Christians: What are some common biblical misconceptions you'd like to clear up?

Question

I just read for like the eleventeenth time that "the Bible says" that sex is only for procreation and that thus oral sex would be considered by the Bible. It would seem that this came from a non-Christian (poster, forgive me if I am wrong about this). This is clearly *not true*.

Yesterday, I noticed a poster saying that God says that it's better to be with a prostitute than to masturbate. Um, negatori, peeps. The only even *possible* reference to masturbation in all of scripture really more refers to, er, pulling out, sorry to be crass, and says nothing of the kind.

So, Christians, what are some things YOU see non-believers (or believers!) say that the Bible says that you'd like to clear up?

Thanks!

Answer 1

That the names and order of printing of the books are themselves inspired and authoritative.

That Adam and Eve ate an apple (That was Paris and the three Greek goddesses).

That God shoots lightning at people when He is displeased (although one of the Psalms does refer to lightning during a storm)

That the Children of Abraham in bondage in Egypt built the Pyramids (I first saw this on YahooAnswers)

That all of the disciples wore striped bathrobes but Jesus wore an all-white one.

That prophets hold up their arms and carry a staff when they work a miracle. (But Moses did hold up his arms to pray for the Hebrew army)

Answer 2

You're right on!! Oral sex is a blessing for married people!

I'd have to say the one that irritates me the most is the teaching that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. No where in scripture does it say that they were only for a time or for certain followers of Jesus, specifically the first 12 Apostles. Jesus said in Mark 16

15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Many in the church have accepted the idea of evangelism but rejected the gifts as if they can be separated. Saving people is God's business, we're just vessels! The same is true with the gifts! We can't heal, prophesy, cast out demons, or do signs and wonders anymore than we can cause someone to be born again! But God in His mercy has made us co laborers with Him in ALL of His work, if we will be willing and take a risk! We must remember that our God is the Only True and LIVING God who enjoys showing people in practical ways He's alive and able to do things we'd never dream of! We don't need to evangelize through "scientific" arguements/debates as much as through signs and wonders!

Answer 3

the only false impression I see this is as quickly as I see somebody here soliciting for "some reliable Punk bands - yet no longer something too previous." From the Sonics to the Vines - there is over 40 years of reliable Punk song (aka storage Rock) to hearken to. Why might somebody who likes to hearken to "loud, quickly, regulations" form song no longer incorporate the Stooges, the Ramones, television, the Vibrators, and so on.?? As for the Ramones, i does no longer hesitate to propose the stay LP/CD 'that's Alive.' The Ramones at their suited. As for the Saints, I rather have in common terms listened to their first and 2nd LPs/CDs. yet they too rocked and deserve as lots credit because of the fact the Ramones do. another false impression that i will think of of, yet that doesn't quite trouble me, grow to be that on the time all of those bands did no longer have the get right of entry to to expsoure the Punk bands do at the instant. No company sponsorship, no substantial labels, no air play... yet did that quit them from making reliable song? No.

Answer 4

There are so many- but I guess the one that the two that irk me the most are;

1. "The Bible contradicts itself", but when you ask most to show you where, they don't know the verse, the chapter, the book or even what the so-called controversial verses say!

2. "I just can't remember where, but Jesus once said.....", "I can't remember the exact verse, but the Bible says....." and then they say something that is DEFINITELY NOT in the Bible, but something they heard their priest or pastor say, but since they can't check it for themselves, they can't tell when he is lying.

I'm just glad that I can help such people (if they want the help, that is).

Answer 5

1. The Bible says you should not judge me. Actually it says to not judge rashly or hypocritically. The Bible does say we should judge men by their fruits (deeds) and especially judge the actions of other church members. The Apostle Paul severely rebukes the Corinthians for not judging a man who was having an affair with his stepmother.

2. Once saved always saved. Actually the Bible teaches we must endure to the end and we will be judged by our works. Even Paul states he keeps his body under control lest in the end he himself becomes a castaway.

3. Homosexuality is accepted by God because He loves everybody. Actually both Old and New Testaments strongly condemn the practice as well as any sexual misconduct outside of marriage. God loves us so much that He is willing to WARN us of our sinful behavior that hurts ourselves or others. Paul spells out homosexuality as a sin in more than one place. Jesus lumps together all sexual misconduct as "fornication".

4. The Bible is inerrant. While the Bible certainly teaches the truth, or the Gospel message of salvation. It does have many flaws, mistranslations, historical accounts that are not revelation, opinions of men such as Paul.

5. Men of God are inerrant... many view thier popes or prophets are infallible. The Bible reveals many prophets or men chosen of God made many mistakes, some completely apostatizing such as King Saul, the Apostle Judas Iscariat, the prophet Balaam and others. Other chosen men made terrible mistakes but repented and were forgiven (with a punishment) such as David and Solomon who had many wives, David murdered a man to steal his wife, and Solomon utterly corrupted Israel with pagan religions.

6. Christian works are filthy rags. Actually Paul was quoting Isaiah, who was referring to the works of the Law of Moses that were done grudgingly and in unbelief. Their animal sacrifices were compared to cutting off a dog's neck. Nowhere does Paul compare CHRISTIAN works to being filthy rags.

7. You are saved by faith alone. James states that faith without works is vain and dead, that even the devils believe but of course are not saved. Works shows our faith and proves to God that we accept His commandments, THEN is grace applied. Grace is given conditionally, not just to someone who professes Christ but in their works deny Him.

8. The Rapture, some passages about Christ's return (that we will meet him in the air) are misinterpreted. The passages simply means He will return to earth to begin the millenium reign. About the only verse that alludes to any sort of rapture is where the wicked are first gather up by the reaping angels and burned as weeds.

9. The cannon of scriptures is closed. Nowhere does the Bible say that. It only states that man is to not alter, add or take away from whatever scriptures God gives man... this certainly does not mean God cannot speak to man again or cause more scripture to be written. After all God is omnipotent and does not change... therefore if He spoke to man in times past, He surely can again today or in the future.

10. The creation occured in 6 earth days. Actually God is timeless, and the Hebrew word for day, Yom, could easily and accurately be interpreted as an era, so God could have created the universe in 6 God days or 6 eras, which could easily have taken 14 billion earth years.

Answer 6

Why do some Christians quote Leviticus as proof of the evils of homosexuality, yet they have no problem eating pork or shellfish, which is in the same chapter.

Then they will say, "the Old Testament doesn't matter, Jesus changed all that"

So where did Jesus say anything about homosexuality???

Answer 7

1. "Do not judge" (taken out of context).

2. The Catholic church is the true church because of apostolic succession (no reference to the value of apostolic succession, if there even is such a thing, in the Bible)

I could come up with more.

Answer 8

In answer to your question....
That Yahshua IS GOD. It is quite clear that He is not, nor did He say HE WAS(for that WOULD be blasphemy, and is the reason why LUCIFER fell from heaven), but, because christians fail to read the Old Testament, nor do they see the FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW in the example of David and his son SOLOMON, they think He is God, thus making him like satan.
It's a real oxymoron problem the 'church' has gotten themselves into. But, then again, what will HE say to them? 'Be gone from me, I KNOW YOU NOT.' Why? Because they don't know HIM.

Answer 9

you all have probably heard or will hear someone say that the bible says" god will never put more on you than you can handle" one problem, no where in the bible does say that.

Answer 10

...you look strangely like my math teacher....

heh

anyway, there are far to many misconceptions among the bible, from christians and nonchristians.

and about your second paragraph in your details- that's entirely wrong. they're both equally bad. sin is sin. it cost the same thing (note that it's my belief they're equally bad because it's sin because it cost jesus's life)