For example, if I include a belief that by faith alone are we saved, then could I argue that we are free to lie, cheat, steal, murder, etc and none of it matters because as long as we have faith we're going to heaven?
And as long as we say "sorry" after lying, cheating, stealing, murdering then we've shown repentance?
And we can do this over and over and over again because we're flawed humans prone to sin, but that this doesn't matter because as long as we have faith we're going to heaven?
In other words, we don't have to change a single thing we were doing before we became christians, so long as we have faith in Jesus we will go to heaven?
So I can interpret the bible any way I want and call it "Christianity"?
2007-06-30 04:20:26 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
OK- EVERYONE needs to chill out and be made aware of the political and ideological alterations that were made to the bible throughout history.
What you read isn't always what was originally written.
This man is only questioning the logic of many people who call themselves Christians, yet interpret the bible to their own liking. And the very truth is, most of these laws were man-made to begin with, and translated to suit humans' conveniences. Like any work of literature, it's pretty subjective. In many cases, the issue over interpretation is pure semantics, since the bible itself has been filtered through so many language translations from its original Semitic, Aramaic, Coptic, and Greek translations. I'm talking the very early gospels, to include the standard canon which includes Matthew, Luke, Mark and John, and letters to Paul, etc. It all has been 'Lost in Translation' -- so to speak.
Once scholars (mostly monks) began translating these original texts to the Latin, and Old english translations, and making their own 'corrections' along the way; pretty much the same way editors screw with your work whenever they think you 'really' meant to say something else, when you were really saying exactly what you meant... then that's where the confusion really begins...that's where the questions should be asked.
Did Jesus really say this? What was our Lord' true message? Did some zealot monk, under the rule of some highly-political Archbishop take it upon himself to translate it as he saw fit for whatever laws, and ideologies they were pushing at the time?
Think people. I mean, critically think. Don't be afraid to wonder, either. Afterall, Romans, Jews and early Christians were always in conflict during those days. Fudging with bible translations over the ages for political purposes was so common, that according to Bart D. Ehrman, the world's leading expert in ancient translations of biblical texts, said that the original author of Revelations even had to put a disclaimer against anyone altering the text. Aware that these texts could be used to support such views, early Christian scribes made simple, but profound changes which altered the context of the original meaning altogether.
Scary to think isn't it?
Ladies: If you're feminist like me, you can add that some laws were very quite possibly created with a patriarchal motive in mind (laws against divorce, against ritual-uncleanliness, etc.).
2007-06-30 05:03:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nope because the worldview you present contradicts the Bible. If you read the book of Romans, it talks much about those who live by faith are "led by the Spirit". Since the spirit is holy, if we are led by the spirit, we will not choose sin. However, sometimes we give in to the flesh in which we are convicted to repent of our sin and are then sanctified through repentence. Repentence isn't just saying "sorry". It is first feeling convicted of sin, then seeking forgiveness and changing to avoid that sin in the future.
I'd be happy to discuss this further and give you all the verses, but there's not enough room here for them :)
To answer the basic question, yes you can interpret the bible any way you want so long as:
1. You take everything in context as there is always a disconnect between language and concepts
2. Your worldview must be consistent with the rest of the Bible if you are claiming the Bible is your standard of judgment.
2007-06-30 12:08:40 · answer #2 · answered by Alex T 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The only thing that religion is is an interpretation of the bible or beliefs. Hopefully people know the right from wrong and act on that..There are rules in the bible.Follow them and basically you should lead a better life. I am not really a religious person but I know a bit on religion. as a matter of fact I have the book " So whats the difference?" on my nightstand now. I hope you find the answer you are looking for
2007-06-30 11:27:36 · answer #3 · answered by Mandy B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
to repent literally means to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin. when one is truly remorseful he would not repeat the wrongdoing he has done, suffice to say if one goes about doing again what his misdeeds then he isnt sincerely repentant.
yes you can interpret the bible in any way you want and call it christianity, it is your choice. however, following the message of the bible is a different thing altogether, for any bible reader knows that lying, cheating, stealing and murdering are deeds the bible doesnt proclaim for people to do.
literally interpreting each phrase in the bible isnt healthy either, the bible was written by people and people are prone to sin as you have said, and countless individuals have used the bible to further their own personal gain because they have found a single phrase to rally their cause.
chrisitanity is living like christ, christ who was not judgemental nor close minded. he was god's love embodied in human form. true christianity is emulating his life and deeds, not just interpreting the bible for ones own personal definition of christianity.
to quote one of my favorite authors, "Your daily life is your temple and your religion. When you enter into it take with you your all"
Kahlil Gibran
2007-06-30 16:52:32 · answer #4 · answered by CaptainJacK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can believe what you want to believe. But wouldn't you rather know the truth?
