Are fundamentalist Christians inconsistent in their view of the Bible?

Question

For example, they claim that Genesis and the story of Noah's flood should be read literally, but if you give them a passage like Matthew 16:28, which in its literal interpretation indicates that Jesus should have returned during the lifetime of the apostles, they will claim that this is meant in another sense. Another example is in the first book of Revelations, which states that the Appocalypse must "shortly come to pass" - clearly anyone believing that this book is accurate must interpret the word "shortly" in a meaning far from its normal literal sense. So do such Christians have any non-arbitrary way of deciding which passages should be read literally and which should not?

Answer 1

First, many do not fully understand all of the scripture. Even Peter said that Paul wrote some things that were hard to understand.

Regarding Matt 16:28....that was not intended to state that Jesus would return in the life time of the Apostles although it would be easy to see why some saw it that way. John did see just that in the vision he had concerning the Revelations.

Many well meaning Christians do misunderstand many parts of the Bible. Many take promises that are not intended for them and others do interpret as literal things that are not intended to be while others say things that are literal are figurative. Still it does not distract from what GOD has written any more then a math book would be in error if you read it and got the wrong answers to the questions.

This may help to understand it:

Hermeneutics how to undertand the Bible
http://www.shatterdmen.com/Hermenutics.htm

Answer 2

Your question shows that there is no such thing as a 'fundamentalist Christian'.

The term itself is completely misleading (in any religion) as it assumes that there is a 'fundamental' or single significant root or set of rules that the whole religion is based on. The problem with the name is that many groups differ on what that 'fundamental' root (or rules) is.

What then happens is that we use the term 'fundamentalist' to describe groups whose views (whatever they are) we happen to disagree with because we think they are too extreme.

Returning from my digression to answer your question... some Christians will 'fundamentally' take some parts of the Bible literally, and others will 'fundamentally' take different parts literally - hence the uselessness of the term 'fundamentalist' in relation to any religion..

Answer 3

another example is the gospel of john chapter 6, this chapter is one of the main reasons for the eucharist,it is written literally adn they say it is symbolic, then they turn to revelations a symbloic apocalyptic form of writing style adn take it literally even introducing several theories about the rapture,which isn't biblical and won't happen. wonder why there is over 28,000 different fundamentalist churches....? just goes to show that biblical interpretation should be organized adn from the church,not an individual. that is the way jesus intended it to be.

www.scripturecatholic.com
www.catholiceducation.org

by the way i meant no offence to anyone in my answer.

Answer 4

To understand scripture, one must take the Bible literally and word for word, when the context requires it. And when the Bible speaks figuratively, then you take that also in the context it's presented. Just as you would understanding any conversation on a daily basis.

The Bible is written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. All of those languages are specific in their meanings on any given passage. One needs to determine what the passage is saying, in the context that it's presented. All the more reason for Christians to read their Bibles, and gain an understanding of what the Scriptures are trying to convey. It's not rocket science, it just means the Christian needs to make an effort.

Answer 5

No shortly does not indicate that it is in a lifetime. Remember 1000 years to God is only 1 day. So what is shortly, ....You should remember also that Jesus' second coming will be when you see these things coming to pass.
Arbitrary? No, Biblical yes. You just don't want to except what we teach, which is fine, but please don't accuse us of being arbitrary.
Jesus is Lord

Answer 6

Of course they are inconsistent. Fundies are hypocrites through and through. How many times have you heard of a fundie inviting a stranger at the door to rape their daughter? How many times have fundies stoned someone for sinning?

Fundies only like the sections of the bible that provide an excuse for their own hatred and intolerance.

Atheism. You know it makes sense.

Answer 7

I have a problem with this view.

On one level, the answer is a complete "yes", they are so far off the history and reality surrounding the Bible it is scary.
see the "Supreme Bible of God" which gives you all the source texts and authors who wrote it:
http://one-faith-of-god.org/final_testament/bible_of_god.htm

On another level, the large majority of fundamentalist christians are fundamentalist by choice because they seek to live according to a set of moral values, to respect life, to try and be more like Jesus Christ- which is admirable.

Looking at this modern "secular" world which admires Paris Hilton over Mother Theresa, that worships rap stars that treat women as slave objects, one is tempted to join them- in spite of all science and rationality- because if our rational world means we continue to allow our society to kill itself- the alternatives look far more enlightened....

Answer 8

If you were saved, you'd understand the Bible. An unsaved person can't understand God's word. Lastly, God's timing and our timing are not the same. To us, "shortly comes to pass" is an hour ,maybe two weeks, to God, it can be 100,000 yrs.

Answer 9

The bible is filled to the brim with inconsistencies, so anybody who tries to "fix" them "all" is just plain nuts. The only other way out is to give credence to some parts and not to others.

Answer 10

Hypocritical bigots have a selective and distorted "view" on everything ...except their own hateful and pathetic lives.