Is Faith Obsolete?

Many that oppose the faith will try to convince you that we do not need God with the advances in science and technology. I do not by any means oppose science, and believe that Christianity and Biblical principles can hold up under the most rigorous scientific scrutiny. So, with that said.... In what ways have you had to defend your faith recently? If you are sharing your faith, you have no doubt come up against opposition. What tough questions have you been asked, and how have you answered them? Do not consider it shameful if you are stumped with a question from a non-believer, but think of it as an opportunity for growth in knowledge. One thing I would suggest is not to try to bluff your way through the question, but say, "I am really not sure, can I get back to you on that?". That will go a long way with most 'thinking' people.

Define your use of faith please. System of belief? Exercising an active lifestyle based upon the Word of God? Something stated but not active?

A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny;

It puzzles me when I run into those who pray for healing and then deny that it is accessible today. Where is their faith? What define's their faith? Those who profess a belief in Christ but live in fear's grip. These are the conflicts I face.

I have been blogging for several months with an atheist. I feel like I have had to go again and again to my knees and the word of God to sustain in these debates.

I agree, that if I do not know something -confessing ignorance is the best thing I can do in an argument until I have gained the appropriate knowledge to accurately and authoritatively defend the gospel truths.

I also feel that confessing my sin to atheists seems to soften the "argument" just a bit. That way, I do not come off as "holier than thou" in our discussions. It seems to keeps the focus on a loving Savior, not me, the one in need of this Savior.

A question to ask ourselves: When the conversations are over, do those we have disagreed with, have a little bit better picture or construct of Jesus?

I think a lot of times, depending on how we argue, they come away thinking "Christians are jerks".

Why is it so easy for us to get angry and bent out of shape while debating issues of creation and the gospel? That is not a good ministry! [I know that I have gotten upset while debating these issues, not sure about the others...]

The old adage- "You can win the argument but lose the soul" seems to ring true in this discussion, too.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:15-16.

A minister of the gospel must not be quarrelsome. We stand firm but always speaking the truth in love!

i really think that it is "wrong" to give someone a mental picture or construct of Jesus... instead we "should" ( are going to be ) an exhibition of Christ Himself.

nor should you really worry about saying the smartest thing.

1 Cor 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

???

ooops - forgot to mention i am not trying to be quarrelsome.

that is one strange looking word - quarrelsome.

in Chinese the symbol for quarrelsome is made by taking the symbol for woman and putting it together with another symbol for woman. fyi.

"Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1.

"Therefore, I urge you to imitate me." 1 Corinthians 4:16

So yes, I believe that people should see Jesus, at least in part, as they look at the human Austin.

As we follow Scripture and the Spirit of Jesus, our lives should look more and more like the image of the Son.

For instance, let's put your name in place of the word love in the Scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"Austin is patient, Austin is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. He is not rude, he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs. Austin does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Austin never fails."

Is Austin crucified with Christ? Yes.
Does his life always show that? Most of the time.

So, if your life does not match up perfectly with the standard of Christ, it is possible that you are giving a poor construct of Jesus to others? Yeah.
Me, too.

My aim is Christlikeness. I know that yours is, too.

austin wrote:

nor should you really worry about saying the smartest thing.

1 Cor 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

???

Kind of flies in the face of Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Granted, this may not be talking about speech, but I think when talking about Christ to intellectuals, we sometimes need to be able to intelligently defend our faith. And I am trying to be extremely quarrelsome. :-P

What do you do with this verse?

2 Samuel 22:26-27 (New International Version)

26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

27 to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd."

Kind of makes one think that God deals differently with different people.

With faith anyting and everything is possable. We are told this by the Lord.
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Great thoughts, Clint.

In what tangible ways are you exercising faith?

I have learned to pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of healing or removing my anger and giving me courage to evangelize. It is all covered when you make room for Jesus in your heart.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
Rom 8:26