This subject tends to irritate my fellow Christians more than just about anyone else.
My take on “The Holy Bible”
Some people believe that The Bible is a History book.
Telling the history from a perspective of the times and should be taken as literal facts.
Others believe that The Bible is a LAW book. And must be followed to the letter. It is the WORD OF GOD and it must be followed.
Some tend to believe it is BOTH.
Most however, tend to take it as ” a little bit law and a little bit of history”
I say it is neither a law book NOR a history book.
Although it does have “some” history in it and “some” laws in it.
What “I” believe it to be… is a LESSON book…
A collection of lessons on how to be a good human being and how best to enter the kingdom of God after you leave this world.
I do not believe “The HOLY BIBLE” is in fact the “Word of God”.
My belief is that the “WORD” lives in your soul and manifests through your speech and actions.
The Bible is only Holy because YOU gave it meaning in the service of GOD.
It has no power or holiness of its own accord. But rather a guide for you to use on your journey to be worthy of entering heaven.
ON another note…
I have noticed quite a few groups of people (such as atheists) tend to make judgements of the bible based on what they believe is nonsense. They are very happy to quote this passage or that passage.
These passages seem to almost exclusively be lifted from the Old Testament in order to suggest that the bibles teachings are not valid due to some sort of contradiction.
I will simply say that if you are pulling any examples from the “Old Testament” to bolster that argument, you have forgotten something extremely important.
JESUS HAPPENED.
Jesus referenced the Old Testament extensively, and the Old Testament is there so we can have a clue as to what Jesus was talking about. The Old Testament is there so we can know where we came from …and Jesus is pointing us to where we ought to be going.
One reply on “Political beliefs (The Bible)”
Hi Patrick,
I would like to add:
The Bible is holy because it is the Word of God. It is definitely a guide book, but it is first and foremost the unerring Word of God.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” ~ John 1:1 (NKJV)
Jesus is the Word.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” ~ John 1:14 (NKJV)
Although it is true that the Old Testament describes our beginnings, it is also loaded with prophecy of the first coming of Christ. It is how we can depend on His Word as truth and trust that the prophecies defined in the New Testament will come to pass without question, as all were previously fulfilled. Therefore, it should not be viewed as only ‘where we’ve been’. From a prophecy perspective, you can read the Old Testament, skip the New Testament entirely and jump straight to the Book of Revelation and completely understand what the book is saying.
Lastly, the laws of the Old Testament still apply. Jesus said:
“Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” ~ Matthew 5:16-18 (NKJV)
A jot or a tittle in Hebrew text is equivalent to a dot over an ‘i’ or a period in English.
I am aware that there are a lot of churches that do not teach the Old Testament. That’s unfortunate because they are not teaching the whole counsel of God. The only laws that no longer apply to believers are those related to atonement for sin. Jesus paid that price for us on the cross. For those that don’t recognize Jesus as their Savior, they will be judged according to the laws as they have rejected His gift of salvation (Great White Throne Judgment). For those that have accepted His gift, judgment is made according to what was done with Jesus and His Word while on earth. Based on that, rewards will be distributed accordingly (Bema Seat Judgment).
So while the Bible does indeed tell us where we are going, it also provides instruction that we are obliged to follow as a body, as well as, serving as a guide book for how to live our lives on a personal level.