I don't understand the Bible

[outhouse]

How was that revealed to your professor?

The mustard seed represents the movement. Back then mustard seed was like a weed, it grew everywhere and was hard to get rid of.

This is one of a few different possible meanings in context the bible will not teach you on its own.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Mustard_Seed

Some have identified a "subversive and scandalous"[6] element to this parable, in that the fast-growing nature of the mustard plant makes it a "malignant weed"[6] with "dangerous takeover properties".[6] Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History (published around AD 78) writes that "mustard… is extremely beneficial for the health. It grows entirely wild, though it is improved by being transplanted: but on the other hand when it has once been sown it is scarcely possible to get the place free of it, as the seed when it falls germinates at once."[9]

OR

Ben Witherington notes that Jesus could have chosen a genuine tree for the parable, and that the mustard plant demonstrates that "Though the dominion appeared small like a seed during Jesus' ministry, it would inexorably grow into something large and firmly rooted, which some would find shelter in and others would find obnoxious and try to root out."[7]

 

[Unification]

The mustard seed represents the movement. Back then mustard seed was like a weed, it grew everywhere and was hard to get rid of.

This is one of a few different possible meanings in context the bible will not teach you on its own.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Mustard_Seed

Some have identified a "subversive and scandalous"[6] element to this parable, in that the fast-growing nature of the mustard plant makes it a "malignant weed"[6] with "dangerous takeover properties".[6] Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History (published around AD 78) writes that "mustard… is extremely beneficial for the health. It grows entirely wild, though it is improved by being transplanted: but on the other hand when it has once been sown it is scarcely possible to get the place free of it, as the seed when it falls germinates at once."[9]

OR

Ben Witherington notes that Jesus could have chosen a genuine tree for the parable, and that the mustard plant demonstrates that "Though the dominion appeared small like a seed during Jesus' ministry, it would inexorably grow into something large and firmly rooted, which some would find shelter in and others would find obnoxious and try to root out."[7]

We can both agree that a seed is some form of birth to a network of something. It is planted and grows into something. It replicates and spreads.

By reading your response, you have planted seeds into my mind. I have taken in your thoughts and words. I can find shelter in those or I can find them obnoxious. I would say that certain thoughts and knowledge would be seeds that are firmly rooted.

If someone said to me, "the end of the world is coming," That seed has been planted into my mind. I can quickly destroy or ignore that seed and realize how silly it is, or I can actually believe it, dwell on it, and let it take growth, allow it to grow wild with dangerous takeover properties. Next thing I know, I'd be conditioned and convinced and firmly rooted... and spreading those seeds into more and more minds.

In my case, I'll see it as a tree of knowledge. Knowledge resides in the brain. In current neuroscience, a tree/branches/roots can be seen as dendrites, nerves, etc. carrying light across synapses of neurons and cells.

Dendrites (from Greek δένδρον déndron, "tree") (also dendron) are the branched projections of a neuron that act to propagate the electrochemical stimulation received from other neural cells to the cell body, or soma, of the neuron from which the dendrites project.

Heaven being a state of peace, happiness, and bliss. We know that we can only experience and know peace and bliss from within. None of our knowledge and experiences exist outside of us.

I would say that any knowledge and revelation would be simultaneous. Knowledge revealed within ones brain/mind. Something they never knew before they now know. Obviously, some negative seeds are planted and grow rapidly and dangerously. Positive seeds are planted and grow rapidly and peacefully.

If it's a problem between thousands of years ago and now, human's still experienced peace or suffering back then too. If it's a problem of knowledge back then and now, parables of seeds/branches/roots/trees have now been more modernly revealed as the brain and minds network of knowledge/knowing. Modern knowledge has been revealed into our brains and minds.

I would also just simply see birds of the heavens as thoughts of peace.

 

[Unification]

I have a sort of similar problem,mine is that; I don't know if I need any kind of bible in order to better my faith or understanding of God?

Will He not love me since I am noway able to choose a path for Him?

