Christians......?

Question

Before you give your point of view do you read the entire Bible and study the word?

Or are you just basing your answers on the pieces you've read or heard about in church?

I am not a preacher and I have read it front to back and jumped around after that and read different books.

To those of you who answer yes thank you for doing your homework before you answer questions. It helps to keep contraversy out.

Answer 1

I have been a Christian for about 27 years - since I was 15. So it was a conscious choice on my part - one my parents were and still are not happy with. When I went to college, I ended up at a Presbyterian church which very carefully taught us to consider 'the whole counself of God' before coming to a conclusion.

This meant chiefly that we needed to be thoroughly acquainted with the whole of Scripture. The rule was that Scripture interprets Scripture, so we were not encouraged to use commentaries in Bible study, but rather study inductively to see what the Bible says, allowing it to speak for itself.

We were definitely encouraged to have small group Bible studies, so my roommates and I hosted one in our apartment every week, we studied entire books of the Bible rather than jumping around, and a lot of emphasis was laid on Scripture memory. Since for some of that time I was unemployed and had time, I would sometimes show up for study with entire chapters memorized - in two different languages, no less.

I cannot count how many times I have noticed that if one just reads the verses that pertain directly to a particular issue, one can get a very warped picture of what the Scripture actually teaches. (One really obvious area where this frequently happens is the role of women in marriage and in the Church).

So yeah, I am extremely careful when I talk about what the Bible teaches, and quite frankly probably bring in more Scripture from both Old and New Testaments than almost any pastor I've seen. If I look up the verses I'm citing, it's more often than not just to make sure I got the verse numbers right so someone else can find them - because they've automatically appeared in my mind without my having to look them up.

I say this by way of example more than anything else, lest I be found to be a fool in God's sight, as it is written:

Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom,
Nor the strong man in his strength,
Nor the rich man in his riches;
But let him who boasts, boast in this:
That he knows and understands Me,
That I am the LORD,
Who work kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,
For in these I delight, declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-34)

Answer 2

Honey, there's more to being a Christian than just reading the Bible. When we answer it also comes from experiencing the truth about what we've read and studied, as well. Most of my answers come from an experience of 30 years walking with the Lord and learning from Him. It can't all be contained in a book. The Book is just the beginning.

Answer 3

Personally, I have been reading/studing it for over 50 years. Including taking the time to learn to read the original languages of the Bible. But people still manage to find a scripture from time to time that has me go "what?". (LOL) So I don't know that anyone will ever be able to claim mastery of the whole book. But I try to know as much as I can. Plus gleam from others at church, etc.

(And no I am not a minister, priest, etc. I am a computer tech)

Answer 4

I have read it several times over, in many translations, and continue to start each day with "God speaking to me through His Word". So, when I try to answer people's spiritual questions, it is easier to go to the place in that book where there answer lies, rather than give them some human psycho-babble opinions--about all I or anyone else has to answer with. All the answers to all anyone would ever need to know are right there in the Bible, it is just a matter of being able to find them when you need them...the Holy Spirit is always a big help.

Answer 5

I read the entire Bible many times and know a lot of it by heart. I also have an everyday study Bible (New Century Version) that helps me to find the answers I need.

Answer 6

My answers are from my life experiance & obervations from others. This includes reading the whole Bible, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Astronomy books, Biology Books, Economic Books ... basically every book required to get a BA of Bussiness double major with Economics/ Finance. Plus, all of the Mass' I have attended, & religious classes. And unfortunatly poor jokes I've learned, and television programs like South Park (which inspired me to be religious), History channel, and the many cartoons I've polluted my little giraffe brain with. All of this together with my failures, and triumps.

My answers may not be 100% perfect like Jesus, but I do have hope and faith that they are helpful to a few others. Scripture assures me that the Holy Sprit does also influence my actions; which makes me happy.

Answer 7

I've been reading/studying The Holy Bible for over 50 years. Is that good enough?

Answer 8

great question. I have asked questions and received answers from people who let on they were Christians thinking they were giving christian answers when in fact their answers did not reflect Biblical truth. As a christian who does read the whole Bible over and over, I just am really ashamed of my brethern. Their pastors are not doing their job. TWISTING SCRIPTURE IS NOT COOL GUYS AND IF YOUR PASTOR HAS LED YOU ASTRAY, CONFRONT HIM, IN LOVE AND ALONE THE FIRST TIME AND DO NOT GIVE UP IF IT CONTINUES. That idea of changing churches is not Biblical Check out Tim 5-39 and Mat 18 15

Answer 9

I have read certain parts of the bible. Seeing as people usually quote the bible to me, I learn alot about it. I see the Old Testament as a book for learning, not literal, so I go to it for learning and don't spend all day reading the parts that don't pertain to the particular point of life I am at. I read the New Testament often.

Answer 10

I am not sure what you want to know from me. The Bible is very important to me. I carry mine with me at all times because I never know when I'll have a few minutes to read. You have read it thur once.. Good I know most people don't. It's not too long for anyone to get thur it once a year.. Good studying... Jim