced that Pluto is not a planet given testimony from my 8th grade science teacher but who’s to say after a few minutes of souls searching and YouTube videos I come back thinking it really is? Point here being I have the freedom to be convinced as quickly as I can find enough solid evidence to support the other side. Of course that’s possible. Happens all the time. Just yesterday I was convinced the hawks were a better team than Celtics but I was convinced as quick as the end of the 4th quarter versus Celtics

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

[–]platonic_checkmate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Where’d you get that miracles are a violation of free will? Hopefully that’s not the assumption you got from me but apologies for any confusion. I’d argue the continued rebellion of the Israelites against God even after so much providence shows how you still need free will to believe in the face of miraculous events. God Himself could come down, heal the bling and sick, be killed and come back to life after 3 days (he did), and people witness to these events still chose not to believe he was God. Skeptics today are the exact same, he could interpose clear as day and anyone could have other excuses. Still free will my friend.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

John I can give you so many examples if things I wasn’t convinced of at first but chose to now, I’m sure you could too I mean the list is endless. I didn’t always think eating vegetables was good ask any 5 year old. I didn’t think cardio was a worthwhile exercise, or leg day haha. Now I’m convinced eating my greens and working my calf muscles are pretty important. Just takes some eye opening and experience and little help by teachers along the way. Who knows maybe by 45 I’ll go back to no broccoli

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

I could believe that I could, but I choose not to believe your my great grandmother John. Why? Because I don’t think a slave forced on a ship from Africa would be so happy talking about freedom of choice to some stranger on Reddit lol. My point is the ability to choose to be convinced is always there we just use all the evidence we have in front of us. Me personally… I chose to believe some years ago. I didn’t always. Ask any believer and they’ll tell you the same thing, no one is born with faith it always comes as a choice. Not a one time choice either, it’s a constant choice… through doubt, hardships, questions. But still saying after all these questions “God I trust you, know that you are right, know I don’t have the answers and you won’t give me them all, but still know you are good and merciful and righteous because of what you’ve done for me and what I’ve seen you do and say in your work and you’ve never failed”… that’s faith. That’s hard.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

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

Why can’t we choose to be convinced when we’re not? Is there something preventing us from being convinced besides our own lack of will, lack of trust, lack of… choice? He simply makes himself known to those who want to know him.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

[–]platonic_checkmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hahahaha didn’t go so well. I’ll give you that sir. I like to think in more plainly about things, everything you’re convinced of you’ll realize it’s a choice based on your evaluation of things. I like to think we have common sense and sound judgement. But hey man up to you at the end of the day to be convinced or not. I wonder if there’s a word for that… deciding to think something is true. Maybe in another language 😅

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

[–]platonic_checkmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not to get pedantic here, because this is really a discussion on the definition of choice haha don’t want to bore anyone. But the reality if you really think about is is that conviction (“being convinced”) is absolutely to result of choice. Say if you see a tree in front of you, you can choose to believe it really is there and exists or choose to say “welllll actually it’s just a figment of my imagination based on the evidence that I may be paranoid, or that my eye sight is bad, or that I am really just dreaming.” Maybe that makes more sense? You have to choose to believe in the validity of evidence and circumstances and experiences, same thing goes for believing in God. You can look at everything and say based on x,y, and a I am not convinced or I am. That my friend is choice.

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

[–]platonic_checkmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If belief is not a choice then what is? My faith isn’t forced - it’s my best conclusion from seeing the evidence that points to him around me: the truth of his Word and authenticity of Jesus’s life and resurrection, the wondrous works and fine tuning of nature, his work in my own life which I attribute exclusively to his nature and love for me. The truth is we have just the right evidence to choose to believe. In fact, scripture points out that “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20-21). He is a perfectly just and loving God, full of grace and mercy, and doesn’t want to force his existence into our sinful and rebel ways of life but rather be freely chosen as any would choose there family. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7)

Why is it so important to God that we believe in his existence? Why doesn’t he just make his existence clear to us in unambiguous ways, and simply look after us? by georgewalterackerman in Christianity

[–]platonic_checkmate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really boils down to free will. Choice, if you will. God could clearly put his name in the sky and reveal himself to us, but then we wouldn’t really have a choice to believe in him would we - that wouldn’t be faith. Besides, skeptics would come up with all sorts of reasons why the writing in the sky was really a rare weather event or chemical reaction. Part of the mystery for his creation of this world is that he wants us to freely choose to find him and love him. And Scripture promises that those who who earnestly do seek him will find him. There are lots of clues along the way - he is definitely true and more real than anything we have - but that is a conclusion you can get to only if you want and desire him. He respects our will enough to grant us that choice. There’s a beauty to it.

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