They seem so desperate for every word of it to make sense, even the Old Testament histories of long-lost kingdoms. Who cares? Christ never said, "The only way into Heaven is memorize every word of the Bible--there will be a test!" He said to treat everyone as you would like to be treated, and that was pretty much it. Where did the Bible-centrism come from?
2007-11-26 07:21:37 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Steve -- actually, Jesus said He came to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies, not to renounce them.
2007-11-26 07:41:56 · update #1
Interestingly, until Gutenberg, the average parishoner never read the Bible, so there was no opportunity to memorize it. One only heard a few passages at a time, in Latin, btw, recited by the priest from week to week. "Bible study" is a relatively modern concept, isn't it?
2007-11-26 07:47:28 · update #2
The idea behind this fundamentalist perspective is that the Bible is The Word of God, and that as such everything in it is not merely true, but in fact Truth itself. As such, to fail to understand any passage of the Bible is to fail to understand part of God's Truth to His people. While it is true that no one expects a test to be administered before being allowed to enter heaven, fundamentalists who believe in the complete literal truth of the Bible - or even those who believe some stories may be parables but nonetheless carry crucial lessons on how to live - simply want to do everything they can to understand God's will and to act as He wishes.
You are certainly right about the relatively simple direction provided in Christ's teachings. Further, I believe the Bible states in several places that man can never fully understand God's plan or His will, so assuming a complete understanding of the Bible can provide that insight seems a quixotic quest. I think in many cases, denominations provide so many rules for their congregations that the perpetual textual analysis of the Bible is an effort to find support to justify some of those positions.
2007-11-26 07:40:56 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hm: "Study to show yourself approved." Well, the Bible is the only connection we have to knowing about Jesus in the first place, even you, and since we can't read ancient Hebrew or Greek and Aramaic...I would say that the Bible would be pretty important, if not for basic knowledge of the Christian faith.
Secondly: The Bible makes sense, I don't struggle with passages hardly at all. If there is something that confuses me (and the Bible says God is not the author of confusion), I simply pray about it, research it a little more and ta-da! the answer comes in it's own time. Christ did say that the prophecy would be fulfilled, and that not one bit of the law would be passed away until ALL is fulfilled. In that light, I would say that you would have to KNOW the law to KNOW what Jesus talked about. Guess where the law is? Old Testament. So go figure out what the Bible really says. It'll help.
2007-11-26 15:32:19 · answer #2 · answered by tcjstn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
2007-11-26 15:31:00 · answer #3 · answered by Hope 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Better still: why are Fundamentalists who insist upon understanding every passage of the Bible so reluctant to understand ANY passage of the Bible...
2007-11-26 15:26:00 · answer #4 · answered by Blackacre 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I don't know everything the bible is trying to say. God will explain the bible to his servants.
2007-11-26 15:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by King Arthur 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
2 Timothy 3:16
2007-11-26 15:40:33 · answer #6 · answered by Not perfect, just forgiven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they never took the time to actually research where it came from.
Love and blessings Don
2007-11-26 15:31:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they have rejected the Church, the saints, the Early Fathers - The Bible is all they have left.
2007-11-26 15:27:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Should you be asking why fundies apply their own interpritation to every line in the bible..??
2007-11-26 15:28:12 · answer #9 · answered by Terry M 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Oh my GOD!
is Jesus' test going to require a #2 pencil. Does anyone have one for me to borrow?!?!
Just kidding. I agree.
2007-11-26 15:30:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