Why the B-I-B-L-E?

[sparrow]

I was going to start a new topic but this one seems perfect for what I have on my mind today.

I am thinking we can take any book and make of it whatever we want to believe it to be. I am airing some thoughts here and don't want to sound angry or frustrated but I'm thinking the Bible is being used by God in ways we don't realize. We say it's a source of knowledge, both spiritual and physical and I agree but so are many books. We say it predicts things that come true and I agree but much is in the interpretation and again, we can interpret many writings to say what we want them to say.

It seems there is so much argument where the Bible is concerned. It, like Jesus is reported as saying about Himself, does cause much division.

Those people who really never even see a Bible or have one and never open it or rarely do so, and are good, God fearing people, are these people more blessed than those of us who search it 'daily' and only come up with arguments or things that cause contradictions? I mean it. I know so many really good Christians who know a fraction of the things discussed here at Tentmaker and they are content. They basically know 'Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so' and they have their favorite verses and they live their whole lives very content and productive.

What would life be like if the Bible did not even exist? What if we had just good writings of people who were moved by God. Again, what would history and life be like today if the Bible never existed in it's physical form?

cp

I sincerely doubt I could say what I'd like to say in response without incurring several disapproving looks, so I'll just say that I understand exactly where you're coming from here, and that I sympathize with the thoughts you present.

ditto.


The message God is showing us is so simple a child could understand...

It's MANKIND that makes it difficult and ridiculous.


I was talking to someone the other day about this.
It's like there is a group of people STARVING... Starving to DEATH....
and you have a group of people who can help them but they INSIST on making very complicated, exotic dishes.
They are in the stinking kitchen for HOURS trying to DECIPHER these ridiculously complicated, convoluted recipes...
and they get to debating "Well I think it says this..." "Well God told me it says this..."

Meanwhile... people outside are droppin' like flies.

I say, Give me a dang loaf of BREAD, and let me just start slicing it up and handing it to these people.


IT'S SIMPLE.
Life is too short.
Too many people are starving.
Once you get the message of Christ...
Just go out there and start HANDING OUT SLICES OF BREAD!!!  :HeartThrob:
It does NOT need to be complicated.
It really shouldn't be.
Because it's all busywork and maybe even some pride thrown in.
Just slice up the bread...


This has been on my mind a lot lately.
I don't want to be one in the kitchen deciphering the recipe.
I just want to take my pieces of bread (God's love) and just try to hand it out to as many starving people as I can.
God help me and continue to move my heart, and my feet and my hands.


CP...  I think God speaks to us in different ways. Many different ways. But the bible does have interlaced between the pages a beautiful plan but... well, I'll stick to what Gab said and not get into that any further.I think the bible is special. But obviously it is not NEEDED because so many other people have never read it and God's got them in His plan. None will be lost. But once you have it, you do need it. God talks us to through it. Like I said, it's hard to say it's "necessary" but it is and it isn't. Well, nothing is impossible with God.


sorry for the "rant" if you want to call it that.
I think I'm just slowly getting more and more....just tired.
of talking. 
and hearing others talk about the same ol thing over and over.
Can't we just go out there and start handing out bread?
We've got the bread. We SEE it. Why must we keep examining it under microscopes and discussing every molecule of it?
We know it's bread, man!!

oh well.
peace.

[Zeek]

I was going to start a new topic but this one seems perfect for what I have on my mind today.

I am thinking we can take any book and make of it whatever we want to believe it to be. I am airing some thoughts here and don't want to sound angry or frustrated but I'm thinking the Bible is being used by God in ways we don't realize. We say it's a source of knowledge, both spiritual and physical and I agree but so are many books. We say it predicts things that come true and I agree but much is in the interpretation and again, we can interpret many writings to say what we want them to say.

It seems there is so much argument where the Bible is concerned. It, like Jesus is reported as saying about Himself, does cause much division.

Those people who really never even see a Bible or have one and never open it or rarely do so, and are good, God fearing people, are these people more blessed than those of us who search it 'daily' and only come up with arguments or things that cause contradictions? I mean it. I know so many really good Christians who know a fraction of the things discussed here at Tentmaker and they are content. They basically know 'Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so' and they have their favorite verses and they live their whole lives very content and productive.

What would life be like if the Bible did not even exist? What if we had just good writings of people who were moved by God. Again, what would history and life be like today if the Bible never existed in it's physical form?

cp

I sincerely doubt I could say what I'd like to say in response without incurring several disapproving looks, so I'll just say that I understand exactly where you're coming from here, and that I sympathize with the thoughts you present.

ditto.


