21. A disciple of Christ, Thomas, was a skeptic. He walked with Jesus during his time on earth and physically witnessed with his own eyes certain miracles performed by him such as raising Lazarus from the dead and so forth.
The question is not clearly laid out in this challenge. Not even sure how to answer a question that is not clear in it's premise.
22. Christians argue evolution by asking why there aren't any half-ape/half-men walking around today, right? Why don't we see giants, fiery talking serpents, talking donkeys and many other mythical creatures that are described in the Bible?
Here is a good question to wrestle with for a moment as it is a current issue of the day. Granted, that there are many questions such as "half ape-half human" and it is a good one. But there is a deeper presupposition being flaunted in this premise that need to be worked through. And that is the following point..
In all Evolution propaganda there is a fallacy being promoted as if it is truth. it is called "switch and bait" they take the premise that because there is a kind of evolution in animals and even humans: different kind of the same animals, dogs and cats and others. Which is biblical true as seen in Genesis 1:24-31. But what happens in the muddled thinking is that because this happens; therefore, the unproven speculative theory of all living and breathing creates arose from the same source.
It this kind of backwards thinking that seems to win the day for many people in this day and age; and it is alarming that the biblical student is pushed aside and is said to be uncritical and an idiot. When they philosophical position being push as science is not based on any real truth, but man's opinions. Where does it stop. We need to ask the following question: "were you or any scientist who has promoted this stance over the last 150 year or so, were you therefore time immorial to know that this was the true happenings?"
What is worse, however, is that Scientist promote this view based on interpreted evidence, as well as intelligently designed modals what could have happened. And then say it is fact. But what is missing in this is a) no peace of evidence or fact is a brute fact. and b) it takes a mind to formulate such modals for it to even be considered as premise.
In other words, the very thing the Scientist (evolutionist) want to illuminate from the equation happens to be the foundation for the theory to be established.
As for the diversion tactic it is not relevant to this matter. (1) you get people who are very tall 6-9 foot tall even today; there is a china men who 8'9 foot tall. (2) as for the other points, "talking serpents and donkey's" they were one time events and context of the latter demonstrates some ignorance.
In the case of the donkey, we are told that it was the Angel of the Lord communicating to Balaam by means of the donkey (Numbers 22: 31-35). Then we have the idea of "mythical creatures" I assume this is in reference to dragons and unicorns. Well, in both cases, they are true creature that have lived in the past possibly some type of lizards (Dinosaurs).
23. If we are to only have sex for the purpose of pro-creation, and to do so outside of the scope of pro-creation is sinful, then why would God create us with an over abundance of nerve endings in our reproductive organs making sex extremely pleasurable?A flawed understanding of what the bible teaches. Sex is to be a lawful act between Married couples (biblically speaking: Husbands and a wives). Anything outside the biblical parameters of marriage is seen as being unlawful and sinful. And yes, in the right God given context, Sex is to an enjoyable part of the marital union. It is something that brings the 2 partner a closeness that is required of them. And defines their relationship as being apart of that God given bond (a complimentary, self sacrificial covenant).
Pro-creation certainly is a very important part of the union of marriage; but it is by no means the main part of it. Sex is not designed for Procreation, Pro-creation is a God given result of Sex for those who are gifted with the ability to sire and bare children.
24. Why do Christians share the same statistical rate of divorce as everyone else? "What God hath made, let no man put asunder." How could Christian marriages fail if they are sanctified by God? Hmmmm.... interesting.
To answer this question. One must immediately recognise the two prong answer: (1) God hates divorce as it is destructive thing in society; yet there are recognisable factors which it can and must allowed for (A) in the case of a death of one of the partners. (B) in the case of one of the partner commits adultery. (2) This one also is considered in point (1B); since all man kind are fallen creatures due to Adams sin of disobedience: therefore, all men whether they are believers or unbeliever will commit gross acts of sin and break God law in the process. And one thing fallen man does is wreck the family and marital unit for various means and divorce is inevitable.
25. In the book of Luke chapter 19 verse 27, Jesus says, "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." This seems pretty clear that Jesus would have Christians kill all non-believersIt is very clear, abundantly so, that the person has a problem with reading statement in their context. I wonder does he apply the same principal to read the newspaper, a letter from a loved one or is just his preconditioned to reveal the bias on his part. If read in full context, we understand the following points:
(1) it is a Parable about the end times judgement.
(2) the location it is found in reveals this is the case, Luke 19-21 is all about the end-times.
(3) there is nothing in the text about believers killing unbelievers; it is in fact, the angels that do this to disobedience follower who are by their actions not true believers.
