Faith and Free Will

[Dimmesdale]

You’ve said that you’ve tried to believe in the Bible, and I don’t know why that’s a stumbling block for you, but let me point to a narrative from the Bible: the Good Thief. Literally, as he was dying on his cross, for his sins, he turned to Jesus, and Jesus assured him that he would go to heaven. Are you saying you’re worse than a condemned murderer who is being executed for his crimes?

Didn’t Aquinas say something to the effect that blasphemy is worse than murder? All throughout high school pretty much all I did when I came home was listen to heavy metal and blasphemed God with all my heart. It gave me great pleasure, and I practically sold myself irrevocably to hating God. I still sometimes feel I resent God or the idea of Him, butI have a less hateful perspective on life now, and am open to Christianity.

Let me ask you: does the Catholic Church assert that this is a literal, historical narrative? If not – if it’s a different genre of literature – then it would be nonsense to accept it as if it were the TV evening news, right? And yet, there could be truth there, no

Well, what would a genealogy like that represent or be a metaphor for, if not taken literally? There are so many things I can take issue with. Such as the global flood, the existence of a crystal dome “firmament” that isn’t there, among other things.

I’ve tried, numerous times, to bake impressive cakes. I’ve failed every time.

Here’s the thing, though: that doesn’t mean that I cannot do it, or that I don’t have the freedom to do it. I just need to keep trying.

So, I think you’re being overly pessimistic about your prospects. Sure, you haven’t yet done it; that doesn’t mean you cannot.

I can try. I guess that’s all I can do, and be open to grace, which I do believe in.

You’re continuing to ask the question, aren’t you? Doesn’t that mean that, in your free will, you’re continuing to approach free will decisions? And therefore… you’re not sunk!

I don’t understand. I’m not even sure I have a libertarian free will. I have will though, and it is set in a certain shape that isn’t the best.

I remember reading a book, decades ago, that included the aphorism “argue long enough for your limitations and, sure enough, they’re yours!”

I’ve heard similar things to what you have said. I get it. Thinking effects action. I have tried to change my thinking… that is within my control.

 

[John_Martin]

: I don’t believe in Christianity, and I CANNOT believe it; I DO NOT have the freedom TO believe it, whether you think I do or not

Catholics do not believe in Christianity; Catholics do believe in a person: Jesus.
When we confess our faith we never say, “I believe in Christianity and Christian doctrines.”
No, we say, “I believe in God the Father… And in Jesus Christ his only son… And in the Holy Spirit.”
And saying we believe in the Holy Catholic Church is also believing a person - the body of Christ in the real persons accepting me to be one of them.

You can’t be a Christian by believing in Christianity, but only if a real person, sent by Jesus, takes you into it by telling you what is “what” (truth) and baptizing you to give you your new birth and the Holy Spirit. Not only will the person you believe in tell you what is truth but will also keep explaining until you are satisfied in understanding.

 

[Gorgias]

All throughout high school pretty much all I did when I came home was listen to heavy metal and blasphemed God with all my heart.

So, if you’re contrite for your sins, you too can be forgiven!

Well, what would a genealogy like that represent or be a metaphor for, if not taken literally?

It’s meant to show that the lifespans of humans were gradually decreasing, due to the effects of sin on us.

There are so many things I can take issue with. Such as the global flood, the existence of a crystal dome “firmament” that isn’t there, among other things.

There are those who assert that the inspired writer of the Noah narrative would have had no way to distinguish between a “global flood” and a merely “super-regional flood.” Therefore, what he perceived as “global” could merely have been “super-regional”. This doesn’t diminish the inerrancy of the Bible, since it teaches without error what God wishes to be taught. We’d assert that what He was teaching there was a spiritual lesson, not a historical, biological one.

The “firmament”? Again, you’re looking at it as if it must be scientifically, historically true. The Church doesn’t force that assertion in the creation accounts.

What I see here is that you’re railing against a presumed literalistic interpretation of Scripture. That’s not what the Church teaches, for every pericope of Scripture.

I can try. I guess that’s all I can do, and be open to grace, which I do believe in.

