Questions about the Bible | Don't Visit Our Site.

Anyone can prove anything out of the Bible. Doesn't the Bible just depend on your interpretation?

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:02:46 -0500

It is true that anyone can prove almost anything out of the Bible if:

1. The Bible is taken out of context

2. The Bible is interpreted figuratively instead of literally.

You see, Bible interpretation requires rules like everything else in life. A football game without rules would be a disaster, and so is Bible interpretation done according to whatever anyone thinks is right.

Figurative interpretation leads a person to come to the conclusion that whatever he or she believes a verse in the Bible means is what it means. Literal interpretation means that the Bible means what it says and says what it means.

For instance, John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." What does that mean? It means just what it says. God loved the world. He demonstrated that love by giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of the world on the cross. Whoever believes in (trusts in, relies on) Jesus Christ will not perish in Hell but have everlasting life with God.

Of course, there is figurative language in the Bible. For instance, the Bible says, “The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:” (Isaiah 40:6) This verse clearly says that "...all flesh is grass..." Now we know that our flesh is not made of grass. The writer is comparing flesh to grass. He is saying that flesh (life) is temporary like grass. It lives and then dies. This is a literary device known as a metaphor. God's word is filled with metaphors and similes. These are types of figurative language. They create vivid images in the mind of the reader. But it is clear from common sense when figurative language is being used and when it is not. The Bible should be read like any other book. It means what it says.

Also, verses are often quoted out of context to prove a point. For instance, did you know that the Bible teaches that there is no God? The Bible says, "...There is no God...." (Psalm 53:1) The problem is, the whole verse reads, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” (Psalms 53:1) By reading the entire verse, the verses surrounding the verse, and the entire chapter in which the verse is contained; and by interpreting the Bible literally, the Bible's meaning becomes clear.

So, it is possible to prove anything out of the Bible if a sloppy method of interpretation is used. If you want to know what the Bible really means, read it like any other work of literature and study it thoroughly before drawing any conclusions.

Which version of the Bible do you quote from on this site?

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:16:14 -0500

We choose to quote from the Authorized Version (KJV) because of its accuracy in translation ("formal equivalency" for you technical people), beauty of language, and reliability (it has been a trusted source for English readers for nearly 400 years).

Believe it or not, there are people who actually become irritated by the fact that a Christian website would quote from the Authorized Version. Here is a comment that a gentleman attempted to post on our church website.

--------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

What sort of bible are you using.?

You must have got it out of the ark itself.!

The quote on John 3;16 is nowhere emphatic

enough and “should” must read ” shall”.

Who goes around these days talking in

16th century language.?

There are some great modern day

translations out there

NKJV

NIV

GOOD NEWS

THE MESSAGE

only to mention a few.

Come on into 3 millenium.

However, may God bless the work you do and may the Holy Spirit lead and guide you all.

Hugh

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I'm sure that this guy is well intentioned and we appreciate the prayers, but seriously. Why be irritated about something like this? His comment that John 3:16 should use the word "shall" instead of "should" is not only nitpicking; it also isn't true.

Here is the verse in the Authorized Version:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"...Should not perish..." is correct here because (a little grammar lesson for "Hugh") the word "perish" is in the subjunctive mood (meaning it expresses doubt or contingency) and whether or not we perish is contingent on whether or not we choose to believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour!

But, the fact that we use a Bible version that annoys or even angers others is just more of a fulfillment of our mission here at Don'tVisitOurSite.com. If it annoys you, we warned you not to visit!

Predictive Prophecies Verify the Truth of the Bible (Video)

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:24:53 -0500

- Hank Hanegraaff "The Bible Answer Man" (Requires Windows Media Player)

Can the Bible be Trusted? (Video)

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:55:32 -0500

Lee Strobel and and Jerry Johnston (Requires Windows Media Player)

Watch More: Predictive Prophecies verify the truth of the Bible.

Is the Bible Bogus? (Video)

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:48:14 -0500

Former atheist and former legal editor for the Chicago Tribune, Lee Strobel talks about the reliability of the Bible. (Requires Windows Media Player)

How do we know that we have an accurate copy of the Bible today?

