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

[jabcat]

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 ...
 

We need you too, rosie.  Remember, God forgives - and forgets.  Leads us forward - "forgetting the things that lie behind and reaching for the things that lie ahead".  Blessings, James.

[whyiloveitaly.com]

Kimberlaina,
One verse that has really stuck within me is where it says that "the letter killeth." I think many Christians don't understand this verse.
Man shall not live by bread alone (the written Word?), but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (daily revelation in the Spirit?).

Gerrard Winstanley once wrote (paraphrased) in the Breaking of the Day of God:
"The sin of the Jews was to keep to Moses after Christ came, and it may well be the sin of the gentiles to keep to the letter of the Apostles after God has taken up his saints into spiritual enjoyment of Himself."

Blessings to all,
Brian

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: AMEN Brian.......the letter understanding ONLY, is as the body of Moses, and Satan continually keeps on us to try to get THAT BODY, instead of the one of, HE IS RISEN. God help us all to overcome. Blessings....

[Kimberlaina]

This thread has been on my mind a lot the past few days.  I've been thinking that the way people cling to the Bible -- perhaps to the point of idolatry -- has a lot to do with Hell.  I went through this personally when I was battling the whole free will vs. predestination issue and feeling a lot of spiritual turmoil -- this was in the months before I discovered UR.  I asked myself, "If we're all in peril of ending up in a place of eternal torture, why did God leave such messed up instructions?  If He really loves and cares about us, why leave any doubt about how to get to Heaven?"  The truth is, when you read the Bible asking what you need to do to get to Heaven, you'll get confused.  There seem to be a gazillion elements to "getting saved."  Every type of church has a different interpretation and a different answer.  If you believe that man must do something to "get saved" then the Bible is completely essential -- without it, no one would ever see God.  People have to believe it's perfect and inerrant because any error puts them in danger of believing the wrong thing and ending up in Hell.  (I'm not saying it's not perfect or even essential, but even if the Bible isn't perfect or has been damaged in translation, God is still perfect and can communicate with us.)  When you realize that you ARE saved (not by your own actions), the Bible becomes a beautiful narrative of man's relationship with God and far less of an instruction book. 

[whyiloveitaly.com]

Kimberlaina,
I like your input!
It's almost as though ETers are afraid of God (not fear in a reverent sense), and the doctrine of "fire and brimstone" isn't very "spiritual" as I see it. If you try to explain to them that God is a fire, and that hell is simply the purification of God as we return to Him, you get a blank stare! It's like they don't get it! It may not be the 100% correct interpretation, but anything that might be "symbolic" tends to get the dazed look from them, because they see things only literally. Anything "deeper" is too difficult.
Even the concept of God loving everyone in spite of their actions, is beyond belief for most of them. They just can't believe it. What??? God loves you with all your sin???  :mshock:

So you can imagine if someone told them their Bible was misinterpreted! It'd send them into serious shock.... And in fact, they refuse to accept it!

Love to all,
Brian

Ps. Good morning Cardinal! I saw you're online! Here it's 8am, but I imagine where you are it's late night!...

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Hi Brian, I missed this last night. Yes, didn't hit the hay till 3am last night. How are you doing over there? Do you live there permanently or is this a short term job assignment for you? Blessings to you, Card

[whyiloveitaly.com]

Hi again!
No, I'm pretty much here now; my wife is Italian and we're quite satisfied here so we go to the States just on vacation..
It's always good to see your "presence" here!

Blessings,
Brian

[claypot]

This thread has been on my mind a lot the past few days.  I've been thinking that the way people cling to the Bible -- perhaps to the point of idolatry -- has a lot to do with Hell.  I went through this personally when I was battling the whole free will vs. predestination issue and feeling a lot of spiritual turmoil -- this was in the months before I discovered UR.  I asked myself, "If we're all in peril of ending up in a place of eternal torture, why did God leave such messed up instructions?  If He really loves and cares about us, why leave any doubt about how to get to Heaven?"  The truth is, when you read the Bible asking what you need to do to get to Heaven, you'll get confused.  There seem to be a gazillion elements to "getting saved."  Every type of church has a different interpretation and a different answer.  If you believe that man must do something to "get saved" then the Bible is completely essential -- without it, no one would ever see God.  People have to believe it's perfect and inerrant because any error puts them in danger of believing the wrong thing and ending up in Hell.  (I'm not saying it's not perfect or even essential, but even if the Bible isn't perfect or has been damaged in translation, God is still perfect and can communicate with us.)  When you realize that you ARE saved (not by your own actions), the Bible becomes a beautiful narrative of man's relationship with God and far less of an instruction book. 

That some good stuff Kim. I see God as insanely crazy in His love for us, His creation. He is jealous (in a perfect way) over us. You said it well when you say the Bible, if anything, is a beautiful narrative of our 'love' relationship with Him.

Can't read Hosea and Song of Songs without seeing Gods wild and zany love for us, at least you can't if you see Hosea's wife and the woman in Song of Songs as representing creation (you and I and all).

We talk about how we should love God with all our hearts, souls and minds yet we don't often think about God loving us likewise.

We say God so loved the world. Wow. Boring.

We should say God is insanely madly and crazy in love with us. He is bonkers over us. He is dangerously jealous over us. He is for us......HE IS FOR US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now read Song of Songs and Hosea.

cp

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: @Brian.......Oh, that's nice. Never been there, but from the pictures I've seen it looks gorgeous. Love Old World anything. Good to see you here again, too! Blessings....

[Kimberlaina]

I once saw a website that said that most Christians act like God gave us the wrong book . . . where's the one with all the rules and the "thou shalts" and "thou shalt nots"?  What's with this dumb story?   :laughing7: . . . the story is the point.

