And how do you decide what is really, really true, and what is not. or just a story?
2007-07-26 06:30:42 · 36 answers · asked by ladyren 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My years of religious study have taught me that you can't take the Bible's words for face value. Almost every single verse has been translated numerous times, and words get messed up. Books and Gospels have been omitted, and shortened down and cut down and purposely changed. What you read now is shockingly not very common to what was originally wrote in and for the Bible.
2007-07-26 06:35:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is held up as the highest authority because it has been received as both true and extremely reliable. Why do you suppose that every time somebody writes an insrtruction manual they call it a "bible?" The Golf Bible, the Chef's Bible, the Bible of Auto repair. It is an authority and has always been accepted as such until modern times when people are rejecting God and don't want to acknowledge its authority.
The Bible is not one book, it is 66 collected books. Each is different. Psalms is poetry that's supposed to be set to music, Revelation is apocalyptic literature, written to tell something with figurative language, and the Gospels are narratives, step by step accounts of Jesus' life and ministy. Usually a study Bible can tell you which is which if you can't see it yourself, but just as you can recognize poetry, from history textbooks, from personal letters outside the Bible, with a little reading you can see the same in the Bible.
The reason these particular works are all collected together is because these are the only ones that have ever universally been accepted as fully God inspired. I don't mean people felt inspirational so they wrote, but that God actually intervened into the affairs of man and communicated. Because of the amazing nature of that, and because of God's command, prophets and apostles wrote it down.
If you can't believe the Bible, you can't believe any record of ancient history because the Bible is the best attested manuscript of all times, and there isn't an archaeologist worth his salt that would go against what the Bible says happened.
Anyway, in the Bible you will find Jesus. It's all about Him from front to back, and He is about saving you. Take the time to read some of the Bible. If you don't know where to begin, lemme know.
2007-07-26 06:41:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There could be parts taken away or added, otherwise the warning in Revelations would be unnecessary. I believe that the Bible is essential true, say 99% true, free from tampering.
Another problem is in interpretting the text into other languages. Often the text is giving multiple messages. Sometimes I believe the text is saying more than even the writers knew - it is the Word of God.
In reading the Bible, it was written by various authors, from different era and different backgrounds, yet it all fits together. The truths in the Bible are given in more than one place. You might find references to a doctrine in both the Old and New Testament. When you are trying to find truth in the Bible about a doctrine, look for it to appear in several different places. In that way you have confirmation.
2007-07-26 06:41:08 · answer #3 · answered by ignoramus_the_great 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, if you believe the whole Bible is true, you had better know what is in there. Too many Christians do not read the WHOLE bible...they only listen to interpretations by preachers and pamphets which "spin" it according to their agenda. I love much of the message of the bible, but that message is not the one most Churchianity Israel-Worshippers think it is.
Christianity was different only 50 years ago. Its message got sold down the river, when Christians started listening to the anti-Christian Jews' interpretation of God and how they should worship and behave. New sins were even invented, like "racism"...read the Bible in its totality and I think you will discover the loving God is definitely on the side of racial seperation.
Take back your Bible and your real religion Christians, and stop apologizing for it, and stop letting people of other religions tell you how to worship God. The supposed believers have made a mockery of the religion to please the Jewish enemies of Christ. No wonder it has little respect anymore.
2007-07-26 06:56:24 · answer #4 · answered by Whites Forward 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Bible is all Inspired of God (2 Tim.3:16 )it is not a story but the History of mankind starting with creation stretching into the future when Gods original purpose is accomplished and his kingdom is established here on earth. (Rev 21:3,4)
It is full of Prophesies, Parables and examples of faithful ones of old. It answers every question you could have about life, death, suffering and purpose. It allows you to distinguish truth from false never take anyones word on anything always compare it with what the Bible says if it can not be supported scriptually than it is not truth.
2007-07-26 06:41:37 · answer #5 · answered by oldschl82 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Everything in the bible is true whether it is a true story or a true proverb or a true account of Moses the Magician. Adam and Eve is a true account of someone's idea of how the human race came to be. You could come up with your own account I suppose but it is already written.
It is truly in the mind of man to speculate on everything. Paul's handkerchief WAS miraculous because it kept the wound clean and sealed against pathogens, Today we call it the band aid; both are miracles; the first a miracle because hygiene was not understood in the days of Paul by the masses and a miracle today that it continues to protect from infection and promotes healing but today we understand the miracle of cleanliness.
2007-07-26 06:38:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Without a doubt... I believe the Bible to be true. All of it. I don't pick and choose. Also, where other see "contradiction", I see "misunderstanding". We may not understand what we think is a contradiction, but God does. (I realize there probably needs more explanation here but if you want more, let me know).
Be blessed!
2007-07-26 06:35:00 · answer #7 · answered by Cool Dad 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is the" word "of God translated by men who walked and talked with him, when he himself walked this earth. You cannot pick and choose which is a story or all true. Because it is all true. He died because his own people couldn't accept him for who he was. And all who prophesied about him were killed in his name, which is happening to this day. History repeats itself.
2007-07-26 06:46:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is entirely TRUE. But to understand the Bible you must take the Bible in Context. In the context of JESUS CHRIST, in the context of the rest of the Bible, in the context of sacred tradition. And then you can discern meaning from it. Sometimes we can analyze the Bible by an examination of the historical context, but often times we need the context of GOD HIMSELF, that is JESUS THE WORD OF GOD, that which JESUS has said, what the servants of JESUS have taught us, what the HOLY SPIRIT can teach us, and an examination of our own selves.
But i absolutely believe the Bible is TRUE and authentic.
LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
Amen.
2007-07-26 06:40:22 · answer #9 · answered by jesusfreakstreet 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The whole Bible is true! People who pick and choose only do so because they don't want to follow what it says. You can't bend the rules and the truth hurts. That's why they pick. But the whole Bible is true..
2007-07-26 06:33:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