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:31:05 -0500

If you are wondering if the copies we have of the Bible today are reliable, then you should know that there are more copies of the Bible and parts of the Bible than of any other piece of ancient literature. This is important because once an original document has been lost or worn out by use, the only record we have of it are copies. Since neither the copying machine nor the printing press existed at the time, these copies were meticulously duplicated by hand and passed down through the centuries. When copy after copy of a document is made by hand, there are bound to be some errors that creep in over time, but by comparing all of the copies that exist (the oldest, the best, ancient translations of the Bible made into other languages, etc.) scholars have concluded that the Bible we have today is extremely reliable. There is more evidence for the reliability of the Bible than for other respected ancient works of literature like the writings of Plato and Aristotle. There are, in fact, thousands of more copies. God promised to preserve His words, once they were given, for all generations.

“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” (Psalm 12:6-7)

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

If God was able to create the universe, is it unreasonable to believe that He could preserve His words? Men have tried to destroy the Bible through the centuries but it has remained. The 16th Century French writer Voltaire said, “It took twelve ignorant fishermen to establish Christianity; I will show the world how one Frenchman can destroy it.” After his death, Voltaire's house was used as a Bible storehouse and his printing press was used to print Bibles. The Bible remains the world's best selling book. Though it has been banned and suppressed by governments over the centuries (for example, the translator of the first printed English New Testament that had been translated from the original Greek, William Tyndale, was strangled to death and burned at the stake) yet God has preserved His words for us today.

Tyndale's translation started a wave of scholarship that lead to the 1611 King James Version. The men who translated it included many of England's finest Greek and Hebrew scholars. We have no reason to doubt that the Bible we have today is an accurate, preserved and well-translated copy of the original words of God.

Is the Bible True? (Video)

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:23:20 -0500

Randall Niles speaks about evidence that the Bible is true.

When was the Bible written?

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:19:36 -0400

From a time period spanning the 1400's B.C., to the 90's A.D. However, it is thought by many scholars that Job was the earliest book of the Bible and that it was written before the book of Genesis. That would place it sometime before the 1400's B.C. possibly during the time of the life of Abraham, the Father of the Jewish nation.

Who wrote the Bible?

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:16:37 -0400

The Bible consistently claims that God is its Author and that men were the writers. The Bible was written by 40 different men. These included such great national leaders of Israel as Moses and Joshua, King David and King Solomon, prophets, Jewish priests, scholars like the Apostle Paul and Luke the physician, and common men like Mark and John.

Is The Bible True? - AllAboutTruth.org

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:11:33 -0400

Is there any real evidence that the Bible is the Word of God?

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 22:53:47 -0400

Yes, the greatest evidence that the Bible is the Word of God is found in its many fulfilled prophesies. Here are a sample of just a few.

1. Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. (Prophesy made about 700 B.C.)

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2)

Prophecy fulfilled in about 5 B.C., almost 700 years after the prophecy was made.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet” (Matthew 2:1-5)

2. Jesus would be crucified. (Prophesy made during the 10th Century B.C.)

“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” (Psalm 22:16 )

Prophecy fulfilled in 30 A.D.

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him...” (Luke 23:33)

3. Jesus' clothing would be gambled on by the soldiers at the cross. (Prophesy made during the 10th Century B.C.)

“They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” (Psalm 22:18 )

Prophecy fulfilled in 30 A.D.

“And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” (Matthew 27:35)

4. God would become a man and be born as a baby. (Prophesy made during the late 700's B.C.)

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Prophecy fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ in about 5 B.C.

5. Jesus would be born of a virgin. (Prophecy made in the late 700's B.C.)

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Prophecy fulfilled in about 5 B.C.

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:20-25)

For more prophesies of the Bible that have come true please visit: www.AllAboutTruth.org.

What about all of the contradictions in the Bible? Don't they prove that the Bible isn't true?

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 22:48:31 -0400

Have you ever read the Bible all the way through? Do you know how many books make up the Old and New Testaments? Can you name all of the books of the Bible? If your answer is “no,” then how do you know for sure that the Bible isn't true and that there are contradictions in it? Let us suppose that I said, “I don't believe that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth because it is full of contradictions.” Someone who was a teacher of literature might argue, “But have you ever read Macbeth?”

“No, I have never read it, at least, not in its entirety.”

“What contradictions have you found in Macbeth?”

