Should i read the bible? (1 Viewer)

[inasero]

Inasero, im not trying to undervalue the christian faith or discredit it..im simply asserting the fact that Christians sometimes tend to follow their scholars, bibles etc. a bit too blindly. Most christians have no knowledge of their histroy and the different councils, philosophers etc. that were needed to develop the christian faith. Half of the teachings, dogma, theological concepts etc. were NEVER taught by Jesus and these are well-known facts, just research "Christian histroy". The trinitarian doctrine you follow today was introduced by Constantine and the basic idea that jesus is the son of god was introduced by St. Paul so that he can bring christianity to the Gentiles and lend creedence to the idea that jesus died for our sins....this is an inarguable fact. What right did paul and the rest of the theoligians of the time have in creating their own concept of god which wasnt taught by jesus in the first place.... jesus never taught that he was the son of god, except in a metaphorical sense and you'd understand what im saying if you read the hebrew verison of the bible.

Again, please shut up and stop attacking Christian theology...especially since you're not one yourself you are in no position to criticize anything. You don't see me criticizing the Koran now do you? If you were such a learned and educated scholar as you make yourself out to be, then you wouldn't be wasting so much time trying to discredit other religions and you would be arguing the validity of your own "religion" more so.
I have alot of problems with your arguments and these stem from the fact that you are making sweeping assumptions without trying to support your arguments.

1. If you're not trying to discredit Christianity I don't see why you are still sprouting nonsense from your mouth. Christians don't follow blindly, as I have said previously. How many Christians have you had an intellectual discussion with lately? Christians (not the nominal "Sunday Christians") are continually studying the scriptures and trying to improve their knowledge of early church history. If Christians are just sheep then I'd hate to think what Islam is- what's praying five times a day and wearing a Hijab? Is that just "following their scholars a bit blindly"? Tell me one single reason why you think that Christians follow blindly. Just one. I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult for a learned scholar like you.

2. Christians don't know anything about history? Please...your argument is so childish- it doesn't serve to prove anything. For one thing, Christians do know about their own Church history (refer to above). And what if Christians do not? It doesn't matter because that's not a requisite for salvation and it doesn't take rocket science to figure out the Gospel.

3. In fact there are only 27 books in the NT compared with 39 in the OT. So yes, even less than half of what is in the Bible doesn't come from the mouth of Jesus directly. But what are you hoping to prove by raising that? It doesn't prove anything.

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:14-16). Even if the Old Testament weren't teachings of Jesus, they were planned beforehand by God so why should it be any less accepted? After all, Jesus IS God. Refer to next point.

4. Paul never introduced this idea. It was fact just as it's fact that Tasmania lies south of Victoria. Furthermore, why would a zealous persecutor of Christians turn around 180 degrees and support a doctrine which effectively validates the claims of Christianity? We know for sure that it wasn'r for personal gains since Christians were persecuted by Jews and Romans alike at the time.

5. Inarguable? I've just argued it. I'd like to hear your rebuttal, learned scholar. I'm sure it will be of merit and very scholarly, not to mention scientific!.

6. Jesus wasn't the Son of God? The Hebrew Bible says it and so does the modern English translation-
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 17:5)
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"" (John 14:6)
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12)

 

[soha]

I dunno, but they make me want to shoot myself.

.......go on

 

[zahid]

I dunno, but they make me want to shoot myself.

JOY to the world !!!!!!!

 

[Aimz- Lou.]

FANTASTIC post, Inasero.
And in answer to the original question- I say read it. Read it with an open mind, and come to your own conclusion.

 

[mizosoup]

just another note for those contemplating reading the Quran..... You must approach it with an open mind and an open heart as though youve never ever heard of this faith before and want to learn about it from scratch. this is extremely important because if you approach it burdened by all your misconceptions and prejudices you basically wont get anything out of it, and you'll never be able to honestly say that u actually HAVE read the Quran.

Ever thought about doing this yourself in regard to the bible?>

 

[soha]

Ever thought about doing this yourself in regard to the bible?>

whos to say she hasnt

 

[beccaxx]

read parts. diff ppl read it 4 diff reasons.

i love it.
i hav never ead it cover 2 cover

i find some bits boring.
but some stuffs soo so good.

