Quoted:

Basically this. If he is "up there" I don't want to meet that dick.

Quoted:



If you talk too critically of religion in the religion forum you will get a stern talking to from the Mod of God.

Quoted:


And that right there is a big problem - and just one of many things that gets me labeled as a heretic by nearly all modern denominations despite being a believer.

"Divinely inspired" should not be conflated with "infallibly correct", especially throughout not only thousands of years, but also translations between many different languages. The supposed "perfection" of any given translation is something that should give anyone pause, including the faithful.

Quoted:
I was raised in church as well, but I took a different route than you, I’ve only just begun to really believe and have faith.
I think we have the drive to investigate and pour over scriptures and expect everything to make sense in a collection of over 50 books composed of a lot of different authors. Many of which where written based on second or third hand accounts of events that occurred decades if not centuries prior. Not only that, the ability to dictate in words how these events and the way that the authors or their sources encountered God, and for those differences in literal documentation and translations make it a challenge for us. Especially the Old Testament and the fact it was recorded over 2 thousand years ago. The fact that the books even survived and were even passed on for millennia and translated even close to how they where originally written is miraculous in itself.
Obviously the most recent, if 2000 years is recent, narration of Christ and the disciples is somewhat easier to wrap our minds around.

I’m not trying to change your thinking and I’m far from being a scriptural scholar. For me though I grew closer to Christianity when I gave up the urge to have a perfect explanation for all of my doubt. That’s when I realized faith is a lot easier when I didn’t have to have all the answers but believe that one day it will all make sense. And if I’m wrong then what difference will it make in the end? My life is better none the less having believed.

Quoted:




It's too bad you never found any competent help.
There are so many issues with translating comprehensive languages into English. It's like stuffing 100lbs of sand in a 50lbs box, you're going to inevitably lose something.
Every word of the Bible is true, but the English versions are so bad that in some cases it's tough to consider them Bibles.
One of the best examples of how poorly suited English is as a translation medium is the term elohim. I've never seen someone who wasn't fluent in Hebrew even get close to making sense of it.

One revelation that typically help people who've given up is the prospective of ancient people. The Bible wasn't written to us, and we don't have the education and world view of it's intended audience.
While the Bible is true, it's not everything.
There is a lot of history and culture the original consumers of the old testament knew that we don't even have easy access to, much less know and understand.
For most people the Bible may as well be a cuneiform tablet, just reading it like a modern narrative will only get you so far.
You can get the basics, Jesus Christ became human and sacrificed himself because that was the only viable option to redeem humanity after Eden, Babel, and some of the events Enoch talked about.
But digging deeper with only a translation to a crude language and zero historical context is a recipe for total confusion.
You apparently tried, but there's a reason why people dedicate their lives to teaching the scriptures, it's not something you can just figure out.

Hopefully after you've had time to reflect you'll come back and work the kinks out.
Dr. Michael Heiser's work will be a big help.

Quoted:

I agree

Thankfully Christianity as taught specifically by Jesus and in the New Testament has very little to do with that but rather faith in Jesus.

Also good by what standard?

Quoted:
Don't leave. I don't know how to formulate words for this reason without writing a 6 page explanation. But don't leave.  Cry out to God about this current struggle of disbelief and lack of faith. Spend genuine alone time in fervent prayer with Him. I promise you on all that I am He will answer you if you come to Him completely open and broken.

Quoted:


This is the easy answer to so many problems. If you were Good and truely wanted everyone to believe, wouldn't you make the process a lot more simple? Or maybe provide a bit of input over the past 2000 years?

Quoted:


Snip

Hopefully after you've had time to reflect you'll come back and work the kinks out.
Dr. Michael Heiser's work will be a big help.

Quoted:


I spent the last 10 years crying out and reading. The more I read, the more it hurt my faith. I think must people here telling me I'm wrong have not truely read through the whole bible but instead listened to others on what they should believe.

Quoted:




It's too bad you never found any competent help.
There are so many issues with translating comprehensive languages into English. It's like stuffing 100lbs of sand in a 50lbs box, you're going to inevitably lose something.
Every word of the Bible is true, but the English versions are so bad that in some cases it's tough to consider them Bibles.
One of the best examples of how poorly suited English is as a translation medium is the term elohim. I've never seen someone who wasn't fluent in Hebrew even get close to making sense of it.

One revelation that typically help people who've given up is the prospective of ancient people. The Bible wasn't written to us, and we don't have the education and world view of it's intended audience.
While the Bible is true, it's not everything.
There is a lot of history and culture the original consumers of the old testament knew that we don't even have easy access to, much less know and understand.
For most people the Bible may as well be a cuneiform tablet, just reading it like a modern narrative will only get you so far.
You can get the basics, Jesus Christ became human and sacrificed himself because that was the only viable option to redeem humanity after Eden, Babel, and some of the events Enoch talked about.
But digging deeper with only a translation to a crude language and zero historical context is a recipe for total confusion.
You apparently tried, but there's a reason why people dedicate their lives to teaching the scriptures, it's not something you can just figure out.

Hopefully after you've had time to reflect you'll come back and work the kinks out.
Dr. Michael Heiser's work will be a big help.

