Please pray for me. I’m a single mother struggling to provide for my two autistic children both of my sons are non verbal. Please keep me and my children in your prayers. I recently lost my job because I declined the vaccine due to my failing health I suffered a heart attack three months ago and I’ve been living with lupus for almost 20 years of my life. I face so many challenges with Lupus. My symptoms are pain in joints out of nowhere, fevers and problems breathing are just a few of the issues I deal with on a daily basis because of my lupus I decline the vaccine. Since I declined I was fired from my career as a social worker which I had worked for over 13 years. But this experience has brought me so much closer to God. I have Faith he will provide abundantly for me and my children. Please pray for me. Thank you.
Will pray, but can I suggest St Joseph? He is the saint for these kinds of difficulty. Look up the Holy Cloak novena, if you haven’t already, and may God give you grace and strength
Thank you very much, Fr. Pine. You have a gift for teaching and for explaining difficult theological concepts. May God bless you in your priesthood and doctoral studies. Please continue to put your gifts at the service of the Church. We need good teachers like you who can explain the faith and who don’t dumb down the faith. Excellent reflection!
I love the way Fr. Pine explains things! Hilarious in his mode but profound explanations. Why do we always forget that we, as human beings, cannot conceive of all that is God? Incredible. Just like we cannot directly look upon the sun! And that is only ONE of his amazing creations. I always think of Jesus as the incarnation so that God could take on the pain of humanity, but I forget that it was more for our benefit-not JUST the sacrifice-but in knowing and understanding who God is too (even though He is only one part of the trinity). I really appreciate these “small pints.” They give me a lot to chew on. 😊
“This is not the best possible world... Picture your best friend. Now picture your best friend with wings. The world just got better”. I have always wanted a pair of wings. Thank you for this - I feel seen.
Fr Pine's explanation is so right I am amazed how I have not realized it sooner. God reveals Himself to us according to the way our human nature works. We discover Him as we hear His words and as we experience His goodness to us. His grace opens our hearts to see glimpses of who He is and we go deeper into the mystery of God. This knowing of God leaves a more profound effect in our souls and our relationship with Him is deep and lasting.
People want all kinds of ‘Surfacy’ revelation made available but God knows that while it might help you to believe in His existence, it doesn’t necessarily draw you closer to Him or cause you to love Him. But when we seek Him out by our own free will, revelation occurs deep within and relationship develops. He wants us to freely belong to Him, not just believe in Him. Hells bells, even Satan believes in Him!
For me it, and this is by no means a hardened philosophical argument, I don't know how God can grant us free will and NOT remain hidden (or at least partially obscured). If it is undeniable, irrefutable fact that God exists, and our every action and thought is absolutely subject to God's divine judgment, how much free will would we really enjoy? That scenario sounds like a prison, where under the unescapable eye of the warden the prisoners are technically free to do whatever they want, but they will be instantly seen and accountable to the warden's judgment.
That’s how I had it explained by Dr. Frank Turek, “God gives enough evidence to convince the open-minded, but not enough to overwhelm the free will of those wishing to cling to their own ideas.” Or Dr. William Lane Craig, “God gives us adequate but not coercive evidence of His existence.”
@Mike We are talking about two different things, you are talking about human knowledge, I am talking about Godly omniscience. But yes, I think we can name several discoveries that on balance we'd (debatably) rather not have stumbled upon like nuclear fission. My point was, this isn't just "knowledge," but can the human mind stand to be in the inescapable presence of omniscience AND somehow still feel free? My warden analogy I think best describes the problem, maybe you can walk the prison like Andy Dufrane, I don't think I could. Remember, with this knowledge, you WILL endure righteous shame & punishment, the moment you step out of line. With enough time, I would imagine most would eventually either conform or refuse to participate, not much freedom in either of case.
@@MapleBoarder78how do you understand "to convince the open minded". If it's not "coercive" evidence, than what type of evidence? For me, personally, word "coercive" + word evidence in that context sounds silly. What you call "coercive" evidence is ENOUGH evidence. And if evidence is not "coercive", so "not-enough", isn't it's a matter of opinion to believe or not? Why then opinion of "open minded" (lol, of course open minded who accepts our religion) is not better than opinion of non believer.
