Simulation

I would also point out that the Bible is not even the "primary" evidence of a Creator.
The bible is a "special" evidence, thus the category for scripture called "special revelation."
The entire universe, including our own body, fills up the category of "general revelation."

We all love the Bible (at least all the believers here do), but scripture, as special as it is, is not the only revelation.
We walk around, all day, in an entire universe that gives us revelation from God.


CONCLUSION:
1.) For Christians who've been believers a long time, the "general revelation" from the created universe becomes de-emphasized, and it takes a back seat to our study of scripture, and that's probably a normal thing.
2.) But for the unbeliever, general revelation is a very powerful tool for witnessing and discussion... it is quite new, and exciting, and challenging.
Romans 1:20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,"




All the posts in this thread have been very good.
God Bless, and have a great week everyone.


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However, God knows and loves us all, revealed for us to not harm anyone over anything we might want, Ask, receive and be joyful in God, who gives free and will not if whatever one wants id not good for them to have. that is where trust comes in and contentment whether it be good or bad to us, in truth it is not bad at all to not get. For you and you and you and me an everyone else too. that is the renewed mindset, God gives freely

Yes, very good point General Revelation is Creation.

Thats a pretty cool user name. I didn’t realize the Dead Sea had vineyards beside it. So, did you watch the Matrix and that got you off? Such a weird little hang up for someone supposedly saved and all. I think it will wear off. Either way https://www.bibleplaces.com/engedi/

Most of the Land in Israel is fertile enough to grow just about anything so long as you have water. Without the water? You can't even generate dust it's that dry as there is a layer of hard pan on top of the Land.
Hard pan is a type of soil that is so hard you swing a pick at it as hard as you can at it just bounces off and laughs at you. They use a hook on the tail of a tractor or bulldozer to break it up so they can then furrow or plow the land. (I'm describing Judean Wilderness areas) There is still a bunch of double fist sized rocks that will twist an ankle quick if you aren't careful with where you step. (Just enough room between the rocks for a foot) And of course scorpions and snakes (along with birds and bugs) when you get close to water. Otherwise there aren't even any bugs or birds....just a big nothing.

Engedi's spring is at the bottom of a 20-30 foot very narrow ravine. (Stairs have been installed now) and it's a huge difference at the bottom versus the top.

There is a cyclone fence that separates Palestinian lands from Israel proper and the IDF patrols this with soldiers. I watched as one soldier boarded the Bus and another got off all by herself with her rifle and her backpack. They are guarding a gate. No one in sight for miles. But they had a walkie talkie. (And an attitude....but they were VERY friendly with my wife and I...great kids!)
Nothing is as lonely as an IDF soldier guarding that gate.

no, not simply only because the Bible makes that claim. God never expected anyone to believe on Him without giving us proof He exists. right, doesn't that make sense? by course it does. so, He sent us His Holy Spirit! the H.S. is the only person, place or thing that can prove God, Jesus & the H.S. are true. plus, He gave us scripture to back it up. study & learn: 2nd Timothy 2:7,15, 3:16,17, 2nd Peter 1:20,21, 1st John 4:13, 5:10,13, John 3:33, 14:16,17,26, 16:13 & Psalm 119:18. John 3:33 is the "clincher" verse. very simply, if something is not in the Bible, that means that God knew in His infinite wisdom that we didn't need to know it! you said you were raised in a Christian environment. there are lots of people who say that, but, for instance, some say they were raised as catholics & that is not a Christian environment. only born again Christians have the H.S. living in them. b.a. Christians can ask Jesus what anything means, sooner or later you'll find out. if you find out in heavens that's not too late.

Even Billy Graham had occasional doubts. That is why it is called faith, which is the hope of evidence that as yet is unseen. You are not the only Christian who, at times, has doubts, myself included. Mine only last a few seconds, or maybe a minute, then faith reinserts itself.

For sure, brother.

I've read the replies I'll come back and answer direct questions but now my next question is why is the Bible God's word as opposed to other religious text like the vedas, Quran etc? I can see from most responses that creation proves God's existence but I still go back to my original question what proves the Bible is God's ultimate word etc maybe again I don't make sense.

Dead Sea scrolls, also certain manuscripts that came out, overwhelmingly (miraculously) solidified it ( I’m sure others could expound). Why do you feel Jesus God and the Bible are not legit? I will say that Jesus is the only person I history who claimed to be God. This is what they crucified Him over. And He rose from the dead. The Leaders at the time never even questioned that He wasn’t in the tomb. Also, no one in history had ever split time in half.

