A Reform-minded Seventh-day Adventist forum In our aim to exalt everything important, first and foremost, we seek to promote a clear understanding of Daniel, Revelation, the three angels' messages and the alpha and omega of apostasy.
Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 7:09 pm Post subject: Why do you believe?
well, why do you? why should anyone? what made you think "hmm... I think I'll follow the bible/koran/whatever"? Why did you choose one book over the other? and lastly, do you try to convert other people? why or why not?
Hm, I really want to answer this one, but I just spent a great deal of time today engaged in brain work and am feeling like taking a break. I did reply to your evolution post. Perhaps a short answer.
My parents dropped out of their respective churches before I was born. I went at times with my grandparents to church, but I largely had to decide for myself what I thought of the world It was actually not until High School that I became interested really, and this was due to learning what Christianity taught regarding a savior. While it seems basic enough the teaching of a savior from sins is not that common in the other religions where works are the primary basis. Hence my choosing Christianity over other religions, because the world view of Christianity...the depravity of man, yet an enduring trend towards benevolence born out of faith, made a lot of sense.
It is undeniable that man is depraved. I think evidence speaks amply to this. But the idea of a God who worked with depraved people to bring something good out of them also made sense of what I saw happening among people of faith.
It was however, my own experience with God changing my life and my depravity that cemented the decision. As a pastor I have had the opportunity of hearing many accounts of miracles. But that wasn't really an early reason for me to believe. I would say it simply supported what I believed after the fact.
Do I convert others? If you mean do I witness or proselytize, yes of course. I have found Christianity to change my life in such a positive way, and those who also sincerely share in it, that I want them to have that. Besides, if you take the Bible half way seriously you cannot escape that God places a call on your life to witness. If God is real, then His demands on our life are likewise real, and those Christians who pretend to be too open minded or sensitive to witness to others are really either simply unconverted, or are disobedient.
Do I force it on folks who don't want it? Doesn't seem possible anyway, since it is a heart change. But I certainly offer it. And I intentionally look for ways to make relationships with those who don't believe so that I can give them the opportunity of enquiring.
Think of it this way. If you truly believe that something has changed your life, but can't sufficiently motivate yourself to share it with someone else...how much has it changed you?
In fact, for whatever reason you have come here to discuss these same questions of origins, belief etc., even though you are not commanded by God, for what reasons I will not speculate. But it is of sufficient interest to you to get you to come here. How much more should we be motivated if we truly do believe there is a God who wants to have a relationship with us, and who wants to be reconciled to others?
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