You can know something exists and choose to reject it. Christianity isn't just about acknowledging the existence of God, it's about having a relationship with him, right? I know my mother exists, but it's up to me whether I have a relationship with her. I could choose to reject her love and never speak to her again.
Trying to find two things you referenced Fr. Pine; 1) Aquinas' reference to humans as being made, 'on the way' to the image of God. and 2) What church father talks about our lord mixing the clear with the unclear. Really interested in looking into those two things more deeply. Thank you!
When I was young, I trusted the church. As I get old it is much harder. Mainly because when I look at the world, I see most problems come from the broken family, yet the church never talks about the family. The diocese has thousands of young people, yet there is no plan to bring them together so they can build their social skills so they can make a good marriage decision one day. I see so many dying families where no one gets married or a bad marriage. It can't be fixed without a plan and training.
The Church has family ministries all over the world, world family days, moms ministry, youth group... and young adults groups are mandatory in every diocese. Either your diocese is bad or you haven’t dig them up
Yeah…. I politely disagree. The church preaches family more than anything. Also, youth conferences are an amazing source for our young people whether it’s world Youth day conference or national Catholic youth conference or a diocesan youth conference or a parish/college youth conference….plenty of modes to plug in. I’d be happy to discuss further. I am a product of the amazing work in the church, and I talk about Jesus so much people ask me to shut up (politely). Granted, I live on the east coast of the U.S. so maybe I just happen to be in the sweet spot of youth ministry, but I’ve heard of international tales just as powerful.
"Picture your best friend... with wings" First I thought chicken wings, then I thought flying wings. I now realize both would be closer to the best possible world. Particularly the former I daresay🐔
Wow Father you’re more Dominican than Santo Domingo and I mean that in a good sense. On that note I always wonder if I’m able to see atoms and neutrons would I ever watch Netflix again
The struggle with divine hiddenness that apologists never address (this video included) is the suffering and eternal damnation that God *directly* and *unnecessarily* causes with his hiddenness. He punishes people for not knowing something that he keeps divinely hidden from us. God made a choice to shroud us in ignorance and then punishes us for not knowing.
Justo estos días estaba pensando en este argumento. La mayoría de las veces me parece obvia la existencia de Dios y su amor por nosotros, pero sí puedo ver porque a otros no les hes tan evidente ¿Será bueno recomendarles a esas personas que pidan una señal obvia para ellos ? Sigo pensando hehe Gracias por sus videos
@@xaviervelascosuarez es verdad, pero debes admitir que a veces el silencio del universo es sepulcral. Yo entiendo la otra postura como la soledad en un mundo de 7mil millones de personas, o simplemente no entender, como estar en un país extranjero y no entender que esta pasando. Dicen que se puede leer a Dios en las estrellas, pero si es confuso, porque nadie se apiada de mí estupidez? Inteligible, pero no para mí. Así lo entiendo yo, existe, pero no dice nada. O tu que opinas??
@@xaviervelascosuarez Síii, definitivamente estudiar a la naturaleza es maravilloso. Extasiarse con su belleza y pensar que todo lo que sabemos de ella está sucediendo al mismo tiempo, te vuela el cerebro. Como dices, la dificultad radica en que nadie puede pararse y decir "Yo entiendo a Dios, y se los voy a explicar". Pero por lo mientras a disfrutar, que si así de bonito es el camino, el destino a de ser genial 😁. ....y nada más que la verdad :p
@@phoult37 this seems tongue in cheek. Life doesn't need to be governed. God is in control. Not men. And not our own faith or beliefs. You should put your faith in the fact that God is in control.
@@chriszablocki2460 You misunderstand me. The majority of decisions we make in life are based on belief and/or trust, not "proof." So it is illogical to apply a burden like proof to God's existence when we can't even apply it to the material things we encounter every day.
you're speaking to the converted. The argument is about non-resistant non-believers who cannot begin relating to God without first believing that He exists.
