A majority of Americans believe in God's power and miracles, according to a new survey.
Furthermore, most accept well-known Bible stories as literal truth, including the biblical account of Jesus Christ rising from the dead, The Barna Group found.
Three out of four adults (75 percent) said they interpreted the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Christ as literal truth. An earlier study also found that 75 percent of Americans who do not identify as born-again Christians believe Jesus literally resurrected, according to the Center for Missional Research of the North American Mission Board – the Southern Baptist Convention’s domestic mission agency.
Although the more highly educated respondents were less likely to take the story literally, two-thirds (68 percent) of college graduates said they believe the resurrection is literally true, The Barna Group showed.
Non-mainline Protestants were more likely to accept the resurrection as fact (95 percent) compared to mainline Protestants (83 percent) and Catholics (82 percent).
Two-thirds of adults (65 percent) also deemed the account of prophet Daniel surviving in the lion's den as literally true. Catholics were less likely to take this biblical account at face value with only 51 percent interpreting it as literally true.
When surveyed about Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, two out of three (64 percent) Americans took a literal view of the story. Four out of five Protestants (79 percent) and three out of five Catholics (60 percent) embrace a literal interpretation of the Red Sea account.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63 percent) accept the story of David and Goliath as literal truth. While 86 percent of non-mainline Protestants take the story literally, only 68 percent of mainline Protestants and 46 percent of Catholics believe the story happened just as described in the Bible.
Mainline Protestants are those associated with the American Baptist, United Church of Christ, Episcopal, United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Presbyterian Church in the USA denominations, according to The Barna Group.
"Not only do most Americans believe in the existence of God, but they believe in His power and in the miracles He performs," said researcher George Barna, who directed the study. "Holding back the seas, walking on water, rising from the dead, surviving in a lion cage, and killing a skilled and armed warrior with a sling shot are examples of God doing extraordinary things in the lives of ordinary people. These and other Bible stories inspire people to believe that their personal trust in that powerful God is warranted. Although some people may dismiss such writings as fairy tales for children, the data indicate that the typical American has adopted these accounts as the foundation of a valued faith in God."
Fewer Americans, meanwhile, embraced the account of Apostle Peter walking on water as literally true. Overall, 60 percent of adults interpret it as literal truth. And 75 percent of all Protestants, 53 percent of Catholics believe the story is literally accurate.
Regarding the story of Creation, which has become increasingly challenged in schools, 60 percent of adults believe God created the universe in six days. The more highly educated Americans were much less likely to believe the creation account as literally true. While 73 percent of adults who did not attend college believe this story is literally accurate, only 38 percent of college graduates hold that view. Also, 74 percent of Protestants have a literal interpretation of creation compared to only 52 percent of Catholics. Continue >>
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JC: "Thank you for your honest response."
I'm always open to questions. Never feel you have to justify anything you ask of me. :)
JC: "Like most people, I always think of the best response... three days later."
Mine is usually right after I hit the "Submit" button. ;)
I'll have to respectfully disagree on the prophesized part, for the reasons noted previously.
JC: "There is certainly a lot of positioning for control in a lot of churches these days."
Yes, and it's so much more prevalent in this time of global, instant communication. It's a pity - the message is lost in the din.
To WiccanTexan:
Thank you for your honest response. There is certainly a lot of positioning for control in a lot of churches these days. It has been said that the spirit of Jezebel can be found in both politics and religion. For she is a very controlling spirit, and one that is not easily defeated. Many churches have been destroyed because of her.
This is exactly why I avoid religion. God never called us to be religious. In fact, Yeshua did not speak highly of the religious folk of the day, the Pharisees. They couldn't see past their own shirts.
Beloved, we are also told to go where we will be fed. God knew that some churches would be like this. There is mention of this in Revelation. We cannot let others rob us of our joy. The dark one lies in wait just for this. He does not want humans to worship God, so he poisons the water the best he can, so to speak. This is why we have to be sure on what we feed upon. We have to ensure that we are being fed properly, and if we aren't, we are to move on to a place that will feed us His Word. This is what Yeshua said.
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Like most people, I always think of the best response... three days later. So, please refer to a few posts ago when you said this concerning virgin born:
"As were most of the dying/reborn gods in the myths of the time/region. Your point?"
While this may or may not be true, Yeshua's birth/death/resurrection was prophesied 4500 years before the actual event took place. It was spoke of to the serpent in the Garden, in front of Eve. And, indeed, the serpents head was crushed. Isaiah, among many others in the Old Testament, spoke of this event to come.
