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?
Hi Ehrenkreuz,
I think the Bible is a collection of works from man, that was inspired by God. Whether inspired means the same as being inspired by a sunset to write a poem, or whether it means God used men to place the exact words He saw fit, I'm not 100% certain, but I'm tempted to say the latter. My reason being that all Christians believe that our world is acting out God's plan, and that God is (more or less) holding the knowledge of everything that has past and everything that is to come, so it would make more sense to me to believe that God worked through man to create a collection of books that represented what He wanted. Including any subtle differences in the accounts that talk about the same thing.
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.
I think in anyones life, there will come a stage where you begin to question what is presented to you. In addition, it's very hard for a family to accept their child growing up into an adult, and/or not sharing their beliefs. Don't be too hard on your parents, and I hope they aren't too hard on you. I think what you are doing is absolutely, and comprehensively the correct thing to do, in questioning what you believe, as it's the most important thing in this world really and I hope it leads you to truth, it will most likely be quite a journey, I know I've changed my views often enough.
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.
I would say, don't worry about what I think. I mean, if you are questioning what your parents think, why would you care what I or anyone else here thinks?
I went through a similar stage as you though, where I had to seperate the faith from the people, because ultimately I didn't like many of the people in the faith, and they happened to be the ones who were most vocal about getting me in the faith, which meant that for most of my life I wasn't a Christian. Since then, I've found time to do as you are doing, and find out what I believe. As it turns out, I believe in God, and as it also turns out, for completely different reasons than my parents or family, not that I think they are wrong though (they weren't the people I didn't like that I mentioned earlier btw - just in case you think I hate my family
).
Anyhow, I have drafted three rules that I apply to my Christian faith, maybe they will help you:
1) Ultimately, it's not about other people. It's about me, and God, and how we relate to each other. It's about our relationship, or lack thereof. The guy on the corner is not important, my family is not important, the president is not important, only I am and in this decision and it's about God, so He is too.
2) There are questions whose answers escape me. Sometimes I need faith to take God on His word, in this respect I always remember what
Hebrews 11 says about faith, and I try not to let the unattainable get in my way of my life with God.
Lastly.
3) As you know, having radically differing beliefs than those of your parents, I test things. Christianity is not about ignorance, it's about truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
"Test everything. Hold on to the good."
It's really important that you don't accept what other people say, that you search for answers and that it's about what you
you think, not what other people do, or what other people want you to think under duress.
So yeah, they have helped me a great deal, because now I ultimately follow God, instead of following other people's belief and views in God.
Also, second-lastly, Ebia mentioned there are many Chrisitans who can look at the Bible as a historical record and read it like that, this is what I think you should do, because some of the obvious things escape us sometimes, like the word "Testiment." I never realised until recently, that it's called that, because the people within who wrote these events are giving their testimony of what they saw, heard and researched in that time.
Cheers!
Digit
