I was attacked verbally by a fundementalist christian earlier today who claimed that because I was studying the bible at school(Incarnate word in San Antonio) that if I go around trying to teach people the history of Christianity and the history of the ancient texts, then that makes me a dangerous person. He says that Christians shouldn't study beyond what the bible teaches us because that is where the devil dwells. Isn't that kind of a cop out for learning?
2007-09-21 01:20:24 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's a major cop out. I think they're afraid that if you learn too much, you will upset their system of belief. I've learned a lot about the history of and sources for the Bible and have had a couple of my friends tell me that it doesn't matter. I think they're just afraid to have their beliefs challenged.
2007-09-21 01:24:31 · answer #1 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
There is nothing wrong with studying the Bible or any other religion, just as long as you keep an open mind and not bury yourself in the sand, as the old saying goes, only an ostrich will put it's head in the sand.
There was a world beyond the Bible history that existed long before those who traditionally found their Jewish God in the Golden Triangle of Mesopotamia, 5,000 years ago.
The long search for where Norah's flood had occured, may in-fact be when the Black Sea area was flooded. This is when the sea level rose to a height that breached the land bridge between the two continent's from climate change. This has now been confirmed by sampling the sea bed and fragments of timber laying in the layers of silt.
The story of a man surviving on a raft with his animals was recorded long before the Jews adopted the fate of the known world in those times. Which only existed in their eyes from the corridor of the Golden Triangle.
There is no evidence to say that Australia was flooded as to destroy all the aboriginals who had been living on that continent for 40,000 years before the flood and are still here. Even when the last ice age melted the sea never rose over the continent but cut off Tasmania from the mainland.
I know that those who are convinced beyond reasonable doubt will say that the scientist have got their facts wrong when confirming date times from scientific analysis by carbon dating and other investigative analysis. And these strong will people say that their evidence is recorded in some scripturs.
Here on earth we are only a small spectium of atoms living in the unknown world of the universes of many. If there is inteligent life out there allbeit and they may have been the inteligent minds that started the process of life. Who on earth really knows the answeres to this question. No body!
2007-09-21 02:15:04 · answer #2 · answered by Drop short and duck 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"He says that Christians shouldn't study beyond what the bible teaches us because that is where the devil dwells."
Where is that in the Bible? That is clearly his view that he's imposing on you. In principle learning or seeking knowledge is natural, we all have yearning to learn more. I suppose some people think by researching the Bible it may reveal more about the writers and put more emphasis on them as opposed to God. However, if your faith is strong then acquiring this knowledge won't change your beliefs. God was not created when the Bible was written. He existed before then, as that is my understanding, so regardless of how far beyond the Bible you study you should still find God even if the Devil is present. You do what you feel is best and be lead by your understanding of the Bible.
2007-09-21 01:30:06 · answer #3 · answered by A-chan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian, I admire what you're doing.
I don't know who this nut case was, but he's so off the track, he's not even in the same ball park. In fact, he's not even in the same game!
Yes. That IS a cop-out for learning. I have a BS in Comp Sci and I'm a computer programmer here at the state university, and I love learning.
How else can I "love God with all your heart, soul, MIND, and strength"?
Keep up the good work, get all A's, and learn as much as you can :-)
Additional comment: By the way, I'm a "fundy", that is, I believe the Bible from front to back, and I've never heard such nonsense.
2007-09-21 01:30:49 · answer #4 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's dangerous for Christians. Because if you look far enough you might discover that the current editions of the Bible cannot be relied upon to faithfully render what was originally written. A quick example, the word "homosexual" didn't appear in the Bible until the RSV. In biblical times it wasn't even a concept. Tell that to the fundamentalists and they might try to lynch you.
2007-09-21 01:29:12 · answer #5 · answered by Dr Know It All 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Many years ago I too thought except the Word as it lay. But as I really read and reread I felt led by the Holy Spirit to get a Concordance and study tenses. I always take a pad and pencil and note what is preached. It is dangerous to beleive a man. The deeper things of God need to be sought.
2007-09-21 01:25:30 · answer #6 · answered by Southern Comfort 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What the poor Fundie schmuck means is that if you use your brain and try to become a better image of God (who even by their accounts is one smart cookie), then you'll probably outstrip them and they wouldn't like that at all.
Alexander Pope said it best: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Drink DEEP or touch not the Pieran Spring.
In other words, if you're wanta have more smarts than the average begonia, then dig deep and learn, learn, learn. DON'T stop! Or you could end up a well-meaning halfwit like your Fundie pal.
Poor Fundamentalists. Their preachers expect them to go into a battle of wits for the souls of others and they send them out pretty much unarmed.
I know, I know. BAAAAAAD Annie *tsk,tsk,tsk* *slapping wrist* Shame on moi.
2007-09-21 01:32:08 · answer #7 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Only to your "sanity"...
The more you know, the more you are likely to understand..... and the more you understand, the more you see how it all fits together...
.... and the more you see how it all fits together, the more you notice that there are definitely bits missing and that as a whole it doesn't make sense.
Eventually... the ultimate result of seeking knowledge is that you find out the Universe doesn't make sense.... That all knowledge is worthless and all assumptions are nonsense.
Best to just stick with the small-scale.
2007-09-21 01:27:58 · answer #8 · answered by Lucid Interrogator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When we study the Bible we should ask God to help us the way He wants us to learn it. Sometimes we can b decieved by what other ppl say. Do not learn the Word of God as Theology alone, but study it with God's wisdom.
Your friend just doesnt want u to get too carried away by the theology part of studying the Word. WQhen u try to teach someone the Gospel try to tell them about the love of God and that he can forgive them of their sins. Dont shoot them with theology or history, it may bore them.
2007-09-21 01:27:53 · answer #9 · answered by Angel 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That wasn't a fundamentalist Christian, just an ignorant one.
God is not afraid of any knowledge. Just remember there are two kinds of knowledge - truth and lie.
Know the Word of God so you can discern good from evil and the truth from a lie.
2007-09-21 01:29:29 · answer #10 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says at Proverbs 1:7 (King James Version):
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise and instruction." I couldn't say it any better.
Meanwhile I have started up a Yahoo! Group designed for that very thing of study. You're welcome to check it out. It is EXTRATERRESTRIALS AND SX
2007-09-21 11:46:53 · answer #11 · answered by SPR Founder 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