One cannot simply say that many were like this, as there were none like this.
JC: "If I may be so bold, what was taught at this church you attended?"
It was not one particular church that I left; it was an overall attitude wherever I went. This is what I left. They preached one thing and practiced another; they got way too involved with wanting moral legal control over every aspect of people's lives. I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea.
To WiccanTexan:
Beloved, having been where I have been? Dear one, if you have been where Christians have been, worshipping at His feet, receiving His love and His Spirit, with our eyes on His throne, you would not be where you are today. These are very two distinctive paths. The Christ I follow, Jesus, leads to the Father. It is written: "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life, no man comes to The Father but by Me". He would lead you to no one but The Father.
If I may be so bold, what was taught at this church you attended?
Dear one, I will continue to pray, but not because it makes me feel better, but because it is better for you. For what profit is it that I pray to make me feel better?
JC, having been where you are, I understand that you are concerned. But I am a confident believer in who I am, what I follow, and how I got here. If it makes you feel better, you are welcome to pray for me.
"Barna noted a disconnect between belief and practice."
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
James 2:19, 20 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Colossians 2:6-7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
To WiccanTexan:
Oh deceived child. Is there no convincing you? You have seen truth, but you bow before another. Dear one, please, I implore you once more, please take another closer look at what and who you bow down to. For there is only one truth, both of us cannot be right. As for me, I will take my stand with Jesus, for it is written:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall."
Dear one, look around and see where you've built your house.
God really does love you. He gave his life for you. He does not want us to bow down to another, this was his first commandment to us. He is the provider of all. Without him, we cannot do anything. For it was He who loved us first. For without Him loving us first, we would not be able to love Him. Dear one, God wants you to be on a stable foundation, one that is not contrary to His word. One that has you walk blamelessly. One that is not aligned to things of the world or the dark one, but that is aligned with Him. This is God.
To all Christians:
Dear ones, Jesus said there is such that requires much prayer. Pray for this individual, pray that God opens this person's heart and mind so that they see the truth. Pray that God will reveal Himself to this individual in a way that will make Himself real to this person. Amen.
To Gig:
Well said.
But this is a chosen walk as well. For it is also written: "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
We must do more than confess, we must walk the path. For it is also written: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."
Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
Luk 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God
NOTE THIS SAYS -----BEFORE MEN-----------
This means that if you are a Christian, not only must you believe that Jesus died on the cross and that God raised Him on the 3rd day, BUT you must find someone to profess it to for your salvation. Believing, anyone can believe, even the demons believe. It's confessing before men that will prove your faith.
JC: "You've been listening to the dark one and now you're believing it as fact."
Actually, I've been cracking open history books. :) You should check out the origins of both.
JC: "He was virgin born"
As were most of the dying/reborn gods in the myths of the time/region. Your point?
JC: "The peace you have in your heart is not real, and will eventually crumble."
Well, it's been rock-solid for over 20 years now. I'm confident that this is a long-standing peace.
to WiccanTexan:
Twisting just enough truth will not work here. I am covered with the blood of the Lamb and my name is written in the Book of Life.
Concerning the dark one: Is it not written in Isaiah 14, verse 12: How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
In fact Lucipher and satan are one in the same. You've been listening to the dark one and now you're believing it as fact. The greatest achievement the dark one has performed is to convince people he doesn't exist. He does and he is all about hate. He is the father of lies.
Concerning the annoiting: In fact, Jesus was annoited from birth. He was virgin born. Your ancient Ebonite thinking will not work either. For the Ebonites believed that when Jesus was baptized He was then annoited. But, this is incorrect. Is it not written in Luke, chapter 1: The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. This is what invalidates the Ebonite thinking as the baptism was well after this event.
The "Father and Mother of creation" that you honor is a false god. One that will only lead to destruction. The peace you have in your heart is not real, and will eventually crumble. For it is written, on the very first page of the entire Book, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth". Dear one, it sounds as if satan has duped you into believing that God had a mate. Dear one, when God said "Let us create...", he was not talking to a mate, He was talking to the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This is God.
Please, open His word. Guage by that, it is truth and it will stand forever. Please dear one, before it is too late. Don't listen to his lies any longer. Know for yourself. Know what it is that you truly worship.
JC: "Dear one, before satan's fall, he was known as Lucipher. Lucipher was also called The Morning Star, and The Angel of Light."
Satan and Lucifer come from separate cultures, and were not seen as the same entity until Milton's "Paradise Lost" in 1667. Lucifer is the Roman name for Venus, the bright morning star, by which Jesus refers to himself in the Bible.
