Tired of the double talk. Please answer honestly?

Question

Here's what bothers me. People say the reason God doesn't talk to us the way He did in the old testament (i.e the burning bush, Moses on the mountain) is because we have the bible to guide us. On the other hand, anytime somthing doesn't make sense in the bible, I'm told it's because it was altered in translation or it doesn't apply today. What I don't understand is how I'm supposed to follow a book that could be total bs with some historical facts thrown in for credibility.
Example: 1 Corinthians 14:34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says
I've known plenty of females to speak, even hold positions of power in churches.

Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ
But isn't slavery wrong? So why would that even be in the bible?
If I can't put my faith in "The word of God" then how do I find truth?

Thank you all for your timely and insightful answers but from many I'm getting the same answers: That was back then. If that were true then wouldn't it be safe to say that other "Laws of the land" are different for modern society?
Example: Homosexuality is becoming more and more accepted yet the bible says it's wrong. Is that going to be another thing that's no longer going to be relevant?
Also, if the bible is constantly misinterpreted, why doesn’t God do something about it like send a new prophet (one that could prove himself the way Jesus did) or blow something up like he did back in the day? Anything to show people that He has not forsaken us (this is NOTmerely a question of faith because in those times he did it... according to the bible)

Answer 1

In Corinthians that passage is a letter to a specific church that had trouble with women being loud in the church. Paul is speaking to them personally on how they should "deal" with this issue.

As for the passage in Ephesians, at that time in history there were slaves, obviously this is not condoned now and so this passage would not apply.

The bible is like a historical book, and so some things in it is to teach us how to be, and some to show us how not to be.
Some of it is also not pertaining to us personally, but we can still garner some truths from it for our on personal lives.

Answer 2

"Here's what bothers me. People say the reason God doesn't talk to us the way He did in the old testament (i.e the burning bush, Moses on the mountain) is because we have the bible to guide us."
It's true that we have the Bible to guide us. But those who are Christian ought to have the Holy Spirit guiding them as well.

God says in that Bible what the difference is between the OT times and now:
Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

So he spoke through Jesus. I would stress the idea with you that we have everything we need to understand God in the way he wants us to understand him.

"What I don't understand is how I'm supposed to follow a book that could be total bs with some historical facts thrown in for credibility."
Try praying about it.

"Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ
But isn't slavery wrong? So why would that even be in the bible?"
We didn't live back then. Remember, we are reading about an ancient culture, in a land far away. They didn't live like we do. There was no Television, no cars, no refrigeration, no 'human rights' as we know it. You just have to get yourself to accept that things were different.

And about the women keeping silent. Everyone in church, at least the one's I went to, are silent. Apparently the women weren't used to the discipline of being in a service.

Answer 3

But, God does speak to us today! The thing is, you have to quiet your heart and give Him some time to talk to you just the two of you, otherwise you won't hear Him! I really wish people wouldn't say you can't hear Him anymore. That's what He created us for is to be His kids. Parents talk to their kids!

Understanding history of the day is important. See, a 'church' in that day was a synagogue. Synagogues were divided in half. Men sitting on on side, women on the other. The women would sit there and whisper, talk and even occasionally shout questions back and forth to their husband while the person was giving the message. That's what Paul meant. "but must be in submission as the Law says" meant that they were supposed to keep orderly in their behavior because they were disrupting the service, and they were supposed to just talk about it together with their husband when they got home, or even after the service ended.
As to slaves, yes, it was good to not have slaves. However, it wasn't the Jews who had slaves. The Jews were the slaves! This was written into the bible because people were converting to christianity that had non christian masters. In Ephesians, Paul is telling the slaves to hang on untl they were rescued until one day they were slaves no more. In the meanwhile, they should serve respectfully their master, just as we would our boss. So this is just another misunderstanding of the culture of the day. The word of God can still be believed and can be an added guidline to your faith, so I hope you read it, and get yourself a concordance, so you can start to look up for yourself and see where words are changed. It's easy to do, and it will help make it all more clear. If you can find a good teacher who you trust, ask them to help you and also to show you how to use a concordance. it will be lifechanging. I promise.

But you can still put hope in God's word. It is strong enough and accurate enough to teach you plenty! Also, the best way to have faith is just pray. It says the spirit of comfort will guide you into all truth. My prayers are with you.
Teresa

Answer 4

Wow. Put it like this, back then women didnt talk for themselves. The Bible also says to live by the law of the land. Slavery was pretty much that as well as women holding their tongues. And of course now days women do hold positions because it isnt frowned upon like it was then, the same as now you cant own a slave but you could then laws change, and God knew that. Read the new testament, especially revelations thats the only book thats relevant. that and the whole 10 commandments thing/treat thy neighbor as thou wants to be treated.

