Is The Bible Just A Book To You Or Is It More Than Just A Book To You ?

[unsafe]

The Bible for me holds or contains the Inspired word of God -----The Bible is a Title it is not The word -------

The Bible for me is More than just a Book ----

If you really take a look at the word Bible --you might come up with this

For me the word BIBLE means this -------Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth ------

So for me personally from Genesis to Revelations it is all about the revelation of God ---His Love --His Mercy --His Grace ----His concern for all His creation ----and revealing to us how to have a personal relationship with Him so that we can spend eternal life in His Kingdom -

Salvation is the main Focus of The Book called The Bible ----

The Bible contains instructions from God on how His Children are suppose to act and conduct themselves in this world ---

The Bible contains God's promises for His adopted Children and tells us how to manifest these promises in our lives ----

The Bible contains God's word to help over come difficult circumstances and situations in your life -----

The Bible contains God's instructions for keeping the Enemy at bay -----

So for me The Bible is for sure an instruction booklet that needs obedience to accomplish God's will for our life ---So what is God's will --to be Saved and spend eternity with Him ---To Live on this earth as Servants to Him and be vessels that He can work through to help others in need -----

All we have is God's word which is contained in The Book called the Bible ---------


So what is the Bible to you ----Just a Book to read some history or stories ---or does it contain words that inspire you in some way ------

 

[Mendalla]

We'll, first off, there is no such thing as "just a book". Books are many things, all important and wonderful. They record our history, our mythology, our imagination. They educate, enlighten, inspire, and entertain.

So the question is not whether it is "just a book" but in what way it matters, what kind of book it is. And I would say that it is a record of human spiritual experience from two faiths (Jewish and Christian). And, to be honest, that makes it a very influential and important book. Even a non-Christian can learn from it, since it has been influential in our culture through those faiths.

Now, what I think you are getting at, @unsafe, is do we see it as the revealed Word of God or a human record of our experience of God and God's Word. And I would throw down with the latter. It conveys God's Word and Will as seen in the history and lives of people like the patriachs, prophets, and early Christians. And, of course, in the life and actions of Jesus.

So is it literally"The Word"?

No.

But we can learn about, and be inspired by, that Word from the stories within the books of the Bible.

So definitely a book, but not "just a book". It is special in its own way, just as other books are special in their own ways.

 

[chansen]

I think the best book I ever read was Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. That is not just a book to me. It is also, ironically, a source of instructions on how to leave Earth. Especially if confronted by a Vogon Constructor Fleet.

My favourite book has as much wisdom as your favourite book, is as likely to be true as your book, and comes with something your book does not: The friendly words "Don't Panic" on the cover.

The way you read your book, it might as well say "Panic!" on the cover of the bible.

So to me, the bible is a book, but it's also a complete, unmitigated disaster. Whatever the intentions of the authors, compilers, editors and translators, it gives believers in the book licence to be a**holes. No matter how nice some parts are, enough followers are entranced by the hateful bits to make it a massive problem.

We can't burn the bible, and we can't forget it. It's part of our collective past. But we can laugh at it, and we can shake out heads and be amazed that our species ever took it seriously. And if it's between reading the bible and listening to Vogon poetry, I'll take my chances with the Vogons.

 

[Redbaron]

The word 'Bible' comes from Greek, 'biblos', indicating a roll or a scroll. It is NOT 'Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.' Not only does that indicate that everything one does on the earthly plane is a complete waste of time, it makes the book seem like an instruction manual for preparing for alien abduction.

That aside, the Bible is an anthology, actually 2 anthologies, collections of scrolls, stories, songs, wisdom quotes, letters, memoirs, etc. Through the words of the pieces of the anthology, echoes of the Word may still be heard. However, the boundaries of the Biblical canon are NOIT co-extensive with the Word of God.

(By the way, that brings back a question you never did get around to answering? Which Canon? Protestant? Roman Catholic? One of the eastern Orthodox collections?)

 

[Pontifex Geronimo 13]

Maybe everything you do is a complete waste of time, but it is wholly the opposite for those who plan to spend eternity with the Father.