A book isn't required for anything.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Isn't that hypocritical? Your saying that, I never have or even implied it.

But you did. You said, rather unabashedly, that the ONLY way to learn about the Bible is to learn about it on YouTube with Sir Yale. That would rule out any other method of learning, including experience. Your words, not mine.

After all your saying no amount of educational experience can give someone biblical knowledge.

Which is not what I said. Biblical knowledge and truly understanding how the Bible relates to Christianity are two different things. A dispassionate reading of scripture, to soothe you ego or curiosity, won't allow you to understand the depths of it's meaning. How can you understand love unless you try to love? How can you understand sacrifice unless you do that willingly? If you truly want to understand the scriptures, you have to live them. The epiphany, the revelation, can't be a part of any study unless you commit to living the life. The Bible deals in the supernatural and you're stuck in the natural.

John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (NIV)

Being 'Born again' is a huge theme in the NT. It's the rebirth of the Spirit and the epiphany of salvation. Trying to understand the Bible only academically is nothing but a dead end. After all, the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

II Corinthians 3:3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (NIV)

So OK, you don't comprehend how revelation works. That's OK. You probably don't understand a lot of things in this life. I know I don't and I am content in being ignorant about how a worm digests it's food. There's a lot of info and experiences out there and none of us can know it all. Just work on your tolerance of differing beliefs. Your's isn't superior to anyone else's. You have no more proof of what you believe than I do. Yeah, I get that you won't admit to that, but it's the painful truth. If you learn anything on this forum, you should learn that. Just because you don't believe it, doesn't make it automatically wrong or stupid. In fact, harassing them as you did me, is rather contrary to the spirit of this forum.

 

[outhouse]

But you did. You said, rather unabashedly, that the ONLY way to learn about the Bible is to learn about it on YouTube with Sir Yale.

I never said that either.

The only way to learn the bible well is academia, the links to Yale I provided are one of many GOOD examples, on how to further ones biblical knowledge.

That would rule out any other method of learning, including experience.

That's is correct. Without education you lack knowledge.

Experience, doing the wrong thing over and over does not increase knowledge. Without education you don't know the right thing from the wrong n matter how much practice one has in biblical studies.


Sorry knowledge is factually not revealed.

 

[outhouse]

If you truly want to understand the scriptures, you have to live them.

Factually false.

You cannot live all the bible


If you want to learn about the bible you go to school


Sorry knowledge is factually not revealed.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Factually false.

You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means.

If you're going to suggest, declare or contend that something is 'factually false', then you should actually provide some proof of that. Your opinions do not constitute fact or a refutation of such.

 

[rusra02]

Is Christianity supposed to make sense?
If so, why are the concepts the Bible presents so foreign? For instance, I was reading in the Gospel of John and the first verse I come to makes a claim that makes zero sense. (John 1:1) How can something or someone never be created yet simply exist?
I read on down to John 1:14. How does the Word become flesh? How does the Holy Spirit come upon the virgin Mary so that she conceives?
I don't like being stupid or kept in the dark about the how of things. Christianity may not be my religion if its God keeps his people in the dark about everything. Don't tell me that I don't have enough faith. If 2 Timothy 3:7 is correct why is it like I keep reading the Bible and nothing it says even resonates. Why am I not learning anything new? I'm starting to hate everything about Christianity.

The Bible tells of an Ethiopian man who, like you, could not understand what he was reading. God saw to it that this man received help to understand, and he gladly accepted that help. (Acts 8:26-39) Trying to find agreement between the false teachings of most churches with what the Bible actually says would be a frustrating and hopeless effort, IMO. For example, the Bible clearly teaches the Word was created. (Revelation 3:14) I can send you a link to a website that has answers to many Bible questions, if you would like.

 

[outhouse]

You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means.

Your the one who made the claim of ONLY supernatural power giving one knowledge of the bible.

Its upon you to substantiate your claim.


Understanding the bible factually has nothing to do with any supernatural claims of "revealed" one can be a strong atheist and go to school and understand the bible quite well.

