So we all agree...?

Question

We all agree that not everything in the bible was meant to be taken literally, right? We don't believe God really intends us to kill misbehaving children, or that we should should stone unmarried women that aren't virgins. So my question to Christians is...how do you decide which parts of the bible to take literally? If you don't believe those parts of the bible, why would you choose to believe that God sends all unbelievers to hell, an equally hateful sentiment? Why do you choose to believe that gay people will be sent to hell, when their lifestyle does absolutely nothing to hurt you and research suggests that it is perfectly natural. And don't just say "Not all Christians believe that..." I'm aware of that. This questions is for those Christians that do. How do you decide which parts of the bible to believe?

my2cents: So are you saying you know exactly what God wants us to do? If you do, please enlighten us. Did you even read the question?

idb83: wow, glad to know you can spout scriptures at me. That doesn't even come close to having anything to do with the question. Do you have anything meaningful to add to the discussion?

killreligion: So are you saying we SHOULD kill disobedient children and stone unmarried women who aren't virgins? That's what it says in the bible...you are saying we should take that all literally, right?

VJaxxon: So then you believe that people should be put to death for working on the sabbath
Exodus 31:14
Or worshipping other Gods?
Deuteronomy 13:6-13:10
becasue you said we should believe everything it says in the bible...right?

TG: I see some of you are saying you no longer go by the teachings of the Old Testament and some of you are saying you do. Which is it? Do you guys agree with each other on anything?

Oh and if the Old Testament is not to be taken literally anymore, how come your little verse that you just LOVE to condemning homosexuality is in Leviticus....in the OLD TESTAMENT???

"Christ is the answer"- Children of God's enemies? Are you implying that these children were somehow evil and DESERVED to be killed? You're joking right...tell me you're joking

Answer 1

Through the miracle of adaptive reinterpretation they can make any text say whatever they want to. If that's too much of a stretch then all they need to do is alter the meaning of an everyday word a little.

What is chosen to be the 'truth' is whatever is most palatable at the time.

This is the how and that what, but not the who. I do not know who decides which adaptive reinterpretation is the subjectively 'right' one.


There are two types of people who attempt to adaptively reinterpret written documents for justification: Theists and lawyers.

Answer 2

First off, we do NOT all agree that the Bible was not to be taken literally. The difference between literal and figurative speech is taught in grade school. The Bible is easy to understand and it is also easy to determine what is literal and what is figurative. It is man that has decided to complicate the Bible and tell followers that they cannot understand it without a priest.

The Catholic Church would have the people think that they cannot understand the Scriptures and that they must rely upon the priest for the proper "interpretation." Thus millions of people are kept in the bondage of ignorance and are coached to say, "That’s just your interpretation" when some passage from the Bible is brought to consideration in opposition to Catholic error. Here is the point: let the Bible speak for itself and when you see it in the Book believe it for what it says. Paul said of Timothy, "From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures . . ." (II Timothy 3:15). If a child can understand it, can’t you?

Further, if you say that you cannot understand it, you are charging God with requiring of you more than you are able to perform, for we read, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15). We urge you to follow the example of the Bereans: "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).

The majority of the Bible is quite literal and not open to interpretation. Instead of twisting or interpreting the scriptures, we should study the Bible for what it is.

And please, learn to distinguish the difference between the old laws (Old Testament) given ONLY to the Israelites, and the new laws (New Testament). The "killing of misbehaving children", "stoning unmarried women" and other older laws and practices are no longer valid. God allowed many practices in the Old Testament that are now considered improper and are preached against in the New Testament.

Christians live under the New Testament commandments today. The Old Testament was fulfilled by Christ and no longer applies to anyone.

