God’s hiddenness is addressed in the Bible in several ways: Creation shows God. Romans 1:20 - God’s qualities are visible through creation, leaving no excuse not to recognize him. God wants willing seekers. James 4:8 - God draws near to those who choose to seek him freely, not by force. Faith requires trust. Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is key in approaching God, which involves trusting without complete visibility. Timing and readiness. John 14:21 - God reveals himself based on people's willingness and love for him. Humility matters. Matthew 11:25 - God reveals himself to the humble, not the proud or those demanding proof. These points show God isn't absent, he’s evident for those willing to seek him genuinely.
@@CrossExaminedexplain how OMNISCIENT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT DOESN'T KNOW THE DAY OR HOUR? You can't that is impossible. Frank is a liar and has no clue.
@@robertvann7349umm. I…don’t quite get where you’re coming from here? Haven’t had a chance to watch the full video yet thanks to, let’s be blunt, a bunch of real life things. Could you give me a timestamp for the section in question, so I can get a better idea of what you’re saying? This could be a major thing if you’re right, so I’d like to fact-check and everything when I get a chance. The first verse that comes to mind regarding not knowing the day or hour is regarding the end of days, and while I can’t cite it off the top of my head (annoyingly), I do recall it doesn’t directly mention God, and honestly I’d like to review the translation. See if something got omitted. And out of curiosity, why is this a reply? It feels like it’d draw more attention if it’s a direct comment - unless I missed something about how UA-cam works.
This young man Luke was so humble, kind, respectful, honest, and vulnerable. This exchange really touched my heart. I will be praying for him and others like him.
I grew up in a traditional, conservative Methodist church. I first heard the Gospel in a children's after school Bible club when I was 9 years old. When I was 12, I went to another group for children to hear Bible stories and the Gospel. Jesus revealed Himself to me when I attended my first gospel concert at the age of 19. He convicted me of sin, and out of the blue, I wept and wept from the sorrow of my sin. Then, 4 years later, Jesus revealed Himself to me again! A couple of weeks later, I fully committed the rest of my life to Him to serve Him out of gratitude for the gift of His precious forgiveness! And this past August I celebrated my 44th spiritual birthday! I'm still so grateful for His grace and mercy! PRAISE JESUS!!!!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
You grew up in a church? That doesn't mean you're called. John 6;44. If you're called, you're not going to try to control God with your own Lord's day. The vast majority of professing Christianity is not called. They have forced themselves on Jesus. It only took me 5 years in a church to discover I'm not called. Then my mentor told me the ten commandments weren't given to Moses. Trying to prove him wrong with scripture, scripture proved me wrong, and God immediately called. Are you truly called, or a Sunday Christian for decades? Scripture is the firewall to fraud, and a trumpet to the called.
@@eltonron1558 I'm glad you're asking, Elton! I will give you some verses from the book of Romans in the Bible. Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-10, and chapter 13. All of these verses explain what the Gospel is. To sum it up, the word "Gospel" means Good News!
@kathierouse6046 I'm glad you're willing to prove you don't know the gospel. You have cited the teaching of salvation, NOT the gospel, bless your mortal heart. There is a difference. One is the gospel, the other is not, but thought to be the gospel, which is why he hasn't returned. Mk. 1:14-15, is the gospel, because JESUS, said it be the gospel. Mt. 24:14, gospel, and end. Why have you forgotten your Lord's prayer? Thy kingdom come, gospel. I don't recall even reading the word "gospel ", in the passages you cited. There is only one gospel. The gospel of your salvation is the same gospel Jesus said is the gospel, only one gospel. YOU HAVE BEED DECEIVED YOUR WHOLE CHURCH LIFE ABOUT THE GOSPEL, when you could just READ it, the whole time. Paul too, gospel. Acts 28:31. The gospel is simple and straightforward, the teaching of salvation, is lengthy complicated, with a need for a savior rocket science, with the holy spirit thrown in, not the simple gospel, that the kingdom of God is coming. NOW LOOK, scripture again proves the gospel. 1Cor. 15:23-24, simple gospel fulfilled, kingdom delivered up, the END. The same end of Mt. 24:14. Scripture is the firewall to fraud. You have been calling ANOTHER GOSPEL, the gospel, without just reading it for yourself, bless your completely deceived mortal heart. So when you heard the gospel at a young age, you DIDN'T HEAR THE GOSPEL, just the teaching of salvation being called the gospel. Now you know the gospel. BY SCRIPTURE, no more lies. Now, all you need do, is convince the other 88 million Christianity to believe the gospel. He will not return by your gospel, only his.
God remains hidden because he doesn't exist. Why is your god afraid to show himself to modern humans? He could come down and heal all amputees and then I would become a believer.
@@RaySanders-vp2ql He comes to those that seek with their heart, to those who truly want to find Him. Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they (me and you) are without excuse. Read the book of John. Just see what you think, love you.
@@RaySanders-vp2ql Would you? Or would you then demand he cure all cancers, and then blindness, and then deafness, and then hunger, etc. At what point would you really be satisfied? And why do you think that GOD the creator should perform for you to gain your faith? Kind of runs counter to the word 'faith' doesn't it? Do you really believe all of CREATION is an accident that magically spawned billions if not trillions of different forms of life that thrive and prosper and replicate on some random ball of dirt and water? I think that would take a greater amount of faith than to have faith in a creator of intelligent design.
God already showed himself by having Frank show up. Luke is almost crying because what he doesn't understand is what love looks like. Sure its pulling a drowning person from a lake, but its also preventing the drowning.
This is one of the most valuable videos on UA-cam. When a human approaches life the best way (humility, curiosity, appreciation, teamwork, all of time & space, etc), they have the best relationship with the best entity in existence, our amazing God (the Creator of existence), together.
@@somerandom3247 it took me a very long time of consistently searching for the truth before I was surprised with the answer that Christ is truth. I did not expect the gift when it was given but the evidence bore it out. He who seeketh will findeth, if you seek the truth and love it above all else you will find it as well my friend!
I disagree that faith is a gift. The gift of God is salvation paid for freely by Jesus. We have the choice to believe or not and it really depends on the hardness of a heart on whether someone can humbly choose to pit their faith on Jesus. God is not willing that anyone should perish. That ALL should come to him.
God bless this young man. The most beautiful thing to see in the faith is when a child comes to it. No logic in the way, all heart. So pure, so inspiring. God is never hidden, he is always there just waiting for us to humble our hearts like a child receiving a gift. Nothing could be more easy, and yet we make it more so difficult.
@@HumbleBee123It's not easy, but it's also not a waste of time. 🙂 Don't let the gushing of sister super Christian discourage you hahaha. Read _Mere Christianity_ or _the Case for Christ_ for less emotionalism.
This was me! Grew up Christian, didn't believe in God, then I hated him, but then I was pretty apathetic to religion.... Like God is real, fine but if he's good I will be fine. AND Then the calls began. I would get pamphlets about Jesus, got asked to join bible studies and was just like... nah. And then... LOL my life was in SHAMBLES... (still living through the consequences btw) My mom told me I should read the Bible. I bought TONS of books, Jordan Peterson's book, manifestation books, little women, Jane Eyre.... And nothing. I didn't know what I was looking for, AND I began to read it the Bible, and then, put it down. I told my Mom Abraham was a liar and the Bible isn't for me... MONTHS later, I said to myself, I should buy my own Bible if I am going to do this... So, I picked up the Bible that I bought on April 27, 2023 and read it. Just read all of it, Genesis to Revelation in like 40-50 days. To be quite honest, I didn't expect anything from reading it. I thought I'd read it and move on with my life. Jesus was like NOPE! Jesus saved me HIMSELF with HIS word. ! He didn't use a person. It was like an invitation he gave me personally! I am so HAPPY he chose me. It was like a light switch. And my GOODNESS I have been REDEEMED. If Mr. Luke who keeps searching, Christ will be found. ❤I pray he comes to Christ because He is right; ask and it is given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you. God bless you all! Keep seeking Jesus cause he loves us❤
I admire this honest, conscientious young man. It may be, though, that his focus is solely on his intellectual understanding? Having good understanding and evidence are vital...but it seems to me, it is more those who keep knocking or crying out to God that He reveals Himself to, rather than those who think His presence will become known to them through their intellectual understanding of Him and the Christian faith. In other words, as He tells us in Jeremiah 29:13, "You will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
the agnostic guy name is Luke. the displayed screen in Frank's background on his left have a verse that says Luke 4:18 and Luke 4:18 says "...He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind..." of course being blind here is metaphorical.
Praying for him and God bless him!! For me, I only found God when I sought him with my whole heart. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
Praying for you, Luke that you continue to seek him and when God reveals himself you will give you the wisdom and understanding how his timing is always perfect. The moment you get saved and use it in a mighty way through God’s grace, with his favor and blessing you through generations
What a great conversation! I have to agree based on my own experience. I was exposed to various religions as a child. Wholly didn’t believe in the Bible, God or Jesus because I was ignorant. But when I was 46 years old and after many years of pursuit by the Holy Spirit, He revealed Himself to me and I instantly knew it had been Him, “something greater than me at work in my life that I didn’t know or understand” but yet the Word tells us He is known in the earth by His creation, His presence! Awesome is His love and long suffering towards each of us!
