Doubts and questions of new Christians
Existence and Nature of God?
Many new Christians grapple with the fundamental question of God’s existence. They seek tangible evidence or personal experiences that affirm His presence. Understanding the nature of God—His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and benevolence—can also be challenging. They might wonder how an all-powerful and all-knowing God can be personally involved in their lives and what it means to have a relationship with such a being.
First “Think Hebrew”
Doubts and questions of new Christiansanswer for new Christians and all believers has been accurately given in The Bethel Bible Study. (https://www.bethelbibleseries.org). In the first lesson it explains how it is important to “think Hebrew” when considering the Bible and the nature of God. The point is that most of us have a more Greek logical approach to life.
Here is an example of how to “think Hebrew.”
In Genesis we find this strange account of the Nephilim.
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.
Genesis 6:4-5
Scholars have long debated about the origin and meaning of the word Nephilim and there are various explanations concerning them. A quick glance at Wikipedia can give you this in some detail. However, I have found none of these explanations satisfactory.
However, while receiving leaders’ training for the Bethel Bible Series I received the alternate view that follows. The most important principle of the Bethel study is to “Think Hebrew when reading the Bible. Most of us tend to “Think Greek.” We want the Bible to make sense logically. We ask questions like, “Where did Cain’s wife come from?” We want to know exactly who these Nephilim were. We want to know where they came from and when they disappeared. If they were giants we want to know how big!
Our instructor for the course at Bethel was The Rev. Robert Wise. He is indeed one of the wisest teachers I ever had. After helping us understand that what we have here is probably a remnant of some older myth, he summed up the meaning of this short episode saying: “When the powerful take the beautiful for their own desires there will be hell to pay!”
At the time the country was in the midst of trying to understand the President Clinton / Lewinsky scandal! Yes, the Bible, even the first book, is still relevant. How the mighty have fallen. At the time of this writing it is also true. “Giants” of Cinema, Television, Politics and News have taken beautiful women against their will and again we have seen “how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth.”
What I hope you gain from this is the idea that is so clear here; even what may seem obscure in the Bible has some deeper meaning if we keep meditating upon it.
The existence of God
When we are thinking like Greeks we try to understand God logically. We want some practical evidence. We want something we can get a handle on to confirm His presence. Many people for example think it is logical to believe that given the odds against the existence of life on earth it must have been created by an intelligent creator. While I find this a compelling argument it is looking for an answer in the wrong way.
It is more believable for me personally and in the historical, contemporary, and personal stories of people who have had a spiritual or mystical experience of God. Consider the Biblical story of Saul (renamed Paul). Likewise the story of John Newton the author of the great hymn Amazing Grace. Indeed, Jordon Peterson tells us meaning even thinking is conveyed in stories! That is thinking Hebrew.
The Nature of God
Yes we often consider God as having the qualities and abilities of omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and benevolence. The Bible doesn’t use those words. It tells stories. The book of Genesis tells the story of creation. Greek thinking tries to evaluate the story by comparing it to scientific exploration of the universe and geology. However, the message of Genesis is that what God created is Good!
Further stories share how God works in Covenantal relationship with people. Abraham is blessed that through him the world will be blessed. The most well known verse of the Bible John 3:16 assures us that God loves the world!
Accuracy of the Bible
The Bible is central to the Christian faith, but new believers often question its reliability. They may wonder about the historical accuracy of the biblical accounts, the process of canonization, and the translations over centuries. Questions arise about apparent contradictions and the cultural relevance of ancient texts in the modern world. Understanding the Bible’s divine inspiration and its role as a guide for faith and practice requires time and study.
The Bible consists of many different genres. (A fancy word meaning kind of writing) in the Bible there are historical accounts. There are also examples of poetry, wisdom, proverbs, gospels, letters and apocalyptic literature to name a few. We should not expect the Bible to read like a Newspaper. Take the book of Jonah for example. I believe it is a farce, yet very true. In this story God gives Jonah a mission. Instead of accepting it he takes off in the opposite direction and ends up in the belt of a whale. Instead of thinking Greek trying to figure out how he survived we need to ask what is the truth of the story! When God calls you to do the impossible ( warn you enemies in a foreign place of their wrong behavior) you had better follow His request!
