Would you also be a christian if....

[xdisciplex]

I have a few hypothetical questions which I have asked myself in the past, I'm curious how you would answer them, please keep the answers rather short but also not too short, no simply yes or no answers.

Would you also be a christian if....

a)... christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion? Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many?

b)... there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

c)... God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

d)... you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

e)... you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

 

[donnA]

e.
it's all blind faith. i've never personally seen God have you? i don't know anyone who was at the empty tomb.
a. b. d.
i believe God is in complete control of my salvation, so yes, under any of these situations I would be a christian.
c.
He would not be God, nor have have ever been if He were like allah.

 

[El_Guero]

Hypothetical questions . . .

How about:

Can a Christian doubt his or her salvation even just one time?

Can a Christian doubt his or her Creator even just one time?

Can a Christian doubt the Word of God even just one time?

Can a Christian claim that the Bible has contradictions even just one time?

Can a Christian doubt the wisdom of God even just one time?

Can a Christian doubt God's plan even just one time?

Can a Christian be depressed even just one time?

Can a Christian go without obedience to discipleship for even just one day?

Can we be disciples if we are not obedient . . . .?


Of course, these are all hypothetical questions. Because like all good Christians - when we know the Author of our faith, the Holy Spirit indwells us, right?

I have a few hypothetical questions which I have asked myself in the past, I'm curious how you would answer them, please keep the answers rather short but also not too short, no simply yes or no answers.

Would you also be a christian if....

a)... christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion? Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many?

b)... there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

c)... God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

d)... you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

e)... you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

 

[bound]

Would you also be a christian if....

a)... christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion? Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many

When I read this I thought of the early martyrs who were being slain by the Pagan Empire of Rome by the hundreds. No, if faith is real it won't have any effect.

b)... there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

We're actually not that far from the mark now...

c)... God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

For me, personally, this is difficult to answer since I have had personal encounters with God. I've simply never felt alone or distant to God. I've always had a feeling of His presence. For me this is simply something which is outside my own personal experience.

d)... you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

Again like your question c. this simply falls outside my own personal experience but I do know many individuals who have converted to Christianity because of Christian Missionary Work so I know that many hear His Message of Hope.

e)... you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

I don't believe in 'blind faith'...

We know God, He is with us, we only choose to ignore Him.

Merry Christmas

 

[JamieinNH]

A Republican once told me that hypothetical questions were a waste of time...

I have to agree with him on this one.

These types of questions you post are a waste of time. Some of your questions are thought provoking, making people study the Word, but here lately, your questions have gone off the scale.

Please get into the Word and study it. Then the questions you will have will be better ones I think.

Jamie

 

[Deacon]

A. Would you be a Christian if Christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion?

Christianity isn't about numbers;
it's not about having others to support me;
it's not even about fellowship with others in church.
Sure they help, but Christianity is God reaching out and filling my need, the need of reconciliation to himself.
Christ came to save us from our sins.
"For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the King"

Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many?

We are all sinners... "for all have sinned".
Everybody, everywhere, at every time require salvation.

Wide is the path to distruction.
Jesus called us to walk the narrow road to salvation.

B) Would you be a Christian if there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

Would I be a Christian even under persecution?
I would hope so. Many in the past (and even now) suffer under oppression.
Though I die yet he lives.

C) Would you be a Christian if God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

Impersonal, no hope... that is not the God of the Bible.
It's not the God of a Christian.
God can be quiet, he can be still at times, but he's always there.
Our God is not a tame god.
'I will always be with you even to the ends of the earth."

D) Would you be a Christian if you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

I didn't hear about my Savior at school or on TV or even in church.
I heard it from an interested acquaintance who was excited to share the faith he recently found.
I grew in the faith because I read the Word of God.
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

E) Would you be a Christian if you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

As a young Christian, an older man once said something like this to me, (he must have been at least 25 at the time :smilewinkgrin: ), "If someone could convince me that Christianity was wrong I'd turn my back on it."
IMHO, the idea was good but his attitude was prideful.
I've come across many situations that make me question my faith.
I've reflected on many philosophical arguments that have no answer...
and I always come back to the grace that God showed this simple sinner.
I don't need to know it all!
I don't need all my questions answered!
AND I don't need to be blind in my faith.
Study, learn, research... knowing that many have gone on before you without knowing the answers and still kept their faith in our God.

"if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself."

