How do Christians use the bible in this century?

Question

My little sis is doing the bible for R.E. and i've looked all over for answer to this question, if anyone can help please do!!

Answer 1

as a coaster

Answer 2

Not nearly as much as they did in previous centuries. And, when they do, it's rarely with the depth of study and conviction that their Christian forebears had. Which accounts for a lot.

Your little sister might not be old enough to question her teacher on the vagueness of the question - I'd want to know whether 'Christians' means billions of people under the world-wide umbrella, irrespective of denomination or country; or does it mean 2 groups, Catholics and Protestants (for there is a critical difference between them regarding attitudes to and use of the Bible). I'd also ask if it is the 21st or 20th century (depending on how old the paper/book is that the question comes from.) And I would ask why 'Bible' has a small 'b', and not a capital 'B'. If you were asked to write down the title of Charlotte Bronte's book, 'Wuthering Heights', you would have to put capital letters at the beginning of each word, to show it was a book title. The Bible is a collection of 66 small books, with each of them starting with a capital letter. So, 'Bible' is correct. Teachers ought to know that.

Now, it's worth saying Roman Catholics were forbidden to read the Bible for centuries. I have an old book to hand, written by a Catholic Priest in the mid 1800s, "Fifty Years In The Church Of Rome' by Pastor Chiniquy. As a child in Canada, he loved his copy of the Bible that his Catholic parents gave him, but a visiting Priest angrily took it away and even when Chiniquy was in theological seminary, training to be a Priest, all the novices were forbidden to actually read the Bible. It was in later life that he started reading it again, and this caused him to leave the Catholic religion. Nowadays Catholics are positively encouraged to read the Bible, though their own Douay version is preferred. But you rarely find Catholics who are as conversant and as comfortable with Holy Scripture as many of their Protestant counterparts. This is because Protestants believe that only the Bible contains the Word of God. They will not put any other writings on a par with it, let alone above it! To them, there is no greater authority than, "Thus saith the Lord!"

Most of the modern-day groups that are commonly called sects have both their own preferred version of the Bible, and their own writings by their leaders that are said to 'interpret' Scripture. When push comes to shove, they always take the word of their leaders over and above what the Bible actually says.

Finally, attitudes vary from country to country. Even in Britain there is a marked difference of respect for the Bible in the north of Scotland compared with the south of England. So, if your little sis is up for an essay of considerable length, there's no shortage of information! I've barely scratched the surface. God bless you both.

Answer 3

Christians use the Bible for daily devotion, for personal study, for group study, for study in school, for reading aloud in services and as the basis for preaching the Word of God. The big change as far as this century is concerned (and I'm including the latter part of the twentieth century too) is that the Bible is available in more forms than ever before, including CD recordings, on-line versions and Braille versions and in a large choice of translations and that it is available in more languages than before, as we are fast approaching the time when the Gospel will have been preached to all nations. The Wycliffe Bible Translators are continuing with their translation activities and are reaching people all over the world. There is also a large choice of different ways of studying, with many printed study books and notes and also on-line Bible study notes. Another welcome addition in our day and age is that of the study Bible with a built-in concordance, so that the reader can look things up as he or she goes along. As far as I am concerned, I read my Bible every day, I also study it in a group and I use it as my indispensable aid in preaching. I hope this helps your sis.

Answer 4

People view the Bible as a history book. This is not the case, it is very relevant today in everyday life.

People who do read the Bible and do not understand how it is relevant need to ask God to reveal His teachings to us today.

It can help you in bringing up your kids, family matters, financial, health, relationships with others. What people need is the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Without it, it will just be viewed as an outdated book written by men.

Answer 5

Meditating on God's Word the Bible, helps Christians to grow spiritually

Answer 6

I teach R.E and I've told the kids that the Bible is Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth (B.I.B.L.E) :) I use it as my instruction manual for every part of my life especially the parts that tell me how I need to treat other people.....you know the bit that says..."Love your neighbour...." Hope this helps... God bless

Answer 7

As a Catholic I use the Gideon new testaments I find in hotel rooms for toilet paper, but you have to watch the ones with the gilded edges or you might need stitchces.

The bible is a wonderful book of bigotry, hatred, anti-semitism, homophobia, racism and all other types of goodness. Jesus was an enlightened philosopher with far reaching revolutionary ideals for his time and era but the crap that his teachings have been warped into by power hungry men in dresses would make his very mortal remains spin in their grave.

Answer 8

Oh dear another troll.

Christians - Bible - Century

Words that are all incongruous in a single sentence. Let me explain simply. Since this is a trolling question.

Christian - Eternal
Bible - Part Eternal
Century - Not Eternal

Answer 9

As an indicator of direction the world is taking and it's 'on'. As the worldly message will be to tune out God the believers will get closer & closer to His blessed kingdom and have peace on the way.

Answer 10

We get the most accurate translations we can find, explore the original Greek and Hebrew, check cultural references, identify anything which is idiomatic or euphemstic, try to get to the original meaning of the text, then we meditate on it, apply it and live it.

Answer 11

Below are various explainations as to why we can trust the testemony of the Bible.