Reading the bible

[MysteriousGuestX]

I am an atheist and a skeptic. I've read many passages and large swathes of the bible, both old and new testaments, but I've never read it straight through from start to finish. So that is what I'm going to do here.

The goal:

1)Read the bible in a literal fashion. I will be taking everything literally (with the obviously stated parables as parables).

2)I will be taking notes on what I read. These, I'll post here (hence this topic) and I'll make comments.

I do expect people to comment on my posts. I will also be using the Standard English Version since that is the version I have on my computer, and it is just more convenient that way.

Alas, it has been shown that most people own a bible (I actually own 3) but have never read them. This is a mistake (depending on your culture the holy book could change) and this is more likely in religious people than non-religious people. You'd be surprised what people think is in, and not in, the bible out of sheer ignorance. So I am going to make sure to clear that up for myself.

Now, this certainly won't change my views on religion and it might even change other people's thoughts on the book.

[Rob W. Case]

Mysterious Guest X, I am glad that you have decided to "give it a go" for yourself. You are absolutely right about the fact that people think that certain things are in the Bible that aren't and vise versa. You never know unless you investigate the matter yourself.

It is a much different experience to go into it yourself than it is to take someone else's word for it. In going into it myself, studying it the way it should be studied I found that when I watched certain sermons or heard certain messages, I could actually detect when a minister was using a passage out of context (be it intentional or non-intentional), and use it to build a pretext that is misleading or has an agenda attached to it (hence the problem with "prosperity" preachers who stress pursuing "fine" and "fancy" possessions).

You are on the right track in your guidelines for your investigation. Might I add this to them as well.

1. When you read it, read it objectively and with an open mind. In other words, try not to let outside influences deter you from your investigation.

2. I hope this doesn't change your views on religion. I hope that by doing this you will see that it's not about joining a religion or submitting to the authority of a religious "institution", but that it is about establishing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I hope this will be a constructive experience for you, and I encourage everyone out there to discover for themselves the collection of scriptures commonly referred to as "The Bible."

[sha]

the bible has been changed over time, it does contain some remnants of the words of Almighty God, alot of i t is the sayings of man
the final revelatin that came after the gospel was the quran sent to the last prophet muhammed, read it online
Almighty God challenges mankind in the quran that if this revelatuion was from other than God you will find many contradictions in it, there is not a single one, take up the challenge if you will, read the quran. it mentions the story of mary about the birth of jesus, it will open your eyes

[Rob W. Case]

Sha,

Hello and thank you for visiting the board. Your comment in regards to the Bible is, as I understand, a common belief that is often cited in the Muslim world. However, the belief doesn’t endure when you examine the reality under a critical eye. After all, there are many vital components to consider in order for that belief to be true. For one, we still have thousands of historical manuscripts, both in the Hebrew and in the Greek that match up with the modern translations. You may have words in those languages with slightly different spellings, but the substance and the meanings remain fully in tact.

Mohammed: The Last Prophet?

This is one of the problems I have with the major religions. For example, Joseph Smith (who founded the Mormon Religion) claimed to have been given the final revelation from God in 1884. That “revelation” would be a lot newer than Mohammed’s “revelation” from the 7th century. Then, we have all of these other “revelations” by many other religious leaders over the course of the centuries. One of the latest ones to have claimed to have been given a revelation is a woman by the name of Helen Schucman. The problem with all of these religions, including Islam, is that, through these alleged “revelations,” a following is then established with them at the center of the movement. Yet people may not realize this, but Jesus cancelled this dynamic out when he said in Revelation 22:13….

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Since Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and his presence on earth was the ultimate manifestation of the Father and the Kingdom, everything began with him, and everything will end with him. I take Him at his word more than anyone else because he never runs short, in any way, of being true. He is always true. And if truth rests in him, all forms of order and structure must also complement this fact as well. And it does.

As for the Quran…:

Sha, I do, in fact, own a copy of the Quran. I bought one several years ago to be used as a window to help better understand your religion, and basis for many of your beliefs. And if I contrast the two, there are deep fundamental differences between them. For example, the ancient Israelites did not just up and create a religion out of thin air. It wasn’t even a religion. It was an interaction God had with them, and wanted those interactions written down for future generations to rely and depend on, not just for that time alone, but for all time. The Quran does not do this. The Quran by means of expression, worships Allah, and tells its readers how to live and what rules they should follow. On the other side, it also builds up personal pride and prejudices (especially when it comes to unbelievers). In other words, it serves as a structure for control. So in essence, while the Quran tells you how to live, and what to follow, Jesus Christ can always be counted on to deliver on his word, and have a living relationship with you. And while Mohammed might tell you what to do with your enemies (Surah 9:5, 9:14, 5:33, etc.), Jesus tells his people what do with their enemies (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28, John 13:34, etc).

Studying those dynamics in and of themselves unleashes the magnitude of the power behind both perspectives. One’s stronghold is in and of the world, and aims towards complete conformity. The other goes above and beyond this world, looks to the coming Kingdom in which Christ will rule and reign, while offering freedom from strongholds that hold captive the heart, soul, and mind, and replacing them with a Kingdom centered, wisdom filled mentality. It all depends on your asking him to do this, trusting in him, and always seeking. You will be surprised then how open your heart, soul, and mind will be from there.