Is there some kind of magical way of reading that Christians are tuned into that the rest of us aren't?

Question

Do the meanings of words change when you are a Christian? Does magical text, that we non-Christians are unable to see pop out? I am so tired of people telling me to read the Bible, especially when I've read it, and am in the process of reading it again, and then when I mention that, I am told I need to believe in Jesus for it all to make sense. So do you have to be an astronaught to understand Star Trek?

Girlwonder: I loved the first four Gospels, specifically where Christ was teaching. I may not be Christian, but I would be a moron to not see value in what the guy was talking about.

Answer 1

I am a Catholic and I read the Bible. I quote chapters and verses from it from time to time. I may have for one time or another told the askers to read the Bible. I think it is only when they ask something that needs to point to what is written. You may have come across that too.
I don't believe there is magic to that being in tune to what you are not in. It probably is just like two people seeing a movie together and you are there in the hearing distance while they are chatting and agreeing to what you have not seen yet. Or you may have seen the movie (compared to what you said also have read it too) also, but it just so happened that they interpreted the movie the way you did not.

Answer 2

I also believe in promotiong tolerance and believe that Science and Religion must go hand in hand - just read Darwin who was actually a devout Christian. As far as understanding the Bible only when one is a Christian I can only answer from direct experience. I was raised by a mother who was a Christian Scientist and a father who was an atheist, and my early church stuff was generic and I mainly learned morals and the omnipotence of God, etc. Much later I was living in Hollywood in a bad scene and was on a death-spiral. A friend happened to invite me over on Easter and imagine my surprise when I saw an Easter show and simultaneously the Holy Spirit came into my heart and opened my eyes. I know it must sound crazy but not only am I scientifically inclined but also right-brained; so for me it made perfect sense that it not only COULD be true but WAS. I immediately started reading the Bible and realized that the Book of Revelation ties all of it together - this also means that unless you are on the Christian wave-length the Book of Revelation, the Four Horsemen of the Apocaypse, the number 666, the Lamb of God, and how they tie into the Word That Was With God in the beginning, etc. would probably make no sense whatsoever. Again I am just sharing what my personal experiences were. You must understand that after leaving High School I was bound and determined to have absolutely nothing to do with religion as it was frequently the source of many arguments between my parents. It all just "happened". My personal direct contact with "GOD" (or an agent?) does not mean I can't find truth in Islam, Sikhism, etc., because it would be folly to assume that the Bible itself is the only source of the knowledge of God - let's not forget that most of the major communication probably went directly to prophets - Mohammed, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc., so of course at some point SOMEBODY might mis-interpret a Greek translation that used the word 'life', which as you probably know has two meanings depending on whether the word refers to the biological or spiritual sense of the word. Hope this helps; at least keep the dialogue going and resist fanatics who'd want your opinions supressed. Always cherish the freedoms we still enjoy in this country and on the internet.

Answer 3

It is very true that there are things in the New Testament in particular which only make sense if you assume certain things about Jesus - although that having been said, for them to really make sense, it is necessary to read the Old Testament as well.

It is also true that Christians often differ in their ways of understanding things, so I don't think the issue is the religious label we place on ourselves.

Indeed, I recall reading Deepak Chopra's 'How to Know God' once upon a time. I know I might get blasted for writing this way, however the man has some very interesting things to say about the stages that people progress through in their spirituality.

His idea was to see what all the different religions have in common, and indeed, I became aware that these stages do exist in all religions, and in a very real sense, people who are at a particular one of these stages will have much more in common with each other than with people who are members of the same religion, but are at a different stage.

This becomes magnified as one progresses through the various stages, and I have indeed found people of other religions with whom I have more in common than with other Christians.

I really do think that the Bible is a mirror, and people will understand it differently depending who they are, what their assumptions are about life, relationships, spirituality, etc. And I don't think that the label is so important here.

At a certain stage, a Christian becomes able to find much good in the Qur'an, and a Muslim becomes able to find much good in the Bible - all the while each of them remains a member of their religion and even says that when they discuss spiritual matters with a person of another religion, they come away understanding better why they are still a Christian, Muslim, etc.

While I think of it, another author I bet you would like is Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnamese Buddhist monk). He has written a couple of good books on the connections between Buddhism and Christianity. I might not agree 100% with everything he says, or I might choose to phrase some things differently, but in general they're very edifying.

The flip side of what I have been talking about, of course, is that over time, over that progression, one can also become more able to understand other people's beliefs, why they believe what they believe, without necessarily having to believe in those things oneself.

I can see what at least part of your problem is: I bet it is a huge stumbling block that you have apparently had to do with Christians who do not have this kind of attitude, but are rather into control-based systems and relationships (including with God).

It can be hard to avoid playing into this, because the minute we start fighting with these people for control of our minds, we have already gotten trapped in their system. We have believed the lie that they have bought into - that anyone else besides us can 'make us do something'. I think it is worth the effort, though, to strengthen our minds and consciences so that we will not share this fate with them, but rather have a different outcome, one that we really chose freely.