The message God is showing us is so simple a child could understand...

It's MANKIND that makes it difficult and ridiculous.


I was talking to someone the other day about this.
It's like there is a group of people STARVING... Starving to DEATH....
and you have a group of people who can help them but they INSIST on making very complicated, exotic dishes.
They are in the stinking kitchen for HOURS trying to DECIPHER these ridiculously complicated, convoluted recipes...
and they get to debating "Well I think it says this..." "Well God told me it says this..."

Meanwhile... people outside are droppin' like flies.

I say, Give me a dang loaf of BREAD, and let me just start slicing it up and handing it to these people.


IT'S SIMPLE.
Life is too short.
Too many people are starving.
Once you get the message of Christ...
Just go out there and start HANDING OUT SLICES OF BREAD!!!  :HeartThrob:
It does NOT need to be complicated.
It really shouldn't be.
Because it's all busywork and maybe even some pride thrown in.
Just slice up the bread...


This has been on my mind a lot lately.
I don't want to be one in the kitchen deciphering the recipe.
I just want to take my pieces of bread (God's love) and just try to hand it out to as many starving people as I can.
God help me and continue to move my heart, and my feet and my hands.


CP...  I think God speaks to us in different ways. Many different ways. But the bible does have interlaced between the pages a beautiful plan but... well, I'll stick to what Gab said and not get into that any further.I think the bible is special. But obviously it is not NEEDED because so many other people have never read it and God's got them in His plan. None will be lost. But once you have it, you do need it. God talks us to through it. Like I said, it's hard to say it's "necessary" but it is and it isn't. Well, nothing is impossible with God.


sorry for the "rant" if you want to call it that.
I think I'm just slowly getting more and more....just tired.
of talking. 
and hearing others talk about the same ol thing over and over.
Can't we just go out there and start handing out bread?
We've got the bread. We SEE it. Why must we keep examining it under microscopes and discussing every molecule of it?
We know it's bread, man!!

oh well.
peace.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :HeartThrob:

[claypot]

Sparrow, I hear ya. As long as there are people there will be the written word and being words are vehicles of communication I can see God using this vehicle to express Himself to us. But, people being people, I guess there has to be corruption and crucifixion and words are not exempt. Jesus was not. The principal of hiding in a crowd is a good one and effective. God has hid His message in a quagmire of physical words.

For me I want simplicity again. More than words can say I am appreciative of all I feel I have learned but in my learning I lost or think I almost lost something precious and I guess I want to warn others to be very careful. If my first love is Jesus Christ I hope I do not lose it in favor of intellectualism or a need to win an argument. I have no need to talk anyone into anything anymore either, this is freedom.

Oh well I gots to run. Great words Sparrow, thanks.

cp

[sparrow]

Thanks guys for understanding me...  :HeartThrob:
That means a lot.
Peace guys..
Have a nice thanksgiving.
love ya.

[Gab]

sparrow, could not have said it better if I tried.

In the end, I believe that what God truly wants for us is for us to love and be loved.  If someone finds fulfillment in going through every single page of the Bible with a fine-toothed comb, then I suppose more power to them, but I have no such interest, and to be honest I don't feel as if I ought to have such an interest, either.

[jabcat]

These are my thoughts on this topic.  There are people God reaches with His truth by someone speaking it to them, and if they're somewhere where the written Word doesn't exist, then they can know God without actually reading His words.  That's God doing the calling, choosing, and revealing, and He can do it however He chooses.  

Once someone is exposed to the scriptures, however, I believe we are responsible for what we do with it.  Tossing it aside, or teaching others that it's not important, I believe is a mistake.  If one will do an honest search in the scriptures, leaving aside preconceived notions, nor taking only one or two verses out of context, there is scriptural evidence to show what the scriptures say about themselves - and it is much different than the disrespect that is often given.  However, for one to be able to see that, actually believing the scriptures are legitimate would be important, as well as some things cannot be seen except God reveal them.  


If none of the following applies to you (anyone reading this) that's great.  Keep up the good work.   :thumbsup:

Mod Cut - Please check the Announcement Board  
http://www.tentmaker.org/forum/index.php?topic=7383.msg84791#msg84791  for an annnouncement the moderators have been working on for several days.  There are plenty of other places in the world today that are accepting to the deceit that the scriptures are either not reliable, not necessary, or don't understand that the Father and Son, the Spirit, and written scriptures work in tandem - that they don't cancel each other out, or One make the other unnecessary.  TM is not one of those places.  It has been repeatedly stated that the default setting at TM is respect for the scriptures/they are reliable (accurately translated and Spirit-revealed) and since several seem to insist on pushing the agenda that states otherwise, this will be moderated even more tightly.  

