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As Christians we are not commanded nor encouraged to enter into discussions, disputes and/or debates with natural men who despises God’s word.
This is one of the biggest excuses religious leaders use. I hear this over and over again. Folks are not allowed to think for themselves. Why do these leaders do this? Because many of them know that what's in the bible oftentimes is not provable. Many religious leaders KNOW much of it's not provable but they don't want their flock to become educated and find out, so what do they tell them? To not debate at all because it will cause the members to begin thinking for themselves and use their own brain instead of depending on being spoon-fed by men who want to remain in power and who SELF-PROCLAIM that they're just protecting the flock from the evil bible haters.
1 Corinthians 2:14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
In most cases, I don't receive the things mentioned in the bible because it's proven to be inaccurate. It has nothing to do with not having spiritual discernment.
For instance, I don't believe the sun stopped in midstream for 24 hours just so a ragtap band of nomads could win an insignificant war.
I don't believe evil spirits cause diseases but the bible teaches this. Not one time are microscopic organisms mentioned in the bible, not one time. Why? Because ancient nomadic men didn't know about them. If their god was "all that", HE WOULD'VE REVEALED SUCH VITAL KNOWLEDGE. No such thing occurred. More evidence that the bible is purely "man-made" and man-written.
I believe in the equality of women. I don't believe that daughters should be sold to their rapists and forced to marry her rapist for life as taught in the bible.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
This kingdom hasn't been seen by anyone. If it has, where is it? The best they can come up with is that "it's in my heart". Again, that's not evidence, that's faith.
In addition, there are 30,000 denominations with differing beliefs. How can the thousands of denominations be apart of the same kingdom when they're so divided?
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
It's not a matter of not understanding, it's a matter of providing a small thing called "evidence" to support that speech.
John 10:26-27 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
A person who follows another based on no evidence is a very naive person.
As Christians, we are commanded to proclaim God’s word and leave it to God to make His word effectual. When we engage in endless debates with non-believers we allow God’s word to be mocked, belittled and blasphemed; such does not give glory to God. Also, engaging in such feeds only our pride (which God Hates) and allows us to promote the evil we seek to suppress. Even if we assume to have won one of these debates, such give glory to man (us), not God.
I suppose the man named Paul would highly disagree. He spoke and debated with others with differing beliefs on a DAILY basis in the market places. According to your theory, that makes him a very haughty person for doing so.
Seems like when some religious folks are asked to provide evidence of such and such from the bible, some become defensive and run to this excuse.
If politicians or researchers ran from questions and debates, some would say that they're trying to hide something and they would be suspicious of them. Why do religious folks get a "pass" for doing the same thing? Sounds a bit hypocritical.
If one has irrefutable proof and evidence that what he or she is putting forth irrefutable truth, why be fearful of engaging in a civil debate? This has nothing to do with vanity and pride.
Sometimes it can lead to humility which is just the opposite of pride.
If you find no truth in my words, Please accept His words
Matthew 7:6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
This could be said of anybody. The scientist, Galileo, tried to enlighten Christian leaders by telling them that the sun didn't revolve around the Earth, but the Earth revolved around the sun. Instead of looking into what he was saying, they tried to kill this brilliant scientist. He was trying to give something good to them and they rejected it. Who were the "dogs" in this case?
The difference with Galileo and the biblical supporters is that he had measurable evidence, something concrete that he could produce. Galileo wasn't leaning on faith, he was leaning on measurable evidence and data.
Most who support the words of the bible don't provide this. They only provide verses which anyone can do. That's called "faith".
Matthew 15:14. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
This could apply to any subject. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to come up with this.
Proverbs 9:7-8 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
If one can provide actual evidence to support his theory, acceptance shouldn't be a problem, however if what one is trying to convey as truth, comes with no evidence but only words or verses, one would be a fool to accept it.
For instance:
--There's no geological evidence to support the theory of a worldwide flood occurring 4,000 years ago as stated in the bible.
--There's no evidence in the historic annals of contemporary nations (Egyptians, Babylonians, Hittites, Ethiopians) providing proof that the sun stopped for 24 hours as stated in the bible.
--What person goes to the doctor with a disease to be cured of evil spirits causing his disease? The bible teaches that evil spirits cause diseases. We all know that bacteria and viruses cause diseases. These are only a few of the many unscientific and inaccurate historical data found in the bible.
This is why folks question it's authenticity. Has nothing to do with hating the bible just for the sake of hating it.
In addition, no one knows who wrote the books of the bible. It's taken on faith by many that a god inspired the books.
In fact, the books of the bible were VOTED on by a group of men based on their personal theories and opinions. It had nothing to do with being inspired by a biblical god. The average person has no knowledge of this tidbit of vital information.
