1 Corinthians 1:17-18

“I just can’t believe in a God that would allow so much pain and suffering.”

“I just can’t believe the Bible because it is full of mistakes and discrepancies.”

“I don’t believe in organized religion.”

THE “LOGICAL” ATTITUDETHE “LOGICAL” ATTITUDE

Webster’s DictionaryWebster’s Dictionary1.1. the fact or state of knowing, the fact or state of knowing, 2.2. range of information or understanding, range of information or understanding, 3.3. what is known, learning, what is known, learning, 4.4. the body of facts gathered by mankind.the body of facts gathered by mankind.

Gen 3:5 Gen 3:5 for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as God, your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as God, knowingknowing good and evil. good and evil. 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree waswas good for good for food, and that it was pleasing to the eyes, and a tree to be food, and that it was pleasing to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make wise, she took of its fruit, and ate. She also desired to make wise, she took of its fruit, and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 3:7 And the eyes of both of them were opened. And they 3:7 And the eyes of both of them were opened. And they knewknew that they that they werewere naked. And they sewed fig leaves naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made girdles for themselves. together and made girdles for themselves.

Gen 3:22 Gen 3:22 And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man has And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man has become as one of Us, to become as one of Us, to knowknow good and evil. And now, lest good and evil. And now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever, eat, and live forever, 3:23 therefore Jehovah God sent him out from the garden of 3:23 therefore Jehovah God sent him out from the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he had been taken.Eden to till the ground from which he had been taken.

It can be a gift.Daniel 1:17 As for these four boys, God gave them knowledge and skill in all writing and wisdom. And Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

We gain it through learning and study.Psalms 119:104 Through Your Commandments I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.2Titus 2:15 Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God,……

We are also taught by those who are older and wiser as the many examples that are given to us in the Bible like :Titus Ch. 2 “Let the older women teach the younger women….”

Webster’s DictionaryWebster’s Dictionary1.1. the fact or state of knowing, the fact or state of knowing, 2.2. range of information or understanding, range of information or understanding, 3.3. what is known, learning, what is known, learning,

4.4. the body of the body of facts gathered by mankindfacts gathered by mankind..

What are these facts? Are they the truth?What are these facts? Are they the truth?

“I just can’t believe in a God that would allow so much pain and suffering.”

“I just can’t believe in a God that would allow so much pain and suffering.”

God was in the exact same place then as he was on the day that mankind was nailing His only begotten Son to an old rugged cross!

Gen 1:31 And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. God gave us a good and perfect world in which to live in. However, Adam and Eve sinned against God and ultimately brought pain and suffering into the world.

“I just can’t believe in a God that would allow so much pain and suffering.”

God gives us free choice. All of our actions have consequences!

Natural Laws in the world.If God intervened in our lives there would be utter chaos and confusion!

“I just can’t believe the Bible because it is full of mistakes and discrepancies.”

Thomas Paine wrote a book called The Age of Reason

“…I have detected and proved the falsehood of this imposition……..I have now gone through the Bible, as a man would go through a wood with an axe on his shoulder, and fell trees. Here they lie; and the priests, if they can, may replant them. They may, perhaps, stick them in the ground, but they will never make them grow”

“I just can’t believe the Bible because it is full of mistakes and discrepancies.”

Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.Then later in……………..Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, listen to me……….

Not the same person!Not the same person!

“I just can’t believe the Bible because it is full of mistakes and discrepancies.”

Matt 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. But what about……………

Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Supplementation!Supplementation!

“I just can’t believe the Bible because it is full of mistakes and discrepancies.”

What constitutes a contradiction?

What constitutes a discrepancy?

Same person, place, and time. Same person, place, and time. No supplementation.No supplementation.

“I don’t believe in organized religion.”

“I don’t believe in organized religion.”

2 Chron. 1:11 2 Chron. 1:11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of them that hate thee, neither yet hast asked long life; the life of them that hate thee, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: 1:12 wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will 1:12 wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee; neither shall there kings have had that have been before thee; neither shall there any after thee have the like.any after thee have the like.

Ecc. 12:13-14 Ecc. 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this isis the the whole whole dutyduty of man of man. For God shall bring every work into . For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether judgment, with every secret thing, whether itit bebe good, or good, or whether whether itit bebe evil. evil.

Ecc. 1:18 Ecc. 1:18 For in much wisdom For in much wisdom isis much grief; and he who much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. increases knowledge increases sorrow.

GEORGE GEORGE WASHINGTON WASHINGTON

CARVERCARVER

God is All KnowingGod is All KnowingPsalms 139:1-4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Jehovah, You know it altogether.

We cannot fully understand His mindWe cannot fully understand His mindPsalms 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot go up to it.

God knows what we wantGod knows what we wantMatt. 6:8 Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.

God knows the detailsGod knows the detailsMatt. 10:30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

God knows our heartsGod knows our heartsActs 1:24 And they prayed and said, You, Lord, knower of all hearts, show which one You chose from these…..

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Romans12:2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 15:20-21 Yea, so I have been eager to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation; 21 but as it is written, "To whom nothing was said about Him, they shall see. And they who have not heard shall understand."

1Corinthians 1:17-251Corinthians 1:17-25 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the perceiving ones." 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom did not know God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.

22 For the Jews ask for a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness. 24 But to them, the called-out ones, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and the weak thing of God is stronger than men.

22 For the Jews ask for a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach that Christ was nailed to a cross. Most Jews have problems with this, and most Gentiles think it is foolish.24 But to them, the called-out ones, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and the weak thing of God is stronger than men.

27 But God has chosen the 27 But God has chosen the foolish thingsfoolish things of the of the world to confound the wise.world to confound the wise.

John 8:32John 8:32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.you free.

Rom 10:17Rom 10:17 Then faith Then faith isis of of hearinghearing, and hearing by the Word of , and hearing by the Word of God. God. John 3:16 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave His only For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever begotten Son, so that whosoever believethbelieveth in Him shall not perish, in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.but have everlasting life.Luke 13:3Luke 13:3 I tell you no, but unless you I tell you no, but unless you repentrepent, you will all likewise , you will all likewise perish.perish.Matt. 10:32 Matt. 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall Whosoever therefore shall confessconfess me before men, him me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven..will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven..Acts 2:38Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, repent and Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptizedbe baptized every every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of sins, one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift…and ye shall receive the gift…