Quoted:



Again I ask, why would the creator of the universe write an incomplete book that confuses everyone. Why be both all powerful and completely invisible at the same time but then claim to only want every soul to believe in you. If he really wanted all of us to believe he would appear to each of us in person. This is easy for him. Not doing anything for 2000 years just doesn't make sense. It can be explained away in super complex ways, but it doesn't make sense

Quoted:

With all due respect to you both, you do get immortality on Earth for you and your loved ones by believing in God.

Quoted:



Again I ask, why would the creator of the universe write an incomplete book that confuses everyone. Why be both all powerful and completely invisible at the same time but then claim to only want every soul to believe in you. If he really wanted all of us to believe he would appear to each of us in person. This is easy for him. Not doing anything for 2000 years just doesn't make sense. It can be explained away in super complex ways, but it doesn't make sense

Quoted:


I spent the last 10 years crying out and reading. The more I read, the more it hurt my faith. I think must people here telling me I'm wrong have not truely read through the whole bible but instead listened to others on what they should believe.

Quoted:
I am sorry to hear of your issues but faith can move mountains. As you know, God doesn't always give us an answer we want but the answers we need. I look back on my life and see things differently. I,too had some troubles with certain passages but had others I could ask for guidance and clarity, which helped immensely. Certain things in the bible were not written in depth but it doesn't mean it is contradicting, just giving us the basics. Many Godly men in the bible, were not always in God's favor as they turned away from Him themselves. Look at Abraham. He did not wait for God to give him a son with his wife but did so with a maid/servant and that child was not blessed by God, as the servant was not a Godly women. Abraham was tested but his faith stood strong and God blessed him and his family many times over. God tests us all of the time and it is up to us to receive/trust Him or turn away.

We are not incapable of sinning as we are just human, a creation of God of which He holds very dear to Himself. If that were not true, why would He send His son to die for us? We are not worthy of such a sacrifice but because we screw up over and over again, He gave the ultimate sacrifice-"giving His life for a friend". He did not do it for the angels but for us, even though Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him before it even happened. We,humans, did that to Him and yet He still loved us to die for us. From the moment He was born, we humans wanted to destroy Him and yet He still endured all that He did for us. Unfortunately, we rebel against that very love and even today, this country is falling under less of His blessings as people want to turn away from Him instead of towards Him. Look around you and see the issues we are having.

Satan is also just another creation and was cast out of God's favor and will never to return to his place before his fall. He was allowed to come to Earth but he has a certain time left on it and then he will be judged first. Satan creates the doubt, as he wants as many to follow him because he knows his fate and wants to destroy as many others as he can to join him in eternal punishment. Satan does not want good for you but wants you to suffer as he will. Like I said, Satan is a creation only and is not anything like God. We have a way out of that judgement through Jesus and faith can get you there.  I can understand your frustrations, as I have my own but we must rely on Him to guide us. I will pray for you and your family for help and guidance.

Quoted:
I only had time to read op's post nothing more, will check back in later.

Here is my problem with the bible that I would appreciate comments on. They had no copy machines until barely before I was born, yes we had printing presses for several hundred years but the old testament is how many thousands (that is thousand plural) years old. Some guy took notes on clay and another guy came along and was supposed to translate said notes onto...clay and decipher what first guy was trying to say??

Remember the game we all played in school where teach had us sit in a circle and started a story with first kid and by the time the last kid heard said story it was completely different?

Quoted:

I'm not going to tell you that.

I will offer you a different way of looking at it, more through a free will lens. It isn't that God gave your kids that disease, he didn't pick them out and say "I'm going to give these kids a bad disease." Disease occurs, just like there's always good and bad. Life dealt you a rough hand, no doubt.

Evil has to exist for good to mean anything. Horrible diseases have to exist for miraculous healing to mean anything. And of course there are in betweens of moderate disease, slow recovery, etc. You probably don't want to hear this, but in a way you will probably love and pay attention to your kids more than the average guy. On one side you have a terrible burden and an awful situation. On the other, you know the situation you are in and are painfully aware of how short life is and how special and valuable it is.

Do not get me wrong. I don't want to switch places with you, and I must certainly do not envy you. I'm just saying you have a very unique perspective that not everyone gets.

Quoted:


Isn’t this obvious from his post? He never really believed, just was raised that way and maybe went through the motions.

Most people would just stop going to church or just surface level act like they were Christian. OP’s post seems like he either has an axe to grind or wants the attention.

OP there’s good books on the criticisms you mentioned. Lots of good answers and reasons for faith. Maybe check those out before you’ve reached a conclusion, even though it seems like you’ve made up your mind. I’ll just say you’re here, around the right people. You must see that there is a spiritual battle between good and evil going on in this country. Just commit to fight for the good and truth, and you won’t be led astray. God Bless

Quoted:


Why do you say God left you when your dad died?  

FWIW, God still loves you, he didn’t do that to you, and you should find him again before it’s too late.  I’m sorry for your loss, but everyone dies.

Quoted:


Say what you want, but I was a TRUE believer. To every last fiber of my being. The whole 9 yards.

Quoted:


This is the easy answer to so many problems. If you were Good and truely wanted everyone to believe, wouldn't you make the process a lot more simple? Or maybe provide a bit of input over the past 2000 years?

Quoted:


How is this a valid explanation? He created the UNIVERSE but allows errors in his only book???

Quoted:
What you are referring to as errors are actually tensions. This is a Hebraic concept that we in the west don't really grasp very well. Our western mathematical minds need everything black and white. The Hebraic understanding of God is not so black and white.