Do you actually believe the Bible, or just like to call yourself a Christian?

Question

How many of you "Christians" out there have actually read the Bible all the way through at least once? I know there are a few of you out there, but many of the answers given by self-proclaimed "Christians" on this forum make it clear that there is a serious lack of biblical knowledge and belief among the so-called "children of God."
Many of you who talk about love, peace, and good will at the same time say that truth is relative, God is sometimes wrong, and don't "shove" your beliefs down other people's throat. Read the Bible folks! Luke 14:23 - "…go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come, that my house may be filled." The God of the Bible is the God of truth: Deuteronomy 32:4 - "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of TRUTH and without iniquity, just and right is he." When you deny the perfect truth you deny Jesus Christ, who is the "…way, the TRUTH, and the life…"
It may take some actual effort of study on your part to determine what is the most accurate English translation of the Bible, unless of course you think God is too weak to be able to preserve His Word for all generations. Psalm 100:5 - "For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." You need to decide what you are and then BE what you claim to be instead of mixing philosophy, tradition, and the rudiments of the world with the Bible!
If you don't believe that the Bible is the perfectly preserved Word of God then STOP calling yourself a Christian and go start your own religion, write your own book, and create your own doctrine, but leave biblical Christianity out of it! There are too many "tares" out there calling themselves Christians who do not have a clue about the Bible and yet get on a forum like this and spout off about "fundies" and "not judging others" and "having an open mind!" Jesus had a very "closed" mind when He said "no man cometh unto the Father but by me!"
The problem is that you do not have enough spiritual fortitude to stand up for truth and deal with the persecution because you are not sure about what you REALLY believe, but you want to sound "nice," and "tolerant," and "spiritual." Jesus never tolerated lies and hypocrisy, He rebuked it!
And by the way, this IS what forums are for, trying to push (preach) your views, whatever they may be on others. Stop being so silly! Get a grip! Meek does not mean weak! Stand up for the TRUTH! Jesus did, the Apostles did, and many brave Christians throughout history did!

Revelation 3:19 - As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Answer 1

I read the first part, until you started babbling then I just stopped. You don't have to have to be a Christian in order to read the Bible.

Answer 2

I have considered these same things. Here are my findings, for what it's worth.

It is true that many who call themselves Christians, in reality, do not believe in the Jesus that the Bible describes. I suspect that this is largely due to the fact that they do not STUDY the Bible for themselves. Many Christians live life just like everyone else except that they go to church on Sunday. Sunday morning is the only time the receive any spiritual training and, unlike the Bereans in Acts, they never question what they are told. The motto seems to be, "If the preacher said it, it has to be true." Likely, the preacher has never brought out that Paul commended the Bereans for questioning what he was teaching and for studying the scriptures to prove he either right or wrong.

This brings me to another problem. Our pastors are not doing the job that the Bible says they are to do. The Bible teaches that the Pastor is to prepare the individuals for service. Instead, the pastors are indoctrinating the people and doing their work for them. When was the last time a church offered classes on how to study the Bible or how to witness to the world?

I actually watched a pastor say this from the pulpit: "My job is to get people saved; your (pointing to the congregation) job is to make sure I do my job." Is this biblical? Certainly not!!!! This brings me to the next problem in our churches: the Pastors. Too many of them are more concerned with their paycheck than they are with their job ( at least this is how it appears). If I am wrong, then they simply are ignorant about their job. But then, our seminaries are, in part, creating this. While helping our church look for another pastor, a candidate stated, "I just keep my resume out there in case something better comes along." Is this a man of God? It sounds more like a man of the god of money!!

But, there is another problem that I see. Christians have lost, if they have ever had, a balanced view. Some groups see only God's mercy. Others see only His wrath. Some groups see only Jesus' abrasive confrontations with the religious rulers. Others see only His loving confrontations with the common man. Some see only the Old Testament. Some see only the New. Others see only fragments of the New Testament. This is not what God had in mind. We are supposed to be balanced.

What is the problem with these unbalanced views? Among other things, it affects our evangelistic style. The ones who focus on the wrath of God are confrontational with everyone. The ones who see only His mercy are confrontational with no one. Yet, Jesus was confrontational with some and "loving" with others. What was the difference? The individual's attitude. He was confrontational with the self-righteous, willingly ignorant religious rulers, but "loving" with the common man and the man who was searching.

I could go on and on pointing out many more problems with Christians and the church. (And, by the way, I am a Christian. I've gone to Bible College and for the past 10 years have studied much of what I was taught in school. Some of the information I was taught I have found to be incorrect. This is why we must do our own study!) But, saying too much at any one time is just as bad as saying nothing. So, I'll leave everyone with this thought:

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that has no reason to be ashamed, correctly understand the Word of Truth.


By the way, thank you for correctly using Rev 3:19. Very few people do!

Answer 3

I have read the New Testament in its entirety and much of the Old Testament, but have not read the entire Bible.

