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Post by rmcdra on Apr 25, 2014 22:37:34 GMT -5
I can't stress how important it is to use critical thinking in your faith and everyday life. God gave us a brain to use in order to analyze and reflect. Some say that doubt is the enemy of faith. Some are even absurd enough to claim that facts are the enemy of faith. But no the enemy of faith is fear and willful ignorance. Fear keeps one from embracing faith and willful ignorance keeps one from placing faith in that which is true. It is why there are hundreds of end of the world scams including the most recent one about the 4 blood moons. It is why Bible verses are spewed in sound bytes that lack the context of their meaning. Faith is not just a set of beliefs you regurgitate in church. It is confidence, it is courage, it is trust. It is certainly not blind and anyone who tells you to have blind, unthinking faith is someone you should not put your trust in. Brothers and sisters, Christ is within each one of us. You prove your faith not through argument but by showing them the Christ that you know and want them to know. You set the example because you are going to be the only "Christ" they ever see. Faith grows when doubts are confronted. You learn what you can put your faith in and what should be avoided, because if you believe that God is the source of truth, shouldn't he want you to believe and have faith in what you know to be true? If what you believe is true, it should not fear testing for that which is true will withstand any testing.
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Post by xpistissopheiax on Apr 26, 2014 1:06:52 GMT -5
My mother was freaking out about the "blood moons" and I told her I don't believe in astrology  I agree critical thinking is incredibly important when it comes to faith b/c otherwise you'll believing all kinds of ridiculous things. Critical thinking helped me outgrow orthodox dogma and for that I'm very thankful. I don't think it is the "be all and end all" to religion, but it is certainly a powerful tool. |
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Post by phantasman on Apr 26, 2014 9:26:11 GMT -5
A very good analysis about doubt. Many I have conversed with say they have no doubt. They are saved and waiting for Christs return.
I believe we are bombarded with the negative spirits constantly. And the closer we get to truth, the more they wait for the perfect opportunity to mislead us into a sated feeling of ignorance. If we feel we are now in a place where the devil cannot reach us, I believe he has made us believe we need nothing else.
It's as if we were drowning in water, and Christ was the life preserver that was thrown to us and saved us (as many Christians believe). But they have reached land, and taken the life preserver and thrown it back into the sea thinking "I'm on land, and don't need it anymore. I'm saved".
So what do they do when the lands flood?
Paul said he died daily. One must understand that we are saved constantly, over and over, and it's not a one time event. If not, that, to me, is ignorance.
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unix
Junior Member
busy with full-time studies
Posts: 82
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Post by unix on May 16, 2014 21:54:51 GMT -5
I agree with You, phantasman!
Even considering that I perhaps suffer want or failure in some areas, I want to work and toil with religion ethics and moral, in order to understand, comprehend, get an overview, and make associations. But still being aware of my limited insight and skills. I also want to find a balance where I can justify my money spent on books; reading books and making highlightings in them and a few notes as well as doing searches and getting somewhere with them.
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