"Christ" is "annointed," not the surname of Jesus. The Christ spirit came down upon Jesus; who is to say how the Christ spirit annoints others in modern times?
I honor the Father and Mother who are the sacred union that is needed for creation. "In God's image" means exactly that to me.
Sorry, hon. I see the Light in the world, and it is not a false one. When I was brought to this path of mine, the darkness lifted and has remained lifted from my heart. It has never failed me.
To WiccanTexan:
Dear one, before satan's fall, he was known as Lucipher. Lucipher was also called The Morning Star, and The Angel of Light.
Satan is the father of lies. And since he is the best of all creations at lying, he is going to use every tool at his disposal. This would include the illusion of light, he knows how to do radiate it, as he has in the past, although not as brilliant as he once was. Since humans are not allowed to see God, as it is written "No man can see my face and live", they tend to take any light as God. This is a very deceptive tool he uses quite a bit, as most people have to come to expect a red-tailed, pitch-fork carrying demon instead.
You spoke earlier of a "Christ spirit", and that this "Christ spirit" led you to Wicca. Dear one, if this spirit led you to worship something other than the Father, than this is not the Christ.
Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus said that He only did what He saw the Father do. Jesus showed us how to pray, "Our Father, who is in Heaven....". Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."
We have example after example of The Christ pointing us to the Father.
Dear one. God loves you, more than you can know. True Christians love you too. Paul said it best when he claimed to be a prisoner of God, as True Christians can't help but love, as we have a heart for the lost. We are constantly reminded because we live in a dark world, and there are so many that are lost.
He so very much wants to bless you more than you could believe. This is His desire. And if His desire is to want to bless us more than we could possibly hold, for God knows no boundaries or limitations, than why would He want us to worship any other than Him? He would not.
Dear one, please examine what it is that you worship. It may look good or righteous, but does it align with what Jesus said? Does it glorify the Father?
JC: "Dear one, I don't know your experiences, but I do know what God says."
If you don't know my experiences, you don't know what God said to ME. That was the point. I am fully cognizant of where I was led; I am fully aware and committed to something that is not based in Satan. The Light is where I am.
"WiccanTexan, you says you follow the divine. Who is the divine?"
The Divine is the One Who Is Nameless, that which is, which was, which will always be. The Creator and the creation. That which is beyond human understanding, beyond definition. No label can adequately define the Divine nature.
WiccanTexan, you says you follow the divine. Who is the divine?
To WiccanTexan:
You said: "The Christ spirit was my guide".
Dear one, if this spirit led you to Wicca, then this was not the Christ. Jesus and the Father are one. They would never tell you to worship any other than Him. As it is written, God will not share His glory with another.
You said: "Or do you know the mind of God intimately enough so that you can know what my personal experience was?"
Dear one, I don't know your experiences, but I do know what God says. One only has to open His word, and read it, to find out what God has in mind.
Dear one, please take another look at what you are truly worshipping. It may appear to be correct, but if we shed God's light on it, it takes a whole new look. Use God's light and really examine it is that you worship. Before it is too late.
"If you want lies, you should become a wiccan. Oops, you are one. I guess you will tell lies now. You gotta follow what you know. "
LOL. I realize that trying to get an emotional reaction is how you are taught, but really, that was lame. Have a nice weekend!
"Dear one, you abandoned God because this church didn't do feed you properly?"
I never abandoned the Divine. I simply honor in a different manner.
" If you were led to Wicca, then you were not hearing from God, but a lying spirit telling you he was God."
I never heard a voice, hon. The Christ spirit was my guide. Or do you know the mind of God intimately enough so that you can know what my personal experience was?
"The truth can be hashed and rehashed, but it doesn't change the fact that it is truth"
The stories are documented myth. Christianity calls it documented history. But the truth is, the storyline is not new.
And on that note, I'm leaving work. But I'll be back on Monday to see what's new!
To WiccanTexan:
You said, "I had an inner experience of God that left me with a solid foundation, and has never been duplicated. But the earthly church left me cold..."
Dear one, you abandoned God because this church didn't do feed you properly?
You said, "...and my prayer led me to Wicca.".
Dear one, God would not lead you into worshipping someone or something other than Him. If you were led to Wicca, then you were not hearing from God, but a lying spirit telling you he was God.
You said "I would like to hear something that's not rehashed.".
The truth can be hashed and rehashed, but it doesn't change the fact that it is truth. It will and has lasted the test of time. It will stand forever.