Many people come through TM that are searching, weak in the faith, or have almost no faith.  This is a site to promote the Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Continually casting doubt upon the scriptures is a poor way to accomplish that.

James.

[WhiteWings]

Any woman will tell you, it's a "man thing" that men have to be talked into taking a map on a trip, because they are convinced they know the way to Phoenix from Buffalo, and "Really, honey........going thru Florida was all part of the plan. I swear!"   :laughing7:  Blessings....

(http://media.nu.nl/m/m1czttcaroki.jpg)
Top of picture: Female expedition to the north pole.
Speech balloon: And then they dare to say women can't read maps.

[Molly]

And then they dare to say women can't read maps.

wut?  They made it to the north pole.  It's global warming.

[jabcat]

LOL you two!

The principal of hiding in a crowd is a good one and effective.
For me I want simplicity again. More than words can say I am appreciative of all I feel I have learned but in my learning I lost or think I almost lost something precious and I guess I want to warn others to be very careful. If my first love is Jesus Christ
cp

Nice points, cp.  :thumbsup:  It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.  Proverbs 25:2

You said "If my first love is Jesus Christ"...reminds me of "seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you".  First love.   

[claypot]

Many people come through TM that are searching, weak in the faith, or have almost no faith.  This is a site to promote the Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Continually casting doubt upon the scriptures is a poor way to accomplish that.

James.

Your words seem good and true to me. Continually casting doubt upon the Scriptures is not good but once in while, while working out ones salvation with fear and trembling, a person will have doubts and to honestly face these doubts, IMO, is a healthy thing and good for all, infant and mature alike.

Those with no faith want honesty above all. They are tired of lies and false faces and that is why they come to TM, to find honest seekers of the Truth.

Again, to continually cast doubt is wrong, to honestly admit doubt is the first step in getting rid of it.

cp

[rosered]

  Happy Thanksgiving to all :HeartThrob:

  Good thoughts everyone   :thumbsup:

[NinjaWizards777]

I have had some doubt recently. not in the way that I dont think God has spoken truth to me through it, I know he has and continues to on a near daily basis. But the why I believe to be Gods ultimate revelation to man...thats been urking me a bit. I know I do, I have a few observations that seem plausable to me. But its not like with UR where I have so many great reasons from thinking about every side of the issue. Id kindof like to get to the point that I can do that, or at least close

[jabcat]

Many people come through TM that are searching, weak in the faith, or have almost no faith.  This is a site to promote the Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Continually casting doubt upon the scriptures is a poor way to accomplish that.

James.

Your words seem good and true to me. Continually casting doubt upon the Scriptures is not good but once in while, while working out ones salvation with fear and trembling, a person will have doubts and to honestly face these doubts, IMO, is a healthy thing and good for all, infant and mature alike.

Those with no faith want honesty above all. They are tired of lies and false faces and that is why they come to TM, to find honest seekers of the Truth.

Again, to continually cast doubt is wrong, to honestly admit doubt is the first step in getting rid of it.

cp

I agree cp, and I personally struggled with the "take these types of questions to PM for help" piece of the Mod posting.  A statement was considered about honest questions being good/acceptable, but if not careful, then it can become an opportunity for division and an unhelpful direction.  

We're not asking that no one ever have any doubts anymore, or be able to express a struggle.  Brother, I struggle every day.  However, since the mission of TM is to share the Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, and not a gospel of universal relativism, a topic such as this will be moderated very tightly - keeping the conversation to someone truly seeking, and to those who are attempting to help within the context of Spirit-revealed scriptures.  

Acts 17:11
"The people of Berea were more open-minded than the people of Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive God's message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true."  (God's Word translation)

"These people were more receptive than those in Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive the message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if those things were so."  (ISV)  

"and these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, they received the word with all readiness of mind, every day examining the Writings whether those things were so;"  (Young's)

:Peace2:

[claypot]

Got it, jab, and I will be careful. Thanks.

cp

[jabcat]

Thanks bro, me too.   :thumbsup:

[rosered]

  Love His Word the bible is a great comfort to me
   many times when struggling  ,  just open it to  just what  we need to hear  and  such  perfect timing  the Lords Word and Spirit  is powerful that way ,  you just ask Him and He will give  it to you ..it works  so perfectly   God knows what we need before we ask ,  but we need to ask for His guidence  and help .. :HeartThrob:
  just had to say this ...........