[sheila]

   

   One reason God is using forums to minister His gospel

  is it is here for those who 'seek' Him out

   He says 'seek me and live, all you ends of the earth!"


   Isaaih 62;12

    They will be called the Holy people, the Redeemed of the Lord

   And you will be called 'SOUGHT AFTER"  the city no longer

   deserted.

   He became tired of holding His arms out all day long to a

  people who wasn't interested.


   The following is an exmple of Babylon...the adulteress


  Proverbs 7;10  then out came a woman to meet him, dressed

like a prostitie and with crafty intent

  She is loud and defiant..her feet never stay at home...

now in the street,now in the squares

  at every corner she lurks[ think churches on every corner]

   I have fellowship offerings at home, today I fulfilled my vows

so I came out to meet you, I looked for you and I found you!!


v 14  Come! Lets drink deep of love til morning, let's enjoy

ourselves with love!  My husband is NOT at home; he has gone

on a long journey[think awaiting Christ's return] With

persuasive words she led him astray, she seduced him with her

smooth talk........v26, many are the victims she has brought

down 27  her house is a highway to the grave.


   Wisdoms call  Proverbs 8   Does not Wisdom call out?

  Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights

along 'the WAY" where the paths meet[crossroads] she takes

her stand; beside the gates leading into the city...

at the entrances she cries out " To you O' men I call out,

  I raise my voice to all mankind. you who are simple,gain

prudence; you who are foolish gain understanding. Listen, for

I have worthy things to say. I open my lips to speak what is

right.My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest

wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just, none of them

are crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right

they are faultless to those who have knowledge[ this is the

Holy spirit speaking/teaching] in contrast to the adulteress


  Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than

choice gold, for Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and

nothing you can desire can compare with her

  to fear the Lord is to hate evil, I hate pride and arrogance, evil

behaviour and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgement

  are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign

by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth

  I love those who love me...and those who seek me

               find me


   the woman shall be kept safe through childbearing,as long as

she remain a worker at home.


   Isaaih 60;  Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the

Glory of the Lord rises upon you.  See darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord arise upon

you and His glory appears over you. NATIONS WILL COME TO

YOUR LIGHT, AND KINGS TO THE BRIGHTNESS OF YOUR DAWN

  Lift up your eyes and look about you, All assemble and come

  to you. Your sons come from afar, and your daughters are

carried on the arm...  who are these that fly along like clouds,

like doves to their nests?....bringing your sons from afar, with

their silver and gold, to THE HONOUR OF THE LORD YOUR GOD

THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, FOR HE HAS ENDOWED YOU WITH

SPLENDOUR

  Psalms 87;5  Indeed, of Zion it will be said, 'this one and that

one were born in her, and the MOST HIGH HIMSELF WILL

ESTABLISH HER

  Isaaih 2;2 In the last days, the MOUNTAIN of the LORD'S

TEMPLE will be established as the cheif among the mountains.

It will be raised above the hills and all nations will stream to it

[Cardinal]

 "v 14  Come! Lets drink deep of love til morning, let's enjoy

ourselves with love!  My husband is NOT at home; he has gone

on a long journey[think awaiting Christ's return] With

persuasive words she led him astray, she seduced him with her

smooth talk........v26, many are the victims she has brought

down 27  her house is a highway to the grave."


"the woman shall be kept safe through childbearing,as long as

she remain a worker at home."

:cloud9:  :thumbsup: All of it is good, but these two parts I put in quotes, just stood out to me. Can't you just see the first one going on now?

And the second one jumped out at me as another witness for why He pulled us out of the churches TO SEEK HIS FACE. Blessings....

[sheila]

 Our Mother is Jerusalem above.She is THE FREE WOMAN

  free from slavery/corruption.... The HOLY SPIRIT will be

  established in the earth.

  Honour thy Father and thy Mother

  Did you ever hear a man say' say want you want about my son

or me, but don't speak evil of my wife" Now you know how

  Father feels about the sin against the Holy spirit

[Livelystone]

Kimberlaina,
One verse that has really stuck within me is where it says that "the letter killeth." I think many Christians don't understand this verse.
Man shall not live by bread alone (the written Word?), but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (daily revelation in the Spirit?).
Blessings to all,
Brian

Hi Brian

I agree on the "every word" part and it is not just an option for us but a requirement.

However so many times when the Lord has something for me to get through my sometimes thick skull He sends me to a certain passage of the Scriptures where I can see it in black and white. Matter of fact anytime that we hear a word in the spirit that cannot be confirmed through the written word that what we are "hearing" is in fact within the boundaries established by God in His written word, then the spoken word we have heard must be discarded!

Simply put all spirits are not "holy" and God is not the author of confusion. He has given us His Laws for determining truth and when any spoken word cannot be fulfilled within those permitters we need to reconsider just who is the author of the word we are hearing.

Blessings

Doug

[jabcat]

anytime that we hear a word in the spirit that cannot be confirmed through the written word that what we are "hearing" is in fact within the boundaries established by God in His written word, then the spoken word we have heard must be discarded!

Simply put all spirits are not "holy" and God is not the author of confusion. He has given us His Laws for determining truth and when any spoken word cannot be fulfilled within those permitters we need to reconsider just who is the author of the word we are hearing.

Doug

:thumbsup:

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Amen Doug  :thumbsup: He has NEVER spoken anything by way of instruction that was not followed up by scriptures 'flying' at me to back up what He said, no matter how "off the wall" it may have sounded to me to begin with. Blessings....

[friendofmankind]

What personally convincies you that the Bible is Gods revelation to man (above any other text)? its something Ive thought about on and off for awhile and I have my own reasons that I believe of course.

The point is not to "debate" but just to complile of list of reasons that you feel strongly about. could be fun?

For me, it was answered prayer all the way...Or else i would have told the eternal torment idea of God to shove it, long ago.