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The Bible

My questions is Why is it that some Christians are very strict about the rules that God had set and believe everything from the bible to be true but at the same time only seems to follow more of what is in the New Testament versus the Old... I mean... Its all GOD right? So shouldn't you follow all of GOD's order?

Old Testament
1) Sin offerings
2) Not cutting hair
3) Not entering where a dead person is

New Testament focus
1) No Sex prior to marriage
2) Accepting Christ
3) No drinking or getting drunk

etc...

I just don't get if the Bible is the tell all manual then why some is ignored and some isn't... Who says to ignore some. Even IF times are different the words still came from GOD and if he is all judging then how is everyone to assume that its OK?

I don't know if this makes sense. I had a Christian friend tell me that some of the things in the Bible don't count anymore. It blows my mind, its like picking and choosing.

I don't mean to be hostile at all, I'm just seeking some insight on this.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

I don't mean to be hostile at all, I'm just seeking some insight on this.

Ok. I'll do my best to give you some insight.

Quote:

My questions is Why is it that some Christians are very strict about the rules that God had set and believe everything from the bible to be true but at the same time only seems to follow more of what is in the New Testament versus the Old... I mean... Its all GOD right? So shouldn't you follow all of GOD's order?

Yes.

Quote:

Old Testament
1) Sin offerings
2) Not cutting hair
3) Not entering where a dead person is

New Testament focus
1) No Sex prior to marriage
2) Accepting Christ
3) No drinking or getting drunk

etc...

That summary leaves a lot to be desired. The Old and the New Testament are more perfectly summarized in this one verse:

Love God with all your heart and soul.

Quote:

I just don't get if the Bible is the tell all manual then why some is ignored and some isn't... Who says to ignore some. Even IF times are different the words still came from GOD and if he is all judging then how is everyone to assume that its OK?

From a Catholic perspective, God didn't just give us a Bible. Yes, the Bible is God's word. But God also gave us the Church and Tradition.

The Bible is a record of God revelation to mankind.
Tradition is how God's word is applied by mankind.
The Church is the Teacher of God's word in Scripture and Tradition.

Unless you have all three, you don't have the fullness of God's truth.

Quote:

I don't know if this makes sense. I had a Christian friend tell me that some of the things in the Bible don't count anymore. It blows my mind, its like picking and choosing.

Its true. The Bible tells us that circumcision is no longer necessary:

1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Quote:

Thanks!

You're welcome. I hope that helped.

Love is the greatest commandment. Love is greater then whether somebody cuts there hair or not. Whether somebody is clean or unclean. The greatest gift is to Love unconditionally and that is why we are here.

The old testament is a historical account of different customs and laws and a written history of the past. There are many laws that were given to be able to tell people apart from the people who were chosen and not chosen.

For example: Circumcision is a mark of God, the old testament says that all boys are supposed to be circumised, right. Yet why would God make your body a certain way and then tell you to disfigure it?

In the new testament. It does not matter whether we are circumcised or not. The only thing that matters is that we have Gods spirit within us and that we show others love. We belong to God regardless.

[QUOTE=De Maria;1581329]

That summary leaves a lot to be desired. The Old and the New Testament are more perfectly summarized in this one verse:

Love God with all your heart and soul.
[QUOTE]

Yes, I have heard about that and understand that... But that still doesn't answer my question about all the "demands" and what GOD tells you to do in the Old Testament which people don't do anymore. Not all of it was disregarded in the New or was mentioned that it doesn't count anymore. I've been reading the Old Testament and so far I see all these specific rules.

And through these rules, it seems to display God more of a demanding tyrant who will smite you if you do not obey... And then in the New its all about love...

The old testament shows that God has the same emotions as us. We were made in there image. In the old testemant many people focus on the mad and angry God but they fail to see that he has great patience and love and forgiveness for his people and mercy.

So... those rules just don't apply anymore?

And what about all the people GOD killed that didn't follow his rules. Like being stoned to death when working on the Sabbath day? Where was the forgiveness?

Is it like GOD became nicer over time?

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

And through these rules, it seems to display God more of a demanding tyrant who will smite you if you do not obey...And then in the New its all about love...

I'd disagree; this one statement is the essence of the teaching in the Old and New Testaments. I started a response, answering each item listed, but seeing DeMaria's response, I couldn't find anything more fitting to say.