(4) the exact nature of the statement in verse 27 is not to isolate, or misinterpreted. It is hard considering the fact it is in a parable to determine what it is referring to without other passages to illuminate it precise point.
26. If God created everything, why did he create AIDS, influenza, ebola, ecoli and so on and so on? These, as viruses, are living things. You definitely can not use the free will card for this one. Is this another part of ‘God’s plan’?No, I wont be using the free will card; as it is non existent mouse trap. But the question is flawed for two reasons:
(1) It assumes what it is has not proved: in saying "God created everything" therefore, he must have created all the different virus. All the evils that are inherent in this world are a direct result of Mans fall which we are responsible for.
It could be argued, and powerfully so, that all the different evils and virus' from a scientific point of view even an evolutionary point of view are just apart of what it is to be living entities. There is no way to define them as being "good" or "evil." For one to do so, would be disingenuous as it is borrowing capital from Christian world view.
(2) It is indeed apart of God decree that "evil" should exist. He has a purpose in all things that happen; one that he has not at all points revealed to us; only in certain points has he done so. One of the key example is found in the crucifixion of Christ.
We are told in many places that this horrific act was for a grander glory in redeeming sinners and uniting them to Christ. (Acts 2:22-24, 4:27-31). So while evil is definitely present; we can only know it to be case because God has definitively made it known.
27. How can God answer a prayer giving a working-class man in the United States a raise at his place of employment so that he can move his family into a larger house, but he does not answer the prayers to stop the starvation and disease of millions upon millions of children around the world? This must be another infinitely wise part of ‘God’s plan’.
Again, it is assuming something that has not been proven. And that is the fact, the "working class man" in this scenario is actually a believer. The problem with the question is that it is based on a hypothetical situation; and therefore, it must be rejected.
It also presumes to make God the "author" of all evils in the world. When it is not the case, we as a sin filled world create the problem that we face. Even in the case highlighted... one man only thinks of himself and his wants and desire (typical of most) and does not give a damn about those less fortunate.
Christianity teach the direct opposite then this foolishness. it teaches us to put other ahead of ourselves.
28. If God’s word is supposed to be the accurate word of God himself, how are we supposed to trust it enough to model our lives after it 100% when hundreds of books were excluded from the original text throughout so many translations and revisions in history?Here is another over rated lie. The "other books" that were apparently excluded, were never apart of it because they written by people who lived hundreds of years later. And were heavily influence by ideas that did not even take shape until much later.
For this claim to be truthful; it need some degree of truthfulness to it. And it lacks it based on the fact that prophecy ended in 70 ad according to the Old Testament.
In Daniel 9:24-27 it out lines 2 important events that signify the time of prophecies culmination. the first is the crucifixion, and the second is the destruction of the temple. And then in Zechariah 13 we are told that if any one claims to be "a prophet and speak for God after the destruction of the temple ... then they are liars."
Hence, in this we see that by 70ad all the New Testament was complete. And any books coming after that point even 5 year are to be considered as phoneys. All we have is theories and conjecture about these gnostic source but not factual evidence.
29. Why is there no evidence of any of the miracles performed by God? None whatsoever.The problem is not that there is "evidence" for miracles; the problem is the definition and working parameters that you are assessing them by. You reason and logic are faulty because you can not account them without demonstrating you current unbelief position is not valid. In other words, it is by the tools you deem miracle to be "improbable" or "impossible" that you will ultimately make it known that you have no foundation for this objection.
As "reason and logic" are immaterial properties that you cannot account for by scientific means, in fact, it is very like you have to validate evidence by these non material properties. Meaning everything you say becomes invalid by your chosen methods of understanding the world. Science only works because Christianity is true .
30. If God and Jesus are the same, having the same mind, knowledge and power, then why would Jesus beg himself in the garden of Gethsemane, to spare himself from having to be crucified? Furthermore, why would Jesus ask himself why he has forsaken himself by allowing himself to be crucified?Not even sure what this question is getting at. When you say "God and Jesus are the same" do you mean they are the same being, or person. Not clear in its premise. Now here is what the bible teaches and Christianity believes: God is one in being (he is one in his essence) But this one being of God is seen as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
There are a number of things to consider here:
(1) all three persons are equal in power and glory, in wisdom and knowledge. before the incarnation of the second person; all enjoyed the same characteristics that make them God.
(2) the Son after his incarnation; had two distinct natures: divine and human. In his divinity he had all knowledge but as sign humility he chose not to act upon it in all his glory. And in his humanity, he was limited in knowledge.. gaining it as a human does in gradual stages.
(3) In the garden, he was not asking for the crucifixion to be taken away, but the punishment leading to it. But nevertheless, he went with the father will and plan for provision of salvation of man.