Have faith and live

Merry Christmas

Rob

 

[Gershom]

I have a few hypothetical questions which I have asked myself in the past, I'm curious how you would answer them, please keep the answers rather short but also not too short, no simply yes or no answers.

Would you also be a christian if....

a)... christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion? Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many?

b)... there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

c)... God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

d)... you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

e)... you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

I'm a Christian because I have been born again; born of the Spirit. So it wouldn't matter if I had to face such questions. I would still be a Christian because I have been born again.

 

[Helen]

a)... christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion? Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many?

True Christianity has never been a huge mainstream religion! However, it might make it easier to claim Christianity and have people know what I am talking about if there weren't so many false "Chritianities" around.


b)... there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

You missed part: just me and the Bible and God Himself. That's definitely enough. Adam, Noah, and a few others didn't even have the Bible!


c)... God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

That's not Christianity. I would not be part of that at all.


d)... you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

God is not willing that one should perish. Therefore He would have made sure I had enough truth to follow that He could lead me to Christ one way or another if the truth was what I wanted.


e)... you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

This is where you are now. But, personally, my faith is not blind at all. It is based on what I know, and then going a step further in trust. I know what God has done in creation enough to know He must be. I know what God has done in history enough to know the Bible is true there. I know what God has done in my life and in the lives of other believers. No, my faith is not blind, regardless of what transmission errors may or may not have happened in this or that version of the Bible. I know God. That is enough.
__________________

 

[Helen]

LOL...it won't let me edit, but it is supposed to be a HUGE mainstream religion, not a HUGH mainstream religion!

-- never mind, I got through...

 

[LadyEagle]

These questions are a waste of time.

 

[Helen]

These questions are a waste of time.

This time I disagree with you. These questions, in one form or another, are questions my husband and I have encountered frequently when we lecture.

 

[Scarlett O.]

a)... christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion? Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many?

Yes, I'd still be a christian. God is Sovereign and makes Himself known in His time. My interpretation of world-wide popularity/lack of popularity of chrisitianity or the number-crunching of church memberships is irrelevant.

b)... there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

Yes, I'd still be a christian. Being a christian means having faith. James, the half-brother of Jesus gave two examples of great faith that all mankind would understand.

(1.) Abraham - He is an example of a righteous man who followed God no matter what the task or call. And he believed God no matter what he said. When after 20 years of being promised a son by God and God making promises of a great nation being born from this son and then God asking him to kill that very son.......he obeyed. The book of Hebrews says that the reason that Abraham obeyed was because he knew that God could raise his son from the dead. Abraham had never seen this before and God had not promised it him, but he had promised a great nation out of Isaac, therefore Abraham believed in the Sovereignty of God...no matter what.

(2.) Rahab - The bible calls her a harlot. That's a polite word for whore. She had never heard of God, never heard of God's Word, and lived in a town full of vile sinners. She knew NOTHING of God. Yet God's people were headed towards Jericho and had had many victories over many nations on the way there. Rumors had flown to Jericho about this "God" who was leading His people in victory over His enemies. Rahab was the only person in the town who acknowledged that this was a God who was Sovereign and who was God Almighty. All Rahab had were rumors from lost people....no bible, no witnesses,....just a rumor. And she believed, in faith....not to saved her own neck, but because it was the truth.

xdx....the answers you so desperately seek are all about faith in God.

c)... God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

That's not God. God's nature cannot change. If He were like allah, then He wouldn't be God. This question is moot.

d)... you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

I don't know. Another moot question. Rahab was made righteous. Many countless throngs of people are saved who are born in non-christian countries. It's not an impossibility. It's quite possible. Just ask Lottie Moon.

e)... you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

As Helen said, this is where you are. You have asked many hundreds (literally) of questions and most of the time whether it's me or about a dozen or so other people, you are getting some very valid and wonderful answers. But you never come back and discuss any of our answers. You simply move on and post another question.

For example, you say here that you have a problem with bible contradictions. In an earlier post, you specifically mentioned contradictions in the 4 gospels. More than one person asked for you to be specific about those concerns and not only could you not be specific, you left that post behind and have since posted more questions, all about doubt.

Your problem is not "blind faith". Your problem is "blinding doubt." Your questions that try to force God to fit your imaginations of Him are blinding you to the truth of who He really is.

He loves you.....YOU specifically. We don't even know your name.....God does.

We don't even know how old you are or where it is in your spirit that you hurt the most......God does.

Sometimes we grow impatient of your questions......God doesn't, but He wants to remove those blinders from you. The faith part, xdx, is considering God so Trustworthy that you allow Him to do so.

