What do you say to a person who believes that the Bible is just a book written by man? What would you say to someone who claims that the only thing that was written by God was the Ten Commandments? If you obey the Ten Commandments and that is the only thing in the Bible that you believe in would that be enough for you to be saved? Did Moses actually write them down, or was the burning bush actually God and he did it himself?
The only thing written by God was the Ten Commandments? Why even this? If someone thinks nothing else in the Bible is true, then why are the Ten Commandments true?
People break at least one of the commandments at some point in their life. What should God do about their lawbreaking?
Does this person try to obey the Ten Commandments? According to the Bible, its not going to help them on the day of judgement.
"We... know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified" (Galatians 2:15-16).
Greg, I thought the same thing that you did. If nothing else is true, then why are the Ten Commandments true? Last night, my husband and I went to one of Creflo Dollar Ministries Change Conventions, and I prayed that God would touch his heart and that something that Pastor Dollar said would drive home in his heart. We had a nice talk on the way back home but I think that he still has some doubts. One of Pastor Dollar's first words were "Heaven is real, Hell is too". My husband heard that, and he asked me on the way home if I had heard it too. I said yes, I did. Please continue to pray for my husband and myself and of course, our children. I prayed that God would touch my husband's heart and that he would experience the Lord like no other drug he had ever experienced and that it would transform his life into the man that God had designed before he was ever known in his mother's womb and that my husband would allow God to reveal his plans for him and that he would accept the Lord and what the Lord has planned for him. Of course, that it partly selfish on my part, I want my husband to submit to the Lord and be the husband that I need and want and get off the drugs and be the father that my children need and want. I hope that my selfishness isn't keeping this from happening. Thanks for your prayers and words. God Bless!
Thank You Charles! As I read your reply, I cried. I am so hurt and so anxious for this terrible mess to be over! I am so worried about what has happened, what is going to happen. I love my husband, and I know that he is doing wrong both to himself, and to me, and to my children. My sister said to have the police escort him out of our home. And I have told him to leave several times, packed his things for him. Only to have him come home and tell me that he loves me and the children and he just can't leave. I think that if he were to leave, his drug addiction would be worse, if possible, and I don't want that. I want him to stop, not get worse. And I don't want him to be with another woman, he is my husband, and I want our marriage to work, not be broken beyond repair. I have prayed that God will bless our marriage, give me endurance and courage, and patience to get through this, help heal his body from addictions, and change his mindset, give my children the parents that they need and deserve. I have prayed that God would help ease my mind, help me walk in love and forgiveness, and understanding. I don't want to be selfish, but I love him, and I want so desperately to do the right thing! Thank you for your prayers, and please continue to pray for us. God Bless You and your family as well.
Permalink Reply by Carla on February 23, 2010 at 10:22am
What do you say to a person who believes that the Bible is just a book written by man?
Before I was a believer and had my eyes opened by the Holy Spirit, I believed the bible was written by man, and the message was foolishness to me...... Now that I am born again, I believe it is inspired by God. (see 2 Tim 3:16,17)
2Cr 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,
2Cr 4:2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2Cr 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
2Cr 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2Cr 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake.
2Cr 4:6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2Cr 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
2Ti 3:17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
The bible is really sixty-six individual books, written on three continents, over a period of approximately 1500 years, by more than 40 authors who came from many walks of life, the Bible remains one unified book from beginning to end without contradiction. This unity is unique from all other books and is evidence of the divine origin of the words which God moved men to record.
What would you say to someone who claims that the only thing that was written by God was the Ten Commandments? I would ask them how they have come to that conclusion. 2 Tim 3:16-17. For a believer it is not difficult to believe that God inspired it. For a non-believer...it is foolishness. 1Cr 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
If you obey the Ten Commandments and that is the only thing in the Bible that you believe in would that be enough for you to be saved? No.. That would suggest a 'words' salvation! We can never be good to earn Salvation. Salvation is a free gift of God.. none of us will ever be good enough. Only Jesus can save us.
Read all of Romans chapter 3. Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God;
Did Moses actually write them down, or was the burning bush actually God and he did it himself?
Exd 24:4 Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Denise,
We cannot argue anyone into the Kingdom... Each person will ultimately have to make their own choice. If the Spirit of God is moving in on their hearts.. then God is working there. God's Spirit must be present for anyone to be saved.
One more thing... Pro 26:4 When arguing with fools, don't answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are.
Pro 26:5 When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation.
This seems to be a paradox..but it is not! When discussing the bible with people we must always check our own motivations.... Do we want point people to Jesus for His Glory...or do we want to simply win an argument to prove our point true. Denise, we know that we are right.....but we must remember the reason we know it.. It is because our hearts were ready for God to show us the truth at a point in time. The other side of it is.. We can discuss things with them pertaining to scripture to a point.. but we must discern when to stop..and leave them to their own foolish conclusions.
