obedientFool

I don't need proof to believe, but rather some reasonable evidence. But the more I look, the more questions I have. Specifically within the Bible, many inconsistencies. Like I said, I can easily believe with little to no evidence, but that makes for a weak ungrounded root. If my faith is placed in someone else's testimony, it's a weak faith. I'm not looking for a miracle, but for explanations. If you followed my other threads, those highlight some of the contentions. At one point I simply gave into them, and said 'I don't understand, it doesn't make sense, but I'll believe anyway'. Now those have caught up to me again, and the structure of the root is tested.

Aside from the error of using the Bible to prove the Bible, a lot of the prophecies are vague and only evidence to the extent of the intricate interpretations. Objective morality was the original root of my faith, but the distinction between good and evil are merely based on feelings. Kids born into cultures where stealing, murder, rape are considered moral have contrary feelings. Archeology is mostly subject to interpretation. For example, yes we find evidence in a global flood. The Bible mentions the global flood. There's 2 explanations. Either God flooded the world, or there was a flood and someone attributed it to God. It's no different than: a volcano erupts today, I document it in a book and say God did it. In a few thousand years someone reads my book and says, "you see, God did it".

If I granted this answer, there's still 12 other verses which imply the opposite. It's a fact that Jesus' disciples thought he would return in their time.

Appreciate the effort in the response. But I don't find "just wait" to be a practical answer. I can easily have faith, if God requires faith with no evidence. But if I'm willing to believe in something without evidence, what's the point? There's no root.

1. Consider the type of person, who appears to be the majority in society, who's easily convinced by mainstream beliefs. 2. Consider a person with a higher threshold for evidence before they might be convinced. What type of person is God looking for? According to Jesus, our faith should be like a child's - without convincing. But person type 1, will believe in Jesus to the same extent they would believe in another deity, atheism, etc. Without needing to be convinced. Does God really want a faith without a deep root? If person type 2, genuinely seeks for years and can't be convinced. Is it their fault for not having faith? Otherwise, what good is to God if we believe just to believe? When the same low threshold for belief is easily applied elsewhere - being a matter of what belief catches your attention first. The Bible says, faith comes by hearing the word of God. But the more I read, the more inconsistencies I find, with more unanswered questions, and the more I lose faith.

He wasn't putting time limits. As he said, he doesn't know the day nor hour. But he knows the season, which he seemed to imply was within his generation. Anytime he refers to generation it's 1 generation (1 persons lifetime). Example in Matthew, "Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David".

Century, implying 1 generation

So Jesus will come in his own name? Or Jesus isn't God, or there's 2 Gods?

"yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live." 1 Corinthians 8:6

Speaking to Pharisees .. "For I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord". Jesus implies in his return, he will come in the name of the "Lord".

1. Jesus - after explaining events before the end of time .. "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place" "This generation", implying that specific generation he was talking to. Note every time "generation" is used refers to generation, not age. Example: "Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it." 2. To the high priest at crucifixion trial .. "hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." 3. To his disciples who were to preach city to city .. "When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes." 4. Paul .. "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep" 5. James .. "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh" 6. John .. "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time" 7. Peter - to Christians who are alive, implying an active statement to reader in that moment .. "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" 8. Romans - to Christians .. "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand" 9. Jesus - "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom" 10. Jesus - indicating an expectation that these events were close at hand for His audience .. "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand" 11. Jesus - also indicating an expectation that these events were close at hand for His audience .."And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" 12. As Jesus sends out the twelve disciples, He instructs them .. "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand" 12. To believers at that present time .. "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming" 13. To Pharisees .. "For I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"

The typical answer seems to be, "his name was common, but it's still the name above all names". Which is only restating the issue.

If Jesus (Yeshua) was a common name, how is it the name above all names?