Lets cut to the chase: Why should I be a Christian?

[notachance]

If you're a theist and are active on a forum called "Debating Christianity & Religion", then you probably believe that the value of Christianity is something that can be spoken for.

So here is the situation: I don't want you to tell me why you believe. I understand that for many of you, it has to do with a feeling in your heart, or inexpressible faith, or something along those lines, which would be hard to verbalize and to formulate into a cogent case for Christianity. As respectable a that is, and as good a reason it may be for you to believe, it doesn't help me.

I want you to tell me why I should believe.

Given the fact that I don't share with you that emotional connection with Christianity, given that I don't feel the presence of Jesus in my heart like you do, given that I guide my decision making and my opinion forming by rationality and common sense, what can you tell me along those lines to persuade me that Christianity is the way to go?

Why should I be a Christian? What can you say to persuade me that what you believe is true?

[Goat]

Well, Jesus predicted that he would be three days and three nights in the tomb, but the biblical narrative only has two nights (Friday night and Saturday night).

Where in Bible there have been said, that he was only two nights Friday and Saturday?

Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn't remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
(John. 19:31)

Jesus was in tomb Wednesday night, Thursday (night and day), Friday (night and day), Saturday (day only). He was in tomb 3 days and nights, was resurrected when Saturday day ended, which was noticed next morning that was weeks first day (Sunday), as Bible tells.

Special Sabbath was Thursday, and it was Pesah. Wednesday was its preparation day.

What I refer here is from a Finnish site http://koti.phnet.fi/petripaavola/Valmistuspaiva
and is apparently there by Moshe Ben Meir. I dont know does he have any English site where this could be told more specifically.

Do you have either insurance or savings? More than two sets of clothing?

Unfortunately, if you want keep car legally in Finland, you have to have insurance. so I have insurance.

Some may say that I have also savings.

I have more than one set of clothing.

And now you maybe would say that Jesus forbids it in:

"Take nothing for your journey-neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats apiece. (Luke 9:3)

But in this, you should notice the situation. It was said when he sended disciples to preach the Kingdom of God.

And later Jesus says:
"When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."
Then he said to them, "But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.
(Luke 22:35-36)

I have sword actually two, if words that I say are understood as sword. Real sword is not because words of Jesus.

In my opinion, those sayings are for those specific situations and for those who were with him then.

You may also refer to this:
"Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; (Matthew 6:19)

And that I try to follow, and I dont have treasures.

Or, have I forgot some other part?

Now, how come no Jewish person talks about a 'special preparation day'?? Why don't people of the Jewish faith say that Passover is a 'special sabbath'... the only ones that do are 'messianic' (I.e. Christians)

[1213]

Now, how come no Jewish person talks about a 'special preparation day'?? Why don't people of the Jewish faith say that Passover is a 'special sabbath'... the only ones that do are 'messianic' (I.e. Christians)

Maybe for same reason that they don't think Jesus is king of Jews?

I think customs and/or sayings may have changed even in Jews long and respectable history. Especially when they dont want that New Testament could be right.

I have understood that Pesah day is 15th day and before that there is day when peoples do something so that they can spend Pesah or Passover day as Sabbath. And Passover can mean the whole Passover time also, which I understand is at least seven days. Can you say some good Jewish site that tells correctly about how they understand Passover and spend it? It may be that I have seen it only from one perspective.

In my opinion it can be said that there is normally weekly Sabbath and then several days that can be also said Sabbath.

[Autodidact]

There is no such thing as a "special Sabbath" that is not a Saturday. Sabbath Days which are also holidays are special.

This is not a minor matter in Judaism. Sabbath (actually Shabbat) is the most important holiday in Judaism. It would be like saying we had a special Fourth of July on the Seventeenth of July. No, you didn't. The Fourth of July happens on July 4th, and the Sabbath happens on the Sabbath.

[Shermana]

I have never called Passover a "Special Sabbath", but I most certainly have called Yom Kippur one. However, considering that many Orthodox Communities do not work for 7 days, it can be viewed as a "Weeklong Sabbath" so it's "unique" and "Special" in that sense. It is however, the only Sabbath which I eat no yeast, so it's also "Special" in that regard.

