Bible text... do we take it literally or in historical context?

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Lyte

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Howdy!Well, I think the title kinda speaks for itself.
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Should we take what's written in the Bible, word for word... literally... or should we evaluate the text in the context or history in which it was read? Or... should we use both means to understand the Bible?? I believe we can employ both methods on interpretation. Certainly, some parts can be taken at face value... literally... but some passages are intended to make you think! They are intentionally vague in order to make you seek the answer... if you have the desire!I say some are intentionally vague because Jesus himself spoke in parables. He did not always speak plainly! He often spoke in such away that would cause people to scratch their heads and think! Heck, even the Apostles needed to have things explained to them... re: the word falling on the field. So, if we can agree Jesus was intentionally vague, which means some of the Bible is vague (Jesus’ dialog) why wouldn't other parts also require interpretation. Lyte
 

HammerStone

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Well here's the key. The Bible was written so anyone could understand it but a lot of people miss over the key element that you need to fully understand the Scripture. It's right here in Matthew 16 when Jesus was talking to Peter:Matthew 16:15-18He [Jesus] saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Of course they knew that Jesus was Christ, otherwise they would never have followed him around. However, this verse clearly means something much more powerful took place. Peter was given the wisdom and understanding because he accepted God/Christ. He truly knew that Christ is the Son of God!In other words, you have to open up yourself to God to understand it all. So, it does indeed have to be interpreted literally and figuratively if you will. The Bible is an incredible and simply awesome work of literature that ceases to amaze me each day. There is so much information there on various levels that you can easily get overrun. It quickly fools and confounds as well. I had a professor who has studied it for years from an academic standpoint, and he's a good guy. However, there were times when he'd say things that weren't true such as X word is used only once and so forth.1 Corinthians 1:25-27Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
 

Lyte

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"The Bible was written so anyone could understand it... " I'm not sure it was... is...
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For example... Jesus tells the disciples that the mysteries/secrets have been revealed to them. BUT, when he's telling the parable of how the Word is like a seed... they didn't understand! Luke 8:4-15 [4] "While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: [5] 'A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. [6] Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. [7] Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. [8] Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.' When he said this, he called out, 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear.'[9] "His disciples asked him what this parable meant. [10] He said, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, "'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'[11] " 'This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. [12] Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. [13] Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. [14] The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. [15] But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.' "
 

Love123

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NO SCRIPTURE IS OF SINGLE INTERPRETATION............BUT IS BACKED UP BY ONE OR MORE SCRIPTURES............II TIMOTHY 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:II PETER 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.JESUS SPOKE IN PARABLES Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.ONE DAY AT A TIME IN THE LORD..................GOD BLESSLOVE123
 

Lyte

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(Love123)
NO SCRIPTURE IS OF SINGLE INTERPRETATION............BUT IS BACKED UP BY ONE OR MORE SCRIPTURES............
I'm unclear. So... are you saying the Bible is open to interpretation?Or... the Bible should be taken literally and literal interpretation is backed up by other literal scripture?
 

Love123

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FOR EXAMPLE; YOU WANT TO KNOW OF..... THE SIN OF ADULTERY.......TYPE IT INTO YOUR BIBLE SEARCH ...AND YOU GET MORE THAN ONE INTERPRETATION.... OF THE SAME SIN.........ONE VERSE OF SCRIPTURE WILL SUPPORT THE OTHER SCRIPTURE........THEY DO NOT CLASH..... BUT SUPPORT.............ONE ANOTHER.Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.Leviticus 20:10 And a man that committeth adultery with a man's wife, who committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife,—the adulterer and the adulteress shall certainly be put to death.Deuteronomy 5:18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.SEE IT...?GOD BLESSLOVE123
 

Lyte

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(Love123)
Leviticus 20:10 And a man that committeth adultery with a man's wife, who committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife,—the adulterer and the adulteress shall certainly be put to death.
No, I'm afraid I'm still unclear as to your position. BUT, you do bring up a good example!
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"...the adulterer and the adulteress shall certainly be put to death."So, does this mean we should put adulterers to death today??Lyte
 

HammerStone

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Good question, Lyte.It's important to remember that when Christ came, as he told us, he came not to change the law. We're still under the law in that it provides a groundwork for us to remove sin from our life and keep us in good health. However, (with caution) we realize that Jesus served as the ultimate Passover for us in that his blood, sacrificed upon the cross, is an atonement for our sins. The important thing is that you must repent by recognizing what you did and asking God for forgiveness:Colossians 1:14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:I think it's also quite important that we go to Psalms 130 as well:Psalms 130:1Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.Keep in mind this is an Old Testament book. This forgiveness is the forgiveness that Christ gave you and I on the cross. Does it mean that it's okay to go and do these things and repent later; certainly not. It does mean that you can and will be forgiven when you ask to be forgiven. However, the penalty of death is also fulfilled at the end if you do not for those who do not know Our Father. Death will come to those who continue in sin at the final judgement.
 

Love123

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Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.IN THE NEW TEST. THE ADULTERER WAS STONED TO DEATH..........AND NEXT DAY THE INNOCENT PARTY WAS FREE TO REMARRY.TODAY.....................WE DO NOT STONE ANYONE TO DEATH.A MARRIAGE COVENANT BROKEN...............THROUGH ADULTERY..........IS DEATH TO THE MARRIAGE...............IT WILL NEVER BE WHAT IT WAS........IF AT ALL....................SO IT IS DEAD....................THE SIN IS ALSO PUNISHABLE BY DEATH...................ETERNAL.HAVE HOPE.............................JESUS DOES FORGIVE......................IF ONE WILL ASK OF FORGIVENESS .....................WHEN WE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS HE SEPARATES THEM FROM US.............AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST.................Psalm 103:12 As the distance of east from west He hath put far from us our transgressions.John 8:11 and she said, 'No one, Sir;' and Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I pass sentence on thee; be going on, and no more sin.'
 
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