I for example believe that except for the most rare of occasions (like with Hitler, and even then its debatable to me) can a person in a lifetime earn an eternity of the worst punishment imaginable. I don't believe the lying and fornication and murdering of the average person qualifies them for it. Not for an eternity. Is there anything like that with you, or do you firmly believe everything in the Bible?
Also, is it sinful to disagree with the Bible?
2006-12-22 02:45:46 · 23 answers · asked by Chris D 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I disagree with many things that are in the Bible, but I am not a literalist. I see, proclaim and teach that the Bible is part allegorical, part historical, part descriptive. Yet, in the melding of the three, you still find truth. (Truth does not have to mean historical fact)
The easiest thing to disagree with is the first two chapters of the Bible. (Genesis 1 & 2) I am a minister and I do teach and preach from this section of the Bible, but God did not create the earth in six calendar days. Genesis 1 is one account of creation from one oral tradition. Genesis 2 is another account of creation from another oral tradition. Neither is historical fact, yet each do have their own truths. The sequence of creation found in Genesis 1 is very much the same sequence to creation as proven by science. Light, mass, gravity and thus rotation (day and night), heat, cold, land, sea, plant life, animal life, human development... While I do not agree with a literalist interpretation, I agree with the fundamental truth of a creator with a design and a plan. Genesis 2 tells of our realtionship with this creator, the love this creator has for the creation. I do not agree with a literalist interpretation of a garden and forming a woman from a man's rib, but I believe in the relationship we can have with God that is personal.
I could go on and on with our mis-understanding of scripture and our abuse of of scripture... but it should be obvious. There are many churches who chose to look at the scripture as allegory. Not everyone is a fundamental literalist.
It is not a sin to disagree with the Bible, and we should question interpretations that do not seem sound. John Wesley is credited with the theology of the Weslyan Quadralateral... though John Wesley himself never really knew of it. Scripture, Reason, Tradition, Experience. We use all four to formulate our faith, not just anyone one single side. You read scriture through the lense of Christian tradtion, experience and reason. In this way, you come to truth.
2006-12-22 03:01:47 · answer #1 · answered by rogueknight17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you that the belief of "eternal punishment in Hell" seems a bit extreme. While the Bible clearly tells us Satan, the Antichrist and the false prophet (and perhaps others as well) will be in the Lake of Fire forever, I think others will have punishment there of much shorter duration. Then, they will cease to exist. I recommend you read this from non-denominational Lamb and Lion Ministries, which will explain further:
http://www.lamblion.com/pdf/2006/Lamplighter-022006.pdf
However, I also believe that God views all sins committed by humankind as being equal. In other words, stealing isn't any better or worse than fornication. Anyone who dies in an unsaved state will go to Hell -- period.
Peace and Merry Christmas.
2006-12-22 02:52:59 · answer #2 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Okay, here's my answer. The Bible and everything in it is correct, so even if something doesn't sound right, it's right and it's just that either our beliefs are not right, or we don't understand fully what it is saying. The Bible is God's word and it is sinful to disagree with God.
As for your question about Hell and being punished for eternity, well, if you haven't noticed, Jesus refers to the alternative to eternal life as death. Death is not being tortured forever, death is actually perishing. I believe that people who go to Hell die and are completely destroyed, both body and soul. So it's really a death sentence.
2006-12-22 02:56:41 · answer #3 · answered by Lady of the Garden 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, because I realize that anything in the Bible that looks impossible is merely a metaphoric representation for something possible,but equally astonishing.
Now, there are many metaphors that I have not yet decyphered, there are many more that I just might have interpreted incorrectly, but for all intents and purposes, I believe that the Bible is still, nonetheless, all that it claims to be.
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2006-12-22 02:51:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When we pick and choose from the bible what we agree and disagree, we are simply just asking it to affirm our lifestyle. Instead when there is something that we are uncomfortable with in the bible, it allows us to examine our own choices and through the Holy Spirit convicts us that we need to live our lives in alignment with God and his commands. John 14:16 I am the way, the truth and the light - no man comes unto the father but by me.
2006-12-22 02:57:25 · answer #5 · answered by maguainc 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with everything in the Bible, but I don't think it's a sin to disagree. God would not haven given us free will and the ability for critical thought if he didn't want us to use them.
2006-12-22 02:49:29 · answer #6 · answered by Rachel M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian, and though I do not firmly disagree, there are questions I have about things that may not address they way the world is in the modern day.
2006-12-22 02:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by chocolate_krys2000 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
so basically if you agree with everything you must agree with slavery?
I wonder how many blacks are lining up to put the chains back on?
Therefore if the bible says it is ok to own slaves (and that you should) then the bible is racist against black people. Yet why are blacks christian then?
Isn't that kind of like bieng a nazi jew or a 9/11 survivor turned al quaeda?
2006-12-22 02:55:51 · answer #8 · answered by bluto blutarsky2 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dear Mr. D:
The Bible does NOT say people will be punished eternally for their mistakes.
Some well known churches would have you believe that.
However, the Bible does not teach it.
It is not a choice between exstacy or torture.
The choice is existing or not existing.
2006-12-22 02:49:30 · answer #9 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is the infallible Word of God. It is truth. You don't have to like what is in it, but you better believe it if you are a Christian. To disagree with it is to disagree with and question the wisdom of God.
2006-12-22 02:57:40 · answer #10 · answered by Darryl L 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