What do you really know about how to defend your faith?

[luke22ministries]

Sensational fairy tales or historic document. For non-believers that is the biggest quesiton! Bar none. Are you kidding? The stories in the bible....you have to have true faith to believe them. A flood of the earth? One old man builds an ark that carries one of each animal? How big would that ark have to actually be? If in fact God created the earth in 7 days, how to do you explain the scientific proof that dinosaurs existed for thousands of years before man ever came along? Where was this 'Garden of Eden' if it did exist. Why cant we 'tour' it. When most Christians hear these questions, they become dispondent and get upset. "How could you question God". "God's ways are not our ways". True. God created us though and he knew we would be natural born skeptics. So he left scientific proof that these events actually did occur in the way the bible says. In my article (which you are free to view or not), I examine some of the proof in Part 1 of a 3 part series.

http://www.examiner.com/christianity-in-west-palm-beach/dear-skeptic-is-the-bible-a-historic-document-or-fairy-tale-part-1

So here is the thread question. When you have non believers ask you 1) What about the dinosaurs? How could God have created the earth in 7 days if there is proof they were around a long time before man 2) Where is the proof the whole earth was once under water 3) Where is the Garden of Eden....what do YOU say? How do YOU respond?

[Guest man]

One old man builds an ark that carries one of each animal?

Really? One of each?

So here is the thread question. When you have non believers ask you 1) What about the dinosaurs? How could God have created the earth in 7 days if there is proof they were around a long time before man 2) Where is the proof the whole earth was once under water 3) Where is the Garden of Eden....what do YOU say? How do YOU respond?

(1) If dinosaurs were here long before man, why are there fossils of human footprints right next to dinosaur tracks? Soft tissue has been found in the bones of the T-Rex. How could soft pliable tissue be preserved for 70 million years?

(2) Explain the presence of marine fossils on the tops of mountains.

(3) The Garden of Eden would be physical proof of God's handiwork. Proof of His existance. If there was physical proof of His existance, there would be no need for faith. If people had access to the Garden of Eden, there would be no need for Jesus, because the Tree of Life is located within the Garden.

[nebula]

(1) If dinosaurs were here long before man, why are there fossils of human footprints right next to dinosaur tracks?

Unfortunately, that one had been disproven long ago.

The prints better fit a small dinosaur than a human.

Soft tissue has been found in the bones of the T-Rex. How could soft pliable tissue be preserved for 70 million years?

If the tissue was sealed separate from the elements and bacteria that would break the molecules apart, and if the fossilization minerals never entered the interior, why should the tissue degrade?

(2) Explain the presence of marine fossils on the tops of mountains.

The explanation is that these places used to be ocean beds, but with continental drift got shoved upwards to form mountains.

The mountains on the eastern edge of the Appalachians in Virginia have no fossils. These mountains are believed to be older than the mountains west of them.

(3) The Garden of Eden would be physical proof of God's handiwork. Proof of His existance. If there was physical proof of His existance, there would be no need for faith.

OK, with that argument, you would have to ask why Jesus appeared to His disciples after He rose from the dead? Because seeing Him, there is proof of His existence and thus they would then have no need for faith.

If people had access to the Garden of Eden, there would be no need for Jesus, because the Tree of Life is located within the Garden.

Would the Garden of Eden have survived the Great Flood?

[luke22ministries]

One old man builds an ark that carries one of each animal?

Really? One of each?

<One of each pair, should I say >

So here is the thread question. When you have non believers ask you 1) What about the dinosaurs? How could God have created the earth in 7 days if there is proof they were around a long time before man 2) Where is the proof the whole earth was once under water 3) Where is the Garden of Eden....what do YOU say? How do YOU respond?

(1) If dinosaurs were here long before man, why are there fossils of human footprints right next to dinosaur tracks? Soft tissue has been found in the bones of the T-Rex. How could soft pliable tissue be preserved for 70 million years?

(2) Explain the presence of marine fossils on the tops of mountains.

<Very good! No explaination. It proves of course that at one point these mountains were underwater. So you either have mountains growing from the sea floor or you have water covering the mountains at one point in time. Thus proving, the flood. >

(3) The Garden of Eden would be physical proof of God's handiwork. Proof of His existance. If there was physical proof of His existance, there would be no need for faith. If people had access to the Garden of Eden, there would be no need for Jesus, because the Tree of Life is located within the Garden.