That was interesting, I never thought of that. Just today driving I was thinking of Jesus and John 17:21 as a passed by a Pentecostal church. I was thinking how in The Great Divorce, by Lewis and the concept of fragmentation in infinite expansion a group of small black birds rode the wind, and I thought of St Bede and how the starling in flight looks like a cross. They flock was at least 50 strong Father it'd be nice to hear your reflection on the beatific vision in the context of the Sixth Station. No pressure maybe during lent Peace of Christ Fratelli tutti para 15
It seems to me that this must be the best of all possible worlds, because I assumed it followed from God's omnibenevolence and omniscience that if He could have created a universe which was better (from the divine perspective) than this one, He would have. Is there an established Thomistic reason/argument for coming to the conclusion that this is not the best of all possible worlds?
Articulated well Father Pine. When I recently hear you comment on your struggles with your dissertation, (on Godsplaining), I visualize you wrestling with the Lord among piles of books and papers trying to "get it." Wish I had it on tape. Thanks for the illuminating comments.
Did you hear about the pro choice activist who took an abortion pill on live tv to prove her point ? 🥺 please make a video about this, we need to get more Christians to wake up and see the horror and for them to know abortion is wrong😢
thought in the very classical ways of existing for some time somewhere the problem arises, that to be able to say god exists with us now and today, he would have to have some sort of physical presence that makes him positionable in time and space (like to be now he has to be somewhere, for without xyz+t you are not to be determined existing in any classical sense) - meaning a total lack of spacial positioning is him not beng able to participate in our time too.
that being siad: the alphabet or a square do infact exist - with a square being a 2d object without any thickness, meaning t only existing abstractly - not in the physical realm. if you dont like god existing like squares do - tja, pech.
@Sval Savor Agreed. Matt has an arrogant bitterness about him that is off-putting. He seems to debate to fuel his ego, not seek the truth. Fr. Pine is not a debater either
@@Kenny-rp9iq nonsense. A skilled debater can argue both sides equally well. The only truth debate can possibly show, is the character of the debaters. But even that is only at the best of times. Debates are less then useless for distinguishing truth.
@@marvalice3455 Well not really, If a debater isn't passionate about what they're debating the arguments won't be that convincing. For example I would probably do a terrible defending the morality of slavery in a debate because I am very against slavery.
God presented Himself directly too Adam and Eve and look what happened. Even if they had God's knowledge and living in the Grace of God, they were not mature enough and became delinquents. Can you imagine where we are compared to them? Seems to me we need to mature in Faith and Love before we are allowed to meet God.
Try with a good study bible such as the Ignatius Press. I also found Brant Pitre's Case for Christ on the evidence of the historical Jesus helpful. Because, once one is aware of the fact that Jesus existed and was crucified (this is not up for debate, except for a minority of mythicists), then the rest falls into place. I also find the story of Apostle Paul inspiring and further consolidates the case.
There is no credible evidence for the existence of any God or that the universe was created. We do have great talking points and a 2000 year old book for reference and a belief system based on something called "Faith". I do not understand why people keep searching for answers when the most obvious is staring them in the face.
I used to think as you do here and yes, sometimes I still have doubts like what if I'm just wishful thinking etc? But I had an experience of what can only be described as grace when I decided to truly try, to yield to believing. I'd have mocked an idea like the grace of the Holy Spirit before when I heard Christians say that, thinking it quaint and laughable. But now.. I understand what they mean. This surprises me. I have tended towards nihilism, sometimes quite misanthropic tbh, but what has that philosophy ever done for me? Nothing. It seemed like sophistication, more enlightened that "outmoded" religious thinking, but this is a mirage. We are not wise by ourselves. Without God, we are desolate. This is not just wishful thinking which soothes anxiety about the meaningless of reality, as I thought it was. It is the truth. Tbh I do not expect you to understand. I never did when I was of the same point of view as you are now. At best, I thought it was just good philosophy of wise men with God as a metaphorical concept rather than literal. However, this is not enough. But, as I said, I don't expect you to understand, because you have to be open to it and let go of your arrogance, resistance, doubts etc, and sincerely desire to try to know God. Otherwise, you will not understand and think people like me just crazy.
