What binds these Christian beliefs together

[Spice]

I want to reiterate that this is on a Discussion Board, so please be mindful of people's individual beliefs and play nice. I'm not asking for a "got'cha" moment, but for sincere guidance as to what is taught to those who believe the following:

Statements oft made:
●Every word of the Bible is God inspired.
●God does not change.
●There is no inconsistencies in the Bible outside of non-essential details.
●The Bible holds all the answers if you know where to look.

So if these statements are accurate, what holds them together under examination? What passages confirm the above statements? What were you taught, or shown in scriptures, to solidify these beliefs as truth?

 

[Eli G]

The Bible is a one-of-a-kind collection of writings. Its writing is directly related to the God who created Adam and Eve, our first parents. From Genesis to Revelation, and that means from 1513 BC to 98 AD, the main issue in the whole inspired collection is how to have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe, because He is going to cleanse His name, which has been profaned for a long time.

The Bible is not a single book, but a collection of writings considered sacred for thousands of years, and each and every one of those writings was the result of a divine revelation or inspiration recorded at a specific historical moment, but with teachings that imply more than which is read in a simple reading. For example, the Bible contains prophecies that extend to our own day and beyond.

Long before Jesus, the prophet Daniel was already reading the prophecies that another inspired prophet, Jeremiah, had recently written. So the sacred writings were considered that way from the very moment that the prophets and other writers were inspired or required to write certain parts that today we can find collected in the collection of documents that today we call the Bible.

Many people do not know that when Jesus walked among humans, the first part of the Bible had already been completed more than 440 years ago, and even translations of that part of the Bible in more than one language existed at that time.

 

[Spice]

The Bible is a one-of-a-kind collection of writings. Its writing is directly related to the God who created Adam and Eve, our first parents. From Genesis to Revelation, and that means from 1513 BC to 98 AD, the main issue in the whole inspired collection is how to have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe, because He is going to cleanse His name, which has been profaned for a long time.

The Bible is not a single book, but a collection of writings considered sacred for thousands of years, and each and every one of those writings was the result of a divine revelation or inspiration recorded at a specific historical moment, but with teachings that imply more than which is read in a simple reading. For example, the Bible contains prophecies that extend to our own day and beyond.

Long before Jesus, the prophet Daniel was already reading the prophecies that another inspired prophet, Jeremiah, had recently written. So the sacred writings were considered that way from the very moment that the prophets and other writers were inspired or required to write certain parts that today we can find collected in the collection of documents that today we call the Bible.

Many people do not know that when Jesus walked among humans, the first part of the Bible had already been completed more than 440 years ago, and even translations of that part of the Bible in more than one language existed at that time.

Thank you. Very nice response.

Do you believe in all of the four statements?

 

[Eli G]

●Every word of the Bible is God inspired.

Original words were inspired. There may be some incorrect translations of the original words.
At the time when the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, Ezra, who was a skilled copyist, had to explain some meanings of the original writings that were in ancient Hebrew.

●God does not change.

That is relative. God has changed His mind in some cases where He has been moved by compassion, as in the case of the Assyrian city of Nineveh, which was spared (Book of Jonah).

●There is no inconsistencies in the Bible outside of non-essential details.

No. The whole collection was inspired by the same spirit, so it's coherent and consistent.

●The Bible holds all the answers if you know where to look.

No. The Bible contains the revelation of God for us to know what we need to know. There is no answer in the Bible for certain questions...

Is. 40:13 Who has taken the measurements of the spirit of Jehovah, And who can instruct him as his adviser?

In the LXX, a translation in Greek of the oldest Hebrew writings, says "the mind of Jehovah" instead of "the spirit ...". So, there are aspects of God himself that we'll never understand even if looking in the Bible.

 

[Spice]

Original words were inspired. There may be some incorrect translations of the original words.
At the time when the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, Ezra, who was a skilled copyist, had to explain some meanings of the original writings that were in ancient Hebrew.

That is relative. God has changed His mind in some cases where He has been moved by compassion, as in the case of the Assyrian city of Nineveh, which was spared (Book of Jonah).

No. The whole collection was inspired by the same spirit, so it's coherent and consistent.

No. The Bible contains the revelation of God for us to know what we need to know. There is no answer in the Bible for certain questions...

Is. 40:13 Who has taken the measurements of the spirit of Jehovah, And who can instruct him as his adviser?

In the LXX, a translation in Greek of the oldest Hebrew writings, says "the mind of Jehovah" instead of "the spirit ...". So, there are aspects of God himself that we'll never understand even if looking in the Bible.

Excellent! I checked your profile and you are a long term JW and your replies have helped me immensely in understanding that faith more clearly. I can see more commonalities in my own beliefs which I always become excited over.

I look forward to more exchanges for "understanding."

