Is GOD a GOD of absolutes, or are there gray areas as well?

Question

I believe the BIBLE is very specific on some topics, while appearing a wee bit up to personal interpretation on others.
Would you agree or disagree? Why or why not please.

what I mean is, look at the books of law like Deut., and Levit., the law was so specific about things that it mixing cotton with wool was addressed...yet things mentioned like "the rod of correction" have been interpreted individually..there are those who think that because the BIBLE speaks about the rod of correction that they can beat their children, then there are those who think that the rod of correction is implementing consequences (non-physical) for punishment purposes. That is what I mean by "gray".

Answer 1

I believe that God has given us some absolute moral laws, but that He is flexible in many areas. We really have to study the Bible and pray over it.

We are all individuals with very unique situations going on in our lives. Yes, there are some laws that absolutely must be obeyed,
but other than those God deals with us as individuals and the answer to one's person's dilemna may not be the same as the answer to a person with a similar dilemna. Deep communication with God is the key.

Answer 2

It is all up 2 personal interpretation. The bible, your life experience, everything. You decide. I believe that God speaks to us through so many things aside from the bible. Our experience is our greatest teacher. Just be aware and present. Ask yourself what you want to do in any given situation. Is it the most loving thing you can do for yourself? I say do it. You are responsible for your own happiness and joy. You come first.

There are always going to be gray areas and you will have to do the hard work of deciding what to do. It's your life.

You may find scriptures that speak to you, and that's what's amazing about the bible. There are other things that may speak to you. Another book. A song. Something someone says. Learn to recognize your truth when it presents itself. Living in the present moment will help you with that.

If the bible has gray areas, I am not surprised. It's not a rule book. More of a guide book. If it leaves you with questions, that's okay. Finding the answers is what life is all about.

Then there's some questions we can never answer.

And that's okay.

Answer 3

The Bible is a great document inspired by God, but it is not and has never been meant to be the only source or the only authority. The Church is the pillar and ground of the truth, 1st Timothy 3:15. The church arrives at it's conclusions based on (3) witnesses: Scripture, Tradition, and the God inspired and Christ instituted official teaching authority and office granted only to his Church, which is the Magisterium. There's a lot to understand here. Much more than I can give you in this limited format. I specialize in answering people's questions about God, using all the best references and resources available. The service is free. There's no obligation. No gimmicks. Nobody will ask you for anything. Go to www.askmeaboutgod.org and post your question. You'll receive a complete, personal, private response via email in a day or so. If you want to talk to someone, include your phone number. Cheers! Doug

Answer 4

I believe God is a God of absolutes...Some parts of the bible are left up to interpretation because some of us, even adults, can't comprehend, but we get the basic stories in the Bible and the things that're taking place...Just because the Bible doesn't talk about something that much doesn't make it any less of an importance than some other issue talked about in the Bible.

Answer 5

What, in your life, is bothering you so that it would cause you to ask such a question? It sounds to me like you are looking for some absolution for something, you or someone you care about did or are about to do, and that little voice of right and wrong is nagging at you.
Just know that God loves us for who we are and what we are. No matter what you have done if you are TRULY SORRY for what you have done then God will forgive you and grant you the absolution you are seeking.
I believe that God absolutely loves all people and animals but gave us free will (the gray area) even though he knew we would sin and hurt him time and again. The only one that knows for sure is God and his son Jesus Christ. We too will know one day when we are called to heaven.
My grandmother used to say that their is no hell, because we are living in hell right now. I'm sure our soldiers would aggree there.
I hope you find the peace you are seeking. God loves you.

Answer 6

I believe that you are right. For example Paul says that women should not be heard in the church. Well when I read that I put it into historical context and say well he was talking to the Corinthians (maybe the wrong people) or whoever, in their time and their culture. Certainly cultural diversity plays a huge role in how some things in the Bible are interpreted!
However...of some things I believe there is no gray are...for example: "...and the greatest of these is love(charity)" "Thou shall not kill" etc...
Is this right? Is this wrong? God will let us all know how foolish we have all been in His time!! YIKES!

Answer 7

In essentials unity.
in nonessentials liberty.
I believe there are some things God feels very strong about. like it is absolutely wrong to be a liar, God makes that very clear.
but I don't think the Bible was made to replace your relationship with God. if you didn't have to think anything through or figure it out on your own, if you were told exactly what to believe on all points, you would not be much of a real believer.

Answer 8

yes i believe that God is absolute and that he has no gray areas.
i do also agree that the bible is specific in some places and a little bit up to personal interpretation in other places.
i think that it is that way because some people sometimes interprete somethings differently at different times. perhaps they interpret them the way God wants them too when he wants them to. also the parts that are very specific are ment to be that way so that they are not confusing

Answer 9

God is God absolutely. There are statements that are absolutes in the Bible. There are also the 'freewill' statements of 'If you do this, you will be blessed but if you do that then you won't be blessed' because God doesn't bless sin. However, 1 John 1:9 is the eraser for sin. We all have the choice to believe in and follow Him...or not.

Answer 10

Its all Gray areas, in many different shades of grey too, like one big gray rainbow. You believe its specific on some topics and interpretive in others. Some else may feel the topics you think are specific are vague and the ones you think vague are specific, there are as many different viewpoints of scripture as there are people in the universe.