 

[stazi]

convince me of the wonders of this text!

i havent read it, nor do i believe in any of the religions associated with it, but i think its a good text for human development.

 

[inasero]

whos to say she hasnt

her baseless rhetoric speaks for itself

 

[princessj]

hey.... give the bible i go.... dont do the typical silly thing of thinking ur gonna finish it in a set time.... ive been reading the bible for a very long time and i havent finished it..... not becoz its boring or becoz i dont like it.... but i just read a chapter a day..... a smal goal that gives me a world of enlightenment.... in just one paragraph there will always be a message just for you.... but its gotta be read with an open mind and a warm mindest... if sumones gonna open it up and read through saying cum on prooe ur worth it then they might as well not read it......
another thing is the bible is not a story.... although people who dont feel touched by it or regocnise its significance will call it a story.... the bible is a great guide and weapon given to us from god to use and cherish....
well that should leave u with enough to ponder on....lol
seriously give it a shot.... modestly just lil bits a day or week.... and with a warm heart
cheers!

 

[hfis]

Read it, by all means. My suggestion to you is that you start with the New Testament, as it's a lot easier to read and arguably more 'relevant'. The Old Testament is good too, but most of it concerns the history of the Israelites. Whilst temple measurements and David's geneological record might interest some, it can be a bit daunting (boring) to someone who has never read it before, and often discourages them from going further to where it gets better.

Also, pick a translation that's easy to read. I paticularly recommend the 'New Living Translation' - it's great. None of the 'ye, thee and thou' stuff.

 

[spell check]

i'm pretty sure the only relevant bit of the old testament is the part where homosexuality is an abomination

ignore all the words before and after that bit, especially ones regarding selling children into slavery and killing people for working on the sabbath. those are to be read strictly 'in context'.

 

[inasero]

while its true that the old testament can get boring at times...its important in that it helps christians to understand where we fit into the bigger scheme of things and the cycle of sinning, forgiveness and redemption, so I highly recommend it.

After all it is written in the NT:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness"
2 Timothy 3:16 (New International Version), my bold

 

[mizosoup]

princessj, i agree with everything you said except for this

another thing is the bible is not a story.... although people who dont feel touched by it or regocnise its significance will call it a story....

cuz the bible is kinda like a story of the best concert in the world, for random rambling analogys sake

The OT is all about when we find out that this concert is going to be happening and all the speculation (or prohpesy if you will) in anticipation of it and warnings and stuff on how to prepare for that great day. and we keep waiting and waiting, looking at the ticket that's there on your mirror everyday to remind yourself...

and then the day comes. The gospels. Jesus. The best concert in the world. You go, it's great but it comes to an end. We're all sad but then he comes back out for a short encore, leaving us with the words "i'll be back...just you wait...i dunno when but when i do, you'll know it and it'll be better than what i've shown you here and now"

And so the rest of the NT we mill about spreading the word of this great concert and just looking forward to that day...



hm...that analogy worked better than i though it would.

 

[hiphophooray123]

theres a new religion

'god' is actually a sorta lion crossd with a hippo and its a HE and his name is 'crowbar prostate' PLEASE BELIEVE ME IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED he came back from the dead 5 times and died for capitalism.

he states that no one can make money except hiphophorray123 and that everyone should give their money to me.

crowbar prostate is a venegful god and he states that everyone over the age of 70 must commit suicide before their 71st birthday

in 100 years he will come down to eart hand anyone who has not given the sum of 5000 dollars to me will be taken to hell.

BELIEVE ME PLZ IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED



crowbar prostate expects followers by tommorow morning

 

[blue_chameleon]

"No eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, no mind has ever conceived... what God has prepared for those who love him..." 1 Cor 2:9

 

[hiphophooray123]

"No eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, no mind has ever conceived... what God has prepared for those who love him..." 1 Cor 2:9

your eye has never seen, your ear has never heard, but your mind has conceived....god.

 

[Emily.]

the bible sucks

 

[Enlightened_One]

the bible sucks

On what authority do you base your opinion?

 

[Disease]

The Bible is an interesting read, I do think.