And believers of the Bible say those don't apply to anyone at all? There are many things listed that you would never get away with in this day and age. But God says you can't pick and choose what you believe from there and what you don't. So either all of the Bible is a lie or it's all truth that people choose to ignore. It can't both. Seems like it would be a slap in the face to God to outright ignore and disobey anything he has commanded. Considering he was very violent and jealous in the Bible.
For the record, I don't believe in taking it literally. Before anyone makes accusations of such.
2006-12-12 11:45:33 · 16 answers · asked by Cinnamon 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Exactly. They take some obscure passages and somehow interpret them that you don't have to follow most old laws. And yet they completely ignore Jesus own words (!) that he came to reinforce old laws.
2006-12-12 11:53:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is the truth , the problem is exactly what you stated. People are becoming so sinful and they have fallen away from all beliefs. People are falling short from the knowledge of God. So many non believers and it is getting worse. satan is on a rampage, but God will win in the end. Over the last hundreds of years, more and more are disobeying the word of God and do not even know God. Many humans ignore the Laws of the land. They don't believe and therefore they feel it does not apply to them. So sad.
2006-12-12 11:52:54 · answer #2 · answered by Norskeyenta 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe that Jesus was sent to explain what God meant in the Old Testament. That's why he spoke in parables, stories that plain old simple folk could understand.
I know a lot of Christians pick and choose what they will 'use' from the Bible. 'We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
I also believe that the only way to live a 'holy and blameless life', is to constantly pray and read the Bible, even if it doesn't make sense. One day God will reveal what he is saying in his word.
Once we are in an intimate relationship with God, there's only the desire to please God and obey him. It's not about saying and doing the right thing so God doesn't get angry. It's about knowing him and making him smile.
2006-12-12 12:31:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There seems to be a general lack of understanding in the difference of law and grace. Everything changed at the cross. According to God's law...where there is a change in the priesthood, there must also be a change in the law. Jewish High priests changed in ancient times when the original High priest died. Jesus is now our High Priest...and the change in the law is that we went from condemnation to grace. From an outward law to an inward conviction. All this happened at the cross. In the Bible it is always made clear what part of it is symbolic, which is a pun, which is a parable, which is a metaphore...there where many many literary devices in and throughout the Bible. And we can tell pretty well when we are to take it literally. Since Christ brought in the new covenant with His blood, the new law has 2 commandments. 1. love God 2. love your neighbor. There is more to the bible than a shallow understanding of it. Please continue your search and find the answers your looking for.
2006-12-12 11:54:30 · answer #4 · answered by sheepinarowboat 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I personally take the Bible VERY literally. He said "You shall not commit murder" "You shall not steal". Now, it doesn't get any more literal than that! See, WE are the ones who are imperfect. It's an imperfect society...the Ten Commandments are a direct reflection of our imperfections, You can't see Yourself without a mirror! Now, God is not violent as You say, but He is jealous Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 4:24, but not in a human sense...He just feels that worship and service belongs to Him, as it should! People are violent, not God, however, He does believe in chastisement, as any loving father would. The thing is, how can You love and protect someone who doesn't even acknowledge that You exist! God loves You and me both, man. That's why He sent Jesus Christ as a Savior. Grow in the faith, bud. It's all about Love! God be with You, in Jesus' name, amen
2006-12-12 12:04:39 · answer #5 · answered by slnixon3 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First everything in the Bible is not literal there are spiritual things. Second everything does apply. Now before you go too crazy try to understand one thing We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God provided an atonement and that dear friend did change us. Now We do not pick and choose parts to believe it is all the true word of God and it is the same forever. Does that mean we stone people and make sacrifice's? No Christ did make an atonement and it too is forever. When you study the word of God pray and seek understanding it comes from God and those that seek the truth will find it.
2006-12-12 11:55:30 · answer #6 · answered by djmantx 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
But the Bible is not meant to be taken literally. If we did that we might believe God is a giant chicken (taking us under his wing) or a lot of other metaphors the Bible uses to describe God. But something can be written in metaphor and be entirely true at the same time. Even Jesus spoke in parables which he clearly intended to be taken figuratively for teaching purposes. We wouldn't say he was lying when he told the story of the prodigal son.
2006-12-12 11:58:22 · answer #7 · answered by micah's mom 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It does seem to be a bunch of cherry-picking. I have heard christians try to get around this by saying that Jesus came to change the law, even though he specifically says that he did not.
Paul, however, does excuse Gentiles from many, if not all, of the Jewish laws in many of the epistles that are attributed to him. In fact, this is one way to distinguish which epistles were written by the same author (in the case of excusing the Gentiles, it's very likely to be Marcion, or someone with the same ideas as his). One can read the battle between those who though the Gentiles shouldn't follow the old laws and those who should (such as James). Of course, this is heretical to biblical literalists who presuppose that there are no contradictions or battles of ideas in the bible. If they'd just accept the book for what it is, they wouldn't have to worm around so many of these sticky issues.
2006-12-12 11:52:08 · answer #8 · answered by abulafia24 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, I've had those same questions. That's why I think the whole idea of using the Bible as the only source of guiding one's life is a little narrow. Sadly, the rules to live by are not cut and dry and as an individual with free will and a free mind, it is your obligation to study and determine your own code for living. Good luck. It's a pretty cool and worthwhile journey.
2006-12-12 11:49:08 · answer #9 · answered by the truth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is all truth. But there are some passages that are meant to be taken figuratively. Usually the Bible alerts the reader to this.
However the laws given in the Old Testament was given to the Jews back then and in no way apply to you today. You may use them as examples for teaching, but obedience to them is not for you or me-unless you are a practicing Jew who does not accept Jesus. Then you are in a different world from the rest of us.
2006-12-12 11:53:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The Old testament rules are a covenant with Israel and God. Jesus came through Israel. He Is the Way, Truth & Life for the rest of us too.
So, also, He has a new Priesthood, where Jesus Christ the Lord is the High Priest forever. So, the New Testament is a new covenant. We are not under the law of sin and death, we are under Truth & Grace. God writes His Covenant, Promises, Love, Laws in our hearts.
I take the whole bible as true. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
But Jesus said that those who teach all the law and do them are greater in the Kingdom of Heaven. So, Eternal life is the Gift of God through faith. But law abiding is rewards.
2006-12-12 11:55:13 · answer #11 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