Non-Circular reasons for believing in the Bible.

[help3434]

I often see people quote Bible verses about scripture when asked why they believe in the Bible. Of course arguing that the Bible is true because the Bible says it is true is circular. Are there any non-circular reasons for believing in the Bible?

[Cewakiyelo]

I often see people quote Bible verses about scripture when asked why they believe in the Bible. Of course arguing that the Bible is true because the Bible says it is true is circular. Are there any non-circular reasons for believing in the Bible?

Why I believe in the Bible? I believe in the bible because I believe in a Grand Father, a Creator of our existence. As such I believe all are related as all are His children, His creation. Being that we are all created I feel that God would seek to guide his children. He would give them understanding to benefit their lives and respect would be warranted Him for that which was gives to us and for us. I feel that His message would not be given to just one but to many peoples of many races and tongues. So I look to other religions of the world to learn what I might about our Creator. What I find is that many religions have a base foundation that is very similar in understanding.

In Taoism / Buddhism there is the Way. All things spring forth from the Way. All things are a part of the Way. Every rock, animal, person, is connected to one another because all are part of the Way. The Way has no name that can define It. The Way is in all things and all things are because of the Way.

In Christianity there is God. All things are created by God. All things are related because God creates all things of Himself. God had no name. God speaking to Moses saying "I Am that I Am". God is in all things and all things are because of God. Affectionately know as "Father".

For the Lakota of the Great Sioux Nation there is Tunkashila meaning "The Great Spirit". All things are believed created by Tunkashila. All are related to one another. Every plant, animal, insect, people are brothers as they are creations of Tunkashila. There is no real name for The Great Spirit. Affectionately know as "Grand Father".

Each of these religions suggest that understanding can be received from the Creator. Each suggest that a similar understanding should be followed in order to move in unity with our Creator. That is to say to be spiritually balanced with our Creator. These things include: humility, Love and kindness for others including your enemy, forgiveness, respect for our parents and ancestors. Respect for our Creator. Etc..

Each believe in spirits both good and bad in nature. In both Christianity and in the Lakota beliefs they can receive understanding from the Spirit of the Creator. The Lakota call it a Spirit Helper or Spirit Guide. The Christian faith have the Helper, the Holy Spirit that teaches all things. In Taoism / Buddhism there is no direct name for a spirit helper but the understanding is that the Way can move through the person whom has emptied themselves in a way that they can feel and understand what the Way is directing them to understand. It is the same as the other two just not directly stated as a Helper Spirit. All three are taught by being indwelled by a force from the Creator so that they can have understanding.

So because I see great similarities in other religions I deduce that there must be a reason why peoples from different cultures should have such similar understandings. I feel that the reason is that the message that these peoples come from One source. That being God, Grand Father, The Way.

So back to the why I believe in the bible and identify myself as a Christian. The bible gives the most information of how God speaks to or teaches mankind. The Bible teaches us about the Holy Spirit and gives us the examples of how the Holy Spirit can work in our lives if we allow it. Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit shared great insight to how effectively the Holy Spirit could work in ones life. Paul give us great insight to the gifts that the Spirit Helper can offer us. Yes, the Lakota spirituality recognize this Holy Spirit but in order to come to understand as they do how the Spirit works in our lives you would need to sit with them in order to learn. The bible however, has been compiled so that we can see how the Holy Spirit has moved through time teaching the various prophets. We can glean understanding by reading the various histories.

The bible and what it has taught me about the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit moves has allowed me to recognize that the Holy Spirit has presented Himself in many places and not just to the followers of Christianity. In my life I have been among many who call themselves Christians believing in Jesus as the Christ. But, I will say that the Lakota of the Great Sioux Nation are the most Christ like people I have had the privilege to walk among and they do not believe in Jesus. However, The do believe in God and place Him above all else and the believe in the Spirit Helper, the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit was the Christ and claimed that it was the Spirit that led him to do and say all that he did.

[Jacob Simonsky]

I often see people quote Bible verses about scripture when asked why they believe in the Bible. Of course arguing that the Bible is true because the Bible says it is true is circular. Are there any non-circular reasons for believing in the Bible?

Why I believe in the Bible? I believe in the bible because I believe in a Grand Father, a Creator of our existence. As such I believe all are related as all are His children, His creation. Being that we are all created I feel that God would seek to guide his children. He would give them understanding to benefit their lives and respect would be warranted Him for that which was gives to us and for us. I feel that His message would not be given to just one but to many peoples of many races and tongues. So I look to other religions of the world to learn what I might about our Creator. What I find is that many religions have a base foundation that is very similar in understanding.

In Taoism / Buddhism there is the Way. All things spring forth from the Way. All things are a part of the Way. Every rock, animal, person, is connected to one another because all are part of the Way. The Way has no name that can define It. The Way is in all things and all things are because of the Way.

In Christianity there is God. All things are created by God. All things are related because God creates all things of Himself. God had no name. God speaking to Moses saying "I Am that I Am". God is in all things and all things are because of God. Affectionately know as "Father".

For the Lakota of the Great Sioux Nation there is Tunkashila meaning "The Great Spirit". All things are believed created by Tunkashila. All are related to one another. Every plant, animal, insect, people are brothers as they are creations of Tunkashila. There is no real name for The Great Spirit. Affectionately know as "Grand Father".

Each of these religions suggest that understanding can be received from the Creator. Each suggest that a similar understanding should be followed in order to move in unity with our Creator. That is to say to be spiritually balanced with our Creator. These things include: humility, Love and kindness for others including your enemy, forgiveness, respect for our parents and ancestors. Respect for our Creator. Etc..

