Help, I'm struggling with church, spirituality, & even God

[PJM]

***Pagans have been around since of time and certainly exist in the current times we live in, but are in competitation with atheist which for many is “far cooler.”

The roots of Christianity go back directly to the Jewish nation under Abraham, Moses, Davis, Solomom, the Prophets and then the Apostles and early church Fathers. It’s nearly a 4,000 consecutive years of service, belief in GOD, and no, not even one pagan “religion” including The Eastern pagan sects and Muslims can come close to that.

Christinaity had a major split about 2,000 years ago when God became Incarnate, the God-Man Christ, who was recogonized by many and denied by many. Christians, notably Catholics have tons of historical evidence of continual existence for all 2,000 years.

However there is an element of truth NOT in the Religious beliefs but in the practice. Animal sacrifice did likely come from neighboring pagan practices. BUT with a signifiant difference. They worshiped THINGS like the sun, moon, rain ect. The Jewish nation for 4,000 years worshiped God, there Creator and sustainer.

Were there times when SOME early Jews fell back to pagan practice? absolutely and God is Divine Justice got even with them. Noah and the flood is real, Sodom and Gamorah being destriyed were real, the exodus fro Egypt anf the palgues were real.***.

Why is the creation and the flood to be taken metaphorically but Christ’s ascension literally?

Both are real, neither are Metaphors! Mt.24: 36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left.Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left. Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. There is even some scientific evidence of such a flood. As for Jesus the NT is filled with EYE WITTNESS ACCOUNTS!

I am just so in over my head when I read the OT. Caul, jubilee, each 7th year to be kept as a sabbath, wiping the blood of an unblemished lamb on the door post with a hyssop branch, sacrificing animals, incense, etc, etc. I just don’t get it.

[Jn.1: 29,36]

ask for more info on this.

Why are people who are infinitely smarter than I coming to complete and opposite conclusions?

Faith is a gift from God.Mt. 11:25"At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Why we’re here is very confusing to me. Why did we need to come to earth, why did we need a savior, why must we consume his flesh & blood in order to gain eternal life?

We don’t “Need” to! It is Gods Divine and perfect Will. We need a Savior because [1 Jn. 1:8"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. "] The precise reason we are Created with a mind, intellect and freewill [and only humanity is so gifted] is to allow us to freely choos to know, love and serve God in this worls to be happy with Him forever in the next"!
Again, this is just a sampling of the things that are causing me great confusion.

I need some advice and I need some explanations.

Anyone interested in engaging, please feel free to do so.

Thanks

C2

Please ask again but only one of two questions at a time so we can provide fuller explainations:thumbsup:

Love and prayers,
Pat