Is it possible to learn anything from the Bible?

Question

Every time any non-christian references something in the bible, or points out a contradiction, there's a flood of answers that boil down to "you can't understand the bible unless god helps you, reading it doesn't mean anything." One direct quote was "You have to pray and be willing to accept the Holy Spirit into yourself in order to understand the Bible." 1 Cor. 2:14 is frequently cited.

To me, this is insane. If it is only possible to understand the bible with direct help from god, then there's no point in the existence of such a book. God could just as easily pass on the "truth" directly to everyone, without bothering with a book that makes no sense on its own. If there are billions of copies of a book floating around that claim to explain the nature of god, and it's not possible to understand what those books say by simply reading them, then they will inevitably create massive misunderstandings.

Or is this just an excuse to ignore anything nonbelievers say?

And if you disagree with me, it's CLEARLY because you lack faith in the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Without the holy touch of his Noodly Appendage, you could never HOPE to understand anything. :P

Dennis, I don't suppose you could provide an example, could you?

So, again, the "christian" position is that anyone who does not share their beliefs is incapable of understanding anything? Is there any point in even talking to people who think like this?

thing55000, now you have a sensible take on the subject. I see your point. But I was asking this in the context of the common claim that the bible cannot be understood by anyone who does not have direct assistance from god. If this claim is correct, then only believers would be able to learn anything from the bible. If the claim is incorrect, then the people making it are either misinformed or liars, and at least one verse of the bible is provably false by this fact alone. Does anyone see this?

Answer 1

An ancient text which has survived thousands of years and contains the writings of scholars, mystics and thinkers across a dozen centuries?

Naw, I doubt there's *anything* we could learn from such a book!

Of course I'm joking. The Bible, like the Koran, the Bhagavid-Gita, Beowulf, The Aeniad and the Epic of Gilgamesh, contain much that is wondrous and much that is wise.

Anyone who can read one of these ancient books (and many others) and discount it as unimportant or uninteresting is not open to the lessons of history of the voices of the past.

In some ways, the bible, like the works of Shakespeare, can be said to contain all human wisdom, as well as all human folly, at least as far as recognising that 'there is no new thing under the sun' when it comes to human emotions and rationales.

Of course all these ancient texts are flawed (in my opinion) because there IS a new world, a future, a way of living, possibilities and challenges that could not be envisaged even 200 years ago, let alone 2,000.

Does that mean it's smart to discount the worth of books like the Bible as guides and repositories of wisdom? Of course not! But it also means we need not be enslaved to our belief in them, either.

Cheers :-)

Answer 2

Re "contradictions": these answers are from Christians whose faith outstrips either their knowledge or logic. I have yet to come across a so-called biblical "contradiction" that does not have a very reasonable, logical explanation. Still, that does not mean that a person's (blind) faith is insanity. Some of us have similar faith in our parents concern for us, particularly when young. "Blind" faith is not equivalent to "misplaced" faith.

"then only believers would be able to learn anything from the bible."
This is not an *entirely* accurate statement, but it is true that the bible was written for the faithful. The ability of the bible to instill faith in some unbelievers who have read it is what we might term a "side effect", and not it's primary purpose at all. In other words, the bible is not meant to convert you, but rather to teach you after you have been converted. Remember, for the 1st 400 years of Christianity there was no "bible", and for most of the rest of Christian history the vast majority of the faithful were illiterate. Even scripture makes no claim that scripture is intended for conversion.

On the other hand, most of the bible is comprehensible to most people. There are some sections, however (particularly Ezekiel and Revelation) which are entirely beyond the comprehension of anyone who is not guided *in this particular area* by the Holy Spirit. Personally, *I* have not been so guided, though I am quite certain that many who claim to be, in these particular instances, are not.

Or, to put it another way, it is *not* possible to *fully* understand the bible without true guidance of the Holy Spirit in that understanding. I am not certain anyone other than Jesus has ever had such full understanding. *I* certainly do not. Nevertheless, this does not bear on the fact that I have yet to come across any "contradiction" that does not have a logical, reasonable and non-religious hocus-pocus explanation.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 3

You can learn a lot from the Bible, but I think you have to read it with a certain attitude. The point is that the Bible is God's Word. If you don't believe, you will not hear Him. You won't have the insight of the Holy Spirit.

Which is not to say that it's completely impossible. There have been many people who have come to Christ merely by reading the Bible, sometimes a stolen Bible from a hotel room. If it couldn't, the Gideons wouldn't be wasting their time. It's just that you have to either be at a low point where you are really needing God, or you have to be open to the possibility.

Answer 4

Tell ya what: you read the entire book from front to back and then tell me.

I'll guarantee you that you haven't done that, or you wouldn't ask the question.

I have done so many times and I have never seen a true contradiction. I have seen the 4 gospels which are accounts from 4 different points of view. Amazingly, the only thing I have found is that one story says there were two guys involved with Jesus at the tombs and another only records one.

No prob: One author only sees the one guy as important. The other sees both as significant. There were two guys, and the story is only relevant to one.

Best thing I can point out in this case is that you're dealing with English translations across several centuries of 3 distinct languages. Most of what is called a "contradiction" is a minor mis read of the original language. (Yes, I read the original language texts).

As with any translations, there are minor areas where tenses, subjunctives, and the like don't translate perfectly. For instance, the Greek of New Testament times has more verb tenses than English does. Hebrew words can sometimes be translated numerous ways, depending on the context.

The main points do translate very well though and that's what I focus on.

