Why should I be a Christian?

TheCommodore · Post by **TheCommodore** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 4:25 pm

While people have come to me and tell me about Christianity and the Bible, no Christian has ever really explained to me why I should be a Christian or to be more specific, why I should believe in the Bible.

Obviously, the point of becoming a Christian is believing Jesus Christ of Nazareth died for my sins and is my savior. But why should I believe that is true? What makes the Bible truth as opposed to another religious book such as the Qur'an.

A very simple yet thought provoking question I should think, and I definitely would really appreciate some input regarding the matter. Thank you.

ChristShepherd · Post by **ChristShepherd** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 5:10 pm

TheCommodore wrote: Obviously, the point of becoming a Christian is believing Jesus Christ of Nazareth died for my sins and is my savior.

John 20:31 (New American Standard Bible)
but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

nogods · Post by **nogods** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 6:53 pm

I explain to people I don't want to go to heaven. I won't know anybody there.

Flail · Post by **Flail** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 8:27 pm

If you are deciding between Islam and Christianity, it would be a difficult choice in the dark IMO. There is zero credible, verifiable evidence for either, and both have the same quality and quantity of source information as their basis(Holy Book). So I guess it would boil down to self interest....who you are trying to please and who will be watching...or which rituals you prefer. Whatever is most popular in your particular cultural environment seems to be the guiding factor in such choices for many.

An old adage goes: "if everyone became invisible all day Sundays, we would all go to Church on Wednesdays instead."

nogods · Post by **nogods** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 8:39 pm

Flail wrote:If you are deciding between Islam and Christianity, it would be a difficult choice in the dark IMO. There is zero credible, verifiable evidence for either, and both have the same quality and quantity of source information as their basis(Holy Book). So I guess it would boil down to self interest....who you are trying to please and who will be watching...or which rituals you prefer. Whatever is most popular in your particular cultural environment seems to be the guiding factor in such choices for many.

An old adage goes: "if everyone became invisible all day Sundays, we would all go to Church on Wednesdays instead."

In Islam there is no sex during Ramadan. That is a deal breaker for me.

Flail · Post by **Flail** » Sun Nov 07, 2010 8:57 pm

nogods wrote:
Flail wrote:If you are deciding between Islam and Christianity, it would be a difficult choice in the dark IMO. There is zero credible, verifiable evidence for either, and both have the same quality and quantity of source information as their basis(Holy Book). So I guess it would boil down to self interest....who you are trying to please and who will be watching...or which rituals you prefer. Whatever is most popular in your particular cultural environment seems to be the guiding factor in such choices for many.

An old adage goes: "if everyone became invisible all day Sundays, we would all go to Church on Wednesdays instead."
In Islam there is no sex during Ramadan. That is a deal breaker for me.

Same here. Most adherents are irrevocably muslim or christian prior to being old enough to know what they are getting into or able to think critically about what is being foisted upon them. Sadly most people's religion is chosen for them by others and then a prepackaged one at that.

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:02 am

TheCommodore wrote: ... why should I believe that is true? What makes the Bible truth as opposed to another religious book such as the Qur'an.

The bible contains undeniable evidence of divine inspiration. We know the bible is the Word of God for three main reasons

* it is historically and scientifically accurate.
* it contains practical advice with proven benefits for those that applied it
* It contains specific prophecies that can be verified as having come true

Further

*its candor and internal harmony
*its long history and stuggle to survive
....... also adds weight to the claim it is "a book for mankind".

No other book embodies ALL of the above criteria. For example looking at the point about its prophecies. Humans cannot tell the future. A book that contains numerous specific prophecies that can be verified by outside sources as having come true, one must conclude has to be of Divine origin. The bible is unique and convincing in this regard.

FURTHER READING
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/maga ... ed-of-god/

What evidence is there that the bible is the word of God?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 18#p972418

Are there errors in the bible?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 27#p356827

Can you trust the bible?
viewtopic.php?p=1059125#p1059125

Why should I believe the bible?
viewtopic.php?p=338427#p338427

To read more please go to other posts related to...

BIBLICAL INERRANCY , COMPILATION and ... AUTHORSHIP & TRANSMISSION

- inerrancy

Flail · Post by **Flail** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:26 am

JehovahsWitness wrote:
TheCommodore wrote: ... why should I believe that is true? What makes the Bible truth as opposed to another religious book such as the Qur'an.
The bible contains undeniable evidence of divine inspiration. We know the bible is the Word of God for three main reasons

* it is historically and scientifically accurate.
* it contains practical advice with proven benefits for those that applied it
* It contains specific prophecies that can be verified as having come true

Further

*its candor and internal harmony
*its long history and stuggle to survive
....... also adds weight to the claim it is "a book for mankind".

No other book embodies ALL of the above criteria. For example looking at the point about its prophecies. Humans cannot tell the future. A book that contains numerous specific prophecies that can be verified by outside sources as having come true, one must conclude has to be of Divine origin. The bible is unique and convincing in this regard.

Further reading
http://www.watchtower.org/e/200711/article_03.htm

Vast numbers of books written by human beings fit each and all of your listed criterion and categories. There is ample evidence of this, but there is zero evidence of 'God' , let alone that any 'Gods' have ever authored any book or story.

McCulloch · Post by **McCulloch** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:53 am

Let's see how easy it is to make unsupported assertions. I hold a different position than you on many of your points. Please do not answer any of these points in this thread. Select one, more or all of these individually as the start of separate debates. I am willing and able, either in general debate or head-to-head, to debate any or all of your unsupported assertions.

JehovahsWitness wrote: The bible contains undeniable evidence of divine inspiration.

The divine inspiration of the Bible has been denied.

JehovahsWitness wrote: * it is historically and scientifically accurate.

The Bible contains at least one of each a historical and a scientific inaccuracy.

JehovahsWitness wrote: it contains practical advice with proven benefits for those that applied it

Following the all of advice of the writers of the Bible would be impossible. Much of the advice would be disastrous for those who would try.

JehovahsWitness wrote: It contains specific prophecies that can be verified as having come true

The Bible contains specific prophecies which can be verified as being false.

JehovahsWitness wrote: its candor and internal harmony

The meaning of much of the bible is obscure. The various writers have conflicting inharmonious viewpoints.

JehovahsWitness wrote: No other book embodies ALL of the above criteria.

No book embodies all of the criteria necessary to proclaim it to be a revelation from God.

EduChris · Post by **EduChris** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 11:20 am

TheCommodore wrote:...no Christian has ever really explained to me why I should be a Christian or to be more specific, why I should believe in the Bible...

I believe the Bible because it gives the best insights to our human condition, the best understanding of the needs we all have as humans, and because its portrayal of God resonates most clearly with the nature of reality.

TheCommodore wrote:...the point of becoming a Christian is believing Jesus Christ of Nazareth died for my sins and is my savior...

The point in becoming a Christian is to establish a relationship with the Creator of the universe, who loves us to the point of becoming one with us and suffering in his own person the effects of our sinful choices and behaviors.

TheCommodore wrote:...What makes the Bible truth as opposed to another religious book such as the Qur'an...

With the Qur'an, it is easy to show how Mohammad profited directly from his "revelations." Such is not the case with the Bible, whose authors are either unknown or else martyrs for their faith.

But none of this will convince anyone who doesn't already want to believe the Bible. In the end, we all pretty much believe what we want to believe. (see Freud's "Pleasure principle").

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasure_p ... sychology)

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