[1213]

There is no such thing as a "special Sabbath" that is not a Saturday. Sabbath Days which are also holidays are special.

This is not a minor matter in Judaism. Sabbath (actually Shabbat) is the most important holiday in Judaism. It would be like saying we had a special Fourth of July on the Seventeenth of July. No, you didn't. The Fourth of July happens on July 4th, and the Sabbath happens on the Sabbath.

Sorry for wrong wording, I try to remember that.

I agree with you in that. Special Shabbat in Bible obviously means that it was somehow special for that one who writes it. I think it doesnt mean that it is common saying for Pesach day always.

And I have read that one reason for special in that case is that it was not the usual day of week to spend Pesach day.

And in addition to preparation day (14th): I have read that it was the day when Pesach lamb was sacrificed and thats why it was called preparation day. Is that wrong information and can you say why? That could explain why it is not nowadays called so, because sacrifications are not done anymore, I think.

Has it been so always? I have understood that Pesach is spent for remembrance of ending of slavery in Egypt. And thats why I would consider it as a special Shabbat.

I would also consider it as a special Shabbat because its not usual Shabbat that is every week. And also when I want to say its not about that Shabbat that is usually spent. Also one reason is, that it included Pesach lamb and therefore was not usual Shabbat..

[Goat]

Now, how come no Jewish person talks about a 'special preparation day'?? Why don't people of the Jewish faith say that Passover is a 'special sabbath'... the only ones that do are 'messianic' (I.e. Christians)

Maybe for same reason that they don't think Jesus is king of Jews?

I think customs and/or sayings may have changed even in Jews long and respectable history. Especially when they dont want that New Testament could be right.

I have understood that Pesah day is 15th day and before that there is day when peoples do something so that they can spend Pesah or Passover day as Sabbath. And Passover can mean the whole Passover time also, which I understand is at least seven days. Can you say some good Jewish site that tells correctly about how they understand Passover and spend it? It may be that I have seen it only from one perspective.

In my opinion it can be said that there is normally weekly Sabbath and then several days that can be also said Sabbath.

Pesah is not a 'special sabbath' though, and it wasn't even considered until some Christians in the mid 1970's made that up to explain away the contradiction. It was never mentioned in any Jewish writings.

[McCulloch]

Thursday or Wednesday crucifixion scenarios have also been suggested. These scenarios are based upon Jesus's prophecy that he was to be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40). Also, these scenarios take into account that not all Sabbaths were on Saturday. Some, like Passover, were on set days of the month. They were rarely on Saturday but they still were considered Sabbath days. These scenarios propose that the Sabbath after Jesus was crucified was not Saturday, but the two day Sabbath of the day of Preparation and the day of Passover. Then Jesus rose from the dead three days and three nights later on the first day of the week, Sunday.

This, however, is not the consensus of the church nor the majority of biblical scholars. Roger Rusk, a proponent of Anglo-Israelism promotes Thursday.

Unfortunately, if you want keep car legally in Finland, you have to have insurance. so I have insurance.

Only people with treasures own an automobile.

[dianaiad]

I want you to tell me why I should believe.

I would like to introduce you to your new life as a Christian! Feast your eyes on our many perks:

- You get to be part of a "loving" and "caring" community.

most of the time, this is true. Of course, you also get that when you joined Jim Jone's cult, which was, by the way, an atheist one (betcha didn't know THAT, did you?)

- Your actions are justified by a higher power.

Not unless those actions were according to the rules of the group. Which is pretty typical of any society one joints, even non-theist ones.

- You will never feel alone.

That would be nice...but your sarcasm is letting you down here a bit. What's so awful about not feeling alone?

- You get your very own scapegoat (Satan)

As opposed to the atheist scapegoat: religion?

- You don't have to learn biology or even science.

Gee, I'd love to see you tell THAT one to BYU, or Harvard, or any Jesuit, or indeed the vast majority of Christians. Interesting view of Christianity you have there, bub.

- You get to always be right in moral or philosophical discussions.

......er.......and you don't think that you are right when you participate in such discussions?

- You don't need to bother with complexities of logic.

Indeed? Given that most of the principles of logic and rhetorical communication were invented...and expanded upon...by theists, you might have a problem with that one.

- You get other people to do your thinking for you.