 

[Eli G]

Excellent! I checked your profile and you are a long term JW and your replies have helped me immensely in understanding that faith more clearly. I can see more commonalities in my own beliefs which I always become excited over.

I look forward to more exchanges for "understanding."

Thank you, but my knowledge is the result of the education I have received from my anointed brothers of the Governing Body, who have been chosen by Jesus Christ to lead the entire organized earthly part of the universal family of God.

No credit is mine, and Jehovah's spirit helps me to remember the things I have learned and to reason more appropriately. Our Governing Body has created an official website where any public can access and obtain the same biblical information that I have acquired from them https://jw.org/en

 

[metis]

Statements oft made:
●Every word of the Bible is God inspired.
●God does not change.
●There is no inconsistencies in the Bible outside of non-essential details.
●The Bible holds all the answers if you know where to look.

I was brought up to believe all of these are true, but I've moved on.

 

[Spice]

I was brought up to believe all of these are true, but I've moved on.

I know many were, and I sincerely want to know more detail in what was taught to believe these particulars. Alas, the response is low.
Thanks for letting me know you read the OP.

 

[wellwisher]

I want to reiterate that this is on a Discussion Board, so please be mindful of people's individual beliefs and play nice. I'm not asking for a "got'cha" moment, but for sincere guidance as to what is taught to those who believe the following:

Statements oft made:
●Every word of the Bible is God inspired.
●God does not change.
●There is no inconsistencies in the Bible outside of non-essential details.
●The Bible holds all the answers if you know where to look.

So if these statements are accurate, what holds them together under examination? What passages confirm the above statements? What were you taught, or shown in scriptures, to solidify these beliefs as truth?

One of the wild card variables in the New Testament was the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that he would leave behind a comforter, the Spirit of Truth.

John 14; If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him,because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that dayyou will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

It has been almost 2000 years since that promise was made. The current Bible, both New and Old Testament stops talking about the works of the Living spirit, about 2000 years ago, after Jesus departs. To me the promise of the living spirit, who would be with us forever, would be adding continuous updates and living examples, and not just keeping the Bible stopped in time, never to change.

The compromise would be for a Third Testament to be added to the Bible, to complete the Trinity Bible; connected to works of the Father (Old Testament) the Son (New Testament) and now the Holy Spirit (Living Testament). The past can remain the same, but the third book will add the updates that came after the events of the current Bible up to today.

For example, the early Christians were under genocide and many escaped to the north and laid low. The works of the Spirit were often hidden for their own protection. The New Testament was not written until about the 2nd century. That was a movement of the Spirit. The time was right and certain people were inspired to research and compile the stories for the New Testament.

The Catholic Church, which was the heir to the Holy Roman Empire, after Rome and Christianity merged in the 4th century, has records of over 10,000 Saints in 1600 years. Each Saint has a story of the Spirit moving them beyond the ordinary. In the Old and New Testament, the Living Spirit only came to some; prophets, but the promise of Holy Spirt was forever and for all. That number reflects this.

The works of the Holy Spirit go even beyond the formally recognized Saints. It also about those who altered the course of history. It inspired the Reformation, Age of Exploration, Innovation; printing press, and even the formation of the USA; Constitution. The USA became a unique composite of all the earth's citizens; e pluribus unum, from the many, one. Christians from Europe, felt the need to move to the unexplored west; Pilgrims, so they could have more religious freedom to serve the spirit, instead of the politics of men.

If the Judeo-Christianty is looking to stop inspire the next generation, 2000 years of stories of the Spirit, will inspire. The story of Joan of Arc, was both inspiring and tragic. The world cannot receive the spirit, but tries to kill it. The hard part is how do you condense so many stories into a small representative set, about the size of the Old or New Testament?

 

[Spice]

One of the wild card variables in the New Testament was the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that he would leave behind a comforter, the Spirit of Truth.




It has been almost 2000 years since that promise was made. The current Bible, both New and Old Testament stops talking about the works of the Living spirit, about 2000 years ago, after Jesus departs. To me the promise of the living spirit, who would be with us forever, would be adding continuous updates and living examples, and not just keeping the Bible stopped in time, never to change.

The compromise would be for a Third Testament to be added to the Bible, to complete the Trinity Bible; connected to works of the Father (Old Testament) the Son (New Testament) and now the Holy Spirit (Living Testament). The past can remain the same, but the third book will add the updates that came after that is not in either book of the current Bible.

For example, the early Christians were under genocide, early on, and many escaped to the north and laid low. The works of the Spirit were often hidden for protection. The New Testament was not written until about the 2nd century. That was a movement of the Spirit. The time was right and certain people were inspired to research and compile the stories for the New Testament.

