Do you believe that as Christians we have changed the meaning of scripture to fit our comfort level?

Question

I feel that over time Christians have changed the meaning of scripture in order to suit our needs and wants instead of being ok with what God wants for us.. how do we know its not a million times better then what we could imagine. For example, I struggle with being alone since my hubby walked out in September of 2004. I have pushed myself forward but have to admit its hard. I could easily change verses such as "marital unfaithfulness" and have that be my out, but truth is, he never physically cheated that I know of. heck, if that was the case, I think that most women and men could be called adulterers. SHEESH! So, do you think we have changed the Bible to fit our needs? Do you think that we use it as a buffet table to fit our comfort level?
Let me know! I esspecially want to hear from other Christians on this subject. Thanks!

Answer 1

I think it happens all the time...sadly.

Answer 2

Absolutely. If that were not the case, every Christian and even non-Christian could agree on exactly what the Bible means. Why is there a constant debate between those that believe in capital punishment and those that do not? Why is that some "radical" pro-life supporters think it's okay to take the life of abortionists or even pro-choice supporters?

People want all of the things they believe in to fit together and interpret their religion to go along with that. It's not just Christianity, it's most religions. You don't suppose that all Muslims are terrorists that are okay with building-bombing, do you?

Christianity is filled with so many different interpretations and myths that the original meaning of the religion often gets lost in the hype. Yes, I am a Christian but I frequently have a hard time identifying with other Christians because of all of the misunderstanding. I don't think I know everything about God but I don't think anyone else does either.

Answer 3

Hi I'm Christian, and I study from the manuscripts, which are clear on the subject;
Divorce is not a sin, Adultery would be if it applied here, but sounds like it does not.
If your husband walkd out and left you back in 2004, you have absolutely no requirement of God to stay in that marriage.
According to the Greek Text, God will look upon the marriage as if it never occured.
You are free in Christ, and if anyone, whether it be a church or a person, trys to tell you otherwise, they are putting you and your life in bondage; and that is not the will of God for you - someone is lieing to you.

Do I think the Scriptures are changed to suit our comfort level? In Sunday Schools all over America, you can find the story of Eve eating the Apple in the Garden of Eden. Its not Biblical. There was no fruit eating sin recorded in the Garden. Eve had sexual relations with Satan, and gave birth to two sons Cain and Abel; Abel was Adams son, but Cain was Satans Son. Thats what is written in the manuscripts. Why the Apple story then? A Catholic Priest told me when I asked him "Well, we can't very well tell a child such a thing". If you don't start someone off with the truth, how is anyone supposed to understand the rest of it? The answer is that most people don't even realize as adults that Cain was Satans Son, and I mean Christians who go to Church on Sundays. Its unbelievable. Biblical illiteracy runs absolutely rampant in this US of A.
Of course, I have to keep reminding myself that it was prophecied that the mass majority would be starving to death for the real truth of God. There ya go........

Answer 4

I'm sure that people have been doing what you described since the first century.

2 Peter 3:15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

You do know that if your hubby is not a believer that you are free to divorce him because of abandonment don't you?

1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.

Answer 5

little question. guy is continually seeking to justify egocentric choose. in spite of the indisputable fact that the concern is plenty plenty deeper. Marriage is a company that strengthens the pillars of our society. kinfolk values define the real nature of our civilization. the u . s . a . has between the utmost divorce costs of all commercial international locations. The kinfolk in united statesa. is decrease than attack...our sturdy youthful adult men are led away to war, jointly as the conflict is nice right here at our very own front doors. the beginning of the u . s . a . is quickly eroding. Christians television ministers lead the %. in many ungodly acts. The bible states "If the blind lead the blind, they the two shall fall into the trench." in case you haven't any longer given in to the temptation, thank GOD and pray for the rest human beings. For 10 years I even have not been untrue, yet temptation is there. We could desire to have faith God can save us, if we'd opt for to be stored. enable us to no longer seem at our management, religious or political, God will choose them. Prayer is amazingly plenty needed decrease back in our colleges, we call our selves a Christian united states of america, yet injury too lots of our very own regulations.

Answer 6

Oh I certainly agree. Consider the new "Inclusive Bibles". I do not think most women are that dumb that they do not know that God is talking about the gender of women when he speaks of man. They do not have to put the politically correct stuff in there. They also do the inclusive language stuff in a vertical way besides a Horizontal way which is strictly forbidden. I don't care how many times the gay stuff is pushed God is not a female

Answer 7

Each person who reads the word of God will put at least a little "spin" on it to suit their particular need. That is not the same as re-interpreting it as long as it is always seen in context. Sometimes a particular verse will for some reason strike a cord in me when I read it. I don't know why but I trust that God allows it for His reasons. His word after all is for our comfort and our wisdom.

As far as mankind or religions changing the meaning, yes, I do think that has happened to some extent. The key to either agreeing or disagreeing with what a particular church body teaches should always be whether or not it agrees with the word of God when read in context and when compared to the life of Christ. If it does not, then it is not in agreement.

Answer 8

Unfortunately Protestantism has had precisely this effect. You can't really blame them I suppose, since they have no genuine authority to back up their various interpretations of the Bible, so whatever someone thinks is the meaning of a text becomes the meaning for him. Still this lack of true authority is by choice. Unfortunately, many of the interpretations various denominations preach are directly opposed to other denominations' interpretations of the same passages, which is inevitable using their unbiblical approach to doctrinal belief. Conflicting beliefs mean false beliefs, for truth cannot conflict with truth.

There is one Church though that still teaches the fullness of biblical truth under full authority. The Church which Jesus Christ Himself founded for all mankind. The Church to which He said "whatsoever you bind upon earth is bound in heaven"; to which He said "he who hears you hears Me"; and to which He said "the Holy Spirit will guide you to all truth". The Church which is described in the Bible as "the pillar and foundation of truth". If you feel the need for more than is available in manmade denominational religion; if you feel the need for the full impact of God's Word in your life, not just pick-and-choose passages that support a particular denominational set of beliefs; then Christ's own Church, the Holy Catholic Church, invites you. Take a look. If you are truly Christian you will like what you see.
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Answer 9

Yes.

Example: How often do you hear people protesting women's rights now, quoting the Bible which says that they are beneath men and should worship men as men worship Christ? I'm sure that it was brought up during the women's rights movements, but not anymore, because such ideas or no longer accepted.

People alter the meaning of scripture, accepting and rejecting passages, as is most appropriate for themselves and for society.

Answer 10

Absolutely I do. The Bible even says, that man is going to hear what they want to hear, and they will twist it to make it convenient for them. I am saying that many Christians do this not all of them. I don't do it, I read God's Word pure, I encourage you strongly, don't sugar coat it or water it down. It is so important to take God at His Word, and not try to change it or make it into something you want to hear. But to answer your question, yes, I think Christians change God's Word to fit their comfort level.

Answer 11

Well why do you think there are more than 30,000 Protestant denominations in the world? They are all following their own interpretation of Scripture.

Martin Luther left the Catholic Church because he did not agree with parts of it. Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin later left -- but they did not agree with Luther -- nor with each other! The rest, as they say, is history.....30,000 denominations later. Obviously it is getting worse -- not better!