“Keep knocking and seeking” was one of the things that really stuck with me when I started seeking God. I was older than him when my heart started to understand and change.
I asked God for faith when I was a boy...In the interim 50 years I was a practicing atheist until God gave me the evidence of His existence and I turned back to face Him. When I looked backed on the previous 50 years, I saw my experiences were God tapping me on the shoulder. Luke; He is probably touching you right now, but in His own Way and language. Don't wait 50 years to experience Him! You'll feel like you've wasted your life on meaningless pursuits.
Wow! What an awesome conversation! I'd love to talk to this young man. I got saved at 5 and believed all the things about Christianity, but for years I wrestled with doubts and not "feeling" or hearing God. Only when I went through dark mental and physical health struggles and relearned the truth that faith is a decision, not a feeling, did I actually get to know Jesus intimately, to the point where I felt His presence. I KNEW He was real and I was saved and had eternal life. God rewards that choice with the spiritual guarantee of the Holy Spirit. I still struggle, especially when the depression raises its frightful head, but Jesus is stronger than that.
Your "faith" is no more reliable or valid than the faith used by followers of Zeus, Thor, Allah, Buddah, Mithrah, Dionysius or any one of a thousand other man made "Gods". Obviously if "faith" can be used to believe in God *X* and also used to believe in God *Y* then faith is NOT a reliable pathway to truth. _"where there is evidence no one speaks of "faith" - we do not speak of faith that two and two are four or that the earth is round_ _We only speak of faith when we wish to substitute emotion for evidence"_ - *Bertrand Russell*
BELIEF is NOT *"CHOICE"* or a mere act of volition. Sure someone can pretend to believe anything but the things one actually believe are not something you choose they are an involuntary response to one's level of information and understanding of their environment. You are either convinced or you are unconvinced and its EVIDENCE that convinces. I could not just make myself believe in pixies no matter how much I closed my eyes and stamped my feet. Anymore than you could right now "choose" to be convinced that God is not real or that the laws of gravity don't apply to you if you step off that cliff. BELIEF is NOT *"CHOICE"* or a mere act of volition. Sure someone can pretend to believe anything but the things one actually believe are not something you choose they are an involuntary response to one's level of information and understanding of their environment. You are either convinced or you are unconvinced and its EVIDENCE that convinces. I could not just make myself believe in pixies no matter how much I closed my eyes and stamped my feet. Anymore than you could right now "choose" to be convinced that God is not real or that the laws of gravity don't apply to you if you step off that cliff.
That was one of the most thought-provoking episodes I’ve seen with regard to atheist conversions, as well as our own psychology that denies evidence. Brilliant !!!!
Psychology for belief and and unbelief works similar. We can become bias and see what we want and be ignorant to what we dont want to see. I am agnostic atheist and I am seeking. I really want to know the truth. But I'm aware of psychology and want to believe because its true and not because I want it to be true.
@@HumbleBee123 Could I give you a good reason to believe in God, and then if you are convinced the Christian's specifically? Jesus loves you. God bless.
@@HumbleBee123 Thank you: P1. Things change; potentials are actualized. For example, the potential for an apple to be eaten is actualized by someone actually eating it. It would be self-defeating to say otherwise as one has to presuppose change to both changing from belief to unbelief to it and trying to change someone else's mind. P2. Everything that is actualized is actualized by another already in a state of actuality. This is because something that is a potential being, by definition, only potentially has causal power. In order for something to actualize itself in the same respect would require a potential being to have the causal power to actualize itself. As said before, potential beings have no causal power so that is nonsensical. This means everything actualized only has derivative power, power only insofar as the last actualizer gives it power P3. This chain of potentials being actualized cannot go on infinitely, it must end in a purely actual unactualized actualizer. Think of a computer being plugged into a power strip. If that power strip is not plugged in, will the computer be powered? Obviously no. What if you plug that power strip into another still not plugged in? No again. Infinite? No. It must be plugged into something that has power (in an incomplete sense) in itself, say a generator. As everything in this chain being actualized only has derivative power, and cannot power itself, this chain must terminate in something that has power in itself, something purely actual without potential as otherwise it would not be the first member and be akin to just another power strip. Without a first member that has power in itself there could be no movement or actualization of potentials. I won't explain in this comment, but upon analysis this purely actual unactualized actualizer is one, immutable, necessary, omnipresent, omnibenevolent, omnipotent, omniscient, perfect mind. Jesus loves you. God bless.
I was in a similar situation to Luke here. I was raised in a Christian household, but my parents never took me to church except on occasional days like a Christmas Eve or when my grandparents from out of state came to visit. Both sets of grandparents went to church. I attended a Christian grade school and high school. I basically left the faith for almost a decade after hs and somehow found my way back to God. I am not even 100% certain if I was actually a Christian back then. All I know now is that I believe Christ is my Lord and Savior. I certainly said it in the past, but it may have been because I loved my parents and grandparents and I felt it was the polite and respectful thing to say in front of them. God works in mysterious ways. Keep your heart and mind open. Stay safe everyone and God bless ❤️🙏✝️
@@96Logan When you are unable to remember if you were a Christian, and then became one. That is really strange, I can tell you every detail of how I met my wife and details of our relationship throughout the 40 years And you can't remember the relationship you have with God. That's very telling!
@@hhh-et2vi Probably because I didn't really have one. Either mustard seed faith or possibly none at all. Did you grow up believing certain things your parents/family told you when you were a child? Doesn't have to be religious in nature. Could be on any topic really... And then you dove in later on in life to find out for yourself? Yes. Being a child, getting told stuff and taking it as fact because your family said it is the calling card of being... Well, a child
@@hhh-et2vi What is the problem with reflecting on my childhood faith as an adult? What has convinced me now is that I have been spending more time in apologetics, prayer, and going through some really tough stuff in life. As a kid, my default wasn't to turn to God. Now it is.
@@hhh-et2vi That's a bit too easy for me. I (and probably you neither) don't know, why the honest search led him to agnosticism (which is what he states as is belief in the video). I don't know, what he's missing or what exactly is holding him back. I don't know if he is "doing it wrong". I cannor judge that (and I wouldn't dare to propose that I did it right and that's why I am believer). All I see is a young man, who respectfully and calmly asks an honest question, which is such a nice change for once, when most people asking Frank Turek questions who are in a similar state (raised christian, now agnostic) are arguing angry and only trying to make a point rather than really trying to have a conversation.
I couldn’t agree more. I have never heard of divine hiddenness. It’s rare these days to see someone using critical thinking skills. Keeping Luke in my prayers
This young man is same as me. I also seek an encounter with God. Grew up in a church and still going to one, I don't *feel* it, but I believe, it is really hard. I think I may have a block in my heart subconsciously, I do not know. I am convinced Jesus existed, He rose from the dead, and his diaciples wrote what they wrote. But God is the one I need a relationship with. He feels...distant, but I know He is next to me if I somehow let Him?
The Truth isn’t too complicated to understand. It’s our feelings that make it complicated. That’s why we’re told: Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 Truth constantly being put in our mind by reading the Bible with a heart of humility will remove the doubts that come from our heart. Thank you Dr Frank Turek for your wisdom and insight helping me grow over this past year
I was much like this guy at one point in my life. I maintained the faith that I was raised up in but it seemed like a facade to me. I’d pray and things but really didn’t understand what I claimed to believe. Then I was caught in a situation where I was trapped and was about to have a complete mental breakdown. I prayed for Gods help and immediately the prayer was answered. It took me a while to process but I know God is real and his timing is his. I think back on that event often. There’s been others in my life but this was an instantaneous miracle no doubt it was from God
I thought this young man articulated his position beautifully. And was equally answered. Praying for you Luke. Keep searching brother. You know He is there. 🙏🏾❤️🫶🏾🌴
I completely understand where Luke is coming from, when he said that he wants the experience with God that no one can talk him into or out of, I get it. When you get saved, you become a regenerated new creation and that is experienced, it isn't just a made up mind. Luke is longing to be drawn by the Spirit of God into a relationship with him. Once that has happened, no one can tell Him that God is not real. Let's pray that that happens for him. If I hadn't had that experience of regeneration, I wouldn't have faith.
This is a smart, intellectual young man. The problem I sometimes see with smart, intellectual people is that they outsmart themselves, sometimes to the point of death. Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." -Matt18:3-4 DISCLAIMER- I paused the video and made the above comment before watching it to the end. Then I resumed watching and Frank went in to how our psychology deceives us -I hit the bingo. Thank you Frank! Dear Lord God above, please bless and minister to Luke, in Jesus Mighty Name 🙏
I longed for God and searched for him everywhere but in biblical Christianity since I was about 17. At 36, two years ago, I got saved (praise God!🙏). I am now living my best life, which is with God, even though I suffer from a chronic illness and my life from the outside might not look very cool - I can honestly say; I have never been happier, and it is because of Jesus❤ So I totally understand where this guy is coming from. I pray that God's plan with Luke will come to fruition🙏🕊️🙏🕊️
@@briankelly1240 Do what the bible says. Jesus said ALL who call upon His name SHALL BE SAVED. So call upon Jesus make Him the Lord & Savior of your life & repent of all your sins.
