It seems not to be written with the common man in mind. So many metaphors mixed right in with things to be taken literally, so many verses that seem to contradict each other.
There seem to be many ways to interpret many verses. Won't I risk eternal damnation just by misinterpretation? It sounds scary.
2006-08-24 05:47:45 · 23 answers · asked by manna eater 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I won't touch that thing with an 11 1/2 foot pole! Full of lies I tell ya. All lies!
2006-08-24 06:47:51 · answer #1 · answered by overseas and broke 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to read the Bible to learn the truth of what God is telling the people He created, start with the Gospel of John (4th book of the New Testament). After you come to terms with the sacrafice that Jesus made and why He made it, you will be in a better position to read the rest of the Bible. If that book is still beyond you, seek out a faithful friend or a pastor of a respected church to guide you. When you accept that God loved you so much that He even let Himself be sacraficed through His Son, you will be given the wisdom to read the Bible with more clarity.
AFter reading it by itself, you should look to commentaries and other resources. Don't just pick up anything, consult that trusted faithful friend or pastor. Chuck Swindoll, and Kay Arthur are good to start. Kay ARthur has a series called "The international inductive study series" which I highly recommend. God bless you!!
2006-08-24 13:01:41 · answer #2 · answered by Sylvia Y 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You risk more by not reading Gods word. Pray for understanding before you read. Look at it as a picture being painted as you read and it will all come together. I have found myself reading a passage and going back to it many times. The key to understanding it is to start at the beginning, all the scriptures tie into each other throughout the books. Metaphors are used frequently, but reading from the beginning and through prayer you will understand. God bless you
2006-08-24 12:59:01 · answer #3 · answered by crackzmeup 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Care to take a guess why the Catholic liturgy was still be conducted in Latin in many places through the 1960s? Think it might have anything to do with maintaining power and control over parishioners? Has it crossed your mind that whomever you choose to listen to regarding interpretations of the Bible might be wrong as well? Might even lead you into eternal damnation? No, by all means you should remain a witless sheep who allows himself to be told what to think.
2006-08-24 13:00:35 · answer #4 · answered by dick_coxnbutz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you should read it for yourself. If you have a hard time understanding it ask God for wisdom.
James 1:5 says "but if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men genersouly and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
The bible contains many different types of writting, for instance there are historical accounts, prophecy, parables, metaphores, poetry. You can start by identifing what type of "literature" you are reading in the portion of the bible you are looking at. Identify the author if it is stated and to whom the book is written. Look for key words and phrases. Re-read each passage or chapter, as you do write down the questions you have. Then look for cross references that will help in the interpretation.
There is an excellent book called "How to Study Your Bible" by Kay Arthur available at this link http://precept.org/
The very best thing anyone can do is to read and study the bible for themselves.
Personally I would suggest reading the book of John in the New Testatment first. Ask God for help in understanding what you are reading. keep asking questions.
feel free to contact me if you want. I have been studying the bible for many years, but I remember what it was like the first time I read it!
best wishes and God Bless you
2006-08-24 13:38:49 · answer #5 · answered by redeemed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should definately read the Bible yourself. Get yourself a study or student Bible. These have wonderful notes to explain everything to you. I found it easiest to start at the beginning and the middle. I started with Genesis and Matthew one chapter from each a day. Pray first, the read and pray again for understanding. If you believe what you're praying about, God will answer. Good luck and God Bless.
2006-08-24 12:57:42 · answer #6 · answered by Mom of 3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't be eternally damnated just for misunderstanding something and if the bible is too difficult get an easy version with notes that explain things. And maybe you could check your idea out with someone who knows more about the bible. You won't be eternally damanated if your saved.
2006-08-24 12:55:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
And you risk eternal damnation (if you choose to believe in biblical reality) by relying on someone else's interpretation and they turn out to be wrong.
Live in fear, my dear. Live in fear. Spend your life timid and seeking the correct interpretation. Perhaps God will be sympathetic to your plight when you die, perhaps not. Maybe He always knew you didn't have the character to get it right. Maybe his plan was for you to live in doubt the rest of your life, then reward you with the answer when you die.
He tends to be a bast*rd that way.
2006-08-24 12:59:30 · answer #8 · answered by February Rain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a spiritual book that only the spirit can interpret....Why are we letting man interpret this for us?
When I let man interpret it for me, I was a Christian fundamentalist....When I began to question and dig in for myself and ask God to answer questions for me, I found out how to really love humanity and I left the church to follow the teachings of Christ.....
Look at the fruit on the tree; it is either good or it is bad. Only you can decide for yourself what is hate and what is love.
2006-08-24 12:56:18 · answer #9 · answered by Denise W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you seek God, then he is there with you.
If you read it, you will learn and understand what he wants you to learn and understand.
There is no threat of misinterpretation or failure.
There is only the threat of wanting to learn more, but that isn't really a "threat" at all.
2006-08-24 12:54:16 · answer #10 · answered by dinochirus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