Why do you think God does not speak plainly?

[Silent Enigma]

It seems puzzling that if God has this urgent message to humanity, why would he use a book like the bible as a medium for this message?

I mean, it's a book that's been written and compiled by men over thousands of years, yet somehow God was working behind the scenes to make it the special book that can get you to heaven, if you interpret it right. Can't he just say right out what he wants to say?

Just wondering.

 

[MikeMcK]

It seems puzzling that if God has this urgent message to humanity, why would he use a book like the bible as a medium for this message?

I mean, it's a book that's been written and compiled by men over thousands of years, yet somehow God was working behind the scenes to make it the special book that can get you to heaven, if you interpret it right. Can't he just say right out what he wants to say?

Just wondering.

What about the Bible do you believe is unclear?

 

[039]

It seems puzzling that if God has this urgent message to humanity, why would he use a book like the bible as a medium for this message?

I mean, it's a book that's been written and compiled by men over thousands of years, yet somehow God was working behind the scenes to make it the special book that can get you to heaven, if you interpret it right. Can't he just say right out what he wants to say?

Just wondering.

I had a long-winded explaination for this one, but I think I'll just let the scriptures talk for themselves:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." - Psalm 19

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7


If we are to believe the biblical account (which is the account of the God we're talking about), the evidence is ours for the taking, as clear as day, even without the bible.

But...


God looks down from heaven
on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3 Everyone has turned away,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.

- Pslam 53

What is prophecy? It is proof to the ignorant and warning to the god-fearing.
What is scripture? A sign for those who are lost and a manual for those who are found.

You see, the methods God uses to get our attention aren't neccesarily his only outreach to us. Man needs these formats because he mistrusts. Why? Man prefers to concentrate on his sinful desires and misleads others, therefore mistrust becomes wisdom in a world of sin. So God used the wisdom of literature, a humanly thing that survives the ages longer than oral records, and prophecy to verify that literature.

Could the bible be more simple? Yeah! But I would rather want to know how God reacted to what people did so I can better understand his nature and plan. I wish the bible were longer in this sense. It's difficult to interpret, yes, alot of that due to its age, but it's definately worth reading into.

Furthermore, it isn't the book itself that, as you said it, 'gets you into heaven', but the living knowledge within.

 

[HypnoToad]

It seems puzzling that if God has this urgent message to humanity, why would he use a book like the bible as a medium for this message?

I mean, it's a book that's been written and compiled by men over thousands of years, yet somehow God was working behind the scenes to make it the special book that can get you to heaven, if you interpret it right. Can't he just say right out what he wants to say?

Just wondering.

Ok, suppose God had just produced an entire Scriptural work in its entirety, instantaneously, all by His direct writing, no "inspiring of humans" method, and just handed it to us 2,000 years ago.

Do you honestly think atheists/unbelievers STILL wouldn't be trying to discount it?

When you get down to it, it's not the method that unbelievers have issue with, it's the message.

 

[MikeMcK]

Ok, suppose God had just produced an entire Scriptural work in its entirety, instantaneously, all by His direct writing, no "inspiring of humans" method, and just handed it to us 2,000 years ago.

Do you honestly think atheists/unbelievers STILL wouldn't be trying to discount it?

When you get down to it, it's not the method that unbelievers have issue with, it's the message.

That's exactly right.

They don't try to disprove it because they believe it's not true, but because they're afraid it is true.

 

[calidog]

God seems to have anticipated the bible critics. He spoke of His plan plainly yet many, including christians themselves, do not literally interpret the bible. Jesus takes it further to speak in parables:

Mat 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

 

[HypnoToad]

But why is it "untrustworthy"? Certainly not the mechanics. There is by far more textual support for Scripture than for any other ancient writing, yet no one tries to discredit writings of people like Plato or Homer.

Again, it's the substance that causes people to object, not the method of presentation.

If God actually appeared on the news, instead of just suddenly believing, I'd put money that most atheists/unbelievers would just say, "there's no reason to think it's really God." Really, why would they think it was God?

 

[woobadooba]

It seems puzzling that if God has this urgent message to humanity, why would he use a book like the bible as a medium for this message?

I mean, it's a book that's been written and compiled by men over thousands of years, yet somehow God was working behind the scenes to make it the special book that can get you to heaven, if you interpret it right. Can't he just say right out what he wants to say?

Just wondering.

Why doesn't God speak plainly?

Well, He does. We just don't take the time to learn how to distinguish His voice from our own.

Why was the Bible written?

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Rom 15:4 KJV)

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2Ti 3:16-17 KJV)

In short, it was written to enable us to distinguish the voice of God from our own, and thus learn what it means to love and be loved.

 

[039]

Please remove this reply,

Sorry.

