Speaking with someone at work.

[TylerCWells]

I am talking with a lady from work today, and she was raised Nazerene. She stated to me that she, growing up, 'sought' after the joy and peace that everyone around her seemed to exude(her words, not mine). She said growing up she went to church camps and such and felt a lot of sensationalism but when she was honest with herself, she never felt it.

So when she graduated High School she left. Experienced a lot of different religions and now holds a more 'agnostic' point of view.

I've had a quite intriguing conversation about God, evolution, biblical timeframe of the creation, etc.

When we started talking about Jesus she made a statement...that for whatever reason I don't have an answer too... She asked,

"How can Jesus be a true bridge between God and humanity when he never experienced ALL of humanity."

Mainly she said she was referencing sex.

How do I answer this in a way to still advocates that God was able to come to earth and live as a sacrificial lamb, and didn't have to have sex to do so.

She believes he was tempted.

Idk...it just intrigued me because I've never been asked that. Of course it's been a while since I've talked with an Agnostic...

Any suggestions? Honestly I can almost palpate the hunger that she has for WANTING to know... I just truly believe that she doesn't understand.

[Dichotomy Girl]

Originally Posted by TylerCWells

I am talking with a lady from work today, and she was raised Nazerene. She stated to me that she, growing up, 'sought' after the joy and peace that everyone around her seemed to exude(her words, not mine). She said growing up she went to church camps and such and felt a lot of sensationalism but when she was honest with herself, she never felt it.

So when she graduated High School she left. Experienced a lot of different religions and now holds a more 'agnostic' point of view.

I've had a quite intriguing conversation about God, evolution, biblical timeframe of the creation, etc.

When we started talking about Jesus she made a statement...that for whatever reason I don't have an answer too... She asked,

"How can Jesus be a true bridge between God and humanity when he never experienced ALL of humanity."

Mainly she said she was referencing sex.

How do I answer this in a way to still advocates that God was able to come to earth and live as a sacrificial lamb, and didn't have to have sex to do so.

She believes he was tempted.

Idk...it just intrigued me because I've never been asked that. Of course it's been a while since I've talked with an Agnostic...

Any suggestions? Honestly I can almost palpate the hunger that she has for WANTING to know... I just truly believe that she doesn't understand.

Well, you probably won't like this....

But you could say that honestly, we don't know that He didn't. If He did, there is no written record of it.

[ILG]

You could say "It is my belief He didn't, but you don't know that." And let her draw her own conclusion.

[houston]

So you are implying that he fornicated or he was married. Only on AFF...

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by houston

So you are implying that he fornicated or he was married. Only on AFF...

[Dichotomy Girl]

Originally Posted by houston

So you are implying that he fornicated or he was married. Only on AFF...

LOL, I can't speak for ILG, but I doubt that either of us was implying that Jesus was a big player!

I read years back that by the age of his ministry and teaching in the synagogue it was expected that a man of his age would have a wife. Obviously the Bible doesn't say. (we could go the Da Vinci Code route and say that it was expunged from the record by evil men who are afraid of us Females!)

I don't necessarily THINK he was married, but the truth is, the Bible doesn't say one way or the other. I tend to lean towards the fact that He wasn't, because I don't necessarily think that was part of His purpose for being here.

But it wouldn't destroy my faith or anything if it turned out He was. It's kind of a non-issue for me.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by houston

So you are implying that he fornicated or he was married. Only on AFF...

That's not the point. You can tell her what you believe but since she does not believe the Bible why is she using the Bible for her reference point? She does not believe what he believes.

[TylerCWells]

Well the fact fo the matter is, she WANTED to believe when she was younger, and I believe in some aspect she STILL wants to believe.. But shes in her 40s now, a tad more cynical and not as apt to accept things at word.

[Dichotomy Girl]

Originally Posted by ILG

That's not the point. You can tell her what you believe but since she does not believe the Bible why is she using the Bible for her reference point? She does not believe what he believes.

This is exactly what I was trying to explain to n david earlier this week, when he was criticizing me for my refusal to believe the Bible is inerrant. That if one is witnessing to someone to whom saying "THe Bible says" doesn't constitute as absolute proof, you are going to be lost.

Whereas I pointed out the parable of the Blind man, who after being healed by Jesus was brought before the religious leaders and questioned, and who ultimately said I can't tell you if He's a sinner or not, but this thing I know, I was blind, but now I see.

So, to the Original Poster, if I was talking to this lady, I would take a different approach. I would share something that Jesus did for you, maybe mentally or emotionally, that can't be debated or proven, or proof-texted.

[soopy]

Originally Posted by TylerCWells

Well the fact fo the matter is, she WANTED to believe when she was younger, and I believe in some aspect she STILL wants to believe.. But shes in her 40s now, a tad more cynical and not as apt to accept things at word.

You could argue that while sex is an integral part of the marriage experience, many, many people are abstinet for one reason or another; and that Christ's bride, being the Church, might preclude Him from an earthly marriage?