Creation account - allows for an already existing Universe?

[Alimantado]

What does Jesus mean when he talks about people having faith like a child? And again about believing without seeing, in reference to Thomas feeling his wounds. Does He mean that that we must believe what we read or hear without question? Is someone doing the wrong thing by having a 'healthy skepticism', as it is sometimes called?

[Jerry]

An adult too often wants to rationalize everything, but a child just believes what his parents tell him. Jesus is stating that we must get past our pride and just receive the Word of God without bucking and kicking against it, because it is the Word of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

The Bible teaches we are to walk by faith, not by sight. It doesn't mean we will never have any proof to back up the Bible - but that our faith should not be based on the evidence, but on God's Word (there are MANNNNNNNY times man's theories and conclusions about evidence contradict what God has said, and we are faced with a choice). Thomas saw Jesus face to face - he saw Him in person; however, Jesus never promised to physically appear to His followers after He ascended to Heaven (and there is a verse that indicates He will not do so - 1 Peter 1:8, especially once the Word of God has been completed - both Paul and John saw Jesus, but they were used to pen more of the Word of God, so their visions of Christ were necessary). He is saying we are blessed when we trust in Him by faith, without His physical presence or evidence to back it up - in other words, we are blessed when we take Him at His Word.

[Alimantado]

It is true that a child just believes what his parents tell him, but as one grows up one hears all a manner of claims by different people, either representing themselves or someone else or a God. Many of these claims contradict each other, so it becomes impossible to have a child-like faith in everything that you are told. Years before any reformed Christians approached me seriously with a Bible in their hand, I had already been confronted by JWs, Mormons, even Muslims. If I'd believed whatever I was told, I'd be a faithful adherent of one of those world views by now. Even on this forum I read mutually exclusive claims given as truth. Is there really no room for discernment?

I don't see how I could ever come to Christ as a child because I've already had doubts, and still do.

[Jerry]

I am not referring to believing what some man or organization/church says - but accepting the Bible at face value. The cults do not do that - they have their own writings, then they also add a token acknowledgement or reference to parts of God's Word - usually taken out of context.

What the Lord wants is you to dig into the Bible for yourself, primarily at this point to see what He Himself has to say about salvation (you will not be able to understand God's Word beyond that until you get saved and have the Holy Spirit teaching you). On a practical basis, all other religions contradict themselves - their writings are dead. Sincerely read through the Bible, intently looking for answers - and see how it speaks to your spirit - then read some relgious books by other religions, or read through the Book of Mormon (for example) or the Apocrypha - and you will see they are dead writings, not living. They won't speak to your spirit. There may be some nice or interesting stuff in them, but they won't feed your soul.

Perhaps you have never read the Bible sincerely - but if you have, I hope you can see the difference I am pointing out. There is something about the Bible that is different than all other books on this planet. Once you establish that the Bible is set apart from all other literature (that is what holy means when people refer to the Holy Scriptures or Holy Bible), and have received what it says about salvation, then you can begin to compare what it says with what different groups or people say. What disagrees with it or contradicts it is wrong. What agrees fully with it is right.

This may only answer part of the issue, but it is a good place to start. James 1:5; John 7:17; 8:31-32 are Bible promises. If the Bible is from God, and you sincerely start reading it and seeking out what it says, then God will answer your questions, and open it up to you. If the Bible isn't from God, but you are sincerely seeking to determine this, then you would know before very long. I believe it is from God, and that He keeps His promises - if we fulfill our part of them, He will fulfill His.

[Alimantado]

You've given me a handle there- somewhere to start. Thanks so much for this, Jerry.