Neuropteron
Active Member
The apostle Paul was well-educated and extremely zealous for the traditions of his fathers. His beliefs however created problems for him. It led to him persecuting the congregation of God and devastating it. It required a dramatic intervention by Jesus himself to move Paul to adjust his beliefs.
By exercising their freedom of religion, earth's 8 billion inhabitants have produced an amazing diversity of beliefs. This leads to the question, should we exercise caution in regards to what we believe ?
At times belief is dictated by upbringing, peer pressure, majority thinking, emotionalism, or simply because we want to believe it.
One professor said that even scientists " often fall in love with their own constructions." Their beliefs becloud their critical judgment. Then they may spend a lifetime trying to shore up mistaken beliefs.
Similar things have happened with religious beliefs where immense contradictions exist. One man has deep faith in God. Another says that the man is only " weaving faith out of moonshine." One maintains that you have an immortal soul that survives death. Another believes that when you die you cease to exist, totally and completely.
Obviously, conflicting beliefs like these cannot all be true. Is it not the course of wisdom, then, to make sure that what we believe is actually true and not influenced by others or by our own emotions ?
The Bible explains: Faith is the assured expectation (or evident demonstration) of reality although not yet seen.
Would you agree that this statement, taken from the Bible, advocates using facts as the basis for our faith ?
ref: Acts 9:1-6; 26:14;1;Timothy 4:1; 2;Timothy 4:3;4 ;Heb 11:1; 1Timothy 2:4; John 8:32.
By exercising their freedom of religion, earth's 8 billion inhabitants have produced an amazing diversity of beliefs. This leads to the question, should we exercise caution in regards to what we believe ?
At times belief is dictated by upbringing, peer pressure, majority thinking, emotionalism, or simply because we want to believe it.
One professor said that even scientists " often fall in love with their own constructions." Their beliefs becloud their critical judgment. Then they may spend a lifetime trying to shore up mistaken beliefs.
Similar things have happened with religious beliefs where immense contradictions exist. One man has deep faith in God. Another says that the man is only " weaving faith out of moonshine." One maintains that you have an immortal soul that survives death. Another believes that when you die you cease to exist, totally and completely.
Obviously, conflicting beliefs like these cannot all be true. Is it not the course of wisdom, then, to make sure that what we believe is actually true and not influenced by others or by our own emotions ?
The Bible explains: Faith is the assured expectation (or evident demonstration) of reality although not yet seen.
Would you agree that this statement, taken from the Bible, advocates using facts as the basis for our faith ?
ref: Acts 9:1-6; 26:14;1;Timothy 4:1; 2;Timothy 4:3;4 ;Heb 11:1; 1Timothy 2:4; John 8:32.