Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Original poster

Christians - what exactly do you believe?

138 replies

beansmum · 04/04/2008 21:31

I am a Christian but have been struggling with my faith recently, mainly because the Christians I know think sooooooooo differently to me. Somebody please explain things in a way that makes some sense to me!

I suppose I'm confused about all the usual things; sex, the Bible, other faiths etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
beansmum · 05/04/2008 21:28

I believe in God and I take the Bible seriously (not literally) and I believe that Jesus was God's son. My main problem just now is that I still don't understand why not believing those things should result in me going to hell. Can anyone explain?

OP posts:
ScienceTeacher · 05/04/2008 21:30

Suffering is one of the main objections to the Christian faith, if that is any consolation.

There are consequences to our sins. If a drunk driver kills someone, then that is a consequence - it doesn't matter how sorry they are.

There are things that we don't even understand because we live in a fallen world, eg child with cancer.

What is really important is how we respond to bad things. We can be selfish, or we can be a community. Suffering draws us closer to God because we have nothing else, so we can have physical loss but spiritual gain. Because Jesus paid the ultimate price, he understands our suffering fully.

OverMyDeadBody · 05/04/2008 21:34

Thank you ST. I kind of get it now.

ScienceTeacher · 05/04/2008 21:35

" believe in God and I take the Bible seriously (not literally) and I believe that Jesus was God's son. My main problem just now is that I still don't understand why not believing those things should result in me going to hell. Can anyone explain? "

The bible tells us that if we believe in Jesus and confess our sins, then we will have eternal life. It doesn't tell us about people who do not do this.

There are those in our communities who have never properly heard of Jesus, and it is our duty to tell them about him. There are people in non-Christian countries too, and that has driven people into missionary work.

There are those people who died before knowing Jesus, and that includes people faithful to God, such as Abraham. We are pretty sure that our loving and merciful God will do right by these people.

Henrietta · 05/04/2008 21:41

Have been following with interest,
Sorry if this is a repeat tired with 3 kids one 13 wks old
I am a Christian. I believe the Bible is God's word and in there it talks about no-one comes to God except through Jesus. I believe that God is a loving God who can't stand evil and therefore has to punish it.
Faith is when people believe in the fact that when Jesus died He made it possible to have a relationship again with God. because He rose again and therefore conquered death and sin. He will punish sin eventually - the day heaven and hell happen... and then there will be no more sin or sickness which is why heaven will be such a great place.

Philip Yancey has several books that deal with the subjects of why God allows natural disasters etc - In a questionning format(the Jesus I never Knew...Where is God when it hurts etc...) I struggled with this too.
Hope you find some answers
lol

Original poster
beansmum · 05/04/2008 21:42

Scienceteacher - It kind of does tell us about people that don't believe though doesn't it? Doesn't Jesus say that no one gets to the Father except through him? why why why!?

OP posts:
ScienceTeacher · 05/04/2008 21:44

God bless you, Henrietta

ScienceTeacher · 05/04/2008 21:47

I think that Jesus meant that no one who has heard of him. It can't address those who don't know him, because we are pretty sure that faithful people such as Noah, Abraham, and David will all be in Heaven. It is pretty hard to think otherwise.

Original poster
beansmum · 05/04/2008 21:59

I still don't think my question has been answered. Why do we have to follow Jesus to be saved? I can understand how it can help us lead better, happier lives but I can't see why someone who is no more sinful, possibly a lot less sinful, than me should be condemned just for not believing that Jesus is God's son. So I'll be sitting there in heaven despite being not that nice a person while others who have done so much good will be in hell. How is that fair?

OP posts:
Henrietta · 05/04/2008 22:26

Will have to go soon. but believe its because no-one but Jesus deserves to go to heaven even the tiniest sin makes it impossible - and God's terms are believe on Jesus and you will be saved. - who am I to question His terms - I know Ive broken a few commandments and sinned many times - this is why as christians we should tell others - because God is not willing that ANY should go to hell - its fair in that anybody can believe - it doesn't depend on qualifications or place of birth or colour of skin or parents beliefs.
does that help or am I missing the point?

