is it possible to use the bible for any moral answer to anything?

Question

it seems to me that you can in the bible find both sides to all arguments and just picking out the ones that support your argument is flawed at best--

any thoughts--thanks for any answers in advance-smile and enjoy the day

rev thats good i missed one-learn something new each day-your are right-i dont know of anywhere in the bible slavery is condemned-

please dont thumb down others let each have their say

Answer 1

You can use it, as you can use many other works on ethics. It happens to be very inconsistent, almost incoherent, and rooted in an ancient tribal society, so it is somewhat difficult to translate it into modern terms.

You won't find answers in the bible, at least not ones that are relevant to today's world, without an aweful lot of work. And the result will be controversial, of course. There are thousands of people that dedicate their lives to answer ethical questions from a biblical perspective. Since they can't agree on the result, it is fair to assume that if you do get a result, you're not 100% sure that it is correct.

Try to find your own ethical core. It will not be independent of what you have been taught and experienced, but it is something you own. Don't rely on anyone else to tell you what is right or wrong, certainly not some old book. If the book inspires you, great, but never forget that you don't live two thousand years ago, so it must be out of date.

Answer 2

Of course, the bible is resplendent with contradiction. This, however, does not discount the fact the there is much wisdom in the bible.

This wisdom comes from some of the best thinkers of Mesopotamia, usually given no literary credit by biblical writers.

The "10 Commandments" is a good example. The basis for this biblical plagiarization is in actual history and, of course, has nothing whatever to do with the allegorical Moses and the supposed 40 year stint in the dessert..

It is, of course, taken from the Code of Hammurabi, an enlightened ruler of Babylon from about the 18th century BCE.

Remember that many of the so called "quotes" and predictions in the bible were written years and even centuries after an event occurred and were assigned to psst biblical figures by writers in order to give the character, imagined or otherwise, some semblance of credence.

Answer 3

I pick single arguments from the Bible to back my play all the time. I think I'm mentioned singularly in Romans Chapter One even though most all of my traits are clearly mentioned and what God has done about it too...
Try forgiving... a great psychological tool for unburdening oneself of the tension that goes along constant thoughts of vengeance and retribution. Instead of the eye for eye thing that keeps you tense and upset and unable to forget and move on until the score is evened out...
And in the end I can use the Bible objectively how and when I wish even for illogical and stupid things and for good and righteous things. The morality you find in the being reading the innate matter full of semantically synthesized memory bit stimulators.

Answer 4

No book or even collection of books could possibly serve as a moral cookbook.

The Bible establishes the moral authority of God and God says "Do unto others...", i.e. The Golden Rule. Love God (which establishes the authority of God) and love your neighbor as yourself. That is sufficient.

Just as an aside. Although the Bible doesn't directly condemn slavery, The Quakers found such a condemnation from the Golden Rule.

Answer 5

I suppose you could slap someone across the head with it when they annoy you!!! lol I'm joking. The world today doesn't seem to be a very moral place, and if you seek moral answers from the bible, it's your own view of it as you read between the lines that will provide the answer your own conscience is seeking. The world is an evil place today, and we're all lost in it somewhere. I'm not religious but what I will say the 10 commandments seem to me to be an ideal moral code to live your life by whether you're a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew or any other faith....The world is in a downward spiral in the 21st century, and we all seek comfort and answers, and if it brings comfort,knowledge and peace to you then you'll find your answers in the bible....

Answer 6

Morality is in no way in absolute words. a team makes a decision specific issues to be morals and others immoral. This morality is a transitory device to maintain the herd in discipline. subject arises while some attempt to impose their morality on others, who're from an completely distinctive custom and needn't be waiting for their set of ethical values.

Answer 7

Most people who find verses to prove their noxious beliefs are involved in "proof texting" in which one verse is found that seems to support their belief. For instance, since slavery was considered a normal part of the ancient world, people "prove" that the Bible supports slavery whenever they see a reference to it that does not condemn the practice.

More subtle biblical readers recognize that the Bible often has a plurality of views on a topic. For instance, God did not accept the slavery of his people in Egypt, and worked personally to end it. Saint Paul (everyone's whipping boy) asked Philemon to take back his escaped slave Onesimus, not as a slave, but as as brother in Christ.

But the real meat is in finding the overarching themes of the Bible, which are found in the prophetic books and in the gospels -- mercy, compassion and justice.

Answer 8

Many Things can be taken from the Bible and twisted out-of-context to support the unrighteous self serving people who have their own agenda that is not of God.

For example: false Christians or Pharisees used the old Testament without consulting what Jesus said in the New Testament concerning Witches, and as a result many people were killed in the Salem Witch Trials, not out of any real reason except to justify their own agendas and not out of Love or obedience to Christ, This has happened many times, when People who do not seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit earnestly in prayer, and used Miss-guided legalism in applying the Scripture, most often Disaster happens.
You must consider the Whole Counsel of God's word.
And not just one Scripture, and You must understand the Context correctly of the passage and not just what you 'want it to say.

Answer 9

Slaves, in the bible, sold themselves into slavery because it was the only way to provide for themselves and their families. Slave owners are instructed to love their slaves. The bible instructs that slaves can only be slaves for 6 years, then in the seventh year, they are free. Some slaves chose to become "Bond slaves" once they were free because they could not bear the thought of leaving the owner that loved them so much and that they had grown to love in return.

Slavery in the bible was not the same as the slavery we knew in the recent past. Biblical slavery was a contract that the slave entered into voluntarily.

To answer your question: The bible is the ultimate source of morality, so yes, it is a perfectly reasonable thing to do.

Answer 10

All moral questions can be answered without resorting to any outside source.

The fundamental nature of God is pure, total and unconditional Love. Acts that radiate the Love of the Creator bring you closer to God, acts that are based in fear remove you further from God.

When evaluating moral questions all you need to do is look for the Love.

For example: Is it a sin to kill? The Bible says it is. But consider the example of a man and wife, high school sweethearts married right out of graduation. They spend a life together caring for each other and their relationship fulfills all of God's plans for the union of two people. The woman gets cancer and the doctors tell the husband he has two choices - the doctors can do nothing and the woman will die a horribly painful death in two months. Or the doctors can medicate her into a coma to manage the pain and she will die in six months. The husband brings the wife home, surrounds her in her own bed with family and friends, and after all has been said he gives her a shot that helps her slip peacefully away.

According to the Bible this is a mortal sin, but according to God this was an act of loving kindness and self sacrifice and therefore in accordance with His divine nature.

Or consider two same-sex adults also sharing a loving relationship, and a church pastor who hates and condemns them for it. I submit that the love created by this relationship brings these two people closer to God than the pastor who hates them.