You can call me whatever you want sir it does not offend me. You talk a lot of nonsense but in a very poetic fashion. Before you tell me that I need God in my life you first need to provide credible evidence for his existence. You have failed to do that. One thing I find with people like yourself who are followers of Christ they think they are always right 100% of the time they think they are open-minded and willing to listen to a different version of possibilities however in my experience nothing could be further from the truth.
This is well-spoken, but it seems like you forgot to address the hiddenness (admittedly, you're speaking to people who already assume that the christian god exists). Why would he make it seem like he doesn't exist? Doesn't that strike you as malicious?
Christ controls supernaturally, what He made, otherwise, its just does its thing, as the Father wills. Storms at sea were controlled by Christ, the light shone on Paul at his converstion... all Christs' intervention. The Father is like that feeling you get when someone stands behind you, you can sense it but you havent looked.
Please pray for me. I’m a single mother struggling to provide for my two autistic children both of my sons are non verbal. Please keep me and my children in your prayers. I recently lost my job because I declined the vaccine due to my failing health I suffered a heart attack three months ago and I’ve been living with lupus for almost 20 years of my life. I face so many challenges with Lupus.
My symptoms are pain in joints out of nowhere, fevers and problems breathing are just a few of the issues I deal with on a daily basis because of my lupus I decline the vaccine. Since I declined I was fired from my career as a social worker which I had worked for over 13 years. But this experience has brought me so much closer to God. I have Faith he will provide abundantly for me and my children.
Please pray for me. Thank you.
Shall pray for you mrs. Miller 🙏
May God Bless you. If you don't mind me saying, I follow Dr. Berg on CZcams, he has helped me a lot and has good videos on your issues.
Hope our prayers are efficacious for you.
Will pray, but can I suggest St Joseph? He is the saint for these kinds of difficulty. Look up the Holy Cloak novena, if you haven’t already, and may God give you grace and strength
You shall be in my prayers.
God bless you, Fr. Pine
Thank you very much, Fr. Pine. You have a gift for teaching and for explaining difficult theological concepts. May God bless you in your priesthood and doctoral studies. Please continue to put your gifts at the service of the Church. We need good teachers like you who can explain the faith and who don’t dumb down the faith. Excellent reflection!
I love the way Fr. Pine explains things! Hilarious in his mode but profound explanations. Why do we always forget that we, as human beings, cannot conceive of all that is God? Incredible. Just like we cannot directly look upon the sun! And that is only ONE of his amazing creations. I always think of Jesus as the incarnation so that God could take on the pain of humanity, but I forget that it was more for our benefit-not JUST the sacrifice-but in knowing and understanding who God is too (even though He is only one part of the trinity). I really appreciate these “small pints.” They give me a lot to chew on. 😊
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent. Love you Fr. Pine.
“This is not the best possible world... Picture your best friend. Now picture your best friend with wings. The world just got better”. I have always wanted a pair of wings. Thank you for this - I feel seen.
I have also always wanted wings. Not so I could fly, I would satisfied with them looking really cool
Thank you Fr Pine with Aquinas!
Fr Pine's explanation is so right I am amazed how I have not realized it sooner. God reveals Himself to us according to the way our human nature works. We discover Him as we hear His words and as we experience His goodness to us. His grace opens our hearts to see glimpses of who He is and we go deeper into the mystery of God. This knowing of God leaves a more profound effect in our souls and our relationship with Him is deep and lasting.
so automated captions said "I'm Father Gregory Pine... and this is Pines with Aquinas" and that seemed scandalously appropriate.
😂
People want all kinds of ‘Surfacy’ revelation made available but God knows that while it might help you to believe in His existence, it doesn’t necessarily draw you closer to Him or cause you to love Him. But when we seek Him out by our own free will, revelation occurs deep within and relationship develops. He wants us to freely belong to Him, not just believe in Him. Hells bells, even Satan believes in Him!
Well said Fr. Pine !
For me it, and this is by no means a hardened philosophical argument, I don't know how God can grant us free will and NOT remain hidden (or at least partially obscured). If it is undeniable, irrefutable fact that God exists, and our every action and thought is absolutely subject to God's divine judgment, how much free will would we really enjoy? That scenario sounds like a prison, where under the unescapable eye of the warden the prisoners are technically free to do whatever they want, but they will be instantly seen and accountable to the warden's judgment.
