Annoying doubts persist

[Momo-P]

I guess this is somewhat of an update? I dunno...either way, some of the main problems I was having in the past have finally went away. That's obviously a good thing. That said, some issues still linger and continue to bother me. I obviously haven't given up as evidence of me even bothering with this, but I guess I'm just exhausted by it all? Prayers for the Lord to give me what I need to finally get some peace and comfort again would be nice...I feel like this has been going on since forever.

It's especially annoying me right because the doubts I'm having are over something I don't consider particularly threatening I suppose you could say. For whatever weird reason, I'm actually having these nagging thoughts regarding hinduism and buddhism. Why? I think it's because none of the Christian sites out there seem to even talk about them. After all, if I don't know of any contradictions or problems regarding these religions, it does leave plenty of room for satan to drop doubts of "well if you haven't heard any, maybe none exist?" in your brain.

And before anyone says it, yes, I'm aware they contradict Christianity, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about like...I think I've heard hinduism actually teaches that the world rests on the back of elephants? Stuff like that, if true, is kind of a huge obvious error with these beliefs and is kind of good to be informed about, but like I said, no Christian sites seem to even touch on that part. I know that probably sounds stupid to be bothered by, but it just keeps doing it.

*sigh* Anyway, ya...I guess prayers over this stuff would be nice. Also if anyone DOES know any major problems with these beliefs or sites or whatever that details some problems with them, please feel free to share them!

[Tsukuyomi]

I'm glad everything is starting to look up for you ^_^ Just keep on hanging in there and things will become clear ^__^

In the meantime, I'll be praying

[ClosetOtaku]

Doubts will persist, in one form or another, throughout your walk in faith. They are not bad in and of themselves - they are indicators that you are struggling to understand the nature of Reality, just like Abraham struggled to understand why God might wipe out the righteous alongside the wicked in Sodom, or the Psalmist as to why the wicked prosper, or Solomon as to why everything under the sun was seemingly being done in vain.

Turn the argument over Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism -- all the 'isms' -- on its head. Ask the question: is it Real? Ask why humankind - which is always looking for patterns - is universally sinful. Ask why some humans seem bothered by this (if not us all, and we simply train ourselves not to care). Ask what these religions say about what sin is, why we sin, whether it matters.

Then consider the unbroken chain of witnesses that stretches all the way back to the Empty Tomb on Easter morning, and ask -- am I being misled, or did something truly miraculous happen there?

The other religions -- and if we're honest, all of our Christian denominations -- have different ways of looking and interpreting the one Reality that is out there. It's impossible for them all to be right (unless this is one really large-scale exercise in solipsism, in which case all of our 'realities' could be right for each individual; can't be disproven, but in that case, you're never wrong). Don't get too hung up on the divisions. They all have elements of the truth (otherwise, we wouldn't pay attention to them), but few have the Truth as we Christians know it.

And, yes, Hinduism may teach the universe rests on the back of an elephant (which rests on the back of a tortoise) -- so what? Christianity believes all of the horrific sufferings of mankind trace back to two people eating a piece of fruit. Is that any less absurd? It isn't, unless that's what really happened. And since you cannot personally observe either 'legend', you're going to have to take some things on faith.

Comparing religions has some benefit, but don't obsess on the exercise. We are constantly at a loss to explain why a beneficent and loving God exists in the first place, and why He should have lived a life of humiliation and suffering to make amends for what was entirely our fault. There are sufficient mysteries of our faith to produce a lifelong supply of doubts -- satisfy yourself that these other religions, while sometimes stating truths, do not contain the Truth, and they will become less of a burden to you while you work out your salvation 'in fear and trembling'.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

"Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith."
-Paul Tillich

How can one have faith without the potentiality of their beliefs being incorrect? Faith is negated and lost if one knows that their beliefs are absolutely and totally correct. So belief despite not knowing for certainty is what your faith is. And that is what makes it beautiful and important to Christianity.

[Momo-P]

Well, another update.

While some of my doubts and issues are gone away, it looks like something else has surfaced to give me something to think about. The problem facing me now though is something I brought up in the past and I guess I just need to verify some things. Although I'm actually talking to another member privately about this matter, I suppose I could (and might as well) just make it open as well.

