Comments on: I’m a Christian missionary, an agnostic researcher, and an athiest professor http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/ Carlos Whittaker's Weblog Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:05:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: David http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-397013 David Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:59:30 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-397013 I've had a puzzling experience like that too. I figure that in some cases, such as your neighbor's, he may not be as far away from Christ as meets our eyes. More importantly, he may not be as far away from Christ as he thinks. Evidently there's a war going on in him and it needs sorting out. One thing my pastor tells our congregation repeatedly is of God's word about knowledge of Him, or the lack thereof (Hosea 4:6). The common diagnosis among many Christians is we don't spend enough time with God's word to fend off confusion and failure, so that when confusion and failure comes, whether by our own hands or otherwise, we can overcome. I'm speaking from experience as I was once like your neighbor. I'm not saying this is THE answer, just one common denominator among many causes for a predicament like the one you described. :/ I’ve had a puzzling experience like that too. I figure that in some cases, such as your neighbor’s, he may not be as far away from Christ as meets our eyes. More importantly, he may not be as far away from Christ as he thinks. Evidently there’s a war going on in him and it needs sorting out. One thing my pastor tells our congregation repeatedly is of God’s word about knowledge of Him, or the lack thereof (Hosea 4:6). The common diagnosis among many Christians is we don’t spend enough time with God’s word to fend off confusion and failure, so that when confusion and failure comes, whether by our own hands or otherwise, we can overcome. I’m speaking from experience as I was once like your neighbor. I’m not saying this is THE answer, just one common denominator among many causes for a predicament like the one you described. :/

]]> By: David http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-397010 David Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:46:59 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-397010 @Barbara I'd like to point you in the direction of a book I read, and probably should re-read for myself called "The Case for Faith: A journalist investigates the toughest objections to Christianty." by Lee Strobel. It's a compelling and easy read. If I recall correctly I shot through it in three days on a full-time college student schedule. lol David @Barbara I’d like to point you in the direction of a book I read, and probably should re-read for myself called “The Case for Faith: A journalist investigates the toughest objections to Christianty.” by Lee Strobel. It’s a compelling and easy read. If I recall correctly I shot through it in three days on a full-time college student schedule. lol

David

]]> By: David http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-397008 David Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:43:15 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-397008 My faith was shaken a little over eleven years ago by Mormon missionaries while I was in college. It took me three years to understand my beliefs, the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and then those of other people. I lived, worked and went to church with them during those three years and almost became a Mormon. That journey so long ago drove me to something I had never heard of, which was Christian apologetics. In fact I stumbled upon websites and books of people like Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell, Normal Geisler and Matt Slick. What I learned exploded and expanded my knowledge and understanding of God and His word like nothing I'd ever experienced. I'd even go as far to say the real weapons of mass destruction is actually God's word because it cuts, tears down, pierces and burns away the garbage with which this world system clouds our minds. Sadly there was great truth made very clear by that experience: I was astonished by what I didn't know! The reason I was shaken so badly was because I didn't know the fundamental doctrines of Christianity to have even attempted to convince myself of my own faith and salvation--let alone know what salvation meant in regards to Christ and His purpose for his death and resurrection. Today, do I question my faith? Daily! I am constantly made aware of Christ's words and actions, therefore I question my actions a lot too. But somehow I think this natural assessing of my faith is healthy. I think it's a byproduct of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within each Christian. If one isn't moved or bothered to question one's behavior in relation to Christ--the standard--I think something is very amiss! So suffice it to say, yes Carlos, I believe that it is okay to question one's faith, even at the risk of getting lost for a time along the way because I think God can handle it. Otherwise I think a person is truly lost if they're not searching for answers at all, as we're in an age and realm with a ticking clock that is technically counting down to a regime change of eternal and supernatural proportions. However, this leads me to say that while I don't mean to come across as smug when I said, "God can handle it". By that I mean that helping of the lost is done through the corporate work (witnessing) by believers as the Body of Christ. If the Church does nothing, people will be lost. Redemption was step one, but we were given authority as co-heirs through Christ. Therefore what we do or don't do has eternal ramifications for everyone! When we learn of someone who is lost or is getting lost there is work to be done to share the message, and I think you demonstrated that based on what you said in your blog post. :) As an aside, I enjoy reading your blog and you have a beautiful family. When and if I get married, I want to have children of my own of course, but I have felt drawn toward adoption too. But listen at me, I don't even have a girlfriend. LOL! David :) My faith was shaken a little over eleven years ago by Mormon missionaries while I was in college. It took me three years to understand my beliefs, the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and then those of other people. I lived, worked and went to church with them during those three years and almost became a Mormon. That journey so long ago drove me to something I had never heard of, which was Christian apologetics. In fact I stumbled upon websites and books of people like Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell, Normal Geisler and Matt Slick. What I learned exploded and expanded my knowledge and understanding of God and His word like nothing I’d ever experienced. I’d even go as far to say the real weapons of mass destruction is actually God’s word because it cuts, tears down, pierces and burns away the garbage with which this world system clouds our minds. Sadly there was great truth made very clear by that experience: I was astonished by what I didn’t know!

