God said it. I believe it. That settles it. Your thoughts on this phrase?

Question

I see it quoted many times. But, to me it sounds rather foolish.

As a Christian are you not to study the Bible, learn from others, have dialogue etc...

Or, are you to walk through life with blinders on?

God said it? Where did God say it? In the Bible? Who says? The Bible says....hmmm isn't that a circular argument.

Wouldn't one be a better "witness" speaking from their heart...providing answers to peoples questions...rather than empty foolish lines like the above...or regurgitated memorized Bible verses?

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

It's lame.

Honor the creator in whom you believe by using the brain you were given to THINK, not just regurgitate close-minded phrases that only serve to highlight how threatened you feel by anything different.

Answer 2

The phrase you are citing comes from twentieth century America, not the early Christian (and thereby Roman Catholic church or the European protestants who sprouted up after that Martin Luther incident in Germany).
The persons most likely to say such a thing are extreme fundamentalist who think that the Bible was originally written in English (with red letters for the words of Jesus). They are typically very uninformed as to the origins of the bible, the original languages, the development of the Christian church and on and on.
The Jews thought so much they developed a system and rules for their discussion called the Talmud.
The early Christians were also rather deep thinkers, developing systematic theology, along with some odd logic.
It is a rather recent development that Christians have given up the use of their "God given"ability to think and have become so closed minded.
It seem to go well with how politics work in this nation.
Could there be a link?

Answer 3

Pretty common among the true believers. If it's written down in their Bible, that's all they need to know, and they absolutely won't listen to anything else.

It's funny, though, because these are the same people who always remind you that God gave us free will, whenever you try to ask them why a loving God would allow pain and suffering in the world, or why he would allow evil to exist. Yet when it comes down to it, free will is the last thing any of them would ever use. Why aren't you using this gift that you say God gave you? It's only good for explaining away evil and suffering, and that's it?

I like to think that if there is a God, he'll reward those who were bold enough to question him, because they're the ones who put their free will to use. As Jefferson famously wrote, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."

It's OK to think.

Answer 4

"God said it. I believe it. That settles it. Your thoughts on this phrase?
I see it quoted many times. But, to me it sounds rather foolish. "

It means that the personal accepts Biblical teaching as the measure for their lives and is a response to liberal interpretations of Scripture.


"As a Christian are you not to study the Bible, learn from others, have dialogue etc... "

Of course, however, that doesn't conflict with the statement. It does mean, though, that the person's understanding is going to framed in terms of what the believe Scripture to say as compared to more liberal interpretations which dismiss Scripture as irrelevant.

"Or, are you to walk through life with blinders on? "

No, and the statement does not reflect blinders. You mention dialogue, since you seem to equate the "God said it, I believe it" model as having blinders, does the dialogue act as a blinder for you? Or is that dialogue the frame of your reference?

"God said it? Where did God say it? In the Bible? Who says? The Bible says....hmmm isn't that a circular argument. "

It is only circular if one is ignorant of history and the hermenutical framework of the concept. God said it generally what is quote as "Thus says the Lord" in the Bible....The Bible which has stood the test of time and the evaluation of Christians for almost 2000 years.

"Wouldn't one be a better "witness" speaking from their heart..."

Perhaps from the liberal point of view. However, that view point is also fraught with problems. By that standard, the witness of anyone's heart is as valid as everyone else's. The serial killer who views others as mere toys for his/her use witnesses from his/her heart...The aduterer witnesses from his/her heart. Nothing is right or wrong, except what we individually view. Which ultimately means we judge others by our own standards, so that we are alway "right" and others most often fall short of our standards.


"providing answers to peoples questions...rather than empty foolish lines like the above...or regurgitated memorized Bible verses?"

Again, that's subjective. Which gets back to the whole allowing ourselves to set the standard and others falling short. So much for dialogue and open mindedness, huh?

Oh, and it also overlooks the reality that groups create and utilize there own languages. While you may not understand the "regurgitated" Scripture, within the group that quote has meaning that may not be as "blinded" as you think.

Answer 5

Because the bible and the church teach them to not think for themselves, because otherwise there would be no one to fill their seats. I've found that usually the most religious people are also the people that are the easiest to influence. I'm not stating this as a fact, but its just an observation that I've made (maybe car salesmen should wait in the parking lot after sunday mass).

Answer 6

The Bible says to try to walk as Jesus walked. Most of the Bible was written before or after Jesus so I know that he wasn't teaching from it. But there are issues with walking like Jesus did because the whole part of his life from 11 to his late twenties/early thirties is missing.
I think that God speaks to peoples hearts and to learn by example is better than studying something that may not be totally comprehensive to all or totally accurate.

Answer 7

If a god said it, I would believe it, also.

Unfortunately, a god didn't say it.

A man did.

And HE said that god said it.

Therefore, by their own process of deduction, anyone that chants that phrase discounts their own bible. Until god says something, they are relying on the words of man. And that man (several men, actually) have been proven to be wrong about a great many things.

Answer 8

The Bible is God' Word, he inspired men to write it, I know every jot and tittle is true. You don't have to walk thru life with blinders on, just consult his Word.
The Bible is God's instruction manual to us, we can find lifes answer's there. As far as speaking from the heart goes, that can be tricky it depends on whats in that persons heart.
I know its tough sometimes we get frustrated with what we consider "pat answers", we want specifics, at least I know I do. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Yep. Its along the same lines as: God works in mysterious ways. The bible proves his existence. Its not our place to question god.
They are all cop-out statements. They all mean the same thing..."I don't know and I don't want to think about it, its too hard. It is just easier for me to say god did it and get on with my life."
It amazes me how many people are so willing to write off their minds without using it logically.

Answer 10

This statement is just a practical way for many "preachers" to get across to "christians" the idea of Faith. Faith is BIBLICALLY defined as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"Hebrews 11:1... If God were "seen" or if our hope as Christians were to come to fruition (heaven/Christ's return) then our faiths would be substantiated, until then, our faith is just that,,,, FAITH. Not that I believe that the faith of christendom lacks foundation. The Bible teaches it does not lack foundation. Therfore "God said it" (Biblical ideas which are understood to be inspired by God) "I believe it" (I have faith) "That settles it" my faith has a firm foundation, (I do not plan to waiver) though I love to talk about it openly with anyone interested.....