 

[GeoFee]

Hi,

For me the word BIBLE means this -------Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth ------

For me the bible offers basic instruction for living well on earth. Those who follow its insights have no need of worry regarding what follows death. They will reap as they have sown.

George

 

[chansen]

Maybe everything you do is a complete waste of time, but it is wholly the opposite for those who plan to spend eternity with the Father.

What a completely empty statement. You believe in some mythical figure who will smile on you and not me, and the reason is you're easier to convince? This father gives out rewards to the gullible?

It's a stupid belief. It tries to console itself by insisting it will be shown to be right one day, and all the people who didn't believe will suffer. That's intimidation. What we have here is rewards for the easily manipulated, enforced with threats against those who aren't, wrapped up in a book-based belief system that is supposed to be good and loving.

It's just not. It's stupid, it's immoral and more people need to say so out loud.

 

[GeoFee]

Hi,

but it is wholly the opposite for those who plan to spend eternity with the Father.

A core insight of the biblical narratives is that temple religion corrupts the word of God. The basic script being God rewards you if you support the temple and punishes you if you do not. Many temple worshippers will be deeply disappointed in the last day. As it is written: "The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray."

Some think they will be snatched away prior to the time of tribulation. Others are preparing to serve God in those days; here on earth.

George

 

[GeoFee]

Hi,

It's a stupid belief.

From my perspective it is a counterfeit belief. I am well aware that there is counterfeit money. This does nothing to detract me from the real thing.

George

 

[Luce NDs]

I think the best book I ever read was Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. That is not just a book to me. It is also, ironically, a source of instructions on how to leave Earth. Especially if confronted by a Vogon Constructor Fleet.

My favourite book has as much wisdom as your favourite book, is as likely to be true as your book, and comes with something your book does not: The friendly words "Don't Panic" on the cover.

The way you read your book, it might as well say "Panic!" on the cover of the bible.

So to me, the bible is a book, but it's also a complete, unmitigated disaster. Whatever the intentions of the authors, compilers, editors and translators, it gives believers in the book licence to be a**holes. No matter how nice some parts are, enough followers are entranced by the hateful bits to make it a massive problem.

We can't burn the bible, and we can't forget it. It's part of our collective past. But we can laugh at it, and we can shake out heads and be amazed that our species ever took it seriously. And if it's between reading the bible and listening to Vogon poetry, I'll take my chances with the Vogons.

Does form a bit of information for extended satire tho' ... thus cosmological rifts and ripples! Wrinkles? Don;t tell the defined believers in restricted intelligence!

 

[Luce NDs]

The word 'Bible' comes from Greek, 'biblos', indicating a roll or a scroll. It is NOT 'Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.' Not only does that indicate that everything one does on the earthly plane is a complete waste of time, it makes the book seem like an instruction manual for preparing for alien abduction.

That aside, the Bible is an anthology, actually 2 anthologies, collections of scrolls, stories, songs, wisdom quotes, letters, memoirs, etc. Through the words of the pieces of the anthology, echoes of the Word may still be heard. However, the boundaries of the Biblical canon are NOIT co-extensive with the Word of God.

(By the way, that brings back a question you never did get around to answering? Which Canon? Protestant? Roman Catholic? One of the eastern Orthodox collections?)

NOIT fits with Nanu ... Nanos being a different form (singular-plural conflict) but still meaning water as Hoo la ...

Ridiculous except for the countering law ... allowing for fires to dry the fabrics hanging on the bushwork ... and sadness when the incidents are over ...

 

[Luce NDs]

Maybe everything you do is a complete waste of time, but it is wholly the opposite for those who plan to spend eternity with the Father.

I'll spend it with the mudder who tends the fires and cooks beta ...

 

[Luce NDs]

Hi,
For me the bible offers basic instruction for living well on earth. Those who follow its insights have no need of worry regarding what follows death. They will reap as they have sown.

George

Get ouda 'ere ...

 

[BetteTheRed]

I think the best book I ever read was Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. That is not just a book to me. It is also, ironically, a source of instructions on how to leave Earth. Especially if confronted by a Vogon Constructor Fleet.

