Can you be a Christian and reject certain parts of the Bible?

[Jackie]

Can you be a Christian and only believe some parts of the Bible? For example, can you reject a global Noah's Flood, a six-day creation, a literal exodus, etc.? Could you reject other parts as well, like Christ walking on water? Discuss.

Use your discernment while reading the Bible. The truth is put into our hearts by God. As far as science goes, scientists and archaeologists are making new discoveries every day. You cannot take what we know right now as final. For example, in the documentary
"Exodus" there are prominent archaeologists that are making new discoveries that may prove an actual physical Exodus while other scientists interpret these facts differently to be meaningless, A hundred years ago, science was disproving religious beliefs, but now advances in quantum physics are actually discovering theories that can be interpreted to Prove the existence of God.
When reading the Bible, just keep in mind that although we like to act like it, human beings do not know everything!

 

[Bud A]

Can you be a Christian and only believe some parts of the Bible? For example, can you reject a global Noah's Flood, a six-day creation, a literal exodus, etc.? Could you reject other parts as well, like Christ walking on water? Discuss.

I believe that the questions are made into two by the word believe in the first sentence and the word reject in the second.

Start with this thought. The Christian Faith has its roots in the God of the Bible in His Three Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

If you reject any part of that root, you reject the Word of God and substitute your belief in place of that of God and in effect assume the same position that Adam and Eve did when they rejected the commandment of God to not eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

God's Word is His Truth for the World and all of His Creation. When one picks and chooses what part of it they believe by rejecting portions they do not like, or agree with, or think is error, or believe is not true, for whatever reason, have made a choice for themselves to believe that the Bible is not the Word of God. Rejection of one part is elevation of man's opinion for the truth of God.

Believe what you will. It is your God given freedom, but my faith is that if you surrender your will and life to God by seeking His guidance when He calls, by asking Him into your life, He will come in and save you regardless of what you may earlier believed about this or really anything.

My faith is that the surrendering mans guidance fully to Christ is the key. Behold, God stands at the door and knocks, if a man will answer the knock and ask God to come in and take over the reins of his life from himself, confessing that God is the only way the only truth and the only life, (if only in a sincere hope at the time), God will come into such a one as Savior with His Rebirth, of God Alone, and change in very short order all doubts of the reality of the fact that the God of the Bible is his personal Savior, and the Savior of the World as set forth fully and completely in His Holy Word, fully and completely without error or fault.

I was a doubter. I am a lawyer and believed that unless I could have proof acceptable to at least a legal degree of proof beyond a preponderance of evidence of the entire Bible, I would not believe any of it.

God came into my life over 45 years ago, almost 50 now, and gave me the proof, His proof planted deeply in my heart, that He was exactly who the Bible said He was.

This occurred when a crisis arose in my life and I had no where to turn. I could not even speak to anyone but my mind was clear. God spoke to me and I spoke to Him in desperation. If you will just help me, I will seek you out and try to follow you for the rest of my life.

He thereafter answered in words and clear instruction and answers such as was proof to this doubting sinner and student of the law. He placed a New Testament version of His Word in my path, left on the train I commuted on at the time. I read and believed by God's Grace Alone and He Alone gave me the faith he promised in His Holy Word, for by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.

God gave the faith I did not have, and the Salvation from my sin forever more that I most desperately needed. I had no part in the process except seeking God out when He Called by His Grace Alone.

That faith and sure hope continues to this day and my faith is that it will see me through surely forever more as it is all of and from God through the Cross and Blood of His Christ Alone, by planting His Holy Spirit in my Life to guide me forever more wherever He leads and takes me by His Grace and His Faith Alone.

God Bless All, Bud A

 

[Armoured]

Lol, just like a politician, answering a question with a question.
I'll answer your first question. Yes, I've read the bible & I keep reading & studying the bible weekly.

Now back to what I asked first. Would you please be so kind to explain how the bible contradicts itself?

I needed to know the basic parameters of your question.