“People tell me that there are contradictions in Macbeth. No one in his right mind would believe that Shakespeare wrote it. Who is Shakespeare anyway?” You see the point. If you have never carefully read the whole Bible, don't know how many books are in it and do not know the names of those books, then how can you be sure that there are contradictions in the Bible? Is it not fair to say that we should thoroughly study something before passing judgment on it? I challenge you to study the Bible. Learn it. Read it carefully, in its entirety, and then see if there are contradictions in it.

Most of the supposed contradictions in the Bible can be explained with thorough study. For instance, in the four biographies of Jesus' life given to us in the books of the Bible called the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; different accounts are given about the same subject. The same stories are told, but different aspects of those stories are given. Critics claim that these are contradictions. Are they contradictions or just different details of the same event? If I were to go to a party and walk around the room, I might hear bits and pieces of an event being discussed. I might pick up the names of the parties involved from one person, and the location of the event from another. Different individuals would give me different details. When all of these details are put together, I have the whole story. The Gospels work in the same way. In Matthew, I see Jesus as the King of the Jews. In Mark, I see Him as the Suffering Servant. In Luke, I see Him as the Son of Man, and in John I see Him as the Son of God. Matthew was written to appeal to the Jewish mind, Mark to the Roman, Luke to the Greek and John to everyone. John gives stories that Matthew, Mark and Luke do not. Different accounts of the crucifixion include different details. For example: In Matthew the sign that was placed over the cross where Jesus hung read, “...THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Matthew 27:37) Now read the different accounts given in Mark, Luke and John.

“And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Mark 15:26)

“And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Luke 23:38)

“And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:19)

Reporters covering a story in modern newspapers also write different details. When reading a news story, it is best, if possible, to consult several different accounts to get the whole picture. The same thing is true in the Gospels. When we put all of the writings above the cross together, they form the whole sentence: “THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

There are many things in the Bible that, at first, do not appear to make sense. Would you expect a book authored by God to be always easy to understand? The Bible is full of “paradoxes,” seeming contradictions. For instance, the Bible tells me in Matthew 1:1 that Jesus Christ is “the son of David.” Genealogies were very important to the Jewish people and this one was particularly important because it fulfilled prophesies from the Old Testament. When the Bible says that Jesus Christ is “the son of David,” it simply means that He was a decedent of David, the second king of Israel. In Matthew 9:27 Jesus is also called the “Son of David,” as He is in Matthew 12:23, 15:22, and many similar passages of Scripture. However, towards the end of the book, this exchange takes place between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day. “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.” (Matthew 22:41-46) Jesus poses the confusing question, “If David called Christ 'Lord,' a superior, then how can He be David's son? This is a seeming contradiction; a paradox. However, the answer is found in John, chapter one. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5) The word, “Word” here, is another name for Jesus Christ. The Bible says that Jesus Christ was in the beginning. In the beginning, He already was existing. The Bible says that in the beginning, He was with God and was God. This goes into the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. God is one God, existing in three eternal Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If you don't completely understand that, don't worry. Neither do I. If we could fully understand everything about God, then He wouldn't be much of a God would He? The Bible does not use the word, “Trinity,” but it definitely teaches that God is one God existing in three Persons and Christians typically use the word “Trinity” to express this idea.

Now, Jesus has always existed because God is eternal. That is why David was able to call Him Lord back in the Old Testament. But, the Bible goes on to say, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) There was a point and time at which the “Word” was made flesh. That's what we celebrate at Christmas. There was a day when Jesus Christ, the eternal God, became like us. He became a man. Jesus did this without ceasing to be God. In His human body, He still accepted worship as God, because He never stopped being God when He became man.

Now the paradox is solved. David called Jesus Lord because He is Lord, but He is also the son of David because He became a man. His mother, Mary, was a descendant of David. Therefore, Jesus Christ is the Son of God and David's son (descendent) all at the same time. The seeming contradiction becomes a wonderful truth for us, because as a man, Jesus Christ can understand what we are going through and the problems we face. He can weep with us when we suffer loneliness or loss or sorrow. He knows what it is to lose a friend, because he wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus in John, chapter eleven. As a man, Jesus can sympathize with us, but as God, He is all powerful, able to help us, hear and answer our prayers, forgive our sins and save us from an eternity of hell!

Don't let supposed “contradictions” in the Bible keep you from finding the peace, comfort and assurance that comes through faith in Jesus Christ and His Word.