Does reading the Bible make people stupid? - It doesn't have to, but...

[St. SteVen]

Based on observations on the forum, I have to wonder.
Mindless parroting of memorized apologetics reveal a lack of cognitive ability. IMHO

Does reading the Bible make people stupid?
It doesn't have to, but...
I have to ask.

To be clear, there is plenty of good to learn from the Bible.
But it can also instill a narrow view of everything.

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[Wick Stick]

Based on observations on the forum, I have to wonder.
Mindless parroting of memorized apologetics reveal a lack of cognitive ability. IMHO

Does reading the Bible make people stupid?
It doesn't have to, but...
I have to ask.

To be clear, there is plenty of good to learn from the Bible.
But it can also instill a narrow view of everything.

[

Emphatically no.

The King James Bible was the standard textbook of the English language for 350 years - from the 17th to 20th centuries. The same time period is the zenith of English-speaking civilization.

I can say something similar for the Vulgate Bible, Latin and the Roman Empire, and also for the Luther Bible and German.

Does not reading the Bible, but believing what your pastor/church says about it make people stupid? (a better question?)

 

[St. SteVen]

Emphatically no.

The King James Bible was the standard textbook of the English language for 350 years - from the 17th to 20th centuries. The same time period is the zenith of English-speaking civilization.

I can say something similar for the Vulgate Bible, Latin and the Roman Empire, and also for the Luther Bible and German.

That's a good point. Historically the Bible has been a great benefit.
But what I am noticing is the de-evolution we see now.

Does not reading the Bible, but believing what your pastor/church says about it make people stupid? (a better question?)

I agree. That is a better question.
Covered somewhat in this topic.

What makes a doctrine false?

What makes a doctrine false? Please quote what you would like to respond to. Thanks. 1. You've never heard it before. (knee-jerk defensive response) 2. You have heard of it before, but assume it's false. (haven't looked into it) 3. Doesn't align with your church's doctrine (your church...

www.christianityboard.com

What makes a doctrine false?

Please quote what you would like to respond to. Thanks.

1. You've never heard it before. (knee-jerk defensive response)

2. You have heard of it before, but assume it's false. (haven't looked into it)

3. Doesn't align with your church's doctrine (your church would say it is false)

4. Doesn't align with your personal doctrine (your views differ)

5. YOUR "Bible" says it is false. (other biblical opinions don't matter)

6. It makes you uncomfortable. (therefore it must be wrong)

7. Everyone knows it's false. (except those who believe it)

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[David in NJ]

That's a good point. Historically the Bible has been a great benefit.
But what I am noticing is the de-evolution we see now.


I agree. That is a better question.
Covered somewhat in this topic.

What makes a doctrine false?

What makes a doctrine false? Please quote what you would like to respond to. Thanks. 1. You've never heard it before. (knee-jerk defensive response) 2. You have heard of it before, but assume it's false. (haven't looked into it) 3. Doesn't align with your church's doctrine (your church...

www.christianityboard.com

What makes a doctrine false?

Please quote what you would like to respond to. Thanks.

1. You've never heard it before. (knee-jerk defensive response)

2. You have heard of it before, but assume it's false. (haven't looked into it)

3. Doesn't align with your church's doctrine (your church would say it is false)

4. Doesn't align with your personal doctrine (your views differ)

5. YOUR "Bible" says it is false. (other biblical opinions don't matter)

6. It makes you uncomfortable. (therefore it must be wrong)

7. Everyone knows it's false. (except those who believe it)

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What makes a doctrine false?

#7 = Everyone who believes and knows God's words, empowered by the Spirit of Truth, can identify a false doctrine

 

[St. SteVen]

What makes a doctrine false?

#7 = Everyone who believes and knows God's words, empowered by the Spirit of Truth, can identify a false doctrine

Thanks.
That proves the point of this topic.

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[David in NJ]

Thanks.
That proves the point of this topic.

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It proves that, in order to avoid being 'stupid' , one must learn to be wise thru the Holy Scriptures = abc's of smart people

A.) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" - Proverbs

B.) "There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen." - Hebrews

C.) But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and
that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. - Holy Spirit

 

[Wick Stick]

That's a good point. Historically the Bible has been a great benefit.
But what I am noticing is the de-evolution we see now.

[

Perhaps we are reading the wrong bits of the Bible?

We spend a lot of time on Moses, who mediated a covenant which was meant to be temporary and punitive. Jesus told the Pharisees that Moses was their accuser.