Only if you choose to. Unlike, of course, any and every atheist who ALWAYS comes to his opinion of all things by working them out for himself, and never, ever, follows a leader...

- You get access to business and social networking.

Well, yeah, sorta like joining the Red Cross, the Masons, any Greek college club, Country club, the Better Business Bureau or PTA. Odd how that works.

- You get to feel naughty while fornicating.

This by you is an asset?

- You can get away with hate crime in many states.

you can? News to me.

- You get to feel superior and special.

Completely unlike the way you feel (and your behavior) when you deal with theists, of course.

- You can get elected president of the United States.

Naturally. Unless one is Catholic, or Mormon, or evangelical....

You get all this and more if you only say the magic words, "Praise Jesus!"
Make sure to accentuate the A in "praise" and elongate the E in "Jesus". Like so: PrAise Jeeeesus!

Be careful. Cthulhu may eat your pink unicorn if you get too distracted with making fun of theists.

[Autodidact]

There is no such thing as a "special Sabbath" that is not a Saturday. Sabbath Days which are also holidays are special.

This is not a minor matter in Judaism. Sabbath (actually Shabbat) is the most important holiday in Judaism. It would be like saying we had a special Fourth of July on the Seventeenth of July. No, you didn't. The Fourth of July happens on July 4th, and the Sabbath happens on the Sabbath.

Sorry for wrong wording, I try to remember that.

I agree with you in that. Special Shabbat in Bible obviously means that it was somehow special for that one who writes it. I think it doesnt mean that it is common saying for Pesach day always.

And I have read that one reason for special in that case is that it was not the usual day of week to spend Pesach day.

No day is more or less customary for Pesach, which by the way lasts several days. Jews use a lunar calendar, and the specific date as well as day a holiday falls on varies; it can be any day of the week.

And in addition to preparation day (14th): I have read that it was the day when Pesach lamb was sacrificed and thats why it was called preparation day. Is that wrong information and can you say why? That could explain why it is not nowadays called so, because sacrifications are not done anymore, I think.

I am not familiar with a Jewish holiday called "Preparation Day." Pesach takes a lot of preparation, more than a single day.

Has it been so always? I have understood that Pesach is spent for remembrance of ending of slavery in Egypt. And thats why I would consider it as a special Shabbat.

That's right. If Pesach Eve falls on a shabbat, that is special and special things happen.

I would also consider it as a special Shabbat because its not usual Shabbat that is every week. And also when I want to say its not about that Shabbat that is usually spent. Also one reason is, that it included Pesach lamb and therefore was not usual Shabbat..

Shabbat is every week. Sometimes it happens to fall on a day which is actually a holiday, which makes it special. It gets a bit complicated, between things you're supposed to do on Shabbat and are not allowed to do on Pesach, but the Rabbis have had a few centuries to resolve all that.

[samuelbb7]

It seems that this topic has left the original purpose to argue about the term Special Sabbath. I remember reading that in this case the Seventh day Sabbath and Passover fell on the same day. But I would need to look it up to be sure.

Now back to the original question.

I believe that being a Christian is a choice to be made based on both reason and faith. To me the Bible presents a Moral order and history that has a lot of proof but is not beyond doubt. So that a person must choose either to doubt or believe. Now I am a Seventh day Adventist and we are little odd from most Christians. In fact I did not become a Christian until I had some major questions answered by Seventh day Adventist which helped me to decide.

I believe there is enough evidence to believe that the Bible could be true.

I believe the Bible and Christianity has shaped some of the greatest events and actions in human history.

I see that the misuse of Religion has caused great harm when it goes against the basic tenets of Christianity no matter who the person is who replaces Bible Christianity with their own decisions.

I see that those who follow the Bible are happier, healthier, better mentally adjusted and live longer lives and help their neighbors more then others.

No one gets out of this life alive. Christianity offers a reasonable hope that can be found no where else.

Disbelief of the bible is based on the supposition that the writers are liars which cannot be proved. Now I admit that we cannot prove they told the truth either.

There are portions of the Bible that show insight, medical knowledge and prophecy that cannot be explained away.

I do not believe spontaneous generation, and adaptability can explain the diversity of life that I see.

I apologize for not being better organized. Thank you for your time.