criticizing Christianity

[Comprehend]

You must first SEEK the truth before you can find it.

If you read any book, or participate in any endeavor looking for the truth, it will present itself. You may ignore it, or choose another path, but the truth will be there for you to find.

Yeah,isn't reading the bible *seeking* the truth? What else would you call it if you have a non-christian trying to find out about Jesus by reading the bible? It sounds like you are saying that reading the bible will lead you to truth, whereas Scott was saying that you would just get confused. but now Scott said Amen to your post so I think I am confused. Are you saying that a non-christian can read the bible and find truth and Scott is agreeing? I thought Scott said the opposite....

 

[Scuba Pete]

Yeah,isn't reading the bible *seeking* the truth?

Not neccesarily. Some read the scriptures in order to debunk it. Some read the scriptures to validate what they already believe. Some read it out of some legalistic command to do a Bible study.

God, through his Spirit, knows your heart and if you are really seeking him. This is far different than merely seeking "understanding" or "enlightenment". Those are selfish reasons. Truth does not result in mere head knowledge, it results in a life changing ethic to help others.

Isaiah 58:1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail. NIV