Give Me an Answer -

[@therabbitswhisper]

So I commented on a Living Waters video and was sent to look up "askcliffe". At random I searched through a few of his videos. For some reason I clicked on this one. My question I asked on Living Waters was: Prove to me that the the stories in the Bible are true. That its not just an ancient story book. And now I believe, and the rest is history in the making. thank you sir.

[@andrewunthank3521]

Wow!

[@ashton6478]

God bless you brother

[@whitneysapp02]

Cliff you are very loving and calm when presenting the truth, keep preaching Christ.

[@handgman]

When we talk about being forgiven we must also talk about repentance. If we do something that is wrong of course we must make it a point to turn away from wrong doing. Be sure to add something about repentance. Many today do not believe that they need to stop doing those things which are wrong. I hear fewer gospel presenters today speaking of repentance. Thanks for your work.

[@central848]

God bless you Cliff, you are a good example of what it means to be a soldier of Christ!

[@Bak3dB3an]

The spirit makes the word alive. The carnal mind alone cannot fully comprehend in its entirety.

[@filkambel6167]

Am very happy to find this website and videos. Cliffe was my favorite itinerant theologian when I was at UCSB waaaayyy back in the early 80's. His respect for the inquirers is priceless.

[@A1most0007]

That was so good! I really enjoyed that. Cliffe you are the man! Other dude thanks for your great questions, for articulating clearly and arguing in such a civil manner. You're awesome!

[@Endeavr_]

Why is God's opinion right and mine isn't? Uh, because he's the creator... DUH! Come on... Seriously?

[@SeanKimStyle]

He's smart. Good questions from non believers. Hard for any Christians to answer these questions in a loving way like Cliff. Pray for him

[@Saunders7]

The Bible consistently tells us that homosexual activity is a sin (Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). Romans 1:26-27

[@user-cu3xn4xj3i]

Sorry young man, Cliffe is not confused.😂😂😂😂😂

[@ShaunAnthonyJohnston]

Thanks Cliffe, this was very well explained!

[@thomaslow6325]

i like how students think they're smart and can make cliffe contradict himself and then bam!! they look foolish. awesome

[@ZekeMagnar]

The "dilemma" I'd understood, but thanks anyway for the explanation. As for your second post, I'll have to think through this one thoroughly, as these are entirely new arguments to me.

[@giantthaw]

Very good presentation overall Cliff. I would assert that understanding and interpretation of Scripture does not come from learning the different literary genre, but instead by the Holy Spirit of God.

[@renebenton77]

He can not talk to them that way, that would be way over their heads

[@ZekeMagnar]

As for it being unfair, a great Saint once said, "It is absurd to think that those who are in hell are deprived of God's love." Even those who are in hell are there for their OWN good, not because God enjoys torturing His children. So, also, those who are punished, are punished for their own good. Don't let your inability to make sense of something lead you down a path of being convinced in your heart that such a thing does not make an ounce of sense.

[@rockembassychurch3874]

The wisdom of steven is at work

[@1godonlyone119]

No. Thanks for asking!

[@bonnie43uk]

The young man makes an excellent point at around 7:30 mins How do we know when Jesus was talking metaphorically and when he was talking literally?, a lot of what he said could be taken to mean different things. Cliffe answered by saying that this is why we need to study the literary genre and context of the bible. There are a few problems with that. Firstly, those early Christians, or even pre Christian when Jesus spoke to the crowds at the time, they wouldn't be able to study literary genre because there wasn't any New Testament. Secondly, we're all individuals with separate minds and thoughts, and we can and do interpret things differently. Take a film reviewer as an example, the first one may think a movie is really good, and give an excellent review. The 2nd guy might have thought it was terrible, and give a bad review. They've both seen the exact same film, but their interpretation of it was wildly different.

[@ZekeMagnar]

No one said anything about homosexuality being a choice - at least I didn't. The point has always been this: "REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is near." To turn AWAY from sin is what Christ commanded His followers to do. He never said, "Stop having urges to sin", He said, "STOP SINNING!" We don't have control over the urges that arise within us (not you, nor I, nor those that have homosexual desires), but what we do have is the ability to fight -against- these temptations. That IS their choice.

[@username2516]

good video brother

[@1godonlyone119]

Without God, there could be no objective right and wrong, and yet there are.

[@Saunders7]

Good stuff

[@1godonlyone119]

They make him look like some type of comic book super-villain. lol

[@christiansanelli2015]

Is Cliffe at the U of Arizona this week? I heard he's not, even though his website says he is.

