I have a close relationship with God. I pray everyday, and I always ask for his guidance, so that I may do what is right in my life. But in recent times, I find myself having more and more doubts about the Bible itself. Sometimes I feel torn between my belief in God and my belief in the bible. I was raised as a Catholic, and although I rarely attend church anymore, I still feel like my relationship to God is very strong. But sometimes I wonder if the Bible is just an interpretation of many different peoples relationships with God. A set of spiritual diaries if you will. Now, I'm not trying to condemn the Bible, there are many excellent points and views contained within its pages, but perhaps not all of it is true. I guess my question would be:
Is it not more important that I have my own personal relationship with God, instead of having to find Him through the words and interpretations of others?
2007-06-06 07:29:53 · 11 answers · asked by St. Dave 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I also was raised Catholic and I cannot put into words how much I understand what you are asking....When I took this very question to my Gramma, I was younger and thought I would know more than "The Old French Lady", she put it to me this way "There must be truth within the pages of the Bible for if there was not truth it would have faded away a very long time. When there is something inspired by God it is worth looking at." I am fortunate enough to have had several priest at my parish who are excellent at explaining the Bible and the history of what was happening at that time and how the message is timeless. I do not believe we have to thump our Bibles to learn from them, but do not give up on the timeless messages of love and hope. It is important to have your own personal relationship with God, and only you can develop that. What I have found in learning about Jesus, who better to learn from than his peers.....That is all I have on that for now....I will make you a promise though I will dedicate a decade to you tonight....I do not make that promise out loud often, but for some reason I think you are worth it....
May the Peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
2007-06-06 08:11:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
"In the beginning was the Word" Does that mean that in the beginning was the Bible? No, course not. The Word inspired the people of God to write the written word, the Bible. The Bible is an historical record of God's dealings with the human race, specifically the Jewish people and the subsequent people, the true Christians. It was written over thousands of years. It has disconnects. Some of it is poetic or prose that points to the truth and God. But there is a common thread that runs through it. It connects God's people throughout the centuries. There is much that has hidden meaning yet to be revealed.
The Spirit which inspired people to write also testifies to itself. When you read and understand, the Spirit reveals. It's a knowing that you get that cannot be anything but true. The most important thing about you and God is your personal relationship and how you recognize God in your life. You condemn what you cannot understand through frustration. But you are not called to know it all. You are called to faith in the Light of understanding as it is revealed in you and in your understanding of Scripture. Be patient. God and His spirit come in bits and pieces, often when you least expect it. He comes through good people that share your faith throughout your experiences. Don't try to understand it all and put it together in one big coherent picture. You are only asked to be faithful in the mysteries of one's life.
2007-06-06 07:42:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
God inspired the Bible. Yes, interpretation has changed it slightly, but much of it is translated as close as possible. Do you have a personal relationship with God through Christ? Yes, He does desire a personal relationship with each person. Seek Him first, and ask His guidance in the Scriptures. I hope I made this clear, but ask if I haven't.
2007-06-06 07:49:17 · answer #3 · answered by SFECU12 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your relationship with God is yours, each of us have our own and at different degrees. I would say, church is something you need to work out for yourself, Church is not the building, but the people.
Is your reason for not attending the people? Look for a church with people that make you feel welcome and wanted. If its due to your work schedule, then make see if you can change it.
We all question life, the bible and God, that's normal. Pray about it, the answer will come to you. As you know God has his own agenda and will answer you in his time!
2007-06-06 07:39:11 · answer #4 · answered by PSYCHO DAISY MAE 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's difficult to live the Christian life as a "Lone Ranger" Christian.
Hebrews 10:23-25 says:
Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
You need the encouragement and support of meeting with other Christians.
2007-06-06 08:03:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
"A set of spiritual diaries if you will."
Yes, that is definitely one school of thought. It doesn't of course represent what the bible holds itself out to be, so to hold it immediately means considering aspects of the bible suspect to a certain extent. Open to interpretation and evaluation, at the very least.
Then comes the question of what standard or authority is to be applied to its evaluation... Your own judgement and experience? That may be all there is, but it's much more complicated and less certain that holding the "inerrant" position.
It's easy to see why the latter is appealing.
2007-06-06 07:40:45 · answer #6 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think of human beings would properly be at liberty to have the opinion that they desire. they could be waiting to particular there opinion, and people who pay attention (which could be an incredible style of people) could have an open strategies, and in keeping with probability exchange there opinion. some comments won't exchange into something, besides the undeniable fact that it doesnt recommend there valueless. regardless of if no one treasures your opinion, you may. Its what makes you who you're.
2016-10-29 08:29:56 · answer #7 · answered by hultman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people have problems following their religion/faith....so to have a relationship with God they do the very best they can according to their conscious.
It's much better to do some....then none.
2007-06-06 07:42:05 · answer #8 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Oui
2007-06-06 07:32:58 · answer #9 · answered by Royal Racer Hell=Grave © 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not about blind faith or what others think about God
Find out what God means to YOU and believe in that.
2007-06-06 07:34:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