A question for the Christians: What if someone who claimed to be devinely inspired wanted to add to the Bible?

Question

What if someone in this day and age said that just like the writers of the Bible that God had spoken to them and had a message for everyone and insisted that God wanted them to add their conversation to the Bible, would it be hard for you to believe?

If you would find this hard to believe, then I think you at least have a better idea of the skepticism that atheists have. After all, if God is there and used to talk to people, it shouldn't be all that hard to believe that God would do so again if you really believe God did so in the first place, right?

Answer 1

God does this every day billions of times a day.

No one is listening. Their minds are too full of religious nonsense to understand what He is saying to them.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

Most Christians would point to Rev.22:18-19, "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."

Whether this applies to the whole Bible or just to the book of Revelation is subject to debate, though. First of all, the author didn't write this book knowing that it would be the last book of the bible and the N.T. The books of the N.T. weren't firmly established until at least a couple centuries after Revelation was written, *and* there was no such thing as the N.T. at the time. Also this passage refers specifically to a "book of prophecy," an accurate description of Revelation, but not of the whole Bible, which contains prophecy but also other genres as well.

The short answer is that most Christians would regard it as blasphemous, but a small number might possibly accept it. Those who would accept it would probably end up as a separate sect or denomination, or maybe even another religion entirely like the Mormons.

Answer 3

So many people have referred to Revelations about "adding to the book" but nobody has mentioned that it also states this in the Old Testament which was written before the New Testament. How do they answer that? Your answer is simple. They would not be able to add their word to The Bible but, would be able to submit for the world a book that would need to be accepted by whatever the people believe. It is not up to the Theologists to determine that something came from God but it would be for each individual to decide for themselves what to believe. The Mormons have never claimed that the Book of Mormon was an addition to the bible but, a book unto itself and a history of the people on the American continent with God's word to them. The Quran likewise is not to be considered an addition to The Bible but, the word of Muhammad to the people of the Muslim faith. Of course this is all my humble opinion.

Answer 4

Deut. 4:2- says- do not ADD or take away from these words. In Revelation it talks about if any one adds to these words it is wrong- so therefore, I would not believe any one who came and said they had a new word for the Bible- not because of anything they said, but what my Lord says in His Word. Joseph Smith, who started the Mormon religion said, he has a second revelation from Jesus- that actually He appeared to Joseph with new words- however, Jesus has said, that when He comes again the believers will be with Him- He did not say, I will appear to more people and give them new revelations- The Bible says, DO NOT ADD WORDS- so that is what I believe.

Answer 5

No one has added anything since Jesus' time.

No, it would not be accepted. The Bible states nothing is to be added or taken away. It is complete now.

It also states that there will be many false prophets and miracles that will happen in the last days. These will be the works of Satan.

As far as God talking to people literally? Doesn't happen anymore. God has been steadily pulling himself out as more and more of his creation choose to not believe in him. Satan runs the show of the world......doing a great job isn't he? But God will win in the end......

Answer 6

I guess you can only go on this person's word on wether or not God told him to put it in the Bible. But in my heart I truly find it hard to believe. Yes, I do believe God spoke to people. But why now? Why would God have someone add something to His perfect words now? And are you sure this person was told to add it to the Bible not just to spread the message?

Answer 7

First of all, if God has anything to say, He will say it to the one that it is meant for. Second of all, IF anyone ADDS to Gods Word OR Takes away from Gods Word the wrath of God will fall on that person on Judgment Day. READ Revelation 22: 18,19,20. EVEN Christ said in the New Testament that "I have told you all things"--He has also said whenever He was questioned, "have you not read" or "It is written" READ these few verses. I will help you, It is THE LAST CHAPTER of REVELATION the LAST few verses in THE New Testament in THE BACK of the Bible. I do not know how to make it any simpler. I am NOT being rude, but want you to read it for yourself. Christ also said that, "you have had the Prophets, and you stoned and killed them"

Answer 8

There are lots of texts written by Jesus own family and friends that are not in the bible. The council of Nicea closed the canon a long, long time ago. We're stuck with the one we've got. They will never look at the bible as malleable again, not since it was first translated into the vernacular in Europe by John Wycliffe and Martin Luther 500 years ago. But you can always read the Apocrypha, and read the gospel of St. Thomas or Mary Magdalene. Google it.

Answer 9

it wouldnt be hard for me to belive, except for the fact that God has specifically stated at the end of the Book of revelation, that none are to add or take away from the BIble, and any who do will face harsh penalty. therefore, since the BIble as a whole is funished as the written work of God, then we would classify those who made such claims with Much skepticism, not because God Dosent speak to people, But because ultiamtely we have to be sure to match the person cliams to the BIble, because there are many false prohets.

Athiest dont have skepticsm problem, They are rebellious against God Just as much as anyone, they Just use skepticicms as an excuse to reject it. I canot speak for all skeptics, but in my case, I simply ididnt want there to be a God, and I used skepticicms to avouid the issue. It's funny that you mentioned God speaking to people, because as I was skeptically reading The BIble God spoke to me, the message was Galatians 1:6-9
: ”I am astonished you are so quickly removed from the Gospel you have heard to another, apparently there are some who have confused you and perverted the Gospel of Christ, but if any man preach unto you any other, then let them be eternally Condemned.” It basically took God, putting it to me hard, for me to belive and fall beofre him in mercy, this really shook me and caused me to examine my own heart in the Light of Gods Law. For example, have you ever lied? ever stolen something? ever looked with lust? ever used Gods name in vain? if you have said yes to these four questions, then by your own admission, your a lying theiving blaphsemous adulterer at heart, and thats How God will see you. Thats How God saw me, and he made it very clear, that the penalty for sin is death and hell. Once I understood my sin, I understood why Christ died, he took the penalty for the sins of mankind, God poured out his wrath upon Jesus instead of us. I repented toward God, turned from my sin and trusted in Jesus as Lord and savior. The Moment I did, God forgave me and granted me the gift of everlasting life, I now Know I have been forgiven and will live with him in paradise. and Thats what God comands you to do today, because if you have broken those commandments, it wont matter How skeptial you are toward the Belife in God, you will still face him on Judgement day, Lets get our hearts right with God Now, because there is no assurance of tommorrow.
God Bless
Apostle

Answer 10

Actually, the founder of Mormonism (I think his name was Joseph Smith) did just that. He claimed that Jesus spoke to him and inspired to write the book of Mormon.

In general, I would want to listen to what they have to say and see if their message was theologically sound before I make a decision. Many people claim that God speaks to them. Sometimes God can talk to people and sometimes it's just their own thoughts. There have been times when God has spoken to me regarding important decisions in my life. Then there have been other times when I thought God was speaking to me, but later discerned that it was not God and just my own thoughts.
In general, if "God" is telling you to do something that will harm yourself or others, it's not God.

There have even been times in the Bible when people thought God was talking to them when it was just their dreams or imagination. For instance, Abraham thought that God told him to sacrifice his son Isaac. He was already to kill Isaac when God sent an angel down and said, "ABRAHAM, DON'T HARM YOUR SON! THAT WASN'T REALLY GOD SPEAKING, YOU NUTCASE!" Ok, it wasn't exactly those words, but you get the idea.

So to answer your question, I would have to hear what the person's message was before I could determine if it was the voice of God or not.

Answer 11

at the end of revelation it is plainly (by God) written that no man add or take away from this book. ...end of conversation....by the way, you must have an interest in the true God Himself or you wouldnt have posted this question. i find those who argue against christian beliefs are those who really want to believe in the first place....they are just so busy trying to prove God to themselves so they can have the green light....so keep asking! :)