[@edwinrivera5377]

It's called a new covenant

[@1godonlyone119]

You fed the troll! LOL

[@oceanceaser44]

As for the "obligation" to follow morality: If you know about social contract theory, that summarizes fairly well why we SHOULD follow morality, though perhaps we do have no absolute obligation to be moral. I believe there are many meta-ethical theories that will try to explain why we should follow morality that I will ask my Philosopher friend about if you are interested.

[@oceanceaser44]

I have never heard a good arguement against the Euthyphro dilemma, could you point me to one or explain it yourself? Your third option is just a mix of the problems to accepting each horn of the arguement so I'm confused how it gets you out?

[@oceanceaser44]

Do you think there is a good answer to the Euthyphro Dilemma?

[@ZekeMagnar]

"and assuming he has the power to make everyone heterosexual by birth it seems he chooses to do screw over some people in particular." "Making everyone heterosexual" would entail Him intervening in their decision-making process. This works against free will, which is given out of love and for our own personal advancement towards Christ.

[@Prinny777]

❤❤

[@ZekeMagnar]

I've explained this to you once before and here it is again. God doesn't give anyone a sexual orientation that He finds detestable. In short, it is due to the "fall" , it's not due to God.

[@robfield-n7v]

Numbers 6:24-26, Deuteronomy 28, Joshua 1:7-8 Matthew 6:9-15 & 12:31-32, Romans 10:9-13, 11 Peter 3:9,

[@1godonlyone119]

The Bible does not state that anyone should be put to death for working on the Sabbath, not in any chapter, not in any verse.

[@ZekeMagnar]

"is it natural for you to get in your car and drive to work?" The problem is that driving, though not natural, does not inhibit man from reaching his highest spiritual state and gaining entrance into eternal life. Practicing homosexuality unequivocally does inhibit man and thus why it is considered immoral by God.

[@1godonlyone119]

The Holy Bible never states that anyone should be put to death for any reason -- not in any chapter, not in any verse.

[@chrisreid6056]

I know this is an old comment, however in leviticus legislation for the theocracy of Isreal In a time of no police or prisons there were laws to execute those who were sinning against that theocracy, God was their King. We today do not live in a theocracy, yet we do follow our cultural and government laws. At one time America could have slaves, and right according to that democracy. Not to the reality of truth.

[@1godonlyone119]

If you mean "blocked," no, you are not blocked from my channel. Why do you assume (incorrectly) that you're blocked? I'll check your channel for the hidden reason to block you that you know and I don't know yet. =)

[@1godonlyone119]

In certain circumstances, that would be objectively wrong, yes. In other circumstances, it would not. I know where you're trying to lead this, and you shall fail.

[@iT2Mi]

Ok if you hold to Krauss' position we can pretty much end the conversation here. Nothing is the absence of anything, not how Krauss defines it. Even if you put your sanity on hold and go with Krauss' view that "nothing is not nothing anymore" there still needs to be an explanation as to why anything exists at all as opposed to nothing. I haven't heard any intelligible answer from either source, Hawking or Krauss.

[@ZekeMagnar]

Like Adam & Eve, we've fallen from Grace. Before the fall, they were not ruled by the flesh and the soul. The spirit of man ruled over the soul and flesh and they walked and lived in the spirit. This is what it means to be "spiritual." Not that one is religious, as some would believe, but rather that one is RICH in spirit. That's what I mean by "natural." Going back to the original state - which, by some, is referred to as eternal life. Too long to explain, so PM if you want me to elaborate.

[@ToastyMcGrath]

Okey dokey, I'll give you the rough summary: the Euthyphro Dilemma is a question regarding morality. It asks "are things good because the gods/god see them to be so, or do the gods/god see them to be so because they are already good?" If it's the former, then morality is just arbitrary and privy to every whim and temper tantrum of the god(s). If it's the latter, then morality is objective and gods are simply messengers of a universal truth that already exists, and are thus irrelevant.

[@ultrastar23]

annddddd you missed the third option that was clearly presented in this video

[@ZekeMagnar]

Just did. Check your inbox. Let me know if you didn't get it so I can resend.

[@1godonlyone119]

Vulpix is a troll, and his only purpose here is to distract good people like you from the important issues. I suggest you don't waste too much time on individuals like him.

[@jackdempsey8546]

I like to watch Cliffe's videos, because they are great instruction for spotting false logic debating tactics. Having seen many now, I can recognize his false logic easily. This kid could have nailed Cliffe, but Cliffe is skilled at changing the subject and confusing the issue. Cliffe's expression changes when he is about to go false logic. So which parts of the bible are flawed like the not eating the seafood, and which parts are the core message???? Why in a supposedly infallable/irrerant book are there flaws????

