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Author Topic:   Get To Know God (GTKG) 101
purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3458 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 1 of 46 (214484)
06-05-2005 10:45 AM


Per the Christian Religion, one must get to know their God.
The Books of Matthew and John seem to be the ones who mention the need to "know".
It has been alluded to on many threads that one can know the Christian God from looking at nature.
It has also been alluded to that one does not need to believe first to be able to see evidence of the Christian God that would allow one to know this God.
So what is the step by step mainstream process of getting to know the Christian God (GTKG)? Whether one is a believer or not.
An assumption for the purpose of this thread is that our world was created by a supreme being. The Creator. It doesn't assume that this being is the Christian God.
I don't want this tread to be an argument between Christians on whose practice is correct.
The aim should be to explain the process necessary to GTKG to the unbeliever.
My personal experience, since the question will come up, is that I grew up in the Christian Church (Protestant). I was taught about God from the Bible.
I am also a farm girl and enjoy nature. I liked biology in school. I've spent a lot of time within nature (hiking, crawling through caves, camping, gardening, farm animals, and just watching).
What I witness within nature and the character of the Christian God within the Bible, IMO do not match up.
So the way I know the Christian God is from the Christian Bible.
My personal experience is not up for debate. This thread isn't to show me that I'm wrong.
The purpose of this thread is for Christians to show step by step the mainstream process of getting to know the Christian God (GTKG)? Whether one is a believer or not.
I would like to take this one step at a time so that each step can be discussed and understood.
What is Step 1?
_______________________________________________________________________
Admin: I don't want this in F&B or Bible Study and I doubt that it belongs in BA&I since the process is probably not Biblically oriented.
This message has been edited by purpledawn, 06-05-2005 12:14 PM

Replies to this message:
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AdminPhat
Inactive Member


Message 2 of 46 (214488)
06-05-2005 11:47 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by purpledawn
06-05-2005 10:45 AM


Admin: I don't want this in F&B or Bible Study and I doubt that it belongs in BA&I since the process is probably not Biblically oriented.
I'll put it in social issues, then.
This message has been edited by AdminPhat, 06-05-2005 10:26 AM

This message is a reply to:
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AdminPhat
Inactive Member


Message 3 of 46 (214490)
06-05-2005 12:02 PM


Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

  
purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3458 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 4 of 46 (214495)
06-05-2005 12:18 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by AdminPhat
06-05-2005 11:47 AM


quote:
Is it ok to edit as follows?
No, since we didn't discuss it before the topic was released.

"The average man does not know what to do with this life, yet wants another one which lasts forever." --Anatole France

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Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 5 of 46 (214496)
06-05-2005 12:19 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by purpledawn
06-05-2005 10:45 AM


Nature's Creator
The concept of God should never be limited by a book or a religion. I am also a nature lover, and I enjoy the solitude that a quiet day next to a fresh mountain stream or lake can bring. Clocks do not matter,nor do the everyday arguments and stresses of life seem important.
PD writes:
It has been alluded to on many threads that one can know the Christian God from looking at nature.
Yes. I personally have seen references in the Bible which I took to heart. They are:
NIV writes:
Deut 4:15-20- You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars--all the heavenly array--do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
This was addressed to the Jewish people, but I also appreciated it from my Christian perspective. It allowed me to enjoy nature and feel inspired without having to feel as if I were in any way worshipping creation as opposed to my Creator. Others whom I have talked to indicate that they find God through their communion with nature. I really can't argue with that since He is close to me always...but I feel especially close to Him while in the forest or by quiet waters.
I am not a strict creationist. I do believe that God created the first elements of existance, but I do not see any need to believe that He created the world in 7 days or 6000 years ago or as the Bible says.
This message has been edited by Phatboy, 06-05-2005 10:21 AM

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dsv
Member (Idle past 4724 days)
Posts: 220
From: Secret Underground Hideout
Joined: 08-17-2004


Message 6 of 46 (214501)
06-05-2005 12:46 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by purpledawn
06-05-2005 10:45 AM


dsv's GTKG Step 1
When you say "Get to Know God" are you talking about the concept of "God" in general or specifically the Christian God outlined in the Christian Bible?
"purpledawn" writes:
What is Step 1?
For me, GTKG Step 1 is giving up the preconceived concept of God -- understanding history and the literature and thinking that has gone into the creation of modern religion and realizing it is human. Further, embracing science and technology as pathways to bettering our existence and answering questions about the past, present, and future of our time in the universe.
My God is not a person, a spirit, a wind, a cloud, "love" or any of the other concepts. My God is unknown. It is pre-singularity uncertainty -- the possibility and probability of events.
I don't believe any human book can explain it, nor have we reached a point at which we can understand it -- we may someday.
Science will lead us there.
That's Step 1 for me.
(Let me know when I can continue.)

