For My Own Eyes

[My Own Eyes]

Originally Posted by tbpew

In reading your OP litany I was only immediately saddened by one thing:

I don't believe that the Bible is inspired, the Word of God, or authoritative

I am really convinced that this conclusion is the an extension of being discipled by men rather than the spirit of God.

If yours was like mine, your primary interaction with scripture was the pre-digested "feed the birdie" kind of teaching/instruction. "This is what it means", "I read and study....YOU FOLLOW ME."

After weeks, months, and finally years, the scriptures are just some kind of tool used by people to manage outcomes among a group of people. They never have occassion or circumstance to become living, or a sought-for and discovered treasure....just more vomit from the some pre-digesting, disciple- maker of men.

Just for kicks, why not try petitioning God for some specific understanding on any specific topic of importance to you and then be open to use the scripture in whatever means you know how to search them for answers.

Scriptures are a witness of spiritual things. Please reconsider how you might handle them and see if spiritual understanding can be received as a refreshing to your spirit.

Actually it really wasn't like that. I am a totally book worm. I always have been. I read hundreds of books a year. (I actually keep track of them on a spreadsheet....in case you didn't understand just how big of a nerd I am )

I like to know things. I like information. I like to learn. When it came to church and the Bible, no one could have stopped me! In my first 6 months in church, I read the Bible through 3 times, read David Bernards Basic theology series, BUT read many more Trinitarian Non-Apostolic books.

I would scour my Bible for hours a day! No one ever had to encourage me to read my bible. (Now praying...that was another thing completely, lol)

I never even had a Bible study, well, until I taught one

So what was the problem? Anytime I came across an apparent contradiction, I believed that those who had been saved longer than I, were more spiritual, and wiser, and must be right.

The biggest problem, I would say, is that I feel like I was taught that either the Holy Spirit wasn't strong enough to speak to/teach/guide me, or that I wasn't smart enough to hear it. So I always trusted others over what I thought.

[OnTheFritz]

After weeks, months, and finally years, the scriptures are just some kind of tool used by people to manage outcomes among a group of people.

This is the basis of most of my arguments on this forum. Very well said.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

PO, honestly, I think I am much better than I used to be. In the beginning, I was very in your face and quite hostile about many things. I took a break for a while, and feel like I have made progress.

One thing to understand about me, is that if I KNOW that I trulyirritate you, I will actually do my best to keep our interaction as mild as possible. Because I understand that some people think I'm funny, and that some people don't get me, and I really have no desire to be a pain to those people.

I honestly haven't seen you change all that much. The "shock factor" doesn't interest me, but I love ya anyway.

[tbpew]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

Actually it really wasn't like that. I am a totally book worm. I always have been. I read hundreds of books a year. (I actually keep track of them on a spreadsheet....in case you didn't understand just how big of a nerd I am )

I like to know things. I like information. I like to learn. When it came to church and the Bible, no one could have stopped me! In my first 6 months in church, I read the Bible through 3 times, read David Bernards Basic theology series, BUT read many more Trinitarian Non-Apostolic books.

I would scour my Bible for hours a day! No one ever had to encourage me to read my bible. (Now praying...that was another thing completely, lol)

I never even had a Bible study, well, until I taught one

So what was the problem? Anytime I came across an apparent contradiction, I believed that those who had been saved longer than I, were more spiritual, and wiser, and must be right.

The biggest problem, I would say, is that I feel like I was taught that either the Holy Spirit wasn't strong enough to speak to/teach/guide me, or that I wasn't smart enough to hear it. So I always trusted others over what I thought.

If we enthusiastically wade into a setting that is intended to reveal the hidden things of another realm, but instead we study it for information's sake, to enable parroting of facts or possessing insightful nuggets, we would be taking a spiritual witness and trying to apply it to a natural scene.

Contradictions? I have had so many conversations with folks who want me to understand that the NT BIBLE does not contain LITERAL applications; that it is predominantly figurative! But I want to counter their reasoning by challenging a revisit to the scriptural witness and consider whether or not they are trying to make an INvisible peg FIT INTO a visible HOLE.

One small example of how misapplication can result in people saying silly things:
Jesus is the DOOR. He is the way, the truth and the life, no man comes unto the FATHER except by him.
Is Jesus a DOOR in the realm of our first birth...of course not.
Is Jesus a Door in the Kingdom of God, ABSOLUTELY. He is a TRUE, LITERAL entryway into the Kingdom of our heavenly father.

[My Own Eyes]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I honestly haven't seen you change all that much. The "shock factor" doesn't interest me, but I love ya anyway.

Ouch! That one hurt!

But to clarify...are you saying that I still sound viscious and extremely negative, and attack everyone who speaks to me...and must talk at all times about the abuse I suffered and how the church is horrible, how Pastors are all evil and how I wish I'd never heard of God in the first place?

Because that is what I was like a year ago. I was consumed with rage.

I thought I was so much better, because I don't feel angry any more. Sure I'm sarcastic and irreverent, and probably occasionally bitter. But I don't feel like I'm filled with hate like I once was.

Am I totally delusional?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

Ouch! That one hurt!

But to clarify...are you saying that I still sound viscious and extremely negative, and attack everyone who speaks to me...and must talk at all times about the abuse I suffered and how the church is horrible, how Pastors are all evil and how I wish I'd never heard of God in the first place?

Because that is what I was like a year ago. I was consumed with rage.

I thought I was so much better, because I don't feel angry any more. Sure I'm sarcastic and irreverent, and probably occasionally bitter. But I don't feel like I'm filled with hate like I once was.

Am I totally delusional?

Girl,
I don't know you personally, so I'm not going to comment, although I'd like to!

I don't have any hard feelings toward you, I just don't read your posts. The only reason I read this thread is because Rico started it and you know that has to be interesting being he gets to the point - rapidly.

When you said you posted things for shock value, I just agreed with you.

Carry on....

And, BTW, I don't like your signature line.

[Dedicated Mind]

MOE, what "contradictions" have you found in the bible?

[My Own Eyes]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

MOE, what "contradictions" have you found in the bible?

Lets start with....

God is Love.....vs.....God committing (or commanding Israel to commit) genocide.

That is something that I can't reconcile at all.

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

Lets start with....

God is Love.....vs.....God committing (or commanding Israel to commit) genocide.

That is something that I can't reconcile at all.

Would OT genocide be love if God had to ensure the survival of the Jewish nation and the lineage of Jesus Christ in order to die on the cross for the sins of mankind? (the best I can do) any easier contradictions?

Originally Posted by My Own Eyes

Ouch! That one hurt!

But to clarify...are you saying that I still sound viscious and extremely negative, and attack everyone who speaks to me...and must talk at all times about the abuse I suffered and how the church is horrible, how Pastors are all evil and how I wish I'd never heard of God in the first place?

Because that is what I was like a year ago. I was consumed with rage.

I thought I was so much better, because I don't feel angry any more. Sure I'm sarcastic and irreverent, and probably occasionally bitter. But I don't feel like I'm filled with hate like I once was.

Am I totally delusional?

Look up the scriptures about Pastors and what will happen to them when they do wrong and don't repent.

I had problems with pastors and the things they have done, but on one Sunday morning in Sunday School class, God used the teacher to show me what He is going to do with Pastors that do the saints wrong. It is an eye opening experience to say the least.