The Book eh? (bible, God, Christians, Christ, religion)

[Stellar042]

No no, you misunderstood...mostly because of my poor wording.

People look at the Bible with a magnifying glass most often. They believe that as a species we are supposed to study this book and expect to swallow the situations that happened with a glass of water. I, however, believe this is a ridiculous request. These tellings are, at least in our frame of mind, impossible. And though I see that it is "a demonstration of the awesome power of God", that means nothing to me or anyone really these days, though some may claim otherwise. Fact is, it's all about symbolism (at least that's my two cents). People miss that because they fear rejection by others or God Himself. I mean consider the facts.

Christianity is one of (if not) the most hippocritical religions in the world. I say this because it teaches of love and forgiveness in every other word, but 0% of its members actually practice the preceding even half the time. I have a friend that attends a Christian high school, and he decided that he would like to put his hair into dread locks. The school was so outraged by this...that they nearly expelled him because of it. How is this teaching acceptance? Love for all? It's not. My friend here is a straight A student, very respectful, no detentions or trouble, I mean squeaky clean. Yet, the representatives here at a decidedly Christian institution view an augmentation of one's appearance is unacceptable. I can't believe God would be this way, for to believe that is to believe in damnation.

Also, Christians are so hard on ourselves as humans (and well, if they follow the Book they should be). What I'm saying here is, if we humans are so untrustworthy (which we are) and irresponsible (which we are), it is downright IMPOSSIBLE that a book of this magnitude and length could be maintained in pristine condition with no alterations or changes at all to it. Especially with the actions of the Catholic church when it was in power. It's just unrealistic...yet the religion remains ignorant.

I say I am Christian because I believe and love the same God that the Christians worship...but I don't believe that ink and paper should be an instruction guide to life. I think it should be something more spirtual in depth.

[cardero]

Originally Posted by Stellar042

Good day all.

My question is very plain and simple. Why does everyone put so much stock into the Bible? This intrigues me...

Because writing and producing a book of our own TRUTHs and experiences in some cases is a very costly, time consuming and/or impractical endeavor.

[john313]

Originally Posted by Saw11_2000

For Christians the bible is their bible. It's the word of god in book, so they feel very strongly towards it. It is the best selling book in the world by a sizeable majority...

The bible is also a book of Islam(without the teachings of Paul). But it is not considered the word of God because of the corruptions of men, the lying pens of the scribes that have modified it.
It is like a text book. math class uses a math book, biology uses a biology book, Christianity/Judaism/Islam uses the bible(or parts of it).

[No*s]

I put stock in it, because I believe the Resurrection story, which in its turn validates the Church, which then assembled the Bible .

[may]

All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.(2 timothy 3;16-17)

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by may

All Scripture is inspired of God ...(2 timothy 3;16-17)

Using Scripture to validate scripture is silly. Relying on the pseudepigraphic 2 Timothy is absurd.

[Melody]

Originally Posted by Stellar042

Christianity is one of (if not) the most hippocritical religions in the world. I say this because it teaches of love and forgiveness in every other word, but 0% of its members actually practice the preceding even half the time.

So much to respond to. I am not a bible scholar so my answers may seem somewhat simplistic and I speak only for myself not all Christians.

First...claiming that Christianity is *one of the most* hypocrital religions and that *0%* actually practice what they preach is a bit all encompassing...and unrealistic. Every belief system will have their hypocrites. Right now the focus is on Christianity and I can only assume it has a lot to do with our current government and their push to make Christian beliefs into law. As for your statistic of "0%"....c'mon....there has to be at least one person out there living by their belief.

Originally Posted by Stellar042

if we humans are so untrustworthy (which we are) and irresponsible (which we are), it is downright IMPOSSIBLE that a book of this magnitude and length could be maintained in pristine condition with no alterations or changes at all to it.

Nothing is "impossible" for God. I believe that the Bible is the Word of God because there is continuity throughout the Bible...from OT through NT. Yes, humans are fallible, but I also believe that God oversaw the construction of His Word and made sure that the human element did not affect His work. He made sure that the right information was included and written in such a way that it became an excellent guide book for our lives. Do we sometimes misinterpret it? Yes, because *we* are human. The Bible is not a rule book....but a guide for our lives. Everytime I read a verse or chapter, I get something different from it...not contradictory...just something more. I believe that is why God allowed the Bible to be written in such a way...so that it could be applied to every area of our lives.

Originally Posted by Stellar042

I say I am Christian because I believe and love the same God that the Christians worship...but I don't believe that ink and paper should be an instruction guide to life. I think it should be something more spirtual in depth.

I had a couple thoughts/questions on this part of your response...

The general definition of "Christian" is someone who accepts that Jesus is Saviour and our salvation is through this acceptance and God's Grace. That we are saved not by our works but by our faith. When you say that you believe and love the same God, I would think it would have to include this part as well...since that is the Christian God.

If that is the case, *why* do you believe if you don't believe the Bible is the Word of God...since that is the evidence used for this belief?

If that is not the case, then I'm unsure of what you mean by loving "the same God that the Christians worship".

By the way....welcome to the forum. It's a great place to refine your belief system.

[No*s]

Originally Posted by may

All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.(2 timothy 3;16-17)

So...do you believe the Assumption of Moses is Scripture? Paul seemed to, because he used it as inspired and a book from which he could teach, discipline, etc. in 2 Timothy 3.8 .

[michel]

PART QUOTE :-Stellar [Why does everyone put so much stock into the Bible? This intrigues me...]


I think you might like to rephrase that as 'everyone who believes in the bible puts so much stock in the Bible'.

I know some, on this forum' who would be upset/angry by your comment.

[Stellar042]

Hello all.

Such good conversation. I'm happy that all of you have taken interest, but I will namely respond to Melody's comments since they were the most complete and in depth.

I realize that saying Christianity is hippocrytical is quite encompassing, especially since every religion does have hipocrisy, but I maintain my statement that 0% of its members practice as is preached. No mortal being is capable of absolute hospitality, at least how God practices it...and that is the essentials of Christianity; that is, striving to be like God. I realize that's quite an obvious statement, but that was the premise of my statement.

I will agree with you in saying that nothing is impossible for God because it is true. However, I wasn't talking about God...I was talking about the Bible and how it's darn near impossible for it to be exactly the same as it was when it was written. God wasn't the One maintaining the Book, therefore it was left in the hands of humans...which almost certainly implies alterations occurred. Especially, as I said, with how the Catholic Church was when it was in power. I'd have to do more research to be 100% accurate on this, but I do recall reading at one time about a conference held in which whole books were thrown out of the Bible because of impracticality and such (don't quote me...I'll research when I have more time). The whole Mary Magdelene situation was hereby extinguished by this (so they say), which is quite believable in my eyes. I'm just saying that any tainted human could've (and probably did) change a little something or another in the Bible to fit them better.

You've got me there, I failed to mention JC (how mindless of me). I do indeed believe in Him and God. However, it's not that I don't believe the Bible may be God's word, I just don't put much stock in it because there's hardly a guarantee. I believe more in spiritual happenings and such. I apologize, I must leave for now. I will anticipate all replies.

Good day.