OK, let's start small. What does the Bible have to say about hair length on men? You can either look t up or I can tell you, whichever you prefer.

 

[Armoured]

Use your discernment while reading the Bible. The truth is put into our hearts by God. As far as science goes, scientists and archaeologists are making new discoveries every day. You cannot take what we know right now as final. For example, in the documentary
"Exodus" there are prominent archaeologists that are making new discoveries that may prove an actual physical Exodus while other scientists interpret these facts differently to be meaningless, A hundred years ago, science was disproving religious beliefs, but now advances in quantum physics are actually discovering theories that can be interpreted to Prove the existence of God.
When reading the Bible, just keep in mind that although we like to act like it, human beings do not know everything!

"interpreted", "discernment", .e. excuses for ignoring bits.

 

[The_Gaurdian87]

I believe the bible is the inspired word of God. But even I don't take EVERYTHING as literal, yes I believe that Jesus walked on water, rose from the dead, and performed many healings and mircles, and I believe that God created the earth and humanity and I believe in the great flood, God spreading the red sea etc. But there is somethings that are questionable such as slaves being obedient to their masters etc. There some stuff I go maybe it's not meant to be taken literally but as a symbolic thing. I think if you reject the things the bible says God, and Jesus has done and ignore things he has said was sinful like pre marital sex, lying, stealing etc then you have a problem.

For example, I enountered a guy on another forum who claims to be a Christian but says he ignored the old testament all together and only reads the new testament. He also thinks like the secular world and believes in a lot of things the secular world stands for. I don't know his heart but I don't think you can say you are a Christian a reject like half the bible you know?

 

[Jackie]

"interpreted", "discernment", .e. excuses for ignoring bits.

No, discernment is interpreting the "thick" meaning. For example, you take a picture of a boy winking. This boy is winking to his friend to convey a secret message. Then you take a picture of another boy winking. This boy was winking because his eye was irritated. Now, you look at the two pictures side by side. Physically, they look the same. The "thin" meaning is the anatomical or physical explanation for the wink. The "thick" meaning is the psychological intent behind the wink. Discernment is using what you know outside of the 2 physical pictures to interpret the meaning of the wink.

 

[chihwahli]

Either accept it as the bible is or not, that is a choice everyone makes for himself.

But what are the consequences if you reject it misinterpret it? You make an opening for the devil to tell you more lies. What is more important, rejecting the bible is actually rejecting God and who he is. Because the bible is Gods love story for His people...

The bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, so it was God himself who wrote it. So rejecting the bible also means, you are saying that God is wrong. And one thing I am 100% sure, God is never wrong. We humans interpret things wrong, we think and do wrong. We humans have to change, not God.

So, how big is someones ego, knowledge and wisdom when saying the bible is partly wrong? Where were we humans when heaven and earth were made? So, far I know, only 3 persons were present during the creation of the universe: God the Father, Holy spirit and Jesus Himself. Where were you at that time?

So I place myself in a position not to reject anything from the bible. Things that are not clear in human sense, I just say: "I don't know". But keep myself open for any wisdom or knowledge God might tell me, and so explain things to me. Sometimes it is through other brothers and sisters, sometimes it's the Holy Spirit who will explain things to you. But don't accept all teachings, cause some are not from God , but half truths and half lie. What is truth or lie? That my friend you have to find out for yourself. Don't accept it , because someone you know very well it telling it. That does not automatically qualify that person to be reliable, wise and holy.

 

[Ali Asreco]

Can you be a Christian and only believe some parts of the Bible? For example, can you reject a global Noah's Flood, a six-day creation, a literal exodus, etc.? Could you reject other parts as well, like Christ walking on water? Discuss.

Oh yes oh yes!
I do have 'Christian friends' who start reading the Bible at Exodus, (genesis is symbolic) Another christian friend believes only the true messages of Paul. Another only the New Testament starting in Acts (not the gospels!)
Other Christian friends are homosexual and reject all verses that condemn their way of life. I do know a few pedophile Christians....not too sure what they believe.
I....wonder why the story of Jesus walking on the water is in the Bible. Yes I believe it, so the rest is true too...pity for my so called Christian friends...