Answer 5

I think that answers are there whenever you are ready to see them, don't expect only by "reading a book" understand it completely, I mean there are a lot of simple books that don't need any more further explanation, but, but.... for deep ones, is necessary to look for more that your own opinion or point of view when reading at it, there's a lot about life to learn in the Bible, as well what you share is sounds for me that as things don't make sense or not as you want or have sense on its own they should not exist at all, things are not as we want that's for sure, is not a caprice.

Misunderstandings are created because what people want you to think or believe about what the bible says, so that changes completely through cultures, translations, objectives, etc, but not the real meaning of the Bible itself, that's far from what people can preach with words but not with action.

A simple example for me to say is that Jesus cared about everyone and love them just as they were, that was preaching and doing.... not making a difference because this or that...

:)

Answer 6

Yes you can. Although it is best with God's help, many things of value can just be read.

For example, what kind of person should be appointed leaders? 1 Timothy chapters 3 &4 gives excellent qualities to look for.

How can you tell the true religion from God? Galatians 5:19-24 shows the qualities of the good and bad groups.

Good advice for daily life: 1 Thessalonians 5:21, "Make sure of all things,hold fast to what is fine."

2 Corinthians 13:5, keep testing, keep proving what you yourselves are.

Ephesians 5:15-6:4 about how family life should be viewed. Each one has their parts to play.

Philippians 1:9, true Christians should have love among themselves and get ACCURATE knowledge and FULL discernment.

Answer 7

Anyone who is bright enough and/or tenacious enough can understand the principles of grace intellectually. The problem and the reality is that the principles of grace strain against every fiber of our existence and are simply unbelievable.

So an understanding of the heart must be fascilitated by the Spirit. No one has bragging rights because the Word declares that we need the Holy Spirit to call out to God as our Father and actually mean it.

We can "say" we understand and even "say" we believe, but if we are believing like the Kamakaze pilot or Islamic suicide bomber then it is only an exercise of our own will. When people proclaim that you can hold a gun to their head and they wouldn't forsake Christ I want to puke. Even worse, when they declare with their stubborn will that if we deny Him out of fear we have blasphemed the Spirit, I want to fight. i guess ole Peter is burning in hell for denying Christ...right?

Anyways, back to the point. I was ministering to a homeless guy after buying him dinner and he told me that he had lost his salvation because he was doing bad things. I asked him what fool told him this and went on to tell him that his problem was that someone or something had convinced him to believe that he was sinning against his own soul. The fact is that all sin is against God.

I told him that I didn't give a damn what he was into and I knew he sincerely felt bad but that his sorrow was the sorrow of man that causes destruction...Why do I keep offending myself. my soul? I told him that Godly sorrow calls out to our Father and proclaims...Why do I keep offending You ?

Then to ice the cake, I told him that the letter of James proclaims that if we respect one man over another we are guilty as transgressors of the law and therefore guilty of the whole law.

Finally I looked him straight in the face and told him that I respected the friend who was with me more than him, that I couldn't help it, that I could not change, that I would not lie about it because we worship in Spirit and truth and this was true and finally that I go to my Father and ask Him why do I keep offending Him by feeling this way...or in other words, I assured him with the truth about me that we were equally condemned by the law.

He already knew the truth about me and who I was...he knew what I told him even if I withheld it because he wasn't a dolt...but someone finally TOLD him the truth.

He walked backwards down the street until I couldn't hear him anymore saying "thank you, thank you so much"

I think he may have "understood". I haven't seen him on the street since.

All Praise and Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.

agapefromnc

Answer 8

I read the bible from cover to cover, attend Sunday school, Sunday service (Morning and Evening) Went to Wednesday evening services and Tuesday evening Bible studies for 16 years, attended SEVERAL formal Bible classes Sponsored by Golden Gate Seminary, Trained for two years to be a Missionary. During all this study I took notes that I still have today! During all this study I was a full fledged, Bible Thumping, Pray constantly, Believe as I do or you are going to HELL Christian! So I would say I meet all the requirements possible for God to help me "UNDERSTAND" the bible!

Now I walk a new path and I am Wiccan. I have learned their is a better way to Glorify God (at least for me) and I have never known so much happiness in my ENTIRE life!

Blessings!

Answer 9

It is easy to learn from the Bible. The following verse is an example:

Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

It clearly states if you churn milk you get butter. There is something you learned. It also says if you wring (twist) the nose it will bring forth blood. Something else you learned.

Things like this are easy and anyone can learn them. However the deep things of the Word take help from God. As a non-christian or a young Christian you drink the milk of the Word as a baby suckles at its mom's breast. As an adult Christian you eat the meat of the Word. It takes growth in God and the help of the Holy Spirit to eat the meat of the Word.

Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

There have been many times when I have read a verse I have read hundreds of times before. And all of a sudden I see a new meaning it. I learn something that before I did not know.

Answer 10

i in my opinion sense which you will make this extra basic: 1st, you would be able to desire to talk with God earnestly. with out him you will not have the skill to comprehend any of it. he will deliver you understanding to comprehend. 2d, you would be able to desire to purchase the previous testomony and New testomony interior the English and translated varieties so which you will analyze words. i've got got here across this to be the superb reason human beings have faith there are contradictions interior the Bible. third. Get a concordance, Hebrew lexicon, Greek lexicon, etc. and verify into all passages that pertain to a concern before you're making a end. human beings taking one liners out of the Bible and calling them fact is the priority. you would be able to desire to do a radical analyze or you will pass over something. 4th, you need to purchase the Nag Hammadi Library e book. It has the lost writings that weren't positioned into the Bible, yet you're unlikely to work out some authentic difference from what's interior the Bible, yet you are able to perchance see why they did not contain those writings. this might supply a good initiate.