What is Reddit's opinion of Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World?

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This may be beyond him, perhaps, but I would recommend going through something like "Evidence that Demands a Verdict", and using that to spark discussion and questions.

I agree that at eight, this particular book may be too advanced for him, but questions like "How did we get the Bible", and "How can we trust what the Bible says", etc. may be helpful starters.

Okay, so I understand your hesitancy to commit because you are unsure about the validity of scripture. The number one thing I would suggest is to pray about this and ask God to lead you to the truth.

Can I make a few other suggestions? There are books written on this topic that might help you sort through a lot of it much quicker. One is called, "Evidence that Demands a Verdict," by Josh McDowell. https://www.amazon.com/Evidence-That-Demands-Verdict-Life-Changing-ebook/dp/B01MYP99J3

You could also join r/ChristianApologetics/ as they might have more resources and be able to handle those kinds of questions better.

I would also recommend checking out James White. He's a Christian apologist. That's actually what he does for a living through Alpha & Omega Ministries. I looked through his YouTube channel and he has some videos on the topic of scripture. I haven't watched these videos but I have heard him speak before. He does debates.

New Testament reliability, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05aK7itUvho

Reliability and Canon of scripture, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhEH5FQnC-o

Is the Bible True? (This is a debate) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmA6c0yoVrQ

Also, if you go to this link and scroll down, there is a huge list of all his debates. https://www.aomin.org/aoblog/about/

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Here are some links regarding the Gospel.

This video gives an understanding of the Gospel by looking at the 10 commandments. It's a humorous cartoon! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCSUKIhjevo&t=297s

This short video (less than 4 minutes) gives a quick overview of the gospel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zer46hyf1nA&t=2s

This explains who Jesus is. https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A335/who-do-you-think-that-i-am

Most importantly, I recommend reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) first if you haven't done so already. Biblegateway has an app and it's easy to use. You can also listen to their audiobibles by inputting a passage of scripture and clicking on the audio icon. I've done that while driving or exercising or doing other things and listening can make it go by quicker if you're able to concentrate. I prefer the NIV dramatized version for audiobibles but you have to purchase that one through Amazon. I once listened to the whole bible in 2 months because I had a lot of driving time through my job.

Here's the link for John 1 on Biblegateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV

Another resource that I used all the time is Blueletter bible. You can input a verse and it will show you the original language for each word. It also has commentaries. My favorite commentary on there is David Guzik. So, for instance, if you read a chapter in John, you can look at his commentary on that chapter and he explains the meaning. Click on David Guzik study guides, then click on the book of the Bible, then click on the chapter, https://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/guzik_david/

You can also go to Blueletter Bible and input a verse, then click on tools, then click on commentaries.

I hope this helps!

Hi. Thanks for raising your concerns. You've raised a lot and I've tried to respond to all of it but let me know if there are things I've missed or that you want to clarify. It sounds like you've been exposed to some poor Bible teaching or ideas along the way.

1. Reliance and Dependence on God (My First Question is whether we should as Humans Rely and Depend on God.)

We are not in control, have limited knowledge and power and are all going to die and face him in judgement (Hebrews 9:27). God is all knowing, all powerful, everlasting, has created us and everything we enjoy and has offered to forgive our rebellion against him and give us everlasting life with him forever (John 3:16).

If God intervened and prevented anything bad from happening (e.g. wars) then we wouldn't have free will and we wouldn't see how bad we are and how much we need for a saviour. The worst thing that can happen is not death, it's being thrown into hell (Luke 12:5).

We only have strength because God has given it to us, creating us in his image (Genesis 1:27). Self-sufficiency doesn't drive societal progress, you need morals and ethics for that which ultimately come from God (humans deciding what is good and bad for themselves is what creates the problems - just look at the state of some of the godless countries).

You seem to be wrestling with the concept of human responsibility and God's sovereignty (you wouldn't be the first). God is 100% in charge but we are 100% responsible for what we do. The book of Job gives a peak into how this can play out.

God did show himself, Jesus entered the world as a baby 2021 odd years ago even our calendar is proof of that. Four authors record his biography in the Bible and other works outside the Bible written from non-Christians also record his life (e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus_on_Jesus).

Christians are not told just to "have faith" but to " But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 3:18.

2 Peter 1 is written by the eyewitness Apostle Peter who writes "16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. "

Being dependent on other humans (including ourselves) is dangerous because they are other imperfect humans, relying on God is a different story because he is all powerful, all knowing, perfect. Christians are to rely on God but also take responsibility for themselves.

The Bible is the best source I've found which explains the world, what's wrong with it (including with me) and provides logic and wisdom that I can only say comes from God. Jesus was like no other human being that ever lived. He wise wiser than anyone, prepared to suffer and die for what he believed in and those who saw him resurrected were prepared to suffer for it to. It doesn't make sense that Jesus is any other than God in the flesh.

1. God

God has shown himself to us:

• Through creation in creation "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." - Romans 1:20
• Through the Bible and through Jesus. - "1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe." - Hebrews 1:1-2

He wants people to believe but he's not going to force anyone. If you seek him you shall find him (Matthew 7:7).

Read the Bible but also read of books like https://www.amazon.com/Evidence-That-Demands-Verdict-Life-Changing-ebook/dp/B01MYP99J3/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

https://www.amazon.com/Case-Christ-Journalists-Personal-Investigation/dp/0310339308

1. Our Existence and Purpose

Outside of God the existence and purpose that most people aim for in the western world is to do the least amount of work possible to get as much as possible through experience, possessions, power and consumerism yet all of these are devoid of meaning and if we all die and there were nothing after death then life would be meaningless anyway. This is not a new idea and the book of Ecclesiastes explores these ideas (e.g. Ecclesiastes 8:15).

God offers us a chance to be a part of something bigger and find our existence and purpose in his eternal plans through Jesus (2 Peter 1:4). God promises to reward us in heaven for our faithfulness to him:

1 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

1. Porn

This just proves self-reliance comes up short. Porn is a worship problem. You are worshipping humans which are the high-point of God's creation rather than the creator (Romans 1:25). The feelings you have of guilt, remorse and sickness aren't explained outside of the Bible (if you're just a bag of chemicals then there is no good and bad but you know that's not right).

In Romans 7:14-20 Paul describes the same conflicted feelings you're describing with regards to his sin:

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

It's a struggle to fight against the sinful nature but a battle worth fighting. You can't do it on your own though you need God and other people to help. You're right in that you need to be close

You may never fully win this battle until you meet Jesus but you can make progress. I knew a guy who said the only way he could get porn out of his head was to fill his head with the Bible instead. Romans 12:2 comes to mind " And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.". You've gone 19 days, because of Neuroplasticity (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroplasticity) you can rewire your brain. Check out https://www.xxxchurch.com/, https://www.covenanteyes.com/ and https://www.qustodio.com/en/.

I hope the above helps. I'm praying for you and that it does.