The reason I was shaken so badly was because I didn’t know the fundamental doctrines of Christianity to have even attempted to convince myself of my own faith and salvation–let alone know what salvation meant in regards to Christ and His purpose for his death and resurrection.

Today, do I question my faith? Daily! I am constantly made aware of Christ’s words and actions, therefore I question my actions a lot too. But somehow I think this natural assessing of my faith is healthy. I think it’s a byproduct of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within each Christian. If one isn’t moved or bothered to question one’s behavior in relation to Christ–the standard–I think something is very amiss!

So suffice it to say, yes Carlos, I believe that it is okay to question one’s faith, even at the risk of getting lost for a time along the way because I think God can handle it. Otherwise I think a person is truly lost if they’re not searching for answers at all, as we’re in an age and realm with a ticking clock that is technically counting down to a regime change of eternal and supernatural proportions. However, this leads me to say that while I don’t mean to come across as smug when I said, “God can handle it”. By that I mean that helping of the lost is done through the corporate work (witnessing) by believers as the Body of Christ. If the Church does nothing, people will be lost. Redemption was step one, but we were given authority as co-heirs through Christ. Therefore what we do or don’t do has eternal ramifications for everyone!

When we learn of someone who is lost or is getting lost there is work to be done to share the message, and I think you demonstrated that based on what you said in your blog post. :)

As an aside, I enjoy reading your blog and you have a beautiful family. When and if I get married, I want to have children of my own of course, but I have felt drawn toward adoption too. But listen at me, I don’t even have a girlfriend. LOL!

David :)

]]> By: Jean http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-393447 Jean Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:59:11 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-393447 Matt, for many, many years this question has bothered me: Why did God create the human race if He knew that most of them would end up eternally damned in hell? Matt, for many, many years this question has bothered me: Why did God create the human race if He knew that most of them would end up eternally damned in hell?

]]> By: Tim Bushong http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-393320 Tim Bushong Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:37:09 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-393320 I'm just gonna jump in the end here- Barbara, the Bible was written by eyewitnesses to the events and was written within the lifetimes of other eyewitnesses. Matthew was written in around 50 AD, so that's only 16-17 years- not a long time at all. And do you mean versions or translations? No one ends up in hell because there were opportunities missed to preach to them- they end up in hell because of their sin. It would be better to study God's attributes and biblical anthropology than to continue reasoning outside of the Word. Questioning is great- and the Bible contains all of the answers! You don't want to be guilty of unbelief (like the Jews in the desert) simply because you don't like the answers that God gives. I’m just gonna jump in the end here- Barbara, the Bible was written by eyewitnesses to the events and was written within the lifetimes of other eyewitnesses. Matthew was written in around 50 AD, so that’s only 16-17 years- not a long time at all. And do you mean versions or translations?

No one ends up in hell because there were opportunities missed to preach to them- they end up in hell because of their sin. It would be better to study God’s attributes and biblical anthropology than to continue reasoning outside of the Word.

Questioning is great- and the Bible contains all of the answers! You don’t want to be guilty of unbelief (like the Jews in the desert) simply because you don’t like the answers that God gives.