Now if you just want to argue over New Testament traditions verses Old testament traditions we can do that. But the essence of the response to your question is to Love God above all things.

Christ tells us the answer to the lawyerly question in His own words , “which is the great commandment in the law?” [Actually I secretly hope he'd say 'stamp out lawyers' but he doesn't] And, He didn't say, go wash, He didn't say, go prey, but what he did say was “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.” (Matt 22:36 seq.)

Far from being a tyrant; this makes God a loving Father. Michele, do this and you won't need to worry about rules.

JoeT

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

etc...

I just don't get if the Bible is the tell all manual then why some is ignored and some isn't...Who says to ignore some. Even IF times are different the words still came from GOD and if he is all judging then how is everyone to assume that its ok?

I don't know if this makes sense. I had a Christian friend tell me that some of the things in the Bible don't count anymore. It blows my mind, its like picking and choosing.

This topic can be a source of MAJOR disagreement among Christians, and contributes to some of the schisms between the varius denominations. Christians generally believe that Jesus brought a "new covenant" that basically over-wrote the original covenant between God and Moses as described in the Old Testament. Hence many of the old prohibitions against things like wearing clothes of different materials, or dietary laws, or lending money with interest, were essentially swept away as the New Covenant ends sin and death for everyone who accepts it. Again, different people have different interpretations of just how much attention to pay to the prohibitions proscribed in the old testament (with the exception that all Christians have a belief in the 10 commandments).

Here's an article on the New Covenant that may help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Covenant

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

Yes, I have heard about that and understand that...But that still doesn't answer my question about all the "demands" and what GOD tells you to do in the Old Testament which people don't do anymore. Not all of it was disregarded in the New or was mentioned that it doesn't count anymore. I've been reading the Old Testament and so far I see all these specific rules.

And through these rules, it seems to display God more of a demanding tyrant who will smite you if you do not obey...And then in the New its all about love...

God still smites the disobedient.

However, the New Testament reveals that God became man to fulfill the Old Law and then establish in Himself a new, more perfect Law of the Spirit.

This is how the Bible says it:

Romans 7:2
For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Does this mean that the Old Law is void?

Romans 3 31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

What this means is that if we live by the law of love and do good to all men, we will not infringe on any of the Ten Commandments. The law is not annulled. It is not voided as you seem to think. But we strive to live by a higher calling.

That is why the emphasis is on love. Thou shalt.

Rather than on punishment. Thou shalt not.

Am I making sense?

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

and what about all the people GOD killed that didn't follow his rules. Like being stoned to death when working on the Sabbath day? Where was the forgiveness?

Is it like GOD became nicer over time?

No.

Have you noticed that civilization has progressed, even in the last 100 years? People know and understand more. And they can handle more information. I'm old enough to remember when some people didn't believe that man would ever go to the moon.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. God waited for men to progress to a certain level of understanding before He gave them more information. But God is still the same.

Do you believe that God speaks with Holy people? That more writings may someday come?

Or when the Pope stated that there was no hell?

I'm also curious about how new information that may come from God inspired people are taken seriously or disregarded since its not written in the bible...

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

Or when the Pope stated that there was no hell?

I’m unaware of any such pronouncement When did this happen?

JoeT

"No Hell": Pope

Basically saying that Hell is not a physical place. But the tormet and emptiness that a soul feels when not in a union with God... and that the Union with God, is heaven... but not a physical place...

Also: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1572646.ece

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

"No Hell": Pope

Basically saying that Hell is not a physical place. But the tormet and emptiness that a soul feels when not in a union with God...and that the Union with God, is heaven...but not a physical place...

That's a far cry from saying there is no hell. What was said was that hell is a state of being - forever tormented. I think this is the statement that CBS was referencing: Heaven, Hell and Purgatory

JoeT

Point taken

However, I am still curious people's opinion about the rest of my post... in that do you believe that there is or will be more God inspired texts or writings? And if there is, would everyone just assume that its from the devil?

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

I'm also curious about how new information that may come from God inspired people are taken seriously or disregarded since its not written in the bible...

