Hi everyone. I'm a long time lurker here and this is my first post. I've recently shared my faith with a coworker (former RC, considers himself a "non practicing Zen Buddhist") and he has a few questions/arguments regarding God and the Bible. Many were easily answered, but I've had trouble giving detailed explanations for a few. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
"The Bible: actually the bible fascinates me, and I love debate…here are some points of confusion for me (in case you can clarify):
1.) How in the world could woman come from man (IE: Adam’s rib being taken to make Eve).
2.) If God is all knowing, and he made Adam and Eve, then why would he be surprised when they ate the forbidden fruit? This seems like a story concocted to make me distrusting towards my wife.
3.) What is an angel, and how could a fallen angel evolve into something that could actually pose a threat to God?
4.) If we are made in God’s image then why are we made with original sin? This would imply that heaven and hell are both made by God. How can we have both a sin nature and free will? Isn't this contradictory?
5.) I think the depiction of God as a male figure seems quite indicative of the male dominated era in which the Old Testament was written. How could an omnipotent being have a gender?
6.) “There is no way to God except through me.” If that is so then that means that people who do good deeds every day, but have never heard of Jesus, are going to hell. If Gandhi is going to hell, then I would say that the whole rule book just lost its creditability. Especially in light of the passage “Blessed are the peacemakers…” There are saints who have done less than that man has. "
"The Bible: actually the bible fascinates me, and I love debate…here are some points of confusion for me (in case you can clarify):
1.) How in the world could woman come from man (IE: Adam’s rib being taken to make Eve).
2.) If God is all knowing, and he made Adam and Eve, then why would he be surprised when they ate the forbidden fruit? This seems like a story concocted to make me distrusting towards my wife.
3.) What is an angel, and how could a fallen angel evolve into something that could actually pose a threat to God?
4.) If we are made in God’s image then why are we made with original sin? This would imply that heaven and hell are both made by God. How can we have both a sin nature and free will? Isn't this contradictory?
5.) I think the depiction of God as a male figure seems quite indicative of the male dominated era in which the Old Testament was written. How could an omnipotent being have a gender?
6.) “There is no way to God except through me.” If that is so then that means that people who do good deeds every day, but have never heard of Jesus, are going to hell. If Gandhi is going to hell, then I would say that the whole rule book just lost its creditability. Especially in light of the passage “Blessed are the peacemakers…” There are saints who have done less than that man has. "