I believe the Bible is truthful and philosophically extremely sound, but am not sure about the literalness of some of its parts. I don't think that would subtract in any way from its value.

Jesus never wanted us to be mind-numbed robots. He preached love and understanding. He also preached self-discipline and faith.

I do consider the Bible to be the Word of God, but are you seriously suggesting the word has been identically preserved through translations from Hebrew, Greek, 17th Century English and 20th Century English when there are obvious disagreements between these translations?

Are all translations the perfectly preserved Word of God? If not, which translations would you advocate we base our faith on? Or can we use that great God-given tool, judgement, to help us through these issues?

Answer 4

I love the Bible because I can read it from the different places. This summer I went through the New Testament from the beginning to the end and I enjoyed. I had to save alot of time aside for that but it was time well worth it.
The next I will do the Old Testament. I think I have read the New Testament through maybe many times, but never before from the beginning to the end. I knof for sure that there must be some parts of the Old Testament, that I have never seen before...I own several Bibles,and as I study it, this time I will go through it from the begnning to the end, just to make sure I have not missed anything.
I believe that the Bible is the God's life manual for us. His love letters to us. As many people says " The Bible says this and that and this...etc", I do not want to take their word for it.I want to know what God is saying and what He is not saying. I want to look up everything even in my church. I put the full armor of God around me. I carry one of my Bibles everywhereI go, so forth I am "armed and dangerous"
God's word is valid at all times...it is truth now as well it has been truth all yesterdays and so it will be in future. His word never grows old. His love endures forever.

Answer 5

You're right. We are supposed to stand up for our beliefs. We can often be persecuted for them. We should not back down and be weak. I agree with you on all that. But I think we be can be fools for Christ just by standing up for the poor when the culture we live in dictates that you should get as much wealth as you can and that the poor deserve to be poor, living sexually pure lives in a culture saturated by perversion, etc. Many of our values are seen as idiotic today. I think maybe that is what the Bible means when it says that we will look foolish to the world, not that we will look foolish because we deny science and lack the ability to look at the big picture.

Don't you know that most of the people that wrote the Bible did not have any idea they were writing Holy Scripture? The epistles were originally letters from leaders of the church to their followers. Yes, their were Godly men, but they were not intending to write the Bible.

Preacher,
If you could please answer my question on evolution, I would appreciate it. Thanks. Just click on my ID. It's at the top of my list of questions.

Answer 6

Dear Preacher,

i think your point is very well made. People who do not have a strong knowledge pertaining to a topic should not be speaking on it. Particularly something of such an important magnitude.

i think the Bible would also encourage us to remind others of the value of God's word. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, equipping the man of God for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We are told the Scriputres will give the man of God the ability to discern between good and evil (rightly dividing the word of truth). 1 Timothy 4:2- tells us to correct, rebuke and encourage...

So i would say that those who do not believe in the inerrancy of Scripture should not call themselves bible-believers but also encouraging them to write their own book, etc. is not a correct attitude either (Colossians 4:6- Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Meekness- is power under control.

So while i wholeheartedly agree with the bulk of your sentiments i don't agree with the tone with which it was delivered. When it comes to answering questions be it on homosexuality, premarital sex, etc. i've provided verses and have spoken the truth but with love- and i would encourage you to carefully examine if you are sharing in that same spirit...

Graciously,

Nickster

Answer 7

I have read the bible cover to cover , I don't believe a thing , 'cept maybe the whole Enoch begat Methusula thing , and I'm pretty sure that there was a King Herod , but that's it . I believe George Bush is president when I read Marvel comics too , but that as far as I believe those fairytales also . I only like to call myself a Xtian when there is a cute little Cat'lic girl around that might be impressed with it .

Answer 8

The word of God isn't called the daily bread for nothing. But I disagree with you on one point, if somebody declines your invitation for prayer or study etc, I simply say "have a nice day, thankyou for your time" unless its a positive like "not today maybe some othertime". If someone tells me they're not interested there's not much more I can do without making Christians look like fanatics.

But I agree with alot that you have to say =).

Infact i was wondering if you could email me so we could talk

[e-mail]

Answer 9

Doesn't mean your always right though. Frankly the religious right has done a LOUSY job running the country/world(christian and muslim).I work with Bible thumping christians. You and them seem to share one thing..total arrogance. A trait shared by intolerant muslims as well

Answer 10

Yes i do believe in the Bible cos the bible is the sword of life it helps to fight the battle against sin,temptation, falsehood, Addiction; well it is good to see you the alittle preaching. i wish people read all, u might make it shorter the next time but i really thank God for you; May God Help all of us till he comes to take us home (Amen) GOD LOVES YOU; HAVE A BLESSED DAY.

Answer 11

I read my Bible- I am a Christian. I stand for the truth- but do not shove it down other people's throats.
We are to be wise as serpents, gentle as doves.