If God wanted us to follow his teachings.....?

Question

Why did he make the bible so hard to understand? We have so many religions based on the same book so they can't all have got it right.

OK. I'll rephrase this for the sake of an answer..When God got man to create the bible for him why didn't he get them to write it in a way which was easy to understand?

Answer 1

The Bible is deliberately constructed in such a way as to encourage people to derive their own meanings from it, and such a deliberation comes with the blessing, rather than the condemnation, of God. Throughout, however, runs a theme that rules and instructions must always take a back seat to a genuine Love for others, and any interpretation should really acknowledge this truth

The purpose of the Bible, really, is to ask questions of us that we would not otherwise think of. What's more, it doesn't itself always provide a single answer; rather, it provides many answers to some of its own questions and none of the answers to others. It is the genuine search for the transfinite meaning of the book that is exactly the fulfilment of the scripture, and the very structure and content of it is a testament to this Truth.

Answer 2

The Bible started to be written some 3,500 years ago, so the language and the culture at that time was very different to ours. That goes some way to explaining why people today might find the Bible hard to understand. Unless you're an archaeologist or a historian, it would be difficult to know how people lived back then. That's why we find the way they spoke, their laws and customs strange. Imagine if you went 3,500 years into the future and tried to communicate with people then - don't you think they would find your speech strange?

However, God has always made sure His Word gets through, and over the centuries, it has been copied and translated so that ordinary people, like you and me, can get to read it. Pick a translation that is modern and easy to understand like THE MESSAGE by Eugene H Peterson. Boy, do the words jump off the pages and grab you by the throat! It's kind of in your face, and very easy to understand.

Another way to understand the Bible is to TALK about it with other people. Ask questions, get into a discussion. That way you can get background information so you realise why people did what they did at that time. The only danger in asking questions on the Internet is that you get confusing and often contradictory advice. Just look at the answers you've got to this question!

But remember, to those who genuinely seek, God never turns away. Just keep on asking those questions and persist in demanding answers.

Answer 3

The fact that God's word had remained a mystery for many years is due to the fact that were not ready for it. We are told in the Bible that light on God's word would get lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established. In other words our understanding of it would increase as we drew nearer to the day of God's action. For an example, Daniel who was a Prophet of God in the 600's BCE was given many visions, he was then told "for your part, keep secret the vision, because it is yet for many days" (Daniel 8:26). He was given the vision but at that time God was not ready for man to understand it as his time had not yet arrived. Today the Bible is very clear to those who look into it deeply.
Your point about the various religions, well just because they 'claim' to follow the same book doesn't mean they do. In the Bible we are told not to kill and yet numerous religious groups back their countries troops, even when they are being sent off to kill men of the same faith! These religions have not got it right.
We are told that God created the earth and yet as well as scientists many religions are now stating that we evolved. That's right, even though they claim to base all their teachings on the Bible they are ignoring Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth". They to have got it wrong.
Not all religions have got it right, they cannot have, their believes are to contradictory. I have found in my experience that there is only one true religion. Just as there is one God there can only be one true religion.

Further to Sidwell's point, Man was told to write these things down. For one example, the apostle John when writing Revelation was told "Write, because these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:5).

Answer 4

What do you mean so many religions? Are you talking about the various Christian denominations? They all believe in the Bible. Don't believe what others tell you, read it yourself. It's not that hard. If the King James version is hard to understand read a modern translation like The Book, or the New International Version, or whichever one you can find. I've read it several times and always learn something new. Here's a website where you can find a copy:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=190271&sp=57544&p=1018818

Answer 5

They don't all have it right. Religions are based on man's interpretation of God's word, and that certainly leaves a lot of room for differences in opinion. As for why the Bible is "so hard to understand"...we don't read it in the language it was written...lost in translation.

Answer 6

The bible is not hard to understand. Read it as a love story from God. The bible actually explains to you why God create Men and how much He loves them. It also explain why He has to bring forth His Son to die in order for us to be sinless and thus He can fellowship with us.

There is only one truth. That's in the bible. Christianity is not a religion because it is based on the truth. However, it requires simple faith to follow and then you will be able to see the miracles. If miracles is what you desire, Then read more about His secrets to receiving them.

Forget about 'other books'. Go and listen more God's messages and I assure you that He will set you free indeed. REad:
http://www.newcreation.org.sg/

Answer 7

God did not make the Bible man did
It is the different interpretations that confuse people
So they then rely on what they are told

A Quote for you to ponder : )

I have one life and one chance to make it count for something . . . I'm free to choose what that something is, and the something I've chosen is my faith. Now, my faith goes beyond theology and religion and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands -- this is not optional -- my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.
By Jimmy Carter

Love & Blessings
Milly

Answer 8

That's why there are many different styles of the bible..get a childrens bible if youre having trouble..its not a shame, its only a shame if you don't try. Keep on in the faith ok. A new book is about to unfold!

Answer 9

the short answer would be that people made the Bible hard to understand, and people got the messages wrong when starting new religions. It's not God's fault that people are idiots, oh wait...

Answer 10

Written by cleaver people at a time when unless you were a scholar your level of literacy was probably very low. Therefore the the affluent rich minority could arrange "the word of God" to suit their needs, thus confusion was just another tool in their box.