Answer 5

You must look with your eyes see with your heart mind and soul than connect with God and the Holy Spirit for and awnser to this...

I do have some thing to say about the slavery thing that the passage from the Bible not only feels wrong I believe it is wrong. To obey some one as you would obey Christ is to call them your savour How can some one be your savour if they are dpriveing you of imformation food ect?... The 23rd psalm says "the lord is my shepard I sall not want" to be a slave of any thing or any one is to be placed in "want" .

As for women remaining silent in the churces it seem to me thatChrist came here not only for men but also for vwomen. The Garden of gesimany is also a paralel to the Garden of Eden. I believe that as Christ sweated blood he forgave every one for Adams and Eves trangresions and so every one is suposed to be able to bare theiir souls naked before God not just men.

It is also and interesting delima if you would call it that the bible would tell women to be silent in Church but yet the Mark of the Beast so happens to be the Number of Man...

There also something interesting I just found out here on Yahoo Awnsers thats that there are 34 Gospel of Christ that were dismissed by the Early Church. I''ll have to get back to you on what there called or you can chk my questions...

I there were 34 gospels dismissed that why couldn't there be more truth of the gospel hidden someplace waitint to be found "the truth is ou there" all you have to do is find it.
Old books are great things! you must read between the lines of the Bible to really maky any sence out of any of it!

Answer 6

I don't have a bible handy so I can't go back to Corinthians, but as for the slaves, Jesus said give to Cesar what is Cesar's. He wasn't hear to start a social revolution his was a revolution of the spirit. As for communication with God I don't think God ever stopped speaking to us the vast majority back then and now just don't know how to listen. If translation errors bother you there are plenty of scholars that can give you good information so you can begin to develop your own personal faith.

Answer 7

You see, this is the problem with "so called Christians" who take only pieces out of the bible without reading the entire story. 1Corinthians 14:36="What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only? (37) If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (38) But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant." Which means if you are of the spirit, it doesnt matter *what* gender you are and if you think differently, youre ignorant. Read back to 14:31 = "For ye may ALL prophesy one by one, that ALL may learn and ALL may be comforted". (33) "For God is NOT the author of confusion but of peace as in all churches of the saints". You have to have "ears to hear and eyes to see". Understand what you are reading. Please get a companion bible. A "Strongs Concordance" which will help you to understand what you are reading. Satan wants you to be confused, which you are. Get the devil away from you and open your heart and mind and pray for understanding and it will come to you. As far as Ephesians are concerned, back in the days when this was written, there *were* slaves. And it was talking about following law, not causing trouble. Jesus says in Matthew that is someone asks you for your cloak, you give them your sash also. Its about being compliant and obediant. If you cant be obediant to your bosses on earth in the flesh, how can you be obedient to God? To be obedient to one and not the other makes you a hypocrite. Follow all laws honestly and faithfully. Please.

Answer 8

The old testiment was written for the people back then. They had slaves for a reason, its all about timing. The Lord has given us The Book of Mormon, for more modern day people from more modern day prophets, and so that we would have something more applicable to todays situations. If you have something bad to say about The Book of Mormon, I'm pretty sure you haven't read all of it with an open mind, and sincere prayer to God, to see if it was true... You can't just take someone's oppinion and alter it to fit your own lifestyle... you have to figure it out for yourself.

Answer 9

I believe that we have the Holy Spirit today, that is how we talk to God. ( I am really glad that I don't have to climb a mountain!)

Women silent in church... these women were being quite rude yelling down to their husbands asking what was going on. Since they weren't taught they didn't know better. I think it would still be quite rude today.

And yes slavery is wrong, but it was going on back then. I believe that I can read that to mean that I should work for my employer with respect and sincerity of heart. Giving him my full effort. And the fear part, I believe means to respect their authority, not cringing in fear.

Answer 10

INMVHO
The Bible was written over a very long period of time.
Assuming God as the author he didn't physically write every word. It was dictated to mortal, fallible men (maybe one woman) living in a pre industrial world where the average life span was 35 years. Whatever God said was filtered through the limitations of their experience and written in a language without written vowels or punctuation.
Up to the time of the book of Kings God seems to be on the side of the children of Israel. He speaks directly, gives signs supports his judges and prophets and is accessible to all believers.
After the defeat and dissolution of the kingdom of Judea God was a bit more remote. He moved in mysterious ways and only spoke through a select few in ambiguous images and parables
In the new testament he only appears in the form of a long haired radical socialist reform rabbi. And only speaks to crazy old men.

Consider the bible like a buffet and pick only what you find palatable not as royalist banquet where you're obligated to eat every morsel someone else puts on your plate!