The Bible is relevant today
Above is one example in the story of the Nephilim. Another is found in the Sermon on the mount. The wisdom of the Beatitudes are just as meaningful today as when Jesus taught them. See my book on the teachings of Jesus for this and further examples. (Click here).
The wisdom of Proverbs applies to us and our relationships.
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2
for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4
for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]
7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction.
Many Translations
The first written forms of the Bible were Hebrew for the Old Testament and common Greek for the New Testament. The Bible was later translated into Latin and what his name the Vulgate. The biggest step forward was the invention of the printing press. The first widely available Bible using that method was Martin Luther’s translation into German. Next, there were several translations into English. The most notable still in use today is the King James Version, commonly known as the KJV. In the middle of the last century, there were many “ modern translations.” Among these are the RSV ( The Revised Standard Version ), The New International Version, The Good News for Modern Man, The New English Bible, and The Message. Also there is Te Jerusalem Bible which is a Roman Catholic translation.
It is helpful to realize that there are two basic methods for translation: word for word, and meaning for meaning. The first of these is obvious translators do their best to find an equivalent word saying in English. In the second approach, the translators try to capture the meaning of a passage. For example, you will find dollars instead Roman money.
Jesus’ Divinity and Resurrection
Accepting Jesus as both fully God and fully human can be perplexing. New Christians might question the virgin birth, the miracles, and especially the resurrection. They may seek historical and logical evidence for these events and struggle to understand their significance. The concept that Jesus’ resurrection ensures eternal life and salvation can be a profound but difficult belief to fully grasp.
I confess that I find the virgin birth, perhaps the most difficult idea to accept. However, I resolve these doubts for myself when I consider. That I have no problem believing that God created everything. If He is creator of the universe and all the wonder of it he can certainly manage a virgin birth. It seems to me that much of life is filled with paradox. this is the frame of reference I use to consider Jesus as both fully God and fully human.
Miracles are easier to grasp. They occur in small ways for many of us, and dramatically on occasion. I am writing this shortly after the failed assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump. Some might say he was lucky. A Christian is more likely to say it was a miracle.
Problem of Evil and Suffering
One of the most profound challenges is reconciling the existence of evil and suffering with the belief in a loving and omnipotent God. New Christians may struggle with why bad things happen to good people, the presence of natural disasters, and personal tragedies. They seek answers to why God allows pain and how this aligns with His goodness and plan for humanity.
In addressing this issue, I find it hard to move beyond Greek thinking and think Hebrew. The following logic is what helps me. First, I think it is clear that God is love. The Bible tells us this over and over again. Secondly, for there to be love, there must be free will. If there is no option to love, then whatever it is, it’s not love. Unfortunately, for the victims, the free will of villains often means others get hurt.
Jesus tells us the sun shines and the rain falls on the good and bad alike. Disasters happen. Volcanoes erupt, and rivers rise. Tornadoes twist destruction and Hurricanes flood the land. However, let us not blame God for everything. In the Netherlands they build dikes to last forever. In New Orleans so much. Near where I live the rich, who should be wiser build multi- million dollar homes on the wrong side of the levee.
My late wife was chronically ill for 29 years. We learned it doesn’t help to ask”Why?” Rather the right question is “How.” How do we live faithful now this has happenedeD.
Salvation and Assurance
Understanding salvation can bring up concerns about its permanence and conditions. New Christians might worry about whether their faith is genuine, if they are truly saved, and what it means to “work out” their salvation. Assurance of salvation, dealing with doubt, and understanding grace versus works are critical areas they seek to understand.
Years ago I got tired of Christians asking me if I was saved and when. So I wrote a song saying “I was saved on a Friday when Jesus died for me.” When Paul wrote we must work out our salvation in fear and trembling it should cause us pause. Our si s have been forgiven yet we may over time come to realize how we continue us to sin in even more subtle ways. Thus when we recognize how we are still selfish, or proud, regardless of our efforts we confess and be grateful for God’s Amazing Grace.
