As Christians, how do you decide what scriptures are to be followed? I have noticed alot of quotes backing up certain topics that seem to dismiss other teachings of the bible.
I am not trying to be a smart-aleck and not looking for snide remarks. I am curious.
2006-06-23 04:51:51 · 35 answers · asked by Epona Willow 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Angela, I was looking for a Christian perspective.
2006-06-23 05:03:00 · update #1
With the exception of Angela, all of you have been kind and most of you went through great lengths to explain your point of view. I want to thank all of you VERY much.
Bright Blessings to all )O(
2006-06-23 09:48:33 · update #2
It's necessary to look at everything that the Bible says on a matter, and not just a single verse.
For example, the Bible says that we are saved by faith (Romans 5:1). Some people jump on that and say that we are saved by faith only.
Others look at Ephesians 2:5, which says that we are saved by grace, and they want to say that we are saved by grace only. They say that we don't have faith to be saved; we have faith because we are saved already.
1Peter 3:21 says that we are saved by baptism.
Do these verses contradict each other? Not at all. We need to put them together. We are saved by grace, because God chose, by His grace, to give us a means by which we could be saved. We are saved by faith when we choose to obey Him by being baptized to wash away our sins (Acts 22:16).
The Bible harmonizes perfectly (despite the rantings of certain people answering these questions). It is up to use to read everything that is said on the matter and put it together.
2006-06-23 04:58:10 · answer #1 · answered by flyersbiblepreacher 4 · 11⤊ 4⤋
Most people conform to the values of the tribe that they are part of and have no idea what their personal beliefs are without the help of tribal shamans. They don't pick and choose the parts of the Bible they should follow, but simply subcribe to the preacher's Sunday morning message. If "so-called Christians" had been born in the Middle East, they would be Islamic and would know no more about the Koran than they do about the Bible.
As good Christians, they most certainly believe in "Witnessing" or converting non-believers to Christianity and tithing. Two devices intended to increase the size and finances of their congregation.
If you have such a good thing, why sell it so hard? It's nearly impossible to have a decent conversation with a Christian without having to explain why you are anything but Christian; or, listening to predictable catch phrases about how blessed they are.
But, no, they are not particularly selective about what parts of the Bible to follow, they just don't know the parts of the Bible except for the more commonly used verses. When you find a Christian who can recite chapter and verse, it's like talking to a rapper wanna be who recites rap lyrics to everything you say. Both are crazy as loons!
They will tell you that the New Testament was written by Jesus Christ, without knowing that the new Testament (or King James version) was written by a group of 17th Century writers commissioned to do so by King james, also not knowing that there is a covenant in the Old Testament against any man changing one word of the Old Testament.
But, these are tribal beliefs that they accept on face value, without asking themselves "what is my faith based on?" Is my belief simply based on tribal values, or "have I investigated any of this for myself?"
No! Instead, they will point with pride at the beautiful church they have built and how prosperous their preacher is.
2006-06-23 06:09:00 · answer #2 · answered by RON C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All scriptures are followed but mainly Jesus teachings and disciples in the NT. Jesus fulfilled the OT and told us one or more commandments to follow with the ten commandments therefore we see the OT as a prophesy that has been fulfilled and a historical teaching for us. I don't take the scriptures lightly nor should others. No one dismiss other scriptures. People have different interpretations of scriptures that are used.
2006-06-23 05:08:11 · answer #3 · answered by Pashur 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately many Christians rely on a pastor or someone else to tell them what scripture means. They do not question or study what is written about the faith they embrace. They always rely on someone else's opinion and fail to make a personal opinion based on study and research. Bible study groups are a great example. A collective group makes personal decisions on their faith based on someone else's opinions....usually the leader of the group.
Not all Christians are like this...but a great many are deceived this way.
Quoting scripture is cowardly. It requires nothing but cut and paste. It's a vain attempt at "proof", but unfortunately most of the time their proof is taken completely out of context, especially when it comes to homosexuality in the bible.
2006-06-23 05:09:02 · answer #4 · answered by Spencer 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No snideness intended:
It's not a complicated formula:
1 - What do we, the one and only true believers, believe?
Once that's clear you go to:
2 - What parts of the scriptures back us up?
These are published, repeated, and then given to Australians to see if they can make a movie out of it.
3 - What parts seem to contradict the ones that back us up?
These are divided into parts.
-- Some become part of the "old covenant" (like N/A on a form)
-- The rest need an interpretation that makes them conform to the ones we back up.
The work of the Lord is creative.
2006-06-23 05:00:00 · answer #5 · answered by JAT 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For myself, I like what Jesus said to Satan when He was being tempted in the wilderness. He used Scripture to negate the twisted view that Satan was giving Him.(Matthew 4:). If I can find my Truth in the Bible to answer a question, I will do it. Or I will use any quote, from anywhere that helped formulate my belief. We all do it. Christian ,Jew, Muslim, Evolutionist, Pagan etc. etc. Here's one from Buddhism:
Don't ask about caste or riches but instead ask about conduct. Look at the flames of a fire. Where do they come from? From a piece of wood—and it doesn't matter what wood. In the same way, a wise person can come from wood of any sort. It is through firmness and restraint and a sense of truth that one becomes noble, not through caste.
-Sutta Nipata
2006-06-23 05:07:14 · answer #6 · answered by digilook 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I try to follow those scriptures that are the spoken word of Jesus Christ. That is those passages in the New Testament, and not so many from the Old Testament. I'm not saying that the Old is wrong, I just feel that as a Christian, I should follow the Son of God, who spoke God's Word.
2006-06-23 04:55:28 · answer #7 · answered by RikChick 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
as a Christian, we're supposed to follow all of God's laws. we're supposed to follow the teachings of Jesus, but because we're who we are... (we're not perfect - and not expected to be, because there was only one perfect person - Jesus) we just need to do our best to live a life that would make God proud. I would suggest reading a bible like the NLV (new living version). if you haven't already purchased one, I would suggest that you seek out a Life Application Study Bible which includes extensive notes & discussion suggestions on many of the Bible's verses. clear and concise modernly written English is much easier to comprehend (for most) than older English, like the test within the King James Version of the Bible. may I suggest also that you watch Joel Osteen's weekly message (on TV) from Lakewood Church? He is a passionate preacher and delivers heartfelt messages week after week. Christians aren't perfect, but we have a perfect example to learn from.... Jesus. Good luck and God Bless YOU!
2006-06-23 05:01:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When we read the bible, we need to read it Spiritually. Everything in the bible is written for a purpose. There are not any contradictions, just different circumstances.
As a Christian I follow what the holy spirit teaches me, when I read the bible, I allow the holy spirit to guide me in what I;m reading. i also attend service about 4 times a week.
2006-06-23 05:39:47 · answer #9 · answered by Marillita 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The whole Bible is to be followed as it is truth in its entirety. Some christians tend to highlight partial teachings and leave other aspects aside (that apparently contradict their thinking).
I think God is more smart than us and if He explained something in the Bible in a certain way, we are mere humans who can only learn from it and not "sample" the teachings that suit us.
2006-06-23 04:57:47 · answer #10 · answered by revontulet 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A person can find a verse to support anything they want really. But a good practice is to go by the weight of evidence that supports one side of an issue or the other. Don't just have one text that you are building a case on there must be more that support the one you are reading.
2006-06-23 04:56:55 · answer #11 · answered by Fatfree 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