Many people teach "Christianity" for their own purposes. These include money and power and more evil purposes. This is the work of the devil. It is his power to corrupt and confuse these good things.
Your choice is to serve god or the devil. You can be part of a universe of love or of hate. You can build temples or tear them down.
If you have faith in Jesus, you KNOW he would not want you to do the terrible things that you enumerate. And you also know that "saying" you are sorry is not enough. You must do works worthy of repentance.
When you truly believe in Christ, you have to change EVERYTHING that you are doing. Your life will revolve around doing his works, spreading his gospel, worshiping his very name.
Christianity is not something you do for 45 minutes on Sunday. And it is unwise and naive to interpret the Bible yourself. When the context of literature is 2000 years old and has passed through at least 2 translations, you are almost certainly not qualified. Search for a teacher. Check their qualifications thoroughly and we wary of those who don't live the teachings of the gospel.
2007-06-30 11:37:52 · answer #5 · answered by Jimee77 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are really a true born again, saved by ,Christian, you won't have to worry about sins because all sin is forgiven. As for just continuing on the way you were, or the way you want, when you are really saved, you will have the desire and want to change and try and be a good person that obeys the laws of Man as well as God. If there is no change in your life after you "accept Christ" then, unfortunately, you probably didn't really get saved. It is not for me to judge, just to note your actions and they will hopefully show you have changed. If you want to know more, try these verses. Thanks for asking and have a great day!
ROMANS 3:10,23
ROMANS 5:12
ROMANS 6:23
JOHN 3:15-18
MATTHEW 7:21-23
ROMANS 10:9-13
REVELATIONS 20:11-15
2 CORINTHIANS 4:3,4
EPHESIANS 3:8,9
2007-06-30 11:30:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
no and heres why Christianity doesn't work that way because we realize we sinners but we don't go to church every week to say sorry for the sins we commit and keep committing them afterward thats not Christianity. In Christianity we go to church give the Lord our Hearts and ask Him to help us change. We don't keep doing wrong after if we do we pray harder and before were to do such things we pray to Him and He'll help you. You see Catholic Churches use the Hail Mary as a way to be forgiven which makes me think that they can then go out after and recommit the sin which i don't believe. I Pray to the LOrd to Help Me with the sin of lust i had a really bad problem with it before i asked the Lord to help me. Don't get me wrong it took months of Praying and asking for Help but it have gotten a hold of it with Christianity and the Lords Way but i suggest you take a look at yourself with the Lord and see if your living the way he would like you to live ask yourself this Question "What Would Jesus Do?" and that should tell you whether your doing right or wrong. i'am not saying i'am perfect or anything cause i'am not! and nobody is but we can only live our lives better for all to see. Well i hope this has given you a better understanding on the Lord and the situation. Good Luck And God Bless I Shall Pray For You!
2007-06-30 11:42:26 · answer #7 · answered by Rich O 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"If anyman be in Christ he is a new creation, old things are passed behold all things are become new."
"With the heart man believeth unto righeousness and with the mouth confession is made"
We could continue as you say; that would not be the act of a good christian. Salvation is not a licence to sin.
We make mistakes daily--thus we can be confess that sin but confession does not mean--to sin again.
Sin is to "miss the mark"--repentence is to turn from that sin and aim again to the higher call which is in Christ Jesus.
2007-06-30 11:36:11 · answer #8 · answered by j.wisdom 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
--NOT IN TRUE Christianity!
--HYPOCRISY is ramphant in the so-called christianity of Constantine, who perverted the christianity of Christ (300 AD)and has left us with the pseudo-christianity we have today!
--THERE ARE no liberties as you have brought forth in the Christianity of the Bible to practice loose living and just continue in a two faced form of christianity! Please note:
(2 Peter 1:20-21) “20Â For YOU know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. 21Â For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.”
--Whether it is prophecy or Christian conduct, hypocrisy is in no way excused in the Bible! Here is also what such ones do:
(2 Peter 3:15-17) “. . .Furthermore, consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul according to the wisdom given him also wrote YOU, 16 speaking about these things as he does also in all [his] letters. In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unsteady are twisting, as [they do] also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 YOU, therefore, beloved ones, having . . .”
--ONE CAN put a label a "Christian House" & it could be a drug den, house of prostitution etc.
--Church chrisianity have prostituted the Bibles clear teachings as to doctrine , conduct and prophecy!
2007-06-30 11:49:05 · answer #9 · answered by THA 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No that is not true. The trick is, that once you have followed Jesus and accepted him as your savior, then you are supposed to know better and you cannot do any of those things. You can still go to hell....that is like betraying GOD. I think you are talking about being a Catholic. You have to change everything. Your ignorance is forgiven, but if you know better, you will burn in hell. You can't go out and take a life and get into heaven.
2007-06-30 11:25:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