This definitely humbled me in leaving my husband's beliefs to God. I was found by Christ after we married, and I have to remember that that was also on God's watch.
@@memecity9849that means she holds the belief Christ found her. I have a similar testimony. I see nothing cryptic in her statement. What is your intent in asking her?
I was raised Christian and have the same question. How can I be found by Christ or find Him? I have heard many testimonials, but they don't make sense to me. I want to have the encounter with God, how do I do this?
Even those who saw Jesus firsthand performing miracles denied him, proof is not enough for some people & will never be enough, unfortunately. You want proof, Romans 10:9 is the path to your proof. Once God gives you redemption, he will reveal himself to you in a way that will leave you with no doubt of his existence, the internet has countless stories of people testifying to that truth. Decades later, I still remember my experience alone in a dark room receiving my redemption & talking to God directly & he is as real to me now as the ground I walk on & it is now impossible for me not to believe. You gotta have faith!
Let me get this straight: Moses and the ancient Hebrews saw seas parting, bread raining from heaven, and rods changing into snakes as evidence for God's existence, but all we get is a 2000 yr old book that has been through a number of translations (not all of them accurate)? Aren't we lucky?🙄
@somerandom3247 Your proof, everyone has their own version of what they consider proof, but you know this and just twist words to suit your own argument. There are a great number of scientists out there today that admit that the only thing that can explain the existence of our universe is creation and a creator, nothing else fits. You blind yourself, God exists in what you see everyday if you opened your eyes and actually looked. The Shroud of Turin cannot be replicated even with our current technology, that alone mystified everyone who studies it. Keep painting your own reality though, it's what a lot of people do.
Indeed Charlotte. If a true fatherly God wanted us to believe a certain theological formula, with eternal torture on the line, this God would make sure all were sufficiently convinced of whatever was necessary. He would reveal himself daily, by the minute if needed. No supernatural feat would be too difficult or too much to ask, under these conditions.
This reminds me of Jesus' analogy of it being easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. It seems it's harder for young people, who have their health and life is good, to know how it feels to be separated from a good and holy God. That's the blessedness of trials in our lives. They make us look up. Maybe when this dear young man has some struggles and life isn't so rosy, he'll see his need for a Savior.
Don’t ever assume that just because someone is young that they haven’t been through hard times, struggles, pain, and suffering. That’s very foolish and ignorant.
@@CrossExaminedso have Frank explain CE doctrine war is both just and unjust a contradiction that is a lie. If war is both just and unjust then rapping his wife is both just and unjust.
Great answer and I’m nobody to say this but if by chance Luke is reading these comments, I want to you to know God does love you. It pains my heart to think it could take you another 5 years, what Frank said, if I can add anything please consider attending a good Bible teaching church service regularly and in your own without fanfare and much commentary, read the Bible. You can read about 20 minutes a day and read the Bible in a few months. I know you may not believe this but it’s the Word of God and even the act of reading it is an act of faith and it will help you see and more importantly KNOW God.
I tell people the same thing to KEEP ASKING, KEEP SEEKING, KEEP KNOCKING. I think of it as a little child who see's his dad goes up & ASKS for what he wants. If the child doesn't see his dad right away the child seeks his dad at home or where ever & eventually finds his dad. If the child's dad is in the bedroom, restroom etc. with the door shut the child knocks. And with each case the dad answers. Same we should do as Children of God seeking our Heavenly Father, God. And when we ask, seek, knock, GOD WILL HEAR & ANSWER US. GOD IS GOOD!
Luke, step out of the States, visit the Middle East where God is revealing Himself overtly to the Muslim population in amazing ways!! We recently came back from the Middle East and have met so many people...and have witnessed ourselves, the dreams and visions that have been bringing Muslims to Christ by the thousands!! God is not hidden!!
@@mattr.1887Good question. I think maybe the reason God might be revealing Himself in that way to those muslims is because a lot, if not most of them have little-to-no access to the gospel or the Bible
@mattr.1887 Yes, because Jesus is everywhere. What’s more: we can even receive Jesus in the holy Eucharist; His body, blood, soul and divinity. Jesus said in John 6:53 if we do not eat His body or drink His blood we do not have life within us. Jesus didn’t say this symbolically, mind you. Same at the last supper, Jesus said, “this IS my body,” not “this is a symbol of me, so go and eat bread and drink grape juice in remembrance of me.” Only in the Catholic Church at Mass can we truly receive Jesus.
Sometimes God does choose to reveal Himself to some people. I am one of those people. He had mercy on a wretch like me (previously a pagan, new age etc) not that I deserved it, but as His word says, "I will have mercy on who I have mercy and I will have compassion on who I have compassion." Romans 9:15
@@sushimamba4281 It is as Creator that God reveals Himself, by creation, and for the fact that He is the creator that marks Him as the self-existent God, and distinguishes Him from all false gods. "The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made the heavens." He reveals Himself to everyone, at all times, it's just that not everyone sees Him. Study the whole of Romans 9:14-18 in their context, in so doing you will see that it is all mercy and compassion. He does not say that He will have mercy on whomever He will have mercy, and that He will withhold it from whomever He will withhold it. And yet that is how the text is commonly interpreted, but it is all mercy and all compassion.
No I think he must wants the knowing, and overwhelming feeling of the love of God that Christian's speak of. To know God is feel and to feel boss love would amazing if he is real, because this will be the equivalent of finding the love of your life and being embraced by them and feeling they truelly love you beyond doubt. Christian's often speak of this and many seeking atheists long to know God. Many of us have not experienced much love either, so to feel someone loves you would be amazing. I dont know if God is real, I seek for years but do not find. Some of us are either not meant to or he isnt there. Either way I still search in desperation.
I've been where Luke is *I think* He has heard so many miraculous saves while never having a bad experience. God let me try and fail to have those grand events .. I hope he comes to read everyone's comments. Only the love God wants to give someone shows like this. Its not meant to save but to reassure of already being saved.
What have you done with the intelligently-designed world around you? Scoffed? Or, have you been humble? How many things do you need to be revealed to you? Have you examined the atom? The ant? The eyeball? Light? Matter? Sound? What are you doing and better yet, what are you doing with it and about it? Scoffing? Deceived? "Oh, you're so mean, be nice." Faithful with little, faithful with much. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Don't die in your sins. Don't go to the Lake of Fire.🔥 Faithful are the wounds of a friend. PROFUSE and DECEITFUL are the kisses of ... an enemy.
What evidence do you have to prove that the world around me was intelligently designed? As for the rest of your list, I've looked into all of them and none appear to require a god in the slightest.
God is knocking on Luke, or he wouldn't be asking these questions. Luke would be arguing and denying instead. (Mark: chapter 12, vv 28-34) Makes me think this young man is not far from the kingdom of God.
@memecity9849 Luke recognized that there is something beyond the materialistic world, and the Bible confirms it. Are you implying Christians cannot think for themselves?
@0i7PX72Nga Luke BELIEVES there is something beyond the materialistic word but does not have evidence. The Bible confirming that belief is literally a confirmation bias as the Bible has not been able to demonstrate the truth of that claim either
@0i7PX72Nga explain how science can have a confirmation bias. If someone has a hypothesis about an unexplained phenomenon, and experiments are done, with the results supporting one hypothesis over the other, that's following where the evidence leads. This is what science does. Since christianity deals with a deity and religion, it is inherently theological, and theologies based on faith, not facts or empirical data
The account of the prophet Elijah meeting God on Mount Horeb comes to mind for me: "So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before Yahweh.” And behold, Yahweh was passing by! And a great and strong wind was tearing up the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake. Then after the earthquake a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a thin gentle whisper. Now it happened that when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” - 1 Kings 19:9-18 LSB A THIN GENTLE WHISPER......... Isn't that how we have been met by GOD?
Disagree with his conclusion, "God doesn't want you to be a Christian right now." Nothing is further from the truth. Or bears greater opposition to Scripture.
@@WatermelonShug2nd Corinthians 6:2: “for He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.’ ‘Behold, now is “the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation’.”
@ thank you that, I’ve spent a good deal this evening mulling this over. Gotquestions website answered it for me with their article, “why do some people not turn to God until later in life?”
Pride is at the center of this. What he's saying is God needs to do some backflips in his living room to impress him enough and earn his faith. It's a criticism that God's word, His Son, all life and creation isn't good enough for him and it's God's fault for not giving him a little extra to win him over. Blaming God for his lack of belief isn't going to work. There's a wealth of evidence and resources at his fingertips and most have come to faith with far less. Dig down deep and I'd bet there's pride and sin standing in the way.
I thought I was seeking God for years until He showed me my pride had blinded me to trusting Him. He was right in front of me but I couldn’t see Him. The obstacle was my pride - the biggest of sins - not something God wouldn’t do.
He has free will. Furthermore, God is not at anyone's beck and call when they have no desire to believe in Him. Seems this guy actually does know God exists yet seems to require God to jump through hoops for little old him. He knows what he is doing and wants to blame God for his own beliefs and actions.
