Understanding the bible

[Erinome]

I understand the bible. I understand it's a piece of garbage that no one should ever take seriously.

The fact is that 13.7 billion years ago the universe began it's expansion. It was a long time after that when modern humans began their civilizations. Then a bunch of ignorant, possibly imbalanced men wrote a bunch of bullshit to explain things they couldn't possibly understand. For some reason, beyond comprehension, people still believe the bullshit and ignore truth and facts.

Furthermore, I've yet to see any evidence whatsoever that this jesus character even existed.

[FallentoReason]

Like any book, the bible has a beginning, a middle and an end. In the beginning God created, soon after that mankind rebelled (Gen 3), in the middle of the book Jesus comes from heaven as the promised Saviour for all who will trust in Him alone for Salvation. At the end He will return to judge the world and take back to heaven His true Church. This is the larger context that the bible must be read in.

May i ask, how is it that one comes to the conclusion of the context of a book in general? I.e. what tells you in this instance that the Bible must be seen in that particular way?

[Jesus Pipes]

The Bible can not truly be understood without the revelation of the Holy Spirit. That's why so many have trouble with the scriptures, they either read and get only a surface meaning from them,or the bring their own preconceived ideas into the reading of scripture and make those ideas fit the scriptures. Properly read one will allow the Holy Spirit to open up the word of God's truth and apply it to one's life. To many would rather make the scriptures fit their ideas and lifestyle.

I'm thinking that you would have to drink a LOT of holy spirit(preferably whiskey) before the bible started to make sense.

No, not whiskey, it is the act of smoking a pipe itself that can be used as a solitary or communal ritual to open the mind to God and to transform ones' mind in the pattern of Christ. Then you can truly understand the bible.

[Minimalist]

Like any book, the bible has a beginning, a middle and an end. In the beginning God created, soon after that mankind rebelled

Okay, admit it W/B. You actually believe in talking snakes, trees of knowledge, Adam and fucking Eve, and a world-covering flood. You are, in fact, that big an idiot, right?

Just admit it. You are not the first. One can only hope in the course of time you will be one of the last. Stupidity on that colossal a scale must die out eventually.

[Cyberman]

May be drifting off-topic, but does God have the power and/or the will to change the ending of the story, or does it have to play out exactly as written with all the seven-headed beast stuff?

[Godscreated]

May be drifting off-topic, but does God have the power and/or the will to change the ending of the story, or does it have to play out exactly as written with all the seven-headed beast stuff?

Yep, will end as willed.

[Cyberman]

So there's no chance of God deciding to change the script, as it were? I'm assuming from your wording that it has the power to do so if it chooses.

[Minimalist]

does it have to play out exactly as written with all the seven-headed beast stuff?

Well, that's only because it survived a vote ( how fucking "inspired" huh?) to make it into the canon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Rev...al_history

According to Denzinger, Revelation was accepted into the canon at the Council of Carthage of 397 AD,[26] according to McDonald & Sanders it was added at the later 419 council.[27] Revelation's place in the canon was not guaranteed, however, with doubts raised as far back as the 2nd century about its character, symbolism, and apostolic authorship.

Otherwise, Stim, G-C would be assuring you with the same pompous certainty that whatever book was voted in place of that piece of garbage was equally true and "inspired."

[The Heff]

I tried reading the Bible but I found picking my nose was far more entertaining.

Then I found a science mag... Nose picking ceased once more.

[FallentoReason]

Otherwise, Stim, G-C would be assuring you with the same pompous certainty that whatever book was voted in place of that piece of garbage was equally true and "inspired."

For them it's a never ending cycle of where "God's inspiration" can be 'seen' though. The simple answer to the fact that e.g. only 4 Gospels out of the many out there made it into the canon is because that was what God wanted.

Divine inspiration will always 'explain' whatever history uncovers...