Christians - Bible Interpretation (Jesus, gospel, creation, churches, experience)

[Abram]

Originally Posted by sdotbrown

i take the bible literaly. it does not make sense to me to pick and choose parts you like. people always tell me that it has been changed a lot over time, but i know that what is written in my bible is from God

I agree with sbotbrown here. I think if God can create a entire world then I believe that he can deliver a book over 2000 years and still be true to his inspiration.

But as far as your friend taking it to literally, let her. It a journey we all take differently, look around. You can't tell someone how to explore the Bible, be happy that she is.

"You don't have to take it literally, but you should take it seriously..."

[Baerly]

Drummrguy, Please go to thepreachersfiles.com and look up this very good lesson:
"The bible doctrine of Inspiration" thepreachersfiles.com/inspiration_of_the_scriptures/000548.htm

It will be worth your time if you have a good and honest heart (Luke 8:15) in love Baerly

[waacman]

Originally Posted by drummrguy14

Here's another issue I've been dealing with lately...

In my discussions with my girlfriend, I have discovered just how literally she takes the Bible. She takes it to be 100% fact, not metaphorical, not interpretable...but that it is God's infallable word.

I on the other hand, believe most of it to be metaphorical...I find that more people can be touched by God's word that way, and in doing so draw nearer to Him, so why wouldn't he want that?

I'm interested in hearing some other opinions about this, as well as maybe some advice on how to talk about the Bible with someone who takes it so literally.

thanks!

I take the Bible literally as well. It would be interesting to just probe her mind of why she takes the Bible literally and what exactly she means by "literally". I've found that there is a big misunderstanding as to what "taking the Bible literally means" in the minds of some people. I think "literally" means that if something is written as poetry, we read it as poetry, if prophecy, then read it as prophecy, and so on. There is a lot of good work out there that will enable one to help intrepret the scriptures properly while using common sense.

[Baerly]

Drummrguy, Please check this out. This is only a small portion of the lesson. You will have to go to thepreachersfiles.com to see the rest. Baerly

Our Standard for Authority

August 17, 2004 by Kevin Cauley - Berryville church of Christ, Berryville Arkansas
SUBJECT: Bible Authority
TITLE: Our Standard for Authority
PROPOSITION: The Bible and only the Bible must be our sole standard for spiritual authority today because 1) Only the Bible is Inspired of God, 2) Other standards are woefully inadequate, 3) The Bible is all sufficient to meet every spiritual need.
OBJECTIVES: The hearer should be able to state why other standards are lacking, understand Bible inspiration, and state why the Bible is all sufficient.
AIM: To establish in the mind of each hearer the importance of letting the Bible settle all spiritual questions today.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 2 Peter 1:16-21 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice, which came from heaven, we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
2. About the Text:
1) Peter is writing to those who had obtained a like precious faith (2 Peter 1:1).
2) He is trying to build up their faith by adding to it the Christian virtues (5-8).
3) He does not want to be negligent in ensuring that they are sure about the things upon which their faith is based (11-13).
4) The things that he taught were not fables.
5) He was an eyewitness of these things.
6) Additionally, we have "a more sure word of prophecy."
7) This prophecy is not of private origination.
8) This prophecy was originated from the Holy Spirit.
9) It is only by this authority that we can be "sure" of our calling and election.
3. Historically
1) In the early 19th century there was a man by the name of Thomas Campbell
2) He was very disenchanted with the great amount of religious division that resulted from the reformation.
3) He wrote a document called the "Declaration and Address."
4) This is NOT an inspired document.
5) In this document he wrote 13 propositions to which Christians must adhere to have religious unity. Proposition 2 and 3 are as follows: "That although the Church of Christ upon earth must necessarily exist in particular and distinct societies, locally separate one from another, yet there ought to be no schisms, no uncharitable divisions among them. They ought to receive each other as Christ Jesus hath also received them, to the glory of God. And for this purpose they ought all to walk by the same rule, to mind and speak the same thing; and to be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. 3. That in order to do this, nothing ought to be inculcated upon Christians as articles of faith; nor required of them as terms of communion, but what is expressly taught and enjoined upon them in the word of God. Nor ought anything to be admitted, as of Divine obligation, in their Church constitution and managements, but what is expressly enjoined by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and his apostles upon the New Testament Church; either in express terms or by approved precedent."
6) Campbell sought to make the Bible our only standard for faith and spiritual practice to gain religious unity.
7) The Bible claims to be the ONLY standard from God for man's spiritual practices while upon the earth.
4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: The Bible and only the Bible must be our sole standard for spiritual authority today because . . .
I. Only the Bible is inspired of God
1. Only the words of God are authoritative and powerful.
1) God's words are always fulfilled; such cannot be said of other authorities. Isaiah 55:10, 11 "For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
2) Luke 1:37 ASV "For no word from God shall be void of power."
3) Hebrews 4:12, 13 "For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

[sojourner]

In what way is Campbell's "Declaration and Address" determined to be "not inspired?"
I think the article misrepresents what Campbell was after in writing the "Declaration." In a world where one's religious affiliation was too often predicated upon "what we believe," therefore fostering man-made division in a Church that is "essentially, intentionally and constitutionally one," Campbell sought to foster unity by having us focus upon "whom we follow." I find the Declaration to be inspired (but not canonized). Campbell's stance was not strictly sola scriptura. It was also bolstered by the application of tradition, reason, and local practice in the interpretation of Biblical passages. Campbell's issue was not to set sola scriptura on a pedestal, it was to do away with superfluous theology and practice that had caused division in the Church.

