I mean no disrespect, and I am not even qualified to make this assessment, but what is your opinion?

Question

Is it possible that the evil one made it into the bible? Some of the things I have read in the Old Testament do not sit well with me. I need serious perspectives on this subject as I am searching and I would like to avoid being led astray. Please help.

Answer 1

I will be honest with you and say that I have wondered the same thing myself. The New Testament is better, however 2 Timothy says that women are not to braid their hair...this and the OT just didn't sit right with me at all so I started searching.

Here is my advice. Consider human nature when you read the bible. Read about the men who wrote the books and pay close attention to the things they wrote. Then study what was going on in secular history during the same time (this is extremely important). Look at present life to see if you can find signs of a higher power, and pray if you believe in prayer communication.

I won't tell you that the bible is crap, or tell you that it is the infalliable word of God. You say you are searching and want to avoid being led astray, so this needs to be your personal journey. I can only advise you on where to start.

Answer 2

Don't give up hope friend. And don't think you are the "Lone Ranger" about some of the stuff that is in the Old Testament, for instance the book of "Leviticus"..I was quite taken aback, but no, I don't think the bad guy had a hand in writing it. Fear not, though, the New Testament came into effect, and although some of the Old Testament laws still apply, like the 10 commandments, a majority of the the "hard" stuff has been changed to fit our days. When we are studying and reading scripture, we are instructed to pray before reading that we will hear with our spirits and pray when we are done for revelation of the truthfulness of what we are reading. This is a good indicator, if it doesn't quite feel right, try reading it again and praying more. If it doesn't feel right or you don't get a new understanding what was meant, accept that you are not at ease with it, our Holy
Spirit will guide us, your job is to trust that He will reveal the truths to us. But remember, we live under the New Testament laws. God Bless you on your journey.

Answer 3

In my opinion the Bible is a history book, so what your reading in the Old Testament is based on those times and what was happening then. Notice that there are several different books in the bible, to me, that says you are getting different perspectives with each book (excluding those that were written by the same person). Also keep in mind that the Bible was NOT originally written in English, there have been countless translations, so if something doesn't sound right maybe the translation was wrong. The bible does however offer guidance to those who seek it, it outlines some key morals and values humanity should have. Read it very carefully and take time to reflect on what you have read, that's the best advice I can give. If you need more guidance I would suggest contacting a pastor/priest (whatever the case is) and discuss it with them, ensure it is someone you feel you can trust. Another thought: consider joining a study.
Do what you feel is right, only you can decide.

Answer 4

The Holy Bible has been tried, tested & found true. You can google research on the reliability of the bible.

When one doesn't accept that God sent His one and Only Begotten Son, that Jesus is the Son of the Living God and that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and raised up for our justification; then some like to add to something that contradicts or makes it more complicated. They write their own understanding, or the Devil does inspire someone to write something that they can accept. Like Salvation isn't Gods Grace, it is doing all the rituals, etc.

There are many apochryphal books out there, and they have been tested, tried and found untrue. God is revealing His truth through archeological digs. Right now and ancient burial has uncovered a white cross with the inscription "To the God Jesus Christos". A few years ago, a Mosiac outside of Israel Megiddo Prison founds the same inscription and also fish symbols. It is known that the fish symbol is the persecuted churchs symbol originally. But now a white cross is found also. An old Psalm writing similar what the battle now is in Israel and Her enemies was found in an Irish Bog last year. Preserved miraculously.


Also, you need to listen to the Holy Spirit direction when reading the Old Testament. If you don't understand something, just ask God in prayer. That is what I had to do when I first recommitted to Christ after a 1 yr breakdown. God is faithful to answer & gives Godly understanding. If something doesn't sit well with you, I probably already asked God about it and got an answer. So, just email me anything that doesn't sit right with you.

Also it is written about the evil one in the bible. And how the serpent tried to tempt Jesus to disobey The Father God.

Answer 5

Anything is possible - if you look at this question on a logical basis. However, God absolutely transcends human logic. I believe that the Bible was written by man, inspired directly by God as a revelation of Himself to man. The Bible is infallible; it contains:
"...truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation."

Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

Answer 6

The evil one DID make it into the Bible

From Genesis to Revelation you see men (and Women) making big mistakes and not doing the right thing. The Bible pulls no punches in exposing this.

multiple wives
saying your wife is your sister to save your own butt
killing people
committing adultery
worshiping other gods
etc.

Believe me . . . the evil one got his 'time' in the book . . . but the theme is forgiveness . . . and it becomes clear in the New Testament that the blood of Jesus covers all sin.

There is a lot in the Old Testament that doesn't sit well with many!

Find a good Church
Get several good Bibles
Hang in there . . . fight the good fight!

Seek and you will find

Answer 7

God is the same yesterday today and tomorrow. He is a righteous judge. The historical accounts that are found in the Old Testament show His righteous judgment.

The main emphasis in the bible Old Testament and New is the need for salvation. There are many examples in both testaments of people who where living in disobedience and "reaped what they sowed".

The evil one - satan - is one who was formerly a heavenly angel who tried to exalt himself above God. He fell from heaven and took 1/3 of the angels with him. He did not write any of the bible, but is written of throughout.

To understand the bible you need to take it as a whole, read and study it, ask questions, check answers in it.
"But from there you will seek the Lord you God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29

God is the author of the bible, man wrote His Words.
"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16

I hope this helps answer your question. Keep asking.

Answer 8

I know what you mean there is a lot of murder, torture and plain old crime in the OT. I avoided reading it for years because it just plain scared the daylights out of me. I have been a Christian for over 50 yrs and just this year have had a real desire to know God the Father, of the OT. Believe me I started out with shaky knees. I always just felt close to Jesus, but realized that Jesus is the way to the Father, so therefore I am expected to go to the Father. I don't always understand the OT ways, but I have discovered that God the Father is faithful. May I suggest to you to check out a radio program called "Thru the Bible", the pastor takes you through the whole Bible verse by verse in 5 yrs.There is a website at www.ttb.org if you want info on this wonderful teaching. God Bless

Answer 9

That's what some Gnostcis believe, that the God of the Old testament was Satan, or the evil God, and the God Jesus preached was the God of good. And they believe in different Gospels, ones without refernces to the old testament. I would sugest you read something like the Gnostic Bible, The Other Bible or another book jwith extra-biblical christian texts.

Answer 10

You need to expand on what really bothers you about the Old Testament. If it is the wars and killings... That's what happens in war. If it is the sex and abuse.... That's what happens in real life too. The Bible tells it all...straight...nothing hidden. Man is truly depraved....and in need of a Savior and that is why Jesus came. He gives mankind hope...when life seems hopeless. He brings forgiveness when none is deserved. He gives the sinner a brand nw clean start...makes us all 'new creations in Christ Jesus" as if we had never sinned. Thank God we don't have to live like they did in the Old Testament...and that we now have a New Testament (covenant).... If you think that Satan was in the O.T. its because he was... influencing mankind to sin and do evil. He is sometimes called the god of this world.... because Satan was cast down to the earth from heaven when he fell due to his pride and arrogance against God.