"Look, the Bible is VERY clear. [...] It warns repeatedly against believing what the 'world' says, what the 'wise' of the world, the philosophers or thinkers of the world say." -- Faith

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Replies to this message:
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purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3458 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 7 of 46 (214505)
06-05-2005 1:13 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by dsv
06-05-2005 12:46 PM


Re: dsv's GTKG Step 1
quote:
When you say "Get to Know God" are you talking about the concept of "God" in general or specifically the Christian God outlined in the Christian Bible?
Specifically the God of the Christian Bible.
Personally, I like your first step.
Out of curiosity how many steps do you have?
If I don't get any response from the mainstream or it dies out, we can discuss the rest of your steps. Sound like a plan?

"The average man does not know what to do with this life, yet wants another one which lasts forever." --Anatole France

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by dsv, posted 06-05-2005 12:46 PM dsv has replied

Replies to this message:
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jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 8 of 46 (214507)
06-05-2005 1:26 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by purpledawn
06-05-2005 10:45 AM


I'm not sure that your first assumption is correct.
You start with:
Per the Christian Religion, one must get to know their God.
but I'm not sure that is what is really taught or said except by some Christians. If GOD exists then She is GOD. She is the God of the Jews and Christians and Muslims and Atheists and Agnostics and Buddhists and Hindus and Wiccans. That is pretty clearly stated in the Bible through the statement "I am."
I cannot address the mainstream process but only the path I experienced.
Learning about GOD began even before I could talk. Mom would read from the Bible each night and as I and the blue skizillion of young'ens that followed me grew up, we would attend Church every Sunday. The exploration of other paths to GOD was also a major step and was begun sometime around fifth or sixth grade, first by attending Synagogue and joining in meals with my Jewish friends and later in a slightly more formal way during Upper School.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

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dsv
Member (Idle past 4724 days)
Posts: 220
From: Secret Underground Hideout
Joined: 08-17-2004


Message 9 of 46 (214520)
06-05-2005 3:52 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by purpledawn
06-05-2005 1:13 PM


Re: dsv's GTKG Step 1
"purpledawn" writes:
Specifically the God of the Christian Bible.
Ah, well in that case I have no idea.
From what I have been taught, the first step in knowing the Christian God is "giving yourself to Jesus." Your heart and soul. Apparently this includes admitting your sins and such -- like going to Alcoholics Anonymous. However, this implies that believing in Jesus comes before knowing God, which is somewhat backwards it seems.
Like you, I'd be interested in hearing from the believers out there. Specifically perhaps those that have found God/Jesus later in life.
"purpledawn" writes:
Out of curiosity how many steps do you have?
I have no idea actually. I wasn't aware I had a first step until I gave it serious thought thanks to your topic.

"Look, the Bible is VERY clear. [...] It warns repeatedly against believing what the 'world' says, what the 'wise' of the world, the philosophers or thinkers of the world say." -- Faith

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arachnophilia
Member (Idle past 1344 days)
Posts: 9069
From: god's waiting room
Joined: 05-21-2004


Message 10 of 46 (214598)
06-06-2005 2:32 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by purpledawn
06-05-2005 10:45 AM


can we know god?
the word "holy" means "separated"
god is holy, because he is separate from us. the word itself suggests that there is a rift between man and god.
while i'm sure that some will argue christ bridges that gap, it is still a fundamental truth that if there is a god, by his very definition, we as finite mortal beings will never truly know him, even on the level we know other finite mortal beings. to put god in terms of the human mind is to limit god.
you won't see my quote paul often, but here goes:
quote:
1Cr 13:9-12
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

אָרַח

This message is a reply to:
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purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3458 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 11 of 46 (214626)
06-06-2005 7:51 AM
Reply to: Message 10 by arachnophilia
06-06-2005 2:32 AM


Re: can we know god?
IMO we can't truly know a being we can't see or hear. We might be able to know of the being, but not really know the being or have a personal relationship.
Of course some people think they know celebrities by what they read.
I guess I wait for a higher level of knowledge before saying I know someone.
Mt 11:27
"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
According to this verse no one can know the Christian God or Jesus, but if Jesus chooses to reveal God then one can supposedly know the Christian God.
Unfortunately it doesn't really clear up what kind of knowledge we would know. Is it knowing God personally or just that God exists?