That’s how I had it explained by Dr. Frank Turek, “God gives enough evidence to convince the open-minded, but not enough to overwhelm the free will of those wishing to cling to their own ideas.” Or Dr. William Lane Craig, “God gives us adequate but not coercive evidence of His existence.”
czcams.com/video/f7P0_WVB0_o/video.html
@Mike We are talking about two different things, you are talking about human knowledge, I am talking about Godly omniscience. But yes, I think we can name several discoveries that on balance we'd (debatably) rather not have stumbled upon like nuclear fission. My point was, this isn't just "knowledge," but can the human mind stand to be in the inescapable presence of omniscience AND somehow still feel free? My warden analogy I think best describes the problem, maybe you can walk the prison like Andy Dufrane, I don't think I could. Remember, with this knowledge, you WILL endure righteous shame & punishment, the moment you step out of line. With enough time, I would imagine most would eventually either conform or refuse to participate, not much freedom in either of case.
@@MapleBoarder78how do you understand "to convince the open minded". If it's not "coercive" evidence, than what type of evidence? For me, personally, word "coercive" + word evidence in that context sounds silly. What you call "coercive" evidence is ENOUGH evidence. And if evidence is not "coercive", so "not-enough", isn't it's a matter of opinion to believe or not? Why then opinion of "open minded" (lol, of course open minded who accepts our religion) is not better than opinion of non believer.
You can know something exists and choose to reject it. Christianity isn't just about acknowledging the existence of God, it's about having a relationship with him, right?
I know my mother exists, but it's up to me whether I have a relationship with her. I could choose to reject her love and never speak to her again.
Trying to find two things you referenced Fr. Pine; 1) Aquinas' reference to humans as being made, 'on the way' to the image of God. and 2) What church father talks about our lord mixing the clear with the unclear. Really interested in looking into those two things more deeply. Thank you!
When I was young, I trusted the church. As I get old it is much harder. Mainly because when I look at the world, I see most problems come from the broken family, yet the church never talks about the family. The diocese has thousands of young people, yet there is no plan to bring them together so they can build their social skills so they can make a good marriage decision one day. I see so many dying families where no one gets married or a bad marriage. It can't be fixed without a plan and training.
The Church has family ministries all over the world, world family days, moms ministry, youth group... and young adults groups are mandatory in every diocese. Either your diocese is bad or you haven’t dig them up
Yeah…. I politely disagree. The church preaches family more than anything. Also, youth conferences are an amazing source for our young people whether it’s world
Youth day conference or national Catholic youth conference or a diocesan youth conference or a parish/college youth conference….plenty of modes to plug in. I’d be happy to discuss further. I am a product of the amazing work in the church, and I talk about Jesus so much people ask me to shut up (politely). Granted, I live on the east coast of the U.S. so maybe I just happen to be in the sweet spot of youth ministry, but I’ve heard of international tales just as powerful.
God Bless!
Thank you, Father Pine.
"Picture your best friend... with wings"
First I thought chicken wings, then I thought flying wings. I now realize both would be closer to the best possible world. Particularly the former I daresay🐔
Wow Father you’re more Dominican than Santo Domingo and I mean that in a good sense. On that note I always wonder if I’m able to see atoms and neutrons would I ever watch Netflix again
The struggle with divine hiddenness that apologists never address (this video included) is the suffering and eternal damnation that God *directly* and *unnecessarily* causes with his hiddenness. He punishes people for not knowing something that he keeps divinely hidden from us.
God made a choice to shroud us in ignorance and then punishes us for not knowing.
Thank you Father
Good one, Fr. Pine.
Justo estos días estaba pensando en este argumento. La mayoría de las veces me parece obvia la existencia de Dios y su amor por nosotros, pero sí puedo ver porque a otros no les hes tan evidente ¿Será bueno recomendarles a esas personas que pidan una señal obvia para ellos ?
