I was reading the Bible today.. it's not that nice is it?

Question

I thought I'd have a look at the Bible because I've not really ever before and all it is, is about war. How is that to do with love?

Thank you everyone.

Answer 1

Reading is a very good habit. Keep it up. Everyone should read as much as they can and whatever they can, for knowledge maketh a man.
While we should read anything, it does not mean we should believe everything we read. For a truly knowledgeable person knows how and where to draw that line.

Answer 2

I think you've been reading the Old Testament. I know that the section in my New American Bible called The Historical Books has some pretty screwed up generations of kings, leaders, & profits killing each other, probably in 1 & 2 Kings & 1 & 2 Chronicles. I guess any of the people who followed Solomon had some decadent or righteous stuff done. I actually stayed up one night reading those particular O.T. books as I originally was looking @ the 411 on Jesus' genealogy starting from David.

Of course, I suggest u read the New Testament, starting from the Gospels. (Incidentally, if you're a Falling Up fan like me, I'm listening to "Exhibition" (based on 1 Corinthians 1:28) & now "Good Morning Planetarium." The N.T. is pretty much a instruction manuel on being a good Christian and also a good person. Have u herd the BIBLE acronym? "Basic Instructions B4 Leavin' Earth." I may not b a preacher & my main objective 2 volunteer 4 my church is 2 fatten up my lame resume. (Talk about being cynical!) But I think the best piece of knowledge from the Bible would b the Golden Rule - Do unto others as they would do unto u. & love they neighbor, even your enemies. That could b y Jesus chose 2 sacrifice Himself during his Passion, when all those people were just incredibly mean & evil to Him. In other words, it's best 2 love unconditionally even if everyone else chooses not 2 love u & wishes 2 destroy u. The key word is faith. I think I'll star your question now. God bless you.

Answer 3

I think if the bible was written today its author would be considered at best delusional and at worst a sadist, and Christianity would be denounced as a cult.
How anyone can justify the violence against humanity by anyone, let alone some supernatural entity who supposedly loves humanity defies logic.
Human beings would be better served if they loved each other more than an inhumane character in a book.

Answer 4

The Old Testament is a highly edited history of the Jews. It also has some fairy tales from other religions in the beginning. Remember that the people at this time knew very little about the world, and warfare was a daily occurrence. Many of the references to god in the bible were put there to justify the leader's actions, like murder, rape, warfare, etc.

Answer 5

The Bible is supposed to be an accurate record and not a fairy tale. It describes it's "heroes" in all their faults and weaknesses. For example, King David was a murderer and committed adultery. But God loved David.

The reason it has to do with love is this:

God's government has laws. If you read the 10 commandments, these are the basis of God's law.

When you read these, are there any that you feel would not make the world a better place to live?

The laws were given so that everyone could live in peace and harmony. The penalty for disobedience was permanent death.

God's son paid this penalty even though he was innocent because he loved us. Now we are not under the penalty of permanent death, but can live forever.

The only thing that is required from us in order to receive this free gift is to just accept it.

Homosexuals, Atheists, Pagans and anyone else who wishes to accept it will receive it.

If this is not a story of God's love for his children, then I don't know how else you could describe it.

Answer 6

I'm a Christian - but I like you to contemplate these questions and why I might be asking them.

-Have you actually read through the whole book?
-Have you noticed that the bible is separated into the Old and New Testament?
-Have you actually encountered the part where Jesus talks to the people?

The reason why the bible is a book about love is because it is a progression of what God has promised to do. Although people do things and stuff up - the "heroes" of the Old Testament are shown with warts and all. It's only God who is consistent in context.
Read the New Testament. God's promise is fulfilled in salvation and grace.

Answer 7

So you think the world,the bible,and everyday life is supposed to be a bed of roses?I don't believe you do.There are some very ugly parts of the bible.That's where some people decide to believe what parts they want to.Have you read any of the book of Isaiah?He was a major prophet of God.They cut him in half.Either you believe every word or you don't.There is no in between.There's no use in sugar coating it.Most people call it cotton candy Christianity.That doesn't get the job done.No wonder so many people fall by the wayside.

Answer 8

The Bible has to be correlated, the old testament , mostly history and prophesy is the shadow of things to come. Gods relationship with man fragile and too hard to keep , it guaranteed death. We all die by the law.

The new Testament showed Gods mercy , forgiveness and love. both testaments interpret each other . They are inseparable.

To read without prayer and surrender will seem unfathomable.

Answer 9

What part were you reading? The Old Testament is mainly about war because it's about the history of Israel and how they got Canaan land. Try reading the New Testament for now. Trying praying with it, ask God to help you, trust me it's a lot easier if you do.

Answer 10

Well Josie,

First of all, God created a beautiful garden and put a man and woman in it. But because they wanted to do what they wanted to do....they broke God's law, which is sin. God is a holy God and can not allow sin into his kingdom. You have to read the whole thing in context. So to make a long story short.....here goes.

Because of sin....man is sinful. Because man is sinful....there comes death.....Much of what you see in the old testiment is due to the greed of man and his sinful ways. It is true that God killed many, but remember that he is a Holy God....and many of these peoples/nations defiled God...worshiping idols and doing all kinds of sins before him. Purging sinful nations was a way to keep sin in check...if you will. However, the only true way to do this was ...when the time was right....God sent Jesus to redeem his chosen people(Isreal)...first the Jew...then all everyone else.

So the bible is about love....the greatest love story of all....

JN 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

That means me and you and all peoples. I suggest that reading the old testiment is not where you should start. Start in the book of John, or Luke. But understand this....if you are not born-again(meaning...confessing that you are sinner and asking Jesus to forgive you for your sin and ask him to lead and guide you and asking him into your heart) trying to understand the bible and what is written will not make much sense to you. Much like if you were reading a book in another language but only bits and pieces of English...words here and there. It would not make any sense to you. The Bible is a spiritual book and must be read thru the spirit of man which has been renewed by the Holy Spirit(being born-again.)

Jesus Christ came so that all people who believe in HIM, would live forever in his kingdom....Heaven. And also to have life here to the fullest extent.

If you would like more information...please let me know and i will answer any questions you might have. God bless you as you read His Word.....his love letter to us.

Answer 11

You must have only read a small part especially the New Testament, the life of Jesus in the New shows a lot of love from God to us and how we should love others.