Hello Jeff,

JS>Even a logical observant individual can deduce that God exists,
JS>just by looking at the world around him, and the complexity of it
JS>all, even if he has never read a single page in the Bible; for,
JS>as the Apostle Paul wrote:

JS>"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world
JS>are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,
JS>even his eternal power a Godhead; so that THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE:"
JS>Romans 1:20, KJV

JS>Thus, as I have pointed out many times before in my articles,
JS>absolutely no one has any excuse for not believing in God...no one!

Either one believes in the existence of a god(s), or one believes
in the nonexistence of a god(s).  The switch is either on or off.
It cannot be both on and off at the same time.  Either way, there
is doubt.  You see, neither position can be proven.  The best that
man can do is come up with a theory of probability.  Is it better
to believe in the existence of a god(s), and then be disappointed
when there is nothingness upon one's death?  Or is it better to
believe in the nonexistence of a god(s), and then be wildly jubilant
with glee upon gaining entrance to a paradise one never believed
existed?  Oh, well.  So much for Pascal's Wager...

>LL>Jesus does not believe in God. Satan does not believe in God.

JS>Lee, that is more silly psychobabble, and is totally contrary
JS>to what the Scriptures teach us.

Where is what I said above "totally contrary to what the Scriptures
teach us"?  Show me.  :)

JS>I could share piles of Bible verses with you regarding that
JS>first issue.

If God had to believe in God, God would not exist.

JS>As to your second comment there, here is just one small
JS>example which demonstrates how off-base you are with that comment:

JS>"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils
JS>also believe, and tremble."
JS>James 2:19, KJV

Satan, the Prince of Darkness, once had a home in Heaven, preparing
the seat of God.  Satan KNOWS that God exists.

Devils can be human.  And often are.  Definitely no angels are they.
The word "devils" or "demons" in scripture is not
synonymous with angels
or fallen angels.

JS>If you knew the Scriptures better, you would not be making some of
JS>the comments which have absolutely no Scriptural basis, and in fact
JS>are contrary to the Scriptures.

My interpretation might very well be contrary to your interpretation
of Scripture.  Of that I do not doubt.  ;)

>LL>Belief is not dependent on proof. We believe what we want to believe.
>LL>Whether that something is true or not.

>LL>None of the Apostles believed Jesus rose from the grave. Not just Thomas
>LL>Read the gospel accounts.  It's all in there.

>LL>"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." - Jesus

>LL>Jesus was not talking only about a doubting Thomas.

JS>Well, there is one point where we do agree. Belief does not depend
JS>on proof.  It is a matter of believing without the need to see first.
JS>As the Apostle wrote in Hebrews:

JS>"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
JS>things not seen." Hebrews 11:1,

When a loved one dies, we often say that person has gone to a better
place, or is in heaven.  What we mean, as Christians, is the hope that
he/she has gone to a better place/heaven, not that we actually know
he/she is in that place.  To say that we KNOW would be presumptive
of God's mercy.  Understand the difference?

JS>Sadly, Jesus questioned how much faith would be remaining in the
JS>world when finally returns. He said:

JS>". . . Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith
JS>on the earth?"
JS>Luke 18:8b, KJV

JS>Just looking around FidoNet, it is plain to see that Jesus had
JS>legitimate concerns.

Well, it's true that Jesus did come for us sinners.  :)

JS>I know where I stand; how about you?

I never know where I stand.  Or even if I am standing.
Depends on how many bottles of Dixie I've downed...

--Lee


 * SLMR 2.1a * "Observe what IS with undivided awareness." - Bruce Lee

--- Maximus 3.01