Interestingly, a Christian teaching that points out that God is unknowable is not about me looking at what He is? All the things you point out can be traced back to pre-Biblical dying/reborn god myths of the region. I would like to hear something that's not rehashed.
Rehashed. So you want to hear lies? If a man tells you what he knows is truth and you don't believe him, He can only tell you lies otherwise. God, however, cannot lies. He can only repeat what is truth. If you want lies, you should become a wiccan. Oops, you are one. I guess you will tell lies now. You gotta follow what you know.
Will E has a point. We are advanced technologically. We've built a lot of bombs. And we are scientifically-advanced. We are drugging our kids. Education will solve our woes. We have more "white collar" crimes being committed, and our kids are killing themselves. O' the technology like the internet is being used to lure kids into harmfuls dangers. Our jobless rate continues to climb. Remember, we are the most advanced country on the planet.
JC, you are committing defamation of character. You are miss quoting Isaiah.
Isaiah 48:5 Even from the beginning I have declared it to you, Before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you, lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, and my carved image and my molded image have commanded them.
It’s bad Citizen to jump on a bandwagon when you haven’t verified the driver is licensed. Blind leading the Blind... Hey, that sounds like a Biblical truth. You just proved it was true, Citizen.
P.S. God will share His glorious kingdom with the saints. We are not gods, not His equal.
JC: "Dear one, I was just pointing out to you what you really worship? Don't you know this? Have you not looked at what it is that you really worship, or do you just blindly follow?"
I began my spiritual life as a born-again Christian. I had an inner experience of God that left me with a solid foundation, and has never been duplicated. But the earthly church left me cold, and my prayer led me to Wicca. Take that as you see fit.
Interestingly, a Christian teaching that points out that God is unknowable is not about me looking at what He is? All the things you point out can be traced back to pre-Biblical dying/reborn god myths of the region. I would like to hear something that's not rehashed.
To WiccanTexan:
Dear one, I was just pointing out to you what you really worship? Don't you know this? Have you not looked at what it is that you really worship, or do you just blindly follow? God challenges us everyday to look at exactly who He is. He does this so that we are not blindly following Him, but with our hearts and eyes wide open. He also does this so that we are not deceived by lying spirits.
It's interesting how the truth is twisted just enough, "evangelizing Christians are seen as stand-offish and not really having anything to offer?". Really? How about the fact that we offer lost souls a way of finding hope by pointing them to Jesus. Your religion could even claim to do the same with its gods, although with far different results.
It's also interesting on the useage of scripture "But yet you don't see that log in your own eye -". Dear one, I never claimed to be righteous, just forgiven and saved from the fiery pit. Any Christian who claims to be righteous, is not a Christian at all.
Dear one, God loves you very much. He hung on a cross to prove this. His blood spilled as the ultimate sacrifice to save you, I and everybody that existed, and will exist, from the fiery pit. You may not believe me now. I pray that God reveals Himself to you before it is too late. Open your eyes and see. Dear one, I pray that one day you will be by my side as we worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses together. Praise be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Praise be to God.
JC: "One has to wonder why their religions make these unknowable. If they knew who they really were, would they still decide to worship?"
Christian philosophy from St. Augustine teaches - "A God understood is no God at all."
" Or, they are challenging me to go further with this, when there is no need."
Which is part of the problem. Any questioning beyond the basic statement isn't needed? Do you see why many evangelizing Christians are seen as stand-offish and not really having anything to offer? Instead, a hashing over of my faith instead, which had nothing to do with the question. Classic red herring material. But yet you don't see that log in your own eye - that it's not the non-Christians who are a big part of the problem, but your own self-righteous approach.
I wonder how many thumbs-down this post will get? I'm setting up a collection. :)
JC,
May God continue to Bless you too,you are an inspiration, thank God for people like you
Praise God for this Survey. People of USA are precious people and God is doing great things in this countries. They have become real blessing to many many nations of the world.
David Rasaily,
Chief Administrator of LOVE AND COMPASSION CHARITABLE SOCIETY
IINDIA
david@lacindia.org
To standing on faith, and anniefourjesus:
May God richly bless you both!
The statement I made to WiccanTexan about God sharing His glory is in refute of what the Wiccan religion believes. Now, based on WiccanTexan's reply, this person must not be a good Wiccan, as this person doesn't know what I mean by this. Or, they are challenging me to go further with this, when there is no need.
