How do you reconcile the fact that the Bible is "THE REVEALED WORD OF GOD" with the fact that it was edited my several men (N.B. not females) some of whom were pagans, all of whom were polititians and many books just as valid as those included were excluded
2007-03-13 07:17:59 · 34 answers · asked by Mawech 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Modern day Christian doctrine rests upon the premise that God preserved the Bible in an absolute infallible and pure state, in order that all men should know the (historical) truth and believe in the Son of God. Their doctrinal position is that if God permitted the Bible to have been altered, then the present day church could not be genuine.
Based upon this dogmatic presumption that the Christian Church must be maintained in order for man to be saved, they reason that God would not allow the written word of the scriptures to be corrupted. Thus, modern Christians cling to this doctrine -- ignoring overwhelming evidence to the contrary -- evidence that demonstrates conclusively that our Bible has been severely altered and edited -- because they fail to grasp the very foundational principles of the New Covenant itself -- principles that are not historical, but spiritual.
It is not until we understand that the Bible is a road-map that leads us to the Gate of the Kingdom, and the Word that is written in our hearts -- rather than a final revelation from God to man -- that we are able to even begin to come to terms with the Spiritual Gospel of Christ that can never be corrupted.
When directly confronted with the overwhelming evidence and facts with respect to the wholesale corruption of the scriptures, the fundamentalist defensively responds with the rather absurd assertion that "God wrote the King James Version of the Bible". Thus, no amount of rationale will convince them that because we are the prodigal sons of our Heavenly Father, and the Kingdom is within us (Luke 17:21), that all those who truly live a consecrated life will be shown the undefiled Word of God that can be accessed by journeying along the narrow path that opens the "strait gate" that leads to the indwelling Temple (1 Cor 3:16).
The great truth which the modern Christian fails to comprehend is that, even in its corrupted form, the Bible as it has been passed down to us is sufficient to manifest the Living Word of God in the life of the individual believer.
One only has to open the New Testament to almost any page to find the message: If the believer consecrates their lives -- becomes teachable by releasing their minds from an adherence to the doctrines of men -- forgive and judge no one -- live a simple life that is unencumbered -- do no harm to any of God’s creatures -- and seek in solitude the companionship of the Lord in the inner Temple -- that the Holy Spirit will Anoint and Teach you all the Mysteries of God as the believer begins the journey home to the Kingdom.
If the believer begins to live the consecrated Christian life -- free of the thinking and entanglements of this world -- then the indwelling Word will reveal all things to those who are sincere in their search for the Truth.
2007-03-13 07:24:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Keep in mind before I answe this that I am one of those funny liberal Christians. First off, I don't believe the Bible is the perfect word of God. I do read the Gnostic scriptures and get a great deal of insight from them (especially from the gospel of Thomas). I think the revelation of God IS perfect; however, it is only perfect in it's true form. The first chapter of the gospel of John states that in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was and then the word became flesh. The perfect revelation of God isn't the Bible that has been edited multiple times; rather, it is the word in the flesh--Jesus Christ. That is what I believe is flawless and perfect.
I do know the bible was edited. I know there is a letter to the Corinthians that we haven't found and probably never will. I know that the book of Revelation only made it into the Canon by one vote. I do believe that Hebrews was actually written by a woman, however. So I disagree with you about it only being men. But, yes, the majority of them were. I see the stories in scripture as faith based and do not try to turn them into a science story (like the story of creation). I know the authors had an agenda, but when I research the author and figure out what that agenda is things make more sense to me -- not less.
Basically said, it doesn't bother me at all that the Bible was edited. My faith is based upon God -- not a book alone.
2007-03-13 07:28:22 · answer #2 · answered by One Odd Duck 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I beleive the bible is 100% correct,
have you ever heard of bible prophecy
the bible was writtten by over 40 different authors from all over, and from different walks of life, NOT PAGANS AND NOT POLITIANS - tent makers, farmers, shepherds, fishermens, priests and kings. despite these differences and these men had never met, or even read what the other had wirtten they all have a commen theme.
from genesis Jesus was prophesised to come to the world, that was written thousands of years in advance, there are thousands of prophecies, some even being fulfilled in our day and age, but yet people seem to think that the bible has no releveance to todays world. infact the bible says that in the end times there will be more people than ever not believing the bible.
and today there is more people than ever.
and your point about people having editted the bible, if you look at the original manuscripts they are all completly accurate.
2007-03-13 07:31:00 · answer #3 · answered by royalalice1989 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First thing who told you that pagans were there? Second those books that were discarded were not actual lets by the Apostles. The ones that were written by the Apostles were the ones that went in. Third the Bible was put together in 398 A.D. And everyone present were Christians, Bishops to be exact. It was called the Council of Trent. Study next time before you ask a stupid question.
2007-03-13 07:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by The Teacher 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Look, the only reason the Bible was edited was not only to make it readable by the Western civilization, but to make it understandable to the Western civilization. God revealed his word to the authors of the books.
Imagine you're at a computer, and someone told you to write all this stuff down about God. It's like he'd tell you what to type, and you'd type it. That's how God wrote the Bible.
It was only edited in order for it to be given to other people, to spread his word.
2007-03-13 07:23:40 · answer #5 · answered by GiR 2.0 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible has proven to be truth, because the Holy Spirit resides in those who believe, giving them knowledge of the truth of His word--and it is the POWER of God--not something made up...not man's intentions, but the power of the Holy Spirit! As God says "Faith comes from hearing and by hearing the WORD of God" Romans 10:17---and how amazingly true this is! Many people are being saved and changed each day by God's powerful word.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
1 Corinthians 1:18
[ Christ the Wisdom and Power of God ] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
2007-03-13 07:24:59 · answer #6 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certain books were excluded because they weren't valid. I am in the process of reading these excluded books and they are very interesting. The Bible is a book about how to live successfully in this world. Don't knock it till you've read it.
2007-03-13 07:41:20 · answer #7 · answered by Birdman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im not a christian but i do religious studies and the teacher says christians believe the people who wrote the bible were under the influence of the holy spirit, part of the trinity, so is "THE REVEALED WORD OF GOD". Only the mistakes were from men showing they are not perfect.
2007-03-13 07:23:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they should have left the Book of Enoch in, but they didn't ask my opinion. I figure what was necessary got in there, that He guided the men as far as what they could and couldn't omit. I do realize why the gnostic texts weren't included, they were written too many years after the crucifiction to be deemed even to be written by even third parties of those who actually knew Him.
2007-03-13 07:29:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well that's why we're told to read it with an open heart and pray about it, because there is false doctrines in it. And there's nothing stopping us from reading other books to get the info from that was excluded by those controlling men
2007-03-13 08:05:01 · answer #10 · answered by david c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