Bible Quoting Christians I have a couple of questions. . .?

Question

Why when you quote the bible do you rarely, if ever, quote actually what Jesus said?

Is it because he really only answered two things directly Pray with all your heart and soul and Love God and your neighbor as yourself?

Now before you go off on me I am Christian (Catholic to be exact so I am sure many of you think of me as the "whore of Babylon" ) and I don't understand why you do this. I was taught you do not take the bible literally. You do not piece it out to suit your needs or views. That evangelization or witnessing God is being his acts of love in the world in caring for everyone as Jesus cared for them irregardless of who they are or what they believe, no strings attached. And that the Word of God (in Christian tradition) is Jesus himself.

Regina being a grad student in theology, yes I have read the bible (and many other things). Jesus is asked somewhere around 137 direct questions. They are all answered with parables never a direct statement except for the two questions I addressed above. And as I said the Word of God is Jesus in Christian theology. The bible is the word of God. The bible does not trump Jesus.

Kumi I do not question the Word of God for the Word of God (capital W is Jesus), the word of God (small w= lesser status) is the bible. I do question the word of God when it's interpretations contradict Jesus' (the Word) teachings. If I struggled with my faith as you say and have no knowledge, why am I studying for the ministry?

Answer 1

Amen, sister (Catholic here). There's a great quote from St. Francis of Assisi that goes something like this: "Preach and spread the gospel every minute of every day of your life, and when necessary, use words."

Live the Faith, and God bless.

Answer 2

It's impossible to have read the entire Bible...especially the Gospels....and believe Jesus never answered questions directly. You may be posting comments which disagree with human visitors...but you are questioning the Word of God...questioning the Lord.

In the private email you sent me...I sent scriptures, half of which were direct, clear, statements and answers from Jesus, yet you still expressed doubt.

There is nothing anyone here on Yahoo Answers can do for you...because it sounds like you are a Christian who is wrestling with the issue of Faith. Only the Lord can address that for you. Please go to him in prayer. God Bless.

Edit: (reply to additonal response):

Dear Cathy, true wisdom and knowledge comes from the Lord, not man-made institutions which "teach" one how to "study" for ministry with the mind and intellect. Without guidance from the Holy Spirit, the above often leads to self-righteousness and pride, without "true" understanding of scripture.

Please remember...there are millions of Pastors with Theology Degrees who teach heresy and false prophecy everyday. Be careful...as many of your archived questions and comments appear to be treading a very fine line.

God Bless

Psalm 119:97-104

Answer 3

I'm catholic too. And I hate when people take a bible verse to prove a point. Half the time it's out of context. I was raised old schooled in Catholic beliefs. And that included not having to read the bible you learned through the first and second reading and the gospels. But I have read the bible not all the way through. But enough to now when someone takes a bible verse and uses it to there own advantage.Why do atheist quote bible versus if they don't believe in god.

Answer 4

Christ did not say, "Sit down and write Bibles and scatter them over the earth, and let every man read his Bible and judge for himself." If Christ had said that, there would never have been a Christianity on the earth at all, but a Babylon and confusion instead, and never one Church, the union of one body. Hence, Christ never said to His Apostles, "Go and write Bibles and distribute them, and let everyone judge for himself." That injunction was reserved for the Sixteenth Century, and we have seen the result of it. Ever since the Sixteenth Century there have been springing up religion upon religion, and churches upon churches, all fighting and quarreling with one another, and all because of the private interpretation of the Bible.

Christ sent His Apostles with authority to teach all nations, and never gave them any command of writing the Bible. And the Apostles went forth and preached everywhere, and planted the Church of God throughout the earth, but never thought of writing.

Answer 5

What KIND of bible are you reading where Jesus only answered two questions direcrtly? Have you read the Bible for yourself or are you just repeating what someone is telling you?
Regardless of religious background, it is most imperative that we read the Word of God, it can save your life.