Christians: Do you believe people distorted the meaning of the bible in the Medieval Age?

Question

That God's word can be distorted tells me not only to view the bible with suspicion (after all, we do not know how distorted it was when written) but that God did a poor job of handing down his views in a way that cannot be distorted.

I'd expect a real god could do better. If he can build a universe and all life you'd think he could make a book fool-proof.

Please explain.

Answer 1

The words of God have been distorted when the first scribe took pen to paper. Even the Bible tells us this.

The reason The Bible is twisted is even if it is the true word of god, we are flawed beings incapable of leaving our petty needs and desires out of his words. The bible is written in parable because the minds of man cannot comprehend the true nature of the Divine. Sadly parable is always open to interpretation and once again man is a flawed creature, that will side with the interpretation that best fits their agenda.

Too many people use the bible as an escape hatch or a cliff note to life and spirituality, instead of an book of inspired works. Even worse is many people to not read the bible for themselves, instead they rely on what others tell them is there.

These are not flaws of the work but of the audience.

As to a "real god" doing better, what would the point of self determination and free will if god intervened in our every day life?

Answer 2

Why just the Medieval Age? I think it's been distorted both before and after then.

How could God let this happen? Easy, He gave man free will, including the ability to misread, either deliberately or through ignorance, scripture. The problem isn't with the book, it's with the readers of the book. Humans even have the ability to misunderstand something as simple as "Don't eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil". (Well, if the serpent said it was alright to go ahead and do so, doesn't that make it o.k.?)

Answer 3

God expects you to help building His plan. You seem to be very good at pointing out faults of other people, even God is criticized.

Muhammad distorted the Bible message at the Medieval Age.

Answer 4

In my opinion, the Bible is inspired by God, meaning that it is a tool for godliness and for finding salvation. It does not mean that it was "dictated" by God and can only be phrased one way. There are many versions of the Bible in many languages. Each one is going to be interpreted somewhat differently by the reader. A reader reads ANY book in light of his own level of reading comprehension, prior experience and knowledge, and understanding of the meanings of words, phrases and idioms. Many parables, psalms, proverbs and other such complex literary passages in the Bible are very difficult to understand for a scholar (and there are many scholarly differences of opinion on many different issues), and that's not to mention that those complex literary devices were originally written in Hebrew or Greek and then translated.

Even very basic tenets of Christianity are hotly debated to this day. Hence, there are many denominations of Protestants, many schools of thought in Catholicism, etc.

Why? Couldn't God just give us the rulebook and say "here - here's the rulebook, and I'm handing it to you personally so you know it's the right one...." Of course he could. Why wouldn't he? Why would he allow such disparate opinions, translations, denominations, debates, analysis, and arguments?

In my opinion, it all boils down to the concept of seeking and finding. A very famous passage in the Bible is "seek, and ye shall find" -- similar concepts occur in Buddhism, Taoism and many other religions.

God, in my view, places some importance in "seeking" (investigating - searching -- looking for). He's not only interested in whether you actually find. If all he wanted was for you to find the right answers, he would just show them to you.

To me, that means that the journey - the study -- the thought process -- the thinking -- the feeling -- the looking -- the searching -- the SEEKING --- is just as important.

Search for the truth, and you shall find it. Whether the truth you find is in agreement with what some other joker considers the truth can't be your concern. You can only go by your own mind, your own brain and your own heart.

That's my opinion.

Answer 5

Even a crystal clear text could be distorted by those with the desire to do so. Yes, mankind has been misunderstanding scripture and twisting it to support their actions since the beginning of Christianity. That won't change until Christ returns.

Answer 6

Yes. (and they do today)


It tells me that people will pervert anything.

G-d's word says that he wants his words "written on the hearts" of his people.... this written done on 'paper' thing was done because people refused and perverted it.

After it was written down, people just continued to twist it; but now with more force since now they could point to the text and state their intentional misinterpretation, with a "here it is, look and see".

Perhaps you can blame G-d for letting his teachings be so vague, but I think he wants people to do what is right just because it's the right thing to do; not out of fear or obligation.

Answer 7

Yes.

I disagree with your conclusions about God. Without our free agency this life would have no meaning.

Those who are sincere about seeking God's truth will find it.

Answer 8

Yes, absolutely.

Answer 9

YOU KNOW MY THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER!!!

POO ON YAHOO REMOVING YOUR OTHER QUESTIONS!

MY FAMILY HAD A BIG DISCUSSION ABOUT TORNADOES OVER DINNER LAST NIGHT BECAUSE OF YOUR Q'S!

HAVE A GREAT DAY ORION...IVE GOT INSOMNIA...ITS 2.30AM HERE!
aRIEL