<I like that answer too>

[Guest shiloh357]

Sensational fairy tales or historic document. For non-believers that is the biggest quesiton! Bar none. Are you kidding? The stories in the bible....you have to have true faith to believe them. A flood of the earth? One old man builds an ark that carries one of each animal? How big would that ark have to actually be? If in fact God created the earth in 7 days, how to do you explain the scientific proof that dinosaurs existed for thousands of years before man ever came along? Where was this 'Garden of Eden' if it did exist. Why cant we 'tour' it. When most Christians hear these questions, they become dispondent and get upset. "How could you question God". "God's ways are not our ways". True. God created us though and he knew we would be natural born skeptics. So he left scientific proof that these events actually did occur in the way the bible says. In my article (which you are free to view or not), I examine some of the proof in Part 1 of a 3 part series.

Some unbelievers, ususally skeptics, ask these kinds of questions. They ask for "proof" that they know is out of our reach. It is a means of inuslating themselves from the truth. They hold the Christian faith to an unreasonable standard of proof, that not even our courts of law adhere to. There really is no way to have a meaningful discussion with someone who is stuck in a mindset such that they are unwilling to be convinced or are at least willing to be fair about the evidence we can produce. So those types of questions should not be entertained. They are meant to mock our faith, and do not reflect a genuine interest in knowing the truth.

So here is the thread question. When you have non believers ask you 1) What about the dinosaurs? How could God have created the earth in 7 days if there is proof they were around a long time before man 2) Where is the proof the whole earth was once under water 3) Where is the Garden of Eden....what do YOU say? How do YOU respond?

Two things: First of all, I don't entertain those kinds of questions as they demonstrate a mindset that is not really interested in the truth, otherwise their questions would reflect a person seeking for truth.

Secondly, I NEVER claim to be able to prove anything or possess proof of anything. When you claim to be able to "prove" something you have locked yourelf into a standard for which there is no way out. You set up a level of expectation in the mind of the skeptic and if you cannot prove your claim, you come off as a laughing stock and a reproach.

There is no "proof" of God's existence or of any of our claims pertaining to the ressurrection, or the miracles of Jesus, etc. What we do have is enough evidence to demonstrate that the Christian faith is rational, evidentiary and relevant. We have a proponderance of evidence that supports the accurate historical, poltitical, geographical and genealogical claims of Scripture. The Christian faith is not a blind faith, but is evidentiary in nature. That evidence may not convince the skeptic, but that is between him and the Lord. No amount of evidence or even proof would ever suffice for a person who is bent on not being convinced.

We are only accountable to the Lord for presenting the truth. We are not accountable for what the skeptic does with the truth. That is their choice. Again, that is between them and the Lord.

[PeterH]

So here is the thread question. When you have non believers ask you 1) What about the dinosaurs? How could God have created the earth in 7 days if there is proof they were around a long time before man 2) Where is the proof the whole earth was once under water 3) Where is the Garden of Eden....what do YOU say? How do YOU respond?

1) There isn't proof there are theories. The dating methods used are subject to errors because they are bias towards the earth being millions or billions of years old. Salt accumulates in the oceans at a certain rate per year ( I don't know the exact numbers off the top of my head). If the Earth were indeed millions or billions years old then we should be able to walk across the Atlantic due to it being solid salt. Dinosaurs are also mentioned in the book of Job as cohabiting with man.

2) There is a layer of sediment that covers the entire Earth that can be and has been measured at the same depth or time line. Scientist have tried to explain away this layer of sediment by marking it as the time when an extinction level event happened. Possible a meteor or global volcanic eruptions. This layer could also be explained by a great flood that covered the Earth then slowly receded leaving behind sediment.

3) The Garden of Eden was destroyed in the flood. Whether God preserved the tree of life I don't know but honestly I would not want to find it due to the cherubim guarding it with a firey sword. And honestly how would you know if you did find it?

[Guest man]

(1) If dinosaurs were here long before man, why are there fossils of human footprints right next to dinosaur tracks?

Unfortunately, that one had been disproven long ago.

The prints better fit a small dinosaur than a human.

How long ago and can you provide information on that "small dinosaur"?

Soft tissue has been found in the bones of the T-Rex. How could soft pliable tissue be preserved for 70 million years?

If the tissue was sealed separate from the elements and bacteria that would break the molecules apart, and if the fossilization minerals never entered the interior, why should the tissue degrade?

What you say makes sense, but 70,000,000 years? That's a long time.

(2) Explain the presence of marine fossils on the tops of mountains.

The explanation is that these places used to be ocean beds, but with continental drift got shoved upwards to form mountains.

The mountains on the eastern edge of the Appalachians in Virginia have no fossils. These mountains are believed to be older than the mountains west of them.

Do a search on "Marine fossils in the Appalachian mountains".