In the past I feared I had commited the unforgivable sin. Many told me that was physically impossible because those who blasphemy the Spirit are outright rejecting Him until death, but recently these doubts have resurfaced and a lot of it has to do with people's understanding of this scripture. Whether you read Luke, Matthew or Mark's interpretation of the scene, it all reads the same way. It all says the blasphemy against the Spirit is unforgivable, however, blasphemy is always regarded as some sort of insult...not a rejection. So where do people even get this explanation from? I mean, what if it is meant literally? I do try and think of the passages that merely say you need to believe to be saved (and don't mention any exceptions), but then I wonder if maybe they're only worded that way because people were meant to read the previous stories. So maybe it's only excluded because you're already suppose to know about it?

I also questioned whether or not I could've blasphemed the Spirit and still believe the Lord and want to be forgiven. Isn't the Spirit the one who causes us to want to be with the Lord and ask forgiveness? If I didn't have Him, could I still feel this way in the first place? Because if there was any clear way of telling I still had the Spirit, then it should be obvious I didn't blasphemy Him I'd think...

*rubs head* I have too many problems...but as many as I have, this one really scares me the most to think about.

[Reon]

Hey Momo,
Hopefully the following will relax you a little bit regarding the issue. I've been skeptical my whole life about everything before I got saved. My dad told me to obey the Bible when all i saw him as was a big jerk. Using reason and logic to give to try to disprove anything "spiritual" that could have possibly happened I avoided Christianity. My conscious still existed especially with how I was raised from my mom. Anyways after God made himself incredibly real to me I began studying doctrine. I'm currently taking courses at Bible college, further establishing a solid foundation for my faith. I had all same thoughts you've had and are having about other religions... it pestered me daily to weekly. Now that I've been taking these courses and really diving deeper into His word, living it and taking a deeper look - all doubts have been fading rapidly.

I'm not expert on this. I'm learning to hear God's voice, trust in Him, have a reverent fear and submission (boy is that part hard). I know this though, God is not the author of confusion.

1 Cor. 14:33 [NASB] [color="DeepSkyBlue"]... for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.[/color]

My thoughts your being fed doubts. You need to conquer those doubts in the name of Jesus.
Eph 6:12 [NASB] [color="DeepSkyBlue"]For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.[/color]
John 16:33 "[color="DeepSkyBlue"]These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.[/color]"
Romans 8:37 [color="DeepSkyBlue"]No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
[/color]
Our God is a God of grace. I suggest you look at the verses uses a lexicon, check out the original words - and then the root words of those words in the original language.

Romans 8:15[color="DeepSkyBlue"] For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, [SIZE="4"]"Abba! Father!"[/color][/SIZE]
1 John 4:18 [color="DeepSkyBlue"]There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
[/color]
I hope the verses were an encouragement. God bless.

P.S. If these doubts continue to attack you I suggest you get two verses. A verse that gives you comfort in regards to the subject, write it on a notecard. Keep it your pocket, with your wallet, keys etc. I'll have to look at those verses about the unforgivable sins to get a better understanding. I'd talk to a pastor if I were you. Btw - You rock Momo ^^ Thought you should know that. Glad your on the forum when I swing through time to time.

Sincerely,
Ryan

[TheSubtleDoctor]

I am praying for you and your faith journey. This might help, although if you are not Catholic, you might not be on board with every little bit. Scroll down to the bottom.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Well, another update.

While some of my doubts and issues are gone away, it looks like something else has surfaced to give me something to think about. The problem facing me now though is something I brought up in the past and I guess I just need to verify some things. Although I'm actually talking to another member privately about this matter, I suppose I could (and might as well) just make it open as well.

In the past I feared I had commited the unforgivable sin. Many told me that was physically impossible because those who blasphemy the Spirit are outright rejecting Him until death, but recently these doubts have resurfaced and a lot of it has to do with people's understanding of this scripture. Whether you read Luke, Matthew or Mark's interpretation of the scene, it all reads the same way. It all says the blasphemy against the Spirit is unforgivable, however, blasphemy is always regarded as some sort of insult...not a rejection. So where do people even get this explanation from? I mean, what if it is meant literally? I do try and think of the passages that merely say you need to believe to be saved (and don't mention any exceptions), but then I wonder if maybe they're only worded that way because people were meant to read the previous stories. So maybe it's only excluded because you're already suppose to know about it?

