I recently made friends with a devoted Christian. I have a question for this forum....Why do devoted Chrsitians take the bible so literally? It should be used a guidline and advice. It should not be interpreted as how to live your life. It should be your choice if you want to remain a virigin untill marrriage or YOUR choice if you do not want to drink, but to me it seems that you are making these discisions because Jesus in some way or another said to. Looking through this board I noticed that people will actually search and quote the Bible in order to defend themselves. I make my choices in life by my feelings, wants and needs. I agree that the Bible is educating and Jesus' words were that of clarity and goodness, but I dont believe that his words should be taken so literally, they are merely guidelines. The Christian views of my friend are so strong and I just dont understand how ones life's decisions can be based on a book. There is a topic on this forum discussing if it is right to french kiss...why not? This shouldnt even be an issue.....lets love whoever we want..actions speak louder than words, sexual education should be sought in other sources rather than the Bible. No one should feel guilt for doing something that is natural...why is guilt a huge issue in Christianity? This topic is in no way to offend anyone, I am very accepting of others beliefs and culture and views, I just have some questions and would love to view other's opinion's.
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Question...
- Thread starter kechee
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kechee said:
Jesus sets us free from the idolatrous use of the Bible to hurt ourselves and others. Only God is absolute. God in Christ is "The word of God made human (flesh)" (not words) in John 1:14. The Bible never calls itself the word of God. The Bible calls Jesus the word of God and the one who sets people free from sick abusive use of scripture to hurt people. Be free! Follow Jesus as your guide to all things.
Jesus accepted and included all people. To use the Bible as a weapon to judge, condemn and exclude people is to abandon the Spirit and the example of Jesus.
Truth, Knowledge and Gnosis
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TheFirstNoelle
Active Member
Because if you are a Christian, you accept grace and yet you still try to obey God's commandments. We are Christians if we follow the word and example of Christ. We are Christians if we accept that Christ, as a sinless human paying the price of all sin (death), erased the taint of sin in our lives, thus allowing us to be in the presence of a sinless God. True faith in salvation should manifest itself in the way you live your life, and scripture if we claim to know Jesus/God but don't obey him, we cannot be Christians. Obedience is the result of a love and a desire to know God intimately.
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You havnt answered my question...you simply quoted the Bible. Jesus is the word of God...why are his words analyzed to such an extent?...it's to much...when I read the Bible I always close the book and sigh...such a nice feeling after I read from it...but thats it, In no way do I interpret that as freedom..freedom from what? Why are you looking for freedom?
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BarbB
I stand with my brothers and sisters in Israel!
The main reason that devoted Christians take the Bible literally is that the Bible is a roadmap to a life of joy, peace and love in God. If we follow the precepts laid down by God in the Bible we will have alot fewer problems in our lives. God knew that sex would be a huge problem for humans; thus the "rules". I didn't follow them for years and was very unhappy and discontent until I realized the truth in the Bible.kechee said:
And it is never too late to live a chaste life. If you are unmarried, do not participate in sexual activity. If you are married, do not stray from your marriage. With God, all things are possible!
God Bless You and welcome to CF!
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kechee said:
Here is our Gnostic perspective given in a a lecture by Dr. Stephan Hoeller:
http://www.webcom.com/~gnosis/971219.ram
You need Real Audio and about 78 mins...interesting though.
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TheFirstNoelle
Active Member
The definition of Christian is found in the Bible. Therefore, Christians are Christian by the definition given in the Bible.
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Lanakila
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*Mod Hat On* This is a topic for the Questions for Christianity forum so I am moving it there. Please post topics relevant to the forum you are in at the time. *Mod Hat Off*
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Yes, the problem is that your entire post begs the question of whether the Scripture is, indeed, God's direct word to us today. You obviously think it is not, but merely a general guideline that can be accepted or rejected as you see fit.
Most Christians simply believe differently. They believe that the Bible is, indeed, God's specific and direct word for us today, containing the salvation message, encouragement, inspiration and, yes, very real definitions of what is sinful and what is not. You either believe that or not.
Christians tend to believe it because it is the Scriptures which set out the Gospel message of salvation. This same book then goes on to say a lot of other things that go along with that salvation. Why believe one and not the other?
Now, I am not a literalist in the sense that I think everything in the Bible is meant to be read literally (which those on the Creation Science board can attest to), but when the Bible says that something is a sin and/or to be avoided, I don't see much of an analogy or allegory or metaphor there!
Most Christians simply believe differently. They believe that the Bible is, indeed, God's specific and direct word for us today, containing the salvation message, encouragement, inspiration and, yes, very real definitions of what is sinful and what is not. You either believe that or not.
Christians tend to believe it because it is the Scriptures which set out the Gospel message of salvation. This same book then goes on to say a lot of other things that go along with that salvation. Why believe one and not the other?
Now, I am not a literalist in the sense that I think everything in the Bible is meant to be read literally (which those on the Creation Science board can attest to), but when the Bible says that something is a sin and/or to be avoided, I don't see much of an analogy or allegory or metaphor there!
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BarbB
I stand with my brothers and sisters in Israel!
Whatever else you do, kechee, do not stop reading the Bible!kechee said:
The freedom is freedom from sin and the eternal consequences of that sin. A price must be paid for sin and that price was paid for us by Jesus. If we accept the sacrifice that Jesus made, then we repent of our sins and do our best to not sin again.
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Rafael
Only time enough for love
The words Jesus says of Himself are important, and because He knows the heart of man, He gives instruction for life. No wonder it feels good to read His words, as He says that they are nourishment to the spirit and give life. He also says that those who love Him and obey His commandments, abiding in Him, will receive reward.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit that makes alive, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
If we disobey, we hurt ourselves and pay a price for the sins (mistakes) we make. The older one gets and experiences life, the more they find that every word of the Bible is literally the truth and given to us for our well-being - out of His love towards us.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit that makes alive, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
If we disobey, we hurt ourselves and pay a price for the sins (mistakes) we make. The older one gets and experiences life, the more they find that every word of the Bible is literally the truth and given to us for our well-being - out of His love towards us.
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Christi
Well-Known Member
I agree, and personally find it like a parent's guidlines for their children. It's for our own good. We can try it another way, but usually find that we should've listened. I read somewhere, can't remember where...that most of the laws he gave the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert, were for medical purposes. Up until then, the Egyptians had been the most advanced medically, but they used poultices of human feces on people to heal wounds. (I know, gag.) So alot of these laws were not just so God could see if they'd do what He wanted, they ensured their survival. I think the whole Bible is that way, it's for our own good. I don't think God gets any special thrill out of not letting us do what we want. I think He loves us so much he doesn't want to see us run out in the street when a car is coming.Mr.Cheese said:
By the way Mr. Cheese, I like your posts. They are short, sweet, and right to the point, unlike mine which ramble on for hours. And I'm not just saying that because you are a moderator. Really. I'm not.
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