It is important to remember that people are different...God knows who will turn to Him and who will not, HE knows precisely when they will turn to Him...and He also knows how they will turn to Him. Continue to put these things in the Lord's care. Don't get caught up in foolish arguments that will only leave you exhausted and feeling defeated. I know...because I have learned the hard way (through experience)...and it nearly tore my marriage apart. God is now rebuilding my marriage and my husband is not a believer..but God can do this and He is doing it.. Long Story there :)
I hope this has somehow helped you....
God's Blessings, Carla
And if you state that there are no errors and the other person argues about it, ask him where the error is. Most people who don't read and study the Bible think there are errors in it. It is up to us to prove that there isn't any error. Most Christians who study the Bible can explain away any supposed error. They also listen to what the world says about the Bible.
The History Channel has programs where they try to make the Bible a lie, or they promote man's thinking. Many arguments are derived from this source, and one needs to correct them when ever the opportunity arises.
I am referring to my husband and his thoughts and questions about God and the Bible. Once his dad told him that when you are dead, you are just dead. There is nothing after that. I went to trying to explain and I am just not knowledgeable enough to convince him otherwise. He told me that he wished he knew someone that he could ask questions about God and the Bible. When I asked him what would he ask, that is part of what he said. He also said that the rest of the questions that he had could not be answered by any human that had not died and went to heaven and came back. He also said that if a person took another person's life that they would never be forgiven and accepted into heaven. Please continue to pray for us.Please pray that he experience God like nothing ever experienced in his life before, and please pray for me, that I can help! Thank you all for your wonderful answers and most of all, your prayers for us!
Permalink Reply by Carla on February 23, 2010 at 12:13pm
Hi Denise,
Would he consider coming here to this site to ask his questions.
His questions sound like something my husband has asked me, at the time, as far as I could tell, he was always argumentative, and only wanting to disprove the validity of scripture. At the time, I was not knowledgeable to answer his questions. Now I have learned some things...and I can answer them.. But regarding things of a Spiritual nature...that door has been closed for now in my marriage because of the drama and damage that was caused 3 years ago due to these types of conversations. I was so eager to 'get my husband saved' that I was very 'preachy'... I also didn't really understand that it was the Holy Spirit who does the work of transformation in a persons heart. I knew that as 'head' knowledge, but not 'heart' knowledge. I had to go through the fires of trial and life experience for it to become 'heart' knowledge! If he is genuinely seeking....please invite him to come. If he is not genuinely seeking, than it would likely only cause problems for you personally if he did join here.
If he is genuinely seeking for answers, I believe that God will meet him right where he is... If he is not comfortable to come....then please continue to ask his questions here on his behalf.
Hi Carla,
I guess we are sharing the same experiences, because my husband is argumentative about the scripture as well. I thought that maybe if I knew more, that I could give him answers that would seep into his heart, and make a difference. Hopefully, I am not pushing him away. I am sorry that you had to go through all of the drama and damage that you mentioned. I am sure that it was heart wrenching. I don't want to be preachy. You are right, God will meet him right where he is, if he desires that. He does not read or write very well, so I could never get him to be a part of this website, his questions would always be through me even if he desired to be a part of it. So I will continue to ask questions on his behalf, and maybe I will just try to answer his questions when he asks me or is ready to talk about it. Pray that if that is the case, that my answers, and all of yours, will make a difference. He and I both need God in our lives! Thank you for your help and prayers. You are my angel! God Bless You My Friend, Denise
I feel your pain. I am always encouraged by the Holy Spirit reminding me that God is in control and Sovereign. I am also very encouraged when I see there are men who love the Lord and live for Him fully.. I hope and pray that will one day be my husband. My greatest hearts desire is that my husband will repent and believe....I am excited to see the transformation work and power of God in his life when that happens. My prayer for him is now more of a cry of my heart.
Until then, we walk in faith, hope, trust and obedience, waiting on the Lord..enduring and persevering. We'll just keep lifting these men up to our Lord.
Jesus Christ is not mentioned in your post. What does he/she think of Jesus Christ? How far a person goes with God depends on what he/she thinks of Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)
Many, many people even do not touch the bible let alone read it. Once, a colleague commented that the Bible was just a novelwritten by different authors. I did not think much about this comment at the time because, I too, was a non believer. However, one experiences certain life changing or come to a cross road in their life, this is when they start to believe in a deity. Sadly, there are far more non Christian in this world than believers. There is a time coming soon when this will all change as the Lord and Saviour of humanity will come again and mankind will have to make up their mind whether to stand with Him or against Him.
The only way to Lord is through faith which the majority of our brothers and sisters lack. It is easy to live in sin than to live a fulfilling and whole life through Christ.
When one reads the bible, one will find that there are no inconsistancies. Our Lord is talking to us throughout all generations. The bible is personal as it has something to say to each one of us. From the time of Adam to Now, our Lord is communicating to us through the bible. It givves us instructions in how to live a holy life and get closer to Him. If only we listen.....