What's interesting is that I recently got into my faith again because of Jordan Peterson as well. I trusted him intellectually so I began listening to him and his talks about the bible. Which led me to researching again and reading the Bible. Then I began watching Cliff on UA-cam talk about Christianity. Which furthered my faith and then I saw him talk to Alex O'Connor and once again I had some doubts but didn't feel great about this Alex guy. Then I saw Frank outreason Alex and I looked up Frank videos which led me to this, in which he references Jordan Peterson. This could all be an algorithm that led me here but it is interesting that all of a sudden I keep being given what I need to further my faith. I hope it continues as I will keep seeking and knocking.
Oh boy 🤦. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil
I second that notion 🤦♂️, Larz. Sometimes, the drivel that comes from some of these people is absolutely nauseating to say the least. God bless you Larz and peace my brother 🙏
To anyone wanting to feel god or thinking you have never felt him: Have you ever felt love? From the heart? Or laughter, that came from the heart or have you ever felt in awe of a beautiful morning or sunrise? You were able to feel him in those moments. That was what someone who had a near death experience was told by the Lord. 🍀
@@Gek711 There is absolutely nothing presented to the likes of you that you would accept as an objective fact of creation for anything in existence. NOTHING at all.
Proverbs 22:6, which says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it". Seek and you will find. Knock and it will opened. It takes faith.
I think some people are looking for a spiritual “experience “ , like being struck by lightning as confirmation of their salvation. To simply come to a moment of belief seems too simple and it throws people off. A lot of people are looking for some magical event to confirm they have had this glorious justification experience and they are left confused when many times it’s just that still voice of the Holy Spirit wooing them.
I just want to say I had en encounter with Jesus Christ when covid started, I asked God if He was real to reveal himself to me and 2 weeks later I had a dream of a man with a white robe looking down at me but that same day when I went to wincow to buy some donuts i Told my parents the dream but all they told me was "Stop watching that Christan" because I was watching a Christan street preacher at that time, but once I got back home I remember it was like 9 or 10pm and i had a strong feeling to glance up to the sky just like I did in my dream and as soon as i looked up i saw a shooting star form right Infront of me and while i am looking at it I heard a crystal clear voice but in English that said "Jesus Christ" so Yes God is real and He revealed himself to me thou Jesus Christ. John 14:6 "Jesus answered, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life, no man comes unto The Father but thou Me." He is coming back very soon.
Such an intelligent kid - honest with Frank but I think dishonest with himself. God in His sovereignty has chosen to allow mankind to "reason" or not to reason, to believe or not believe to repent and turn to Jesus or to remain in our sins. He is not going to believe for us nor obey for us nor repent for us - but He still wants us to repent and believe with the faculties he has given us and to the revelation He has provided. This young man has to believe the truth he has received and respond to it in faith. Perhaps he is hanging on to his life like the rich young ruler?
I wonder if he came from a church background that emphasized the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, prophecy.. and in his mind, he didn't experience that (because so many often fake that to fit in), and he's not realizing that's not what he should be comparing his experience to, in order to determine whether God is speaking to him.
Luke God loves you and he has a plan for you, my suggestion is for you to travel, find a missionary group going somewhere far away from the US, I've seen complete atheists become believers after having experiences outside there comfort zones.
5:33 When does jesus say "Keep knocking. Keep seeking"? In Luke 11:10 he says: "For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." I can't find where he says the other.
Perhaps what was happening to everyone else in your Christian circles wasn't really happening. I was in a church where everyone was seeing visions and talking in tongues and I had nothing. But then I saw through their needs to see visions and realized it was Al false. Today I am a strong Christian despite that fact.
I wonder the same. I saw many come to Christ when I went to youth Christian camps, but never could really know what really stirred their hearts. I just know I want my heart stirred for God.
He showed why when he said that you can not talk somebody into faith. His mind is already closed, proving he's a cynic. It's hard for young people to accept the need for a Savior, having had not lived this life and suffered from its evil. That and, of course, seeing that their deeds are evil as well.
![[PODCAST] 8 Lines of Evidence FROM EGYPT for the Exodus](/img/n.gif)
FREE Download of sermon I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist!: 👉📱cutt.ly/cInI1eo
God’s hiddenness is addressed in the Bible in several ways:
Creation shows God. Romans 1:20 - God’s qualities are visible through creation, leaving no excuse not to recognize him.
God wants willing seekers. James 4:8 - God draws near to those who choose to seek him freely, not by force.
Faith requires trust. Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is key in approaching God, which involves trusting without complete visibility.
Timing and readiness. John 14:21 - God reveals himself based on people's willingness and love for him.
Humility matters. Matthew 11:25 - God reveals himself to the humble, not the proud or those demanding proof.
These points show God isn't absent, he’s evident for those willing to seek him genuinely.
Luke's humility, honesty, and respectfulness are so refreshing that i just want to give him a hug.
I concur ❤
Keep Luke in your prayers!
I'm in a very very VERY similar position to Luke. I wish I could get in touch with him.
@@CrossExaminedexplain how OMNISCIENT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT DOESN'T KNOW THE DAY OR HOUR? You can't that is impossible. Frank is a liar and has no clue.
@@robertvann7349umm. I…don’t quite get where you’re coming from here?
Haven’t had a chance to watch the full video yet thanks to, let’s be blunt, a bunch of real life things.
Could you give me a timestamp for the section in question, so I can get a better idea of what you’re saying? This could be a major thing if you’re right, so I’d like to fact-check and everything when I get a chance. The first verse that comes to mind regarding not knowing the day or hour is regarding the end of days, and while I can’t cite it off the top of my head (annoyingly), I do recall it doesn’t directly mention God, and honestly I’d like to review the translation. See if something got omitted.
And out of curiosity, why is this a reply? It feels like it’d draw more attention if it’s a direct comment - unless I missed something about how UA-cam works.
An honest seeker. Praying for that guy. Praise God for what you do, Dr. Frank!
God bless you!
This young man Luke was so humble, kind, respectful, honest, and vulnerable. This exchange really touched my heart. I will be praying for him and others like him.
I grew up in a traditional, conservative Methodist church. I first heard the Gospel in a children's after school Bible club when I was 9 years old. When I was 12, I went to another group for children to hear Bible stories and the Gospel.
Jesus revealed Himself to me when I attended my first gospel concert at the age of 19. He convicted me of sin, and out of the blue, I wept and wept from the sorrow of my sin. Then, 4 years later, Jesus revealed Himself to me again! A couple of weeks later, I fully committed the rest of my life to Him to serve Him out of gratitude for the gift of His precious forgiveness! And this past August I celebrated my 44th spiritual birthday! I'm still so grateful for His grace and mercy! PRAISE JESUS!!!!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Jesus does not "convict" of sin.
You grew up in a church? That doesn't mean you're called. John 6;44.
If you're called, you're not going to try to control God with your own Lord's day.
The vast majority of professing Christianity is not called. They have forced themselves on Jesus. It only took me 5 years in a church to discover I'm not called. Then my mentor told me the ten commandments weren't given to Moses.
Trying to prove him wrong with scripture, scripture proved me wrong, and God immediately called.
Are you truly called, or a Sunday Christian for decades?
Scripture is the firewall to fraud, and a trumpet to the called.
What is the gospel?
@@eltonron1558
I'm glad you're asking, Elton! I will give you some verses from the book of Romans in the Bible.
Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-10, and chapter 13. All of these verses explain what the Gospel is. To sum it up, the word "Gospel" means Good News!
@kathierouse6046 I'm glad you're willing to prove you don't know the gospel. You have cited the teaching of salvation, NOT the gospel, bless your mortal heart. There is a difference.
One is the gospel, the other is not, but thought to be the gospel, which is why he hasn't returned.
Mk. 1:14-15, is the gospel, because JESUS, said it be the gospel.
Mt. 24:14, gospel, and end.
Why have you forgotten your Lord's prayer?
Thy kingdom come, gospel.
I don't recall even reading the word "gospel ", in the passages you cited. There is only one gospel. The gospel of your salvation is the same gospel Jesus said is the gospel, only one gospel.
YOU HAVE BEED DECEIVED YOUR WHOLE CHURCH LIFE ABOUT THE GOSPEL, when you could just READ it, the whole time.
Paul too, gospel.
Acts 28:31.
The gospel is simple and straightforward, the teaching of salvation, is lengthy complicated, with a need for a savior rocket science, with the holy spirit thrown in, not the simple gospel, that the kingdom of God is coming.
NOW LOOK, scripture again proves the gospel.
1Cor. 15:23-24, simple gospel fulfilled, kingdom delivered up, the END. The same end of Mt. 24:14.
Scripture is the firewall to fraud. You have been calling ANOTHER GOSPEL, the gospel, without just reading it for yourself, bless your completely deceived mortal heart.
So when you heard the gospel at a young age, you DIDN'T HEAR THE GOSPEL, just the teaching of salvation being called the gospel. Now you know the gospel. BY SCRIPTURE, no more lies. Now, all you need do, is convince the other 88 million Christianity to believe the gospel.
