just looking … barriers to belief just looking … berlinbethlehem

Just Looking …Just Looking …

BarriersBarriers toto BeliefBelief


BerlinBerlin BethleheBethlehemm


These “barriers” are suggested from the

presupposition that the Christian message is true!Alternatively, you could argue that the one barrier to belief is that it is not a credible option.

Intellectual Intellectual footnotefootnote


Rational Rational barriersbarriers

Emotional Emotional barriersbarriers

Spiritual Spiritual barriersbarriers



Unhelpful teaching to

unlearn?

Rules instead of relationshipJudgement instead of Good NewsAchievement instead of gracePerfect health & prosperityRead first hand at

least one Gospel



Unresolved questions?

Reliability of Bible records?Problem of suffering?Many paths to One God?Questions about the miraculous?

Make a conscious priority to find answers

Some emotionalissues hide behindrational disguises!



Unresolved questions?



Past experience makes trusting

difficult?

Inadequate childhood fatherDefence systems to stop anyone getting “in”Broken promises by significant peopleDrive to succeed (fear of failure)“Failed” by God (> anger?)Wounded by Christians (or Church leader)



Medical issues

Depression (can’t “feel” God)

Other medical factors eg Thyroid

May need healing in order to be able to receive



Difficulties rooted in our

own sin?

Pride (good enough – don’t need to repent)Attachment to sin wrong-doing that we won’t say goodbye toUnforgiveness (unwilling / unable to forgive)

Mistaking an encounter for a relationshipDeclare, seek, receive

forgiveness



Difficulties rooted in

spiritual warfare?

Demonic strategyOccult involvement own, or possibly parents

Involvement in some other cults or religions resulting in “open skylights”

May need help in order to be able to receive

Presupposition: Presupposition: there are real there are real spiritual forces spiritual forces hostile to Godhostile to God


Einstein’s definition Einstein’s definition of of insanityinsanity: : doing the doing the same same thingthing again and again and again, and again, and expecting a expecting a differentdifferent result result

Recognise your predicamentRecognise your predicamentRecognise God’s answer in JesusRecognise God’s answer in Jesus

Accept His solutionAccept His solutionReceive the Holy SpiritReceive the Holy Spirit

Live relating to GodLive relating to God

just looking … barriers to belief just looking … berlinbethlehem

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