Interpreting the Bible

[LiamOS]

The Bible teaches certain things for certain instances. It also teaches us that we have a New Testament and there are things in the New Testament which negate things in the Old Testament.

The testaments had different purposes. The old testament exists primarily to teach man that he is a sinner and that he has not means of escaping eternal punishment as a result of his sin.

The new testament teaches man is a sinner, but that Christ suffered the punishment for all sins. Hence man can escape his punishment by accepting Christ as savior.

To this, McCulloch presented a very pertinent question:

Is there any indication of this interpretation of the the purpose of the Jewish scriptures, known to the Christians as the Old Testament, it the Old Testament itself? Or was this a purpose attributed to the OT by the Christians, who needed to keep the OT myths but not the OT theology and instructions?

For debate:
-Why is it acceptable to take some parts of the Bible as true, and some others as allegory? Without God telling you in person, it stands to reason that it's all relevant all the time; commandments are commandments.
-Why is it possible to interpret the Bible in so many ways? Does this speak of the Bible's accuracy?
-For the literalists, why is Genesis taken as literal when other episodes such as Joshua and the sun(In case you do take a it literally, please voice your opinions here) are not?

[naz]

-Why is it acceptable to take some parts of the Bible as true, and some others as allegory? Without God telling you in person, it stands to reason that it's all relevant all the time; commandments are commandments.

I have heard that same thing about how Christians no longer go by the Old Testament, only by the new. My only understanding for this is the same as above, it is because Jesus is the turning point for all that have sinned and all the sin in the world. He sacrificed his own life on earth so that maybe one day man will understand and be better beings. Jesus dying for our sins can be looked at in two very different ways from what I have understood of it. He died for all of our sins, because we were born into a world full of sinners and we bath in sin from the time we are born until the day we die unless we are baptized. Or it is because he died because "people" are "sinners" and took it upon themselves to kill Jesus, the son of god. Which is very similar to the first, though sometimes I question how someone could judge me before I was born and label me as a sinner. After all the bible is says; "thou shall not judge." But, I was born after Christ who paved a way for all of us. So how can i really do anything more than question what happen?

-Why is it possible to interpret the Bible in so many ways? Does this speak of the Bible's accuracy?

Just like you are entitled to your own opinion, a Christian is entitled to their rights to believe in scripture and understand it for what it is, not something it’s not.

[LiamOS]

Why does Jesus' coming simply negate most of the old testament's teachings, though?

I respect that you're entitled to your opinion, but I can't respect it if it's completely illogical.

[naz]

Why does Jesus' coming simply negate most of the old testament's teachings, though?

I respect that you're entitled to your opinion, but I can't respect it if it's completely illogical.

I have done some research. Hope this helps to fill the void.

Before Jesus, god gave the 10 commandments to Moses (the Old Testament). No one knew what to make of the commandments and couldn’t follow them, all they knew is it was revelation given to Moses by god. So in unlawful terms, people continued to disobey the 10 commandments given to Moses by god.

That was until Jesus the son of god came. He had to actually live the commandments before the actual revelations of those commandments could be fulfilled. So why people think they no longer should go by the 10 commandments or the old testament (seeing how they relate to one another, then new and the old testament) just because Jesus lived and died by them is beyond me. He lived and led by example and in my opinion so others could do the same.

(Matthew 5:43-44) “Ye have heard that it hath been said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;�

So is it wrong for people to take advantage of Jesus’ death and say he died for our sins? When he was born the son of god to save his people from their sins? Not provoke people to commit them.

(Matthew: 1:21) ‘And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.’

Meaning teach them right from wrong.

I guess some people still haven’t learned how to interpret the bible and those that claim to not go by the Old Testament may not necessarily take the bible or their religion very seriously or as serious as it should be taken.

If any knowledgeable Christians are more knowledgeable on the subject than me. * Then feel free to correct anything I have said. *

[LiamOS]

I have done some research. Hope this helps to fill the void. [...]

That's all very well, but what happens to the orders from the old testament and why?
Why is it no longer acceptable to kill your children for being unruly? Why can't we stone women who have sex outside marriage?

How is it that these are simply ignored?

[naz]

I have done some research. Hope this helps to fill the void. [...]

That's all very well, but what happens to the orders from the old testament and why?
Why is it no longer acceptable to kill your children for being unruly? Why can't we stone women who have sex outside marriage?

How is it that these are simply ignored?

You are joking, right.....
Why should you have any authority over anyone else life...

[LiamOS]

What are you talking about?

I'm simply asking questions about interpreting the Bible, not trying to take over the world(Yet).

Why are commandments such as "For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him." (Leviticus 20:9) simply ignored in favour of what the new testament says?

[naz]

What are you talking about?

I'm simply asking questions about interpreting the Bible, not trying to take over the world(Yet).

Why are commandments such as "For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him." (Leviticus 20:9) simply ignored in favour of what the new testament says?

I'll just take your thread as a joke (and many others like this one) and tell you to go figure it out on your own since I gave you a perfectly good example and explanation.

[Skyangel]

The Bible teaches certain things for certain instances. It also teaches us that we have a New Testament and there are things in the New Testament which negate things in the Old Testament.

The testaments had different purposes. The old testament exists primarily to teach man that he is a sinner and that he has not means of escaping eternal punishment as a result of his sin.

The new testament teaches man is a sinner, but that Christ suffered the punishment for all sins. Hence man can escape his punishment by accepting Christ as savior.

To this, McCulloch presented a very pertinent question:

Is there any indication of this interpretation of the the purpose of the Jewish scriptures, known to the Christians as the Old Testament, it the Old Testament itself? Or was this a purpose attributed to the OT by the Christians, who needed to keep the OT myths but not the OT theology and instructions?

For debate:
-Why is it acceptable to take some parts of the Bible as true, and some others as allegory? Without God telling you in person, it stands to reason that it's all relevant all the time; commandments are commandments.
-Why is it possible to interpret the Bible in so many ways? Does this speak of the Bible's accuracy?
-For the literalists, why is Genesis taken as literal when other episodes such as Joshua and the sun(In case you do take a it literally, please voice your opinions here) are not?

In my opinion it is illogical and unacceptable to take some parts of the bible literally and others allegorically. I agree that it stands to reason that it is all relevant all the time. Jesus did keep all the commandments in the OT and taught others to do likewise. He taught ' Keep the commandments"

It is possible to interpret the bible in so many different ways because that is how the Word of God has been designed in the first place. It has been designed to make no sense at all to the carnal minded fools who wish to reject the truth and call it a lie. It has been designed to make perfect sense to all those who discern and interpret it spiritually at all times. it was meant to be spiritually discerned and interpreted not literally discerned and interpreted. The whole bible is a parable which can be perceived by the carnal mind to be one thing and can be perceived by the spiritual mind to be something totally different.

It is a like a book of Truth which is hiding Truth behind its own outward appearances as it tells us it is hiding those truths from fools who dont want to know Truth but causes them to believe it is a lie.

2 Thess 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

When the bible talks about trees for example it is referring to people. When it talks about a temple it is referring to a body not a building. These things are revealed by the bible itself and those who wish to know the Truth will find the Truth in the Truth that reveals itself to the wise and hides itself from fools at the same time.

[LiamOS]

I'll just take your thread as a joke (and many others like this one) and tell you to go figure it out on your own since I gave you a perfectly good example and explanation.

I'm sorry that my thread is beyond comprehension.

It is possible to interpret the bible in so many different ways because that is how the Word of God has been designed in the first place.

Well should it not have been designed to have minimal evil-interpretation potential?
Seems to be a long way off of that.