It is up to us individually to question everything we are told, everything we read and even those things we see and feel. We must always consider the source of our information, and what were those sources are influenced and motivated by.
When we read the Bible, we must consider the author, the author’s sources and the author’s sources’ sources. What were these people’s motivations and influences? In what context were they written, and what did the author’s original words and sentences Read more [...]
Posts tagged My Christian Journey
Journey of an Inquisitive Christian
It is up to us individually to question everything we are told, everything we read and even those things we see and feel. We must always consider the source of our information, and what were those sources are influenced and motivated by.
When we read the Bible, we must consider the author, the author’s sources and the author’s sources’ sources. What were these people’s motivations and influences? In what context were they written, and what did the author’s original words and sentences Read more [...]
Introduction
Christianity has played a significant and dynamic role in my life. I was born into a Christian family and had a strong "Christian faith" until I was 20-years old and learned about the Crusades, the Inquisition, the pagan traditions it copied and the political powers that edited and produced the Holy Bible I had cherished and trusted so much.
This was a confronting moment. Traumatic to say the least - my entire world-view fell apart. I felt betrayed. I felt lost. Very soon after this I left Australia Read more [...]
A scrap of paper from 2000
It was the year 2000, my first year out of school and first year of university. I would have been 17 or 18 years old.
My strength at this time came from my strong faith in God.
I went to church on Sunday nights, taught children's Sunday school on Sunday mornings. Friday nights were youth group at church and once a week on the evening i went to a bible study group at someone from the church's house. On top of all of this I had daily private times where I would read the bible or a biblical book Read more [...]
My Thunderbolt Moment
Written as an appendix to my masters thesis "An Ethical Dilemma: Childhood Conversion in Christian Fundamentalism" in June 2009.
My ‘Thunderbolt’ Moment
This brief account of my personal case is provided to make known the perspective from which this paper was written, to demonstrate how some of the concepts discussed in this discourse apply in practice, and to help correct the misconception that a rejection of fundamentalism is a rejection of God.
The mind-explosion I have experienced is Read more [...]
Concluding thoughts…
About the Bible
It seems to me that the fundamental facts about when, where and by whom the books of the Bible are written, are hushed over, not even talked about, problems are avoided or minimised, leaving ambiguities that mislead the reader and convey a false idea of reality. How can I believe anything they tell me? If God inspired the words, then wouldn’t He have inspired all the correct details? If the Bible is God's word, wouldn't he have ensured that translations his people base their lives Read more [...]
What does this mean for my life today?
What does it mean to have "faith"?
The definition ‘faith’ has changed
‘Faith’ would have been much easier 200 years ago before evolution theory was thought up. Why would God ask us to have ‘faith’ in a story that contradicts the geological and historical evidences? When I think about God, in His ultimate wisdom and power, I wonder why He would at one single point in history, in one single place, incarnate as a human and state that believe in a single narrative of His death and resurrection Read more [...]
Is Jesus Christ the “Son of God?”
Son of God = son of god
What’s the difference between “Son of God” and “son of god”? Actually in Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke) and ancient Greek, the orignal language that the New Testament was written, capital letters were never used – so there is NO DIFFERENCE!
Son or Servant?
The King James Version reads, “Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”
The New King James Version reads, Read more [...]
Discussing the contradictions
Jesus’ Genealogies Contradict
The genealogies recorded in Matthew and Luke are totally different!
Matthew 1:16 “16and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”
Luke 3:23 “23Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,”
Who was Joseph's father?
Matthew
Luke
Isaac son of Abraham
Isaac son of Abraham
Jacob
Jacob
Judah Read more [...]
Is the Bible the “Word of God”?
The Bible – ‘Word of God’ or words of man?
"Every word of God is flawless" Proverbs 30:5-6
"the words of the LORD are flawless" Psalms 12:6
"How do you know the Bible is the Word of God?".
"Because God tells us so".
"But how did He tell you?" I ask.
"In the Bible,"
"But how do you know what it says in the Bible is right?" I ask.
"Because it’s the Word of God.”
“But…um…how do you know that?” I ask again…
This is an endless and tiresome circular conversation Read more [...]
