From: crawford@ben.dev.upenn.edu (Lauren L. Crawford)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Please Prove it to me!
Date: 30 Jul 92 07:40:44 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

In article <Jul.29.04.53.17.1992.26569@dartagnan.rutgers.edu> studman@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Daniel Tseng) writes:
>	Currently I am as you might say a "non-believer", and I've been trying
>to accept the basic premise of Christianity, the belief that Jesus was our
>Savior and gave his life for our sins.  Now that's great and everything, but
>it's very difficult for me to accept something without some sort of proof of
>this.  Don't bring the bible into it, that's not a valid argument for me
>either, I've read alot of the bible, Matthew, etc... and know about Jesus's
>birth and his travels and the stories in Israel.  How do I and you know that
>it's not all made up by some lunatic way back when.  Is there any evidence
>that can show me that Jesus did give his life for us?  Besides that, can you
>prove that the bible is a valid document.  Does it all come down to faith?  If
>it does, how did you all gain this faith which I seem to lack.  It's not that
>I'm not open-minded about the issue, it's just that it's hard to accept,
>because I'm the type that needs to be proven or shown something before I can
>believe it, as many people are.  

A friend once asked me why God didn't just make a dramatic experience
at the Super Bowl or some equally public event and demonstrate to the
world in a powerful, undeniable way that He exists.  Who can say why
he doesn't?  The Bible says that one day he will, but in the meantime
yes, we are to live by faith.  That's what people like Abraham were
commended for.  

How did I gain my faith?  Well, like you I started feeling some stirrings
of interest (my family was not Christian).  I didn't read the Bible
but I did listen to "Jesus Christ Superstar", which I found fascinating.
Eventually I found myself going to a church, primarily because it was
a social center for the small town I had moved to.  As I listened to
what was being said, I found myself realizing that it was true.  How
I jumped from just simple interest to recognizing truth I couldn't
tell you.  It's a mystery.  I just knew, powerfully, that Jesus was
indeed the son of God who died for my sins.  

A few years later, I turned my back on the whole thing and tried to
convince myself I didn't believe it any longer.  But it didn't last.
Trying to convince oneself that one doesn't believe something that
one truly _does_ believe is as difficult as the opposite.  After
a few years of living a lie, I returned to God (_very_ reluctantly
and with a big fight!) and this time truly gave my life to him.  
That was 14 years ago.

No, I can't prove God exists, and if I were you I'd be wary of
anyone who claims he or she can.  The Bible does say that God
will not snuff out even the smoldering wick or flickering candle;
whatever interest you now have could very well become faith some
day.  

God go with you as you search.


-- 
===============================================================================
Lauren Crawford  //  crawford@ben.dev.upenn.edu
"What a waste it is to lose one's mind, or not to have a mind is being very
wasteful.  How true that is."--J. Danforth Quayle to United Negro College Fund