Why do you believe this? Do you have a reason to, or is it just a possible explanation that you have come up with that could happen but is not supported by anything?
Why? We believe that God guides us daily. We pray and hope our prayers get answered. I'm sure you have heard some testimonials from Christians before. Nothing I really need to scope over.
Why would he change? I mean, you can make these claims, but do you have any reason to believe this?
You asking me a question I cannot answer. I do not make God's decisions. If he decides not to speak to anyone then that is God's decision. I cannot tell you why.
Ok, fair enough. But if it's written down, is it really "the word of God?" Isn't it man's interpretation of God's word? Also, how can you know that the writers weren't lying, or pretending?
It would be a bit awkward for these writers to pretend and all chain off of each other. It would have to be one of the biggest set ups in the history of mankind.
Anyways yes, I believe it is still the word of God.
If the authors were lying or not? Couldn't we ask this about just about any historical book? Or any book that documents something?
Those in other religions may also believe that their holy books are the word of God and they use the same evidence as the Bible: They claim 'God' spoke to them. Christians don't believe in those other religions. Why is the Bible different?
Preference probably. Man finds truth in what he finds most correct. If men see the Quran as truth then that is their truth. I cannot speak from their experience. These are faith based religions.
Then why would you believe it? If there is no substantial evidence, why do you remain a Christian?
I have said this before, this is a faith based religion. God is not an evidence based god. He is a faith based god.
This is a claim that I think is hard to make. How can God claim to love everyone, but punish everyone who doesn't worship him with eternal torture?
I don't see it as hard at all. God loves his creation. We are all his creation, but since the fall of man has corrupted the Earth we are all sinners. Sin has no place in Heaven. If you don't live a life for God your name won't appear in the book of life. You will be judged the same way God judged Satan. Eternal damnation.
And how can God love everyone when not everyone has heard of the Bible.
This doesn't make sense. Why can't he love everyone if someone hasn't heard of the bible? God still can. I don't see where this question is supposed to be going.
If a country has no access to Christianity, well, in the Bible, everyone there will likely go to Hell. How is that fair?
The nation is full of sinners. It wouldn't matter.
How can it be said that God loves the world when all the tragedy that happens happens? If he 'designed' everything, why did he design things like viruses and cancer that kill his faithful believers by the truckload? Where was God during the black plauge?
God made things possible. God did not directly create things such as cancer or viruses. God made it possible for man to choose him or darkness and man chose darkness. God was in the same place he was when the black plague was around. He was in the same place when America bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was in the same place when 9/11 occurred. He will be in the same place when a woman gets raped, when a child dies, when car accident occurs, when a robbery happens, etc. These are the choices and actions of human beings. God has no responsibility to stop them.
And what are some examples of these blessings? Is there anything that actually requires a superhuman power to enact? Is there anything that cannot be explained by the observable rules we have discovered?
Blessings come in may forms. You would have to speak to someone who has lived longer than I have. I don't know how blessing work either as I didn't design them. I guess they could be observed. You would have to look up some testimonials.
If God loves everyone, wouldn't he want everyone to go to heaven?
He does. He wants everyone to join him. Sadly, that won't happen. Man his left his mark on humanity.
Why would he create so much doubt about his existence?
God doesn't want you to believe in him because you can see him. Haven't you heard the verse?
John 20:29 - Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."
Wouldn't he ensure that more than 32% of the world was Christian so that more than 32% of the population could go to heaven?
No, that isn't his job.
If this God existed in the way you described, why aren't there any examples of him behaving the way you describe?
You would have to explain. I haven't really went into detail about his behavior. Only thing I have mentioned was his love for his creation.
And plenty of instances of things happening that contradict the description of God in the Bible?
Misunderstood verses. People will always pinpoint certain actions done by God as contradictory. I don't see them that way.
And to the people who have never heard the supposed word of God, what do you say? Better luck next time?
There will be no next time. They will have to pay for their sins.
Why do you believe that? If you've never had these experiences yourself, why do you trust the word of other people? Why does their word have more validity than the thousands of other stories people have said that contradict these?
How would you contradict a dream? Or a sign? Or a vision? That doesn't make sense.
There is a phenomenon called Apophenia, which is about people being able to find patterns in random sets of data. In any situation, it is easy to find something that can be interpreted as a sign, or a way to read into dreams, especially if you're looking for something specific. But I'm curious to know how you can prove that a dream came from something external. Or give a clear example of a sign that is clearly from a superhuman source and isn't just someone looking for Jesus in their pancakes.
Again, I cannot. I cannot prove anything. I have said this before. This is a faith based religion. It's not our job to walk around proving to people God exists when God is faith based.
I can be inspired by Harry Potter, and Harry Potter will still be a work of fiction.
Alright? If you wish to build a religion around Harry Potter you are always welcome to do so.
And why do you trust these reports?
I have trust in my fellow church members.
So you believe that the experiences in the Bible are factual?
Depends on the story. I feel as if this has gone much deeper than I would have liked it to. I don't like being interrogated. If you wish to respond feel free to comment or something or if you are truly interested about why I do the things I do you can send me a message. I only can hear to share my purpose. I feel as if I have escaped that goal.