Why did God create other planets/galaxies?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:How do you know there are no sentient beings living in any of those other galaxies? Maybe there are billions of other planets with life.

Because the bible would say that if it were so.

The Bible doesn’t mention anything protons or electrons. But they exist. The Bible was written by people, not by God. It’s not a Science textbook.

Agree, big time.

I heard a preacher on the radio say "who wrote Genesis? God. Because he was the only one around at that time." Of course it's highly unlikely God wrote books, and spoke of himself in the third person, but hey ... some believe the Bible is the literal word of God.

Moses could have received direct revelation from God as to what happened in the beginning. This would be consistent with the way God has revealed Himself in other parts of Scripture. For example, God revealed the future to the prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. It is, therefore, certainly possible that He could have told Moses what had happened in the past as He told others what would happen in the future.

There is also the likelihood that records of God's dealings with humanity were kept from the beginning. The personal touch in which we find these events recorded, such as Abraham's prayer for Sodom, and his offering of Isaac, gives evidence that what we have are firsthand accounts. We know that Abraham came from a country where reading and writing were common. It is possible that he could have collected any earlier records and brought them with him. Scripture also tells us that Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac (Genesis 25:5). It is possible that records from earlier times were among his possessions.

Although the events of Genesis concluded three hundred years before Moses was born there are still excellent reasons to believe he wrote or at least compiled the first book of the Bible. In addition, Moses could have written about creation without having been there by either receiving direct revelation from God or by making use of records that were already in existence. Whatever the case may be, the finished result was the inspired, inerrant Word of God.

Inerrant huh? So you believe the sun was created on the third day?

Too bad you don’t have a dog/job/sandwich to worry about. My beliefs are my own. Are you the guy that would cut his own child off for marrying someone who had a different belief system than he does? If so, it explains much.

? No. But don't tell me the Bible is the inerrant word of God. Tha's just insulting and invites a rebuttal. I'll go walk the dog now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know there are no sentient beings living in any of those other galaxies? Maybe there are billions of other planets with life.

Because the bible would say that if it were so.

The Bible doesn’t mention anything protons or electrons. But they exist. The Bible was written by people, not by God. It’s not a Science textbook.

Agree, big time.

I heard a preacher on the radio say "who wrote Genesis? God. Because he was the only one around at that time." Of course it's highly unlikely God wrote books, and spoke of himself in the third person, but hey ... some believe the Bible is the literal word of God.

Moses could have received direct revelation from God as to what happened in the beginning. This would be consistent with the way God has revealed Himself in other parts of Scripture. For example, God revealed the future to the prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. It is, therefore, certainly possible that He could have told Moses what had happened in the past as He told others what would happen in the future.

There is also the likelihood that records of God's dealings with humanity were kept from the beginning. The personal touch in which we find these events recorded, such as Abraham's prayer for Sodom, and his offering of Isaac, gives evidence that what we have are firsthand accounts. We know that Abraham came from a country where reading and writing were common. It is possible that he could have collected any earlier records and brought them with him. Scripture also tells us that Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac (Genesis 25:5). It is possible that records from earlier times were among his possessions.

Although the events of Genesis concluded three hundred years before Moses was born there are still excellent reasons to believe he wrote or at least compiled the first book of the Bible. In addition, Moses could have written about creation without having been there by either receiving direct revelation from God or by making use of records that were already in existence. Whatever the case may be, the finished result was the inspired, inerrant Word of God.

Inerrant huh? So you believe the sun was created on the third day?

Too bad you don’t have a dog/job/sandwich to worry about. My beliefs are my own. Are you the guy that would cut his own child off for marrying someone who had a different belief system than he does? If so, it explains much.

? No. But don't tell me the Bible is the inerrant word of God. Tha's just insulting and invites a rebuttal. I'll go walk the dog now.

The Bible is the inerrant word of God. If you don’t think it is, you don’t think it is. It’s not insulting for people to have different opinions of what the Bible is; enjoy your walk.

[Anonymous]

People can believe what they want. But there are facts about how the current words got to the canon -- interpretation, selection and translation. Calling that the word of God takes a lot of massaging and raises other questions. For example, if God is inspiring generations of writers and is present in the world, why do bad things happen to good people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know there are no sentient beings living in any of those other galaxies? Maybe there are billions of other planets with life.

Because the bible would say that if it were so.

The Bible doesn’t mention anything protons or electrons. But they exist. The Bible was written by people, not by God. It’s not a Science textbook.

Agree, big time.