 

[AudreyL]

Can you be a Christian and only believe some parts of the Bible? For example, can you reject a global Noah's Flood, a six-day creation, a literal exodus, etc.? Could you reject other parts as well, like Christ walking on water? Discuss.

I think that as Christians we must accept the Bible as being the inspired word of God, all of it. There are of course many parts that are hard to understand but this is where we rely on the Holy Spirit for revelation. Whether we understand it or not, by faith we must accept it as truth otherwise what are we basing our Christianity on?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

But there is somethings that are questionable such as slaves being obedient to their masters etc.

It is misunderstood a lot because modern (last 1000 years? Especially in USA history classes/school taught)
is nothing like Biblical.
The question isn't whether it was done and permitted, with instruction to both owners, masters, and slaves,
but how it is completely different in practice and in motive
in the BIBLE than in society anywhere on earth.

 

[patdee]

Can you be a Christian and only believe some parts of the Bible? For example, can you reject a global Noah's Flood, a six-day creation, a literal exodus, etc.? Could you reject other parts as well, like Christ walking on water? Discuss.

Indeed you CAN be a Christian and believe ANY thing you want to; EXCEPT to believe Jesus is not the Messiah (savior), not to mention God Almighty was manifest in the flesh. For if you reject Jesus as your one and only true God; then you are NOT a christian; whether you believe you are one or not.

In fact, MOST of the things that EVERY Christian believes in; is fraught with false thinking and doctrinal errors galore. Oh indeed yes. So IF we can not be a Christian and believe things that are not true, then there would be NO Christians on this planet. Nor would there ever have been one. Believe it or not.

Now to your statements "embedded" in your questions:

If I said to you, "When did you assassinate Abraham Lincoln", it would be the same as your assuming that Noah's flood was a myth; not to mention that a 6 day creation was not so.

You believe those lies, BECAUSE that is what you were taught; and you bought into it. There is NO credible evidence ON this planet that there was no "global flood". Yet there IS credible evidence that the flood was global! Nor is there any credible evidence that God did not create ALL there is in "6 days". No indeed there is not.

In addition the notion that man "evolved" from an animal has NO credible evidence on this planet. Yet, there are ALL kind of bonified evidence that man did NOT evolve from an animal. Also, there is NO credible evidence that can be substantiated; that this earth is older than 6,000 yrs old. Yet there IS credible evidence that it is NO older than 6,000 yrs old! On indeed yes. Yet MOST of the world; and growing fast as we speak: believe the earth is 4.7 billion yrs old; with every fiber of their being, sadly.

ALL who believe that, is BECAUSE they were taught that; and they fell for it. And on and on and on! Sadder: They have walked right into the traps that satan planted; and he is laughing them to scorn. Oh indeed yes.

Whether they believe it or not.

Having said that, I will state unequivocally that ALL bibles contain errors. Oh indeed there are countless errors in ALL bibles. I doubt there is a single book in any bible that does not contain errors. At the same time, there are bonified truths in many bibles. Oh indeed there are!

So how does one know for sure where the truths are and the lies begin; such as: myths, distortions, additions and subtractions? The answer is: we DON'T! And we can NOT know it........................

UNLESS..................................

The Holy Spirit of Jesus steers us around the lies, distortions, additions and subtractions to get to the truth. Oh indeed yes. I did NOT do that for almost 70 yrs of being a Christian. But 10 yrs ago, I finally did something few have ever done. IE.............

I turned it ALL over to Him. And I mean EVERY thing. I now trust NO one or thing except for Jesus. I put ALL my faith IN Him. I put NO faith in ANY book or encyclopedia, etc. Nor do I put any faith in any thing any scientist or professor says; regardless of their so-called "proofs". This goes for every newscaster on this planet AND every preacher on this planet. Etc, etc and ETC!

