Does it seem a little too convenient that to give the Bible a pass we can't take it literally?

Question

I can't excuse what the Bible says just so I can believe in it - to do so says a lot about people who must do so to protect their faith by disregarding or twisting the more brutal and sick parts of a so-called book of God. IF a religion is going to tell me I must accept their God and live by their Bible or I'm going to somekind of hell forever, the arguement must be credible and be able to withstand srutiny - that's not too much to ask, is it?

Answer 1

It's not too much to ask at all. And I agree with you 100%.

Answer 2

Dear Science,

You have been given a false Gospel according to what you have said thus far. No one can "accept" the God of the Bible. The fact of the matter is that ALL of mankind have disobeyed God's commandments and the penalty for that is eternal damnation in a place called the lake of fire (hell). A person can do nice things their entire life and still be condemned to the lake of fire or hell. The problem is that most individuals claiming to be "christian" here in Y/A are actually giving this false gospel of "accepting Jesus." Alot of people come here to mock God and the Bible also. They do not realize that the Lord spoke of these people in the Bible (2 Peter 3). The Lord made the Bible particuarly difficult to understand. In Mark 4:33, 34 the Bible says that Christ spoke in parables and without a parable He did not speak. When a person here in Y/A criticizes the Bible or mocks the Bible, he/she is actually criticizing God Almighty.
According to everything that we know from the Bible today, it appears that Christ will make His 2nd appearance on earth in 2011. But Jesus is not coming as the Lamb of God. He will return as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is coming back as the Judge. As I said before everything that we know thus far seems to suggest that the end of the world will happen in 2011 A.D. 2011 is exactly 7000 years after the Noahic flood in which God destroyed the world by water.
Instead of believing what others have posted here in Y/A, why don't you sit down and start reading the Bible for yourself. Before you begin you need to ask God for some understanding, admitting that you do not know anything. Remember that God is God and man is just dust. Perhaps the Lord will have mercy on you and open your understanding.

Answer 3

The bible can withstand all scrutiny. It's a collection of 66 books written by 40 authors over a period of 1500 years. It's integrity is verified by it's historical, geographical and archaeological accuracy. For scientific back-up, read "The Signature of God" by Grant Jeffrey.

Problems occur when scripture is taken out of context.

Answer 4

It's hard to read the Bible literally considering the multiple sources, and it was not written to be read that way. Do some historical critical studies and learn about the culture in which it was written and how the original audiences took in the text.

Answer 5

The Bible is credible, you didn't specify the "brutal and sick parts" of it, but I assure you, I've seen many arguments against the Bible, and I've been able to answer all of them. Whatever your objection is, I know there's an answer.

Answer 6

Lectio Divina is Latin for “spiritual reading” and represents an early monastic technique of prayer which continues in practice though less widely, intended to achieve communion with God as well as providing special spiritual insights and peace from that experience. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word.

History
Lectio Divina was first expressed in the year 220 AD. It was found that to read the Bible profitably it is necessary to do so with attention, consistency and prayer. The systematization of “spiritual reading” into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book entitled “The Monk’s Ladder” (Scala Claustralium) wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI stated, “This is the ladder by which the monks ascend from earth to heaven.”

Method
Lectio is typically practiced daily for one continuous hour. A selection from the Holy Scriptures is chosen ahead of time, often as a daily progression through a particular book of the Bible.

Time
Selecting a time for lectio divina is important. Typical methods are to pray for one hour in the morning, or to divide it into two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the evening. The key is to pre-select the time that will be devoted to the prayer, and to keep it. Using the same time every day leads to a daily habit of prayer that becomes highly effective.

Place
The place for prayer is to be free from distractions. This means it should be isolated from other people, telephones, visual distractions, etc. Some find a religious icon to be helpful. The same place should be used for lectio if possible, especially as one first begins to practice it. Familiarity with a location reduces the possibility of distraction away from the prayer. Some practitioners conduct other devotions, such as praying before the Catholic Eucharist, as a preparation for Lectio Divina.

Preparation
Prior to reading, it is important to engage in a transitional activity that takes one from the normal state of mind to a more contemplative and prayerful state. A few moments of deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time helps to set the tone and improve the effectiveness of the lectio.

Once the stage is set it is time to begin the prayer. There are four phases of the prayer, which do not necessarily progress in an ordered fashion. One may move between different phases of the prayer very freely as the Spirit guides.

The Four Moments
Lectio
Read the passage several times.

Meditatio
Reflect on the text of the passage, thinking about how to apply to one's own life. Gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular import. This should not be confused with exegesis, but is a very personal reading of the Scripture and application to one's own life.

Oratio
Respond to the passage by opening the heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more of the beginning of a conversation with God.

Contemplatio
Listen to God. This is a freeing oneself from one's own thoughts, both mundane and holy. It is about hearing God talk to us. Opening our mind, heart and soul to the influence of God. Any conversation must allow for both sides to communicate, and this most unfamiliar act is allowing oneself to be open to hearing God speak

Answer 7

In any literature doesn't the author have the right to say what he has in mind? When the Bible is symbolic, or parabolic, or allegorical it says or indicates that. I think it's fair to take the author at his word.

Answer 8

If you took 90% of it literally you would be on the right track. Just one fact of Sodom and Gommorah. http://english.sdaglobal.org/evangelism/arch/sodom.htm

12 reasons to be a Christian
1. Truth in a world full of lies
2. Hope in a world full of despair
3. Life in a world full of death
4. Love in a world full of hate
5. Forgiveness in a world full of vengeance
6. Power in a world full of weakness
7. Certainty in a world full of confusion
8. Purpose in a world full of pointlessness
9. Peace in a world full of war
10. Order in a world full of chaos
11. Beauty in a world full of ugliness
12. Right in a world full of wrong.

Answer 9

can't take it literally? well, what do you mean by that? When Jesus said he was the bread of life, he didn't mean that he was an actual piece of bread. however, he did mean that through him comes all life, and that he is the one who gives it - we take from him to recieve life in the spirit.

Answer 10

The bible can stand on its own, literally!