Bible

[fatboys]

Those of you who knew me before I left might remember that my feelings for the bible became less as I begin to learn how much corruption could have entered in and made it less than what it was. Although I believe it to be the word of God, it is not the pure word of God many believe it to be. Although I have grown up in the church, I have always enjoyed the New Testament over other scriptures. I still love it but knowing that some of the books were written down many years after the fact by unknown authors puts a crimp in it. I have studied both sides of this issue and feel that there are too many questions that cannot be answered. I realize that both my church and other Christian beliefs put more trust into it than I do. Again I know that there are the words of God contained within these books but it cannot be perfect. I realize that most Christian beliefs need the bible to be perfect so they can have a solid foundation for their beliefs. Which is not a bad foundation but not what I would say would be the best. Yes I know your faith is based on Christ but from my view point, how can one know that Christ they interpret in the right one? How can a person put their faith in a book and know what the pure intent was to begin with? Look forward a learning.

 

[awitch]

Yes I know your faith is based on Christ but from my view point, how can one know that Christ they interpret in the right one? How can a person put their faith in a book and know what the pure intent was to begin with? Look forward a learning.

There's not shortage of people who claim with absolute certainty that they have the right interpretation, but honestly, no one really can. That's why it's faith.

 

[single eye]

Fatboy, The kingdom of God is at hand, only the saints produced scripture. Some of this scripture is found in the n.t. and some of it wound up in the nag hammadi library. that is where we find the things that are missing from the bible.

 

[Arthra]

FB wrote:

"I have always enjoyed the New Testament over other scriptures. I still love it but knowing that some of the books were written down many years after the fact by unknown authors puts a crimp in it."

If you've studied the Bible you know it is a record of past revelations over a thousand years and I believe you'll will learn how to appreciate the inspiration found in it... also, you may learn more about the original languages the scriptures were revealed in...

I've always found it fascinating to plumb the meanings of Hebrew, Aramaic ..even though I'm not really a formal scholar.

We should be grateful for the many aids we have today online to study the scriptures.

Another area I appreciate in studying the Bible are the rich allegorical and symbolic meanings of the ancient stories!
- Art

 

[dlamberth]

How can a person put their faith in a book and know what the pure intent was to begin with? Look forward a learning.

To know God, I have learned to no longer put my faith in any books. Where I direct my faith these days is in the ONLY sacred Holy Book directly written by the hand of God, which is the sacred manuscript of nature.

.

 

[Rescued One]

The Bible is useless without the Holy Spirit. For some people it is a memento on a shelf or table.

 

[smaneck]

I realize that most Christian beliefs need the bible to be perfect so they can have a solid foundation for their beliefs. Which is not a bad foundation but not what I would say would be the best. Yes I know your faith is based on Christ but from my view point, how can one know that Christ they interpret in the right one? How can a person put their faith in a book and know what the pure intent was to begin with? Look forward a learning.

So do you think the Book of Mormon is perfect?

When I was a Christian I believed in Christ because the Christ depicted in the New Testament was of such a character I could not deny Him. The inerrancy of scripture had nothing to do with it. Later when I found out about the Bab and Baha'u'llah I believed in them because I saw the same thing I saw in Christ. Again, the inerrancy of the record was immaterial to me.

 

[smaneck]

The Bible is useless without the Holy Spirit. For some people it is a memento on a shelf or table.

Everyone thinks their personal interpretation is guided by the Holy Spirit. Not impressed.

 

[smaneck]

Fatboy, The kingdom of God is at hand, only the saints produced scripture. Some of this scripture is found in the n.t. and some of it wound up in the nag hammadi library. that is where we find the things that are missing from the bible.

Awww, and let's give a big welcome to the Gnostics!

 

[Booko]

Everyone thinks their personal interpretation is guided by the Holy Spirit. Not impressed.

And my personal experience with those who claim their interpretation is guided by the Holy Spirit is that it eventually is shown they mistook their own ego for the Spirit. So can't say I'm impressed either, given claiming being infilled with the Spirit has such a poor track record. Oh well.

 

[TasteForTruth]

So do you think the Book of Mormon is perfect?

He might, but not all of us do. Not even the authors of the book claimed it was inerrant.

 

[dlamberth]

The Bible is useless without the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes I feel like that's an over used expression. Some I feel claim Holy Spirit when it's really their fantasies and ego at work. But it's when the Holy Spirit is claimed as a right of authority for what a person says that I get really doubtful and very suspicious of that person.

.

 

[MissVeronica]

Those of you who knew me before I left might remember that my feelings for the bible became less as I begin to learn how much corruption could have entered in and made it less than what it was. Although I believe it to be the word of God, it is not the pure word of God many believe it to be. Although I have grown up in the church, I have always enjoyed the New Testament over other scriptures. I still love it but knowing that some of the books were written down many years after the fact by unknown authors puts a crimp in it. I have studied both sides of this issue and feel that there are too many questions that cannot be answered. I realize that both my church and other Christian beliefs put more trust into it than I do. Again I know that there are the words of God contained within these books but it cannot be perfect. I realize that most Christian beliefs need the bible to be perfect so they can have a solid foundation for their beliefs. Which is not a bad foundation but not what I would say would be the best. Yes I know your faith is based on Christ but from my view point, how can one know that Christ they interpret in the right one?
How can a person put their faith in a book and know what the pure intent was to begin with? Look forward a learning.