[@johnlove2954]

+Batman Jones You yourself are attempting a non-sequitur.

[@jackdempsey8546]

+John Love Ok I'll bite :)

[@blacksuburban2410]

That’s just not smart. SmH

[@iT2Mi]

Lol, I kinda agree with you. 1GodOnlyOne has proven to be troll-worthy in the past. However, I do not promote the arrogance in your "tone" where you stated you're "educating Cliffe's audience with logic, reason, and a few basic analogies." Because Cliffe's audience is lacking and would be lost and in the dark without you. [/sarcasm] Whether or not that implication is intentional or not is irrelevant. Although if it isn't, choose your words more wisely next time.

[@ZekeMagnar]

Oddly enough, I'd never heard of this "dilemma" until just recently. Can you explain why the holy books would disallow the possibility for there being a good answer, please?

[@rob2250]

Zeke Magnar is this account still active?

[@Absolution55]

His gloves are distracting.

[@Darqstorms]

My issue with people like this is the sheer arrogance. God created time space and matter. Why on earth do you think you are qualified to argue or disagree with such a powerful being about how reality works? That’s actually stupid to me. But God resists the proud

[@ZekeMagnar]

One of my posts was marked as "spam", because I double posted, so, and to answer your question, here it is again: "is it natural for you to get in your car and drive to work?" The problem is that driving,though not natural,does not inhibit man from reaching his highest spiritual state and gaining entrance into eternal life.Practicing homosexuality unequivocally does inhibit man and thus why it is considered immoral by God.

[@tannersmith2000]

Those black gloves are creepy.

[@cory3829]

+Tanner Smith I was thinking the same thing but it must have been cool outside or kid is a serial killer lol

[@ChiefCedricJohnson]

Matthew 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

[@1godonlyone119]

Your understanding of Krishna is pretty shabby, but some of the things you said are right. Here are your errors: Vishnu did not send Krishna to earth, he came here of his own free will, and not to save us, but to reveal his eternal pastimes. Also, Krishna is not in human form -- humans are in Krishna's form. The rest of your post is correct. Congratulations on being a Theist, just like all other human beings are Theists.

[@1godonlyone119]

All human beings know for certain that God's unique qualities and activities are factual, and this includes you.

[@oceanceaser44]

Because we didn't get that from your name...

[@A1most0007]

No I don't think so, don't let culture's treatment of homosexuals influence your perception of how God views homosexual people. God loves us all the same he doesn't judge them any harsher than anyone else. We need to remember to keep the main thing, the main thing which is God loves humanity and desires relationship with us regardless of our race, how successful we are and also our sexual orientation.

[@JohnjOcampo]

Yeah but you must surrender those homosexual feelings, you are basically saying no stay in your sin because God loves us all.. False.

[@Sldejo]

I miss Chick fil a so much. Excellent show.

[@CharlesMcClure]

If something is objectively wrong, it's wrong independent of its circumstances. Can you give me an example of where standing by and watching one human murder another human is the right thing to do?

[@ToastyMcGrath]

If Cliffe thinks changing "opinion" to "nature" gets him out of the Euthyphro Dilemma, he's clearly not done any of the "research" he claimed to have done.

[@1godonlyone119]

I don't eat shellfish.

[@oceanceaser44]

If they are murdering somebody who is about to murder 10 children. I guess you wouldn't call it murder though if they were not innocent?

[@1godonlyone119]

A wise man once said: "Each man thinks others to be like himself."

[@bonnie43uk]

Cliffe talks a lot about 'truth claims', In everyday life when i speak to people I wouldn't say I'm constantly making 'truth claims', everything i say is open to debate and change, I don't analyse everything i say. If someone else has an opposing view, I may learn something i was unaware of and change my view.

[@1godonlyone119]

The advice to not eat shellfish does indeed make sense -- it is not fit for human consumption.

[@1godonlyone119]

I found no reason to block you. This is puzzling.

[@FF-qw3hq]

God never hated shrimp. Rather, God disallowed the consumption of shrimp to distinguish the Israelites' diet from that of the surrounding nations, and likely due to the fact that since they are bottom-feeders, shrimp are really not very healthy. I once read somewhere that God prohibited this animal because in those times it was difficult to preserve shellfish; people in the old days used to preserve food through salt. In the case of shellfish preserving it, is quite dangerous since there were no refrigerators in those times it was quite difficult to maintain in a healthy environment, thus, God knew that shellfish was highly dangerous to the well-being of his people that He prevented their consumption.