Each believe in spirits both good and bad in nature. In both Christianity and in the Lakota beliefs they can receive understanding from the Spirit of the Creator. The Lakota call it a Spirit Helper or Spirit Guide. The Christian faith have the Helper, the Holy Spirit that teaches all things. In Taoism / Buddhism there is no direct name for a spirit helper but the understanding is that the Way can move through the person whom has emptied themselves in a way that they can feel and understand what the Way is directing them to understand. It is the same as the other two just not directly stated as a Helper Spirit. All three are taught by being indwelled by a force from the Creator so that they can have understanding.

So because I see great similarities in other religions I deduce that there must be a reason why peoples from different cultures should have such similar understandings. I feel that the reason is that the message that these peoples come from One source. That being God, Grand Father, The Way.

So back to the why I believe in the bible and identify myself as a Christian. The bible gives the most information of how God speaks to or teaches mankind. The Bible teaches us about the Holy Spirit and gives us the examples of how the Holy Spirit can work in our lives if we allow it. Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit shared great insight to how effectively the Holy Spirit could work in ones life. Paul give us great insight to the gifts that the Spirit Helper can offer us. Yes, the Lakota spirituality recognize this Holy Spirit but in order to come to understand as they do how the Spirit works in our lives you would need to sit with them in order to learn. The bible however, has been compiled so that we can see how the Holy Spirit has moved through time teaching the various prophets. We can glean understanding by reading the various histories.

The bible and what it has taught me about the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit moves has allowed me to recognize that the Holy Spirit has presented Himself in many places and not just to the followers of Christianity. In my life I have been among many who call themselves Christians believing in Jesus as the Christ. But, I will say that the Lakota of the Great Sioux Nation are the most Christ like people I have had the privilege to walk among and they do not believe in Jesus. However, The do believe in God and place Him above all else and the believe in the Spirit Helper, the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit was the Christ and claimed that it was the Spirit that led him to do and say all that he did.

Excellent post brother... The very best way to move closer to The great spirit that we call God is to practice the humility that Jesus demonstrated. Some day the world will finally understand that we are all one and that the spirit who is Christ may communicate with any groups of peoples in the world appearing to each in some familiar form just as when, in the middle east of old, Christ appeared as Jesus. We err greatly when we advance one religion only as being the true one. God is in all religions when they teach forgiveness and tolerance.

Peace be Upon You...

[Justin108]

I don't but my interpretation suits my correlation with Occam's Razor

Oh hell no. Your interpretation is needlessly complex, appealing to deep metaphorical nonsense. Occam's Razor would say Moses was simply wrong about Genesis. Much simpler.



Also you missed a question I asked regarding your claim to all religions holding the truth... but I'll ask again;

Judaism says there is one god. Hinduism says there are many. Who is right? Who is wrong?

Believe as you will...

You keep missing my question. I'll try again.

Judaism says there is one god. Hinduism says there are many. Who is right? Who is wrong?

[kayky]

Hindus also believe in one God: Brahman. All the others are avatars of Brahman.

[Justin108]

Hindus also believe in one God: Brahman. All the others are avatars of Brahman.

Source?

[kayky]

[Replying to post 84 by Justin108]


Well, that just came out of my brain. But I'll see if I can find something to help you out.

[Justin108]

[Replying to post 84 by Justin108]


Well, that just came out of my brain. But I'll see if I can find something to help you out.

No need. I looked it up and you're right. I stand corrected.

So a new question to Jacob Simonsky:
Ancient Greeks say there are many gods. Judaism says there is one. Who is right? Who is wrong?

The point I'm trying to make is that Jacob's belief in subjective religious truth simply does not make sense in the face of monotheism vs. polytheism.

[Jacob Simonsky]

I don't but my interpretation suits my correlation with Occam's Razor

Oh hell no. Your interpretation is needlessly complex, appealing to deep metaphorical nonsense. Occam's Razor would say Moses was simply wrong about Genesis. Much simpler.



Also you missed a question I asked regarding your claim to all religions holding the truth... but I'll ask again;

Judaism says there is one god. Hinduism says there are many. Who is right? Who is wrong?

Believe as you will...

You keep missing my question. I'll try again.

Judaism says there is one god. Hinduism says there are many. Who is right? Who is wrong?

Both are correct. It is only here on earth that people quibble over such irrelevancies. I refuse to think or speak in divisive terms because I try to live the inclusiveness that all religions attempt to teach.

You will not like my answer but it's about time you stop arguing and begin to develop the ability to accept that yours is not the only mind in the universe.

Peace to you younger brother...

[Justin108]

I don't but my interpretation suits my correlation with Occam's Razor

Oh hell no. Your interpretation is needlessly complex, appealing to deep metaphorical nonsense. Occam's Razor would say Moses was simply wrong about Genesis. Much simpler.



Also you missed a question I asked regarding your claim to all religions holding the truth... but I'll ask again;

Judaism says there is one god. Hinduism says there are many. Who is right? Who is wrong?

Believe as you will...

You keep missing my question. I'll try again.

Judaism says there is one god. Hinduism says there are many. Who is right? Who is wrong?

Both are correct. It is only here on earth that people quibble over such irrelevancies. I refuse to think or speak in divisive terms because I try to live the inclusiveness that all religions attempt to teach.

You will not like my answer but it's about time you stop arguing and begin to develop the ability to accept that yours is not the only mind in the universe.

Peace to you younger brother...

So there is only one god...and there is more than one god...? Have you ever heard of the law of noncontradiction?

As for asking me to stop arguing... You do know this is a debate forum, right?

[1213]

By the way thank you for taking the trouble to learn English. We Americans are language lazy...

You’re welcome! Probably I would also be lazy, if Finnish would be as common language as English.

And about OT and NT: I think OT and NT makes very fine set by explaining other.