Christian Faith

Can a non-Christian understand Christians Faith? The answer is no. Paul writes in Romans 10:17 – “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” But not just hearing the Word will give you faith. You must understand what God is communicating to you. Matthew 13:13 – “This is why I speak to them in parables: 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.'” The key is prayer as David writes in the Psalms.

God's response to this plea, a prayer if you will, for understanding in Psalm 49:3 – “My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding.” This understanding comes from God through prayer as Proverbs 3:5-6 indicates, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Posted the following on Opposing Views (http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opinion-church-should-fight-homosexuality-like-it-did-nazism):

Fight Sin versus Oppose Sin

I believe our responsibility as Christians is to actively oppose sin in any form. Just as an infant cannot understand physics a non-Christian cannot understand our faith. We are to educate them, enlighten them and primarily love them.

As Christians we understand that sin is sin. Period. If I steal a pen from the supply room at work, where there are thousands of them, I have just committed a sin that is just as abhorrent as killing 6 million Jews. A non-Christian sees this as absurd, the two cannot be equated. They cannot see beyond this life. It's all they have and they will cling to it with all their might. Christians don't or shouldn't cling to this life. We are merely passing through on our way to heaven. We have an obligation to those around us to teach them the way. To open their eyes and ears to the truth. Some will, some won't but it is our attempt that is important. Matthew writes in chapter 5:13-16 that Jesus said,

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Fighting sin does no one any good. Oppose sin in every form, love your neighbor and above all love God.

In Christ Jesus

TCH

A response was sent and it follows:

analogy

"Just as an infant cannot understand physics a non-Christian cannot understand our faith."
I don't think this is a great analogy. Perhaps if you said "...an unintelligent/ignorant non-Christian cannot understand our faith," it would be a bit more applicable. However, there are many intelligent non-religious people who do understand faith. But instead choose to adhere to logic. A Christian (or any religious person) chooses to have faith in something without conclusive evidence behind such a belief. That is why it is called faith. An intelligent, non-religious person can understand this aspect of faith and choose to reject it in favor of logic. That choice does not indicate that the person is devoid of understanding of what the faith is.

And I'm not trying to be offensive. I was just trying to make the distinction between people who choose to believe in faith and people who choose to abide to logic. Just because somebody chooses the opposite path to you does not inherently make that decision comparable to an infant being unable to comprehend physics. It's the reasoning behind the choice which matters.

My response was as follows:

Logic and Wisdom

If worldly logic can allow you to understand Christian Faith then explain the following:

Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Corinthians 3:18-19
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."

Psalm 14:1
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Psalm 92:6-7
The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline .
TCH


How do you explain something you do not understand? You learn it. How do you learn about Christian Faith? Read the Bible? No, because there is no understanding just reading the words. You must pray earnestly and ask God for understanding. You must open your ears and eyes so that you can hear and see what God wishes you to hear and see. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Therefore all these are connected, prayer, understanding and faith. You must have all three to understand Christian Faith.

Remember also that there are different levels of understanding. Just as a child does not understand all that a grown person does so it is with the faithful. Some of us study for years and are still infants in the faith. Others are given faith in great amounts to accomplish the work set forth for them by God.

Other thoughts...
Psalm 119:73 – Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.

Psalm 119:144 – Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live.

Proverbs 1:1-7 – The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
TCH