[@ToastyMcGrath]

Topping off my BA in Political Science and Military Science. Unless the university finds an excuse to keep me paying for one more semester...

[@ToastyMcGrath]

I've looked, but he's nowhere to be found. The area he usually sets up is being re-seeded, so I'm guessing his crew got there, saw this, and decided it just wasn't worth the effort. A real letdown, too, since I was hoping to challenge him in this, my last semester at the UofA.

[@gregariousguru]

The Leviticus codes only applied to the Israelites and the Old Covenant. Next question!

[@williamcairns8895]

When the guy refuses to say "he'd be a hypocrite" at 10:25 it really is time to say goodbye.

[@dperkins01]

Cliffe should look up cognitive dissonance and see if it applies to him. This young man gave cliffe a valuable lesson that cliffe could not grasp due to his indoctrination and programming.

[@paulmacarthur6948]

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and life. His grave is empty to prove he is Devine and God's real eternal son.

[@oceanceaser44]

I'm confused by your use of the word natural. Do you mean "in line with it's purpose?" or something like that? As for the punishment part, It seems unfair that: because Eve decided to eat the apple, I should be punished. It also seemed unfair for God to punish Eve in the first place if he created her all the while knowing that she would eat the apple.

[@galochip1915]

The topic about homosexuality is still a tough one for me.

[@ZekeMagnar]

"Adulterers and murders actually cause negative effects where homosexuals do not." A negative effect does not always have to include others, it can include yourself. You were designed for a specific purpose and by practicing homosexuality, you are living in opposition to that very purpose. That is not positive, as far as God, who loves all, is concerned.

[@201outlaw]

First GOD Over Everything.

[@CharlesMcClure]

Is it wrong AT ALL to stand by and watch as one human murders another?

[@oceanceaser44]

But it is fit for human consumption?. I have eaten it for 19 years and I have suffered no ill effects.

[@iT2Mi]

In fear of feeding a troll: God is an eternal, maximally powerful being that exists necessarily as the cause of our finite universe.

[@oceanceaser44]

Alright for the Euthyphro D. :Cliff says that God's nature is good. If god's nature is good, does that not mean that he is categorized by an external set of standards that makes up "good?" If not, then saying that God's nature is good is simply saying that the word "good" has nothing to do with characteristics, it only means that it is "like God" and therefore this argument falls victim to the problems of the second horn of the dilemma: Morals are arbitrary. The kid brings this up, watch again

[@ZekeMagnar]

Force them? No one, not even God Himself, has forced anyone since the creation of time to do what is right. Also, you have to be open minded enough to leave room for the possibility that your "problem" may just be your problem. If there is a rational God who created rational beings such as you and I, then one must rationally conclude that there IS a reason (a profound reason) behind why He asks us to do and not to do certain things. Surely even stone-cold Atheists would have to agree with that.

[@user-cu3xn4xj3i]

That lifestyle does harm.

[@1godonlyone119]

No he didn't, and you failed to provide a scriptural reference because you know that you are just lying.

[@oceanceaser44]

I'm not saying that he judges them harsher, but that he gives them a sexual orientation that he says they cannot practice, whereas he gives heterosexuals a sexual orientation that they are allowed to practice. That is what seems unfair to me.

[@Viod753]

Well I mean even for the heteros they can only do it when married so there is some restriction there.

[@iT2Mi]

Ok. Please tell me why you find the evidence for Vishnu/Krishna more reliable or acceptable than the evidence for any other religions/God(s). Evidence for antiquity is not evidence for reliability... the bandwagon fallacy is also not evidence for reliability.

[@ZekeMagnar]

"And if homosexuality was unnatural why is it often present in nature?" Again, though it is a part of nature, it is not natural. It is the theme of this fallen world, where even animals are affected. "Im sorry I'm not familiar with the "fall" is that when eve ate the apple?" Yes. And all that followed as a result. "I fail to see how it is just for God to punish a son or daughter for their parents problems" I don't understand. Can you elaborate?

[@iT2Mi]

Ok, well first and foremost you need to establish whether or not you actual believe in a deity; whether or not the universe necessitates a creator.

[@martinez111ify]

man i want to see him and christopher hidgens debate.... im think hes going to win that debate

[@1godonlyone119]

hitchens has been dead for about 10 or 15 years now.

[@martinez111ify]

***** yea I just wish they have debated before he was dead

[@1godonlyone119]

David Martinez As a corpse, hitchens debates just as well as he did as a living individual. LOL

[@lsubslimed]

+1GodOnlyOne I think he actually died in 2011.

