Why Does God Hide Himself?

[mortify]

Since I've started this thread I've gotten a better understanding of the question and the answer to it. It deals with the one thing God reveres about man, the free will He has given him. God may will a man into suffering, but He will never will a man to believe, man must use his free will to make an act of faith. God will give us clues to motivate us to believe, but never knowledge, that is reserved for the Just in Heaven. So each person must make an initial step into the unknown, and there is no way around this. The problem is that it's not simply an intellectual question, whether a person can reasonably prove the existence of God or not. I once talked to a girl who told me she couldn't believe even though she wanted to, when we got to the core of the issue, it turned out the thought of changing her lifestyle seemed impossible, and the thought of being responsible for her actions too heavy. On the flipside I knew a Catholic doubting his faith, ultimately it turned out he was dispairing over vices he couldn't break free from. So there is really more to making an act of Faith than presenting reasonable arguments for theism or atheism. The will must choose whether God is worthy to be sought after, and this choice ultimately determines the fate of the soul. I am making the choice to believe, and that is beginning to cost me, but God willing I will make it to heaven, and I hope all you who read this pray that I get there, as I will certainly pray for you.

[Mark of the Cross]

[quote name='mortify' date='26 July 2009 - 12:49 PM' timestamp='1248572958' post='1932071']
Why does he hide himself?

Changing bread into flesh while maintaining the appearance of bread?
[/quote]
Maybe you can't see the forest for the tree's.

[quote name='zunshynn' date='26 July 2009 - 02:28 PM' timestamp='1248578916' post='1932164']
I heard someone say once that if God were to reveal himself to us with all His glory manifested plainly, we would die upon seeing Him... so He hides Himself.
[/quote]
I don't believe that! At times I have felt the 'presence' quite strongly but not stressfully. It is powerful yet not stressful. It is exciting but not stressful. It is tear inducing but not stressful. It is strongly lovingly but not stressful. I also frequently hear him in my mind not as words but a direct thought. I know it is him because the message is wise and not stressful.

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='26 July 2009 - 04:16 PM' timestamp='1248585406' post='1932253']
I don't know about you, but I would find it difficult to eat the accidents of flesh.
[/quote]
Are you a vegetarian?

[quote name='Gregorius' date='27 July 2009 - 10:29 AM' timestamp='1248650955' post='1932696']
I geta sort of shiver down my spine when I witness a consecration. I talked to a priest-friend about it and he gets the same feeling. I guess that's good, because for a while I thought I was crazy. My point is that He might not be as hidden as I thought He was.
[/quote]
You'd have to be insensitive not to!

[Guest]

[quote name='pat22' date='06 October 2009 - 10:04 AM' timestamp='1254837873' post='1979080']
think hassan has some very legitimate arguements. they were good enough that nobody picked this up again for 2 months. and spouting off how good you think god is isn't very helpful
[/quote]


He is good though.

[Varg]

[quote name='dairygirl4u2c' date='25 July 2009 - 11:04 PM' timestamp='1248577499' post='1932132']
my guess is that he wants us to live free will to its fullest-- ie, to live it to its fullest requires doing it out of faith.
[/quote]If he wanted you to have complete free will would he have made the 10 commandments?

[Guest]

[quote name='Varg' date='11 October 2009 - 04:26 AM' timestamp='1255249610' post='1982998']
If he wanted you to have complete free will would he have made the 10 commandments?
[/quote]

the law is written on every human heart bro.

Edited October 11, 2009 by Guest

[Varg]

If that were the case, people would automatically believe in god due to the "I am your lord and god" commandment. As a matter of fact, people do not start to believe in god until they are told about him. Thus, it is not written in their heart. Also there is a lot of theft and murder in the world.

Edited October 11, 2009 by Varg

[Guest]

[quote name='Varg' date='11 October 2009 - 04:40 AM' timestamp='1255250423' post='1983003']
If that were the case, people would automatically believe in god due to the "I am your lord and god" commandment. As a matter of fact, people do not start to believe in god until they are told about him. Thus, it is not written in their heart. Also there is a lot of theft and murder in the world.
[/quote]

Jesus summed them up into one in love your neighbor as yourself. Just because their written in our heart doesn't mean we obey them. It's called freewill. Everybody has it.

Edited October 11, 2009 by Guest

[Varg]

You just can't win with you people!

[Guest]

[quote name='Varg' date='11 October 2009 - 04:43 AM' timestamp='1255250598' post='1983005']
You just can't win with you people!
[/quote]

ya you can man. get faith and get down with the team.

[Guest]

[quote name='Varg' date='11 October 2009 - 04:40 AM' timestamp='1255250423' post='1983003']
people do not start to believe in god until they are told about him.[/quote]

It's a converson bro. It's real. Faith is real. I could tell you about my conversion. God showed me He was real. Let me know of His existance without a doubt. He is good like that. We are not to seek signs but God does reveal Himself. Godbless bro.

Edited October 11, 2009 by Guest

[Varg]

[quote name='Delivery Boy' date='11 October 2009 - 05:08 AM' timestamp='1255252118' post='1983012']
God showed me He was real. Let me know of His existance without a doubt.
[/quote]May I ask how?

[Guest]

[quote name='Varg' date='11 October 2009 - 05:51 AM' timestamp='1255254680' post='1983028']
May I ask how?
[/quote]

It's pretty personal bro.

Edited October 11, 2009 by Guest

[Varg]

Ok, I understand.

[Guest]

Just like your conversion would be.

[Varg]

Indeed.