It's Time To Look At The Bible From A Different Perspective

Take a moment to think about who you are. What is the most obvious thing about yourself? What you see, right? What is it that you see? The world around you, yes, but more importantly what you see is light. Light is what gives the world its form and without it nothing would be seen.

What is the light that you see in the form of? An image and that image is what we refer to as sight, it is what constitutes our vision.

According to the bible, what are we created in? God's image. What is God according to the bible? Light. What do we see? An image of light. Let's put two and two together here. What we see is God's image, it is what we are created in. How are we created in it? Look in the mirror to find out.

What is Jesus according to the bible? The image of God and light of the world. What is it that lights up the world around us? The image we see, it is the image of God and light of the world.

What else does Jesus call himself? The truth, the way, and the LIFE. What, more than anything else, confirms that you have LIFE? The image of light you see when you open your eyes, it is the light of LIFE. You are what Jesus represents, the image of God and light of life.

The bible is an allegorical commentary on the human condition, not a literal history book. I think it's time we start looking at the Holy books (whichever they are) from a very personal viewpoint. Only when you internalize the narrative are you able to decipher its true meaning.

Thanks for reading.

a reply to: 3NL1GHT3N3D1

The Bible was written for us and not to us .Contexts is your friend and to better understand what is being said needs to be studied . Humans are God's image bearers , it's a title ...

a reply to: the2ofusr1

Humans are God's image bearers

The human yes, the spirit within the human not so much, it is the light itself. The body bears the light, the body bears US because we are the light and life within the body (human).

What about blind people or people near the Arctic? What about the blindfolded assistant earning her living? Or people that can't read?

God isn't just Light. He doesn't disappear or reduce when the sun sets. 'Jesus is life' means Jesus is for the living, those who know God, know the Truth. He only guides toward God. He's not a substitute. God, who Jesus points to on the right hand, is for everything and everyone else. God's Spirit is His Image, it's also His right hand.

The Sons and Daughters of God were created (from air) by God in the Spirit, by water in fire. Man was created in the earth. That's why he doesn't recognise Jesus for who he is. That's why he ignores the Truth about God and venerates a virgin who doesn't exist. Man is blind to the light and is only aware of it when he's burned and it is his fault for exposing himself too long. The warnings are there. Maximum exposure at any given time is 20 minutes. Does Man take heed? At least God is persistent. Even the most powerful blocks succumb eventually.

If you understand this you're on the right path. If you disagree I've proven my point.

Blessings.

a reply to: PraeterLambo

There is more than just visible light, there are light spectrums we cannot see, but just because we don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. Apply that to blind people, they have the light even if they can't see it.

The light doesn't dim for us either. Just because the sun goes down doesn't mean I suddenly become blind, darkness is as light to me because I can see darkness just as well as the sun's light. Blind people do not see darkness, they see literally nothing. The fact that I can see darkness whereas someone who is blind can't shows that my light never dims no matter how dark it gets.

I appreciate your perspective - thanks for sharing it.

There might be certain aspects of the bible that we are likely to respectfully disagree on the exact meaning or interpretation ... but we should have a personal relationship with scripture and understanding context (historical and written) is important. Discernment and bring open to the holy spirit are also important for believers as they read their bible (imho).

It saddens me to see well meaning people divided over certain passages, or people getting hung up on a single verse taken out of context, or the over-analysis of a single word (yup, one single word) in scripture. Not seeing the forest for the trees. It can happen to any of us.

Instead, let's focus on the big picture, the big story, the big message. Let's focus on a personal relationship with Jesus.

a reply to: VegHead

Instead, let's focus on the big picture, the big story, the big message. Let's focus on a personal relationship with Jesus.

How is that even possible when the "WORD of GOD" is filled with so many inconsistencies....?

The inconsistencies are the BIG STORY....

I have never understood how the Old Testament can be the word of God...then Gods says "nevermind, I've changed my mind...ignore that last part" We got a New and improved version.

Why just the bible?

Å99

originally posted by: olaru12
a reply to: VegHead

Instead, let's focus on the big picture, the big story, the big message. Let's focus on a personal relationship with Jesus.

How is that even possible when the "WORD of GOD" is filled with so many inconsistencies....?

The inconsistencies are the BIG STORY....

I have never understood how the Old Testament can be the word of God...then Gods says "nevermind, I've changed my mind...ignore that last part" We got a New and improved version.

