Why is the Bible like a huge jigsaw puzzle?

Question

It has no order in it, and seems very chaotic. It leaves a lot to be interpreted, and as a result leaves a lot of people in confusion. It seems like God has ADHD when I read it.

The worst part is that it is missing over half the pieces

Answer 1

Thats because it was written by men. No super hero with super powers wrote this book. There are many books that didn't make the cut per the Vatican got picky.

Answer 2

I don't find it to be order-less or chaotic at all. It contains several different types of writing and styles, and can therefore come across as confusing.

The bible contains 6 basic "themes" if you will; prose, poetry, parables, prophecy, apocalyptic and narrative. In other words: ordinary writing, poetry, moral stories, prophecy, prophecy about the end of the world as we know it, and story-telling.

As far as being confused when you read, there could be several contributing factors, and I cannot pinpoint any one of them based on your question. I can, however, make a few suggestions as to what may be causing your problem.

My first suggestion is what translation are you reading?

If you are reading from the Kings James version, it may be difficult to understand simply because of the language. You may want to consider reading the New International Version or the New Living Translation.

These translations don't change the message in the bible, just the language it is written in. I wouldn't suggest these versions if you are going to do an in-depth lexical study, but for everyday reading (& understanding) these versions are great.

(FYI - The basic difference between the NIV/NLT and a KJV is the the way it is translated. A KJV is translated word-for-word, whereas the NIV or NLT is translated thought-for-thought.)

Now, if the version you are reading is suitable, then the next thing you will want to consider is, are you a Christian?

Please hear me out on this one, I have a valid reason for mentioning it. In the Bible, in the book of Luke, chapter 8, verse 10 it reads "You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I am using these stories to conceal everything about it from outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: `They see what I do, but they don't really see; they hear what I say, but they don't understand." (NLT.)

[I would invite you to go and read Luke 8 for yourself to put the verse into proper context, so that it doesn't seem like I'm throwing a random verse at you and twisting or proof-texting the words to mean what I want them to.]

Based on this scripture and other mentions in the bible, we can conclude that if you aren't a Christian, you simply won't truly understand what the bible talks about.

Basically, the bible is all about a relationship. If you don't have the relationship, then you aren't really able to understand it. The bible was written within the context of a relationship, so if you come from a standpoint of not-having that relationship, then you take it out-of-context. Okay, I'm getting really "word-y."

Let me try saying this another way. Let's say, for example, that you want to read a book about a family that had a pet zigubaboo. The author of the book owned a zigubaboo for most of his life, so he knows all about owning the pet and when he writes, he assumes you do too. Now, you have never owned a zigubaboo, in fact, you have never seen a zigubaboo before and your not really sure what it is. If you read this book, would you really understand it without the experience of owning a zigubaboo? No, if you have no idea what a zigubaboo is, how would you understand a book about one? You couldn't. It would be very difficult to understand, much less relate to, the zigubaboo book without first having the perspective the author had.

This scenario is much like the bible. Christians have that ongoing relationship with God, so they are able to relate to and understand the bible because they have the same perspective the writers had. Make sense? I hope so.

Thanks for asking the question and putting up with my lengthy answer. If you would like to further discuss this topic, I would invite you to email me by clicking on my avatar. Thanks again! - Erin

Answer 3

All sacred texts that are worth their salt, can be understood at several different levels. As such, they can all be described as being "a jigsaw puzzle".

No order?

Considering that there are roughly twenty versification schemes, that lay out books differently, it can appear to be out of order. There is a theological justification for each of those layouts. Once that justification is understood, the difference in order makes perfect sense.

Seems chaotic?

Sometimes the topic of a chapter appears to change in the middle. This usually occurs when the topic is ended. on rare occasions, it will switch back to the original topic. In most instances, when this occurs, the side-topic throws additional light on the major topic.

It leaves a lot to be interpreted?

For the most part, the "plain, simple, literal meaning" is the one that is intended, and meant. The exceptions tend to be prophecy. Martin Luther doubted the canonicity of _Revelation_, because it found that book to be incomprehensible.

* Seems like God had ADHD.

Perhaps. OTOH, consider that the scribes were very excited, and conveyed the ADHD effect, unintentionally, because of their excitement at what was being written.

My suggestion is to get a good Study Bible, and reread it, along with the notes. My current recommendation would be _The Life Application Study_. After you read that, get e-sword (http://www.e-sword.net), and download some of the modules available for it. [This Bible study program is available for windows, or pocket PC, at no cost. The vast majority of resources are also available at no cost.]

Answer 4

It was mad that way so you have freedom to interpret the way you want to . god gave us free will so read a piece and sit and feel what you the meaning is in the message there is no right or wrong in the Bible and every one interprets it differently that is why religion is so confusing to so many people . the religion that most talk about and find fault in others are those that have spent time going to church were the priest or what ever denomination you are tells you what is right from wrong as he was tough buy his teachers . the bible has a message for every one and 100.people could read the same verse and get a complete different meaning out of it and that is what it is meant to do what you feel is correct there is no wrong answer.

Answer 5

Well, the Bible may seem like a jigsaw puzzle, but it really isn't. See, the only important part of the Bible that is needed to know, is to worship god and help others learn to love him if they want to love him. Besides that the Bible just teaches you how to live a better life, so in turn if you have no worries or problems then you can worship god even more. See, the whole point of the Bible is to just worship God, and that is all you have to know.

Answer 6

In the Book of Acts Chapter 8 we are given the account of a Ethiopian eunuch(high official)who was on his way home after going to Jerusalem to worship.This official was riding in his chariot,reading out aloud from the scroll of Isaiah.In verses 30 and 31,the disciple Phillip "ran alongside and heard him(Eunuch) reading aloud the prophet Isaiah,and he said 'do you actually know what you are reading?'.He said,'Really,how could I ever do so,unless someone guided me?'And he entreated Phillip to get on and sit down with him."
The point is there is a difference between reading the Bible and understanding and getting the message of what the Bible is saying.To attain accurate knowledge we need to study God's Word.
I used to be a Catholic and also found the Bible uninterpretable.I started to study with Jehovah's Witnesses,who have a thorough understanding of the Holy Scriptures and I am so grateful to Jehovah for allowing me this wonderful priviledge.It is the only organisation that truely has God's Holy Spirit operating on it and as a result,Jehovah's people are blessed with Bible truths and abundant spiritual food.
If you are sincerely interested in gaining accurate knowledge about our great God Jehovah,and what His Word contains,why not consider having a free home bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses.You have nothing to loose and everything to gain.

Answer 7

Everything that God intended to be in the Bible is. Take the time to put the books in chronological order. That will help a little. Also find out what and/or who the books were written for at the time. To early Jews and early Christians the Scriptures were not hard to figure out because they meshed with their society. Do your research...look at it from a different perspective. Jesus DIED on the cross for you...the least you can do is a little research.

Answer 8

Well, in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, each are giving "thier opinion" on what they witnessed...

As you see, anyone who witnesses an accident, (if there are more than one witnesses), will give different account, according to his/her memories and the way they saw the accident.. This is the way with the Gospel.. Each is giving thier own account of what they remembered, and how they remembered it.

The gist of the matter is, that it "happened", by four accounts, and what everyone witnessed in Jeruseluem as for HIS Death, Burial, and Resurection...

The Bible was written by "many" people... If it was written by only one, the it would not hold as much "creedance" as it does now...

Read it, and reread it, many times and you will start to understand, if you have some one to guide you in your readings...

The Ethiopian Eunich told Peter he couldnt understand it, until some one "explained it to him"...And that is what Christians, try to do.

So, go to Church and fellowship with Brothers and Sisters, and get a good understanding of what the Word, is saying...

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 9

What? Are you going to give up because it's too hard?

I think you started it becuse you are not a wimp. It's easy to pass it up. But not when you are driven to know.

Know what? Whatever it is you are being drawn to. Only God can answer that question.

Jesus did say:
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Come on dude. Times getting short! Full speed ahead!

Answer 10

The Bible is not missing a single piece of pertinent information.

The purpose of the Bible is to reveal to man what God wants man to know concerning Him and His plan for us. No additional information is required in order to understand God's desires.

The only missing element is some men's (men/women/children) desire to read it, study it and understand it.

Confusion is created when discipline is abandoned.