Your bible ideology =/= what the bible says

Michael Collum said:

There are many bible ideologies out there, people interpret the bible and equate it through rhetoric to being the bible, but this is not true.

It is idolatrous, and heretical, and excessively deceptive.

Let us take this opportunity to humble ourselves and repent for every time we quoted 2 Timothy 3:16 as rhetorical device to silence discussion in favor of our biblical ideology.

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After arguing this same thing a few times within various threads, I have reached the conclusion that a number of people are genuinely unable to comprehend the difference no matter how many different ways people attempt to explain it to them. It's extraordinarily frustrating as it tends to make fruitful discussion impossible.

bekkilyn said:

It's extraordinarily frustrating as it tends to make fruitful discussion impossible

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So many untruths have been exposed as patent deceptions, now is not the time to stop trying to communicate. Just when it got tiring, is when it has become the most necessary.

My mentor explained to me that the Bible is layered truth. It contains unfathomable amounts of truth in such a limited number of pages. Now, NOT ALL interpretations are equal, because even the Devil can twist Scripture to tempt others, like he tried to do to the Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11)

English Language classes are INCREDIBLY helpful when studying the Bible. Analytical thinking, critical thinking, saying so much in so few words, and other useful skills. Studying history, geography, psychology, sociology, and other humanities also greatly help with understanding Biblical context. They also greatly help with understanding how Biblical truth still applies today.

For example, after reading the Book of Proverbs, I found some that still apply today, perhaps even more so than before. Some of these include...

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
Is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, “I was only joking!”
~Proverbs 26:18-19 (NKJV)

"It's just a prank, bro!"
~Internet Meme

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Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
~Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

"Loose lips sink ships."
~WWII Propaganda Slogan

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How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
~Proverbs 16:16 (NKJV)

"Knowledge is power."
~Modern Proverb

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And here are my personal favourites which apply to US ALL:

Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
~Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts.
~Proverbs 21:2 (NKJV)

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
~Proverbs 26:12 (NKJV)

If none of us are open to exchanging ideas, then how do we expect to grow in the faith?

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I STRONGLY recommend spending each day reading, studying, memorizing, and KNOWING Scripture. I recommend at least one chapter from each of the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Book of Psalms/Proverbs. Each time a section is complete, start all over from the very beginning and continue on.

I recommend hooking it up to your plow and taking it into the field for a few decades (at least four).

The problem is that the Bible in and of itself is open to a variety of different interpretations... In and of itself you can derive all sorts of ideas. Personally I think it is better to view the scriptures through the lens of consensus that the Church Fathers agreed upon and use that as your interpretation. Otherwise you can end up either in someone else's erroneous doctrine or developing your own erroneous doctrine. There is nothing more prideful than thinking you yourself are endowed with the unique ability to interpret the Bible correctly, the devil will take you for a ride if you have that idea floating around in your head.

Rene Loup said:

I STRONGLY recommend spending each day reading, studying, memorizing, and KNOWING Scripture. I recommend at least one chapter from each of the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Book of Psalms/Proverbs. Each time a section is complete, start all over from the very beginning and continue on.

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I don't recommend this method at all. I have always used topical searches.

public hermit said:

So many untruths have been exposed as patent deceptions, now is not the time to stop trying to communicate. Just when it got tiring, is when it has become the most necessary.

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Agreed, however, sometimes the systemically oppressed need a break from fruitlessly attempting to educate their oppressors.

SkyWriting said:

I don't recommend this method at all. I have always used topical searches.

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My mentor's reasoning behind this is getting something OUT of the Bible, instead of reading INTO the Bible. Our own biases could potentially come into play when reading Scripture for advice. (Proverbs 14:12, 16:2, 21:2)

However, if you are benefiting from your way of studying Scripture, then that is good. As long as you are growing in faith (2 Cor. 5:7, Ephesians 2:1-10, Hebrews 11) and Christ-like character, (1 Corinthians 13, Exodus 20:1-17, Galatians 5:16-26, Luke 16:1-15, Matthew 5-7, 18:21-35, Romans 13:8-10) then praise the Lord!

Rene Loup said:

My mentor's reasoning behind this is getting something OUT of the Bible, instead of reading INTO the Bible.

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Yes, that's why I use a topical search. A method I picked up in college. You end up with a variety of authors speaking on one subject. Otherwise, people just quote Paul and forget any other writers. They think Paul is more espeacial than the other 39 authors.

Michael Collum said:

Another method is searching by strongs word.

Sometimes it brings up unexpected results because the word is translated differently in some passages.

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I will add that method.

SkyWriting said:

Yes, that's why I use a topical search. A method I picked up in college. You end up with a variety of authors speaking on one subject. Otherwise, people just quote Paul and forget any other writers. They think Paul is more espeacial than the other 39 authors.

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Ah, I think I am understanding what you are saying.

Thank you for the advice. This could prove valuable in my future Bible studies, in addition with my mentor's advice.

Take care, stay safe, and God bless!

Michael Collum said:

There are many bible ideologies out there, people interpret the bible and equate it through rhetoric to being the bible, but this is not true.

It is idolatrous, and heretical, and excessively deceptive.

Let us take this opportunity to humble ourselves and repent for every time we quoted 2 Timothy 3:16 as rhetorical device to silence discussion in favor of our biblical ideology.

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On my side of the theological playing field, I try not to make demands or assertions regarding how any other Christian "should" approach either the Bible or faith in Christ; they don't have to duplicate what I do (or what my denominational church of affiliation might do).

This isn't to say I won't have occasional, even serious disagreements about the meaning of a few biblical ideas here or there, but on the whole, I think Christian fellowship is predicated upon a basic, common Trinitarian similarity of thought in Christ, not on whether or not we see eye to eye on every single biblical Jot and Tittle we can dig up.

Rene Loup's first post in this thread got me to thinking more on this topic because I agree in particular with this:

English Language classes are INCREDIBLY helpful when studying the Bible. Analytical thinking, critical thinking, saying so much in so few words, and other useful skills. Studying history, geography, psychology, sociology, and other humanities also greatly help with understanding Biblical context. They also greatly help with understanding how Biblical truth still applies today.

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And it's also what often makes meaningful discussion pointless because it seems that fewer and fewer people are even adequately educated when it comes to the basics of language skills. Then when we recognize that the very beginning of the communication problem has to do with language skills, critical thinking skills, etc., any hope of education comes to a halt because what do we do?

Tell people their basic level of language skills, critical thinking, literary analysis, etc. sucks?

Of course, it would be considered inflammatory and rather than investing time in getting up to speed on all of those things, they would just be insulted and just keep repeating the same two bible verses over and over as if they were some sort of magical incantation.

And then they just mock you when you bring up such things as "cultural relevance" because they don't even comprehend what it means to even be able to discuss it, as just one example. They just "know" it's "bad" and "against the bible".