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Do you believe the Bible is the infallible word of God?
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.
[quote=Ehrenkreuz;37024190]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?[/quote
The bible is a unique part of God's revelation, but it's delivered by inspiring human authors, not dictated by God, so it bears the stamp of those authors. Each book is delivered through a particular person at a particular time, culture, and place in the story. It's not God's purpose to transmit mundane facts through the bible, but to reveal his working in creation, so mundane facts are, at all times, secondary to the story.
Do you think that the Bible should be placed on such a high pedestal?
Depends which high pedestal it is being placed upon.
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.
The view of the bible you describe is not a particularly historic one - it reflects all sorts of post-enlightenment viewpoints and attitudes being read back into an ancient text. There are plenty of Christians in the world with a more historically balanced approach, and who are more comfortable coping with the paradox of a perfect God working through imperfect people without overriding their imperfections.
__________________ Goodness is stronger than evil,
love is stronger than hate,
light is stronger than darkness,
life is stronger than death,
victory is ours through him who loved us.
(++Desmond Tutu)
I believe the Bible needs to be read and understood in the context. I have seen that a lot of preachers and people twist bible verses to say things they want it to say, which is a wrong use of the Bible.
And many scholars and Bible teachers say there are problems with some of the translations, it is not easy to translate and they say some verses have not been translated well in one version or another, and some Bibles are not actual Bibles, they are paraphrased bibles, which means another person went ahead and is restating the Bible (supposed to be for children or maybe English-as-second-language people).
I love the bible and encourage to read and study the Bible every day, I also love listening to it on walkmen tapes, but we need to learn and understand contexts and things like that
I am sorry to hear that your parents would shove the bible into orafices, that doesn't sound very good. I hope things get better, and am praying for you and your parents.
no amount of argument will convince you of anything. But if you want a rational appraoch to the validity and authenticity of the scriptures, warts and all. I suggest you pop down to your local library and see if they have a book called
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.
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?
Ok, well I take the Bible, as the Word of God, as spoken to man, and then recorded as best they could, within the language and knowledge confines they had at the time.
There are other issues with the Bible as well, but, I would not entertain that it was fantasy, or exaggeration. But there were confines, and limitations placed upon it.
Things like paper was a scarce thing, language was limited, there is some play for "lost in translation" when it comes to the bible.
But the Bible is still a multi-author book about God.
Sure, some people are a little over the top, but then again, why would you feel the need to challenge it? Because it has been pressed upon you, I assume.
Even Jesus says.. There will be those that accept, and those that reject.. but I do not recall him saying "Force people to believe" so, if you reject... then that is your choice, and you would bring this up with your parents.
If you really want to annoy your parents, become a liberal Christian, study the bible, and tell them how wrong they are in their interpretation. That's more annoying then being an Atheist or pagan.
Just some ideas.. however, I would like to thank you for your honesty regarding this, as many people say that it is Gods fault, or turn their anger to "Christians" as opposed to realizing that it is not "Christians" but one specific group, or even in your case, 2 people, that are truly poisoning the word of God to those around them.
Just don't loose that truth you have... and know where your anger stems from.. This has nothing to do with God, and everything to do with your parents.
God Bless
Key
__________________ "Pit Bulls and Christians, the whole lot of them being damned for a few bad apples". Quote: Loveabull Founder Vicki.
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?
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.
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.
Personally, I like Key's response since I am seen as a "liberal Christian" by some.
I am reading a book now entitled "Leaving the Fold" by Edward Babinski. It is a collection of tetimonies by various Fundamentalists who left Fundamentalism. Some became "liberal Christians", others found other faiths, and still others abandoned theism altogether. It might be of help to you in carving out a Christian faith you can live with even if your parents have trouble accepting it. If nothing else, you will understand that you are not alone.
Getting on to your question, for me the Bible is a collection of stories written by many people over centuries all trying to explain what it is like to know God. Do I believe it is inspired? Yes. Do I believe it is Divinely inspired? Probably. Do I believe it is inerrant? No.
Good luck on your quest. May you find that peace which passes understanding.
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.
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:
clean the inside of the cup first, then the outside will be clean.
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.
I think that the Bible is infallible when it comes to teaching moral and spiritual lessons. However, as to being correct in a literal, word for word scientific sense? I don't think so.
Do you believe the Bible is the infallible word of God? 
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