[@johnhsu9904]

To be honest Im surprised so many students who are atheist are so humble and open-hearted! They put a lot of Christians to shame

[@TheKRShow-xg8hx]

+John Hsu how does some atheists being humble and open-hearted put a lot of christians to shame? there are close-minded people and open-minded people on both sides, to assert that one is putting the other to shame by showing this to be true is pointless.

[@handgman]

+The K.R. Show John said nothing about the open mind. He was talking about humility and the open heart. He must have run across alot of bitter proud so called Christians who turned him off because of pride and a hateful heart. Having a closed mind and heart on truth I will admit is good. Once we learn truth we can not longer have an open mind or heart about things that are wrong. Love what is good and hate what is evil and wrong.

[@mackdmara]

He was patient, yes. Humble? Not so much. When he found a point he & Cliffe disagreed on, did he tell Cliffe what he was thinking or did he ask? He told Cliffe he really was just saying God appeals to a higher law. Cliffe was not saying that at all. The second part is when, after going along like God existed so they could talk, interjected that God was unproven. That question is fine, but if you want to raise that, start there. Midway into an argument that takes God's existence as given, is not the place to raise that. It is the result of not being humble. He realized the person in front of him had an answer, & so he then raise the issue he has, his belief it is all a lie. That had no place in such a conversation. He was patient, but humble, no.

[@ToastyMcGrath]

As for the second portion of your question, the holy books of the Abrahamic religions in particular detail their monotheistic god committing and condoning some of the worst, most evil things imaginable. Things like slavery, torture, child rape, and mass genocide. There is no way you can derive morality from the god of the Tanakh, Qur'an, or Christian Bible.

[@1godonlyone119]

I was about to check your channel and subscribe, but your incorrect and impotent attempt at insulting me without cause changed my mind. I suggest you look into what I'm saying and what you're saying, and realize that we are actually on the same side of the debate. God bless you! =)

[@CharlesMcClure]

Is it objectively wrong to stand by and watch one human murder another?

[@1godonlyone119]

How would that be relevant? That's the red herring logical fallacy, and it indicates that you know you've lost the debate. =)

[@DJNick341]

just because I disagree with you doesn't mean im lieing you should just relax lev 18-22 he called homosexuality an abominable act its not a mistranslation its not a lie its the facts...and why are you so angry and by the way I was banned from your channel too of course after you sent me that wonderful hate mail where you said I hate gays and went on about how dumb I am just for quoting scripture which is bearing false witness

[@1godonlyone119]

The Holy Bible does not state anywhere that being gay could somehow be a sin -- not in any chapter, not in any verse.

[@oceanceaser44]

(2) Lastly, I'm confused about how "the fall" is responsible for homosexual's urges.

[@oceanceaser44]

(1) I don't know how to PM haha, but could you PM me? I'm still confused about how it is fair that some people are born without the ability to enjoy sexual pleasure (without sinning). I understand that sexual pleasure is not the most important thing out there but I'm sure you will admit that it is not trivial. I have a gay friend who gags at the thought of sex with the opposite gender, and it seems unfair to me that he is expected to fight through that.

[@oceanceaser44]

Just because the scientific method does not work with ethics does not mean that ethical statements can't be true. I'm not sure if you are familiar with ethical theories such as Utilitarianism or Kantian ethics, but they do not claim that culture or attitudes have anything to do with morality. Also, you use reasoning to determine the best theory, not it's or your own cultural background. I fail to see how a higher power even could prescribe morals, they would fall victim to the Euthyphro dilemna

[@ToastyMcGrath]

What about you?

[@Viod753]

?

[@1godonlyone119]

Objectively good things are objectively good because they are in line with God's intrinsic and eternal nature. The above fact is different from the first two options, which proves that the supposed "dilemma" is nothing but a logical fallacy: There are more than two options, but demonic individuals only present two, which is a logical fallacy known as "false dilemma." It is also called black-and-white thinking, bifurcation, denying a conjunct, the either-or fallacy, false dichotomy, fallacy of exhaustive hypotheses, the fallacy of false choice, the fallacy of the false alternative, or the fallacy of the excluded middle, and it is a type of informal fallacy that involves a situation in which only limited alternatives are considered, when in fact there is at least one additional option. Problem solved! =)

[@ToastyMcGrath]

For an Abrahamic religious believer? No. The holy books completely disallow that possibility. To Plato? MAYBE his non-personal, conceptual, "oneness" might be able to, but that's not really a god.