About this site

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Purpose

The purpose of this site is:

To help Christians engage in intelligent and persuasive conversations with doubters and unbelievers

Most Christians are unprepared for the tough questions being asked today by well-educated people who need coherent answers about the reasons for Christian faith.

Most doubters and unbelievers today – particularly the 'nones' – don't go to church, don't go to Christian media sites, and don't read Christian books. More than a fourth of young Americans today are raised in families without any religious teaching at all.

The only way they will understand Christian faith is if Christians tell them in sensible language they can understand. Sadly, most Christians keep silent whenever spiritual conversation gets below surface level.

Many Christians think that just living a good life or giving testimony is enough. But there are people of all faiths who live good lives and give testimony to some kind of spiritual faith. The modern reaction is, 'That's cool. You have your spirituality ... he has his ... she has hers ... and I have mine. That's what's so beautiful.'

Solid Christian faith needs to be based on facts recorded in the Bible ... tested by tough questions and intelligent answers ... confirmed by feelings, not based on feelings.

Doubters and unbelievers

This site is about doubters and unbelievers but is not intended for them directly. This site is for Christians, to help Christians become more comfortable and effective in spiritual conversations.

Thinkers Bible Studies can make Christians more confident, respected and persuasive.

This site helps Christians build bridges from unbelief to belief.

Removing barriers

'The heart cannot embrace what the mind cannot accept.' (Anonymous Christian pastor)

The Christian message was simple as expressed by Jesus and his apostles, but over a span of two thousand years, Christianity has sprouted many different branches – Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentacostal, etc.

There are now more than 2,500 different Christian denominations, each believing that its interpretation of scripture and definition of Christian faith and practice is the correct one. No wonder doubters are confused!

Over time, theologians and pastors within each denomination have formulated explicit doctrines of faith. Many of these doctrines, though good in themselves, are not what Jesus taught and not grounded in scripture – just extra baggage, creating enormous barriers to Christian faith for doubters and unbelievers.

This site identifies the barriers ... examines them in careful Bible study ... and shows how they can be removed, or at least reduced in size.

Writer

Writer for this site is Richard Lundborg, responding to questions being asked by people today who can't get clear and direct answers in church.

◉ Statement from the writer

– FROM THE WRITER –

I WOULD PREFER to remain anonymous, but that arouses suspicions, so here is full disclosure.

I write and produce this site myself to help others in their spiritual journey, with nothing expected in return. I'm just eager to share what I've discovered over the years.

I have no theological credentials to offer. I have a full-time law degree and MBA but have never been to seminary. Maybe that's why the presentation here is different from most religious sites. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, have studied the Bible carefully for decades, and have enjoyed a long and happy Christian life.

I have held management positions in three Fortune 500 corporations ... owned companies of my own (real estate development, mortgage financing and restaurants) ... retired at 49 ... then volunteer consulting with dozens of national and international Christian organizations in strategic planning and fund raising ... and I have done some writing and teaching over the years on various theological topics.

I have been a leader in my local church ... traveled in more than 50 countries ... first marriage, three children, twelve grandchildren.

For this site, I have pulled together important information from the Bible, history, and science and have organized all to form a comprehensive and coherent theology. Not just bits and pieces, but a structure for the whole of it, summarized, online in one place, quick access, easily shareable.

New material is added every week.

I believe that the Bible is the Word of God – the foundation and test for Christian belief. I don't challenge the Bible, but I do challenge some traditional interpretations. I make my case with in-depth Bible studies which lay out all relevant Bible statements in a way that enables you to see for yourself what the Bible actually says.

This site tells not only WHAT millions of Christians believe, but also WHY. Even if you come to some different conclusions, I trust that this will help you find and articulate the REASONS for your own faith.

Most people read the Bible to affirm what they have been taught. Hopefully, this will help you read it for new insights.

Richard Lundborg

Minneapolis MN / January 2021

Personal bio

'ALWAYS BE PREPARED to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the REASON for the hope that you have.' – I Peter 3:15

Sources

There is nothing new here that hasn't already been expressed in the media or on the Internet, or discussed somewhere. The purpose is not to develop something new, but to simplify the basic teachings of the Bible and make them intelligible to ordinary people.

The Bible itself is the information source for this site, with some help from science and history for interpretation. Statements here are the result of direct Bible study, documented here in detail.

This is basic Christianity at the core, stripped of Bible stretches and add-ons.

Method

This is not a typical fill-in-the-blanks or lecture-type of Bible study.

This study uses the Socratic method of learning, the method used with amazing success by the Apostle Paul in the Hall of Tyrannus in Ephesus (Acts 19:8-10).

This is a method of open questioning and investigation with these distinctives:

No question is out of bounds. No one is judged or rebuked for respectful objections or comments.
No church talk. No celebrity authorities. The only authority here is the Bible, which is the sole subject of objective study and discussion, one topic at a time.
This is deep focused learning for the purpose of gaining new spiritual understanding and the ability to explain it intelligently and persuasively to others.