You’ve got to be kidding about the Quran. It’s saddening after what happened on October 7th that you could even consider something like that. It’s sounds like you have no real desire to know the truth however. You can ask Jesus to show Himself to you, but again, your quest indicate you’re playing games more than seriousness. It’s like you’re fishing for something.

"raised in a christian society, read the bible, prayed, gone to church ... etc ..." none of these things amount to SAVED, BORN AGAIN.

After you've done many miles as a Christian, you will realize that Jesus is the truth without judging other religions or sending yourself to Heaven while you send them to Hell.
So, this is a personal journey that no one can teach you.

In a word.
PROPHECY!

God, being outside time, and knowing the end from the beginning has used Prophecy through the Bible to deliver the Truth in advance of the redemption of mankind through His Son. Every page of the OT in some way points to Jesus Christ.

He has also given many other prophecies in Scripture. Some, so incredibly accurate, that unbelievers have tried and failed, to say the Scripture in question must have been written after the event took place.

This is how you KNOW God's Word, the Bible, is True, trustworthy, and EXCLUSIVE.

Very simple Truth.

What proves God's word as truth.
Son is risen!
there are many roads to eternal life, only one bridge to have it. The risen Son the one and only one ever to walk this earth perfect, / That is done in the Son, Jesus of the Israelite tribe

The Quran, has made this Jesus, their Jesus, born of their race, under their Virgin Mary. It got mistranslated to another Jesus from their tribe. That s the difference. The Holy Bible of the first chosen was written to them, in their language from the first chosen, which got translated by Muhammed as being his, and Jesus was just a Prophet.

The Mormons, become God, and get their own planet to rule and have celestial sex to populate it and be in charge as God. If you do not make it this round, you will be reincarnated to try again unto you do it perfect, then, this is an Enchanter religion. As each person that joins, learns from these in charge here on earth. win they get it, according to those in charge, these get promoted to the Mormon's secret temples as if "Oh boy" you are so good, and you feel so prideful being accepted by God, when it is by other men, no better than you.
When in truth to this day only God is good, even per Jesus, Matt 19, and states with man it is impossible to enter Heaven, yet with his Father all things are made possible.
Even though there are many roads to become a believer in God. There is only one way through to God, that be in the risen Jesus for each to believe God or not. The way, the truth and the life, the only mediator between God and man, not any pastor of any Church building made by man on earth. (Hebrews 8:1-4)

Everyone believes in a Jesus of the cross. And that be where it stops for the religious ones, even though they will say, yes he is risen and will not go any further into the risen Son, why?
Because they do not know the risen Son, only the dead one, they are trying to imitate and be as if Jesus. Using this death as forgiven as an antidote, to get away with sin. Not asking for the new life in the risen Christ form Father, where new .life of Love is at to all, not a few as only flesh does that choosing. See that in Psalm 82
Love to all is shown by that cross, which did take away sin, all the nasty nines and dirty dozen once for everyone. everything but "Unbelief" to Son is risen as revealed to the Colossians in Chapters one and two
Believe God, receive from God and become new in God,
Entering his courts now with thanksgiving and praise, all sin now taken away as far as the east is from the west. Ps 100:4 103:12 and then ask for the new heart Ez 36:26

Take on my yoke and burden, it is light and easy.
What?, no more work?
Not of yourself, only my done work to work through all that stay willing for mer to do it

Matthew 11:28-30

King James Version

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

So simple, easy, the tit is not easy, since my first born flesh, continues to get in the way. That I now see what Paul is talking about in Romans 6
At least to me and others as God reveals it to them too, not act I know, only God knows truth and shares it as God sees fit, not anymore else at least this I see now after going after others that seems to have it, and I got tripped up in it

I have heard of this theory and claim but it really doesn't hold much water. Really it is just pantheism with another set of clothes. All one has to do is ask who created the simulation? If they say God did then they have a big problem because God says he created reality with intention and purpose. If they say the simulation is self-created or made by the universe, which is basically pantheism, then they have a problem again in that a simulation cannot be simulating itself otherwise it is no longer a simulation and would just be its real nature.

As @FollowerofShiloh said earlier, these scientists 'hate' the fact when their discoveries point to patterns of God.
So, for being stubborn atheists or for trying to not end their careers by saying that 'all this evidence points to God', they have to make other silly names.
But not all of us are stupid to accept their silly names. I just laugh it off because it's like seeing the elephant in the room and they don't want to call it that.