/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

>1. Is there any real, persuasive evidence of the demonic or supernatural you guys could give me?

As for the supernatural, a dude rose from the dead. As for the demonic, look around you as people walk by the poor and sick.

>2. Does prayer actually change anything, or have any effect at all for that matter?

Yep. Prayer is sanctifying, and brings us closer to God. As for supernatural effects, I can't prove anything to you. I have cases in mind, you'd view them as anecdotes.

> 3. Are there serious, irreconcilable contradictions in the Bible? Not just in terms of chronology, but in terms of moral teaching and right doctrine? If there are, is Christianity still viable as a belief system, could it still be reasonably defended?

I can think of a few little things in chronology but nothing with regard to faith and morals. Some dislike the manager parable in Luke 16, but I think it's important, as it shows where out loyalties truly lie - to community and God. Now, reflecting on God's commandments is hard, and could take many lifetimes, even the lIfetime of God, as the psalmist says.

What's really bugging you?

>>577722

>Is there any real, persuasive evidence of the supernatural you guys could give me?

The existence of anything.

>Does prayer actually change anything, or have any effect at all for that matter?

If God inclines to hear the prayer, yes. Meaning if it is done by a saved person in the name of the Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son.

Proverbs 15:8

>The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

The upright here being Jesus Christ, our mediator to the Father. And I would also add here, more than anything else, let the will of God be done.

>Are there serious, irreconcilable contradictions in the Bible?

There are plenty of what may appear to be contradictions, unless and until you have the proper understanding of how both Biblical statements are true. I guarantee you if you find something like that, it has been asked and reflected on many times before. But often times these so-called contradicting statements actually help drastically to narrow down the truth as the only possible way to explain these statements in harmony with each other, which is sometimes what makes Bible study so interesting.

>If there are, is Christianity still viable as a belief system, could it still be reasonably defended?

The whole basis of Christianity is the truth of the fact that Jesus Christ is still alive right now. That he is currently ascended and will return. That God came in the flesh, died and resurrected, and that therefore, so will we too in like manner by the same operation, whosoever believes in truth this shall occur. Which is what the word of God has first been given to testify, and to teach and explain for us. And really, no matter what denomination, everything is predicated on that fact. This is what Paul explains in the chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 if you want to know where it's coming from.

>3. Are there serious, irreconcilable contradictions in the Bible? Not just in terms of chronology, but in terms of moral teaching and right doctrine?

Not unless you take instances of obvious hyperbole literally, like when Jesus says to hate your family or cut off your right arm if it offends you. If you read it in context, He's just saying to put God above all else and have no tolerance for sin.

>>577722

1. As far as I know there is no scientific evidence of supernatural phenomena. There are no videos or photos of anything that can be considered proof of this. However, take a look to the Shroud of Turin.

2. Sick people who pray are cured earlier. I think there's a study out there that rules out the placebo effect. Its transformative effects on a personal level are undeniable. And there are cases of cures that we could call miraculous -Church approved.

3. I admit there is a strong change of tone from the OT to the NT. But these stories come from the vernacular history of Israel in the Bronze Age. There are cases in which the author attributes to God things that are later attributed to the devil. It is therefore a constant revelation that should not alienate those who believe in divine inspiration, (even if its agents manifest it imperfectly).