Another book comes to mind that you might like: Anthony J DeMello SJ's 'Call to Love'. I would phrase some things in different terms, but the fact remains that I've lost track of how many times I've read it, it's really changed quite a bit in my thinking about relationships, romantic and otherwise (mostly the latter, actually - it is a very *unromantic* book, the title notwithstanding). The reason I mention it is because it really brings out this issue of control.

There, that ought to keep you occupied for a while. And when you're ready, try reading the Bible again with fresh eyes - you may be surprised at what you find. After all, if you've changed, and it's a mirror...

May God bless you

Answer 4

I believe the bible should be taken as a book of history, although even that is probably not all historically accurate.

As you obviously have realized, the bible is not relevant to life today. It does contain some wonderful parables to help us try to make it through this life without hurting anyone. The Qua ran is also a wonderful source of parables to help us.

It's just important to remember that contrary to other illogical beliefs, the bible was written by men. Then it was translated and then re-translated many times by who; guess what, more men. Add to that the fact that the books included in the bible were chosen over 400 years after Jesus died, and many books were not included. Why? Maybe because the priests choosing the books did not agree with what the others said, they did not benefit the church for some reason. Who knows, maybe they included a record of Jesus' marriage (heaven forbid he was not a virgin) or that God couldn't care less about any ones sexuality.

Answer 5

The "magical way of reading" is called the Holy Spirit. When one accepts Jesus as savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to live in that person and help him understand spiritual things and spiritual words like the Bible.

This doesn't mean that every Christian's understanding of the Bible is perfect. We are still influenced by our individual personalities and points of view and experiences, and by our teachers and leaders, for better or for worse.

For example, Peter had the Holy Spirit, let he allowed bigotry and shame of prejudiced people to pull him away from eating and fellowshipping with non-Jewish believers. Paul, who also had the Holy Spirit, had to correct Peter.

Answer 6

When a person gets the Holy Spirit by getting saved, he will have better understanding, one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is as a teacher. The bible says that unbelievers have like scales on their eyes and cant see the truth.The original language will give you a better understanding of a word, and that sometimes means something that you didn't initially realize. Also knowing a little of the history and custom's will help/, its not magic, but you do have to sometimes do your home work.

Answer 7

It isn't magic, but it is something.

To answer your question: Yes, the meanings of the words "change" when you are a Christian.

Christ himself said, "He who hath ears, let him hear." This indicates that everyone is capable of hearing, but only those who have faith are able to hear and understand.

You don't have to be an astronaut to understand Star-Trek, but Star-Trek is based on human relationships and advanced theories of science, which anyone can understand if they apply themselves to the study. Faith is different, though. You have to ASK for faith from God. You cannot be taught it. It is a gift. Period.

I know that it seems not to make sense--especially to the mind that is used to drawing logical-only conclusions from a set of statements and variables.

But God cannot be reached through logic alone. God must be reached through the heart and soul. Once you open your heart and soul to God, God will give you the "secret key" to understanding his Word.

Don't believe me because I say so. Go ask God, and then come back and tell me that I was right or wrong.

Answer 8

The Bible is not for the non-believer... unless God is guiding the study... there is no inerrant text of the Bible in existance today. It is only by the leading of The Holy Spirit that those of The True Christian Faith are able to find that which God want each to recieve from His Word.

Here is a direct link to a page on my website about The Bible if you would care to investigate The Bible a bit further... It is direct so you do not have to wade through all of my site to find it

http://pages.zdnet.com/mikevanauken/mikesinternetoutreach/id4.html

All honest seekers welcome

Answer 9

I thought the Bible was a boring book before I became a Christian and received the Holy Spirit.
Now the Bible is opening up to me. As I draw near to God and search with all my heart, He reveals the meaning of the words.
This is deliberate.
There is a verse in scripture that describes it partially:
[Living Bible Matthew 13verse 10 and 11]
" His disciples came and asked Him," 'Why do you always use these hard-to -understand parables?'
Then He explained to them that only they were permitted to understand about the Kingdom of Heaven, and others were not.
Dakes Reference Bible puts it this way:
Jesus said unto them:" Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
If I want to know and love God, if I want to accept Jesus and follow Him, then it is given to me to know the secrets of the Kingdom.
Many people call themselves christians and may be christians but they do not draw close enought to know God intimately and so they are left with only words, literaly translated. Jesus said to the Pharasees and Scribes, "how is it that you know the Torah, but you do not recognize Me?" They only understood with their head and not with their heart and soul. So they did not recognize the Messiah that the Torah told them would come.

Answer 10

Not magical - Supernatural.

For those who believe, the Bible is God's love letter to mankind. When you accept that God is who He claims to be in the Bible, and Jesus is His Son, you understand the actions of both Father and Son so much more.

It's like the old song says "You want love? You're gonna have to give a little. You want faith? You're gonna have to believe a little."