Political Crossfire Forums

savingtheworld · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 100 Location: Michigan

How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

StarCross · Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 165

savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

Hi savingtheworld,

How about enlightening us with your description of God using scripture? The entire universe, as big as it is, cannot contain even the smallest part of God because he is infinite:

>> "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! (1 Kings 8:27) <<

As limited as our human imagination is, I doubt that anybody could accurately describe God's infinite nature. The only way I can picture him at all is to take a piece of white paper and pretend that it is extending infinitely in every direction and place a tiny dot in the middle of that paper. The dot represents the created realm (our universe) while the paper represents God and his infinite realm. It is like comparing the size of a grain of sand to an infinite beach or the size of a drop of water in an endless ocean. It is simply unfathomable.

Peace,
StarCross.

savingtheworld · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 100 Location: Michigan

StarCross wrote: savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

Hi savingtheworld,

How about enlightening us with your description of God using scripture? The entire universe, as big as it is, cannot contain even the smallest part of God because he is infinite:

>> "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! (1 Kings 8:27) <<

As limited as our human imagination is, I doubt that anybody could accurately describe God's infinite nature. The only way I can picture him at all is to take a piece of white paper and pretend that it is extending infinitely in every direction and place a tiny dot in the middle of that paper. The dot represents the created realm (our universe) while the paper represents God and his infinite realm. It is like comparing the size of a grain of sand to an infinite beach or the size of a drop of water in an endless ocean. It is simply unfathomable.

Peace,
StarCross.

I agree completely with your description of God as infinite, I also like how you pointed out that our finite minds are incapable of fully comprehending God's infinite nature. Here's a passage which is good, although this really only scratches the surface.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being
4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

sLiPpY · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 10198

savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

We can know the nature of God, by observing nature. We can understand the design, by studying science. Who needs a holy book, when one can have all of that?

savingtheworld · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 100 Location: Michigan

sLiPpY wrote: savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

We can know the nature of God, by observing nature. We can understand the design, by studying science. Who needs a holy book, when one can have all of that?

But that tells us nothing of His character. Questions such as "what pleases Him?" or "what is His will for us?" or "Is He really infallible?" remain unanswered.

StarCross · Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 165

sLiPpY wrote: savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

We can know the nature of God, by observing nature. We can understand the design, by studying science. Who needs a holy book, when one can have all of that?

Hi sLiPpY,

Believe it or not, you are saying what Paul said in Romans:

>> For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20) <<

Peace,
StarCross

savingtheworld · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 100 Location: Michigan

StarCross wrote: sLiPpY wrote: savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

We can know the nature of God, by observing nature. We can understand the design, by studying science. Who needs a holy book, when one can have all of that?

Hi sLiPpY,

Believe it or not, you are saying what Paul said in Romans:

>> For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20) <<

Peace,
StarCross

yes, but that does not tell us all we need to know about God. Nature communicates God's invisible attributes, His eternal power [b]and divine nature. It communicates nothing of his character.

eynon · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Knowing God

sLiPpY wrote: savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

We can know the nature of God, by observing nature. We can understand the design, by studying science. Who needs a holy book, when one can have all of that?

Nature is neither merciful nor does it posess a sense of humor, 2 qualities I definatley see advocated in many of those holy-books you blow off.........plus who wants to live in a world without nice funny people? I sure don't :-D

sLiPpY · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 10198

savingtheworld wrote: sLiPpY wrote: savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

We can know the nature of God, by observing nature. We can understand the design, by studying science. Who needs a holy book, when one can have all of that?

But that tells us nothing of His character. Questions such as "what pleases Him?" or "what is His will for us?" or "Is He really infallible?" remain unanswered.

What pleases God? That's a very human concept. Does it even apply? And if it did, how about a nice prime rib!

What is God's will for us? That we're born, we live, and we die. Why does there even have to be a "will"? Live it up a little, come up with your own purpose and plan. :-D

Infallible? that's an interesting question. Generally, if I make a mistake in my own life, I own it...but most people never notice or hear about it. If God had a wife, or a girlfriend...I'm sure she'd prolly fill your ears as to God's fallibility.

Again, why does it even matter? God obviously isn't human. God may not have even specifically created humans. If one studies the way life gets started on a planet, and all of the cosmic building materials that hit the earth and other planets daily.... This thing we call God, may simply be the framework for a series of by design accidents.

Under the right conditions, life can be found almost anywhere. Lifeforms, we do not have the ability to communicate with nor, completely understand. Considering we have yet to have a conversation with a whale. What makes us believe that God is more human, in quality?

Maybe God is more like a dolphin and the joke's on us. :lol:

connermt · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 1526 Location: CMH OHIO

sLiPpY wrote: savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

We can know the nature of God, by observing nature. We can understand the design, by studying science. Who needs a holy book, when one can have all of that?

For something to believe in that's not possible to be proven perhaps?
To believe in something 100% that is not proven is something, I think, people need. Gives them something almost supernatural to look forward to.

sLiPpY · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 10198

StarCross wrote: sLiPpY wrote: savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

We can know the nature of God, by observing nature. We can understand the design, by studying science. Who needs a holy book, when one can have all of that?

