Ihedinobi: Yes, it's called the Word of God by many. It's also referred to as a collection of sacred writings by some others. Some people call it a fraud too. Everyone is entitled to and responsible for the opinion they accept as theirs.

But what is the Bible? Or, at least, what does the Bible say it is (even if not in so many words)? The answer will tell how to read the Bible and why it must be consistent and trustworthy. It will also tell why, during the compilation of writings that became the book itself, some books were discarded and rejected as to their authenticity.

The Bible is the story of the Lord Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, it speaks of the Son of God. The One Who made all things, by Whom and for Whom they all exist. It tells the story of His Love. The story of a Love that created, sustained, lost, disciplined, tolerated, called, pined for and won back that which He loved.

To make sense of the Bible, the reader must read it as a single straight story, like a woven garment without seams. This treatment brings to mind the story of a jigsaw puzzle I read once. The more obvious side of the puzzle was the map of the world broken into many little pieces that fit uniquely. When a child (or someone else) finally succeeded to fit it together, everyone was amazed and wondered how he did it. He said that there was the picture of a man on the reverse side. Not everyone knows geography that well or where each country is. But who does not know where the nose ought to be and where the toe is? This is analogous of the Bible. Break it into its historical, poetical, prophetic, gospel, mystic and other aspects and fitting everything together becomes a staggering task. But take it all as one story, the story of God Who loved so much that He took on the form of that which He loved in order to make family out of His enemies and it all falls into place.

Of course, the various aspects must be respected for their individual contribution. But divorcing any aspect from the whole will result in a great deal of trouble and contention. This is generally how denominations formed and various warring philosophies were birthed. A person who finds a human hand sticking out the door can say anything, even logically correct things about it, that will ultimately lead to untrue assumptions about it unless they know the person to whom it's attached. The same way even very correct doctrines can become grievous errors once they have been divorced from the Person of Christ Jesus.

Consider reading the Bible a little differently now. Forget about false doctrines and which denominations and "men of God" birthed and propagated them for just a little bit and read the Bible for yourself. You'll probably be surprised to find Jesus all over the Bible pouring out His unmatched Love upon undeserving sinners and wicked enemies of His. You'll probably be able finally to apprehend hitherto obscure verses and passages. Hidden meanings and contradictory matters will begin to open up like sun-kissed flowers to your questing heart.

Grace be with you, my greatly beloved brothers and sisters.

plaetton:

Have you read the bible?

Ihedinobi:

Yes sir, I have.

plaetton:

All books, sequentially from a to z? or just flipping this chapter or that verese when it suites?

Ihedinobi: @Plaetton, ...with you, that is.

Ihedinobi: @Plaetton, ...with you, that is.

cyrexx: i was raised a very religious fellow. i have read everything from cover to cover over the course of my religious life which spawned several years when i was quite younger. i strictly followed a read-the-bible-thru-in-a-year plan. i even used to teach in a church group.

besides i have many books and teaching tapes of great bible teachers like kenneth hagin, kenneth copeland, rick joyner, smith wigglesworth, derek prince etc etc. (yes, before you say it, im a bookworm, and my family complains about it).

so if i talk about the bible, im not talking like an ignorant fellow. i know the thing very well.

surprisingly i still read it now sometimes, but as a literature that contains some inspirational truth not the words of an omniscient being cos whoever the people that wrote those words, they are surely not omniscient at all, neither are they inspired by an omniscient being.

plaetton:
he he. Fear not.
My intention was not start a debate. I have honestly grown weary of debating with faith.

I just wanted to point out that bible is said to be the best selling book in the world, yet it is the least read book, especially by christians.
I am yet to meet a christian who has completely read the bible, sequentially from end to end.
I guess that make syou an exception.

Enigma:

@cyrexx

Those two that I have highlighted in particular are far from being great Bible teachers; in fact they are responsible to a very great degree for the corruption of Christianity and the aberration that is known as the Prosperity "Gospel".

Of the others, the most tolerable is (the late) Derek Prince .

Let me make a recommendation and set a challenge to you.

Get a (or get out your old) Bible with the words of Jesus in red; read and study the words of Jesus only ---- on your own and try as much as possible to exclude any external influence on your thinking; then follow your own conclusions after doing the exercise.

plaetton:

he he. Fear not.
My intention was not start a debate. I have honestly grown weary of debating with faith.

I just wanted to point out that bible is said to be the best selling book in the world, yet it is the least read book, especially by christians.
I am yet to meet a christian who has completely read the bible, sequentially from end to end.
I guess that make syou an exception.

plaetton:

he he. Fear not.
My intention was not start a debate. I have honestly grown weary of debating with faith.

I just wanted to point out that bible is said to be the best selling book in the world, yet it is the least read book, especially by christians.
I am yet to meet a christian who has completely read the bible, sequentially from end to end.
I guess that make syou an exception.

cyrexx: i was raised a very religious fellow. i have read everything from cover to cover over the course of my religious life which spawned several years when i was quite younger. i strictly followed a read-the-bible-thru-in-a-year plan. i even used to teach in a church group.

besides i have many books and teaching tapes of great bible teachers like kenneth hagin, kenneth copeland, rick joyner, smith wigglesworth, derek prince etc etc. (yes, before you say it, im a bookworm, and my family complains about it).

so if i talk about the bible, im not talking like an ignorant fellow. i know the thing very well.

surprisingly i still read it now sometimes, but as a literature that contains some inspirational truth not the words of an omniscient being cos whoever the people that wrote those words, they are surely not omniscient at all, neither are they inspired by an omniscient being.

plaetton: yes, I think it is just common sense to read a book completely before one makes comments or to tries to
promote the book. It puzzles me that christians have refused to completely read the book sent them by god and yet they promote it with the greatest zeal.

musKeeto: hmmm.. too much socializing on this thread today.. did I miss something?
Hailings to all of una..

truthislight:

your software needs upgrade
¥
¥
brain