 

[Deren]

It seems puzzling that if God has this urgent message to humanity, why would he use a book like the bible as a medium for this message?

He didn't initially. In the beginning He simply spoke. But, humans have this tendency to forget, and some other humans have this tendencey to distort. Therefore, when God put His words into writing, not only was His message preserved for succeeding generations, there was less likelihood of His message getting distorted, since whomever could simply refer to the written message for clarification.

I mean, it's a book that's been written and compiled by men over thousands of years, yet somehow God was working behind the scenes to make it the special book that can get you to heaven, if you interpret it right. Can't he just say right out what he wants to say?

Just wondering.

He did. It's in His book. And when Jesus sent the Spirit, we now have a teacher at our disposal whenever we take the time to open it up and read it.

 

[talitha]

Apologizing in advance here, for some reason, the multiquote isn't working for me again....

Why do you think God does not speak plainly?

It's very interesting that you should ask precisely this question, because Jesus answers it in the Bible!

And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled..... But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear...." (from Matthew 13)

ooohh I see calidog already quoted this - but hey i think it bears repeating......

If god exists then why does he not want everyone to get into heaven by speaking plainly. It doesn't make sence, unless god only wants the people who have faith.

Bingo! Without faith,it is impossible to please God!

Why was the Bible written?

In short, it was written to enable us to distinguish the voice of God from our own, and thus learn what it means to love and be loved.

Very well-spoken - looking for the rep button after I post here......


The point is - God wants us to LOVE Him - it's not enough for Him to save us from Hell, He wants a relationship. I keep thinking here about the stories of princes or millionaires who don't tell the ones they love about the money or the position until after they are sure they are loved for themselves.... that's kind of how God is - He wants us to love Him for His character and the love He has given us, not just acknowledge His existence because the evidence has made it undeniable. Do you see the difference, S.E.? rp?

blessings and love in Christ Jesus
tal

 

[Bluewing]

John 3:16 seems to be God coming right out and saying "what He wants to say".

While I think that your description of the creation of the Bible is somewhat inaccurate, writing a book is the only logical way to ensure that the message reaches people from different cultures and different background over thousands of years. No other medium available to people of all ages is as effective.

Also, in response to those who claim that if God were to appear on the news and tell everyone that He exists (ignoring the obvious and inconvenient fact that whoever looks at God's face dies) and did a few things that people would believe ... do you really think that this is true?

Well consider that this has, for practical purposes, already happened in the person of Jesus about 2000 years ago. Those around Him heard His teachings, they saw His miracles, they knew of the way that He had the authority to remove demons and forgive sins, yet what did they do? Did they humbly fall down and worship Jesus as God as He deserved? No. They rejected Him and hung Him on the cross to die an excruciating painful and embarrassing death, even though He did no crime or sin. Not even Jesus' own family believed that He was God in human flesh, that He was the Messiah, the Son of God, until He died and rose again.

You see, you can see all the miracles that you want to and still not believe in the One who does them. Such is the depravity and wickedness of humanity.

 

[calidog]

Well said Bluewing




Luk 16:31 And he said to him, If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even though one rose from the dead.

 

[Bondman]

I don't believe the Lord ever intended the BIBLE to be easy to understand. He wants people who are serious with Him to be with Him for eternity. So the Bible isn't easy, and we need the Holy Spirit to reveal it's truths to us when we search and seek.



Similarly GOD HIMSELF isn't easy to 'find'. Nor does He intend to be. Again, He requires that we seek, ask, knock if we are to come to Him. In this verse is an "IF":

Deut 4:29 But if from there thou
shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou
shalt find [him], if thou shalt
seek him with all thy heart and
with all thy soul.

Fulfil the 'if' and you will find Him, is His wonderful promise!!!



Then living the CHRISTIAN LIFE isn't easy either. Nor did He intend it to be. *I know I said that already!* By this we learn lessons, and by the lessons we grow and get closer to Him.

And all of this works!

- Bondman (ministering the Good News of the Gospel)

_________________​

Rest in the LORD and in HIS strength alone!​

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
they shall walk, and not faint.​

 

[FriarErasmus]

Since I am at work, I don't have time for a lengthy response, but I want to say this:

God wants us to woo him and him to woo us (referring to the concept of wooing in courtship).

