A response to Geri Jensen’s July 24 letter.
A fact is “a truth verifiable from experience or observation.” (Collins
English Dictionary 2003)
Love. It isn’t something that you can handle like a clock and examine from all sides. You can’t take a picture of it or take it apart to see how it works. Love has to be experienced to be verified. Ask anyone who grew up in a physically, verbally or sexually abusive home devoid of real love how they know love exists. It is only when true love is shown to and experienced by them that they are convinced.
The statement, “A belief stated as if it were a fact doesn’t make it real,” is a plausible statement. If I believe the world is flat that doesn’t mean it is, but, I will hold that belief until I see or experience evidence to the contrary. Your belief that the beliefs shared by the Christians are “nonfacts” is a belief you hold because you haven’t experienced evidence in your own life to the contrary.
“A man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument.” (Ravenhill)
The Christians who have written responses are people who’ve experienced something you haven’t. They’ve experienced the love of God personally, which you have not.
They’ve experienced forgiveness from God for the hateful things they’ve done in their past, which you have not. They’ve received grace from God to forgive those who have done unthinkable things against them and have experienced joy in serving those very same people. Theyexperience a trust in God in the midst of unimaginable tragedy, which you have not. Theyhave experienced a confidence in the love demonstrated by Christ on the cross, which you haven’t, and when they die they will ultimately experience a life forever in heaven with God, which, sadly, you will not.
I understand how you can dismiss these factual experiences, when you have never experienced them, but it is a fact that God is real and we have experienced Him and His love firsthand.
Instead of writing rebuttals, ask one of these Christians to tell you about their life changing experiences and the evidences of God’s workings in their lives.
Linda McIntire
Grand Marais
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