Why doesn't God make himself clearer?

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NodMyHeadLikeYeah

Guest
#21
Hello guys, my friend who has been coming along to bible study asked me a question that half stumped me today. I wasn't quite sure of how to answer it. He is - at the moment an agnostic/atheistish, not entirely sure. He isn't opposed to Christianity and I get the impression he would like to believe - he likes a lot of Christian things - but just doesn't think it makes sense. The parts he particularly stumbles over is the creation story.

My bible study - we are neither evolutionist nor literal 7 day creation - we don't view how God made the world as particularly important but more the why. - the group holds a variety of views.

His query is essentially this.

Why didn't God make Genesis in a way that is clear, testable and verifiable. Why doesn't he make the bible easier to understand? What would he have to lose from doing so?

Thoughts?
He doesn't think Genesis is clear enough?? In the beginning God created the heavens and earth...

That's not a very hard code to crack. Testable and verifiable, that's where our faith comes in. A lot of things in the bible seem outlandish, but it's by faith we believe those things.

It's not your job to convince him.
 

Mo0448

Senior Member
Jun 10, 2013
1,209
15
38
#22
Hello guys, my friend who has been coming along to bible study asked me a question that half stumped me today. I wasn't quite sure of how to answer it. He is - at the moment an agnostic/atheistish, not entirely sure. He isn't opposed to Christianity and I get the impression he would like to believe - he likes a lot of Christian things - but just doesn't think it makes sense. The parts he particularly stumbles over is the creation story.

My bible study - we are neither evolutionist nor literal 7 day creation - we don't view how God made the world as particularly important but more the why. - the group holds a variety of views.

His query is essentially this.

Why didn't God make Genesis in a way that is clear, testable and verifiable. Why doesn't he make the bible easier to understand? What would he have to lose from doing so?

Thoughts?
Hello, I've had people ask that question and it can be tough to answer. Why doesn't God make things clearer, why doesn't God just show up and say I am God, so that everyone believes Him? Firstly, things are as clear as God wants it to be since following in Christ's footsteps is an act of faith. It doesn't necessarily make sense on society's terms. Does society tell us we should turn the other cheek? That we should always forgive? That we should be selfless and humble and meek? Of course not! It tells us to hit twice as hard as we were hit to look out for numero uno etc. Following Christ is a direct contradiction of society's norms and that sometimes can clash our flesh and humanity.

As many stated it takes the Holy Spirit to inspire and minister to our soul and spirit in order to get a better clearer understanding of the bible at least that is how I see it.

The second part of my question has two answers. One, HE DID DO THAT! He lived amongst us the word became flesh (Jesus!). Secondly, hypothetically speaking if God appeared on a Cloud and said I am God! Well let's be honest here, the worship and belief in Jesus then wouldn't come from the Holy Spirit or faith, it would come from seeing and that would in my opinion disregard faith out of following Christ. I also feel that even if God did do that THERE WOULD STILL BE SOME THAT WOULD NOT BELIEVE! Yes we are all built differently but God has made it possible for all that in faith believe they shall be saved. It has to come through faith :)

God Bless!
 
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MiguelitoPrays

Guest
#23
You no should saying this. He make very clearer. Sometimes people you no listen to WORD. Making prayer to him please. He explaining to you more.
 

Fenner

Senior Member
Jan 26, 2013
7,507
111
0
#24
I think God makes things very clear people don't always like the answer.
 
I

iTOREtheSKY

Guest
#25
I think God makes things very clear people don't always like the answer.
I'm not kidding Fenner.......that needs to be on a bumper sticker or a t-shirt!
 
W

Water1944

Guest
#26
What bible do you use? I still read my student bible, and I love it. It gives more detail and explains as you go along.I know it's wise to pray to God before you read your bible or start your study. Asking God for the Holy spirit to guide and direct you, ask for clarity, wisdom, that your eyes and ears are open to get what God wants you to be learning. The bible is hard to understand because of when it was written. Trust me, God wants us to understand the bible,it's His word. You need to use tools to help you. I would get a student bible-it will help you so much. Or get a study guide on Genesis, very helpful,I find these in used bookstores and goodwill all the time. God bless.
 

Fenner

Senior Member
Jan 26, 2013
7,507
111
0
#27
Thanks I Tore, I don't always like the answer either but I can tell when God's trying to tell me something. For example working, when I was having trouble finding sitters and stressing all the time I kept feeling it was time to move on. My Husbands job is stable and we'd be OK. But I didnt listen, then they cut me way back in hours and I knew it was time to fly. Then I found a job that was temporary and only during the hours my kids where in school. That ended right at the beginning of Summer. The next school year I found a job at a preschool, no summer's school hours. God has sent me where he wants me to be.
 
Mar 21, 2011
1,515
16
0
#28
If you do not have the Spirit, it is hard to understand the Bible. and thats why the Devil knows the scripture but has no understanding of it. tell your friend to pray before reading the word. for him to get understanding, he should do what is right and shun from evil as stated in the Word. Then gradually, he will understand Job 28:28
This is truly the right answer that kaytyndy has provided.

God is spiritual. Salvation is Spiritual. The Holy Spirit converts and teaches people.

Modern Christianity's purpose is not to spend all this energy trying to pander to Atheists and Sceptics who have invented their own world paradigm.

Salvation is not an intellectual exercise and will NEVER, and I repeat NEVER, be proven by Science.
 
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MiguelitoPrays

Guest
#29
what means bible?
 
K

kaytyndy

Guest
#30
i believe God can give him a chance as he gave to Saul-Paul............. we should pray for our brother so that he can JOIN US. WE ARE ALL CALLED TO BE SAVED. TRUE?
 

eugenius

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2009
491
9
18
#31
I think the description in Genesis of how God made the world is supposed to be a poetic and symbolic description.

I mean what is God supposed to tell you. Diary: Day 1.... Today I assembled carbon atoms into molecules. I applied the following amount of energy in kJ according to E=mc^2.

We also have to remember that Genesis was written by Moses and he got this information from God directly. Nobody knows how this exchange actually went or what was said. I dont think it was ever meant to be literal. It gives a general description in a beautiful and poetic form.

FYI I believe that the Earth is 4.5 billion years old.
 
Jun 30, 2011
2,521
35
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#32
The Bible is plain for salvation, not for ever tidbit of information that we want to know. Literal historical is how Genesis is written, the Bible itself is a worldview, a way of thinking and interpreting the world. It is not our natural way of thinking either, that's why Romans 12 talks about renewing your mind, as well as scripture says that the natural man cannot perceive the things of God, for they are foolish to him.

I have a BA in Geology, and an EdM in Science education, it took me a few years to come to the point where I humbled myself to God, and asked Him to provide me with a good answer, and He did, that's a reason why I pursue my creation tutor ministry
 
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MiguelitoPrays

Guest
#33
a man walks into a bar, and he sees god. wait, no he doesn't, because god is not there nor anywhere else. EXCEPT OUR HEARTS!!!!!