]]> By: se7en | religion sucketh http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-392889 se7en | religion sucketh Sun, 06 Jun 2010 05:35:03 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-392889 [...] posts at the bottom of the twelfth.Jason Boyett asks Is the Church the Best Place for Doubters?I’m a Christian Missionary, an Agnostic Researcher, and an Atheist Professor.Larry Shallenberger reminds us that the debate on homosexuality should not be stripped of it’s [...] [...] posts at the bottom of the twelfth.Jason Boyett asks Is the Church the Best Place for Doubters?I’m a Christian Missionary, an Agnostic Researcher, and an Atheist Professor.Larry Shallenberger reminds us that the debate on homosexuality should not be stripped of it’s [...]

]]> By: Barbara http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-392858 Barbara Sat, 05 Jun 2010 21:01:10 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-392858 One of the tough questions I have been asked about Jesus and the Bible is: How are you to believe that the Bible (the word) is true? It was written so long after the actual events and there are so many versions. One of the tough questions I have been asked about Jesus and the Bible is: How are you to believe that the Bible (the word) is true? It was written so long after the actual events and there are so many versions.

]]> By: gisele http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-392685 gisele Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:16:46 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-392685 look at it differently. we are just human beings, our perception is limited. for us, generally, there is no objective truth- everything is relative. but that also means that that itself is just subjective. but if god exists, he is an objective being, a truth. we ourselves are not capable to figure that out on our own. if the bible was given to us by him, it is completely the way he meant it to be, it contains objective truths, but still our perception of it is limited and subjective. so yes, people would read it differently, but that does not mean all those meanings are equal, because logically- if the scripture contains objectivity, then some must be right and others must be missing it. i do agree with you in a way, because so many times people tried to use a verse for their own purposes, but that often happens when people first find their truth and then look for its validation in the bible, instead of searching through the scripture for the truth. bible is not a god, it's just a tool given to us to be able to cross our limits of perception by faith. look at it differently. we are just human beings, our perception is limited. for us, generally, there is no objective truth- everything is relative. but that also means that that itself is just subjective. but if god exists, he is an objective being, a truth. we ourselves are not capable to figure that out on our own. if the bible was given to us by him, it is completely the way he meant it to be, it contains objective truths, but still our perception of it is limited and subjective. so yes, people would read it differently, but that does not mean all those meanings are equal, because logically- if the scripture contains objectivity, then some must be right and others must be missing it.

i do agree with you in a way, because so many times people tried to use a verse for their own purposes, but that often happens when people first find their truth and then look for its validation in the bible, instead of searching through the scripture for the truth. bible is not a god, it’s just a tool given to us to be able to cross our limits of perception by faith.

]]> By: Sara http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-392589 Sara Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:10:12 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-392589 Wow what a good point. I am like this all the time. It is good to question things. That is how we get closer to God. And denominations are just labels. My friend and I have been talking about this same thing for months now. What separates us is the "rules". What's most important is that we understand that God loves us and he died for our sins, and we have eternal life in Him if we accept this. Thank you for writing this. I'm going to save this entry so i can share it with my friend. I'll read it again a month later and it'll get me thinking again. :) Wow what a good point. I am like this all the time.

It is good to question things. That is how we get closer to God.

And denominations are just labels. My friend and I have been talking about this same thing for months now. What separates us is the “rules”. What’s most important is that we understand that God loves us and he died for our sins, and we have eternal life in Him if we accept this.
Thank you for writing this. I’m going to save this entry so i can share it with my friend.

I’ll read it again a month later and it’ll get me thinking again. :)

]]> By: cshell http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2010/05/im-a-christian-no-wait-im-agnostic-no-wait-im-an-athiest/#comment-392578 cshell Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:10:41 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/?p=10289#comment-392578 That was a great post, have alot of the same frustrations right now. My wife follows your blog, only reason i know who you are. Thank you for your heart and honesty, know that one person is being blessed because of it. That was a great post, have alot of the same frustrations right now.

My wife follows your blog, only reason i know who you are. Thank you for your heart and honesty, know that one person is being blessed because of it.

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