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From Wikipedia: For most Wiccans, Wicca is a duotheistic religion. In the book Nature Religion Today, the authors write: "The deities of Wicca are understood as embodiments of a life-force manifest in nature." The Goddess and God are seen as complementary polarities and this balance is seen in nature. They are sometimes symbolised as the Sun and Moon, and from her lunar associations the Goddess becomes a Triple Goddess with aspects of "Maiden", "Mother" and "Crone". Some Wiccans hold the Goddess to be pre-eminent, since she contains and conceives all. The God is the spark of life and inspiration within her, simultaneously her lover and her child. This is reflected in the traditional structure of the coven. In some traditions, notably Feminist branches of Dianic Wicca, the Goddess is seen as complete unto herself, and the God is not worshipped at all. Wicca is essentially an immanent religion, and for some Wiccans, this idea also involves elements of animism. A key belief in Wicca is that the goddesses and gods are able to manifest in personal form, most importantly through the bodies of Priestesses and Priests. The latter kind of manifestation is the purpose of the ritual of Drawing down the Moon (or Drawing down the Sun), whereby the Goddess is called to descend into the body of the Priestess (or the God into the Priest) to effect divine possession.
According to Gardner, the gods of Wicca are ancient gods of the British Isles: a Horned God and a Great Mother goddess. Gardner also states that a being higher than any of these tribal gods is recognised by the witches as Prime Mover, but remains unknowable.
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The last statement, in the last line is very similiar of the Islamic religion, where "Allah" is unknowable. One has to wonder why their religions make these unknowable. If they knew who they really were, would they still decide to worship? Doubtful.
Dear ones, do not be deceived by this. God will not share His glory with anyone, or anything. Worshipping any other than god is a direct violation of the 1st commandment. Some may or may not choose to believe this, and some may choose to bow down to somebody or something else. God will let them do this, but when one stands face to face with God, as everybody someday will, they will wish they had given their worship to Him, but it will be too late.
anniefourjesus
AMEN!!!
As for God not sharing His glory with anyone, meaning other false gods, satan, or whomever or whatever, He will not, because He is THE ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD. This I believe was what JC was stating.
"Doesn't that make him...selfish? narcissistic? greedy? C'mon, how much glory does one guy need?"
God is not a guy, He is Spirit and He is life, but HE is not a guy. He is love. Almighty God is not flesh and blood. He is The Creator and HE is worthy of all glory!!! For many years I had a false conception of Almighty God, I put human attributes on Him, which is idolatry. There is no GOD but Jehovah God and HE is not to be compared with anyone else. In my own mind I realize now that I was believing what this world said about God, without really knowing Him personally.
Since HE has opened my heart and my eyes to truly see Him, and He's helping me to know Him better through His Eternal Word; I realized that HE is beautiful beyond description, and HIS love is so deep and so wide for us; HE just blew away every misconception I ever had concerning Him and today I take great delight in talking with Him and sharing my day with Him and He talks and shares with me! This GREAT GOD wants a personal relationship with each one of us; this is why HE created us, and HE is not bound by time and space, but we do and HE is working out HIS plan of salvation in time and space. Only HE has all the answers; and for me that is enough! No one else in this world has the answers to life; oh they have their opinions, but in the end NO one knows except GOD and to whom HE reveals things!
JC, He doesn't share HIS Glory with anyone, but HE will reveal HIS glory to anyone who truly seeks Him, I know from personal experience. I will sing of HIS praises for eternity for how HE redeemed my life from the pit of this world and brought me into the KINGDOM of HIS SON!
It is one thing to read the Bible and another to read it with true understanding as The Holy Spirit guides and teaches.
I pray brothers and sisters that you will be encouraged all the more as you see The Day of our Lord approaching!!! Hallelujah and Amen! May the love, peace and grace of our Lord be unto you today and always! In His love and service, Annie
"Just so you know, He will not share His glory with anyone, or anything"
And this pertains how?
To WiccanTexan:
Just so you know, He will not share His glory with anyone, or anything.
For it is written in Isaiah 48:11 - For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.
Why, torus?
I weep for this country.
holito8: "WiccanTexan, are you a true wiccan? Don't wiccan believe in a "higher power?"
Satan is consider higher power for some, Of course Christian know where he true sits."
Yes, we believe in a "higher power,' The One Who Is Nameless, beyond human comprehension. Wicca manifests that One as the dual aspects of masculine/feminine Deity, the union which creates nature and all things.