 

[outhouse]

Saying only a god which is just mythology to many, is the only one who can teach you the bible in secret if your chosen, is not supportable.


No one is getting "special" knowledge. No one learns the bible well without study or education.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Your the one who made the claim of ONLY supernatural power giving one knowledge of the bible.

That's not what I claimed. You won't understand Christianity unless it is revealed to you. Even the scriptures tell us that, but you want to keep arguing with the sign post. This is a perfect example where you just don't understand it because, wait for it, it hasn't been revealed to you. At least yet. You're (not your) are obviously obstinate and angry about this. I'm going diving this weekend and won't give you another thought. Just have to finish packing up the Sprinter and head out. Leaving the Keys to go dive in some clear springs and then maybe look for sharks teeth and other fossils off of Venice Florida. I'll let you have fun with Sir Yale on YouTube.

 

[Unification]

That's not what I claimed. You won't understand Christianity unless it is revealed to you. Even the scriptures tell us that, but you want to keep arguing with the sign post. This is a perfect example where you just don't understand it because, wait for it, it hasn't been revealed to you. At least yet. You're (not your) are obviously obstinate and angry about this. I'm going diving this weekend and won't give you another thought. Just have to finish packing up the Sprinter and head out. Leaving the Keys to go dive in some clear springs and then maybe look for sharks teeth and other fossils off of Venice Florida. I'll let you have fun with Sir Yale on YouTube.

That's likely a wise idea, to deny, dive, and swim away from unfruitfulness.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[outhouse]

. You won't understand Christianity unless it is revealed to you.

Factually false.

I understand it quite well, and everything revealed to me was by a professor.

You cannot substantiate that claim of yours, no knowledge come from secret special knowledge from the what could be nothing but mythology.

 

[outhouse]

obstinate and angry about this.

Nope. I think its sad as hell people hold fanaticism and fundamentalism so tight, they loose focus on the big picture.

You cannot compete knowledge against inward reflection you call revealed, there is no comparison here.


It factually requires education to understand the bible. Revealed as far as I'm concerned is mythology as you have no evidence it exist in reality.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

What has been revealed to me is that Christianity has become everything Jesus preached against, whitewashed tombs, straining at gnats while swallowing aircraft carriers, etc. What has been revealed to me is that John, Peter, and Paul have much more to do with Christianity than Jesus ever did. When the 2000 kerfluffle happened and the computers were going to destroy the earth because people were too lazy to enter 4 digits for the year, I had a panic attack. God revealed to me that what people were saying was NOT what He was saying. After all, God is Truth, and even nature would show what God had said. Since nature does not accommodate what people have been saying about God, they are not to be trusted.

 

[Unification]

What has been revealed to me is that Christianity has become everything Jesus preached against, whitewashed tombs, straining at gnats while swallowing aircraft carriers, etc. What has been revealed to me is that John, Peter, and Paul have much more to do with Christianity than Jesus ever did. When the 2000 kerfluffle happened and the computers were going to destroy the earth because people were too lazy to enter 4 digits for the year, I had a panic attack. God revealed to me that what people were saying was NOT what He was saying. After all, God is Truth, and even nature would show what God had said. Since nature does not accommodate what people have been saying about God, they are not to be trusted.

That inner feeling of intuition telling you to escape those vain exoteric lies.

 

[outhouse]

What has been revealed to me is that John, Peter, and Paul have much more to do with Christianity than Jesus ever did.

I agree, Pauls community helped influence the movement, but even without him he religion would be the same. Paul joined a movement in progress.

Christianity was still no matter how we slice it, was the Hellenistic divorce of cultural Judaism. Its origins were in the Diaspora, not Israel.

When you say John are you talking about the Baptist, or the unknown Johaninne community that wrote the book attributed to John.

And what impact do you think the real Galilean Peter had?

