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Why do Christians take the Bible so literal? Some parts are absolutely absurd. There was a well-known Baptist, George Hensley, who took the Bible as the word of God. He thought they he would be invulnerable to snake bites and poisions This lunatic was constantly in trouble with the law for endangering the idiots that went ot his church. Having them touch snakes, etc. Let me fast forward to the ending Hensley died of a snake bite
workerbee
Balance is a key factor in any thing we do. When we read the Bible, it is important to read everything within the context of the whole chapter or book. Also, realizing the New Testament is the fulfillment of the old is important to remember. Anyone can take one section out of the Bible and make 'that' their religion or practice.
Why do people believe that they can earn salvation? Why do people believe that unless they do rituals daily, they are in danger of death? Because at some point in their lives, they were taught certain things but not the total picture. The Bible is quite clear if read in context what is parables and what is teaching for daily living, what is needed to receive the free gift of salvation, what is stated as an example of the power we have when we call on the name of Jesus to help us in time of need, what things to avoid, what blessings are available, what we will want to do when we put our trust in Jesus, how to forgive, etc. but we need to know the whole of it, not just the part of it. Those who take one thing and make that their religion have not read all that is said about it.
As humans, we so many times think we have to "do" to be accepted, "work" to be okay with God. If we read the scriptures in full, we know salvation is a free gift to those who desire to ask Jesus into their hearts but that after we do that, we will desire to work to help other people, share the word of God, etc. It is all about balance and knwowledge of the scriptures and the context in which each subject matter is discussed in the Bible.
Sometimes, I believe that we, as human beings, find it easier to be ritualistic in our life, than to really pray and read God's word and get direction for our lives each day from God speaking to our hearts. If we take one thing out of the Bible, we can make that our religion, though it would not be correct. We can be religious in anything. We can be religious about getting up at 5:00 a.m. each morning, or brushing our teeth 7 times a day, or religious about being in a church three times each week without fail but being a spiritual person and spending time with God in prayer and reading the Bible, then going about our day striving to honor Him in all we do and say, I think is where we stay in balance.
But surely you don't believe the world is 6000 years old? Or that Noah's Ark is true? What I am asking is, do you believe all of those stories or like more modern Christians do you know many are just stories not to be taken literally?
workerbee
Men wrote the bible, not God, but they called it the word of God.
I believe that it is without a doubt, the greatest fictional novel ever written.
With that said, I do believe in God, or a Creator, but I can't accept the bible as fact.
I find it hard to understand how anyone could believe that Noah was 600 years old when he gathered two of every species, loaded them on the ark, and floated around for about a year, before running aground. Sorry, that would be an unattainable task for even a 60 year old, much less 10 times that age.
The must important thing to understand is the Bible was written before almost all knowledge! Knowledge drives out ignorance and superstition.
Really, the only hard science at the time was Mathematics, and we see a lot of references to numbers in the Bible, lots of verses verifying that the writers of the Bible thought that numbers had magical properties. Guess they were amazed by Arithmetic and associated it with "God", hence power. :)
Today, those who favor literal interpretation of the Bible which is ignorance are those who attack science, schools and the Constitution...
workerbee, I was raised around people that worshiped with the serpent. I'm 45 and only know 2 people in the history of our community that died from a bite. So while to you or me it may seem crazy, they see it as honoring their God. Who am I to judge them and to get all worked up over it and call them names.
They think we are insane for wasting our time with modern music, computers, t.v.s etc...
They must think we are nuts for ingesting caffiene, tobacco, alcohol and over eating.
Maybe they are ignorant to the ways of today but they are doing what they believe in and I feel like that is their right just as it is mine to be on this computer with music in the back ground while sipping a nice cold beer, googling up ways to lose the extra weight I have gained from overeating.
Actually not it is really absurd that people don't believe in God and believe that the bible is his word. And yes the bible is true every word, the parts that are stories are noted as such. And yes, God made some people invulnerable to snake bites when it was needed, and saved people from poisions when it was his will to happen. He has stopped guns from firing for people at times, he has cured people from various levels of death at times, all in his will that we don't fully understand.Quote:
Originally Posted by workerbee
When one takes what the bible says as a reason to do silly things, then they are not in God's will, can God save you from snakes and poisions, yep every day he has a need to. But that need is not there when we do it on purpose, since the bible also tells us not to test him.