We spend a lot of time arguing over Paul, because he's the hardest author to understand.

Perhaps we should read more of the Prophets than the Law, and more of the Gospels than the Pauline Epistles?

 

[Lambano]

But what I am noticing is the de-evolution we see now.

Are we not men?

 

[JohnDB]

Based on observations on the forum, I have to wonder.
Mindless parroting of memorized apologetics reveal a lack of cognitive ability. IMHO

Does reading the Bible make people stupid?
It doesn't have to, but...
I have to ask.

To be clear, there is plenty of good to learn from the Bible.
But it can also instill a narrow view of everything.

[

Yes, I have an extremely narrow view and strict unwavering morality.

But...the morally flexible?
Ummmmm
I'm not OK with that..

And I'm not good at quoting verses verbatim with book, chapter and verse number. I quote scripture constantly but not verbatum....always with the meanings of the passages....not the actual word-for-word recitztion.
Because scriptures are ALIVE.and living. They have a life of their own. They are also so narrow they are sharper than a Razor blade but with enough heft to cut through tendons and cartilage with ease. (Or soul and Spirit)

The knowledge in scriptures is what we base our faith upon because they tell us how to have a positive relationship with God and how to have positive relationships with others.

 

[David in NJ]

Perhaps we are reading the wrong bits of the Bible?

We spend a lot of time on Moses, who mediated a covenant which was meant to be temporary and punitive. Jesus told the Pharisees that Moses was their accuser.

We spend a lot of time arguing over Paul, because he's the hardest author to understand.

Perhaps we should read more of the Prophets than the Law, and more of the Gospels than the Pauline Epistles?

Be careful though, St steven feels it is unsafe and may make you "stupid"

 

[JohnDB]

Be careful though, St steven feels it is unsafe and may make you "stupid"

Now see,
According to some you can only quote the KJV and go to church on Saturday. Because if you don't....then you're a heathen unbeliever....**shun the unbeliever....shun** (said in a whisky willows voice)

Or a Church if Christ member because they are the ONLY ones going to Heaven because they don't have musical instruments during services.

 

[JohnDB]

Are we not men?

Ummmm
We have a whole segment of culture that cannot define a man or a woman.

 

[David in NJ]

Now see,
According to some you can only quote the KJV and go to church on Saturday. Because if you don't....then you're a heathen unbeliever....**shun the unbeliever....shun** (said in a whisky willows voice)

Or a Church if Christ member because they are the ONLY ones going to Heaven because they don't have musical instruments during services.

me tinks itz nut beekuz of reedn de bibble

 

[NotTheRock]

What makes a doctrine false?

1. You've never heard it before. (knee-jerk defensive response)

Correct. Any doctrine that contradicts what Phyllis (Sunday School teacher when I was 5) taught me is from Satan and those who espouse it will be tortured forever in Hell.

 

[Lambano]

Ummmm
We have a whole segment of culture that cannot define a man or a woman.

Everybody missed the cultural reference! Oh well. Totally forgettable group. Maybe our resident musician will recognize it.

But what I am noticing is the de-evolution we see now.

Are we not men?

 

[St. SteVen]

Correct. Any doctrine that contradicts what Phyllis (Sunday School teacher when I was 5) taught me is from Satan and those who espouse it will be tortured forever in Hell.

Sad but true. - LOL
Flannel-graphs don't lie.

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[Lambano]

Totally forgettable group.

And a horrible musical genre.

 

[St. SteVen]

Be careful though, St steven feels it is unsafe and may make you "stupid"

 

[Lambano]

View attachment 65429

 

[St. SteVen]

The funny thing about the What Makes a Doctrine False topic is that none of the reasons were good reasons.
Yet respondents chose one to agree with anyway. The parenthetical statements explain why.

1. You've never heard it before. (knee-jerk defensive response)
2. You have heard of it before, but assume it's false. (haven't looked into it)
3. Doesn't align with your church's doctrine (your church would say it is false)
4. Doesn't align with your personal doctrine (your views differ)
5. YOUR "Bible" says it is false. (other biblical opinions don't matter)
6. It makes you uncomfortable. (therefore it must be wrong)
7. Everyone knows it's false. (except those who believe it)

None of these reasons make a doctrine false.

What makes a doctrine false?

What makes a doctrine false? Please quote what you would like to respond to. Thanks. 1. You've never heard it before. (knee-jerk defensive response) 2. You have heard of it before, but assume it's false. (haven't looked into it) 3. Doesn't align with your church's doctrine (your church...

www.christianityboard.com

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