It seems as though the issue being taken isn't neccessarily the difficulty in defining "The word of God" which seems trivial to say the least.
The problem is the different interpretations and the varying effects such interpretations have.
Is The Bible:
Instructions?
Guidelines?
Abstract Concepts?
Isn't this "word" provided to us by The Devine Creator of all things?
How can there be so much confusion on how to interpret these things (literal or not)?
Even if we accept that this is The Devine Word of God, what next?
The bible says that if we let God into our hearts he will guide us, but...why is there no consistency? How can God guide people in so many different directions? All of these questions arrise while at the same time keeping in mind that it is derrived from a perfect being.
If I purchase a bicycle for my child, and open the box, it comes with instructions. If I follow the instructions correctly, I will properly assemble the bike. There are warnings and cautions pertaining to necessary steps that must be adhered to in order to avoid injury, and if I follow all of these things, my son will be able to safely ride and enjoy a new bike.
If I persue a Christian Faith, I get a book intended to guide me away from hell and into the gates of heaven. This is far more important than riding a bike. Not to mention it was written by an all powerful perfect God.
I should be able to logically assume that such a creator that is responsible for my very ability to comprehend, will have no problem knowing exactly what message to provide me so that I may avoid certain unspeakable doom. Afterall, he loves me more than I could fathom. The guy at Huffy had no issues guiding me to an assembled bicycle for a 4 year old. Well?
Look at the last 23 pages of this thread! Try to find a FAQ page or a Huffy forum that has so many different interpretations of how to put a 10 inch wheel bike together.
This is not what you would expect from such an important book containing such valuable information, written by a perfect being. Literal or not. Some of Plato's work is known as completely abstract and yet there is still no where near as much controversy over the understanding of his intended messages.
I propose 2 possibilties:
1) It is the devine word of God in some form.
2)It is not the devine word of God in any form.
If 1 were true, the perfect God would be able to explain things to us better than Huffy.
If 2 were true, we would have exactly the confusion, misinterpretaion, and controversy this thread and society display everyday.
The evidence for 2 is overwhelming and must be manipulated to support 1. This is the problem for Christians.
I would like to entertain any possible suggestion to the contrary of this logic.
The problem is the different interpretations and the varying effects such interpretations have.
Is The Bible:
Instructions?
Guidelines?
Abstract Concepts?
Isn't this "word" provided to us by The Devine Creator of all things?
How can there be so much confusion on how to interpret these things (literal or not)?
Even if we accept that this is The Devine Word of God, what next?
The bible says that if we let God into our hearts he will guide us, but...why is there no consistency? How can God guide people in so many different directions? All of these questions arrise while at the same time keeping in mind that it is derrived from a perfect being.
If I purchase a bicycle for my child, and open the box, it comes with instructions. If I follow the instructions correctly, I will properly assemble the bike. There are warnings and cautions pertaining to necessary steps that must be adhered to in order to avoid injury, and if I follow all of these things, my son will be able to safely ride and enjoy a new bike.
If I persue a Christian Faith, I get a book intended to guide me away from hell and into the gates of heaven. This is far more important than riding a bike. Not to mention it was written by an all powerful perfect God.
I should be able to logically assume that such a creator that is responsible for my very ability to comprehend, will have no problem knowing exactly what message to provide me so that I may avoid certain unspeakable doom. Afterall, he loves me more than I could fathom. The guy at Huffy had no issues guiding me to an assembled bicycle for a 4 year old. Well?
Look at the last 23 pages of this thread! Try to find a FAQ page or a Huffy forum that has so many different interpretations of how to put a 10 inch wheel bike together.
This is not what you would expect from such an important book containing such valuable information, written by a perfect being. Literal or not. Some of Plato's work is known as completely abstract and yet there is still no where near as much controversy over the understanding of his intended messages.
I propose 2 possibilties:
1) It is the devine word of God in some form.
2)It is not the devine word of God in any form.
If 1 were true, the perfect God would be able to explain things to us better than Huffy.
If 2 were true, we would have exactly the confusion, misinterpretaion, and controversy this thread and society display everyday.
The evidence for 2 is overwhelming and must be manipulated to support 1. This is the problem for Christians.
I would like to entertain any possible suggestion to the contrary of this logic.