My favourite book has as much wisdom as your favourite book, is as likely to be true as your book, and comes with something your book does not: The friendly words "Don't Panic" on the cover.

And where the answer to "God, the Universe and Everthing" is 42.

 

[Mendalla]

And where the answer to "God, the Universe and Everthing" is 42.

But the question is 6x8 proving that there is something fundamentally wrong with the universe.

 

[Luce NDs]

Hi,
From my perspective it is a counterfeit belief. I am well aware that there is counterfeit money. This does nothing to detract me from the real thing.

George

In league with the infinite creation scheme that all things made made from nothing need a perfect opposite ... the plus and negative nature ... then counterintuitively some folk need to be sure that the counterfeit is passed off as reality ... while virtuous money is out there like valuable intelligence ... ante wise? This is a prior condition of good Nu's turning bad when you don;t accept the alternating forms! Word evolution contrary to those that do not accept old tongues being strange and thus frightening ...

 

[Witch]

For me the Bible is just another "holy" book from someone else's religion.

 

[chansen]

Hi,
From my perspective it is a counterfeit belief. I am well aware that there is counterfeit money. This does nothing to detract me from the real thing.

George

It's not counterfeit because there is no genuine article to compare it to - no accepted universal standard. Christianity is literally thousands of different groups of people insisting they're the ones who finally got it right. And somehow I'm supposed to take that seriously.

There is just as much reason to think unsafe's God is genuine, as there is to think your vision of God is genuine. And both of those are as likely as a Vogon Constructor Fleet, blowing up planets and reciting criminally bad poetry.

I think this simply comes down to the sort of person you are. If you need to feel superior to others, you can always find scriptural backing for unsafe's God. If you want to serve people, you can find your God. If you want to laugh at the absurdity of all of the above, Douglas Adams has your back.

 

[GeoFee]

Hi,

Barbara watching cooking competition on tv. Leaves me some time to play with words in the company of friends.

It's not counterfeit because there is no genuine article to compare it to - no accepted universal standard. Christianity is literally thousands of different groups of people insisting they're the ones who finally got it right. And somehow I'm supposed to take that seriously.

You certainly should not swallow it whole. There is no objective proof of any transcendent being. It is a matter of faith. I live fully and usefully in the material realm. I support and encourage persons. All the while challenging the misuse and abuse of power in high places. All with no desire or intention to have others embrace my point of view. This I resist. What matters is your point of view and how that point of view shapes your character. I am responsible to being me as you are responsible for being you. The big question where difference meets is can we get along. I want the world to be a better place for children in all places. Do you?

There is just as much reason to think unsafe's God is genuine, as there is to think your vision of God is genuine. And both of those are as likely as a Vogon Constructor Fleet, blowing up planets and reciting criminally bad poetry.

I think that my being in the world is genuine. Maybe not perfectly genuine. Certainly well along the way. This in no way means I want others to take my point of view as their own. I only want to engage different points of view to strengthen my own understanding of the whole. Something that has not yet been realized in human history. I appreciate your resort to cynicism and sarcasm. Both have deep roots in Greek philosophy and mythology. I also appreciate your critical commentary on religion in general and the UCC in particular.

I think this simply comes down to the sort of person you are. If you need to feel superior to others, you can always find scriptural backing for unsafe's God. If you want to serve people, you can find your God. If you want to laugh at the absurdity of all of the above, Douglas Adams has your back.

The sort of person each of us is stands at the heart of my concern. Years reading Socrates keep me pressing for dialogue in the public square. The respectful difference of opinion permitting emergence of insight and encouragement.

"The foolishness of God confounds the wisdom of the world."

​

 

[Luce NDs]

Thus fools rush in where some clowning about with the stones would be appropriate ... perhaps a fringe game that was initiated by a pebble in the dark pool giving us ʘ as a icon of the monad that spreads like wrinkles in the deeper pool! That's the spot we're in a a speck in the bigger ayre ... it'll smooth out as we expand across time until only a minor wink!