4meAndyou · F
I do sympathize with you. It's very hard to grasp some of the teachings in the Bible. And it is extremely hard to LIVE a life on this earth that is Christlike. Jesus said, to his disciples, over and over again, sell all that you have, and come follow me.
ALL the disciples of Jesus Christ at that time gave up every single earthly possession, sold it, and then shared the resulting funds with every single OTHER disciple of Christ.
There are even instances in the New Testament of the apostles killing one couple who tried to keep some of the money from the sale of their goods for themselves. I believe the sentiment was, that they were trying to cheat God.
However, despite what the Bible says, you should not focus so much on worldly possessions. In my opinion, that is a mistake. If you shift your focus to your own spiritual growth, then you will build up treasures in heaven, because nothing of this earth is of any importance.
ALL the disciples of Jesus Christ at that time gave up every single earthly possession, sold it, and then shared the resulting funds with every single OTHER disciple of Christ.
There are even instances in the New Testament of the apostles killing one couple who tried to keep some of the money from the sale of their goods for themselves. I believe the sentiment was, that they were trying to cheat God.
However, despite what the Bible says, you should not focus so much on worldly possessions. In my opinion, that is a mistake. If you shift your focus to your own spiritual growth, then you will build up treasures in heaven, because nothing of this earth is of any importance.
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OogieBoogie · F
@4meAndyou I KNOW RIGHT !!!!
THAT always confused me as a kid.
I also thought that you gotta be strong to be good.....esp in this fucked up world.
I could never work out how being shy and submissive was this godly way. Wasnt it giving in or 'not standing up to ' the evil stuff and just letting it happen?
But being quiet and strong , reserved but powerful makes it all make sense.
It gives us the toughness to be good despite the evil, combat the evil, stand alone when everyone else gives in.
It blew my mind when i found this out.
So much then just 'clicked'.
THAT always confused me as a kid.
I also thought that you gotta be strong to be good.....esp in this fucked up world.
I could never work out how being shy and submissive was this godly way. Wasnt it giving in or 'not standing up to ' the evil stuff and just letting it happen?
But being quiet and strong , reserved but powerful makes it all make sense.
It gives us the toughness to be good despite the evil, combat the evil, stand alone when everyone else gives in.
It blew my mind when i found this out.
So much then just 'clicked'.
LesDawsonsPiano · 70-79
I think it is much more to do with understanding the Bible than with believing each and every word.
Here is a short word or two on how to approach understanding it, drawn from the Catholic position:-
To search out the intention of the sacred writers, attention should be given, among other things, to "literary forms." For truth is set forth and expressed differently in texts which are variously historical, prophetic, poetic, or of other forms of discourse. The interpreter must investigate what meaning the sacred writer intended to express and actually expressed in particular circumstances by using contemporary literary forms in accordance with the situation of his own time and culture. For the correct understanding of what the sacred author wanted to assert, due attention must be paid to the customary and characteristic styles of feeling, speaking and narrating which prevailed at the time of the sacred writer, and to the patterns men normally employed at that period in their everyday dealings with one another. (Dei Verbum, III, 12, 2)
In my own experience, "believing" every word in some sort of purely literal way only leads to misunderstanding, which then leads to dogmatism and all the other woes of Religion in general.
A good guide - in my opinion - is Karen Armstrong. Two books, "A Case For God" and "The Lost Art of Scripture".
Here is a short word or two on how to approach understanding it, drawn from the Catholic position:-
To search out the intention of the sacred writers, attention should be given, among other things, to "literary forms." For truth is set forth and expressed differently in texts which are variously historical, prophetic, poetic, or of other forms of discourse. The interpreter must investigate what meaning the sacred writer intended to express and actually expressed in particular circumstances by using contemporary literary forms in accordance with the situation of his own time and culture. For the correct understanding of what the sacred author wanted to assert, due attention must be paid to the customary and characteristic styles of feeling, speaking and narrating which prevailed at the time of the sacred writer, and to the patterns men normally employed at that period in their everyday dealings with one another. (Dei Verbum, III, 12, 2)
In my own experience, "believing" every word in some sort of purely literal way only leads to misunderstanding, which then leads to dogmatism and all the other woes of Religion in general.
A good guide - in my opinion - is Karen Armstrong. Two books, "A Case For God" and "The Lost Art of Scripture".
twistedrope · 26-30, M
riseofthemachine · 41-45, M
Well If you believe in the bible 100%
There's a passage on page 147 of the New Testament and it says " The whole purpose of the bible is to believe in God ( Jesus) which will help you live " .
That's good enough for me .
Why do I say that ?
Just look around at everyone and there spirits are dead
There's a passage on page 147 of the New Testament and it says " The whole purpose of the bible is to believe in God ( Jesus) which will help you live " .
That's good enough for me .
Why do I say that ?
Just look around at everyone and there spirits are dead
LeopoldBloom · M
@riseofthemachine Everyone's spirit is dead? You haven't met a single person with a living spirit?
riseofthemachine · 41-45, M
@LeopoldBloom I met people with wisdom from life experiences through pain but yes have a look around and you notice it , either there spirits are dead or else there heading that way .
Conversations are dead do you get me ?
It a repetition in conversation that you hear as you get older .
It's like you can't say this , you can't say that .
It's like there too private . I know it's nice to have a bit of privacy but not to the extent when conversations are repetitive.
You get sick of it .
Or else the other option is that I'm off my game 😊😊😊.
Conversations are dead do you get me ?
It a repetition in conversation that you hear as you get older .
It's like you can't say this , you can't say that .
It's like there too private . I know it's nice to have a bit of privacy but not to the extent when conversations are repetitive.
You get sick of it .
Or else the other option is that I'm off my game 😊😊😊.
LeopoldBloom · M
@riseofthemachine Maybe you're the problem.
OogieBoogie · F
riseofthemachine · 41-45, M
@OogieBoogie hello Oogie boogie 😊
OogieBoogie · F
@riseofthemachine hiya 🤗
You know, i never knjw how to shorten your name to something more familiar 🤔😏
What seems appropriate? Rotm? Mr.M ?🤷♀ Help me out here😂
You know, i never knjw how to shorten your name to something more familiar 🤔😏
What seems appropriate? Rotm? Mr.M ?🤷♀ Help me out here😂
LeopoldBloom · M
What does "believing in the Bible" mean? I believe the Bible exists; does that count? Or does it mean believing it as literal truth? Or believing it as true in the sense of being a guide to behavior, even if the stories in it are metaphors or allegories?
What is the point of the two testaments of the Bible???
From what I can see, it's basically highlighting the time when Christianity moved further away from worship that was based around sacrifice and closer to what we are familiar with today.
From what I can see, it's basically highlighting the time when Christianity moved further away from worship that was based around sacrifice and closer to what we are familiar with today.
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JSul3 · 70-79
The United States is a nation of laws.
Do you follow the rule of law of the United States, or do you ignore it, and only follow biblical law?
Do you follow the rule of law of the United States, or do you ignore it, and only follow biblical law?
NoGamesTolerated · F
I totally believe it 100%. We we refuse to believe even 1% of it, then we call God a liar.
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