Yes there can be private revelations from God, but the Catholic Church treats them much differently than other faiths

Private Revelations

"There are two kinds of revelations: (1) universal revelations, which are contained in the Bible or in the depositum of Apostolic tradition transmitted by the Church. These ended with the preaching of the Apostles and must be believed by all; (2) particular or private revelations which are constantly occurring among Christians (see CONTEMPLATION). When the Church approves private revelations, she declares only that there is nothing in them contrary faith or good morals, and that they may be read without danger or even with profit; no obligation is thereby imposed on the faithful to believe them. Speaking of such revelations as (e.g.) those of St. Hildegard (approved in part by Eugenius III), St. Bridget (by Boniface IX), and St. Catherine of Siena (by Gregory XI) Benedict XIV says: "It is not obligatory nor even possible to give them the assent of Catholic faith, but only of human faith, in conformity with the dictates of prudence, which presents them to us as probable and worthy of pius belief)" (De canon., III, liii, xxii, II). " see CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Private Revelations

JoeT

Hmmm, there is a lot to contemplate! You are most helpful Joe, as you gave me a better understanding then most were able to!

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

hmmm, there is a lot to contemplate! You are most helpful Joe, as you gave me a better understanding then most were able to!

thanks!

I’m proud to have been of assistance.

You’re welcomed.

JoeT

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

and what about all the people GOD killed that didn't follow his rules. Like being stoned to death when working on the Sabbath day? Where was the forgiveness?

Is it like GOD became nicer over time?

I was reading the OT and I was surprised at how often God was angry so he did so-n-so.
The OT God sure stayed ticked off most of the time. Didn't mind dolling out punishment either!:eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by michele1983

"No Hell": Pope

Basically saying that Hell is not a physical place. But the tormet and emptiness that a soul feels when not in a union with God...and that the Union with God, is heaven...but not a physical place...

The Pope and I don't agree on much but this, I totally agree with. I mean, when someone tries to describe heaven to me with all these physical characteristics it doesn't do a thing for me. And if is a physical place what are we doing. Standing around, watching movies, playing ball? It's just ridiculous.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozyk

The Pope and I don't agree on much but this, I totally agree with. I mean, when someone tries to describe heaven to me with all these physical characteristics it doesn't do a thing for me. And if is a physical place what are we doing. Standing around, watching movies, playing ball? It's just rediculous.

In case you missed it the Pope's Catechesis on heaven, hell and purgatory: Heaven, Hell and Purgatory

It wasn't quite like the description above.

JoeT

Gal 3:24-26
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
(KJV)

Every law of the OT was a type (picture) of Christ and the New Covenant. The Law dealt with the exterior works, while the New Covenant deals with the inner man, (soul, spirit, attitudes).
Now that we are under the New Covenant, there is no further need of an external law. We will keep the spirit of the law automatically IF we continue in the faith.

The bible is God's written word,unfortunately many human hands were and still are involved so as a result many things were changed.
One of the most wonderful promises that God makes is that He will put His Spirit inside us and His Spirit is the Spirit of Truth,The Spirit will lead us to The Truth.
Does God change His rules?Yes He does!
In the beginning it was OK for brothers to be married and have children, it was a need and there was no other way for us humans to multiply.When the number of humans was large enough ,God stopped it.
Also God did not allow the people of Israel to have any relationship with the gentiles,but later that changed too thank God!
Circumsision changed,clean and unclean food changed...
God's rules were not cancelled but we people after the coming of Christ understood the law, the way God wants us too.Jesus tought us how to keep the law.For example today we have no circumsision of the flesh, but we need to keep the circumsision of the heart.There is no clean and unclean food, but the real food is every word that comes out of God's mouth,so today's clean food is God's Word.
Jesus revealed to us the real meaning of the law,that in the centre of it HAS NOT CHANGED!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozyk

The Pope and I don't agree on much but this, I totally agree with. I mean, when someone tries to describe heaven to me with all these physical characteristics it doesn't do a thing for me. And if is a physical place what are we doing. Standing around, watching movies, playing ball? It's just rediculous.

What if heaven is being who you are now, only better, and doing all you do now, only better? (As a kid, I thought we'd be hanging out wearing white robes and playing harps and singing all day. Talk about boring!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam7gur

Jesus revealed to us the real meaning of the law,that in the centre of it HAS NOT CHANGED!