Prayer and God’s Will
Prayer is a fundamental practice, yet many new believers find it challenging to know how to pray effectively and what to pray for. They question how to recognize God’s answers to their prayers and how to discern His will for their lives. Understanding the nature of prayer as a conversation with God and its impact on their spiritual growth can take time.
It does take time as do all our relationships. It takes time each day and it grows over a lifetime. As I have mentioned in other places the acronym ACTS is a good place to start: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.
Living a Christian Life
Applying Christian principles to everyday life poses many questions. New Christians seek guidance on how to make moral decisions, handle ethical dilemmas, and reflect Christ in their actions. They may worry about overcoming old habits, dealing with societal pressures, and living out their faith authentically in various spheres of life.
Although I find slogans to be sometimes less than helpful this one can be if we keep from becoming legalistic. “What would Jesus do?” If you face a questionable situations meditate on that question. Martin Luther famously suggested we should “Sin boldly, yet boldly believe.” The idea is inaction and timidity are not what God expects.
Different Denominations and Beliefs
The existence of numerous Christian denominations can be confusing. New Christians might wonder why there are so many interpretations of Christianity and which one is correct. They seek to understand doctrinal differences, worship styles, and theological perspectives. Navigating these differences and finding a community that aligns with their beliefs can be daunting.
Early Church
Helps to understand the role of history in origin of different denominations. In the beginning of Christianity the was no “denomination” as such. The Apostles, especially Paul, spread across the known world. If there was any division it was between Jewish and Gentile believers. If there was a central church it was in Jerusalem.
Nicaea
By the time emperor Constantine became a Christian there were a variety of beliefs and arguments over theology. In 325 he called a conference of all bishops and demanded they settle on a unified understanding of theology and preferred (canonical) books of the Bible. Some bishops from the east and did not come and the led to the split between Orthodox and Catholic Christianity.
Roman Catholics and Protestants
The Roman Catholic Church was coalesced around the successors of Peter in Rome. This situation lasted until the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther was a key figure in Germany. However, there were others like John Calvin who emerged in the same time. These various leader were the beginning of denominations today: Lutheran, Presbyterians, Baptist and others.
England
This also lead to changes in England which lead to the Episcopal church in the United States. Further divisions in Europe and persecution of some lead to the Amish, Shakers, Quakers, Mennonites, and Friends. Eventually other more fringe groups organized including Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.
Pentecostal
Then in the beginning of the last century there was a renewed interest in the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the spirit. From this beginning emergered a variety of denominations. The most prominent is the Assembly of God.
Non denominational
In the 1960s the Holy Spirit movement (Charismatic) moved into the Roman Catholic. Burch and some Protestant denominations. As this was not altogether welcomed there arose a movement of independent non-denominational congregations.
Cultural splits
At the end of the last century and beginning of this there have been some more splits over more cultural differences (political correctness, wokeism, etc.) the Episcopal church had several spin offs, ANCA (The Anglican Church in America) is perhaps the largest.
In the 1990’s The International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (ICCEC) was formed by folks from Prentecostal and Episcopal Churches. ( I recently joined in January of 2024). We strive to include sacrament, evangelical, and charismatic traditions of the church.
Role of the Holy Spirit
Understanding the Holy Spirit’s role is often complex for new believers. They may question how the Holy Spirit works in their lives, what it means to be filled with the Spirit, and how to recognize spiritual gifts. The concept of the Holy Spirit as a guide, comforter, and source of empowerment requires a deepening of their spiritual awareness and knowledge.
As discussed briefly above there are some denominations and traditions that put more emphasis upon the Holy Spirit.
End Times and Afterlife
Curiosity about what happens after death and the events of the end times can be both intriguing and intimidating. New Christians often have questions about heaven, hell, judgment, and the signs of the end times. They seek to understand biblical prophecies and what these mean for their lives and the future of the world, balancing fear with the hope of eternal life.
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