Sorry, but you either believe or you don't. True or false converts. What do you love about it? I get the impression that you think it's a story book. Don't want to offend sometimes what we write sounds different.. So far the bible is the most factual book there is. If you had someone put a sword to your throat, and draw blood, you wouldn't laugh and say that's not a real sword. Would you?
Most people who criticize the bible is through fear, as why are we looking to prove if it's true or not. There will always be the what if. If you are 100% certain then stop reading it. And hope for the best when you die.

The bible makes some amazing claims, Hebrews 11:1. Faith is a confident belief in something you cannot perceive with your senses. Think about this how do you know who wrote particular book, because book states this. And so we accept it. The bible is written by 40 differnet writers it is authentic especially with the amount of ancient monuscript found. What about Plato, no one doubts he wrote his book. No one argues about the bible authenticity the bible predicts things that would happen in the future. Have you read Daniel 2. The bible It predicted the Roman Empire if it was not inspired by God. How could human beings possibly know abou this so far into the future. Please don't allow Satan to confuse you, your soul is important.

 

[Red Fox]

Everyone thinks their personal interpretation is guided by the Holy Spirit. Not impressed.

I guess that's why there are so many different Protestant denominations and even separate sects within different denominations, which are all separate from the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. It's all very confusing, IMHO, and they all claim to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Very confusing indeed.

 

[MissVeronica]

Sometimes I feel like that's an over used expression. Some I feel claim Holy Spirit when it's really their fantasies and ego at work. But it's when the Holy Spirit is claimed as a right of authority for what a person says that I get really doubtful and very suspicious of that person.

.

Sorry but I haven on employ to these post, When you feel the Holy Spirit yourself then others will think you are mad. How will you convince them if that time eve comes. How can billions of people all over he world who,are strangers and don't know each other testify to the same thing. For what reason,, are you saying every single one is mad. Why would people be willing to die for a Lie?

 

[LoAmmi]

Sorry but I haven on employ to these post, When you feel the Holy Spirit yourself then others will think you are mad. How will you convince them if that time eve comes. How can billions of people all over he world who,are strangers and don't know each other testify to the same thing. For what reason,, are you saying every single one is mad.

The only thing I'm aware of that all Christian (billions of people) agree on is Jesus (and even then there are nuisances). Holy Spirit not required for that as there are billions of Muslims who testify the same thing and you don't think they have the Holy Spirit.

Why would people be willing to die for a Lie?

Since you believe every other faith to be a lie but yours and people have died for those faiths, why would people be willing to die for a lie?

 

[smaneck]

So far the bible is the most factual book there is.

According to whom?

Think about this how do you know who wrote particular book, because book states this.

Actually, most of the time it doesn't.

What about Plato, no one doubts he wrote his book.

Many books are ascribed to Plato. Some are thought to be authentic, some aren't.

No one argues about the bible authenticity

Of course they do! But the Bible isn't a single book, it is many books, 73 in the Catholic Bible, some 66 in the Protestant Bible. Each one needs to be looked at individually.

the bible predicts things that would happen in the future. Have you read Daniel 2. The bible It predicted the Roman Empire if it was not inspired by God.

Are you talking about the reference to the idol representing the various empires? Because this is the traditional interpretation:


Head of gold - Babylonian Empire
Breast and arms of silver - Median Empire
Belly and thighs of copper - Persian Empire
Legs of iron - Greek Empire of Alexander
Feet partly of iron and partly of molded clay - The Seleucids and the Ptolemies

Where are the Romans here?

 

[smaneck]

Sorry but I haven on employ to these post, When you feel the Holy Spirit yourself then others will think you are mad. How will you convince them if that time eve comes. How can billions of people all over he world who,are strangers and don't know each other testify to the same thing. For what reason,, are you saying every single one is mad. Why would people be willing to die for a Lie?

That's not the problem. The problem is that the Holy Spirit is telling these two billion people entirely different things. And that two billion includes Mormons.
If the Holy Spirit were really guiding all these people the way you say why are these two billion people divided into over 40,000 sects?

 

[Booko]

Why would people be willing to die for a Lie?

People have been dying for lies for ages.

Study the history of warfare. You will see what I mean.

 

[TasteForTruth]

That's not the problem. The problem is that the Holy Spirit is telling these two billion people entirely different things. And that two billion includes Mormons.

We're glad that we're being told different things, just to be clear.

If the Holy Spirit were really guiding all these people the way you say why are these two billion people divided into over 40,000 sects?

Clearly, the guidance being received is not all either understood correctly, or legitimate. Neither does this mean that good guidance—true guidance—isn't being received by some. Even many. God seeks to guide all, including those who don't recognize or acknowledge Him. That's my belief, anyway.