"The average man does not know what to do with this life, yet wants another one which lasts forever." --Anatole France

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redseal
Inactive Member


Message 12 of 46 (214921)
06-07-2005 5:53 AM
Reply to: Message 6 by dsv
06-05-2005 12:46 PM


Re: dsv's GTKG Step 1
When you say "Get to Know God" are you talking about the concept of "God" in general or specifically the Christian God outlined in the Christian Bible?
There is no God "in general;" don't succumb to the illogics of satan; for he will only offer you seductive doctrines that will send you headlong into the pits of Hell. There is only the One Lord God Almighty! The Blessed Truth is clear on this:
quote:
1. DEUTERONOMY 4:35,39 — Unto thee it was shown, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. (39) Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
2. DEUTERONOMY 6:4 — Hear, O Israel: The LORD thy God is one LORD. [Note in Mark 12:28-34 how Jesus and a Jewish scribe he encountered understood this text.]
3. DEUTERONOMY 32:39 — See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
4. 2 SAMUEL 7:22 — Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God; for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
5. 1 KINGS 8:60 — That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
6. 2 KINGS 5:15 — And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
7. 2 KINGS 19:15 — And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
8. NEHEMIAH 9:6 — Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou has made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
9. PSALM 18:31 — For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
10. PSALM 86:10 — For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11. ISAIAH 37:16,20 — O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou has made heaven and earth. (20) Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.
12. ISAIAH 43:10,11 — Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior.
13. ISAIAH 44:6,8 — Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Fear ye not, neither be afraid; have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
14. ISAIAH 45:21 — Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time: who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.
15. ISAIAH 46:9 — For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
16. HOSEA 13:4 — Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me; for there is no savior beside me.
17. JOEL 2:27 — And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
18. ZECHARIAH 14:9 — And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
19. MARK 12:29-34 —And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
20. JOHN 17:3 — And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
21. ROMANS 3:30 — Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
22. 1 CORINTHIANS 8:4-6 — As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
23. GALATIANS 3:20 — Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
24. EPHESIANS 4:6 — One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
25. 1 TIMOTHY 1:17 — Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
26. 1 TIMOTHY 2:5 — For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
27. JAMES 2:19 — Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

This message is a reply to:
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redseal
Inactive Member


Message 13 of 46 (214923)
06-07-2005 6:14 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by purpledawn
06-05-2005 10:45 AM


Personal Knowledge of the Lord God comes in many ways:
  • Natural World Reveals God: Acts 14:15-17; Romans 1:19-23
  • Human Conscience Reveals God: Romans 2:14-16
  • Miracles Reveal God: Joshua 10:12-14; 2 Kings 6
  • Fulfilled Prophecy Reveals God: Isaiah 43:28-45; Ezra 1:1-4; Micah 5:2; Matthew.2:1
  • Jesus Christ Reveals God: Hebrews 1:1; John 1:18
  • Indeed, the Scriptures in their Entirely Reveal God!
With so many ways through which God Reveals Himself, it amazes me that people will continue to deny Truth!

This message is a reply to:
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purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3458 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 14 of 46 (214928)
06-07-2005 7:42 AM
Reply to: Message 13 by redseal
06-07-2005 6:14 AM


Natural World Reveals God
quote:
Natural World Reveals God: Acts 14:15-17; Romans 1:19-23
How does the natural world (not the Bible) reveal God to the common man today?
What does the natural world (not the Bible) reveal about God to the common man today?
Does one need to believe in God before being able to see what God reveals about himself in nature?

"The average man does not know what to do with this life, yet wants another one which lasts forever." --Anatole France

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dsv
Member (Idle past 4724 days)
Posts: 220
From: Secret Underground Hideout
Joined: 08-17-2004


Message 15 of 46 (214963)
06-07-2005 9:39 AM
Reply to: Message 12 by redseal
06-07-2005 5:53 AM


Re: dsv's GTKG Step 1
redseal writes:
There is no God "in general;" don't succumb to the illogics of satan; for he will only offer you seductive doctrines that will send you headlong into the pits of Hell. There is only the One Lord God Almighty!
Thanks but I don't need to be directly preached to on EvC. I get that enough from believers in day-to-day life. If you'd like to convert (save?) me or something, you'll have to present your argument using facts and evidence with references, just like anyone at EvC.
Your ownership of God is somewhat arrogant as well. There is, in fact, a concept of God "in general" and it predates your Christian God.
The original topic was asking who your (personally) God was and how one gets to know god. In my case, the "spiritual" center of self -- which doesn't include organized religion. If you would like more information about the origins of monotheism and God "in general" I would be happy to have a discussion with you (although I don't think this is the appropriate topic).

"Look, the Bible is VERY clear. [...] It warns repeatedly against believing what the 'world' says, what the 'wise' of the world, the philosophers or thinkers of the world say." -- Faith

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