[claypot]

I'm glad you just had to say that Rose for thems good words you wrote. Reminders like that are always good.

cp

[rosered]

I'm glad you just had to say that Rose for thems good words you wrote. Reminders like that are always good.

cp

Thanks brother  C.
I do love you  , you are so   very dear ..
  so many blessings of God  in our experiences ,  learning to be thankful in them all , not so easy as it sounds though .  :HeartThrob:



Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you  are called in one body; and be thankful.

the sufferings can also become the greatest blessings in the Body of Christ  to which we are all members  :HeartThrob:

[whyiloveitaly.com]

CP:
Personally, I hear a message in what you express, and I would like to chat with you more. If you feel like it:  brian@ahigherway.net

Jabcat:
Since you mentioned that certain discussions may shake the little faith of newbies. Isn't there a board that is only for "older" members? That might "free up" moderation efforts a bit!

My  :2c:

Love to all,
Brian

[claypot]

CP:
Personally, I hear a message in what you express, and I would like to chat with you more. If you feel like it:  brian@ahigherway.net

Jabcat:
Since you mentioned that certain discussions may shake the little faith of newbies. Isn't there a board that is only for "older" members? That might "free up" moderation efforts a bit!

My  :2c:

Love to all,
Brian

I pm'd ya Brian.

cp

[jabcat]

CP:
Personally, I hear a message in what you express, and I would like to chat with you more. If you feel like it:  brian@ahigherway.net

Jabcat:
Since you mentioned that certain discussions may shake the little faith of newbies. Isn't there a board that is only for "older" members? That might "free up" moderation efforts a bit!

My  :2c:

Love to all,
Brian

Well brother, we're in the process of discussing the different boards, one suggestion has been to up the number of posts it takes to get into a sort of "semi-private" board, etc.  Not there yet, thanks for the consideration - we'll work on it!   :bigGrin: 

P.S. Another thing that has come up is to encourage the use of PMs, as well as a private Speak To Mod threads, where one or several members can be invited in to discuss anything with the mods.  As noted though, we're also looking at the boards too.  Thanks.

[Beloved Servant]

How about an "Enter at Your Own Risk" section.
The Spirit will not lead where He does not want us to be.

[rosered]

How about an "Enter at Your Own Risk" section.
The Spirit will not lead where He does not want us to be.
Let the rest slander each other all night long.

 BS   aka Dave , your joking right ? :mblush:

You were one  a slandering the other week,  calling sparrow

" sorrow " :mshock:  

 We  need to just examine ourselves and see just what manner of "spirit " we are of

   That sending the" fire down " on others and than  the prayers   by  those  heaping "hot coals" on our heads  
 Have  this one examining " itself "and   "put to silence "
 Desiring the "joy in the Lord " to return  in every heart/mind   upon this forum once again
 I have made   some mistakes and am  repenting of them ..

 I am going to use the word "I "

 Hope no one takes  offence , because it is personal as well as corporeal .

 So  sorry to every member of the BODY OF CHRIST , I do need you !!!

  The heart /  love needs the mind/ knowledge &understanding  and the hands / works  and the feet/speaks of   His  peace  etc ...

  God knows how sorry  I am .. very humbled and in a lower place  right now .

[Kimberlaina]

I've found this thread very interesting.  For me, since I've come to a better understanding of the message of the Bible, I've come to see what it is differently.  On my way to work each morning, I drive by a church whose sign frequently has messages about the inerrancy of the Bible and the perfection of one particular translation.  This felt wrong to me, but I couldn't always say why.  Honestly, I think that people who feel distant from God cling to the Bible, sometimes desperately.  People feel that God is far away, but this book is sitting here in our laps, so this is the only way we can know God.  It's like a box of letters my family has from my great-grandfather.  I can never know my great-grandfather because he's passed away, but I can know him through these letters, so I could choose to pick apart every word.  I'm glad that Gab pointed out earlier in the thread that the Bible identifies Jesus as the Word of God -- that is an important truth to remember.  I think the Bible is "perfect" in the sense that it is exactly what God intended it to be, but I don't think it was intended to be our sole connection to Him, and I certainly don't think we should worship it as if it were Him.  The Bible is truth, and it is what God intended us to know, but I think it is a mere shadow compared to what God Himself is.

[Beloved Servant]

No, I am not joking.
If people want to argue — let them.
Hence, the "Enter at Your Own Risk" section.
If the Lord leads you in there — He will back up your Words!