For example, if I were the king of the entire world and anything I desired immediately came to pass, and I saw a woman I wanted for my wife, of course I could just say "I am the king of all. You belong to me. You will be my wife." .... but what kind of marriage would that be? The woman would, out of duty to her king, become his wife (what choice does she have?) but the marriage would be duty, and not love. If, however, the king were to say "I am the king, and I love you, but I want to get to know you. Will you give me the honor of dinner this evening? The choice is entirely up to you, and should you prefer not to join me, I will be sad, but I will not force you to love me. To choose not to love me will result in only one thing: you will forever be not allowed to love me or be anywhere in my kingdom." The woman is given a choice, and clearly is told the benefits (unconditional love) and the detriments (cast out of the kingdom, forced to be alone forever), and if she chooses to marry the King, it will be her choice and not something forced on her. She will most likely fall in love with the king (We're taking about a perfect king... hard not to fall in love with perfection!), and the marriage will be a healthy one.

God is the same way. The scriptures describe us as Christ's "bride" to impress this point to us. God wants to "court" us and win our hand. If he were to just step down from heaven and say "Behold! I am God! You will become my 'Bride' and remain with me forever!" (ie as slaves), he would get obedience (who would dare disobey God knowing the results? Lucifer already did it once, and look at the price he's paid!), but he would not get a loving relationship of intimacy and fellowship that he so desires.

God is, in effect, being a bit coy with us and playing a little "hard to get" to stir a desire for us to pursue his love. Being just like a lover, he draws us with the "hard to get" and when we finally are running full tilt toward him, he turns and runs back at us to take us up fully in his arms, twirl us around, and laugh at the joy of being united as one.

Hope this analogy has helped you to understand.

 

[FriarErasmus]

Just wanted to add another point to the analogy... with the part where the King is telling the woman the consequences of choosing not to pursue the King in return (ie getting cast out of the kingdom) this may not seem so bad because you may be thinking "Well, she could just marry any of the other men who are cast out for choosing not to love the king (spiritually, not physically!)" The problem with this is that there is Lucifer/Satan/Morning Star waiting like a hungry lion just outside the gate of the King's kingdom, and the King knows this. His desire is to not only win your love, but to save you from the hungry lion waiting outside the gate. The King is bound to the Law to cast the woman out should she choose not to return the King's love, but the King so desperately desires for the woman to return the love and so not have to be cast out. He is practically begging for her to love him so he can keep her from the alternative.

Talk about a loving king!

 

[Bondman]

Since I am at work, I don't have time for a lengthy response, but I want to say this:

God wants us to woo him and him to woo us (referring to the concept of wooing in courtship).

For example, if I were the king of the entire world and anything I desired immediately came to pass, and I saw a woman I wanted for my wife, of course I could just say "I am the king of all. You belong to me. You will be my wife." .... but what kind of marriage would that be? The woman would, out of duty to her king, become his wife (what choice does she have?) but the marriage would be duty, and not love. If, however, the king were to say "I am the king, and I love you, but I want to get to know you. Will you give me the honor of dinner this evening? The choice is entirely up to you, and should you prefer not to join me, I will be sad, but I will not force you to love me. To choose not to love me will result in only one thing: you will forever be not allowed to love me or be anywhere in my kingdom." The woman is given a choice, and clearly is told the benefits (unconditional love) and the detriments (cast out of the kingdom, forced to be alone forever), and if she chooses to marry the King, it will be her choice and not something forced on her. She will most likely fall in love with the king (We're taking about a perfect king... hard not to fall in love with perfection!), and the marriage will be a healthy one.

God is the same way. The scriptures describe us as Christ's "bride" to impress this point to us. God wants to "court" us and win our hand. If he were to just step down from heaven and say "Behold! I am God! You will become my 'Bride' and remain with me forever!" (ie as slaves), he would get obedience (who would dare disobey God knowing the results? Lucifer already did it once, and look at the price he's paid!), but he would not get a loving relationship of intimacy and fellowship that he so desires.

God is, in effect, being a bit coy with us and playing a little "hard to get" to stir a desire for us to pursue his love. Being just like a lover, he draws us with the "hard to get" and when we finally are running full tilt toward him, he turns and runs back at us to take us up fully in his arms, twirl us around, and laugh at the joy of being united as one.

Hope this analogy has helped you to understand.

Beautiful analogy, FriarErasmus! Works for me!!

- Bondman (ministering the Good News of the Gospel)

_________________​

Rest in the LORD and in HIS strength alone!​

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
they shall walk, and not faint.​

 

[Silent Enigma]

You guys did a good job with your responses.

Bravo.

 

[Bondman]

Talk about a loving king!

A very loving King indeed, dear Friar!

You guys did a good job with your responses.

Bravo.

And a major bravo back to you SE for 'monitoring' our responses! (so many seem to ask a question then are never heard from again!)

We're here to help, and responses like those here are absolutely FREE! *grins*


- Bondman (ministering the Good News of the Gospel)

_________________​

Rest in the LORD and in HIS strength alone!​

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
they shall walk, and not faint.​

 

[Silent Enigma]

You're welcome.