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Featured Is the Bible a confusing book?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Guido, Jan 17, 2022.

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  1. Guido

    Guido Active Member

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    If God intended to communicate to us in a way we can understand, why do the saints have so much trouble interpreting the scriptures, to the bringing forth of division in the church, whereby there are made many denominations?
     
    #1 Guido, Jan 17, 2022
  2. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    People are sinful, prideful, arrogant and stubborn.

    Nothing wrong with God’s Word, but the people trying to understand it is another story.

    peace to you
     
    #2 canadyjd, Jan 17, 2022
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  3. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Understanding has to be sought like hidden treasure. The Scriptures don't serve theology to us on a silver platter. That was not God's intent.
     
    #3 Aaron, Jan 17, 2022
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  4. SavedByGrace

    SavedByGrace Well-Known Member

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    because people have their own understanding and interpretation of what the Bible actually says. The Leading of the Holy Spirit is key to anyone correctly understanding what the Bible teaches. A knowledge of the original languages the Bible was written in, like Hebrew and Greek is also an important aspect in correctly understanding what the Bible says. We are all human and have our own theories and do make mistakes in what we read. The Bible in the Originals is 100% Infallible, Inerrant and Perfect, as God intended it to be. Humans have, through translations, often lost what the Originals say, or have tampered with the Word, so that their personal "theology" is more important.

    Today, denominations are very important, as we need to distinguish between us and others. Like, those who hold to the so-called "doctines of grace"; and others who see this as a smoke-screen, for man-made teachings. etc, etc
     
    #4 SavedByGrace, Jan 18, 2022
  5. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Because people miss the forest for the trees.
     
    #5 JonC, Jan 18, 2022
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  6. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    Three things that are not inerrant. The readers. The Translations. And manuscript variants. God as He gave His word is inerrant because God Himself is inerrant.
     
    #6 37818, Jan 18, 2022
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  7. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    #7 37818, Jan 18, 2022
  8. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Jesus indicated that the Bible "experts" of His day held mistaken views as to the meaning of scripture. They had added to scripture using speculation. Speculation was and is the mother of false doctrine.
    Mark 7:11-13 (NASB)
    but you say, ‘If a person says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is, given to God),’ you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother;thereby invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
     
    #8 Van, Jan 18, 2022
  9. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    AMEN!

    162 I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil. Ps 119
     
    #9 kyredneck, Jan 18, 2022
  10. Marooncat79

    Marooncat79 Well-Known Member
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    Is God the author of confusion?
     
    #10 Marooncat79, Jan 18, 2022
  11. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Matthew 15:6
    he is not to honor his father or mother.' And by this you have invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

    When scripture is twisted to support man-made doctrine, such as to support slavery or anti-antisemitism, pride rather than humility is on display.
     
    #11 Van, Jan 18, 2022
  12. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    2 Corinthians 4:2
    but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person's conscience in the sight of God.
     
    #12 Van, Jan 18, 2022
  13. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    It is both easy to understand and misunderstand.
    The more we study, the more we learn.
     
    #13 Reynolds, Jan 18, 2022
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  14. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    My opinion, Guido? Yes, the Bible can be sometimes confusing, but it isn't the fault of the perfect word of God. Then why is it confusing to the point of people having various interpretations, denominations, and beliefs?

    Here's a few reasons -
    • The Bible was written long, long ago. Cultural and language patterns have changed drastically. We can't read about Lot willing to give his daughters to be raped and think that the thing to do then or now.
    • And using Lot as an example, we can't believe that because someone did something in the Bible that God condoned it. A lot of people do that.
    • Here's another - the genres of the Bible can be confusing it you don't understand them. Are you reading poetry, history, prophecy, or letters? That's important to know.
    • Also, the Bible is not in chronological order. For those with weak comprehension skills, that can be a barrier to understanding.
    • The Bible is a book made of 66 smaller books. It's very important to understand HOW those 66 books fit together - in other words - the flow of the WHOLE story is important to understand.
    • The Bible is a spiritual book that must be discerned through our spirits via the HOLY Spirit. If we do not sit down WITH the Holy Spirit and ask him to guide us, our natural selves will not understand.
    • Some people sit down to read the Bible with THEIR opinions and ideas and their minds already made up of who God is and how the Bible should read. That's a MAJOR no-no! We should come to the Bible ready to learn from the Holy Spirit, and with our own minds and hearts moldable and pliable.
    None of these above things are the Bible's nor God's fault.

    We must STUDY the Bible. Study takes time, time, and time.
     
    #14 Scarlett O., Jan 18, 2022
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  15. atpollard

    atpollard Well-Known Member

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    Sometimes …

    [Proverbs 26:4-5 NKJV]
    4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
    5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
    ​
    … a little. Confused
     
    #15 atpollard, Jan 19, 2022
  16. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    Am I the only one not confused?

    I admit that sometimes I don’t understand a passage, but never confused.

    God said it, I believe it.

    If my mind cannot grasp the mystery, then by experience of His faithfulness I will not be confused, but abide.
     
    #16 agedman, Jan 21, 2022
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  17. Guido

    Guido Active Member

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    I understand what you're saying, agreeing with you, and resolving henceforth to adhere to it, not because it is a word from you, but one you learned from the scriptures, myself obeying the scriptures in this doctrine.
     
    #17 Guido, Jan 21, 2022
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  18. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    No confusion here.

    There is a time to walk away from an idiot because all that will happen is you will fall into a verbal brawl with them which is probably what they wanted in the first place. You will sink to their level - so, we are to walk away.

    And sometimes, the idiot needs correcting and IMMEDIATE correcting. Do so, to keep his false views and foolish ways subdued and put into place.
     
    #18 Scarlett O., Jan 21, 2022
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  19. atpollard

    atpollard Well-Known Member

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    Sure ... but you have to admit it was presented in a way that was DELIBERATELY mildly obfuscating (as opposed to "say what you mean and mean what you say" direct).
     
    #19 atpollard, Jan 21, 2022
  20. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Well, it may seem that way to one who is not versed in Hebrew or Solomon's poetic style.

    He wrote in a LOT of couplets. A sentence composed of two opposite behaviors. Like this one: Proverbs 12:2 = "A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns."

    You find these all over Proverbs. This one in question is so long that it takes up two sentences and two verses. I don't see a deliberate confounding of truth.

    It's just a very long couplet as opposed to usual one-verse ones.

    That's only a problem when Hebrew is not our first language.
     
    #20 Scarlett O., Jan 21, 2022
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