Jesus said in Matthew 5:29-30: "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."
2007-01-27 12:28:45 · 23 answers · asked by James-hova RTR: Suspended Champ 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If it is not to ne taken litterally in all circumstances, by what standard do you pick and choose what is to be taken litterally?
2007-01-27 12:33:33 · update #1
I'll ask again, how do you *KNOW* what is supposed to be litteral and what is not supposed to be litteral or symbolic? Just guess?
2007-01-27 12:59:42 · update #2
Excellent question.
See them backpedalling to say why its not literal.
There was one girl here in R&S who wrote a long paragraph on how she believed EVERY single letter of every word of the bible as truth. She hasnt mentioned anything about gouging out her eyes or cutting of her hands when she sinned.
2007-01-27 13:21:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The only way you will ever know what the many, many authors of the Bible meant by writing what they wrote is to study the history of the Bible's composition, which will throw up a few surprises.
The first thing, which I think you've guessed already, is that the Bible is basically impossible to live up to. The Jews solved this up to a point by erecting a massive commentary, known as the Talmud, commenting on the laws set out in what Christians call the Old Testament. This commentary describes how you should follow the law, and also sets out the various exceptions under which you could reasonably not follow a given law, and also states which laws are to be given precedent over others. The problem with this is that the commentary on the law is quite explicitly written by men (albeit holy men), not by god, and so it's hard to see why a person should follow one person's commentary rather than another.
The Muslims solved it in a slightly simpler and maybe more powerful way, by having their own prophet - Muhammad - who respected the god of the Bible but who claimed to have his own book that was dictated by god himself, and was therefore infallible. The problem with this is that you have only the Koran to go on as evidence that Muhammad was really being dictated to by god, and how convincing you find it is very much a personal matter.
The Christians solved it by claiming that a man called Jesus, leader of a small and highly obscure Jewish sect, was in fact the son of god, and not only that, he was put to death but came back to life again and now lives forever, and that as long as you believe that this was so, you too will live forever. The problem with this is that it's basically not very plausible, as there is not the slightest evidence that anybody has ever lived forever, even those who claimed to be the son of god.
The best thing you can do, in my opinion, is reject the idea that how we ought to behave has to be dictated by what some supposed god says we should do, and work out instead how we can live with each other with the maximum amount of satisfaction all round. This is, I think, a human problem and not one so complicated that we need to invent god to solve it.
2007-01-27 21:49:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is a literal truth but you must understand the language. This is part of a sermon starting with Matt 5:1. The language is simple and direct.
Matt 5:27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[e] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Jesus is talking about adultery. And then generalizes with examples. If something causes you to sin, remove it (literally)
2007-01-27 20:41:34 · answer #3 · answered by J. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He was expressing the seriousness of sin, and how it snowballs into evil. If someone did that today, sin or not, they would get locked up in a nut house. Some man, cut his off to keep from being drug by a train, and they thought he was crazy. He saved his own life, and was deemed nuts. Go figure, the prejudices of people, and now the law also.
2007-01-27 20:37:24 · answer #4 · answered by Kathy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus spoke very literally in many instances and in some cases, not literally.
And what if Jesus did mean the scripture that you have referred to to be taken literally? Godly men in history have had themselves castrated to avoid sexual sin. I don't condone this but I would venture to say they overcame their sin.
I fear to answer with more clarity - there are enough people with insane practices already. To some who are committing sins of pornography, they need to spiritually cut their eyes out. To others who are selling illegal drugs, they need to spiritually chop off their hands.
But I really don't believe separating ourselves from our body members will remove the "adultery of the heart" (Matt. 5:28) that Jesus is talking about. We ultimately need Him.
2007-01-27 20:52:58 · answer #5 · answered by faithful 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those punishements were based on the old laws, when the people were bound by gods law. After the birth and death of jesus, the people were/ are bound by grace. This changes alot for christians
2007-01-27 21:01:17 · answer #6 · answered by elektricklad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the Bible isn't the literal first copy of the ancient text it has been altered by the church to include a fear factor for controlling the people. i found that a good rule to follow ,is ,if it's not of the highest feeling of love and goodness then it's a church add in
2007-01-27 20:47:32 · answer #7 · answered by moonie5353 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
you for got the part about owning slaves, mind you some still think this is OK, as well as multiple marriages, and killing your children, Come on if you are going to ask a question, do your research, other wise you may look foolish and ignorant
2007-01-27 20:35:24 · answer #8 · answered by rkilburn410 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus spoke in parables to make a point. Storytelling is one of the best ways to obtain understanding.
2007-01-27 20:32:47 · answer #9 · answered by charles 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said he would be right back, but found out he wasnt immortal. If he was around now, I am sure he would answer your question
2007-01-27 20:33:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