 

[Leferdion]

It is good you are seeking for truth and peace. It is also a very good thing you believe in God, even if you are not sure which of the religions profess the real God. All you need now to do is be consistent in your search for truth and peace. Ask God to show you the way to truth, for there can only be ONE TRUTH. I am christian, and I believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Ask sincerely in your heart for the true God to reveal Himself to you, such a God can only be a God of Love. Keep searching and you will find what you are looking for.

 

[EndTimes]

The bottom line: I don’t believe in Christianity, and I CANNOT believe it; I DO NOT have the freedom TO believe it, whether you think I do or not.

I don’t buy that - whether or not you think you do not.

 

[BT3241]

It kind of clashes - on one side God is watching my every move with a definite plan for my life on the other side its up to me what happens. I might believe there are instances that are meant to be but not that every aspect of my life is constantly being monitored by God and God is constantly intervening to put me back on the plan. Also he’s doing this apparently with 7 billion other people at the same time.
Faith - once I accept a faith I am locked in and can no longer go against it - it can be a trap. I wish to remain objective rather than fixed in my thoughts I will never have blind faith.

 

[Dimmesdale]

Update: I feel the past few days I’ve felt God’s presence more… Maybe this is due to prayers… I feel like I’m on a good path and am considering Catholicism more deeply… I hope for the best. Thank you everyone for chipping in!

 

[lelinator]

Hello. The following is my sincere appraisal of how I cannot believe in Christianity or Catholicism. I welcome Catholic responses and even prayers, as I would LIKE to believe even if I find it hard or even impossible to… I still believe in God, but I don’t know the Truth. I want to be guided INTO the truth, whatever it is… so again, I welcome prayers and good intentions.

To me Christianity is like a song in which you love the feel and the melody of it, but the words make no sense. Still the song touches you somehow. Specifically Catholicism is like that for me, I like the ideas of "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and “love your neighbor as yourself”, but the dogma that the Catholic Church attaches to those sentiments is what I can’t accept.

I think that it’s possible to love the song, to embrace the sentiment, while ignoring the words…i.e the dogmas that are attached to it.

In my opinion, you can accept Christ without accepting the Church that claims to speak in His name.

 

[J_Dudycha]

Dimmesdale,

Exactly what don’t you believe in Christianity ? Is there any particular thing which you’re struggling with, i.e. the resurrection, the Trinity, etc. ??

And, how do you know that you “CANNOT believe it” ? What reasons do you have for thinking that your beliefs cannot change ??

Lastly, how do you know that you “DO NOT have the freedom TO believe it” ? Were you free to make that claim ? Or was it predestined ? If predestined, by whom ?

 

[Dimmesdale]

Dimmesdale,

Exactly what don’t you believe in Christianity ? Is there any particular thing which you’re struggling with, i.e. the resurrection, the Trinity, etc. ??

And, how do you know that you “CANNOT believe it” ? What reasons do you have for thinking that your beliefs cannot change ??

Lastly, how do you know that you “DO NOT have the freedom TO believe it” ? Were you free to make that claim ? Or was it predestined ? If predestined, by whom ?

I am trying to believe. In the past I tried and failed, I’ve outlined some of the reasons above… Some of it is simple incredulity, in other respects its due to my own fear of hell and of the truth and all that entails… I’m trying to think of God’s mercy more and trust in that, that God will get me out of the predicament I’ve made for myself through years of sinning…

I think I’m doing better, and I’ll keep praying and meditating!

 

[EndTimes]

It kind of clashes - on one side God is watching my every move with a definite plan for my life on the other side its up to me what happens. I might believe there are instances that are meant to be but not that every aspect of my life is constantly being monitored by God and God is constantly intervening to put me back on the plan. Also he’s doing this apparently with 7 billion other people at the same time.
Faith - once I accept a faith I am locked in and can no longer go against it - it can be a trap. I wish to remain objective rather than fixed in my thoughts I will never have blind faith.

However, Friend . Actual Faith is the opposite of Blind

Seek to realize what happened to Saul → Paul - once he allowed Faith to Enter in.

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