He will not return by your gospel, only his.
Thank you CrossExamined 👍
Thanks for your continued support!
All my prayers to Luke, that God would reveal Himself to Luke in a mighty way!
God remains hidden because he doesn't exist. Why is your god afraid to show himself to modern humans? He could come down and heal all amputees and then I would become a believer.
@@RaySanders-vp2ql He comes to those that seek with their heart, to those who truly want to find Him.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they (me and you) are without excuse.
Read the book of John. Just see what you think, love you.
That's what he did 2000 years ago but you don't want it to be true. Would he do it today you would blame ai/photoshop. Be honest. @@RaySanders-vp2ql
@@RaySanders-vp2ql Would you? Or would you then demand he cure all cancers, and then blindness, and then deafness, and then hunger, etc. At what point would you really be satisfied? And why do you think that GOD the creator should perform for you to gain your faith? Kind of runs counter to the word 'faith' doesn't it? Do you really believe all of CREATION is an accident that magically spawned billions if not trillions of different forms of life that thrive and prosper and replicate on some random ball of dirt and water? I think that would take a greater amount of faith than to have faith in a creator of intelligent design.
God already showed himself by having Frank show up. Luke is almost crying because what he doesn't understand is what love looks like. Sure its pulling a drowning person from a lake, but its also preventing the drowning.
I believe this kid is much closer than he thinks. He keeps asking all these questions and I believe they’re the right questions. He will find Jesus.
A person asked Forrest Gump if he had found Jesus. Gump said, "No Sir, I didn't know he was lost.
Suddenly, In a momemt...
We serve a God of Suddenlies.... 😊
Keep praying for Luke!
This is one of the most valuable videos on UA-cam. When a human approaches life the best way (humility, curiosity, appreciation, teamwork, all of time & space, etc), they have the best relationship with the best entity in existence, our amazing God (the Creator of existence), together.
As a former atheist, faith is indeed a gift. You never know when God is going to bestow that gift upon your heart ❤
The gift of believing things you gave no good reason to believe........ No thanks
@pinnitt Well said, and thank you for sharing your testimony with us.
@@somerandom3247 it took me a very long time of consistently searching for the truth before I was surprised with the answer that Christ is truth. I did not expect the gift when it was given but the evidence bore it out. He who seeketh will findeth, if you seek the truth and love it above all else you will find it as well my friend!
@@somerandom3247 the gift of being fulfilled, free, and at peace
Are you at peace?
I disagree that faith is a gift. The gift of God is salvation paid for freely by Jesus. We have the choice to believe or not and it really depends on the hardness of a heart on whether someone can humbly choose to pit their faith on Jesus. God is not willing that anyone should perish. That ALL should come to him.
Luke, Frank is right! I was just like you!
God bless this young man. The most beautiful thing to see in the faith is when a child comes to it. No logic in the way, all heart. So pure, so inspiring. God is never hidden, he is always there just waiting for us to humble our hearts like a child receiving a gift. Nothing could be more easy, and yet we make it more so difficult.
You make it sound so easy but many of us struggle. Infact it's draining, I do often wonder if I'm wasting my time
@@HumbleBee123It's not easy, but it's also not a waste of time. 🙂 Don't let the gushing of sister super Christian discourage you hahaha. Read _Mere Christianity_ or _the Case for Christ_ for less emotionalism.
This was me! Grew up Christian, didn't believe in God, then I hated him, but then I was pretty apathetic to religion.... Like God is real, fine but if he's good I will be fine. AND Then the calls began. I would get pamphlets about Jesus, got asked to join bible studies and was just like... nah. And then... LOL my life was in SHAMBLES... (still living through the consequences btw) My mom told me I should read the Bible. I bought TONS of books, Jordan Peterson's book, manifestation books, little women, Jane Eyre.... And nothing. I didn't know what I was looking for, AND I began to read it the Bible, and then, put it down. I told my Mom Abraham was a liar and the Bible isn't for me... MONTHS later, I said to myself, I should buy my own Bible if I am going to do this... So, I picked up the Bible that I bought on April 27, 2023 and read it. Just read all of it, Genesis to Revelation in like 40-50 days. To be quite honest, I didn't expect anything from reading it. I thought I'd read it and move on with my life. Jesus was like NOPE! Jesus saved me HIMSELF with HIS word. ! He didn't use a person. It was like an invitation he gave me personally! I am so HAPPY he chose me. It was like a light switch. And my GOODNESS I have been REDEEMED. If Mr. Luke who keeps searching, Christ will be found. ❤I pray he comes to Christ because He is right; ask and it is given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you. God bless you all! Keep seeking Jesus cause he loves us❤
That thing about having to be a more "deeply felt spiritual realization" hit home hard!
I admire this honest, conscientious young man. It may be, though, that his focus is solely on his intellectual understanding? Having good understanding and evidence are vital...but it seems to me, it is more those who keep knocking or crying out to God that He reveals Himself to, rather than those who think His presence will become known to them through their intellectual understanding of Him and the Christian faith. In other words, as He tells us in Jeremiah 29:13, "You will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Amen, exactly!
And exactly how I found him too.
the agnostic guy name is Luke.
the displayed screen in Frank's background on his left have a verse that says Luke 4:18
and Luke 4:18 says "...He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind..." of course being blind here is metaphorical.
I noticed that... so God, so cool
🔥
Praying for him and God bless him!! For me, I only found God when I sought him with my whole heart. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Does the Bible tell you what to do in case you seek so hard that you start to imagine things that aren't real?
@itsJPhere You misunderstand what god is.
I'm here to contemplate. You're just here to spread hatred.
@@itsJPhereYou nailed it!
@itsJPhere lol as a Christian I thought that was hilarious! 😂😂
@@Tylerrawley As an atheist I think Christians need a vivid imagination, it helps the process of indoctrination.
Praying for you, Luke that you continue to seek him and when God reveals himself you will give you the wisdom and understanding how his timing is always perfect. The moment you get saved and use it in a mighty way through God’s grace, with his favor and blessing you through generations
What a great conversation! I have to agree based on my own experience. I was exposed to various religions as a child. Wholly didn’t believe in the Bible, God or Jesus because I was ignorant. But when I was 46 years old and after many years of pursuit by the Holy Spirit, He revealed Himself to me and I instantly knew it had been Him, “something greater than me at work in my life that I didn’t know or understand” but yet the Word tells us He is known in the earth by His creation, His presence!
Awesome is His love and long suffering towards each of us!
Very insightful. It's true that sometimes we think we're open, but we still don't want to find the truth.
“Keep knocking and seeking” was one of the things that really stuck with me when I started seeking God. I was older than him when my heart started to understand and change.
I asked God for faith when I was a boy...In the interim 50 years I was a practicing atheist until God gave me the evidence of His existence and I turned back to face Him. When I looked backed on the previous 50 years, I saw my experiences were God tapping me on the shoulder. Luke; He is probably touching you right now, but in His own Way and language. Don't wait 50 years to experience Him! You'll feel like you've wasted your life on meaningless pursuits.
What's a practicing atheist? Atheism isn't something you practice like a religion.
What evidence did he give you? And what are some examples the times he was tapping you on the shoulder?
@@somerandom3247You experience something more then just a feeling and that person cannot deny it. Truly seek God and He will answer on His time.
@@0i7PX72Nga
Why is he waiting? Surely a god who wants to be known would make himself known instead of hiding....
You may not see this reply but hopefully you do. What are some of the reasons and evidence that finally led you to believe in God?
I don’t know why, but I love you, Luke🎉
I’m gonna go pray for you right now 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Wow! What an awesome conversation! I'd love to talk to this young man. I got saved at 5 and believed all the things about Christianity, but for years I wrestled with doubts and not "feeling" or hearing God. Only when I went through dark mental and physical health struggles and relearned the truth that faith is a decision, not a feeling, did I actually get to know Jesus intimately, to the point where I felt His presence. I KNEW He was real and I was saved and had eternal life. God rewards that choice with the spiritual guarantee of the Holy Spirit. I still struggle, especially when the depression raises its frightful head, but Jesus is stronger than that.
Thank you for sharing your testimony! 🙏🙏🙏
Your "faith" is no more reliable or valid than the faith used by followers of Zeus, Thor, Allah, Buddah, Mithrah, Dionysius or any one of a thousand other man made "Gods". Obviously if "faith" can be used to believe in God *X* and also used to believe in God *Y* then faith is NOT a reliable pathway to truth.
_"where there is evidence no one speaks of "faith" - we do not speak of faith that two and two are four or that the earth is round_ _We only speak of faith when we wish to substitute emotion for evidence"_
- *Bertrand Russell*
BELIEF is NOT *"CHOICE"* or a mere act of volition. Sure someone can pretend to believe anything but the things one actually believe are not something you choose they are an involuntary response to one's level of information and understanding of their environment. You are either convinced or you are unconvinced and its EVIDENCE that convinces.
I could not just make myself believe in pixies no matter how much I closed my eyes and stamped my feet. Anymore than you could right now "choose" to be convinced that God is not real or that the laws of gravity don't apply to you if you step off that cliff.