 

[Brickjectivity]

What has been revealed to me is that Christianity has become everything Jesus preached against, whitewashed tombs, straining at gnats while swallowing aircraft carriers, etc. What has been revealed to me is that John, Peter, and Paul have much more to do with Christianity than Jesus ever did. When the 2000 kerfluffle happened and the computers were going to destroy the earth because people were too lazy to enter 4 digits for the year, I had a panic attack. God revealed to me that what people were saying was NOT what He was saying. After all, God is Truth, and even nature would show what God had said. Since nature does not accommodate what people have been saying about God, they are not to be trusted.

I remember the year 2000 bug, and there were so many unhelpful things said about it by news people just drumming up fear. Somebody gave me a stuffed Y2K bug plush toy, too. Unfortunately it has since gotten dusty and has been debugged into the trash.

 

[Town Heretic]

Is Christianity supposed to make sense?

Do you believe that if something doesn't make sense to you, in a moment of your life, that it must then not make sense at all and never will?

If so, why are the concepts the Bible presents so foreign?

You mean some, surely. I doubt most of the concepts in the Bible are foreign to anyone, adherent or not.

For instance, I was reading in the Gospel of John and the first verse I come to makes a claim that makes zero sense. (John 1:1) How can something or someone never be created yet simply exist?

How can something come from nothing or simply be, eternally? With or without God you have to ask those questions. I'd argue that the answer is more likely with God, but that's another thread. You might want to look into Aquinas on contingent and necessary beings. That should help on the point, agree or not. At least it will give you a context that isn't nonsensical.

I read on down to John 1:14. How does the Word become flesh? How does the Holy Spirit come upon the virgin Mary so that she conceives?

Passed creation everything is really a bit downhill in that department. Or, if you posit an author then the fact that he can change punctuation and plot at will isn't particularly shocking, or shouldn't be.

I don't like being stupid or kept in the dark about the how of things.

Good. Then study, consider and expand your inquiries. It's all part of the walk.

Christianity may not be my religion if its God keeps his people in the dark about everything.

Again, never confuse your momentary confusion with the absence or rationality else. When you find yourself outside of an understanding there are always at least two reasons and one of those is your own process.

Don't tell me that I don't have enough faith.

Why would someone say that? Just because when you come to a point you don't understand you begin to seriously veer toward abandoning your religion?

Okay, maybe we can both see how that might happen (no, the other one) but the root of the problem seems more contemplative in nature.

If 2 Timothy 3:7 is correct why is it like I keep reading the Bible and nothing it says even resonates. Why am I not learning anything new? I'm starting to hate everything about Christianity.

Could be any number of reasons, beginning with context, which isn't found in that truncated a bit of scripture, by way of...consider using those computer skills of yours to read through the commentaries if you aren't finding your own contemplations fruitful. It can be a real and present help.

 

[InChrist]

Is Christianity supposed to make sense?
If so, why are the concepts the Bible presents so foreign? For instance, I was reading in the Gospel of John and the first verse I come to makes a claim that makes zero sense. (John 1:1) How can something or someone never be created yet simply exist?
I read on down to John 1:14. How does the Word become flesh? How does the Holy Spirit come upon the virgin Mary so that she conceives?
I don't like being stupid or kept in the dark about the how of things. Christianity may not be my religion if its God keeps his people in the dark about everything. Don't tell me that I don't have enough faith. If 2 Timothy 3:7 is correct why is it like I keep reading the Bible and nothing it says even resonates. Why am I not learning anything new? I'm starting to hate everything about Christianity.

Much of the Bible does not make sense to the unregenerate human mind. I read the Bible for years and thought it was confusing and didn't make a lot of sense (1 Corinthians 2:13-14). Yet, the basic message concerning the problem of human sinfulness and our need of Jesus Christ to save us is very plain and clear. It's just that we each in our own way struggle with laying aside our pride to accept that reality. Once someone does, though, the Holy Spirit illuminates their born again mind and the scriptures become an open book and understanding increases as one continues to seek God, read His word, and grow in maturity in Christ.