Don't you ever think that god might possibly use something besides the bible to reveal something to you or teach you a lesson? Wouldn't it be natural to assume that an all powerful deity wouldn't have to work within the limits of a book, even if it is his book?
I've heard this phrase used dozens of times ... especially when I share my experience about becoming an atheist. The things I describe don't line up with the bible, therefore I must be a liar.
2007-03-13 17:17:58 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Scoop -- I'd be more than happy to discuss that with you, if you'd make your email available or contact me.
2007-03-13 17:31:41 · update #1
Please consider this: Most of the Bible is not the word of God. It is a history of the Jewish bloodline from Adam to Jesus. It is about people who were inspired by God, people who were not inspired by God, people who thought they were doing what God wanted them to do, and then, of course, people who used God's name to build their empires.
The Bible is written similar to my family genealogy, a few ideas about life, a few interesting stories, a few words of wisdom from our loving ancestors, but basicly a history of my ancestors. - Why do people call a history book the "word of God" - Of course the 10 commandments and Jesus' direct quotes are pretty much the word of God, but people like to quote Paul or Leviticus to tell you that they are the word of God. That would be like someone quoting an entire law library and saying everything it was the "word of God".
The Bible is a history of the Jews. Proof: All the names in it are Jewish names, --------- smiles
2007-03-13 17:30:02 · answer #1 · answered by MrsOcultyThomas 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think we need to hear your 'experience' and your 'description' about becoming an atheist. I have trouble imagining what you could be saying or describing that would drawn this response from any mature Christian.
Lots, and I mean lots, of Christians do not line up with the Bible. Most check their deeds, their thoughts and their experiences against the Bible.
You also say 'dozens of time' which in my book is at least 36 times or more.
Now it is true and a blessing that experience, deeds and thoughts should line up with the word of God. The catch is that to make the comparison a Christian must know to "rightly divide the word of truth."
If you tell me something I am going to compare it to my own experience and also look into the Bible and I may seek a third witness.
If the thing is not obvious I might even ask for an independent word. In such a case, someone may speak of something that happened to them, or a dream they had or something that happened to a friend. It makes no sense to them but answers to my question.
Sometimes the confirmation takes days or a week. One came to me took six months.
Having said all this, even if what you share doesn't line up with the Bible; doesn't mean your experience did not happen. Just means it did not line up for them. They find themselves instructed not to give weight to what you are saying; as far as what God expects of them in their life.
2007-03-13 18:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by Tommy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. Personal experience can never be false. It is perceived by the senses. How people interpret or give meaning to this personal experience makes it wrong or "false". In short, intellectuality of a person is quite important. An elementary pupil has got a simple interpretation about a single question. The scholar or the aged can have a more subtle interpretation. I believe education is a factor in interpreting anything in this world. Be the education has been aquired informally or formally, it can have an influence in answering whether or not the personal experience is true or "false".
2007-03-13 17:37:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian and I couldn't agree with you more about not just accepting things that are said in the Bible. Even if every single word in it was from God himself, I know from My experiences that He still tells people things today. And yes, sometimes it does not always agree with what the Bible says. It is still "goodness" however. I don't believe God would ever tell someone to do something that was harmful to them or to others.
2007-03-13 17:25:07 · answer #4 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once you accept that the Bible is the word of God, then the phrase you start out with is what makes sense. I would add to that however: "If personal experience doesn't align with the Word of God, then either you have misunderstood what the word of God was saying, or you misunderstood what your personal experience is teaching you."
In yhour case, if you are an atheist, as you say, then you wouldn't consider the Bible to be the Word of God, obviously. So the whole point would be meaningless ot you, wouldn't it?
2007-03-13 17:25:33 · answer #5 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
True. God uses many ways to reveal Himself to us. But He would never use a way that didn't agree with His own word--the Bible. That would make Him a hypocrite. I wouldn't presume to call you a liar, but I would say that you could be wrong.
And if you are an atheist, why would you care what God thinks anyway? Or try to attribute your becoming an atheist to God?
2007-03-13 17:27:56 · answer #6 · answered by beano™ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God (all through the bible) was adamant about following His word (scripture).The religious and political leaders (through the bible) imprisoned and killed prophets and even Jesus for daring to tell them scripture truth.God didn't become PC because the world has.He is and always has been God of His word and truth.
2007-03-13 17:38:55 · answer #7 · answered by robert p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Liar? No. Not if you are expressing your actual beliefs and feelings. If the feelings are wrong, sinful, then that's just what they are...wrong and sinful. If a person (in effect) preaches tries to persuade others to turn their back on God, become atheist, etc. then they are telling lies about God to others. Things that are opposite, disbelief, and degrading to God are lies about God. So in that way, yes, it's telling lies. The EXPRESSION ITSELF might be your actual feelings. It's what the expression MEANS, the MESSAGEit carries, is where the wrong and sin come into play.
2007-03-13 17:35:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God does reveal himself in fresh ways I believe but they must be consistent with his character. If your personal experience of God is contrary to the character of God represented in the Bible then my guess was that you were not truly experiencing God.
But I think we need to be careful when we try to limit God to the Bible. Yes the Bible is the Word of God, but he also reveals himself in other ways besides the Bible.
2007-03-13 17:22:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The bible is sometimes good and sometimes bad, as far as it goes - as literature, as hieratic fable, as "history" or legend, as cultural artifact, etc. As an universal standard of conduct, though, it's hogwash. "The bible is the final authority on everything" is the statement of a person who doesn't want to think for himself about anything. Even Paul said "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
2007-03-13 17:29:38 · answer #10 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is not true, exactly. Everything that is true doesn't necessarily line up with the Bible. I can tell you that I drove to work today, but you will not find that in the Bible, yet it is a truth. But if your experience contradicts the Bible - THEN it is a lie. Big difference.
2007-03-13 17:23:37 · answer #11 · answered by Heaven's Messenger 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