For all Christians out there, what are the hardest questions that you struggle with

[Anonymous]

I just want to hear if anyone has something about Christianity or the Bible that they don’t get or confuses them

[Anonymous]

No. Bible is pretty clear to me.

Are you struggling with something?

[Anonymous]

For me, it is the biblical prohibition on homosexual behavior, as well as Paul's writings on women in the church. I am not someone who just pretends the Bible does not say things that I don't like. Anyone who has known a homosexual person knows that it is not some sort of "choice," and yet the bible is very clear. It just seems to me to go so much against Jesus' loving, inclusive message. I also think that Paul's writing on women specifically set women back for thousands of years. Why did these things happen? Even if we assume that Paul's teachings were based more on his opinion, how do we reconcile the last 2,000 years? It's a really difficult topic for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Bible is pretty clear to me.

Are you struggling with something?

No I’m not personally I just want to see what other people think

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it is the biblical prohibition on homosexual behavior, as well as Paul's writings on women in the church. I am not someone who just pretends the Bible does not say things that I don't like. Anyone who has known a homosexual person knows that it is not some sort of "choice," and yet the bible is very clear. It just seems to me to go so much against Jesus' loving, inclusive message. I also think that Paul's writing on women specifically set women back for thousands of years. Why did these things happen? Even if we assume that Paul's teachings were based more on his opinion, how do we reconcile the last 2,000 years? It's a really difficult topic for me.

You are referring to the part that discourages women from leading a church?

[Anonymous]

Is it really, really true? I believe so but I do have doubts sometimes because frankly, the news of Jesus is too good to be true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it is the biblical prohibition on homosexual behavior, as well as Paul's writings on women in the church. I am not someone who just pretends the Bible does not say things that I don't like. Anyone who has known a homosexual person knows that it is not some sort of "choice," and yet the bible is very clear. It just seems to me to go so much against Jesus' loving, inclusive message. I also think that Paul's writing on women specifically set women back for thousands of years. Why did these things happen? Even if we assume that Paul's teachings were based more on his opinion, how do we reconcile the last 2,000 years? It's a really difficult topic for me.

Homosexuality is a sin in gods eyes. As are many of the things we ALL do on a daily basis. The good news is that this is why we have Jesus! Thanks Jesus!!!

[Anonymous]

If there’s a God, how do you explain:

Kids suffering and dying of cancer

The tsunami that killed 200k people in Thailand and Indonesia

Does he just not care?

[Anonymous]

The existence of God! The possibility of eternal life! Both seem completely unbelievable to me. But Jesus means a lot to me so I try to follow and hope. The "leap into the absurd" is a good definition of faith to me.

There is a great book by TM Luhrmann about the difficulty of belief and how it is at the heart of evangelical life. Karen Armstrong's History of God also talks about how mystical sects have arisen to embrace the unbelievability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there’s a God, how do you explain:

Kids suffering and dying of cancer

The tsunami that killed 200k people in Thailand and Indonesia

Does he just not care?

Shit happens. It is a sin cursed world. God isn’t present as he was in the Old Testament. We live in the age of grace. You need to read your bible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there’s a God, how do you explain:

Kids suffering and dying of cancer

The tsunami that killed 200k people in Thailand and Indonesia

Does he just not care?

The opposite actually. God cares a heck of a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, it is the biblical prohibition on homosexual behavior, as well as Paul's writings on women in the church. I am not someone who just pretends the Bible does not say things that I don't like. Anyone who has known a homosexual person knows that it is not some sort of "choice," and yet the bible is very clear. It just seems to me to go so much against Jesus' loving, inclusive message. I also think that Paul's writing on women specifically set women back for thousands of years. Why did these things happen? Even if we assume that Paul's teachings were based more on his opinion, how do we reconcile the last 2,000 years? It's a really difficult topic for me.

Homosexuality is a sin in gods eyes. As are many of the things we ALL do on a daily basis. The good news is that this is why we have Jesus! Thanks Jesus!!!

I truly do not think this is true. There are a lot of thoughtful theologians who think homosexuality is not a sin, the passages generally used to oppose it can be understood in more than one way. I think Jesus would have us read the Bible in terms of how to love greatly and selflessly.

I don't expect to change PP's mind, but want any LGBTQ readers to know there are churches that will welcome and value you as you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there’s a God, how do you explain:

Kids suffering and dying of cancer

The tsunami that killed 200k people in Thailand and Indonesia

Does he just not care?

Oy. This question has been answered many times by theologians. Do your fvcking homework...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it is the biblical prohibition on homosexual behavior, as well as Paul's writings on women in the church. I am not someone who just pretends the Bible does not say things that I don't like. Anyone who has known a homosexual person knows that it is not some sort of "choice," and yet the bible is very clear. It just seems to me to go so much against Jesus' loving, inclusive message. I also think that Paul's writing on women specifically set women back for thousands of years. Why did these things happen? Even if we assume that Paul's teachings were based more on his opinion, how do we reconcile the last 2,000 years? It's a really difficult topic for me.

There are people who misunderstand what the Bible says, and that does negatively affect women. But if they looked at the parts of the Bible that praised women, they would have a different view. Acts 16:13-16 recounts the story of the first church in Europe. Paul met two women, Priscilla and Aquila. When Paul left Ephesus, (where the church was located), he left the two women to be in charge of the church at Ephesus. So while some passages seem to portray women in a negative light, and I don’t have the answer to all of those passages, the Bible does have examples of women being praised and exalted.

Ok now for the homosexual topic. I believe that people do feel the homosexual urges and that’s fine. But you have to remember that we have a sin nature, which tempts us to do bad things. I believe that homosexuality is a temptation of our flesh, just like other things, such as the temptation to lie or cheat. The Bible says that our spirit is willing to do good, but that our flesh is weak. Ultimately I believe that we have to fight such temptations. It can be really, really hard, and we sometimes fail, but it’s something that we can overcome. Again I don’t have all the answers, but hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it really, really true? I believe so but I do have doubts sometimes because frankly, the news of Jesus is too good to be true.

We all have doubts from time to time, and that’s ok. I would just say that you have to know why you believe what you believe, that way you can have assurance for what you are doing