ScienceTeacher · 05/04/2008 22:28

Because that is what it says in the bible, beansmum. John 3:16

DutchOma · 06/04/2008 10:51

And also Romans 3:23:- All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
For God there is no big sin or little sin, because we live in the world we are contaminated and need Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life.
That does not answer any of the questions about suffering, neither does it answer any of the questions on where the line lies between the need to accept Jesus as a personal Saviour and being unable to do so (i.e are unbaptised babies saved - another can of worms that hasn't been opened in this thread), the only thing it does say is, as I've said before "You follow me". We are clever enough to ask the questions but not clever enough to understand the answers. And it remains your free choice, nobody, not even God will MAKE you.

Original poster
beansmum · 06/04/2008 17:05

I understand what the Bible says, but 'because that is what it says in the bible' isn't enough for me if it doesn't make sense. Ok we have all sinned. And any sin is unacceptable to God. And if we accept Jesus we will be saved. But WHY has God made it like this. WHY do we have to accept Jesus. WHY does God only save those who worship him.

OP posts:
ScienceTeacher · 06/04/2008 17:09

Because God wants to be in relationship with you and an unconfessed sin puts a barrier between you. By confessing your sins, you remove that barrier and are free to have a right relationship with him.

ScienceTeacher · 06/04/2008 17:12

We don't know all who God saves. We know what it says in the bible that the only way to him is through Jesus, but that assumes that you have been told about him in the first place.

We are pretty sure that people who lived before Jesus, and therefore never knew him, have been saved. We know that we have a loving and merciful God who will do the right thing.

It's about relationship and new life, though, not about ticking a checkbox.

Original poster
beansmum · 06/04/2008 17:31

What about people of other faiths who have heard of Jesus but don't believe? Can they not have a meaningful relationship with God?

yes, we are all sinful but why can't God just accept anyone who is truly sorry for their sins. Why do we have to go through Jesus?

OP posts:
Original poster
beansmum · 06/04/2008 17:34

because the bible says so I suppose...

I don't think I want to be a Christian anymore if it means I have to switch my brain off.

OP posts:
ScienceTeacher · 06/04/2008 17:38

It was Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection that has paved the way for us.

We don't know who God will choose to show mercy to. All we can do for our own security it to do as it says in the bible. We have heard of Jesus, and we know what he has done for us. If we choose not to accept his free gift of new life, then we do so at our peril.

ScienceTeacher · 06/04/2008 17:40

You do not have to switch your brain off. But you cannot expect the Christian faith to conform to your life. You have to conform to God's way. No one promised that it would be an easy journey, but it is not a lonely one.

Original poster
beansmum · 06/04/2008 17:43

seems pretty lonely to me...I think I'm back to the whole should I change church question. I can't carry on in a place where everything is so black and white, believe the bible and don't ask questions.

OP posts:
Original poster
beansmum · 06/04/2008 17:45

Thanks for carrying on answering all my questions, it's helpful just to get this stuff down so I can think about it properly instead of having it going round and round in my head all day!

OP posts:
SueBaroo · 06/04/2008 17:45

why can't God just accept anyone who is truly sorry for their sins.

--------

It's a good question, beansmum. It comes down to justice, really. If someone murdered someone, but they were really really sorry, would it be fair for the judge to decide to let them off any punishment because they were sorry?

Original poster
beansmum · 06/04/2008 17:46

No it wouldn't be fair to let them off with no punishment, but would it be fair to lock them up for all eternity?

OP posts:
ScienceTeacher · 06/04/2008 17:46

Of course you should ask questions.

There is what it says in the bible, and then there's what it means in the context of the day, and then there's what it means in our lives today.

You can't be expected to read what it says in your version of the bible and automatically knows what it means for you. That is why there are so many commentaries and guides.

It is important to be a Christian in a community so that you can help one another lead a Godly life. It is really hard to do it alone.

What kind of church do you go to?

Original poster
beansmum · 06/04/2008 17:47

and God does accept murderers if they repent

OP posts: