I was always told "It's not given for us to understand until we get to heaven".
So why bother writing a book we are supposed to live by yet write it so we can't understand it?
2006-08-08 07:31:19 · 26 answers · asked by Mr. Mojo Risin 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To keep the masses quiet.
2006-08-08 07:35:08 · answer #1 · answered by boukenger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mr. Mojo Risin,
"So why bother writing a book we are supposed to live by yet write it so we can't understand it?"
It was written in an ancient language, in ancient lands, with a different way of life.
Oddly enough, those things written in it are applicable today.
But to understand it properly, I would refrain from the Roman Catholic teachings. I would adopt the Protestant way of going about it, through personal study. The Roman Catholic type of answer you were given corelates to the stories I've heard before. They are all ready for you to be religious, but without understanding, and by adopting traditional ways of worship that are clearly not Biblical.
You have to approach the Bible in faith, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not with the prayers to Mary or any other "saint."
If you have the balls, I think you might have a copy of the Bible at home. Concordances and Commentaries are valuable. they begin to get you to understand those ancient things, so tht you may better understand the context of what you are reading about.
2006-08-08 14:53:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible is meant to be studied (that's why there's Bible studies) and read and understood. In Acts the Bereans (a group of believers who studied the bibles more diligently) were commended.
We are told to Study to show ourselves approved unto God and approved workmen are not ashamed.
The Bible itself in 2 timothy says that the word is good for instruction and correction. So we are commanded to study the word in the word, and so your priests and nuns were probably not wanting to explain the word to you.
The word itself explains how you can get to Heaven by having a personal relationship with Christ- so the idea that you won't understand it until Heaven is a dangerous and incorrect one. Also the other response- you received- the watchtower is the basis of the watchtower's authority- if you have ever questioned a Jehovah's Witness about the watchtower as opposed to the Bible you will find that they dont' consider the Bible the supreme Authority and definitely don't acknowledge the OT as God's word- which in many of the epistles you will find the apostles supporting the entire Bible as God's word- not just bits and parts...
Hope that helps...
nickster
2006-08-08 14:43:08 · answer #3 · answered by Nickster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's unfortunate, because there are many Catholics today -- priests and nuns, but also laypeople -- who are well versed in the Bible (excuse the pun) and could have given you a better answer.
I'm not defending the answer that you were given when you asked questions about the Bible -- but it is important to not let others' mistakes scandalize us out of our faith.
There are Catholic apologetics sites out there that have discussion forums; if you post a question about the Bible, no doubt you'll get a thorough (and Catholic) answer in reply from a professional Catholic apologist.
One such forum is on the Catholic Answers web site. Give them a Google and check them out. It's a great site.
2006-08-08 14:39:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being brought up Catholic does not make it so that you cannot understand the bible.
The Catholic church uses this piece of scripture found in Peter to compel you to follow their teachings instead of the scriptures in the bible itself.
Because the Church that you were brought up in claims Peter as their first "pope" I urge you to read the books of Peter 1 and 2.
Peter very clearly has scripture that goes directly against the teachings of the Catholic church. In my reading of the bible and my studies of the Catholic Church, I find that they actually use more of Pauls writings than they do Peters.
Either way, the Catholic church does not teach the bible as written and therefore would not want people to bring their bibles to church or read them on their own. That would cause multiple problems inside the church.
I do not believe that to be saved by Jesus, ( born again) that you would actually have to leave your church. If you read and follow the bible and accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior it will not matter what form of worship that you prefer to attend. Many Catholics (including my own husband) have found that in time, they feel compelled to leave the church they were born and brought up in because of their new understanding of true scripture.
2006-08-08 14:42:42 · answer #5 · answered by cindy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Friend....
The Bible is for everyone to understand...
Don't bother asking nuns, priests, and the Pope for answers... as from what I understand, and have been told by many a catholic... it is not for you to understand or question the word of God, the church, your priest, or the Pope: your just to follow and do as you are taught!!
If you want to know & understand the Bible... read it & study it for yourself: asking 'God' to help you through His Holy Spirit!! If you are sincere and truely want to know... He will make it clear to you!!
http://christiananswers.net//directry.html
This site will help you answer many questions... and have you study the answers to many more!!
2006-08-08 18:33:05 · answer #6 · answered by englands.glory 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FYI- The watchtower is NOT a Christian site. They don't believe Jesus is God or in the Holy Trinity. They don't believe in heaven or hell, but believe tht Jesus Christ & the devil are brothers because both are mere creations. In this counterfeit Christianity, the devil & Jesus are equal (blasphemy!). Watchtower is a Jehovah's Wittness cult website.
The Bible should be studied and understood. Here's a Christian website I often visit when I have a difficut question.
http://www.gotquestions.org/
http://www.chick.com/information/general/salvation.asp
2006-08-08 14:47:54 · answer #7 · answered by frankyglitz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the answer you were given is not the true belief of the catholic church. in fact, the catholic church is so focused on scripture that if you attend mass every sunday you will hear the entire bible (not a single verse left out) in three years. if you attend daily mass you will hear the entire bible read every year. yes, we will not comprehend God fully until we see Him face to face but scripture study is encouraged by the catholic church.
and just a side bar...catholics are christians
2006-08-08 16:24:03 · answer #8 · answered by James 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You expect theists to be questioning the bible? They'd rather wait until they're dead to find out it was all just fiction- and not very good fiction at that. After all, who would possibly believe in a flood and a wooden ship carrying all the world's species or that we were all descended from some guy who was told eating apples was evil?
2006-08-08 14:40:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one is perfect. Don't trust nuns trust the Bible. for example how do you think you go to heaven? Good deeds? Read John 3:16. We must be sin-less to go to heaven and once again no one is perfect so we need Jesus to take our sins away, which he can do because he die on the cross for us. Hence John 3:16.
2006-08-08 14:40:57 · answer #10 · answered by Dubay 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree, i was also brought up catholic and often got the same thing. However, I left the catholic church and joined a nonn-denom,inational christian fellowship. I met many bible scholars and every day people who could easily answer all my questions about the bible. Notice I say everyday people!
The bible is meant to be understood, it's God's message for us! And if we don't understnad it, we are completely free to ask for wisdom and direction from our friends, pastors, or even God himself. So go for it! question the bible! seek wisdom! research man! research!
2006-08-08 14:39:26 · answer #11 · answered by Chris K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