The Catholic Church, which was the heir to the Holy Roman Empire, after Rome and Christianity merged in the 4th century, has records of over 10,000 Saints in 1600 years. Each Saint has a story of the Spirit moving them beyond the ordinary. In the Old and New Testament, the Living Spirit only came to some; prophets, but the promise of Holy Spirt was forever and for all.

The works of the Holy Spirit go even beyond the formally recognized Saints. It also about those who altered the course of history. It inspired the Reformation, Age of Exploration, innovation; printing press, and even the formation of the USA; Constitution. The USA became a composite of all the earth's citizens; e pluribus unum, from the many, one. Christians from Europe, felt the need to move to the unexplored west; Pilgrims, so they could have more religious freedom to serve the spirit, instead of the politics of men.

If the Judeo-Christianty is looking to stop the bleeding and inspire the next generation, 2000 years of stories of the Spirit, will inspire. The story of Joan of Arc, was both inspiring and tragic. The world cannot receive the spirit, but tried to kill it. The hard part is how do you condense so many stories to a small representative set, about the size of the Old and New Testaments?

I like that idea a great deal. I know little about the Saints, though quotes of Mother Theresa and Francis of Assissi have inspired me often. And there are many writings from very early on that can bring the Spirit to mind as being with the pen. I enjoy reading Clements and discerning the struggles of the early Christians, as I enjoy reading the sermons of Emerson.

But the Spirit comes to many common people in quiet stealth also, so you're correct -- how could so much be contained?

 

[firedragon]

and each and every one of those writings was the result of a divine revelation

Was the epistle of Barnabas "divine revelation"?

 

[Spice]

Was the epistle of Barnabas "divine revelation"?

That's a good topic to open a thread on "debates" as it's nice and controversial. You should get some ruffled feathers with that one.

 

[firedragon]

That's a good topic to open a thread on "debates" as it's nice and controversial. You should get some ruffled feathers with that one.

That's fine. But again, was the epistle of Barnabas "divine revelation"? Just a simple question.

 

[Spice]

That's fine. But again, was the epistle of Barnabas "divine revelation"? Just a simple question.

IMO, no more or less than the canonized books, but I don't believe that one should have been canonized even if the criteria were assured. It doesn't flow with the "Good News" of the Gospels, nor does it follow Paul's directions for establishing churches. And it is far more stringent than the messages of the other guiding canonized epistles. IMO, the biggest negative is it doesn't fit with the two Great Commandments which is the foundation of Jesus's Good News message.

 

[firedragon]

IMO, no more or less than the canonized books, but I don't believe that one should have been canonized even if the criteria were assured. It doesn't flow with the "Good News" of the Gospels, nor does it follow Paul's directions for establishing churches. And it is far more stringent than the messages of the other guiding canonized epistles. IMO, the biggest negative is it doesn't fit with the two Great Commandments which is the foundation of Jesus's Good News message.

So even if the book was in the earliest Bible ever found, you don't believe it should be in it correct?

 

[Spice]

So even if the book was in the earliest Bible ever found, you don't believe it should be in it correct?

Correct. There are many earlier works that didn't make the cut, and plenty of later works that "fit" but did not qualify. I also think Revelation should have remained excluded, but it was batted around until accepted.

With the Tanaka, I'm more a Kabbalahist reader and take that view with me into the NT and the rejected writings. I like the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the writings of Origen, to name my favorites to date. But with the current, standard edition, the literalist have concrete boundaries in gray. Barnabas could be lethal it's so black and white. FAR too much judgement laid out in print, IMV.

 

[firedragon]

There are many earlier works that didn't make the cut

But it did. It was in the Bible. It made the cut. Later people removed it. So was that God's inspiration or not?

The rest are talking about books that were not in the Bible so it's just a red herring thus I will not address it.

 

[Spice]

But it did. It was in the Bible. It made the cut. Later people removed it. So was that God's inspiration or not?

The rest are talking about books that were not in the Bible so it's just a red herring thus I will not address it.

I have already stated IMO, no more, nor less than the rest. . .canonized or not.

 

[firedragon]

I have already stated IMO, no more, nor less than the rest. . .canonized or not.

It was canonized. Later removed.

So again, was that God inspired? Was that God's word? Just answer it directly my friend.

 

[Spice]

It was canonized. Later removed.

So again, was that God inspired? Was that God's word? Just answer it directly my friend.

I have answered it as directly as I know how to maintain the integrity of this thread as I stated in the OP -- to keep in mind the belief of others and to PLAY NICE.

I believe it is this kind of harping and attempted baiting that has kept those who believe in the points of the OP from coming to this thread and opening up, as asked, and talking of their beliefs to help my understanding.

So back to the OP:
Do YOU believe every word of the Bible is inspired by God?
If your answer is no -- you're done here.
If yes, please explain what you were taught to substantiate that belief.