Hi sLiPpY,

Believe it or not, you are saying what Paul said in Romans:

>> For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20) <<

Peace,
StarCross

I do believe that, it is similar to what Paul said. In fact, there's an excellent book that attempts to draw a correlation between the scriptures and science. A former athiest wrote it...it's called, "God the Atom and the Universe." I think it might be out of print, but that is one of the scriptures the author chose to highlight his point.

sLiPpY · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 10198

connermt wrote: sLiPpY wrote: savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

We can know the nature of God, by observing nature. We can understand the design, by studying science. Who needs a holy book, when one can have all of that?

For something to believe in that's not possible to be proven perhaps?
To believe in something 100% that is not proven is something, I think, people need. Gives them something almost supernatural to look forward to.

That's a good observation. I think it's human nature, to attempt to place their existance in a framework that rationalizes the irrational. Nevermind, one tends to embrace concepts which are even more irrational, to rationalize the irrational.

I think the rise of psychology would be a modern example of a religion. It basically serves the same role and function, of earlier priest, medicine men, and tribal elders.

However, must say...that the only thing in life I'm certain of...is that I might wake up tomorrow and do it all over again. :wink:

SilveryMinnow · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 3143 Location: Rio Grande River

God;

Cannot be understood by we, his creations. His might is greater that multiple universes. His majesty by presence alone is like a vast mountain of solid rock. He is everything, the Alpha and Omega.

Yet he loves us, his creations with a deep intensity. He knows us better than we know ourselves. There is nothing we can hide from him.

The nature of God is Love... demonstrated to us by the manner is which he dotes over us, even though we are less that a mote of dust.

The greatest proof of Gods nature lies in his gift of his son to us as our savior. It is through Jesus that I can best understand the nature of God.

To know God, you must first believe in God.

cap'n queasy · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 34968

SilveryMinnow wrote: God;

Cannot be understood by we, his creations. His might is greater that multiple universes. His majesty by presence alone is like a vast mountain of solid rock. He is everything, the Alpha and Omega.

Yet he loves us, his creations with a deep intensity. He knows us better than we know ourselves. There is nothing we can hide from him.

The nature of God is Love... demonstrated to us by the manner is which he dotes over us, even though we are less that a mote of dust.

The greatest proof of Gods nature lies in his gift of his son to us as our savior. It is through Jesus that I can best understand the nature of God.

To know God, you must first believe in God.

Good point. Welcome back. Long time no see! :-D

John · Joined: 02 Jun 2004 Posts: 24706

SilveryMinnow wrote: God;

Cannot be understood by we, his creations. His might is greater that multiple universes. His majesty by presence alone is like a vast mountain of solid rock. He is everything, the Alpha and Omega.

Yet he loves us, his creations with a deep intensity. He knows us better than we know ourselves. There is nothing we can hide from him.

The nature of God is Love... demonstrated to us by the manner is which he dotes over us, even though we are less that a mote of dust.

The greatest proof of Gods nature lies in his gift of his son to us as our savior. It is through Jesus that I can best understand the nature of God.

To know God, you must first believe in God.

Good post! :-D

Darth Tiberius · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 2001 Location: Oxford

savingtheworld wrote: How do we know the nature of God? There are many people who speak of worshipping God, but then proceed to describe a God that no one has ever heard of before. How do we know what God is like. I get my knowledge of God from His word, but some people describe God contrary to the Bible. I am very curious as to where these opinions are coming from. Enlighten Me!!

Christians have two outlets in knowing the nature of God. One the bible and one human reason. Both contradict each other. But following one means the other is mutally exclusive

eynon · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject:

John wrote: SilveryMinnow wrote: God;

Cannot be understood by we, his creations. His might is greater that multiple universes. His majesty by presence alone is like a vast mountain of solid rock. He is everything, the Alpha and Omega.

Yet he loves us, his creations with a deep intensity. He knows us better than we know ourselves. There is nothing we can hide from him.

The nature of God is Love... demonstrated to us by the manner is which he dotes over us, even though we are less that a mote of dust.

The greatest proof of Gods nature lies in his gift of his son to us as our savior. It is through Jesus that I can best understand the nature of God.

To know God, you must first believe in God.

Good post! :-D

I second that :)

thefranzkafkafront · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject:

I'd take all forms of prohetising, be it the bible or the guy on the street with a pinch of salt.

Just becuase they say they are the word of god dosent mean they are.

cap'n queasy · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 34968

YHWH is unknowable.

All we have to go on is the scriptures. The fact of fulfilled prophecy in this book goes a long way to showing that it is a integrated message system from outside our time domain. It was written by the Holy Spirit, at work in the minds and hearts of men.

No one but God could have produced it. It's all we have to go on, but it contains a lot more information than most folks realize.

psholtz · Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 23468 Location: California

cap'n queasy wrote: All we have to go on is the scriptures. The fact of fulfilled prophecy in this book goes a long way to showing that it is a integrated message system from outside our time domain. It was written by the Holy Spirit, at work in the minds and hearts of men.
So says your buddy Chuck Missler..

I wonder who's payroll he's working from.. :think:

Apollo's Oracle at Delphi prophesized non-stop for a period of over 1,700 years, and w/ a rate of success very substantially higher than anything you'll find your Bible (Old or New Testament).

I fail to see the point you're trying to make..