Merry Christmas.

 

[DHK]

I have a few hypothetical questions which I have asked myself in the past, I'm curious how you would answer them, please keep the answers rather short but also not too short, no simply yes or no answers.

Would you also be a christian if....

a)... christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion? Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many?

Read missionary biographies of those who have gone to lands that have never had the gospel before, and have suffered untold consequences for it. Their faith was strengthened by the grace of God, not weakened. Read about Adoniram Judson, missionary to Burma, or Calvert missionary to the Fiji Islands, who after burying his wife and son, thanked God for the grace of God and carried on the work that God had given him to do.

b)... there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

No, see above answer.

c)... God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

This is a fauly premise. God is not like Allah, nor will he ever be. Allah is a demon-inspired caricature of god, the consequence of belief in such condemns one forever in Hell.

d)... you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

That is the fate of 90% of the population of the world. God never said that he would save through TV. He said that he would save through the preaching of the word of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Many people in America have never heard the gospel either. The onus of the Great Commission is on you and I to go to those people that have never heard the gospel. Leave the rest to God.

e)... you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

I don't understand absolutely everything in the Bible--no man does. Neither do I have blind faith. To do so is pure fatalism. It is a ridiculous position to take. For example, just because I don't know and can't explain to how and why the light goes on when I flip the switch, doesn't mean that I don't have faith in the function of electricity in my house. The electricity works whether I understand how it works or not. But that isn't blind faith. The same is true of the Bible. I may not understand everything, but I know the promises are true. They "work".

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

I believe the Bible by faith, but not a faith that is blind. My faith is based on knowledge, an intelligent knowledge--a knowledge that Jesus rose again from the dead proving his deity once and for all. He is the author and finisher of my faith. In Him is all I need. My faith is in Him, with Whom I have a relationship not a man-centered religion. My faith in Him is sustained by Him through His Word.

 

[Raindrop]

Would you also be a christian if....

a)... christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion? Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many?

b)... there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

c)... God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

d)... you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

e)... you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

a & b) No problem. There have been times in my life when I was cut off from other believers for a while, and God was still there. It would be hard, but I don't base my faith on other people.

c) This proposition is totally unbiblical and does not deserve a response.

d) "How can they here without a preacher?" The sharing of the gospel is necessary.

e) The Holy Spirit can guide people into understanding what the bible really says.

 

[tragic_pizza]

These questions are a waste of time.

This is an Internet message board. Everything here is a waste of time.

 

[DeeJay]

I have a few hypothetical questions which I have asked myself in the past, I'm curious how you would answer them, please keep the answers rather short but also not too short, no simply yes or no answers.

Would you also be a christian if....

a)... christianity wasn't a huge mainstream religion but rather a very small, unknown religion? Would this affect your faith in any way because you'd feel that it cannot be that the only way to God is unknown to so many?

Where I am from Christianity is a very very small percentage of people. I am defanently a minority here.

b)... there were no other christians anymore and nobody would believe in the bible anymore. No churches, no pastors, no christians. Just you and the bible.

I dont know how that would happen, but I have to stick with what the Bible says.

c)... God was like allah who is totally impersonal and not reachable anymore and if it was also clear that you cannot expect miracles or hope for God to intervene, would you still believe if you knew that no matter what you do God will not answer?

That is not our God.

d)... you had been born in a non-christian country where you hadn't heard about Jesus either in school or on TV or in church?

I had never heard of the real Jesus, untill somebody witnessed to me and I was saved. I did not know why He died on the cross, I did not know he was God.

e)... you had questions about the bible like for example contradictions in the bible or something like this but nobody could provide you satisfying answers and you would simply have to have "blind faith"?

I would continue to search. I find that these questions are from my misunderstanding not real contridictions. I do not think God calls for blind (believe anything you are told) faith. He wants you to search out the answers. Have faith that you will find the answers.

 

[DQuixote]

Two points:

1 - Why get bogged down in hypotheticals, and

2 - Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It does not fit into the category of "religion". Get that straightened out before you ask another series of hypotheticals (or any questions, for that matter), related to our Christian faith.

 

[EdSutton]

This is an Internet message board. Everything here is a waste of time.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Ed

 

[EdSutton]

These questions are a waste of time.

Since two moderators, albeit one of which does not moderate this specific forum, have commented already; Close it, already!

Ed

 

[tragic_pizza]

Yes, because we never discuss esoteric and pointless matters (like eating pork) on the BaptistBoard!