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Baerly

Drummrguy, Please check this out. This is only a small portion of the lesson. You will have to go to thepreachersfiles.com to see the rest. Baerly

Our Standard for Authority

August 17, 2004 by Kevin Cauley - Berryville church of Christ, Berryville Arkansas
SUBJECT: Bible Authority
TITLE: Our Standard for Authority
PROPOSITION: The Bible and only the Bible must be our sole standard for spiritual authority today because 1) Only the Bible is Inspired of God, 2) Other standards are woefully inadequate, 3) The Bible is all sufficient to meet every spiritual need.
OBJECTIVES: The hearer should be able to state why other standards are lacking, understand Bible inspiration, and state why the Bible is all sufficient.
AIM: To establish in the mind of each hearer the importance of letting the Bible settle all spiritual questions today.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 2 Peter 1:16-21 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice, which came from heaven, we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
2. About the Text:
1) Peter is writing to those who had obtained a like precious faith (2 Peter 1:1).
2) He is trying to build up their faith by adding to it the Christian virtues (5-8).
3) He does not want to be negligent in ensuring that they are sure about the things upon which their faith is based (11-13).
4) The things that he taught were not fables.
5) He was an eyewitness of these things.
6) Additionally, we have "a more sure word of prophecy."
7) This prophecy is not of private origination.
8) This prophecy was originated from the Holy Spirit.
9) It is only by this authority that we can be "sure" of our calling and election.
3. Historically
1) In the early 19th century there was a man by the name of Thomas Campbell
2) He was very disenchanted with the great amount of religious division that resulted from the reformation.
3) He wrote a document called the "Declaration and Address."
4) This is NOT an inspired document.
5) In this document he wrote 13 propositions to which Christians must adhere to have religious unity. Proposition 2 and 3 are as follows: "That although the Church of Christ upon earth must necessarily exist in particular and distinct societies, locally separate one from another, yet there ought to be no schisms, no uncharitable divisions among them. They ought to receive each other as Christ Jesus hath also received them, to the glory of God. And for this purpose they ought all to walk by the same rule, to mind and speak the same thing; and to be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. 3. That in order to do this, nothing ought to be inculcated upon Christians as articles of faith; nor required of them as terms of communion, but what is expressly taught and enjoined upon them in the word of God. Nor ought anything to be admitted, as of Divine obligation, in their Church constitution and managements, but what is expressly enjoined by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and his apostles upon the New Testament Church; either in express terms or by approved precedent."
6) Campbell sought to make the Bible our only standard for faith and spiritual practice to gain religious unity.
7) The Bible claims to be the ONLY standard from God for man's spiritual practices while upon the earth.
4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: The Bible and only the Bible must be our sole standard for spiritual authority today because . . .
I. Only the Bible is inspired of God
1. Only the words of God are authoritative and powerful.
1) God's words are always fulfilled; such cannot be said of other authorities. Isaiah 55:10, 11 "For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
2) Luke 1:37 ASV "For no word from God shall be void of power."
3) Hebrews 4:12, 13 "For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

Would that God were alive today.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Originally Posted by Victor

I pick and choose according to Church teaching.

~Victor

I pick and chose, what ever the church is teaching.

I pick and chose those things I can understand, that have meaning for me.
This is not a fixed list, but one that grows with my understanding.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

Would that God were alive today.

God is alive in every one of us today.
The problem is that we don't recognise him.

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Terrywoodenpic

God is alive in every one of us today.
The problem is that we don't recognise him.

My comment is not directed towards you, Terry, but only to the dead God that can only speak in Scripture.

I say, "Would that God were alive today"

Answer: "But God speaks in his word."

My response: "Then He is mute, and if God cannot speak, He may as well be mute."

It's not a matter of not recognizing God but taping his mouth shut with his own words.

[Baerly]

Our God is alive and well. God spoke in many different ways and through different mediums in the O.T. but now in these last days spoken to us through his SON (Jesus) (Heb 1:1,2).

That message was confirmed by miracles and signs (Heb.2:3,4) (Mark 16:20).

That message was ONCE DELIVERED according to (Jude 3). There will be no more messages.

That message contained ALL THINGS pertaining to life and godliness (2Peter 1:3). Therefore we do not need any NEW messages,since God delivered all we needed.

We look into the word of God (BIBLE) for our spiritual guidance now. We need no other book or creed to follow (Gal.1:6-9) (Rev.22:18-19) (1Cor.4:6) (Deut.4:2).Jesus is our Creed (John 12:48).

God spoke to man and the apostles wrote the word of Jesus down by the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 17:8) (John 14:26 ; 16:13). It will serve as a guide book for all spiritual matters for Christians till the end of the world. It will pass all tests man can and will ever give it. It (the bible) will be our Judge in the end (John 12:48).

in love Baerly