Sigo pensando hehe
Gracias por sus videos
@@xaviervelascosuarez es verdad, pero debes admitir que a veces el silencio del universo es sepulcral. Yo entiendo la otra postura como la soledad en un mundo de 7mil millones de personas, o simplemente no entender, como estar en un país extranjero y no entender que esta pasando. Dicen que se puede leer a Dios en las estrellas, pero si es confuso, porque nadie se apiada de mí estupidez? Inteligible, pero no para mí. Así lo entiendo yo, existe, pero no dice nada. O tu que opinas??
@@xaviervelascosuarez Síii, definitivamente estudiar a la naturaleza es maravilloso. Extasiarse con su belleza y pensar que todo lo que sabemos de ella está sucediendo al mismo tiempo, te vuela el cerebro. Como dices, la dificultad radica en que nadie puede pararse y decir "Yo entiendo a Dios, y se los voy a explicar". Pero por lo mientras a disfrutar, que si así de bonito es el camino, el destino a de ser genial 😁.
....y nada más que la verdad :p
I deeply struggle with this concept. If God were provable, that'd diminish faith.
Yes! Faith is greater than proof and governs the majority of life.
@@phoult37 this seems tongue in cheek. Life doesn't need to be governed. God is in control. Not men. And not our own faith or beliefs. You should put your faith in the fact that God is in control.
@@phoult37 Matthew 17:20
None of us even have the faith of a mustard seed. That's why we faithlessly govern the world we live in.
@@chriszablocki2460 You misunderstand me. The majority of decisions we make in life are based on belief and/or trust, not "proof." So it is illogical to apply a burden like proof to God's existence when we can't even apply it to the material things we encounter every day.
@@phoult37 got it. I fully agree.
you're speaking to the converted. The argument is about non-resistant non-believers who cannot begin relating to God without first believing that He exists.
Father Pine!
That was interesting, I never thought of that. Just today driving I was thinking of Jesus and John 17:21 as a passed by a Pentecostal church. I was thinking how in The Great Divorce, by Lewis and the concept of fragmentation in infinite expansion
a group of small black birds rode the wind, and I thought of St Bede and how the starling in flight looks like a cross. They flock was at least 50 strong
Father it'd be nice to hear your reflection on the beatific vision in the context of the Sixth Station. No pressure maybe during lent
Peace of Christ
Fratelli tutti
para 15
It seems to me that this must be the best of all possible worlds, because I assumed it followed from God's omnibenevolence and omniscience that if He could have created a universe which was better (from the divine perspective) than this one, He would have. Is there an established Thomistic reason/argument for coming to the conclusion that this is not the best of all possible worlds?
I thought that too until that one day. Now people don't believe that I believe. They certainly don't believe.
A bat in the noonday sun… I like that image.
Articulated well Father Pine. When I recently hear you comment on your struggles with your dissertation, (on Godsplaining), I visualize you wrestling with the Lord among piles of books and papers trying to "get it." Wish I had it on tape. Thanks for the illuminating comments.
Thank you!
Did you hear about the pro choice activist who took an abortion pill on live tv to prove her point ? 🥺 please make a video about this, we need to get more Christians to wake up and see the horror and for them to know abortion is wrong😢
Abortion isn't wrong.
No living being has any right to use your body without your consent.
@@avatarmewabort is a great evil.
thought in the very classical ways of existing for some time somewhere the problem arises, that to be able to say god exists with us now and today, he would have to have some sort of physical presence that makes him positionable in time and space (like to be now he has to be somewhere, for without xyz+t you are not to be determined existing in any classical sense) - meaning a total lack of spacial positioning is him not beng able to participate in our time too.
that being siad: the alphabet or a square do infact exist - with a square being a 2d object without any thickness, meaning t only existing abstractly - not in the physical realm. if you dont like god existing like squares do - tja, pech.
God is hidden so we may have faith to understand the mystery.
Faith seek understanding.
If "God existed but didn't care"...how would the world LOOK different? Not "feel"...how would it look? More wars? More epidemics? More famines?
Comment for algorithm.
You should debate Matt Dilahunty on the argument.
@Sval Savor Agreed. Matt has an arrogant bitterness about him that is off-putting. He seems to debate to fuel his ego, not seek the truth. Fr. Pine is not a debater either
No, debates are cringe and sgl
@@marvalice3455 Debates are pretty important. It's how you get to the truth.