The Socratic method is not a debate where there are winners and losers. It is an exploration method for finding truth, wherever the truth may lead.

Most people like to learn through the Socratic method but are afraid to participate directly in it because it exposes lack of knowledge and incoherent thinking, often making participants feel humiliated or embarrassed. However, this site simulates the method online so that anyone can just sit back in his or her own home and‍ get all the keys points without having to go anywhere or speak to any group.

Funding

This site is produced and funded by Lundborg Foundation as a public service.

Costs are covered by investment income and a $10,000 per month grant from Google Foundation. (Google does not endorse site content but gives grants to IRS-approved nonprofits which maintain sites with excellent user experience, high technical quality, high click-through rates, and high user time on page.)

No contributions have ever been solicited or received by Lundborg Foundation. No products or services are for sale, promoted, linked or endorsed.

Lundborg Foundation is not affiliated in any way with any church, school, business or other organization of any kind. It is totally independent and not constrained or influenced by any constituency.

The only objective here is to help people better understand Christian faith and experience a better life ... and to share it.

Work in process

This site started in 2020 and is still in early stages of development. New materials and edits are added every week.

Come back often for review and fresh content.

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◉ Recent comments from readers

An extremely good read.Would like very much to hear more.

Loved it. Been saying it for years but nobody listened.

Great work! Keep up the war against the ignorant churchians, and supporting Christian enlightenment!

Great Information. I've been teaching these studies for some time to hopefully help Christians have a true biblical world view and not just a churchy world view. Glad yall out there.

I ran across your website this morning. At age 50, I lead a women's Bible Study in Florida. I am at a place where I am questioning so many things about what I have been taught - traditions handed down for generations. To continue teaching is becoming challenging. I have a daughter who is also a believer but wrestles aloud with questions concerning Adam and original sin, eternal hell with eternal suffering, etc. Honestly, I think her wrestling has led me to stop and think more. So now I am seeking…

Interesting to read. Will research further.

It's constructive that science keeps indefinitely improving with better observations and verifiable facts. Immutable good scriptures should simply keep itself relevant by subtle changes in its interpretation to complement and coexist with science. Good work!

I stumbled on your website recently, and was impressed by the scope of it and the balance evident in it.

Thank you for your wonderful website. I have linked to it from my own. I'm looking forward to your expanding list of subjects.

This is such clarity I wish I could've given this argument earlier.

Right!

I like it! I always wondered about the dinosaurs, and whether other people lived before Adam. You see, the Bible says that Cain was worried about being slain by other people. So, what does that tell you? It's more to the Bible than some clergymen are letting on.

Fully embrace this information. By the Spirit I have been convinced before reading this. Any serious thinker who is honest and observant will become agnostic in trying to remain with the ultra conservative ideas of literal six day creation. What a beautiful creation was being made by a glorious intelligent designer!

God created everything that was created in six literal days.

praying Gods direction, provision, and anointing on this site and everyone, like me, blessed enough to have been led to it .

This is utter nonsense in my opinion

Very interesting, food for thought. I have often wondered about this and have had many questions Thanks

You have an interesting take on how to reconcile the time difference challenge between Bible time history & archeology . I don’t think it will matter about which time viewpoint ya right. What matters is faith & trust in Jesus for forgiveness of sin & gaining eternal life

Bullshit. Just utter bullshit.

What you have said makes so much sense to me. I would love to read more of what you think.

Interesting and thought provoking.

Enjoyed the read. I am a believer.

These explanations make real sense.

I was just told about your website and it's so fascinating.

Thank you for letting me know. Opened up my mind.

This is a great Bible study, it explains everything perfectly so there is no confusion anywhere, it just helps understanding the Bible and God's word so well.

There are too many pastors and theologians who take the simplicity of God's Word and try to make it profound when they should be taking the profoundness of God's Word and making it simple.

This is awesome, very detailed information and totally makes sense, thanks for sharing!

Very good and educational, explaining how it all connects and coincides with the Bible’s account.

Nice to read a legitimate attempt to harmonize the traditions of the Bible with scientific discoveries.

Thank you for this! I have had many conversations about science and Christianity. I am not very smart but now I am a little smarter.

Thank you so much for confirming what I had always thought!!! Our Father makes wonderous wonders!!!

You’re freaking idiots led by Satan! Change the Bible, go to hell! Hope you enjoy it!

I will read this in its entirety. What I've read so far is right on according to my extensive studies over 27 years.

Adam was the first person on this earth bottom line

Do you offer a textbook?

Very informative. Keep up the good work. The world needs better understanding of God’s word.

Very good

When are more topics coming?

Your site is full of heresy. Repent.

Thank you for your studies. I find them fascinating. And I will read more of your articles.

