What do you make of this? should the bible be taken literally?

Question

I love this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHaVUjjH3EI

What do you think?

I think it shows that the bible is a guide for us in life, but we need to realise that it is open to interpretation and was written in a time when society was so very different. I'm a Christian and this clip doesn't offend me at all. in fact I think Jed Bartlett (though he is a fictional character I know!) is a great example for Christians.

Okay... here is my expnsion as requested.

I think Jed Barteltt is a great example (and again, yes I know he is fictional but is good for an example) because he uses teh bible as a guide to leading his life. he regularly turns to it, explores it, belives it and quite it. He passes the word and the message onto others. But he isn't afriad to question. He isn't afraid to open his mind. Shouldn't we all be like that?

And to clarify,m following on from one of teh answers below, I am in NO WAY suggesting that Jed Bartlett (or even Martin Sheen!!!!) should be seen as a replacement Jesus.

God's teachings and those of his son Jesus Christ should shape our lives, but we shouldnt be scared to exmaine or interpret them .The bible is interpreted everyday by millions of people. There are so many translations of the bible and each of these is a form of interpretation.

All I'm saying is we must look at it and think about it and not rely on the interpretations of others

That should have said quotes it not quite it!

Apologies for all the other typos too

Answer 1

It is always good to use Religious literature as a guide rather than a set of instructions. Human society moves on, our understanding does improve. The price for our better understanding is increased responsibility for all the things we do, say and think. Use the Scriptures like a signpost pointing the way. Do not stop to worship the signpost, but use it as a guide to the path you should walk.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

christian means follower of Jesus Christ. How could be a christian when 'you are making Jed Baarteit as aa great example for chrisstian? It should be Christ. You must follow the teachings of Christ according to the bible and not according to the book written by Jed Barteit, which is just a fiction, imagination from him

Answer 4

The character was misquoting quoting out of context.There many laws given to the Jews as a physical protection and a spiritual protection.Most of these laws were removed when jesus fullfilled and replaced the law with the christian law.Some of the laws were reiterated in the new testament however including prohibition on homosexuality and other forms of fornication.
The jews were given their laws to remind them of their separateness from the other nations ,of their need for the coming messiah,of the need to be a clean people and as a prophetic picture of the role that spiritual israel would play in the future.

By the way ,i don't remember reading about anybody being burned for using 2 types of cloth.If anybody knows that reference i would like to check it.

Answer 5

The law, which was frequently quoted in the video, was given as a tutor to lead men to Christ. It is to be taken literally, God really did mean it. It is His standard of Holiness for humanity. Obviously we cannot meet it and thus the need for the grace of the Lord is clearly seen. The absolute necessity for men to repent and accept the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for the atonement of their sins is the most important fact and action that anyone could ever acquire and act upon.

Answer 6

How do you think that he is a great example for Christians? Please explain. Yes I believe that the bible is definitely a instruction manual for our lives. But also that it is the infallible word of God. So what do you mean that it is open to interpretation, and yes the time was different but the situations the people were going through at that time is the same for today. We are still going through the same stuff as they were back there. But our situations are more enhanced and worse than at that time.

Answer 7

If we take the Bible literally, then murdering people who work on the Sabbath would be OK, as would slavery. There was a time when these things were acceptable. Now we snicker mockingly at our predecessors. On a similar note, in a couple of thousand years, our descendants will be snickering at us in much the same way for our contemporary norms and morals

Answer 8

I think someone drank a little too much of the Kool-Aid. If we used the old testament and took it lterally it would also be acceptable to enslave people, and kill someone for working on the sabbath, beat children to death for disobeying their parents, and kill homosexuals and adulterers.


By that logic most of the world would be dead.

Answer 9

Not all of it.
Revelation states it is a book of 'signs' given to John.
The 'beasts' of Revelation depict political powers.
False religion is depicted as a 'harlot' sitting on many 'waters'. This is controlling many people.

Answer 10

ouch

when looking at the verses literally then he is absolutely right.

its a good thing though I have studied the historical, moral, political ramifications and meanings of everything he described.

It would take to long to go into discussion but what he mentioned could be an academic course in itself.