@@Kenny-rp9iq nonsense. A skilled debater can argue both sides equally well.
The only truth debate can possibly show, is the character of the debaters. But even that is only at the best of times. Debates are less then useless for distinguishing truth.
@@marvalice3455 Well not really, If a debater isn't passionate about what they're debating the arguments won't be that convincing. For example I would probably do a terrible defending the morality of slavery in a debate because I am very against slavery.
God presented Himself directly too Adam and Eve and look what happened. Even if they had God's knowledge and living in the Grace of God, they were not mature enough and became delinquents. Can you imagine where we are compared to them? Seems to me we need to mature in Faith and Love before we are allowed to meet God.
czcams.com/video/f7P0_WVB0_o/video.html
@@Unclenate1000 who are you to judge God's actions?
❤️🙏🏻
Where can i get a copy of that document mentioned at the start? Thank you?
i read the new testament and i dont get it
Try with a good study bible such as the Ignatius Press. I also found Brant Pitre's Case for Christ on the evidence of the historical Jesus helpful. Because, once one is aware of the fact that Jesus existed and was crucified (this is not up for debate, except for a minority of mythicists), then the rest falls into place. I also find the story of Apostle Paul inspiring and further consolidates the case.
There is no credible evidence for the existence of any God or that the universe was created.
We do have great talking points and a 2000 year old book for reference and a belief system based on something called "Faith".
I do not understand why people keep searching for answers when the most obvious is staring them in the face.
I used to think as you do here and yes, sometimes I still have doubts like what if I'm just wishful thinking etc? But I had an experience of what can only be described as grace when I decided to truly try, to yield to believing. I'd have mocked an idea like the grace of the Holy Spirit before when I heard Christians say that, thinking it quaint and laughable. But now.. I understand what they mean. This surprises me. I have tended towards nihilism, sometimes quite misanthropic tbh, but what has that philosophy ever done for me? Nothing. It seemed like sophistication, more enlightened that "outmoded" religious thinking, but this is a mirage. We are not wise by ourselves. Without God, we are desolate. This is not just wishful thinking which soothes anxiety about the meaningless of reality, as I thought it was. It is the truth.
Tbh I do not expect you to understand. I never did when I was of the same point of view as you are now. At best, I thought it was just good philosophy of wise men with God as a metaphorical concept rather than literal. However, this is not enough. But, as I said, I don't expect you to understand, because you have to be open to it and let go of your arrogance, resistance, doubts etc, and sincerely desire to try to know God. Otherwise, you will not understand and think people like me just crazy.
You can call me whatever you want sir it does not offend me.
You talk a lot of nonsense but in a very poetic fashion. Before you tell me that I need God in my life you first need to provide credible evidence for his existence.
You have failed to do that. One thing I find with people like yourself who are followers of Christ they think they are always right 100% of the time they think they are open-minded and willing to listen to a different version of possibilities however in my experience nothing could be further from the truth.
This is some extremely fatherless behavior brother.
This is well-spoken, but it seems like you forgot to address the hiddenness (admittedly, you're speaking to people who already assume that the christian god exists). Why would he make it seem like he doesn't exist? Doesn't that strike you as malicious?
I don't acknowledge the framing.
Nothing about the world seems like God doesn't exist
@@marvalice3455 I think you're lying about that, but that's your cross to bear 🙀
@@aosidh and I think you are lying to yourself, so I guess we are even
@@aosidh do you even believe lying is wrong? If so why?
@@marvalice3455 Jinx, I said it first!
Christ is knowable... the Father...yeah, not so much other then through the Word, in His, Christ, various forms.
Christ controls supernaturally, what He made, otherwise, its just does its thing, as the Father wills. Storms at sea were controlled by Christ, the light shone on Paul at his converstion... all Christs' intervention. The Father is like that feeling you get when someone stands behind you, you can sense it but you havent looked.
Your point at 2:15, nails it!
What a bunch of silly contrivance! How does this guy think he can get away with such a pile of doo-doo?
While you make a compelling case, I'm going to have to disagree