I was wondering, not being of the Christian faith, if the bible (particularly the New Testament) is able to be interpreted selectively, as some passages seem to contradict other passages, or worse suggest barbaric and highly outdated actions and beliefs. I'd love to hear all sorts of opinions!
2006-12-17 05:09:36 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As with any thing else...it seems every one sees something different. There are lots of denominations of the Christian faith that have many different & sometimes wierd practices all claiming that they are following the teaching of the bible. Many people select certain passages and those are what they follow to exclusion of others. Remember though that the bible is not single text. It is actually a collection of writings so they can sometimes seem to contradict each other.
2006-12-17 05:23:08 · answer #1 · answered by PRS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The apostles, in my opinion, are letters to churches of the day that were just beginning. They were set up as communities, almost communes and the apostles and early church leaders were addressing problems of the day as they would have been seen at that time. This is not a popular belief among more fundamentalist Christians who want every word to be taken completely literally. And yes, I too have found contradictions throughout the Bible, which is to be expected since not every book or chapter was written by the same person. This is only my opinion and represents only my beliefs. GBYou
2006-12-17 05:17:45 · answer #2 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good observation. It is already interpreted selectively, and constantly revised by man. The sooner man can get away from believing that the bible is God's word, the better off mankind will be. It is sorrowful that so many Christians have been mislead by this book, but the sooner we move on and realize that we have been misinformed, the sooner we can live in a world of peace and love. You cannot interpret selectively and get the whole picture. How can Christians say that they follow the bible as God's word with all the violence anger and murder in the bible? If a God is perfect, he was perfect in the beginning and without end. The bible is far from perfection.
2006-12-17 05:23:34 · answer #3 · answered by Rosebee 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Numerous Christians read the Bible selectively. I suspect the minority of Christians are fundamentalist, believing that the Bible is inerrant.
Even Fundamentalists read selectively, though, by studying the Bible and making assumptions based context and translation issues. If you listen to Christian Radio, you'll hear long winded explanations of the Sermon on the Mount, on various parables, and biblical contradictions.
2006-12-17 05:18:49 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Bad Day 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As I understand it, it is all parable. I don't think any of it is meant to be taken litterally, word for word. I mean, no one was there in the Garden of Eden except Adam and Eve and they didn't write the bible. No one was on the mountain with Moses and he is not credited as the author of that part of the story. It's all hearsay, interpretation (even the author's interpretation and perception of any described events), conjecture, and political opinion - translated and modified throughout the last 2 centuries. I think it was meant to be a teaching tool and much of it is embellished to keep the reader's attention. It's got some very good lessons and a few Universal Truths in there, for sure - but it is meant to be interpreted for sure.
Peace!
2006-12-17 05:18:56 · answer #5 · answered by carole 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible does not contradict itself. If you go back and look at the passages that you now think contradict themselves, and analyze them, you are going to find that it addresses different circumstances therefor it gives answers for each circumstance. The Bible is the word of God, consider yourself an erring human being, and likely to be wrong! You should be joining a Bible study and you will find much more understanding of God's Word, then what you can do on your own. That is why we also have classes in theology, for the ones that have a call from God to spend their lives serving Him and learning about Him. Merry Christmas.
2006-12-17 05:24:50 · answer #6 · answered by pooterilgatto 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What do you mean "can it" be interpreted selectively?
That is the ONLY way it has EVER been interpreted. More so with the OT than the NT, mostly because it is so much larger, and there are so many more contradictory and repulsive things in it.
People who claim there is no error or contradiction in the bible are lying, self-deluded or haven't actually read the bible beyond cherry-picked versed their pastors and priests give them.
2006-12-17 05:16:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow,how uncomplicated it particularly is to rebuke the bible,particularly once you"p.c.. and choose" which verses to ridicule.Do you ever ask your self why such fairly some human beings pass out of their thank you to discredit the bible.something that attracts plenty ridicule yet is primary by using such fairly some could provide me reason to question if what the bible represents is authentic.Why such an uproar over it until it did no longer particularly threaten the existence of those that ridicule it. somebody tells you which you reside incorrect often would not set somebody on a direction of vengeful retaliation,so why does the bible draw such condemnation.by using fact deep down you recognize which you're no longer residing the way you need to be. i won't be able to solid a stone by using fact i'm as defective by using fact the subsequent guy or woman,I purely try to serve Him and ask for His forgiveness.
2016-10-18 10:03:25 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It always has been and always will be interpreted selectively. The bible was written by many different people about many different times and places. Of course there is no uniformity or consistency. How could there be?
2006-12-17 05:17:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everything can be interpreted in multiple ways. The Bible is such a huge book, written by so many different people over so many centuries that it would be unreasonable to think that two people could get the exact same meaning out of it. -yk
2006-12-17 05:13:15 · answer #10 · answered by Yaakov 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