Recently, someone posted this quote to show the hostility of Jesus' teaching.
"not in peace but with a sword"
Clearly Jesus was referring to His words being like a sword that divides.
Just one example of how Atheist who think they know scripture have no idea what they are talking about. There are plenty examples of Christians not understanding evolution. But when it comes to biblical and spiritual matter I think Christians have the inside track.
What do you think?
2006-10-25 03:44:21 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
JP I understand that you've read the Bible and interpreted it in your own way. I have read the entire bible as well and do not see the flaws you mentioned. The simple fact is that once you started reading the bible you found apparent flaws in it and then gave up... never trying to resolve those apparent in any kind of honest fashion. If you did then you would see that Jesus is the only one who has and will ever again fulfill biblical prophecy.
Just an example of what you're probably referring to. The prophecy that Jesus will be the savior of Israel. He was the savior, not from the Romans, but from sin itself. Or perhaps your referring to the prophecy that Jesus will bring peace to the nations. Well that can be taken two ways, first is to examine what kind of peace? Peace as in no war or as in peace of mind and spirit? Or you can understand that further prophecy puts world peace as happening when Jesus returns.
You read the Bible with a negative bias.
2006-10-25 03:55:52 · update #1
I think you forget that the overwhelming majority of American atheists were born and raised as Christians, and the ironic thing is, they usually go through an extended period of intense devotion and study BEFORE becoming atheists.
However, most Christians have never read the Bible, they've had it read to them by a minister who has a vested interest in keeping them from reading or hearing the entire Bible, because if they knew the prophecies of the messiah, they'd know Jesus failed to fulfill many and even outright BROKE a few, according to the New Testament.
There is power in ignorance, for the one willing to take advantage of it.
2006-10-25 03:48:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
As a rule I believe atheists and agnostics have a purer and clearer understanding of the bible than Christians who have to look up references amounting to "okay, it says this, but what it really means is something else". The bible is for the most part clear and straightforward in its messages. It's the Christians who try to backpedal, reinterpret and tweak to suit what they've been told to believe.
That the bible is some magical document that can be understood only by the enchanted ones is clearly nonsense; often Christians and their individual churches can't agree on even the most basic ideas, even though they use exactly the same book.
2006-10-25 10:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you but I think even saved people read scripture out of context. When someone ask what a scripture means I always read before it and after it to get what the whole chapter is getting at. Then I look up words to help me understand. Many atheist(so called that is) like to quote from the Old Testement and ask why did God do this or that. God is a God of wrath and he showed quick judgment in the Old Testement. God protected the line that Jesus was to come through and no corruption was to come upon it. Also the Old Testement was to the jews.
2006-10-25 10:54:17 · answer #3 · answered by iwant_u2_wantme2000 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Gospel According to Saint Luke
Chapter 8
5 The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. 8 And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. 10 To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand.
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. 13 Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. 15 But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.
2006-10-28 23:18:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without the Holy Spirit one cannot understand the scriptures. Anyone can know what the Bible says- even the demons know and they tremble!
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
--Satan twists scripture for those who are not saved- he will do anything to keep them from the truth. But when you are born again by the Spirit of God- that is what leads you into ALL truth of God's word- His precious Holy Spirit!
2006-10-25 11:21:20 · answer #5 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When atheists read the bible, they are looking for flaws, when they find something that they dont understand or cant put together, they think that is ammo and encourages their belief. There are so many things to take into account before you just pick up a bible and start criticizing it.
2006-10-25 11:01:29 · answer #6 · answered by ♫O Praise Him♫ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's hard to say. There are a lot of professed Christians out there who don't even pick up the word of God. When satan comes with the attack, then they're not prepared and don't know what to say. That's why they get so upset....that's even when it comes to being confronted by Jehovah witness, muslims, atheist, or whatever. It's sad to say, but true.
2006-10-25 10:50:32 · answer #7 · answered by Gail R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus said His words are spiritual
John 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
and that only those born again(spiritually) can understand them
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2006-10-25 10:51:20 · answer #8 · answered by beek 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No they think the stories of Floating Zoos and David and the Bean Stalk are true!!
2006-10-25 10:46:43 · answer #9 · answered by Agnostic Messiah 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
On this site, I would say very few.
2006-10-25 11:00:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