Again, I put ALL of my faith IN Jesus alone. Yet I am lead by HIM through His guidance (sent as the Holy Spirit) to read and/or quote bibles all the time! However, I will state; and I CAN show any one; that is being lead by the Holy Spirit; many errors in ALL bibles. If you are not lead BY the Holy Spirit, satan wins EVERY time. Oh indeed yes!

At the same time, I can show you bonified truths also. Oh indeed yes. But not one shred of this comes from me. Only from the Holy Spirit. And YOU can have this too. So can everyone, but few have EVER come close to seeking the truth from ONLY Jesus; BECAUSE we have believed in the lie that says, "ALL scripture was inspired* by God..............". And this is why there are so many foolish denominations, doctrines and other satan led myths all over the world; with doctrines as varied as snowflakes!

But satan also does the SAME thing to the scientific world; as he does to Christian preachers and their flocks. Oh indeed he does. This goes for writers of the bible also. Thus the following verse is dead WRONG:

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

NO it is not!

Paul, of course, believed that to be true. So he wrote it. But it is NOT true! The errors ARE there. ONLY a blind fool (as I was for 'circa 70 yrs) would believe such nonsense. Compare Deuteronomy 24:1 and Mathew 19:3-8. Also Mathew 1:1 and John 8:58. Not to mention Hebrews 10:26 and Mark 3:28 and 29 plus John 10:28 and 29

A few more: Compare James 2:17 and Ephesians 2:8 and 9! Both can NOT be correct. One or both are lies! Oh indeed yes. Compare Romans 1:29 in KJV vs NIV. Incidentally the NIV is correct in this case; because the words "fornication" and "debate" are NOT in the Greek scroll! Do the same with 2 Corinthians 6:14 in KJV vs NIV. Again, the KJV is dead wrong, for the word "unequally" was NOT in the Greek scroll. Bible scholars have known this for centuries but they were shouted down. Oh indeed! Do the research.

One more: In one of the "Gospels" it plainly states that Judas hanged himself. Yet in the book of Acts, it says he fell down on some rocks and his bowels gushed out. Both accounts can not be true. Look 'em up!

And on and on and on. I rest my case.

In any case, may Jesus richly bless you and yours always.

 

[The_Gaurdian87]

It is misunderstood a lot because modern (last 1000 years? Especially in USA history classes/school taught)
is nothing like Biblical.
The question isn't whether it was done and permitted, with instruction to both owners, masters, and slaves,
but how it is completely different in practice and in motive
in the BIBLE than in society anywhere on earth.

I get what your saying. I also thought that the slavery in the bible was different ( different context etc ) than the slavery that happened in the U.S with black people. But I wasn't 100% sure I was correct in that thought so thanks for clearing it up!

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

One more: In one of the "Gospels" it plainly states that Judas hanged himself. Yet in the book of Acts, it says he fell down on some rocks and his bowels gushed out. Both accounts can not be true. Look 'em up!

Yes.
Both accounts are true.
Read up on it in the essays about it online. (they all understood it at the time, and many Jews all through history understood it also, all as truth.)

 

[sturgeonslawyer]

Of course you can.

Protestants have rejected entire books of the Bible.

 

[Galilee63]

No it is all Gods Holy Word literally from Himself our Blessed Holy Trinity

And the same with mortal interpretations deciphered incorrectly not from The Holy Spirit then commented on inaccurately of which may mislead others hearts and souls away from reading Gods Holy Word and living Gods Holy Word teachings and Commandments

 

[Galilee63]

Disagreeing with parts of Gods Holy Word is disagreeing with Jesus God and Holy Spirit

 

[Galilee63]

And at the moment of judgement with Jesus God and Holy Spirit in Gods Holy Truth we see all of the people souls we have obliviously while on earth misled by our own interpretations and or disbelief in parts of Gods Holy Word of Which God Himself directly spoke to Holy Ezra Jeremiah Moses Many of Gods Priests and Prophets Daniel in visions and hundreds each century after Jesus Himself delivered directly His Holy Word to save souls eternally and to Glorify God our Heavenly Father how do you think or feel in your heart in relation to how God would feel about any of us disbelieving or rejecting parts of His own Holy Word Bible

 

[david.d]

Thomas didn't even believe Jesus was resurrected...

