Proof - What is it?

[larryt]

There are different standards of proof that people will appeal to. In our courts of law, something need only be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Other people want absolute, undeniable proof beyond the shadow or any possibility of doubt, which is something no one can provide. Ususally people demand an unreachable standard of proof to avoid having to face up to inconvenient truths.

For the person unwilling to be convinced, no standard of proof would ever suffice.

I agree with your definitions and analysis. Will these standard apply to you as with myself and others?

The point I am making is that different people use different standards. Some people are more reasonable in how they use the term. In many cases, people are too free and loose with the word proof. I prefer to use the term "demonstrate" or I claim that to have "evidence" for my point rather than claim that I have proven something unless I can satisfy that standard.

The problem lies with people who apply an unlrealistic standard as to what constitutes genuine proof. To a reasonable person, it can be proven that man has been to the moon. But, for some people who are bent to rejecting such proof, there would be no proof that anyone could provide that they would accept. Not because it is not provable, but because they are bent on preserving their unbelief and will employ any measure no matter how absurd or unreasonable.

Again I agree with your points on different standards and too loose with the word "proof." In our judgement of how reasonable a person is, is subjective in many cases. Luther was deamed unreasonable when he would not recant but that did not make him wrong in what he believed. And how we define a realistic standard can at times be subjective because of our own predjuces. Personally I believe that man has been to the moon. On the other hand I have seen the evidence that would seem to contradict this and is leave open the possibility that this may be a great hoax. In cases of spiritual things it is not a matter of reasonableness. It is a matter of God opening the eyes of the blind so they can see.

Which brings me back to my question to you.

Will these standard apply to you as with myself and others?

Not because it is not provable, but because they are bent on preserving their belief and will employ any measure no matter how absurd or unreasonable. I changed something in your statement. People are not bent on preserving their unbelief so much as preserving what they believe.

Could this apply to you as well as anybody here?

[Guest shiloh357]

Not because it is not provable, but because they are bent on preserving their belief and will employ any measure no matter how absurd or unreasonable. I changed something in your statement. People are not bent on preserving their unbelief so much as preserving what they believe.

Yes, you changed something in my satement, but in doing so you altered the point I was making. People are bent on preserving their unbelief, which is why they would reject any proof and will do so even if it means being absurd. Because at that point is not about right and wrong. It is not about truth. It is about rejecting anything that forces them to change their point of view or to admit that they have been operating on the wrong information.

I don't think they are preserving belief. They preserving their unbelief in the face of strong evidence that keeps them from having to accept the truth.

Could this apply to you as well as anybody here?

No, because I don't resort to absurdity. I don't resort to irrationality in order to avoid having to admit I am wrong. I have, in the past, demonsrated that I am able to admit when I have been wrong and have done so on a number of occasions.

[Fez]

Proof that God loves me and is in my life?

How many instances of answered prayer do you want?

Except of course do you believe me that it was answered prayer, or coincidence, or that I am flat out lying?

My family and my church know it is God working as they have seen the proof. You have not, so it is a bit, as Shiloh discusses, "subjective".

And I don't really care if anyone believes me or not. I have acknowledged God as my Lord and Savior, and thanked Him for the answered prayer, and that is enough. (except that testifying to answered prayer edifies the church body..)

[Guest shiloh357]

The need for Certainty in anything else but Christ is a defect of the natural (carnal) mind.

Nonsense.

The Holy Spirit teaches us and guides us in all things. All things! Our reason, past experience, and studies are nothing, and usually a hindrance, to truth. We are not to lean on our own understanding in anything, no matter how plain and simple it may seem.

The Bible doesn't mean that we are suppopsed to ask God what we are to have for breakfast or what color shirt to wear today. You taking that further than what was intended in Scripture.

The Holy Spirit has knowledges of all things, past, pressent, and to come. It does not need sources and sites, yet the natural-mind does demand it. This does not mean we do not research or ignore reports or automatically doubt scientific theory or methodology: we listen to all that is presented and surrender to guidance.

God created the natural mind and its processes. There is nothing wrong with that. I doubt quite a bit of stuff that other people's natural minds create and try to foist on me.

Many bizarre things are attributed to the direction and sanction of the Holy Spirit, the Crusades are a fine example, as is the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials. Or the church that burns the Koran. Or those that see Obama as the antichrist. Or those that protest military funerals. What elements must be present for such discernment to be seen as reliable?

Really... who is attributing those things to the Holy Spirit??? Seems you are assigning values to others without warrant or justification.

Only one, really: love. Scripture defines this love and the Father exemplifies this love, as this is His nature. Christ is the incarnate description of this love. Matters of fact and matters of truth are wholly different. Love alone sees the reality of truth and love alone dictates how we are to live in the world. Those questions of worldly facts can be quibbled forever. We can go from source to source to source and find what we want or confusion. Which then begs the question, how important are they?

You really have a problem with people who think for themselves and expect facts to be supported and verified before simply accepting liberal dogma don't you??? It would be so much easier if you could post your ideas without these pesky people expecting you to back up your ideas with factual, corroborating data, right?

[enoob57]

Proof that God loves me and is in my life?

How many instances of answered prayer do you want?

Except of course do you believe me that it was answered prayer, or coincidence, or that I am flat out lying?

My family and my church know it is God working as they have seen the proof. You have not, so it is a bit, as Shiloh discusses, "subjective".

And I don't really care if anyone believes me or not. I have acknowledged God as my Lord and Savior, and thanked Him for the answered prayer, and that is enough. (except that testifying to answered prayer edifies the church body..)

All for the purpose to encourage us to lay aside our own ideas of living and take up His that comes moment by moment into a day... Love, Steven

[enoob57]

You really have a problem with people who think for themselves and expect facts to be supported and verified before simply accepting liberal dogma don't you??? It would be so much easier if you could post your ideas without these pesky people expecting you to back up your ideas with factual, corroborating data, right?

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3

on These edifying notes I went on to the next thread As I did I wondered every word we are to account for Love, Steven

I think very often the very things that bother us the most in other people are things that we are also the most guilty of.

Yes I deleted my post just a moment before you replied to it I thought I added nothing to the thread! Love, Steven

[Guest shiloh357]

You really have a problem with people who think for themselves and expect facts to be supported and verified before simply accepting liberal dogma don't you??? It would be so much easier if you could post your ideas without these pesky people expecting you to back up your ideas with factual, corroborating data, right?

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3

LOL, nice try, but no dice. Sloppy application.

[Guest shiloh357]

You really have a problem with people who think for themselves and expect facts to be supported and verified before simply accepting liberal dogma don't you??? It would be so much easier if you could post your ideas without these pesky people expecting you to back up your ideas with factual, corroborating data, right?

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3

on These edifying notes I went on to the next thread As I did I wondered every word we are to account for Love, Steven

I think very often the very things that bother us the most in other people are things that we are also the most guilty of.

Which is what people often resort to when they can't come up with a substantive response. It's a variation on the old childish quip: "takes one to know one."

[Fez]

There is something sad when as Christians, who should be taking a biblical stance, we take a conservative or a liberal stance.

I have seen it quite a bit in a few threads lately.

Tell me, anyone? Did Jesus take a liberal or a conservative stance, or did He take a Godly one?

I suppose if you spoke to a disciple or a Roman official (in the main), the answers would be different.

Having opened that can of worms, I try to retire gracefully......

[enoob57]

Strong indicators toward a never ending resource... God is Spirit and His creation declares Him... Love, Steven