/christian/ - I looked at arguments for the existence of God, and while I agree with them I still lack one thing - faith, something central to ChristianityI'm by default a very pessimistic person, and no matter how many videos defending the existence of God, my fait

Email
Comment *
File	Select/drop/paste files here
Password	(Randomized for file and post deletion; you may also set your own.)
* = required field	[▶ Show post options & limits] Confused? See the FAQ.

Embed	(replaces files and can be used instead)
Options	Do not bump (you can also write sage in the email field) Spoiler images (this replaces the thumbnails of your images with question marks)
Allowed file types:jpg, jpeg, gif, png, webm, mp4, pdf Max filesize is 16 MB. Max image dimensions are 15000 x 15000. You may upload 5 per post.

File: f2c3cc4e097cf4e⋯.png (47.06 KB, 657x527, 657:527, CzjagNKUcAU87ZW.png large.png)

Christanon 04/15/19 (Mon) 03:33:58 956a68 No.796044

I looked at arguments for the existence of God, and while I agree with them I still lack one thing - faith, something central to Christianity

I'm by default a very pessimistic person, and no matter how many videos defending the existence of God, my faith in things hasn't really been moved. Most Christians don't need to look for arguments for the existence of God, they just have tons of pure faith, but I'm very different in that regard. I was wondering how I can

1. Improve my faith in God, in the afterlife

and also,

2. Find happiness through the Holy Spirit

Christanon 04/15/19 (Mon) 05:17:50 054af2 No.796079

The very fact of your exploring this issue is evidence of God's grace. But reasoning will only take you so far… the incredible miracle of faith is that it can't be predicated on reason. In theological terms, faith is rather the supernatural perfection of the intellect, because the object of faith is God. And the knowledge gained by faith is so bright (so to speak) as to appear like darkness. But the soul who cooperates with graces received will come to experience God in ways that are far more personal and convincing than any thought experiment could rival.

In practical terms: faith is a gift from God, but it's up to you to open it. Read the Holy Scriptures – but read them simply, in order to encounter God – or spend some time in prayer and open yourself to Him… if you do this humbly, I have no doubt He'll reciprocate.

That said, if you want some good brain food, check out the first chunk of the Summa Theologiae by St. Thomas, easy to find online. Fr Ripperger also has some great sermons on Youtube from a Thomistic perspective and helped me see how perfectly faith and reason fit together. Just remember that reason won't get you all the way there. God bless you OP.

Christanon 04/15/19 (Mon) 05:50:52 8bcfb2 No.796091

>>796044

Take refuge in that reason is not contrary to the faith and through faith come to know God.

Christanon 04/15/19 (Mon) 06:09:06 534c09 No.796095

File: ca2b2b45feccf51⋯.jpg (15.9 KB, 259x400, 259:400, 9781587433801.jpg)

>>796044

The thing about faith (and love in general), is that it isn't something that comes about merely through knowing certain information, but rather it is something that happens as a result of actions and habits. So your experience actually makes perfect sense, as you're effectively trying to learn how to play a musical instrument through absorbing a bunch of music theory, without actually having picked up an instrument and practicing playing it. Faith isn't a state of factual knowledge, it's a state of experiential knowledge, and it's something you have to work to really achieve. This is part of what's commonly understood as "spirituality", and usually comes about as the result of actively participating in rituals like prayer and attending church services.

I highly recommend reading the book "You Are What You Love" (available on libgen) to learn more about this approach.

Christanon 04/15/19 (Mon) 06:29:25 e4ee4e No.796097

Faith is simply the confidence/trust in the information you have. What do you know about God/Jesus, OP?

Christanon 04/15/19 (Mon) 19:35:39 08ca64 No.796341

>>796097

I read the New Testament, and I'm down to 2 Samuel in the OT.

I still have enough minor question that it would fill a book, but among major things, I'm still wondering why, if Jews have their own way of cleansing their sins (through animal sacrifices and whatnot) why did God need to send Jesus to die in order to cleanse our sins when there was already a way? The only reason that comes to mind is to convert pagans through pure convenience, that the lack of sacrificing from the individual to cleanse their sins, along with the lack of circumcision, and the lack of dietary restrictions, was the best way to allow people who were pagan to get on board.

Also I want to learn more about the Holy Spirit, people say it's like an intuition in a way, and that it brings people happiness, but I certainly don't feel a type of intuition, or a type happiness in me. I sometimes worry that because of my sinful actions, and former rejection of God that I'm a Romans 1 reprobate, which is why I lack faith or can't recognize the Holy Spirit.

Christanon 04/15/19 (Mon) 19:53:23 c17169 No.796378

File: d9bce9a3cda6332⋯.jpg (46.79 KB, 480x480, 1:1, 1549527550896.jpg)

>>796341

To your first question, reread the book of hebrews. It covers this in depth. It is my favorite letter of the new testament but it can be dense. Reread it if need be it ties and explain how Jesus really fullfilled the old testament

Christanon 04/16/19 (Tue) 02:31:14 08144a No.796657

YouTube embed. Click thumbnail to play.

>>796341

>why did God need to send Jesus to die in order to cleanse our sins

Because it wasn't a transaction. He didn't die *in exchange* for our sins, because his entire life was already serving as a roadmap to show us how to rid ourselves of sin. His crucifixion was about defeating death.

Read "On the Incarnation" by St. Athanasius:

https://www.ccel.org/ccel/athanasius/incarnation.html

Christanon 04/16/19 (Tue) 11:12:24 578572 No.796800

>>796044

1. Pray

2. Pray

It will take time to develop faith like anything else. You must pray before you will ever have faith.