BELIEF is NOT *"CHOICE"* or a mere act of volition. Sure someone can pretend to believe anything but the things one actually believe are not something you choose they are an involuntary response to one's level of information and understanding of their environment. You are either convinced or you are unconvinced and its EVIDENCE that convinces.
I could not just make myself believe in pixies no matter how much I closed my eyes and stamped my feet. Anymore than you could right now "choose" to be convinced that God is not real or that the laws of gravity don't apply to you if you step off that cliff.
@trumpbellend6717 "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".
@annahenderson2155
If you have "evidence" you don't need faith and if things are "hoped" for that means they aren't assured 🤫
Excellent answer! Lovely interaction.
-Coptic Orthodox fan of your work
Such wisdom. Excellent!❤
🙏🙏🙏
I applaud Luke for looking, when we stop looking I think that is when the heart is callous.
That was one of the most thought-provoking episodes I’ve seen with regard to atheist conversions, as well as our own psychology that denies evidence. Brilliant !!!!
You have no evidence for your god.
Psychology for belief and and unbelief works similar. We can become bias and see what we want and be ignorant to what we dont want to see.
I am agnostic atheist and I am seeking. I really want to know the truth. But I'm aware of psychology and want to believe because its true and not because I want it to be true.
@@HumbleBee123 Could I give you a good reason to believe in God, and then if you are convinced the Christian's specifically? Jesus loves you. God bless.
You can try.
@@HumbleBee123 Thank you: P1. Things change; potentials are actualized. For example, the potential for an apple to be eaten is actualized by someone actually eating it. It would be self-defeating to say otherwise as one has to presuppose change to both changing from belief to unbelief to it and trying to change someone else's mind. P2. Everything that is actualized is actualized by another already in a state of actuality. This is because something that is a potential being, by definition, only potentially has causal power. In order for something to actualize itself in the same respect would require a potential being to have the causal power to actualize itself. As said before, potential beings have no causal power so that is nonsensical. This means everything actualized only has derivative power, power only insofar as the last actualizer gives it power P3. This chain of potentials being actualized cannot go on infinitely, it must end in a purely actual unactualized actualizer. Think of a computer being plugged into a power strip. If that power strip is not plugged in, will the computer be powered? Obviously no. What if you plug that power strip into another still not plugged in? No again. Infinite? No. It must be plugged into something that has power (in an incomplete sense) in itself, say a generator. As everything in this chain being actualized only has derivative power, and cannot power itself, this chain must terminate in something that has power in itself, something purely actual without potential as otherwise it would not be the first member and be akin to just another power strip. Without a first member that has power in itself there could be no movement or actualization of potentials. I won't explain in this comment, but upon analysis this purely actual unactualized actualizer is one, immutable, necessary, omnipresent, omnibenevolent, omnipotent, omniscient, perfect mind. Jesus loves you. God bless.
This was such a relaxed and intellectual discussion between Luke and Frank, appreciate it. God bless you guys ✝
God bless you!
I was in a similar situation to Luke here. I was raised in a Christian household, but my parents never took me to church except on occasional days like a Christmas Eve or when my grandparents from out of state came to visit. Both sets of grandparents went to church. I attended a Christian grade school and high school. I basically left the faith for almost a decade after hs and somehow found my way back to God. I am not even 100% certain if I was actually a Christian back then. All I know now is that I believe Christ is my Lord and Savior. I certainly said it in the past, but it may have been because I loved my parents and grandparents and I felt it was the polite and respectful thing to say in front of them. God works in mysterious ways. Keep your heart and mind open. Stay safe everyone and God bless ❤️🙏✝️
@@96Logan When you are unable to remember if you were a Christian, and then became one. That is really strange, I can tell you every detail of how I met my wife and details of our relationship throughout the 40 years And you can't remember the relationship you have with God. That's very telling!
@@hhh-et2vi Probably because I didn't really have one. Either mustard seed faith or possibly none at all. Did you grow up believing certain things your parents/family told you when you were a child? Doesn't have to be religious in nature. Could be on any topic really... And then you dove in later on in life to find out for yourself? Yes. Being a child, getting told stuff and taking it as fact because your family said it is the calling card of being... Well, a child
@@96Logan You said you weren't 100% sure if you were a Christian when you were young? That's still a huge problem.
@@96Logan So you weren't sure if you believed when you were younger, so what convinced you when you were older?
@@hhh-et2vi What is the problem with reflecting on my childhood faith as an adult? What has convinced me now is that I have been spending more time in apologetics, prayer, and going through some really tough stuff in life. As a kid, my default wasn't to turn to God. Now it is.
I like this guy. He had good questions and was open and capabable of having an intelligent discussion. Great exchange.
My thoughts exactly. Great to see this kind of critical but very honest question for a change.
@@BeckenpowerIt is honest, and if his honesty leads him to atheism. He's doing it wrong , right?
@@hhh-et2vi That's a bit too easy for me. I (and probably you neither) don't know, why the honest search led him to agnosticism (which is what he states as is belief in the video). I don't know, what he's missing or what exactly is holding him back. I don't know if he is "doing it wrong". I cannor judge that (and I wouldn't dare to propose that I did it right and that's why I am believer). All I see is a young man, who respectfully and calmly asks an honest question, which is such a nice change for once, when most people asking Frank Turek questions who are in a similar state (raised christian, now agnostic) are arguing angry and only trying to make a point rather than really trying to have a conversation.
I couldn’t agree more.
I have never heard of divine hiddenness.
It’s rare these days to see someone using critical thinking skills.
Keeping Luke in my prayers
@@Beckenpower If he decides that Atheism makes far more sense, it's the Christian who will say he's doing his evaluation wrong.
This young man is same as me. I also seek an encounter with God. Grew up in a church and still going to one, I don't *feel* it, but I believe, it is really hard. I think I may have a block in my heart subconsciously, I do not know. I am convinced Jesus existed, He rose from the dead, and his diaciples wrote what they wrote. But God is the one I need a relationship with. He feels...distant, but I know He is next to me if I somehow let Him?
The Truth isn’t too complicated to understand. It’s our feelings that make it complicated.
That’s why we’re told:
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
Truth constantly being put in our mind by reading the Bible with a heart of humility will remove the doubts that come from our heart.
Thank you Dr Frank Turek for your wisdom and insight helping me grow over this past year
JBP actually opened my mind with his psychological analysis of the biblical stories lecture.
I was much like this guy at one point in my life. I maintained the faith that I was raised up in but it seemed like a facade to me. I’d pray and things but really didn’t understand what I claimed to believe. Then I was caught in a situation where I was trapped and was about to have a complete mental breakdown. I prayed for Gods help and immediately the prayer was answered. It took me a while to process but I know God is real and his timing is his. I think back on that event often. There’s been others in my life but this was an instantaneous miracle no doubt it was from God
// "No doubt it was from god" //
Oh really please elaborate with some specifics dear
@@trumpbellend6717 why? There's nothing he's going to say that's going to help you. You're just looking for ammunition to throw back into his face.
I thought this young man articulated his position beautifully. And was equally answered. Praying for you Luke. Keep searching brother. You know He is there. 🙏🏾❤️🫶🏾🌴
I completely understand where Luke is coming from, when he said that he wants the experience with God that no one can talk him into or out of, I get it. When you get saved, you become a regenerated new creation and that is experienced, it isn't just a made up mind. Luke is longing to be drawn by the Spirit of God into a relationship with him. Once that has happened, no one can tell Him that God is not real. Let's pray that that happens for him. If I hadn't had that experience of regeneration, I wouldn't have faith.
God is not real.
Amen sis
@@RaySanders-vp2ql WHY ARE YOU ON THIS SITE IF YOU ARE NOT SEARCHING. KEEP SEARCHING.
Not everyone has "an experience." My life changed drastically and no one can change my mind about God. Not everyone gets there the same way.
@@reeb9016 "Your life changing drastically" is an experience of going from death to life.
This is a smart, intellectual young man. The problem I sometimes see with smart, intellectual people is that they outsmart themselves, sometimes to the point of death. Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." -Matt18:3-4
DISCLAIMER- I paused the video and made the above comment before watching it to the end. Then I resumed watching and Frank went in to how our psychology deceives us -I hit the bingo. Thank you Frank! Dear Lord God above, please bless and minister to Luke, in Jesus Mighty Name 🙏
I longed for God and searched for him everywhere but in biblical Christianity since I was about 17. At 36, two years ago, I got saved (praise God!🙏). I am now living my best life, which is with God, even though I suffer from a chronic illness and my life from the outside might not look very cool - I can honestly say; I have never been happier, and it is because of Jesus❤ So I totally understand where this guy is coming from. I pray that God's plan with Luke will come to fruition🙏🕊️🙏🕊️
What did you do exactly to become saved?
@@briankelly1240 Do what the bible says. Jesus said ALL who call upon His name SHALL BE SAVED. So call upon Jesus make Him the Lord & Savior of your life & repent of all your sins.
Frank, thank you. God bless.
This definitely humbled me in leaving my husband's beliefs to God. I was found by Christ after we married, and I have to remember that that was also on God's watch.
What exactly does it mean to be "found by christ?"