I am excited to have found this site when I was seeking the truth about Bible timelines. I have been forced to justify my beliefs by a pastor who has a very fundamental belief in God's seven days of creation.

Thanks, This is what I needed. I can't get enough of this marvelous study.

Does the bible really say humans will burn forever in hell or is it really more like thrown in the fire and destroyed? Ps I already know the answer!

I want to learn it all.

Very good explanation

So interesting. Thanks for sharing. Keep them coming. Enjoy reading them so much.

I can't wait to share this article with my grandson.

very well done.!!

This site is a literal God send! I've been struggling with reconciliation of what scripture says and what I've been taught through various denominations and their individual traditions. I'm so grateful, honestly, to have permission to think critically and to allow the Holy Spirit to teach me directly.

All present dating methods are based on assumptions that cannot be proven. The methods do not meet scientific requirements of being observable, repeatable, and testable. They can reliable determine chemical compositions, but they CANNOT reliably give age..

Yes

The big bang is a theory. God is a fact.

I admit that I have some struggles with your interweaving of science and the Bible, but that will not stop me from reading and considering the material.

I really enjoy your site.

Very enlightening and interesting, Thank you

If for nothing else, this at least may cause someone to dig deeper.

Proof of the absurdity of ALL religions, thanks.

Interesting and thought provoking, following a line of thinking that has interested me for years. To question traditional interpretation doesn't detract from the validity and power of scripture but reinforces it. Jesus was rejected by the religious experts of His day because He didn't fit the traditional interpreting of scripture. We still have much to learn.

Of course. If Adam and Eve were the only humans and had children, who did the children copulate with? If it was each other, then everyone would have mental defects. The Adam & Eve story is just the beginning of the Old Testament.

I love this web site. I have always wanted to know more about what the Bible means. Please, please keep expanding this site.

I find your explanation very compelling and appreciate that we do need to answer questions of unbelievers, there needs to be effort in this direction. So I thank you for your efforts

I applaud you on your studies and have to say that I do not disagree with what I have read. You seemed to have covered this subject very thoroughly.

Amen. Thank you.

I love the premise of this site and its focus on engaging the modern doubter or unbeliever, and can't wait to see the new material that is planned.

I am in to deep thinking concerning the Bible, while holding on to Biblical fact. Being open to possibilities where things are vague is food for the soul, yet being careful of being deceived into false teaching.

This is great. God has shown this to me some time ago, but you are the first that has ever confirmed it. God is good.

Trying to reinterpret the Bible according to man’s interpretations that are based on unprovable assumptions destroys the authority of the Bible. God was there. Man was not.

I have always thought this to be true but have never heard it said! Praise God!

Brilliant

I like your site. Good to see others believe as I do.

Only when ignorance, in the name of science, tries to be wiser than what scripture say, is when Gods Word is twisted, unto their own destruction

One of the best study sites I have found!

Some scientists are open to intelligent design, the problem is some scientists think they are trying to bring church into the classroom.If some scientists find out that some believe in intelligent design they will lose funding.

I don’t think Adam was the first human on earth. I am 72 in age. Most people my age and older do not have this perception. But from my bible study I believe this Genesis points to others.

Please pray for me as I ponder the input you've provided online.

You should just go away. You are preaching heresy.

Very interesting. Verification of my own thoughts.

Your are wrong

Great job! Fantastic resource for believers not only to be able to speak intelligently in a time of waning faith, but for our own education and edification as well!

I want more information and I want bible study

What a great and informative article! This information is invaluable when discussing biblical concepts with others, both Christian and non-Christian.

Love the study

It’s too bad that the Christian community cannot allow for mistranslation of both an ancient language and understanding of that language.

Please let me know if it is available in a hardcover or paperback book.

Not sure what to think of this bible study. If nothing else it compels you to really dig deep and think,read and pray for understanding which I think is a good thing.

Yes there were people before Adam, the cave Men and the ice Age.

This is great stuff!!

Yea

I agree there had to have been other people before Adam. The sons had children, with whom? Certainly not with their own mother or the gene pool would have died out.

Just another Satanic attempt to change God's WORD. More likely made up of Liberal Kids that don't know any better.

This is a very interesting read and I'm going to be reading it again.

lov it

No scripture to back up your words.

You are very much on the right track.

You really don’t understand the Bible at all.

Really enjoyed

Thank you for this most interesting discussion of genealogy re: the timing of the first man as relates to both the Bible as well as archaeology!!!

Thank you for helping to break down these scriptures, I found out now a lot of what I thought I knew was actually just tradition, most of which was confusing up until now, very grateful.

This is the best information a believer can get. Where can I donate. Big Bang is consistent to the Bible, great news. Let’s ge smart about religion. Saying the Bible is wrong has helped millions become non believers. This news can reinforce the beliefs in those who strive to believe but need a more firm and also scientific reasoning for the existence of a God. Great web site!

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