I loved this post bushg! You bring out a lot of good points and with humor besides!! A sense of humor is something we all need more of.Quote:
Originally Posted by bushg
Fr_chuck, you say he made SOME people invulnerable, how sad for you making excuses for God. The Bible was written by uneducated, hateful, ignorant, homophobic, men that's it next you will tell me that the earth is 6000 years old, what about Noah's ark? Never answered that one
workerbee
I do, by my choice, believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God. My faith in Jesus Christ and having Him be in my life has brought me much strength, knowledge of how to love others, hope for tomorrow and a peace that comes from knowing where, without a doubt, I will spend eternity when I pass on. There has always been and always will be people who believe in the Bible but who have different views of certain scriptures. I know that there have been times I have read a certain scripture but then there has been a time when I needed direction or guidance or peace about a situation and I have prayed in Jesus Name and asked God to help me through His word. I begin to read, not choosing a particular area of the Bible and the answer seem to just be there in that same scripture I have read so many times prior that did not really mean much to me those times. To me, that is part of the miracle of His word. That may not be everyone's experience and I am not saying it should be, just sharing one tiny part of my faith in God and how it blesses my life.
I know some people do not believe that the Bible is anything but, as one stated, "I believe that it is without a doubt, the greatest fictional novel ever written", but there is one thing that always puzzles me and I can't tell exactly workerbee what you believe just by these few posts but I am just saying, if a person chooses not to believe in the Bible, I don't understand the anger that comes with that, especially toward the ones who do.
I enjoy sharing my experiences and my belief but I do not ever want to argue about it. Each of us believe what we do but I think it is always good to share with others, our beliefs, our experiences, whether spiritual in nature or not. We learn as we live and as we share and as we listen. I appreciate your posting of this question. It opens up many areas that can be "debated until the cows come home" :) or it can open up a sincere question and answer sharing time but I doubt the debating will help.
I read a lot lately of how Science is continually proving what has been believed for years by those who believe in God. I think it will continue to do so and it amazes me but does not surprise me, when I read that. I just get really excited when I see Science and God brought together in the same discussion. Thank you for allowing me to express my views and respecting that we all will differ somewhat in our views, if not dramatically, then in degrees.
Yes, I do take the Bible literally.Quote:
Originally Posted by workerbee
Taken in its entirety, not just the verses that you disagree with, it tells of an all powerful, righteous, perfect and holy being. A God that created us, allows us free will, and though we are not good enough to be in His presence, loves us so much that He sent His only Son to justify us through His death and resurrection. Ahhhh... the JOY in Him, that he would tell us this through His words in the Bible. :D
Not all Christians take the Bible literally.Quote:
Originally Posted by workerbee
No. None of the Bible is absurd. It is only absurd to those who don't believe in it or understand it.Quote:
Some parts are absolutely absurd.
Throughout the centuries, God has shown His favor on many men and women whom we call the Saints. They indeed were invulnerable to snake bites and poisons and also produced many miracles in the name of God.Quote:
There was a well-known Baptist, George Hensley, who took the Bible as the word of God. He thought they he would be invulnerable to snake bites and poisions This lunatic was constantly in trouble with the law for endangering the idiots that went ot his church. Having them touch snakes, etc. Let me fast forward to the ending Hensley died of a snake bite
Workerbee
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues. 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrebel7
I like your answer as far as being angry I don't care what people believe except when they are closed minded , you know like the fundametalists. Those crazies slow down science and that irrattes me.
To every one else I used to be a Christian but not for a long time and I think that you have made excuses for God. You ignore tha age of the Earth or Naih's ark, the list is a s long as my arm. There were thousands of Gods in the past this one will run it's course and be replaced by something else.
workerbee
Quote:
Originally Posted by progunr
Well I agree with you that men wrote the Bible but they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Noah didn't have to gather the animals when he was 600 years old.. hee hee. Genesis 6:20... they came to him. Now I don't know for sure but I'd be willing to bet that a 600 year old man BEFORE the flood was a bit more energetic then a 600 year old man today. ;)
I personally believe the Bible is the truth and without error.
