I am a Christian, however, I have sensed for many years now, that for many Christians the Bible itself had become an "idol."
Believing the LITERAL words of the Bible over very strong scientific evidence. I believe that if it can be scientifically proven, it must have come from God. Yet, most Christians I talk to cannot grasp this.
Scholars have found many mis-translations and errors in the Bible over the years. Why are so many Christians putting more faith in a human crafted book than they are in the God that the book is about?
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
"Thou shalt not worship false idols." ...including the Bible itself.
Now, I know many of you other Christians are going to really argue with me, but you also need to take a good long look at yourself and examine whether you have been "worshiping" a book.
2007-07-05 04:44:30 · 17 answers · asked by Aaron H 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To ianpt:
Consider this, do you think that Paul realized that his personal letter to Timothy would be considered scripture hundreds of years later?
2007-07-05 05:09:15 · update #1
To ugot it:
How dare you question my Christianity? That is for God alone to decide. I'm sick and tired of people using the "stumbling block" argument as an excuse to refuse to use their brain. God doesn't want us to be stupid, he gave a critically thinking brain for a reason.
When Christ walked the earth, the only time he got angry was at the religious leaders of the day, and he criticized and challenged the POPULAR interpertation of scripture. Why are those that do the same today (in a spirit of trying to better understand God) are called false Christians and heretics?
2007-07-05 05:16:27 · update #2
To Daniel K:
I'm not talking about picking and choosing. I'm talking about everything being a literal interperation with no room for analogy or metaphor. Man is an imperfect creature, and some things are lost in translation, lost in culture, and lost in context. We as Christians MUST be open to new interperation of Scripture. After all, the Bible was used to prove the earth was flat, the Bible was used to justify slavery, The Bible was used to fight de-segregation and interracial marriage. It's all a matter of cultural perspective. When my pastor was a child it was considered a SIN to drink orange soda... I'm NOT lying. Too many people think that Christian values equal 1950's American suburbia. That is simply NOT the case.
2007-07-05 05:25:14 · update #3
To Tootsie:
The scripture you reference, when it "WORD" it is refering to Christ himself, NOT the Bible.
Trust me, I took all the required Bible classes at Oral Roberts University.
2007-07-05 05:36:25 · update #4
Yes, humans have an unfortunate tendency to concretize the object of their worship, whether it's an icon, a crucifix, or a Book. The Bible is the written Word of God, but Jesus is the LIVING Word. It's important to recognize the difference.
2007-07-05 05:02:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Which might explain the contradictions and conflicts and extreme diversity between all Christians and also the reason God has no influence what so ever on the events of life? No not 'free will' or 'sin' those are excuses as to why he has no effect in life. Its these excuses, faith, free will, sin of man, fear. That have kept the Christian and Islamic religion going longer the other religions. Because you cannot prove nor unprove it. Well, shux, do You think i could get a word in edge-wise? You cannot prove or DISprove Your points, either. We are in the realm of spiritual beliefs, and You are really shoving Yours down our throats. Moses wrote one of the Psalms. Salmon was an ancestor of King David. Jesus feared death! I know the Bible, and i know who wrote each book. Some were women! Ha-ha!
2016-05-18 22:49:28 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand your frustration, but I believe the bible is in fact the very words of God and must be followed. I believe your anger is not really with Christians believing the bible contains no error, but with those who take it out of context and add things that it really does not say
For example many church doctrines say the dinosaurs never existed because as of now scientific evidence points to them living and dying off before man was on this earth. This may seem to prove the bible wrong, but does it really? At one time scientific evidence suggested the earth was flat. We now know it is not. I believe if God allows the earth and humans to last long enough science will find the answer and it will prove the bible right.
Some believe creation took many thousand years and in line with a day is to God like a thousand years, who is to say that is not true?
Some believe there was two creations, one where God created the earth with the dinosaurs, and another whether he created man. Who is to say, just because the bible mentions only one creation and one earth, we cannot be sure he did not create others. God Bless
2007-07-05 08:56:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"All scripture is God breathed"... "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God... and the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us"
All I need is that, The bible isn't anything like an IDOL, God's word is God, the "Word" is God. I believe that God's Spirit intervenes with ours and if there is any discrepancies The Holy Spirit will make those clear to us as we seek Him.
As for science the bible and science parallel on many levels. Science is a remarkable tool, but if it counters what God's word says, and you BUY into a theory that lacks evidence over, believing the bible... that in my opinion is an error. Mankind was made in God's image, and was able to name all the animals, reason and rationalize, and was held accountable for choices from day one.
Have a great one!
2007-07-05 04:59:35 · answer #4 · answered by ™Tootsie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agreed.
A bit off the subject, the idea of sola scriptura is not biblical. John 21:25 tells us:
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
There is a lot more to Christianity than simply memorizing and regurgitating Bible passages.
2007-07-05 05:01:28 · answer #5 · answered by Adoptive Father 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear Friend,
You are mistaken!
Consider:
2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2 Peter 1:21
For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit
All scripture is given by God, for us to learn about him, and his great gifts to us. The Bible was written by men who were given the words by God.
Why are you relying on Science and man made 'works' Surely as a Christian you accept the word of God by faith?
could it be said that your idol is science, and that it has blinded you?
Why not pray about this and seek Gods guidance?
God Bless
2007-07-05 04:58:39 · answer #6 · answered by ianptitchener 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your for the most part. On YA they're called Fundies. They have a nack for giving the rest of us Chrisitians a bad name.
On the other hand I don't believe the bible has errors in it, (except for the ones with Martin Luther's edits) you just have to know how to interperet it correctly. The biggest problem with the fundies is that they don't know how to interpret the bible correctly. If they did we wouldn't need to have this discussion. But this is what happens when you break away from the church that Jesus himself started.
2007-07-05 04:54:19 · answer #7 · answered by Thom 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Judge not lest ye be judged. I worship God. I look to the bible to get HIS direction for my life and to learn more about Him. I am not against learning new things, even new things that pertain to the bible. But, before I take anything over the bible, I will pray and listen to God's voice. He directs my life and leads me to the truth about Him and will continue to do so.
2007-07-05 05:05:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am also a Christian and I don't ever focus on the religion part of it all. The only thing I focus on is my relationship with My God. I don't base my beliefs on what others teach me or say about what God says... I go to His Word and at the same time listen to what God is speaking to me. I don't solely rely on written words. I search for Rhema word from God. (spoken word.) I completley agree with you 100%!!!!!
2007-07-05 04:53:31 · answer #9 · answered by TRV 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As a free-thinking idividual, you can believe whatever you want to. As a Christian, however, you are limited. If the bible is not true, then it is false. Picking and chosing is not allowed according to the bible--unless you have disregarded that as well. I have more respect for Atheists than I do for someone calling themselves a Christian and not believing in the Bible as the authority for their practices and beliefs. Atheists don't pretend to be something they are not. Just quit wearing the name Christian, Jesus knew how the world was made and if you don't think He did, then why follow Him?
2007-07-05 04:56:38 · answer #10 · answered by Daniel K 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