Satan is part of the Christian theology, so those who don't follow that theological view don't follow Satan. He's simply not relevant at all to us.
anniefourjesus: God bless you & fill you with His Spirit! When you proclaim the Word of God, remember: Isaiah 55:11 “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
savedbygrace: Thank you so much for informing me of a few things I myself did not know!! I am going to check out that site you listed!! I enjoy things like that! I found it amazing that once I began to really study God's Word for myself, and not just take someone else's say on what God was saying, HE opened my understanding to so many things I had doubted in my own past!! I am so thankful that He took this ignorant, back of the woods child and is teaching me the things of God. He is no respector of persons, and I am so greatful that He blessed me to begin to know Him, not just know about Him, as I read and study His Word, HE becomes even more alive and HE reveals more of Himself! What a gift HE has given to us, if we only accept what HE says! The Lord has shown me recently, not to argue Scripture with anyone, if people choose to not believe His Word, that is their choice; but let my life, and my conduct speak for itself. I was a foster child, battered, and broken by this world, and I hated God and every human too! HE restored my life and gave my life purpose and meaning. NO human ever did that for me! The LOVE of GOD transforms and I am HIS witness that HE is God! and no one can take away my testimony; it is a fact and there are many witnesses in my own life who can and do testify as to what God has done and is doing in my life and through my life, to God be all the GLORY! HE alone is worthy of all Glory! HE takes what the Enemy meant for destruction and HE turns it all around, and redeems in ways we cannot even fathom. So great is our GOD!
God bless you savedbygrace! For His Glory and Honor, Annie
Job 38:1-4 “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where was thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Job 38:17 “Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Job 40:2 “Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.” Job 40:6-8 “Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?” Job 42:1-3 “Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withheld from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.”
Below are resources if you’re interested in discovering additional “educated” Christians:
http://www.asa3.org/
American Scientific Affiliation: A Fellowship of Christians in Science
http://www.acmsonline.org/
Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences
http://www.christian-astronomers.org/
Association of Christian Astronomers International
http://newsite.csca.ca/
Canadian Science and Christian Affiliation
http://www.caps.net/
Christian Association For Psychological Studies
http://www.cmda.org
Christian Medical and Dental Associations
http://www.cis.org.uk/
Christians in Science
http://www.iras.org/home.html
Institute on Religion in an Age of Science
“Educated” Christians:
Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)
Mendel was the first to lay the mathematical foundations of genetics, in what came to be called "Mendelianism”.
William Thomson Kelvin (1824-1907)
Kelvin was foremost among the small group of British scientists who helped to lay the foundations of modern physics. His work covered many areas of physics, and he was said to have more letters after his name than anyone else in the Commonwealth, since he received numerous honorary degrees from European Universities, which recognized the value of his work. Interestingly, his fellow physicists George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) were also men of deep Christian commitment. The Encyclopedia Britannica says "Maxwell is regarded by most modern physicists as the scientist of the 19th century who had the greatest influence on 20th century physics; he is ranked with Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein for the fundamental nature of his contributions."
Max Planck (1858-1947)
Planck made many contributions to physics, but is best known for quantum theory, which revolutionized our understanding of the atomic and sub-atomic worlds.
More “educated” Christians:
Christian Medical & Dental Associations: Represents over 170,000 doctors
Two of the leaders are:
David Stevens, MD, MA, holds degrees from Asbury College and the University of Louisville School of Medicine and is board certified in family practice. He earned a master’s degree in bioethics from Trinity International University in 2002 and serves on the boards of GO International, National Embryo Donation Center, Peeke School of Mission and Asbury College.
Gene Rudd, MD is a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, and has extensive experience as a director of a maternal-fetal medicine training program and in rural healthcare practice. He has garnered several awards including the Gorgas Medal, presented by the U.S. government for the most significant achievement in preventive medicine.
List of “educated” Christians continues:
Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543)
Copernicus was the Polish astronomer who put forward the first mathematically based system of planets going around the sun.
Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1627)
Bacon was a philosopher who is known for establishing the scientific method of inquiry based on experimentation and inductive reasoning.
Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
Kepler was a brilliant mathematician and astronomer. He did early work on light, and established the laws of planetary motion about the sun. He also came close to reaching the Newtonian concept of universal gravity - well before Newton was born!
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Astronomer
Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
Descartes was a French mathematician, scientist and philosopher who has been called the father of modern philosophy.
Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
In optics, mechanics, and mathematics, Newton was a figure of undisputed genius and innovation.
Robert Boyle (1791-1867)
One of the founders and key early members of the Royal Society, Boyle gave his name to "Boyle's Law" for gases, and also wrote an important work on chemistry.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867)
Michael Faraday was the son of a blacksmith who became one of the greatest scientists of the 19th century. His work on electricity and magnetism not only revolutionized physics, but led to much of our lifestyles today, which depends on them (including computers and telephone lines and, so, web sites).