Answer 3

Those occurrences are mentioned in the Old Testament. Much later, in the New Testament, Jesus came to die for our sins. That changed everything. Jesus taught love and forgiveness. He died so that we don't have to. We can live forever in His kingdom if we choose to. Why would God let people into Heaven that didn't believe in Him while they were on earth? I don't believe all gay people should be sent to hell. I don't know many Christians that do feel that way. If you give your life to Christ and ask Him into your heart you will go to heaven. We have the power to choose how we want to live our lives. The Bible is meant as a tool, a guide to how He wants us to live.

And no not EVERYTHING in the Bible was meant to be taken literally. Many times parables were used to get the point across.

Answer 4

sorry, but the bible is meant to be taken literally. the big disconnects come from personal interpretation and taking out of context.

where do you find the scriptures where these things are stated? gay people going to hell? what book or chapter is that in?

see, this is the problem with people who won't read the book, yet act like they are "scholars". Jesus came to replace the old convenant as described in the old testament. do you "scholars" not know that?

i don't claim to be a theologian who is the direct mouthpiece of the Almighty - i'm just a layperson, but at least i read the bible before i make such wild claims or assumptions!

so...ALL parts of the bible are to be believed and NO i don't agree with your half-baked, ignorant claims.

Answer 5

You know what I think? I think God gave us the Torah, the Bible and the Qur'an to reach as many people as possible. Hell, I believe God gave us the other religions as well (but I don't know as much about the non-Abrahamic religions, to be honest). I think the general point is to read between the lines and find faith. Some people need doctrine as guidance, others don't, but I don't believe any good person really thinks it's okay to kill, or...

Okay, I'm not really answering your question, but I liked it!

Answer 6

The Bible is literal, except where obviously symbolic.
The problem of application comes when we take what was written for the Old Testament Jewish people and try to apply it to us. For example, Abraham was promised he'd have descendants as many as the stars... that was for Abraham, not me. The blood sacrifice of a spotless lamb was for the Old Testament Jew, not for me. For me, Christ was the Lamb crucified for my sin.

What was written to the New Testament churches (Corinthians, Galatians, etc) is applicable for New Testament followers of Christ. Sexual immorality of any kind (hetero or homosexual) was written of in Corinthians, Romans, etc... to the churches... and NT believers are 'the church today'. I apologize to you for the ignorant Christians who feel homosexuality is this unforgiveable thing and somehow find it worse than heterosexual immorality.... they are not properly understanding the Scripture.

God doesn't send people to hell... they choose to go by rejected Christ and His authority in their lives. If someone doesn't want to live for/with HIm here, why would they want to in the afterlife? He offers forgiveness to all. It is sad that so-called Christians like to pick their two favorite sins that they are not guilty of and beat up others. We are supposed to use a mirror to look at sin, not a telescope.

Answer 7

Why don't you read the Bible before trying to quiz someone who has . WE are not under the law, if we were no one would make it to heaven we are under grace. As for homosexuality the Bible says it's wrong and unnatural so who's research should I believe. And that is in both the Old and the New Testaments.

Answer 8

NOOOOOOOOOO, We don't all agree, the Bible is a literal book! The reason we can't stone people anymore is because the law has changed and our governing society's have told us not to. that is why we have law and a court system. David made it very clear to never go against God's appointed. and all People that are in the government and make the rules were only allowed to be in those positions because God allowed them. So therefore The law has changed because God through man has changed it. Also in the old testament and such where the Ten commandements were law was different because God was working with a nation, unlike in the New testament were Jesus stopped the stoning, because it is now more of an individual basis.

Answer 9

Killing the kids and stoning non-virgins DID happen. in the BIBLICAL times. It was quite literal, actually. We are supposed to live by the NEW Testamant. Old Testament was just like a story and a recording to give us some idea of what God's time was like.

Answer 10

Someone please tell me where I can find "Do not take the word of God or Jesus literally". I have searched and searched. Yet all I see is if I fail to abide by the word of God I'll be burning in hell for eternity.

Nor can I find "disregard all that I the Lord has said in the old testament". From what I gather it's still valid and should be applied.

So I'm afraid we don't all agree.