Why do Christians dismiss some things in the bible but not others?

Question

For example, in a recent question,

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=An9CF7Wjd0EsNACm9KbD2dTsy6IX?qid=20070204124330AApqOjx&show=7#profile-info-AA10407505

.. it was asked about basically how this could be moral teaching.

And yet, one of the replies says that its in the OT and calls it history as though its something to be dismissed.

And yet, the OT is where genesis is.

So, how can genesis be correct but the very valid point of the immoral teachings be dismissed out of hand?

Why is it that only some things apply when you want them to?

marc, but wouldn't that then call into question anything in the OT, including Genesis? Why then, would Genesis continue to apply if you're told that Paul said the OT no longer applies?

The only people actually answering the question are the Atheists which I'm finding rather amusing.

Christians, I'm asking you a direct question and you're not going to get out of the answer unless you choose not to post. Either use the pot or get off it.

Why does only some of the OT apply and not the rest and only when you choose it to apply?

Answer 1

The entire Word of God can be applied to all believers. The Old Testament is mainly concerned with the nation Israel and how God dealt with these people who proved to be quite stiff necked and rebellious toward God. He in turn is Faithful to them. Israel was not suppose to get involved with pagan peoples, because this is the line of genealogy that the Christ was to come from. God wanted the nation of Israel to remain "pure". Meaning, their faith was toward Jehovah, not pagan gods. These women were pagan and they were destroyed because they were enticing the Jews away from what they knew God wanted them to do. So they all paid a big price for it. Was this harsh? Probably to you and I we say, "for sure". But, the nation of Israel was well aware that they were to be separate from the pagan nations for a reason. God brought judgement on them. Is there a moral teaching here. I would say that if God speaks directly to you and say go here or do this you do it. There is a price to pay for rebellion. Numbers is not a favourite book with most Christians so don't be surprised if you don't get too many answers.

Answer 2

I believe God gave us the ability to think, to question and to interpret. Our interpretation may not always be accurate (we probably won't know what is accurate until the end times), questions may not always be posed in such a way as to get a good answer and our thinking my be blurred... but those are the gifts we have been given.

And... who says all Christians belief that the Genesis Creation story is factual?

What I read and hear from the Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) I believe must be taken and understood within a historical context. Again, it is that thinking thing I spoke of ...

Answer 3

Paul did not say the Old Testament does NOT APPLY. He said it is "for our learning". GOD had Genesis written as our History. History does not change. It remains the same. The question that you referenced would not have been too bad if it were taken in context. This person had no idea what was going on or why those evil people were KILLED. They were similar to a diseased group in our society that could not be kept away from others and could not be cured. GOD said they needed to be killed and that was that.

Answer 4

again, if we did take each and every note and keep on with the Bible to a "T", may everyone be left to procreate or may 1/2 the international be stoned to lack of existence??? that is humorous to me that some %. and decide what they experience are worse sins than others because of what it says interior the Bible. flow some pages lower back or some pages the front of the position it says what you've quoted and that i'd be keen to wager you'll locate you probably did a "no-no" someplace alongside the line. Or, flow to the position it talks about judging and perhaps there you'll see your self, and enable God be the decide of the homosexuals and their acts you experience are sinful. keep interpreting and also you may even see your self in alot extra places.

Answer 5

Paul did not dismiss the old testament but I will say it needs to be read with wisdom and Gods guidance. the way thing were then are very different to now we can not fully understand the meaning and culture of that time but there is still much wisdom in the OT

Answer 6

We operate under a new covenant with God.
The Bible was Spiritually written, and therefore must be interrupted by that same Spirit. That is why the different translations and interpretations are a moot point. We use both, because the Spirit does. We also live by the law of the Spirit, and not the old laws and ways of doing things. If you do not have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you will never understand. It will look like foolishness to you.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070204124840AAIESfI&r=w#NbUvWjO1WTjNtlHCgugo

Answer 7

Religious fundamentalism of any type is pure, unadulterated crap. Two people cannot read an article in People magazine the same way much less a holy book. In the Bible, there are sections devoted to slavery, rape and genocide that are not mentioned by Fundies. Why? Are some words in the Bible more important than others? Doesn't this defeat literalism? Fundies sometimes fall back on, "Oh, things were different then." Well, our scientific understanding of life is also different now but that does not concern them. Another trick they like to play is, "It's a mistranslation." "Jesus didn't turn water into wine: he turned it into grapejuice." Perhaps the presence of one mistranslation might cause them to pause before embracing literalism, but no.

Answer 8

Ya no I am not christain but I am NOT atheist either I simply choose to believe in what I can see and feel ect ...
But as I was growing up and so on I was raised of course as most everyone else in society christian and when I was older decided to start really looking at christainty ...
What I have found is that almost EVERY religion beliving in GOD and the bible ... picks the bible apart and chooses to follow what it sees fit ....
Therefore ignoring parts of the bible in essence ....
Examples of this are as follows ,
Any christian has this same exact saying in there bible however it is labeled NO MAN SHALL LAY WITH ANOTHER MAN NO WOMAN SHALL LAY WITH ANOTHER WOMAN NO MAN OR WOMAN SHALL LAY WITH AN ANIMAL ....
Yet in alot of religions today the GAYS seem to forget this simply text .... WHY IS THAT ???
There is NO way to misunderstand , misinterpret ... this text it is CLEARLY stated ...
So christains merely conform the bible to there own needs , beliefs , and or desires

Answer 9

things like this were written right when civilization first appeared in the b.c. times and along with that came old traditions and laws for example a lot of your native tribes have the same laws " sacrifices to the gods " and if you dont do it there will be doom and devastation, as time goes on and civilization becomes more civilized you will see less and less of it and more of a modern way of thinking, so people dismiss it because it doesnt fit in there idea of society today

Answer 10

Because the bible was written by man and man is not above making mistakes. Besides that, the bible has been rewritten so many times it's very probable that a lot has been lost or added to it. I believe there is a rooted message there, one of a God that is about love and this the one I choose to place my trust in. I believe anything that contradicts this to be false.