@@memecity9849that means she holds the belief Christ found her. I have a similar testimony.
I see nothing cryptic in her statement. What is your intent in asking her?
@Servant-u9z because I genuinely don't understand what that means. I was raised Catholic, and not once have I ever "found" Jesus.
@@memecity9849 that’s not surprising since Catholicism is controlled and led by Jesuits.
I was raised Christian and have the same question. How can I be found by Christ or find Him? I have heard many testimonials, but they don't make sense to me. I want to have the encounter with God, how do I do this?
Love the response of Dr.Turek
Even those who saw Jesus firsthand performing miracles denied him, proof is not enough for some people & will never be enough, unfortunately. You want proof, Romans 10:9 is the path to your proof. Once God gives you redemption, he will reveal himself to you in a way that will leave you with no doubt of his existence, the internet has countless stories of people testifying to that truth. Decades later, I still remember my experience alone in a dark room receiving my redemption & talking to God directly & he is as real to me now as the ground I walk on & it is now impossible for me not to believe. You gotta have faith!
How do you know?
There is no proof, you just have to blindly believe.
At least you are honest I guess
Let me get this straight: Moses and the ancient Hebrews saw seas parting, bread raining from heaven, and rods changing into snakes as evidence for God's existence, but all we get is a 2000 yr old book that has been through a number of translations (not all of them accurate)? Aren't we lucky?🙄
@somerandom3247 Your proof, everyone has their own version of what they consider proof, but you know this and just twist words to suit your own argument. There are a great number of scientists out there today that admit that the only thing that can explain the existence of our universe is creation and a creator, nothing else fits. You blind yourself, God exists in what you see everyday if you opened your eyes and actually looked. The Shroud of Turin cannot be replicated even with our current technology, that alone mystified everyone who studies it. Keep painting your own reality though, it's what a lot of people do.
Indeed Charlotte. If a true fatherly God wanted us to believe a certain theological formula, with eternal torture on the line, this God would make sure all were sufficiently convinced of whatever was necessary. He would reveal himself daily, by the minute if needed. No supernatural feat would be too difficult or too much to ask, under these conditions.
Thx for great short; love the correlation quotes from the Word & C.S. Lewis❣️
This reminds me of Jesus' analogy of it being easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. It seems it's harder for young people, who have their health and life is good, to know how it feels to be separated from a good and holy God. That's the blessedness of trials in our lives. They make us look up. Maybe when this dear young man has some struggles and life isn't so rosy, he'll see his need for a Savior.
Isn't it abundantly clear that this 'God' is not a _reality?_
@@Theo_Skeptomai You can answer that when you meet Him face to face. ❤
@@joanschutter5863 How did you determine I will be meeting this 'God' face to face?
Don’t ever assume that just because someone is young that they haven’t been through hard times, struggles, pain, and suffering. That’s very foolish and ignorant.
It's amazing that no one questioned why there was ethereal music playing on the background. That music alone would let someone know that God is real.
Omagosh! This seeker. I will pray for him! What a sweet soul. ❤
Yes please continue to pray for Luke!
@@CrossExaminedso have Frank explain CE doctrine war is both just and unjust a contradiction that is a lie. If war is both just and unjust then rapping his wife is both just and unjust.
Good discussion. Thank you.
The time for us is today.
Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
Salvage ation from _which_ peril?
Great answer and I’m nobody to say this but if by chance Luke is reading these comments, I want to you to know God does love you. It pains my heart to think it could take you another 5 years, what Frank said, if I can add anything please consider attending a good Bible teaching church service regularly and in your own without fanfare and much commentary, read the Bible. You can read about 20 minutes a day and read the Bible in a few months. I know you may not believe this but it’s the Word of God and even the act of reading it is an act of faith and it will help you see and more importantly KNOW God.
God, please help luke with his struggles . In Jesus name .. AMEN
Amen!
I tell people the same thing to KEEP ASKING, KEEP SEEKING, KEEP KNOCKING.
I think of it as a little child who see's his dad goes up & ASKS for what he wants. If the child doesn't see his dad right away the child seeks his dad at home or where ever & eventually finds his dad. If the child's dad is in the bedroom, restroom etc. with the door shut the child knocks. And with each case the dad answers.
Same we should do as Children of God seeking our Heavenly Father, God. And when we ask, seek, knock, GOD WILL HEAR & ANSWER US. GOD IS GOOD!
He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
James is writing for believers mainly.
I can relate to Luke so much. I would say his situation that he described is about 95% of the same as mine
Luke, step out of the States, visit the Middle East where God is revealing Himself overtly to the Muslim population in amazing ways!! We recently came back from the Middle East and have met so many people...and have witnessed ourselves, the dreams and visions that have been bringing Muslims to Christ by the thousands!! God is not hidden!!
Can God reveal himself to Luke where he is?
@@mattr.1887Good question. I think maybe the reason God might be revealing Himself in that way to those muslims is because a lot, if not most of them have little-to-no access to the gospel or the Bible
@mattr.1887 Yes, because Jesus is everywhere. What’s more: we can even receive Jesus in the holy Eucharist; His body, blood, soul and divinity.
Jesus said in John 6:53 if we do not eat His body or drink His blood we do not have life within us. Jesus didn’t say this symbolically, mind you. Same at the last supper, Jesus said, “this IS my body,” not “this is a symbol of me, so go and eat bread and drink grape juice in remembrance of me.” Only in the Catholic Church at Mass can we truly receive Jesus.
This kid is gonna go places.
It is by faith that we are saved, not by God revealing His form to us, for if He were to do so, we would cease to exist.
Saved from _which_ peril?
Sometimes God does choose to reveal Himself to some people. I am one of those people. He had mercy on a wretch like me (previously a pagan, new age etc) not that I deserved it, but as His word says, "I will have mercy on who I have mercy and I will have compassion on who I have compassion." Romans 9:15
@@Theo_Skeptomai you keep saying that but no one knows what your asking.
@@sushimamba4281 It is as Creator that God reveals Himself, by creation, and for the fact that He is the creator that marks Him as the self-existent God, and distinguishes Him from all false gods. "The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made the heavens."
He reveals Himself to everyone, at all times, it's just that not everyone sees Him.
Study the whole of Romans 9:14-18 in their context, in so doing you will see that it is all mercy and compassion.
He does not say that He will have mercy on whomever He will have mercy, and that He will withhold it from whomever He will withhold it.
And yet that is how the text is commonly interpreted, but it is all mercy and all compassion.
@@Theo_Skeptomai The curse.
my spirit leveled up again i think. thank u, dr turek
🙏
Great honest no bs answer. 🎯
He is wanting a supernatural thrill which is different than wanti g God.
No I think he must wants the knowing, and overwhelming feeling of the love of God that Christian's speak of.
To know God is feel and to feel boss love would amazing if he is real, because this will be the equivalent of finding the love of your life and being embraced by them and feeling they truelly love you beyond doubt.
Christian's often speak of this and many seeking atheists long to know God. Many of us have not experienced much love either, so to feel someone loves you would be amazing.
I dont know if God is real, I seek for years but do not find. Some of us are either not meant to or he isnt there. Either way I still search in desperation.
I've been where Luke is *I think*
He has heard so many miraculous saves while never having a bad experience. God let me try and fail to have those grand events ..
I hope he comes to read everyone's comments. Only the love God wants to give someone shows like this. Its not meant to save but to reassure of already being saved.
What have you done with the intelligently-designed world around you? Scoffed? Or, have you been humble? How many things do you need to be revealed to you? Have you examined the atom? The ant? The eyeball? Light? Matter? Sound? What are you doing and better yet, what are you doing with it and about it? Scoffing? Deceived? "Oh, you're so mean, be nice." Faithful with little, faithful with much. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Don't die in your sins. Don't go to the Lake of Fire.🔥 Faithful are the wounds of a friend. PROFUSE and DECEITFUL are the kisses of ... an enemy.
Even if all that were true, it wouldn't prove that the God you believe in was responsible
@@memecity9849 Why will you die in your sins? 🤷♂
@TakingTurf i don't believe in sin. I don't see any sufficient evidence to prove the existence of a god and, therefore I don't believe in one or sin
What evidence do you have to prove that the world around me was intelligently designed?
As for the rest of your list, I've looked into all of them and none appear to require a god in the slightest.
@@somerandom3247 You know everything. Therefore, there is nothing left to learn.
Original sin, and our own sinfulness, is what has severed us from God, which Luke is wrestling with.
Good conversation there.
God is knocking on Luke, or he wouldn't be asking these questions. Luke would be arguing and denying instead. (Mark: chapter 12, vv 28-34) Makes me think this young man is not far from the kingdom of God.
Are you implying that Luke can not think for himself and that he's only asking these questions because of God's intervention?
@memecity9849 Luke recognized that there is something beyond the materialistic world, and the Bible confirms it. Are you implying Christians cannot think for themselves?
@0i7PX72Nga Luke BELIEVES there is something beyond the materialistic word but does not have evidence. The Bible confirming that belief is literally a confirmation bias as the Bible has not been able to demonstrate the truth of that claim either
@@memecity9849 Science can also have confirmation bias. Do you need a scientific and or theological explanation for Christianity?