I heard a preacher on the radio say "who wrote Genesis? God. Because he was the only one around at that time." Of course it's highly unlikely God wrote books, and spoke of himself in the third person, but hey ... some believe the Bible is the literal word of God.

Moses could have received direct revelation from God as to what happened in the beginning. This would be consistent with the way God has revealed Himself in other parts of Scripture. For example, God revealed the future to the prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. It is, therefore, certainly possible that He could have told Moses what had happened in the past as He told others what would happen in the future.

There is also the likelihood that records of God's dealings with humanity were kept from the beginning. The personal touch in which we find these events recorded, such as Abraham's prayer for Sodom, and his offering of Isaac, gives evidence that what we have are firsthand accounts. We know that Abraham came from a country where reading and writing were common. It is possible that he could have collected any earlier records and brought them with him. Scripture also tells us that Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac (Genesis 25:5). It is possible that records from earlier times were among his possessions.

Although the events of Genesis concluded three hundred years before Moses was born there are still excellent reasons to believe he wrote or at least compiled the first book of the Bible. In addition, Moses could have written about creation without having been there by either receiving direct revelation from God or by making use of records that were already in existence. Whatever the case may be, the finished result was the inspired, inerrant Word of God.

Inerrant huh? So you believe the sun was created on the third day?

Too bad you don’t have a dog/job/sandwich to worry about. My beliefs are my own. Are you the guy that would cut his own child off for marrying someone who had a different belief system than he does? If so, it explains much.

DP. I wouldn’t discourage my kids but I’d be disappointed if they wanted to marry someone who literally believed the sun was created on the third day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People can believe what they want. But there are facts about how the current words got to the canon -- interpretation, selection and translation. Calling that the word of God takes a lot of massaging and raises other questions. For example, if God is inspiring generations of writers and is present in the world, why do bad things happen to good people.

That’s been explained to you, and you ignore the people who try to help you understand what Christianity says about any topic you ask about. It’s got to be something you just don’t care to at least understand the Christian POV of. That’s fine, but don’t expect people to type volumes to entertain a contrarian. It’s something you have an obsession with that can’t be conducive to good mental health or positive daily living. It just can’t be. No one can exist to ask questions about anything they reject, and be someone who lives a life they are present in and enjoy. It’s slightly troubling but also people often get caught in a negative feedback loop and live in a way that they know, even though it’s harmful and unfulfilling to do so.

[Anonymous]

Actually, a new poster who is simply more progressive Christian. The bible has value even if it is not God speaking directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, a new poster who is simply more progressive Christian. The bible has value even if it is not God speaking directly.

Ok, curious whose words you choose to base your Christian beliefs on? Genuine question, zero snark or gotcha intended. Who do you think is speaking in the Bible, and what are they basing their words on? Thanks! I truly would like to know your belief about this.

[Anonymous]

Fair enough. I base my faith on learning from educated clergy and theologians who can place the bible in historic and comparative context.

The bible was written by a number of people and handed down over hundreds of years in different circumstance. The stories and message have are really important. But we should be critical of anything that purports to be from God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fair enough. I base my faith on learning from educated clergy and theologians who can place the bible in historic and comparative context.

The bible was written by a number of people and handed down over hundreds of years in different circumstance. The stories and message have are really important. But we should be critical of anything that purports to be from God.

Ok, so do educated clergy and theologians you base your faith on use the Bible, and do they believe it’s the word of God? I do think it’s important to place the Bible in historical and comparative context, fwiw. And I also appreciate teachings of clergy and theological scholars. Again, zero gotcha or snark. Just interest. Thank you. I remember attending church for the first time with my friend who, unbeknownst to me, had a religious belief of speaking in tongues. She was someone I did not know spoke in tongues, she absolutely was someone you’d think was not religious. Since that day, I have come to understand that people have many ways to believe and worship.

[Anonymous]

The educated clergy and theologians whom I respect all use the bible and believe it is good and important. None of them would say it is the direct word of God.

Some of them may say the bible is inspired by God, others might says that the bible is a work of normal people who did their best to describe their glimpses of God. All of the people I am thinking of would recognize that the bible as a collection of texts chosen by people from a larger group of texts, all written by people over an extended period of time. And all of the thinkers would appreciate the Hebrew bible and tradition as an interpretive tool.

I understand literalism. But it creates some theological issues and inconsistencies if you are too attached to the literal text.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The educated clergy and theologians whom I respect all use the bible and believe it is good and important. None of them would say it is the direct word of God.

Some of them may say the bible is inspired by God, others might says that the bible is a work of normal people who did their best to describe their glimpses of God. All of the people I am thinking of would recognize that the bible as a collection of texts chosen by people from a larger group of texts, all written by people over an extended period of time. And all of the thinkers would appreciate the Hebrew bible and tradition as an interpretive tool.