I also questioned whether or not I could've blasphemed the Spirit and still believe the Lord and want to be forgiven. Isn't the Spirit the one who causes us to want to be with the Lord and ask forgiveness? If I didn't have Him, could I still feel this way in the first place? Because if there was any clear way of telling I still had the Spirit, then it should be obvious I didn't blasphemy Him I'd think...

*rubs head* I have too many problems...but as many as I have, this one really scares me the most to think about.

Momo, you're not going to get a definite answer, nor an answer I think you will be content with. There is so much discrepancy and disagree among contemporary theology to the Bible that to be honest, finding out the "right" approach to scripture is more than likely impossible. Biblical Hermeneutics can range from simple reading a text within the context of it's time to a total deconstruction meta-analysis.

I know you obsess with getting it right and knowing the answers. Well what the right answer is this: You will never have the right answer or 100%]without[/i] any proof or reason to back up your claim.

Doubting leads to difficulty and often despair. This is why Kierkegaard called it a "leap to faith". It is a leap to faith into the abyss. You trust in an entity which you doubt the very existence of. That, my friend, is faith.

[Momo-P]

Momo, you're not going to get a definite answer, nor an answer I think you will be content with. There is so much discrepancy and disagree among contemporary theology to the Bible that to be honest, finding out the "right" approach to scripture is more than likely impossible. Biblical Hermeneutics can range from simple reading a text within the context of it's time to a total deconstruction meta-analysis.

I know you obsess with getting it right and knowing the answers. Well what the right answer is this: You will never have the right answer or 100% correct understanding of the Bible. No human ever will. You don't need to know. Having Faith is to accept something and accept your salvation without any proof or reason to back up your claim.

Doubting leads to difficulty and often despair. This is why Kierkegaard called it a "leap to faith". It is a leap to faith into the abyss. You trust in an entity which you doubt the very existence of. That, my friend, is faith.

I understand what you're saying SP, but I guess it'd give me less grief if it was over something less important. I have faith in God and Jesus and that Jesus is my Lord and Savior and the Son of God and all that, it's more just the concern that I did the one thing He won't forgive period. It's kind of hard to just say "no, I'm saved" while the whole time I think and know there's the possibility that's just a lie. I think to myself that God wouldn't send someone who believes and accepts Him to the same place for people who wouldn't do those things, but because of that one passage...just hard to really look on the bright side. It's not like I do this because I enjoy it...

[Reon]

Momo-P, here's a article for you: ARTICLE CLICK HERE
It really points out the context of the verse. If this isn't enough evidence or research let me know and I'll go digging. Feel free to toss in thoughts this didn't answer or you still feel uncomfortable about.
If you read the article all the way through or even just the first five paragraphs I find it hard to not see it in the proper context. The pharisees straight up rejected Christ and said it was from the devil. 0.o

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Philippians 4:6-7
[font="Palatino Linotype"][color="DeepSkyBlue"][SIZE="4"]Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.[/SIZE][/font][/color] [SIZE="1"](NLT)[/SIZE]

1 Peter 5:7
[font="Palatino Linotype"][color="DeepSkyBlue"][SIZE="4"]Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.[/SIZE][/color] [/font][SIZE="1"](NLT)[/SIZE]

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I understand what you're saying SP, but I guess it'd give me less grief if it was over something less important. I have faith in God and Jesus and that Jesus is my Lord and Savior and the Son of God and all that, it's more just the concern that I did the one thing He won't forgive period. It's kind of hard to just say "no, I'm saved" while the whole time I think and know there's the possibility that's just a lie. I think to myself that God wouldn't send someone who believes and accepts Him to the same place for people who wouldn't do those things, but because of that one passage...just hard to really look on the bright side. It's not like I do this because I enjoy it...

If you're upset about it and are repenting, then you're fine. =)