The following are educated Christians:
Christopher Isham: Theoretical physicist at Imperial College London.
Don N. Page: Professor of physics at the University of Alberta.
John T. Houghton: Co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel of climate Change & won a gold medal from the Royal Astronomical Society.
Francis Collins: director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute.
Kenneth R. Miller: Biology professor at Brown University.
Michael Heller: Mathematical physicist, who has written articles on relativistic physics & Noncommutative geometry.
Henry F. Schaefer, III: Awarded the American Chemical Society Award in Pure Chemistry in 1979.
John Polkinghorne: Winner of the 2002 Templeton Prize & past President of Queens’ College, Cambridge.
Antonino Zichichi: Teaches theoretical physics at the University of Bologna.
Allan Sandage: Astronomer who made discoveries concerning the Cigar Galaxy.
Charles Hard Townes: Won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964
C. G. von Weizsacker (1912-2007): German nuclear physicist & co-discover of the Bethe-Weizsacker formula.
Sir Robert Boyd (1922-2004): Vice President of the Royal Astronomical Society & a pioneer in British space science.
Arthur Schawlow (1921-1999): American physicist, co-awarded the 1981 Nobel Prize for the development of the laser.
Carlos Chagas Filho (1910-2000): A neuroscientist from Rio de Janeiro who headed the Pontifical Academy of Sciences for 16 years.
The following info re: this particular survey is from www.barna.org
This report is based upon a nationwide telephone survey conducted by The Barna Group in August 2007 among a random sample of 1000 adults, age 18 and older. The maximum margin of sampling error associated with the aggregate sample is ±3.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Statistical weighting was used to calibrate the sample to known population percentages in relation to demographic variables.
I Corinthians 1:26-29 “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”
Psalms 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.”
zenodaddy: Its the same assumption you make when you say that the universe had to be created or something had to exist before the universe. Like I said, special pleading.
'your god has no explanation either and claiming that he doesn't need one'
I think you are referring to the question of 'who then created God?' or 'what existed before God?'
The problem with these questions is that being created beings, we see things within our time frame. If we have a beginning, then God must have a beginning. God created time and therefore resides outside of time, space, energy, matter and the universe. To say that God does not need an explanation is special pleading is incorrect because the assumption you are making is that God must have been created or something had to be existing before God.
I love the idea of a higher power... just has a nice ring to it... power... higher... power... higher....
You see, the problem with believing in a 'Higher Power' is that it means nothing. The higher power could be the sun, x-rays, radio waves, etc. When people claim that God is their 'Higher Power' that is basically an insult.
How can God be a higher power? He is THE power. A Higher Power has no explanation of what or who gave it power to begin with. You see the problem with that? Shoot, sitting on a nail that causes you to jump 6 1/2 feet could be considered a 'higher power' to some.
WiccanTexan, are you a true wiccan? Don't wiccan believe in a "higher power?"
Satan is consider higher power for some, Of course Christian know where he true sits.
From what portion of the population was this study derived? Seems that only Christians were polled, as the percentages are divided by denominations. Don't want to see the percentages if non-Christian Americans were included?
"The more highly educated ones ARE the ones who believe the Bible as the whole truth and nothing but the truth!"
This is rubbish! Christianity, from it's earliest beginnings, has always appealed most to the least common denominator. The largest percentage of the American people prefer not to think not at all, and the choices we make as a nation reflects thi sad fact. Meanwhile, 93% of the National Academy of Sciences members are atheists, or admit they have no faith in a "personal god."
Atheist seem to think that science will solve our troubles with theories. They says proven theories. But haven't scientist been making all kinds of theories, but constantly changing them.
Science does do one thing correct. They theorize ways to kill more people with bigger bombs, chemical and biological weapons. You gotta break a few eggs in the name of progress...right.
Some will says more education. But there are more "white" collar criminals now. Some says pschology and social programs will solve our social ills. But we find no one is ever cured by couselors on drugged-up. We have an increasing number of poverty stricken families. More money is needed. Money has been invest in research that has not cured anyone, research for more weapons, funding our social programs and barely spent on education.
I recently read an article in the Jamiaca observer. "Science tells us that every effect much have a cause. Things don't create themselves or suddenly appear. Take, for example, a car, auto parts are first desinged by a manufacturers, then put together on an assembly line. The result or effect is a car. Consider the complexity of the universe. The simplest unicellar orgranism contains enough complex information to fill one complete volume of an encyclopedia."
