What about the prophecies of old testament?

[Dana]

I myself had been a sincere and truly believing christian for many, many years, since my childhood. I even studied theology at an regular university for three semesters. I can understand the motivation, preventing other people from being "doomed" thru telling them the "true christian faith". But, in my opinion, coming to a jewish forum and trying to proselytize seems to be very, very impolite.

G-d has an ancient covenant with the people of israel. Jesus himself (as far as we know today according to modern christian theology) observed the Torah. The apostles did it also.

I would recommend to research the role of the apostle Paul and the early church history (on scientifically resilient sources of course). Do your own research and draw your own conclusions.

For me, as I described above, it took three semesters at the university to understand. I quit the studies and I was very embittered.

I then focused my studies to the roots: who is G-d? When did HE contact mankind and how did HE do it? What did G-d say? How did HE be behave? What did G-d expect from the humans? What happened with Adam, Noah, and the other patriarchs? What were the incidents round about the people of Israel, what was the role of Moses? What was the Holy Temple and  what role did it play? And the most important question to me was: can we have a connection to G-d today and if, how? What does HE expect from us?

As for me: I found my answers!

Hi GavrielbenNoah77,

Thank you for sharing your faith experiences and subsequently centered your search.  I always find to be very interesting personal stories of those of us who once embraced the Christian faith and have left it behind.  The reasons appear to vary! What I've discovered is there exists a wide and diverse range on what motivated and influenced our decisions to leave. 

Many people lose their belief in G-d due to suffering in the world or unanswered prayer. I've never thought that to be persuasive or should be a reason to lose faith. Mine came rather unexpectedly when I was studying the Hebrew language while attending a Christian congregation. I literally fell in love with the language and had a fascination with Israel, quite supportive and remain so.

I relate strongly with what Gavriel Aryeh Sanders wrote when he said that over time the studies of Hebrew caused fractures in his faith. But he pressed forward and made the necessary transitions with what he learned and that was for him conversion. There remained that feeling of searching for solid footing and yes, as you wrote, an embitterment followed.  I wonder if this is common for sincere believers. A period to transition emotionally.  It takes time I guess.

My book reading became scattered, wide in subject matter, nothing really focused or centered such as where your mind seemed to have went, and that for me more towards history and past civilizations and solidifying my Hebrew although I've slowed down with that.

Welcome aboard. I try to stay in touch with this Jewish forum because it has been the best I've experienced and was here for me when I left my faith.  Many good book recommendations have been given here.