(3) The Garden of Eden would be physical proof of God's handiwork. Proof of His existance. If there was physical proof of His existance, there would be no need for faith.

OK, with that argument, you would have to ask why Jesus appeared to His disciples after He rose from the dead? Because seeing Him, there is proof of His existence and thus they would then have no need for faith.

Why did He appear to only His disciples? Why didn't He show Himself to the people who hung Him on the cross?

If people had access to the Garden of Eden, there would be no need for Jesus, because the Tree of Life is located within the Garden.

Would the Garden of Eden have survived the Great Flood?

No.

[Openly Curious]

name='shiloh357' timestamp='1308161479' post='1686410'

Sensational fairy tales or historic document. For non-believers that is the biggest quesiton! Bar none. Are you kidding? The stories in the bible....you have to have true faith to believe them. A flood of the earth? One old man builds aTn ark that carries one of each animal? How big would that ark have to actually be? If in fact God created the earth in 7 days, how to do you explain the scientific proof that dinosaurs existed for thousands of years before man ever came along? Where was this 'Garden of Eden' if it did exist. Why cant we 'tour' it. When most Christians hear these questions, they become dispondent and get upset. "How could you question God". "God's ways are not our ways". True. God created us though and he knew we would be natural born skeptics. So he left scientific proof that these events actually did occur in the way the bible says. In my article (which you are free to view or not), I examine some of the proof in Part 1 of a 3 part series.

Some unbelievers, ususally skeptics, ask these kinds of questions. They ask for "proof" that they know is out of our reach. It is a means of insulating themselves from the truth. They hold the Christian faith to an unreasonable standard of truth, that not even our courts of law adhere to. There really is no way to have a meaningful discussion with someone who is stuck in a mindset such that they are unwilling to be convinced or are at least willing to be fair about the evidence we can produce. So those types of questions should not be entertained. They are meant to mock our faith, and do not reflect a genuine interest in knowing the truth. :thumbsup:

So here is the thread question. When you have non believers ask you 1) What about the dinosaurs? How could God have created the earth in 7 days if there is proof they were around a long time before man 2) Where is the proof the whole earth was once under water 3) Where is the Garden of Eden....what do YOU say? How do YOU respond?

Two things: First of all, I don't entertain those kind of questions as they demonstrate a mindset that is not really interested in the truth, otherwise their questions would reflect a person seeking for truth. :thumbsup:

Secondly, I NEVER claim to be able to prove anything or possess proof of anything. When you claim to be able to "prove" something you have locked yourelf into a standard for which there is no way out. You set up a level of expectation in the mind of the skeptic and if you cannot prove your claim, you come off as a laughing stock and a reproach.

There is no "proof" of God's existence or of any of our claims pertaining to the ressurrection, or the miracles of Jesus, etc. What we do have is enough evidence to demonstrate that the Christian faith is rational, evidentiary and relevant. We have a proponderance of evidence that supports the accurate historical, poltitical, geographical and genealogical claims of Scripture. The Christian faith is not a blind faith, but is evidentiary in nature. That evidence may not convince the skeptic, but that is between him and the Lord. No amount of evidence or even proof would ever suffice for a person who is bent on not being convinced. :thumbsup:

We are only accountable to the Lord for presenting the truth. We are not accountable for what the skeptic does with the truth. That is their choice. Again, that is between them and the Lord. :thumbsup:

oc-reply.....Ephesians 5:10-18 Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done "ALL," to stand. 14) "STAND" therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We don't give up our faith over questions meant to cause us to doubt our faith in God none of us believers and non-believers can answer everything about God to prove our faith. Nor can the unbelievers answer all the questions to prove God doesn't exist. The word says, and having done "ALL" to stand, Stand therefore, when we've exhausted ourselves and done everything we knew to do then just "Stand." In the face of questions that are designed to cause doubt to come up in our hearts and shake our faith so it will crumble we can't give heed to the subtlety of Satan and decieve us by corrupting our minds. We have to earnestly contend for the faith, fight the good fight of faith.

[nebula]

How long ago and can you provide information on that "small dinosaur"?

Just letting you know I don't have time today to go through all this.

Hopefully tomorrow.

[Fez]

So here is the thread question. When you have non believers ask you 1) What about the dinosaurs? How could God have created the earth in 7 days if there is proof they were around a long time before man 2) Where is the proof the whole earth was once under water 3) Where is the Garden of Eden....what do YOU say? How do YOU respond?

How do I answer?

"Forget about that for a minute". "Have you heard about Jesus, can I tell you about Him for a minute"?

"We can discuss the other stuff later if you want to, but lets talk about the most important part of the bible first".....