Scientist theorize some random cause for all of existance. But things work in harmony not on chaotic scale.
jkbhjk
HampsteadPete,
As I understand your argument, you believe that atheists are more intelligent than Christians, and that this is proven by the greater number of academic and scientific achievers who are atheists.
Consider this: Atheists believe that the human knowledge is the highest form of understanding possible, so doesn't it make sense that they would more focus more on the accumulation of scientific understanding and knowledge?
Romans 1: 18-25
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For 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 men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
"The more highly educated ones ARE the ones who believe the Bible as the whole truth and nothing but the truth!"
This is rubbish! Christianity, from it's earliest beginnings, has always appealed most to the least common denominator. The largest percentage of the American people prefer not to think not at all, and the choices we make as a nation reflects thi sad fact. Meanwhile, 93% of the National Academy of Sciences members are atheists, or admit they have no faith in a "personal god."
The article is stating the more highly educated, are less likely to to take the Bible literally. I am stating the highly educated, are the ones in Christ, taught by Christ, and not of men. Therefore, my previous statement "The more highly educated ones, ARE the ones who believe the Bible as the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
anniefourjesus: Dawkins writes books, goes on TV, and gives speeches, and you call that violent? I don't understand it.
I gave up Christianity when I realized that the bible had no more authority than any other book, that it was not objectively "inspired by god" and that I couldn't come up any rationale for believing the claims made about jesus when I didn't believe the same claims made about and by modern gurus.
At which point, I realized that there being no objective way to tell what is true and what isn't if you are going to use faith, I gave it up for its inability to lead to truth.
Amen, Annie! It's sad to see the percentages drop when it comes to mainline Protestants and Catholics. David DID kill Goliath! Moses parted the Red Sea (or should I say, God used Moses), Peter did literally walk on water. Man's knowledge breeds self-centeredness and coldness. I knew a young lady years ago who believed that we were all just figments of our imagination. She didn't realize the oxymoron to such a belief, but that's what "intellegence" created.
Dawkins is not supporting any religion, he is an atheist and a rather violent one at that. His rhetoric tells me to pray for this man; that his arguments come from a very angry person. Dawkins and people like him are not really looking for God; they are angry with God and so they use their own agenda to deny Him. I have heard these same old arguments for so long, they never change. They cannot prove God doesn't exist and in the natural world, I cannot prove He does. My own life is my proof, and many in my life know and can testify as to how God changed my life; my character has changed, the way I do things in my life, they way my heart has changed.
Citizen, didn't I read somewhere that you once were a Christian? So, what turned you off God, what did He do that made you deny Him, I am curious to know that answer. For someone who once walked with God and now you deny Him, that usually tells me that person is angry with God over either some prayer not being answered the way they wanted, or they deny Him because they choose to be in control and don't want God to be in control of their life.
God created us to love and be loved by Him, and to worship Him. We all are drawn to worship of some kind and if we're not worshipping Him, we will worship something else.
I've been around over 50 years and I speak from experience, when I say that I myself, denied God because I was angry with Him.
It's amazing to me what people actually do believe. Man doesn't want to believe God, (of course many do believe God) but most do not, they want to be god in their own lives, so that is their choice. To GOD be the Glory!
I don't believe that being "highly educated" has anything to do with believing that God's Word is truth. I know many "highly educated" supposed to be "Christians" and they do not believe God's Word is truth. I see many "highly educated" scholars who dismiss what Almighty God has said, or they water down what HE is saying, and put in what man says.
I believe the Bible is the Holy, Inspired Word of God. It is GOD's love letter to HIS children! NOt all of His children care to read it, or to understand what HE is telling us there!
It is not a matter of being highly educated, it is a matter of simply believing that GOD is who HE says HE is and HIS Word is truth. HE loves us, each and every one of us, everything HE does is out of love, even the discipline we face, but if we continue to deny His Word, water it down, those actions in themselves say, "I don't believe God!" It is just that simple
We take all of God's Word, or we take none of it.
Without faith it is impossible to please God, and believing God is a matter of faith!
I do believe you Father God! and I thank you that YOU have made known the wisdom of the AGES to children! Thank you Lord God!
The only truth in the whole world is found in God's Word. JESUS is that TRUTH!
So much for all those critics who argued that the religion Dawkins et. al. have been criticizing isn't representative of what people actually believe
The more highly educated ones ARE the ones who believe the Bible as the whole truth and nothing but the truth!