@0i7PX72Nga explain how science can have a confirmation bias. If someone has a hypothesis about an unexplained phenomenon, and experiments are done, with the results supporting one hypothesis over the other, that's following where the evidence leads. This is what science does. Since christianity deals with a deity and religion, it is inherently theological, and theologies based on faith, not facts or empirical data
The account of the prophet Elijah meeting God on Mount Horeb comes to mind for me:
"So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before Yahweh.” And behold, Yahweh was passing by! And a great and strong wind was tearing up the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake. Then after the earthquake a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a thin gentle whisper. Now it happened that when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” - 1 Kings 19:9-18 LSB
A THIN GENTLE WHISPER......... Isn't that how we have been met by GOD?
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISETHE LIVING GOD!
Disagree with his conclusion, "God doesn't want you to be a Christian right now." Nothing is further from the truth. Or bears greater opposition to Scripture.
Cite a verse in opposition.
@@WatermelonShug2nd Corinthians 6:2: “for He says,
‘At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.’ ‘Behold, now is “the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation’.”
@ thank you that, I’ve spent a good deal this evening mulling this over. Gotquestions website answered it for me with their article, “why do some people not turn to God until later in life?”
He will find God soon enough. Blessings to that young man. Very smart so he will see.
Frank said it could take ten years.
Keep praying for Luke!
Pride is at the center of this. What he's saying is God needs to do some backflips in his living room to impress him enough and earn his faith.
It's a criticism that God's word, His Son, all life and creation isn't good enough for him and it's God's fault for not giving him a little extra to win him over.
Blaming God for his lack of belief isn't going to work. There's a wealth of evidence and resources at his fingertips and most have come to faith with far less. Dig down deep and I'd bet there's pride and sin standing in the way.
Amen brother.
God doing some backflips is by definition effortless for him.
@@katamas832GOD sent his only begotten Son to die for us so GOD has already done way more for us than we deserve.
@@war13deathHOW did you determine this?
Pride has nothing to do with the fact that this 'God' exists only in the imagination of its believers.
I thought I was seeking God for years until He showed me my pride had blinded me to trusting Him. He was right in front of me but I couldn’t see Him. The obstacle was my pride - the biggest of sins - not something God wouldn’t do.
He has free will. Furthermore, God is not at anyone's beck and call when they have no desire to believe in Him. Seems this guy actually does know God exists yet seems to require God to jump through hoops for little old him. He knows what he is doing and wants to blame God for his own beliefs and actions.
I just finished my comment and saw yours. We're of a like mind today Chloe. 😁👍🏻
@festushaggen2563 LOL. Yep. He was an easy read with his behaviour. You fleshed it out better though. God bless brother.
You guys are awesome. Glad Trump won... God bless you both.👍👍👍
@gi169 I am so happy God answered our national prayers. God bless you too.
@gi169 It was a great victory but this country still needs Christ. Keep those prayers coming for repentance and revival.
What's interesting is that I recently got into my faith again because of Jordan Peterson as well. I trusted him intellectually so I began listening to him and his talks about the bible. Which led me to researching again and reading the Bible. Then I began watching Cliff on UA-cam talk about Christianity. Which furthered my faith and then I saw him talk to Alex O'Connor and once again I had some doubts but didn't feel great about this Alex guy. Then I saw Frank outreason Alex and I looked up Frank videos which led me to this, in which he references Jordan Peterson. This could all be an algorithm that led me here but it is interesting that all of a sudden I keep being given what I need to further my faith. I hope it continues as I will keep seeking and knocking.
Oh boy 🤦.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil
God bless you brother.
🤣😂😅👍
God bless brother...
@chloemartel9927 GOD Bless you too sister , so good to see your comment
@gi169 GOD Bless you brother , I hope your day is going well
I second that notion 🤦♂️, Larz.
Sometimes, the drivel that comes from some of these people is absolutely nauseating to say the least.
God bless you Larz and peace my brother 🙏
I love how he is reading Luke to Luke.
Frank, I am God, I want a relationship with you people, but none of you give a damn
Would you make fun of a person you truly care about like that?
To anyone wanting to feel god or thinking you have never felt him: Have you ever felt love? From the heart? Or laughter, that came from the heart or have you ever felt in awe of a beautiful morning or sunrise?
You were able to feel him in those moments. That was what someone who had a near death experience was told by the Lord. 🍀
Grow up
@ god bless you!
Never thought of that but it has the ring of truth.
If God were real he'd be apparent to objective investigation.
It says a lot that he's not.
Objective investigation?
Good grief, that's priceless coming from you.
@TomMichael5678 put up or...
Tell me just one objective fact that indicates the universe was created by God.
@@Gek711
There is absolutely nothing presented to the likes of you that you would accept as an objective fact of creation for anything in existence.
NOTHING at all.
@@Gek711
Give me one objective fact that supports a random spontaneous event being responsible?
@@TomMichael5678 so you don't even have 1 objective fact.
Don't bother replying if you've got nothing to add.
God was never hidden from His creation and does not hide Himself from us.
Really? Your God is the hide and seek champion. Just ask him and make sure to give him a few years to answer back, or maybe just answer for him.
God isn't hidden. He's only hidden because you guys hide him. Call him by name and he will answer you. HIS NAME IS YAHWEH!!!
I just called for him. Nothing happened. Weird.
NO. This mythological god does not speak _audibly._ You are simply delusional.
@@katamas832Did you earnestly seek him?
@@war13death Not sure what you mean by earnestly here.
He will make himself known by witness of the holy spirit but is ultimately invisible to the naked eye until we die.
Proverbs 22:6, which says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it". Seek and you will find. Knock and it will opened. It takes faith.
It’s a process of the heart. Only God knows the heart.
I think some people are looking for a spiritual “experience “ , like being struck by lightning as confirmation of their salvation. To simply come to a moment of belief seems too simple and it throws people off. A lot of people are looking for some magical event to confirm they have had this glorious justification experience and they are left confused when many times it’s just that still voice of the Holy Spirit wooing them.
Frank is a national treasure.
Strange way to talk about a used car salesman.
Thank you Frank for the incredible work you do! I’ve learned so much
Very interesting
This man just knows it all. Frank Turek's cherry in Melissa edu
What?
What an intelligent young man he is
I just want to say I had en encounter with Jesus Christ when covid started, I asked God if He was real to reveal himself to me and 2 weeks later I had a dream of a man with a white robe looking down at me but that same day when I went to wincow to buy some donuts i Told my parents the dream but all they told me was "Stop watching that Christan" because I was watching a Christan street preacher at that time, but once I got back home I remember it was like 9 or 10pm and i had a strong feeling to glance up to the sky just like I did in my dream and as soon as i looked up i saw a shooting star form right Infront of me and while i am looking at it I heard a crystal clear voice but in English that said "Jesus Christ" so Yes God is real and He revealed himself to me thou Jesus Christ. John 14:6 "Jesus answered, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life, no man comes unto The Father but thou Me." He is coming back very soon.
Such an intelligent kid - honest with Frank but I think dishonest with himself. God in His sovereignty has chosen to allow mankind to "reason" or not to reason, to believe or not believe to repent and turn to Jesus or to remain in our sins. He is not going to believe for us nor obey for us nor repent for us - but He still wants us to repent and believe with the faculties he has given us and to the revelation He has provided. This young man has to believe the truth he has received and respond to it in faith. Perhaps he is hanging on to his life like the rich young ruler?
I wonder if he came from a church background that emphasized the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, prophecy.. and in his mind, he didn't experience that (because so many often fake that to fit in), and he's not realizing that's not what he should be comparing his experience to, in order to determine whether God is speaking to him.
Luke God loves you and he has a plan for you, my suggestion is for you to travel, find a missionary group going somewhere far away from the US, I've seen complete atheists become believers after having experiences outside there comfort zones.
God work in mysterious ways, some people like it, some people don't. ~Constantine movie
5:33 When does jesus say "Keep knocking. Keep seeking"? In Luke 11:10 he says: "For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." I can't find where he says the other.
Check the NLT.
New Living Translation. It took two seconds to google search your question, so I doubt your “search”.
Perhaps what was happening to everyone else in your Christian circles wasn't really happening. I was in a church where everyone was seeing visions and talking in tongues and I had nothing. But then I saw through their needs to see visions and realized it was Al false. Today I am a strong Christian despite that fact.
I wonder the same. I saw many come to Christ when I went to youth Christian camps, but never could really know what really stirred their hearts.
I just know I want my heart stirred for God.
Sometimes, a person needs trails before they believe. But unfortunately sometimes they self destruct.
I'm a bottom line guy and when you go through everything the bottom line is if the resurrection is true
then God is true.
Cool, but what then? I believe that resurrection is true, and God is true. But how do I encounter God in my life?
Maybe I missed it but the obvious question to Luke would be what are your looking for?
He showed why when he said that you can not talk somebody into faith.
His mind is already closed, proving he's a cynic.
It's hard for young people to accept the need for a Savior, having had not lived this life and suffered from its evil. That and, of course, seeing that their deeds are evil as well.