[to finish my "agree"]... because his heart is God's, and not because he has to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

What if heaven is being who you are now, only better, and doing all you do now, only better? (As a kid, I thought we'd be hanging out wearing white robes and playing harps and singing all day. Talk about boring!)

You mean I'll be thinner, have better hair days, my skin will be as smooth as a baby's butt,
I'll be doing my favorite things, like eating out, watching good movies, snuggeling by a fire.
I won't be doing those dreaded things like cleaning the bathroom, exercising, etc.

I think I don't believe we will be fleshly creatures in heaven because the bottom line of anything you do for enjoyment is to achieve the bottom line... the good feeling you get.
I believe in heaven, your spirit just enjoys the good feeling and skips the "middle man."
Middle man being all the activities, relationships, appearances, that are our ways or reaching the good feelings we experience in our earthly life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozyk

You mean I'll be thinner, have better hair days, my skin will be as smooth as a baby's butt,
I'll be doing my favorite things, like eating out, watching good movies, snuggeling by a fire.
I won't be doing those dreaded things like cleaning the bathroom, exercising, etc.

I think I don't believe we will be fleshly creatures in heaven because the bottom line of anything you do for enjoyment is to achieve the bottom line... the good feeling you get.
I believe in heaven, your spirit just enjoys the good feeling and skips the "middle man."
Middle man being all the activities, relationships, appearances, that are our ways or reaching the good feelings we experience in our earthly life.

There won't be dirt in heaven, so no cleaning. You will be thin with perfect hair and skin. Several Bible writers say "in my own flesh I shall see God." Verses and the three major church creeds also say that Judgment Day will give us resurrected bodies that will be reunited with souls. Heaven will be far more than "good feelings."

None of us will really truly know what heaven is like until we get there.

I agree but what God says he say the same thing in then both so yea lol I agree totally

Hi Michele, The Old Testament only applied to the people in the past when Jesus was still walking around.It does not apply to us today.We must follow the law of the New Testament today. Jesus died for our sins and paid the price for us so we can be free of the Old Testament. I hope you are not confused anymore.Your question was very interesting. Feel free to reply if necessary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by humble10

Hi Michele, The Old Testament only applied to the people in the past when Jesus was still walking around.It does not apply to us today.We must follow the law of the New Testament today. Jesus died for our sins and paid the price for us so we can be free of the Old Testament. I hope you are not confused anymore.Your question was very interesting. Feel free to reply back if necessary.

So the 10-commandments aren't to be observed?

JoeT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillybilly

i agree but what God says he say the same thing in then both so yea lol i agree totally

I'm very confused. What are you saying?:confused::confused:

Quote:

Originally Posted by humble10

Hi Michele, The Old Testament only applied to the people in the past when Jesus was still walking around.It does not apply to us today.We must follow the law of the New Testament today. Jesus died for our sins and paid the price for us so we can be free of the Old Testament. I hope you are not confused anymore.Your question was very interesting. Feel free to reply back if necessary.

From the CCC:

2068 The Council of Trent teaches that the Ten Commandments are obligatory for Christians and that the justified man is still bound to keep them; the Second Vatican Council confirms: "The bishops, successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord . . . the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments."

JoeT

So... :)
Of what I understood is that "should we obey the commandments of God"... is that?
If yes, firstly I wanted to tell u: the Bible is the Word Of God!!
If you REALLY believe in God, then u'll obey to his Word.. :)

The 1st commandment you must obey to and it's really important is: "love your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind... :)

Hope it helped... :D

Love is the greatest commandment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeT777

From the CCC:

2068 The Council of Trent teaches that the Ten Commandments are obligatory for Christians and that the justified man is still bound to keep them; the Second Vatican Council confirms: "The bishops, successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord . . . the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments."

JoeT

Catholics DO pick, or see reasons certain things no longer apply. (Whichever suits you)

You, like most of the rest of us do NOT keep the Sabbath, (the seventh day) but rather the first day of the week. Please note that I do not keep the sabbath either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by galveston

Catholics DO pick and choose, or see reasons why certain things no longer apply. (Whichever suits you)

You, like most of the rest of us do NOT keep the Sabbath, (the seventh day) but rather the first day of the week. Please note that I do not keep the sabbath either.

They also have a slightly revised set of 10 commandments which removes one that otherwise might be a bit embarrassing.