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Im now confused as to what the bible is a product of....As i have always understood the bible was in fact other peoples experiences with god.....have i been barking completely up the wrong tree?
The Bible contains God's gradual revelation of himself to mankind, made perfect in Christ. It was written by men, about their personal understanding of who God is. In some cases their understanding is very close to God in Christ, and in some cases very far off the mark.
Christ is the perfect revelation, and he is the benchmark for the rest of Scripture, not the other way round.
Hi, your font is hard to read for me as is very tiny but I was able to read it.
I'm sorry that your parents have possibly led to disappointment about God and the bible.
Parents are sinful people like all, and we are all weak, and have failings and so it's good to keep that in mind as you are seeking.
If they are what is commonly called bible bashers, that's like the quickest way to turn many off to whatever is said.
Also, if one questions someone's beliefs or asks for understanding of something and get the riot act read is also not good.
I believe that what is in the bible is true. I also take literally as do many, but not all, such as what occured in creation, the fall, Noah and the Ark, and other as well.
When one comes to Christ by faith, it is awesome; and is also a freedom never ever had before. Some people who are Christians however do not know anything but legalism. They prevent the Holy Spirit from working in someone's life, by dictating what one must do, etc.
God does indeed give commands, and we are commanded not to sin, but we do. Our heart alone is full of much sin, self righteousness, pride, etc., and will creep up here and there.
Real change comes from the desire of the heart, also the renewing of the mind through scripture.
Jesus said:
He spoke such as many were doing as what sounds like your parents may be doing, is trying to force in a sense you to change on the outside.
The above scripture refutes such.
I would dare say they may also be adding to scripture restrictions that are not in the bible.
It is you alone, no one else, and with God's help and guidance into truth that your heart will change.
I was under legalism at one point and it was horrible. I couldn't even read scripture for almost a year as it yelled at me, instead of as normal; teaching, helping, and treasuring all read.
So this sounds like what's occuring, and I would suggest friend, that you not walk away from God due to what others impose on you.
This happens to many people (who are being bible bashed and bashed with legalism), and is not the way of God. He talks of this much in the gospels.
Jesus loves you very much and your relationship with Him is personal and He will guide you into all truths.
It does take time to recover from being under legalism, but one does recover.
We are free in Christ. One comes to Christ and we change; some slowly, some faster; we are all different and have different things to deal with. God knows that, knows our heart; so don't let yourself be judged by another (in your thoughts); judge yourself, by this I mean; look inside your heart to see where you are at.
A good Christian friend is a big help. Someone who will not judge you and will also help you; and you in turn also helping them. As when questions come to us, it helps us grow, since we need think about things and study the bible as well.
God bless you in your journey,
tapero
Nice post tapero
__________________ " As I see the developments all around, I burn with jealousy for the truth we have. It makes us, in its practice, a people rejected by all, but who have the bread that all need." P. J. Loizeaux
A man isn't a sinner because he sins. He sins because he is a sinner. Thats the trouble with him. That's why he needs to be born again. Thats why John the Baptist came saying, "Cut it down completely. Let there be a new thing altogether." The axe is laid to the root of the trees. H. A. Ironside
What I'm wondering is -- what do you believe the Bible is? Do you believe that the Bible is unquestionably correct, as if it were direct dictations from God? Or do you consider it more of an inspiring and holy mix of history and fiction, or something else entirely? Do you think that the Bible should be placed on such a high pedestal?
My reason for asking this question is this; my parents have brought me up to be a Christian. They are zealous, Evangelical and quite credulous when it comes to the scriptures. They believe that the Bible is in fact the infallible word of God. Any attempt to besmirch any single thing their beloved Bible claims is considered a sin worse then any other, and they will proceed to take their weight KJV and proverbially ram it into any orifice you leave unguarded.
And so - before I cast aside Christianity altogether, with considerable bitterness and resentment, I'd like to hear how you define the Bible. This is not an attack, but a genuine question. I do not want to debate my beliefs, or question yours, I just want to know what you think.
I believe the Bible is infallible in all things except science.
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Just as the Bible was given and written through Divine Inspiration of the Holy Spirit...it is also only understood by and through the Holy Spirit.
People who claim 'literal' translation usually/often don't have the Holy Spirit and also seem to love to argue because they come from their own mind and not His.
This is also why there are over 4,000 bible thumping religions in the world at this moment.
There are alot of differing translations of the Word as well, and many are not even close to accurate.
I believe in the infallible God only and in His ablility to be my Teacher and He uses His inspired Word as one means of revealing Himself to my heart and understanding.
Blessings,
AOF
__________________ .....His body was broken for us, His blood spilled....
.....Bread and Wine Ministries (url is in my profile)
....God's heart to the world....
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 13:32....Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures....
I'm baffled how anyone claiming to be of God could not recognize His own words to man - God's children know the voice of their master and He knows them as His sheep;
we don't follow others and especially ourselves as if WE know what is spiritually true or who our God is aside from scripture. Even the bereans checked what they heard with the scripture they had - the OT.
Do we know more than those who physically walked with Christ or were physically led by God in the OT as prophets?
Doubtful.
Removing scripture as truth is to basically claim we know more about God without it and don't need it
I personally believe the Bible is what it says it is, no more and no less.
Timothy says the Scriptures (ie the OT) are inspired by God and useful to faith. Nowhere does it say that the Bible is perfect, or infallible, or that it is essential to our faith to believe either of these.
This means that although many Christians do choose to take this point of view, it is not sanctioned in Scripture, and is therefore an unBiblical position to take. I do not suggest you put this to your parents, but you can certainly ask a minister about it. Why do Christians call the Bible perfect, when the Bible itself does not make this claim for itself?
Furthermore, in the Gospel of John and in Revelation, the title 'Word of God' is given to Christ. Now, either Christ is both a book and a man, or else calling the Bible the 'Word of God' is a misnomer; actually worse than this - giving a title which belongs only to God to that which is not God equates, imho, to idolatry.
Therefore, not only is it not justified in Scripture to treat the Bible as infallible, it also breaks the first commandment. So it is quite safe to decide not to go down this road, and to allow the Bible to be what it is, and not more.
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