Since so much of the Bible is "out of context" or "no longer valid"; can we extend that to the entire book?

Question

I repeatedly see claims that "that part isn't valid anymore" or "you have to twist it around 18 different ways to get the true context".

While these claims additionally violate the concept of Sola Scripture (which is officially the teaching of many Protestant denominations); what is the use of such a book if these claims are true?

I notice different Christians answering this one, than answered the question on Leviticus.

Seems like quite a large theological difference between the same religion.

Answer 1

I certainly consider it no longer valid. It is what it is; an outdated book of bronze age jewish mythology. Nothing more.
It has no more bearing on real life than Aesop's fables.

Answer 2

The Bible is subject to the interpretation or misinterpretation of men, who are the real ones who twist the Word 18 times to get it to mean what they want it to mean.
However...
Currently on the History Channel are some interesting documentaries that are proving both the historical proof of the Bible as a Historical document as well as a spiritual document. Check out "Digging For The Truth", "History's Mysteries", "Ancient Discoveries", and "Decoding the Past", where archeologists are discovering more and more evidence of the validity of the Bible as an important historical document.
But the spiritual truths are equally still valid. How much of the Bible have you personally read? It is important that you read the Bible yourself, all the way from beginning to end, and find out for yourself what is true, without any one else telling you what to believe.
If nothing else, the Bible does contain some marvelous stories, some better plots than soap operas, some beautiful poetry, and some familiar quotations. I think you should read it all the way through, and find a good bible study group that has a good companion study program that offers explanation without personal interpretation. My husband likes e-sword.com, as it offers explanation without interpretation bent on one particular dogma.
Good luck in finding the truth. Your personal truth.

Answer 3

There is a simple solution to the "out of context" complaint. Leave the scripture in its context. When dealing with the scripture, you have to actually "think". Pay attention to who is saying it, when and why.

For example, the Bible says "There is no God". But the full statement is "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God". Little bit of difference when you take the time to read the whole statement, when it was said, and why it was.

When you actually take the time to read the entire Bible, and not just bits and pieces, you will see things do change over the course of scripture as God develops his covenant with man until its final completion comes in Jesus Christ. But when you read the whole book, it all makes sense.

It is a concept knows as "Sola Scripture". The scriptures contain within them all the information needed for a complete understanding of the relationship between God and man. But you have to actually read the whole thing and think about it to understand it.

Answer 4

You're asking spiritual babes.The entire Bible is valid,but the O.T. must always be filtered through the N.T. because it has the final say on all matters.As for context...that applies to the study of any subject.Saying "do not judge" is the best example.If you read the next verses you find that we are to judge,but in a righteous manner.Tunnel vision on a single passage always gets one the wrong doctrine.

Answer 5

I think only a rational, reasonable person can come to the conclusions that you have drawn. However, the Bible is often vague and is very derivative in its heavy use of mythology and symbolism (see some of Father Guido's questions). This is prime ground for abusive individuals and organizations to cultivate legions of sheeplike followers using their interpretation. However, it's not just limited to the Bible. Every holy book has spawned multiple interpretations and consequently sects.

Answer 6

I don't follow Sola Scriptura, so it does not apply to me.

Martin Luther was a joke. He made up ideas like Sola Scriptura, and then took out the parts of the Bible he didn't agree with. However, many Protestant demoninations have come back to reality, and go about Christianity in a way closer to what it should be.

Answer 7

It's funny how people talk about healing and hope whilst the bible is used to perpetrate homophobia and hatred plu sit used to be used to support racism. People will twist through any amount of contortions to convince people that the bible is still valid

Answer 8

How it is used in context, like any reference, determines the validity - you are making general inferences and judgments about the entire Bible because of what others, whom you have no idea of their credibility have said - and that speaks for itself.
That applies to no longer valid as well - the Bible is complete and reliiable in my opinion, but that is matter of faith.
How much of the Bible have you read? I suspect very little.

Please continue your education - you probably should undersatnd that their is more to validity and a balanced view than the sources you have described.

Answer 9

Well they say that even a broken clock is correct twice a day.

Though personally I prefer using working clocks, rather than insisting on making use of the broken ones.

Answer 10

These claims are foreign to me. Mainly, they come from folks with good intentions, but that have not done enough study for themselves to know the Bible.

Romans 15:4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

If it is the old testament/new testament thing to which you are referring, then it is not that the old is not valid or that it is worthless since we are under the new. The old had a purpose, which was fulfilled. New testament authors referenced it. James and Hebrews cite OT people as examples of faith and obedience, so it is relevant to us today no matter what the people you speak to say.

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

I don't know what else people would say isn't valid today and you don't have to twist anything. The people that twist, do so to their own destruction.