Why do people think its ok to change the bible to fit the times?

Question

I find alot tend to change the bible to fit the times to all christians aint this wrong? I hear them say that was then this is now. Dont the bible make it clear we are not to be in the world we are to be different and the word of God dont change just the time? I would love feedback ty and God Bless.

Tommy D seems to understand what I am asking I aint talking about the meaning of the word virgin etc I am talking about the commandments Jesus and His apostoles left for us I am meaning commandments in general why change God ? Why change His word to suit your life and change His word to fit better into society?

Answer 1

Great Question! It is obvious that we are living in changing times, however although things change the word must never change. Most preacher tailor their sermons to please the people in order to fill the church so that they might fill their pockets. They preach that homosexuality is right, lesbianism, safe sex, etc. so that the people will not be offended. Jesus condemmed sin in the flesh and He still does - "nothings changed"

Psalm 119:89 (KJV)
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Answer 2

The only good reason I can think of for doing it is that we see it being done within the Bible itself. The earliest Christians expected the end of the world to occur within their lifetime. In the latest New Testament writings, we see a subsequent generation dealing with the fact that this did not occur. And so whereas anyone reading Mark 13 would assume that the end is near, Luke transforms it so that it says those who predict "the end is near" are false prophets, and makes the whole thing seem to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem.

In a similar way, the Gospel of John takes the things that were expected in the future (e.g. judgment, eternal life) and moves them into the presence, as a way of dealing with the same issue.

Trace the way later authors reinterpret their earlier sources (most obvious in the way Mark is used by Matthew and Luke), and you will see what is being referred to.

If one takes a bigger picture view, and include even earlier Scriptures (the "Old Testament"), then Christians have always maintained that there is progressive revelation, and so in essence that the Word of God changes.

Finally, most Christians accept that there are underlying principles which are more important than the way individual authors applied those principles. So, while Paul did not seek to abolish slavery, because of his underlying principle that "there is neither slave nor free" (not to mention "do to others what you would have them do to you"), the abolition of slavery was something appropriate for Christians to support.

Answer 3

There are generally 2 schools of thought when it comes to the Bible - those who think it's the inerrant (containing absolutely no flaws) word of God as if he spoke it from his own mouth and wrote it down AND those who think it's a sacred spiritual guidebook but shouldn't be taken literally.

Here's the thing - I have a hard time taking EVERY word of the Bible as literal because you see.....the Bible we know today was first translated by King James who had his OWN agenda. The only way to know the TRUE word of God is to read the original Aramaic it was written in on the scrolls! It's a well-known fact in history that King James told his translators to leave certain parts out or to translate certain passages a certain way. It was right around the time people were realizing the power of BOOKS and the written word.

So, for that reason, I think it's very silly that Christians spend time arguing amongst themselves over 2 words in a passage of scripture...or how 2 different sentences are perceived. Ugh - very frustrating! To me, it's all semantics and Christians should all get along and just agree to disagree.

You also have to consider that all of these words were written down during a time in their culture when women were considered property and had very little status. Of course the culture they lived in was going to be reflected in how they wrote. That's why some Christians choose to ignore the parts about women obeying their husbands or women covering themselves in church.

But to me, it's all very personal and no one should tel someone else how to believe.

Answer 4

It comes down to 2 simple facts.

1) No matter what anyone says the bible was written by men, for men and no where does God pen anything itself (I call God "it" because I am not vain enough to assume God is humanoid).

2) The bible (along with most of the sacred writings of other religions) was based on the best ideas men had at the time in relation to their societies.

This means that bible says slavery is ok because at the time it was considered ok to have slaves. Something the entire world has said is not ok in this day and age.

This means the bible said it was ok to stone to death your family members for working on the sabbath, because at the time that was accepted in society but in this day and age we do not accept that it is a proper way to behave.

The bible MUST change with the times because while some ideas are timeless like "Be good to each other", "Honor thy father and mother", "Do not Steal", etc.. some are just not acceptable now. We do not allow slavery, we do not allow the killing of family members for wearing clothing made of 2 types of thread, we do not accept that one must have an eye removed if the person caused another's eye to be destroyed.

If you say bible doesn't change and we should be as beholden to it now as we were then, well you have to stand up and look world straight in face and say slavery, beating women, stoning to death, etc is ok and should be encouraged let alone practiced today

Answer 5

the bible is to be for all time, not just the times in which it was written. If you read closely, it talks about the times from the beginning of the creation to the end of the world and we are not there yet. So in effect, it is talking about our day as well as Noah's day, Solomon's day, Jesus's day, etc. The teachings do not change even though some will try to make it say what they want it to. You can take things out of context and make it say about anything. you need to take it for what it says and abide by it and not twist it to say what you want but what it really says. Like the eternal burning Hell is not in the bible but it is taught as if it is. You would have to be alive to be burning for eternity and yet if you look in 1 John 5:12 you find that without Christ there is no life. What is the opposite of life? Death!! Other places it speaks of the wicked being turned to ashes, dying, the wages of sin is death, not eternal life burning and roasting in a fire. I would offer anyone and have for many years now, $10,000 for just one text that says anyone will burn for eternity in Hell and to date, nobody has ever taken me up on it. why? Because it is not there. many things you will find people teaching that is not in the bible and that is why Jesus said to beware and study and check to see if it is there or not.

Answer 6

There has always been this tendency within some elements of the church and it is always wrong. Francis Schaeffer said “The culture is to be constantly judged by the Bible, rather than the Bible being bent to conform to the surrounding culture.” Biblical truth and standards should be upheld despite their degree of popularity. We should not be trying to win a popularity contest with the world, we should be speaking for God to the world whatever price we pay for this. We should be light in the darkness. I am with you. It bothers me when Christians seem to think that surrendering to the world is some kind of victory.

Answer 7

Because people are human, and have a self-centered nature.

Yes - the bible is perfectly clear that we are IN the world but not OF the world. It is also just as clear about God's word being "unchanging" and eternal. "That was then, this is now" only matters to God when it comes to the OT law and the new law of grace.

Answer 8

The problem is a lot of people don't understand what the words meant 2000 years ago. Such as Virgin also meant unmarried woman, the word used for witch was also translated to poisoner, etc. They read the words, but they don't understand that actual language. It really mixes things up for people.

Answer 9

This proves that bible isn't the word of god but man, the bible has been changed millions of times, evrey time there needed a change, people would take it and change it

Answer 10

Fine. Let's start by taking this verse and putting it into practice. See how far it takes you:

Deuteronomy 22:23-24:

23 If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her, 24 you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death—the girl because she was in a town and did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another man's wife. You must purge the evil from among you.