Daniel P. Barron

In response to "BELIEFS ASIDE, WHAT IS THE EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE SAYING?" by LEONARD BURCĂ.

Allow yourself to question your beliefs. “Why do I believe this?” “Is it based on facts?” “Is there an example that can disprove my belief?” “Maybe I shouldn’t be 100% certain with so little evidence?”

I believe because God causes me to believe. ⁱ There is evidence for all to see, ⁱⁱ but God causes most ⁱⁱⁱ to not see it. ^iv

Or allow me to ask you those questions. I’m not here to take it away from you. I’m here to help you see if your beliefs are based on logic or empirical evidence. And if we discover they are not, but you still want to keep them — that’s ok with me.

I'm not interested in your basic principles of the world. ^v

1. John 15:
   

   16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

    ^

2. Romans 1:
   

   18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

    ^

3. Matthew 7:
   

   13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

    ^

4. Matthew 13:
   

   10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

   11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

   ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
   And seeing you will see and not perceive;
   15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
   Their ears are hard of hearing,
   And their eyes they have closed,
   Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
   Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
   So that I should heal them.’

   16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

    ^

5. Colossians 2:
   

   8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

    ^