Lat Wednesday I was in youth group and the pastor made a statement, "You cannot believe in parts of the bible and not in others" is this true? I do not, cannot, believe in the book of Genesis, I can even believe Jesus' powers but not that the whole world was populated by 2 people!...So can I just believe in the New Testiment?
2007-10-16 14:28:41 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your Pastor is correct, your either believe it all as truth , or you throw the whole book out. The moment you start picking what you are going to believe as truth and what you are not going to believe, you invalidate your faith. If you can believe that Jesus had powers then you can believe that God created the earth as given in Genesis. Jesus quoted Moses the author of Genesis many times. Jesus believe in Genesis. You need to examine your faith. No you can not just believe in the NT. if you name Jesus as your Savior. Well actually you can believe whatever you want ,but if you do this selective belief thing, your faith is dead. Come to Christ
2007-10-16 14:45:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Question everything! Even your own teachings of your religion. I am Pagan, and I even believe that Jesus was real, but, he may have learned things about healing from somewhere that seemed a miracle to people of that age. Remember this to, there is a period of time that is missing in Jesus' life story that is not covered - sort of missing time from his bah mitzvah to his mid 20's. It is documented in other historical texts that he was sent away for a time to study with the "teachers" of their faith and returned because of his contriversial concepts of Gods teachings. It amazes me that many religious scholars that become pastors and priests fail to tell Christians about that part of the story. Where did he actually go? He was not in his home town but in another major city fostered by the cousin of Mary or Joseph. It was common place to send the oldest son or sons to be fostered by other members of the family to be taught skills or to obtain knowledge for a certain time. The town was to the east but where? It is never stated in any texts - it is like the story stops and things are filled in to cover the time to distract the reader. Psalms is a good example.
I am not putting down your beliefs or your religion I am just making a statement that backs my reason to say - question everything. You need to believe how you believe, but you do not need to "belong" to an organized religion to be a Christian because doesn't it say that God can hear you no matter where you are and he is everywhere?
Take from your teachings what you will and just follow the basic message - go in Peace and be peaceful when dealing with others. Be a good person and help others. Love everyone as you would yourself. You will be much happier than trying to disect this simple message which is Peace and nothing more.
Blessed be my friend
2007-10-16 22:06:41 · answer #2 · answered by Karma of the Poodle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Modern science even believes that all humans are related to a single female. Would we not all have a single father as well?
What you are missing is that when Adam and Eve were created, they were genetically pure. So were their offspring. It took many years for humans to begin down the road of genetic anomalies that have spawned things like birth defects and so on.
And where did Cain get his wife?
Well, it had to be a sister, for Adam and Eve were the only parents at the time. But again, it was a pure genetic gene pool, so no birth defects or retardation.
And what is the alternitive?
A few people just evolved from primates and grew less hair even though the earth was cetting colder?
Does not natural selection teach that a species will adapt to its environment to survive?
So why did humans that lived in colder climates not evolved more body hair?
Makes you say Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............
2007-10-16 21:44:59 · answer #3 · answered by plowmscat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with others who said we have free will and can believe what we want.
What I would suggest is to study more of the bible. It is filled with parables and fact but also view points and opinions. Perspectives and opinions differ depending on who is telling the story. Also there was influence from the laws at the time the bible was written. You have to take all this into consideration. The truth is in there, you just have to read it.
You may find it interesting to take a course in the Bible as literature. I found it quit interesting.
2007-10-16 21:41:36 · answer #4 · answered by Reba 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where do we find the fact that people are sinners? Where do we first find the promise of a Messiah? Where do we find the cause of all sin death, suffering and disease? Where do we find the need for a blood sacrifice? Where do we find the basis for a seven day week?The book of Genesis. Is it so difficult to believe that an almighty God can perform miracles or create the entire world in seven days? So if God lied in one part of the scripture, especially the first eleven chapters, it is not possible to trust any other part of the Bible.
2007-10-16 21:38:16 · answer #5 · answered by Jesse D 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
True; it's an 'all or none' principle.
If your problem is the population of Earth, THAT is not a problem genetically nor mathematically.
Most people have problems with the Flood and Creation. Also miracles, such as talking donkey, Jesus' feeding 5 000 men (plus women and children) with two barley loaves and five small fishes, etc.
2007-10-16 21:41:03 · answer #6 · answered by flandargo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you believe in all the miracles God and Jesus did and in all the teachings they taught, then why is it so outlandish to believe that the earth was populated by Adam and Eve, or that Genesis is real?
Basically, you can't believe one thing in the Bible and not the next. It's like saying you recognize it's October, but it's the year 2008.
2007-10-16 21:37:23 · answer #7 · answered by Rain 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would never begin to tell you what to believe, but think about what you've already said. If you can believe in Jesus' "powers", then why is Genesis not possible?
Even if you are science oriented and believe in the Big Bang Theory... something had to go 'Bang'... where did it come from?
This is all about faith. Faith that God created our universe in 7 days... Faith that Jesus healed the lame, blind and sick... Faith that 2 people could eventually populate the known world.
2007-10-16 21:36:36 · answer #8 · answered by DraconisMax 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What is it that you believe? If you do not believe in Genesis, then you don't have the gospel, and you don't have salvation. What are you saved from? If you're not saved, then you're still in Adam and not in Christ. Who can satisfy the wrath of God?
The new testament would not exist, if the old testament didn't.
Genesis explains the fall of man, the grace and promise of God of the savior and the origin of sin. The just and holy God gave grace to the wicked and in Christ, God was vindicated on the cross when Jesus paid your fine and justified God in forgiving a wretch like you and me.
So if you don't have the cause, then you don't have anything to believe in.
2007-10-16 21:51:01 · answer #9 · answered by Sam L 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was told the same thing by a priest. The whole Bible is inspired by God. I would refrain from anything in disagreement with that. Read Revelations 22:18. Here's what the NIV says, "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book," and Revelations 22:19 "And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."
2007-10-16 21:48:30 · answer #10 · answered by Elizabeth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