You certainly should believe what you like but it closes the mind to other possibilites. I just saw a picture in the newspaper of an unknown tribe in Brazil that has been cut off from the world as a plane flew low to take pictures these guys are firing srrows at them. They are in their own world not aware of what an airplane is. I believe the same true of Fundamentalists of any religion, they close thieir minds off to everything. I don't think I am being unfair, I am only speaking about the fundies
workerbee
Actually you are unfair, the fundalmentalist know all about airplanes and often even fly in them. But they are aware of many of the lies of man, and the foolishness of many of the teachings of mankind. They prefer to keep their faith in God. This is no different than when Christianity started, you would be killed for accepting Christ, seemed foolish at the time. The ones I feel sorry for is the ones that put all their faith in man, and close their minds to God.
Quite the contrary...Quote:
Originally Posted by workerbee
The Bible is not just a book of historical stories. All of the events related in the word are intertwined and each has great meaning in the Bible and is directly related to the Purpose of God concerning mankind not only then but today as well. The Bible does not have to prove science in order to give meaning to man. It accounts for reasons in having faith in our creator and his promise for mankind.
Prophesies that were written in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) came true. How do you account for this? Jesus spoke of the new covenant between God and man in the Greek scriptures (New Testament) and he referred back to the old prophesies and validates their accounts.
Some of the 66 books of the Bible were written by craftsmen, physicians and educators of that time.
There's the book of Luke. Luke was well educated in Greek culture, a physician by profession, a companion of Paul at various times from his second missionary journey to his final imprisonment in Rome, and a loyal friend who remained with the apostle after others had deserted him.
There's the book of Isaiah. Educated and a poet, as well as a friend of the royal court and a great prophet… Isaiah was well suited to write this book.
While some prophets were a little zealous, Isaiah preaching nude and barefoot for three years when God commanded him to, it was through their faith that they had no issues.
In today's society, we place too many barriers to God's word, becoming self-centered and entirely without sacrificing our lifestyles. Yes, it's your choice now but in the end it's HIS choice as to your eternal life.
Hi everyone,
Having read previous posts, I can only say that I'll go along with some of them.
I believe in the good guy( GOD) where there is good there is always bad ( DEVIL).
I live my life by the ten commandments, which do not change what ever way you wish to dress them up, the principle of them remains the same which ever religious belief you choose to follow, they also apply if you have no religion.
You can't go wrong
You should read this book:
Amazon.com: The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible: A. J. Jacobs: Books
And here's an interview with the author:
What Happens When an Agnostic Follows the Bible Literally for One Year? | The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss
For by grace are we save through faith; and that not of your selves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
It is as always, best to read the whole chapter to get the full meaning. It is speaking about receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and putting your faith in what He did for us on the cross and by defeating death by rising again on the third day after His crucifixion. Also good reading is John chapter 3 in the New Testament.
I too believe in the Ten Commandments but according to the Bible, without placing our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and asking Him to forgive our sins and come into our lives, no matter how much we do in terms of good works, we will never have eternal life in Heaven when we pass on. I choose to believe in the Old and New Testament of the Bible with the New Testament being the fulfillment of the Old.
I have to ask friends when we are sharing our beliefs and they believe if they are good people, don't lie, cheat, steal, and give to the poor, etc. how do they know they are just fine? I have to wonder, how many good deeds would one have to do to be good enough to be able to go to Heaven. How could a person ever know when they have been good enough? Would that person ever have peace and be able to KNOW in their hearts that all was well when they die? The truth as I see it is that all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God and the wages of sin is death so what is our provision to have peace and to know God and to know without a doubt that when we die, we can enter the gates of Heaven and not Hell? I believe that provision to be placing our trust in God through his son Jesus Christ and asking Him to be Lord of our lives.
In 1984, I was listening to Charles Colson speak on Television. He was chief counsel to one of the Unites States Presidents. He was named as one of the "Watergate Seven", he pleaded guilty for a crime and served prison time. During part of this time, he felt God dealing with his heart and he asked Jesus to come into his life. He made these following statements:
12 of the most powerful men in the U.S. could not contain a lie for three weeks.
Is God's Word true, did Jesus raise from the dead?
"If 12 of the most powerful men (in the U.S.), could not contain the lie (saw how fallible we were) how could the disciples who had no money, no power, underwent beatings and death?? Never was there a death bed confession that the resurrection wasn't real.
I share this part about Charles Colson only for the reason of showing a man who had great power yet was powerless as he saw his life without Christ. Within ourselves, we cannot earn salvation by actions, only by receiving God's free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
I generally only use scripture as I try to share but Mr. Colson raises a valid question and makes a powerful statement.
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