I understand literalism. But it creates some theological issues and inconsistencies if you are too attached to the literal text.

The "educated clergy and theologians" you speak of took graduate level courses in theology that taught them facts about how the Bible came to be. They also took courses in the history of religion and comparative religions.

How they interpret the facts they learned may differ among them, but they don't deny the facts. Only fundamentalists do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People can believe what they want. But there are facts about how the current words got to the canon -- interpretation, selection and translation. Calling that the word of God takes a lot of massaging and raises other questions. For example, if God is inspiring generations of writers and is present in the world, why do bad things happen to good people.

That’s been explained to you, and you ignore the people who try to help you understand what Christianity says about any topic you ask about. It’s got to be something you just don’t care to at least understand the Christian POV of. That’s fine, but don’t expect people to type volumes to entertain a contrarian. It’s something you have an obsession with that can’t be conducive to good mental health or positive daily living. It just can’t be. No one can exist to ask questions about anything they reject, and be someone who lives a life they are present in and enjoy. It’s slightly troubling but also people often get caught in a negative feedback loop and live in a way that they know, even though it’s harmful and unfulfilling to do so.

and there are also people who believe anything they hear from an authority, without question, especially on the subject of religion. Very strange and very widespread.

It can’t be conducive to good mental health or positive daily living to fear going to a firey hell for eternity if you offend an invisible being in the sky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People can believe what they want. But there are facts about how the current words got to the canon -- interpretation, selection and translation. Calling that the word of God takes a lot of massaging and raises other questions. For example, if God is inspiring generations of writers and is present in the world, why do bad things happen to good people.

That’s been explained to you, and you ignore the people who try to help you understand what Christianity says about any topic you ask about. It’s got to be something you just don’t care to at least understand the Christian POV of. That’s fine, but don’t expect people to type volumes to entertain a contrarian. It’s something you have an obsession with that can’t be conducive to good mental health or positive daily living. It just can’t be. No one can exist to ask questions about anything they reject, and be someone who lives a life they are present in and enjoy. It’s slightly troubling but also people often get caught in a negative feedback loop and live in a way that they know, even though it’s harmful and unfulfilling to do so.

and there are also people who believe anything they hear from an authority, without question, especially on the subject of religion. Very strange and very widespread.

It can’t be conducive to good mental health or positive daily living to fear going to a firey hell for eternity if you offend an invisible being in the sky.

People don’t embrace religion or spirituality out of fear of a being burned in fire for eternity. Religion and spirituality can be extremely positive in a person’s life. Hell is not a place where demons with pointy tails and long teeth roast humans over fires and boil them in cauldrons. That is imagery anti-theists push, promote, and laughably embrace.

The only people who are obsessed with hell and push the narrative that people are fearfully embracing religion to avoid eternal doom are anti-theists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People can believe what they want. But there are facts about how the current words got to the canon -- interpretation, selection and translation. Calling that the word of God takes a lot of massaging and raises other questions. For example, if God is inspiring generations of writers and is present in the world, why do bad things happen to good people.

That’s been explained to you, and you ignore the people who try to help you understand what Christianity says about any topic you ask about. It’s got to be something you just don’t care to at least understand the Christian POV of. That’s fine, but don’t expect people to type volumes to entertain a contrarian. It’s something you have an obsession with that can’t be conducive to good mental health or positive daily living. It just can’t be. No one can exist to ask questions about anything they reject, and be someone who lives a life they are present in and enjoy. It’s slightly troubling but also people often get caught in a negative feedback loop and live in a way that they know, even though it’s harmful and unfulfilling to do so.

and there are also people who believe anything they hear from an authority, without question, especially on the subject of religion. Very strange and very widespread.

It can’t be conducive to good mental health or positive daily living to fear going to a firey hell for eternity if you offend an invisible being in the sky.

People don’t embrace religion or spirituality out of fear of a being burned in fire for eternity. Religion and spirituality can be extremely positive in a person’s life. Hell is not a place where demons with pointy tails and long teeth roast humans over fires and boil them in cauldrons. That is imagery anti-theists push, promote, and laughably embrace.

The only people who are obsessed with hell and push the narrative that people are fearfully embracing religion to avoid eternal doom are anti-theists.

Right -- Good Christians know they will not go to hell, because they are so good that God would not send them there. Only bad people and people who don't believe in God, like atheists, go to hell.

[Anonymous]

Your obsession with hell is not one shared by Christians.