Not exactly the same. If you pair two separate verses together that are from different books, you can actually change the meaning, while taking of context can take a verse from a parable or something similar can change the context.
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Have you read the whole Bible enough to make claims about it?
- Thread starter Shermana
- Start date
Not exactly the same. If you pair two separate verses together that are from different books, you can actually change the meaning, while taking of context can take a verse from a parable or something similar can change the context.
seeking4truth
Active Member
There are many beautiful things written in Apochryphal books and other 'unacceptable' texts. I wonder why they are considered so?
Not gonna lie, a lot of them do.
No. The chronology stuff in the OT bores me to tears, unfortunately. :/
If I don't know enough, then I can figure stuff out as I go along (that can make debating with me a very interesting prospect
)If I'm going to try to use Bible verses to support an argument, I wouldn't be caught dead using them without knowing what the context is. Getting called out for taking verses out of context is THE easiest way to demolish someone's argument from the Bible, and I would never use a verse and make assertions or conclusions about it without first knowing and understanding the context. I prefer to not give the other side some easy ammo to use against me... I like it better when it's the other way around
It really depends. For example, I think reading the writings of the Prophets is a bigger deal than reading about a bunch of battles, or reading through a list of how many Israelites there were, or reading about a body count after a battle.
Generally, it is a good idea to have at least read the Gospels and the Epistles, because those include some good OT cross-references. Reading some of the OT never hurts either. I don't think reading the ENTIRE thing is necessary, but it is important to read so one can get a sense for some of the overarching concepts and teachings in the Bible.
But if people can teach themselves on the fly while discussing theology, doctrine and practice, then they should do so by all means; it's a great way to learn.
It's funny, because the Apocryphal books are only rejected by the Protestants. Catholics and Eastern Orthodox alike both have them, and the 1611 KJV included even the books that the Orthodox use that aren't found in the Roman Catholic Deuterocanon, like 1 and 2 Esdras, and the Prayer of Manasses..
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
Only as 'divinely inspired'. Protestants can read them.
You cannot find any design in the Orthodox and Catholic Bibles. They contain the apocryphy. The Orthodox has 77 books and the Catholic Vulgate has 73. But only the 66 Book Protestant Bible has all these miracoulous schemes which when studied could not have been designed by the minds of men!
Numerology is your support for the Protestant Bible's canon?
The Septuagint Old Testament used by the Orthodox Church is the same Old Testament that was used by the early Church, the Apostles, and Christ Himself.
Tell me, which would you rather have:
1: A Bible which has some cool numerology
OR:
2: The Bible with the version of the Old Testament used by, not just the Apostles and the earliest Christians, but Christ Himself?
The Septuagint Old Testament used by the Orthodox Church is the same Old Testament that was used by the early Church, the Apostles, and Christ Himself.
Tell me, which would you rather have:
1: A Bible which has some cool numerology
OR:
2: The Bible with the version of the Old Testament used by, not just the Apostles and the earliest Christians, but Christ Himself?
DavyCrocket2003
Well-Known Member
I've read the entire Bible. However I'm still woefully ignorant. There are some real cultural context issues for understanding the original meaning. For instance the totally unrealistic view most people have of Mary and Joseph. We project our culture and ways of thinking onto the stories and passages in the Bible. This leads to some way off base misconceptions.
I wish I was more educated in Jewish culture. I wish I had a deep understanding of Greek and Hebrew. Then I could make way more sense of things!
However despite my lack of experience and learning, I believe I have managed to acquire some of the most important doctrine taught in the Bible. I would just like to throw out that some of my favorite people and scriptures live in the Old Testament (Nehemiah, Enoch, Job...)
There certainly is a concerning lack of gospel scholarship among Christianity in general. I guess it comes from a lack of understanding, of understanding the power in reading and studying the Bible and other materials. Or maybe we'd just rather play minecraft or CoD.
I wish I was more educated in Jewish culture. I wish I had a deep understanding of Greek and Hebrew. Then I could make way more sense of things!
However despite my lack of experience and learning, I believe I have managed to acquire some of the most important doctrine taught in the Bible. I would just like to throw out that some of my favorite people and scriptures live in the Old Testament (Nehemiah, Enoch, Job...)
There certainly is a concerning lack of gospel scholarship among Christianity in general. I guess it comes from a lack of understanding, of understanding the power in reading and studying the Bible and other materials. Or maybe we'd just rather play minecraft or CoD.
It's because the Bible understanding has been "sealed" until the time of the end. The "time of the end" began in the year 2000AD. Now your can investigate and understand. But we are not yet home free. The Christian millennium does not begin until this present 40 "hour of temptation is finished. Rev.3;10
That is why we haven't been able to get a real hold on the full meanings of Biblical verses.
"And he said, Go thy way Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Dan.12;9
I would rather have this Bible.
Glad to hear it.
Not gonna lie, I play video games and computer games WAY more than I read the Bible. I should probably fix that >_>
It's OK. Follow your own inerests, Just try to be a good person and do your best. Not everyone can study four hours a day for years. People are mostly made to live full lives and not be total bookworms. Following the "law from within" is following your conscience. Jer.31;31-33
davidthegreek
Active Member
I am guilty of that sometimes. Although I am liberal christian.
davidthegreek
Active Member
are you a kid and you know that much already? I am impressed. I am 26 and If I know anything is I have no clue about a thing.
davidthegreek
Active Member
19, actually. This kinda happens when you research and discuss something for about 4 or 5 years... But even still, I only know the surface material and basics of a lot of things.
He is. The same idea shows up in Romans 1.
Karl R
Active Member
It's possible that you misunderstand what someone means when they say this.
If you look at hebraic law (which preceeded Jesus) there are hundreds of different instructions to follow. (I forget the exact number, but I vaguely recall it being between 600 and 800 different laws, excluding duplicates.)
However, the jewish sage Hillel the elder was once challenged to recite the entire law while standing on one foot. In response, he said:
"That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."
In the same manner, I could claim that the only thing Jesus taught was the great commandment. For example, the golden rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) is an explanation of how to "love others as you love yourself."
Hillel did not see the Torah as containing hundreds of laws. He saw it containing one law, and hundreds of explanations. Similarly, it's possible that the christians you hear aren't ignorant of what Jesus said. They just see most of it as examples which explain one teaching.
I've read the entire new testament, and the majority of the old testament.
Depends on the claim. My memory is not perfect. My understanding of the context the bible was written in (the society it was written in, the history of the author, the intended audience) is limited.
It depends on my goals. I found a couple chapters to be wonderful cures for insomnia. However, if my goal is to learn how to treat people better, I don't think I really need to know the proper way to consecrate a temple or sacrifice a lamb.
In your classes in school, did you have to read the entire textbook before the first discussion group? Did you even have to read the entire textbook before the final exam?
I recommend that people learn about their beliefs. I think they'll learn faster if they engage in discussions during the learning process.
Do you ever discuss matters of personal health? If so, when did you get your medical degree?
I'd actually lean the other way. People should begin participating in discussions even at the very beginning of the learning process.
I think knowledge of a few key verses is crucial.
I see too many christians cherry-picking verses that serve their own biases without acknowledging that those verses should only be examined in relation to the most important teachings (the great commandment, the golden rule, the love chapter).
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
well, traditionally, many people read the Bible, more than once, and analyzed the scripture. This probably became less common as people acquired more readily available reading material.
That being said, there are people on RF who seem extremely well read when it comes to the Bible...I'm not one of them
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