I mean, they've given it a try, it didn't take, are they supposed to read it again? What if they've read it 3 times (like me) and still seen it as a book full of interesting morality tales, but nowhere near the 'only absolute truth you'll ever need'?
I mean, you can't use the comeback 'read your bible' because I have, and the retort 'open your heart to Jesus or you'll be sorry' is simply in my mind your human nature kicking into self-defense mode. yes?
2006-12-19 10:25:38 · 24 answers · asked by cpt_the_vagabound 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The more I read it the less it made sense.
If you study the history of the bible you quickly learn that it was constructed to subvert the true teachings Of Jesus into something that the roman empire found more acceptable.
Love and blessings Don
2006-12-19 10:31:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is understandable and in no way ridiculous. The bible is full of the truth claims of God and is written by men yet authored by God. This means that God's Spirit is in His written word. In the bible it tells us that unless we have God's Spirit in us we are not able to "get it" very well.
The bible is the story of God revealing Himself to mankind and the path that He has made to Him so that all may know Him. This is alot more than "good" stories, however, the first time I read the New Testament this was the same conclusion that I came to.
If you are sincere in seeking the truth I recommend two things. First, re-read the New Testament, only don't read it like you would read a book for pleasure. This time ask God, out loud or in your mind, to help you understand what the message is that God is presenting in His written word. A good place to do this is in Romans. Read a chapter at a time. If you know any committed Christians that you can talk to and get their understanding, this would be great. This can allow you to "compare notes " so to speak and help with understanding the wisdom and knowledge that God is presenting.
I am not asking you to accept and believe without understanding, I am asking you to try again and see if you get more clarity this time. If you do not have anyone to field questions too, feel free to e-mail me. This is an honest search for the truth, that's it. God is big enough to withstand the scrutiny of His truth claims and not get His feelings hurt.
2006-12-19 19:01:51 · answer #2 · answered by David R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact you have to ask such a question like this here, worded the way you did would suggest that there is more of a conflict about what was read by "this person or persons" then eluded to or there would be no question. The question is, why is there a question. If a person was totally not a believer in it, there would be no emotion, no need to make funny little attacks on people who do believe at any opportunity that presents itself. People who have to ask or do these things feel they have to try to prove it wrong or those that believe stupid. If a person has to prove it wrong, they are still in need of proof (they must doubt their position and still need to prove theirs)
If you absolutely don't want to believe in gravity, you could read about that and still not get it (if you really don't want to). YOur feelings do not determine it to be true or false. Reading will not override predetermined stances in many cases no matter what it is.
If you don't want to believe why keep reading it? If you want to believe - I would stop trying to read in the hope of finding some Burning bush experience.
YOU ALREADY BELIEVE IT OR YOU WOULDN'T BE ASKING THIS QUESTION!!! YOU ALREADY BELIEVE OR YOU WOULDN'T KEEP READING IT! Someone simply misled you into believing that there was some magic feeling everyone gets when they read the Bible.
There are those that believe and those that don't. Both are okay! You believe and want to resist being open about the commitment until you see burning bushes......
2006-12-19 18:52:24 · answer #3 · answered by wadecrptrng 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've read the bible and "nothing took" then it only means your heart is hardened. You didn't believe nor did you open your heart to God as you read. I'm almost sure you didn't pray and ask God to give you understanding and even if you did for anyone to pray they must first believe. Faith is not about scientific provable fact. If you were reading the bible to find some sort of proof of anything that anyone has explained to you by faith you will never get it because your heart is dead set against understanding faith to the full. For example, hope is a kind of faith. All human beings have the ability to hope and many even do hope for so many things big and small. Faith in God goes beyond just having hope. I can hope that my car will start. Since it is only three years old and in very good running condition it takes almost nothing to hope or have faith in that. I could hope or have faith that the next plum I bite into is sweet but if I pick it out right I have a good chance of my hope becoming reality. What did you hope for today that came to pass? You didn't see it or know for sure that it would happen even though the odds were good yet you hoped. Faith in God requires that YOU do not require tangible/good odds that He is real. Faith in God requires that you just believe! A heart that can't have that kind of faith can read the bible a thousand times and never have it "take". As long as you base faith in God on the example of fallible Christian human beings or your own philosophy and intellect you will never understand or believe. But if you ever just throw away your preconceived notions, get beyond yourself, and give God a chance to speak to your heart He will open your soul to understand the revelations that lay within the Holy Scriptures that are more than able to save your soul and bless you to have a relationship with Him.
2006-12-19 18:47:02 · answer #4 · answered by drivn2excelchery 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without the Holy Spirit one will always have doubt. They veil is not lifted from their eyes. Did you know that even Satan knows the Bible? Remember when he quoted scripture when tempting Jesus? And Satan is in NO way a believer, because he is the enemy. And he will lead many others to not believe after reading the word. It is only through the Holy Spirit one can truly receive the truth- as Romans 10:17 says "Faith comes from hearing and by hearing the word of God" --once you are saved the Lord continues to show you more and more of His wonderful truth through the scriptures. I am still learning so much I had not known before, reading the same passages....I love when the Lord shows me something new and reveals truth to me. I love this verse because it is SOOO true, I have lived it! Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know"
2006-12-19 18:29:44 · answer #5 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Your spiritual eyes are closed ask God to open them and believe that He loves you personally and is willing to help you by giving you love and strength and a whole way of thinking. I think that some Christians preach about the after life or lack of it too much. God can help you today.
It's is not like I had not read John before but when God made Himself known to me I was really seeking Him. I read John and prayed God would make it real for me if He really meant it. I guess He did mean it as I have loved Him every since I realized He loved me.
I'm happier now than I was and before then I had sought proof of His existence but maybe it was in looking for proof of His love that the door was opened.
2006-12-19 18:42:13 · answer #6 · answered by bess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think people like you are lucky. It took me studying the bible 30 years and preaching it from pulpits and house to house 25 years to open my eyes and see it is just another book of myths. When I realized that I became a pagan, Wiccan specifically because we know that religion is mankind's attempt to explain the unexplainable. So therefore it does not matter with pantheon we honor.
2006-12-19 18:37:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow!!! It is hard to imagine someone being so unimpressed with the Bible after reading it. As for the 'truth' of everything in it, well it is certainly fair to say a lot of it is 'untrue' if that's how you want to look at it. But that completely misses the point of what it is and what it is used for. I would love to know what you think it really is then...1200 pages of excruciatingly detailed fabrications intended to deceive everyone? Wouldn't that be something?
2006-12-19 18:35:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They didn't see the theme that runs through it.Jesus the great teacher said, how will they learn without someone to teach.Many can quote the Bible from cover to cover and completely have no accurate understanding of gods purpose which is contained there.
2006-12-19 18:46:15 · answer #9 · answered by hunter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps Christianity is not for you. Who knows.
I consider myself a Christian (progressive) and I read the Bible regularly. I also struggle with the Bible, and find much of it not very spiritual at all, and some parts not consistent with the loving, compassionate God I've commit ed myself to.
I wish you all the best on your journey, and hope you find a spiritual practice that works for you.
2006-12-19 18:34:54 · answer #10 · answered by Colin 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