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
John 20:25 KJV

People would rather rely on science, which by it's very nature proves it's fallibility periodically and routinely. I find it funny when in the same paragraph someone can claim the Bible isn't infallible because of man and then allude to science being infallible.

I'm a nerd and I love science, but I don't love it more than my faith.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry, I believe God will hold the false prophets and false teachers accountable for their words. If that includes errors in the Bible itself, then we can only leave that to God. I read with faith, not logic, so if something doesn't make sense then in the grand scheme of things it doesn't change my faith or my belief. It just means I'll have to wait until God reveals it or I leave this world and then it won't matter.

It's like the fruit of the tree of knowledge in Genesis, fruit is revealed to be almost anything we do, so was it really fruit? Maybe not, but if it was, then our sin came from a tree and died on a tree. If not, then our sin came from a fruit of a person and died with a person on a tree. It doesn't change what matters about the story, it just conveys it a different way. Does it matter if the flood covered the entire earth or just the part of the earth where people lived? God destroyed as much as He wanted either way, right?

I think people try to put logic to things that are supernatural, when that is what faith is here for us to use. If you aren't reading the Bible with faith then you are just reading a book.

 

[The Empirical Agnostic]

Can you be a Christian and only believe some parts of the Bible? For example, can you reject a global Noah's Flood, a six-day creation, a literal exodus, etc.? Could you reject other parts as well, like Christ walking on water? Discuss.

The Biblical accounts of Noah’s Flood, Six-Day Creation, Exodus, and Christ walking on water all have one thing in common... they are supernatural events, initiated by God.


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Webster defines SUPERNATURAL: “departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature”

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So, the real question... the honest question... is to ask ourselves, which Biblical supernatural event(s) that were initiated by God are we willing and/or able to reject?


Which supernatural events seem plausible and which do not? At what point and with what motive would a reader of scripture accept or reject a Biblical account of “departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature?”


The disciples understood the basic laws of nature, that is why they made a great effort to record the supernatural event of Christ walking on water. In fact, what evidence or reason would lead someone to believe otherwise?


All supernatural events found in scripture cannot be scientifically scrutinized nor scientifically validated. We cannot repeat the event of Christ walking on water. In fact, science says it is impossible. Archimedes principle of buoyancy shows the idea of a man walking on water to be “departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature.”


So, what do we do with all Biblical accounts of supernatural phenomena? Do we reject them on the grounds of their lack of scientific validation? Or do we accept science to be true, but understand that sometimes, strange things happen that are beyond the bounds of “science?”


Biblical folks also had a hard time believing in supernatural phenomena. That is why the mentioning of witnesses was so important.


There is a logical conundrum for those who read the Scriptures as if they were at a supernatural salad bar... picking a choosing certain events to accept or reject. For if I accept the account of Christ walking on water, yet I reject the Resurrection... I just committed theological suicide. Yet, if someone else accepts the Resurrection and rejects Christ’s walking on water, are they not also committing theological suicide? For when does any choice to reject or accept supernatural accounts become more or less valid than any other?


When scriptures are subject to cherry pickers at a supernatural salad bar, the Word of God is discounted. We have not been instructed to alter scripture in order to accommodate a secular belief in what we think is most plausible.


If every word in scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), then every word that we wish had been included, is actually God omitted.

 

[Galilee63]

Trust in Jesus then you will witness His Miracles to you and how could anyone not trust in Jesus with everything He did our Lord Jesus suffered His Bitter Passion for us to be given the opportunity thru repentance of sins to Him to receive His Mercy now and at the hour of death standing between God our Heavenly Creator and Holy Spirit and Himself to receive Mercy

Without Jesus no Mercy