I'm not a biblical scholar so I doubt I can give your concerns the answer they deserve. Is there one particular inconsistency that troubles you? Maybe if you are specific it can be addressed.

I honestly personally have a harder time connecting to the Old Testament but that doesn't make it invalid. Some things to keep in mind ....

The bible is a mix of literary styles. Historical fact, allegory, poetry. Jesus Himself loved to teach in parables. So while in my personal faith I believe the bible is the truth, that doesn't mean literal.

Another thing to keep in mind us that even if you believe the bible is the word of God, it has been written by the hands of men. It has been written in historical and cultural contexts. It has been written in languages that are no longer spoken - so it has been translated.

One last point...Not only do well intended Jesus loving Christians often disagree on what parts of the bible mean, but as people grow or evolve in their faith they find their own understandings and interpretations change.

So it doesn't suprise me to hear your concern with contradictions. It's a valid concern and worthy of an open minded investigation and answer. I'm not a scholar, just a Christ follower. But there are people both here on ATS and elsewhere equipped to give you a better discussion. Like I said, if you could be specific about the most worrying contradiction that could give a good starting point.


I appreciate your honesty and you are definitely not alone in your concern. I'm sorry if the above doesn't make much sense. I'm trying to type on an old phone and it's not letting me see as I write!

I totally agree with you on this

As a literal textbook on how to live your live, there is some absolutely TERRIBLE advice in there.

But

If one reads the stories and views them as just stories with moral endings, then the bible (and other religious texts) take on a new and more meaningful light.

I'm not going to abandon and demolish my house for having some mould in the bathroom for instance. I'm going to go to the supermarket, buy some mould rid and clean it off. But the bible says my house should be condemned.

I'm not going to stop wearing my mixed fibre cotton lycra underwear either - they are way too comfy, but the bible tells me it is a sin.

I'm sure books like the Q'uran, the vedic texts and others are just as packed with little gems that are completely irrelevant in today's world too.

a reply to: 3NL1GHT3N3D1

Take a moment to think about who you are. What is the most obvious thing about yourself? What you see, right? What is it that you see? The world around you, yes, but more importantly what you see is light. Light is what gives the world its form and without it nothing would be seen.

And the blind? I wonder how much light has to do with what they feel and smell.

I'm fine regarding the bible as a book of superstitions.

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

I addressed this a few posts down from the OP.

when jesus came to the earth, he often encountered groups of people from the jewish religion who were very religious. the two groups of these people were from two seperate denominations: the sadducees, and pharissees.

both of these denominations of the jewish religion were very studious of the scriptures, but the scriptures were dead to them because they would not look at the light (jesus).

jesus even called them out to show them that even though they were reading something that is called "the word of god" this very book was not giving them life because they would not believe him.

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. john 5:39-40

there was one pharisee that actually went and found jesus to talk to him, and that is where we get one of the most quoted verses by jesus, john 3:16. jesus was quite surprised that even though nicodemus was a religious teacher, he knew nothing about SPIRIT.

originally posted by: olaru12
a reply to: VegHead

Instead, let's focus on the big picture, the big story, the big message. Let's focus on a personal relationship with Jesus.

How is that even possible when the "WORD of GOD" is filled with so many inconsistencies....?

The inconsistencies are the BIG STORY....

I have never understood how the Old Testament can be the word of God...then Gods says "nevermind, I've changed my mind...ignore that last part" We got a New and improved version.

God doesnt say ignore the past, He says be prepared for it coming again

The New Testament is not an improved God, its the same one
God has taken judgement on Himself rather than let it fall on us, Jesus.

You dont understand what it teaches

originally posted by: markosity1973

I'm not going to abandon and demolish my house for having some mould in the bathroom for instance. I'm going to go to the supermarket, buy some mould rid and clean it off. But the bible says my house should be condemned.

I'm not going to stop wearing my mixed fibre cotton lycra underwear either - they are way too comfy, but the bible tells me it is a sin.

You know when the bible was written before "I'm going to go to the supermarket, buy some mould rid and clean it off." was possible
I dont think you have any concept of reality

originally posted by: Raggedyman

originally posted by: markosity1973

I'm not going to abandon and demolish my house for having some mould in the bathroom for instance. I'm going to go to the supermarket, buy some mould rid and clean it off. But the bible says my house should be condemned.

I'm not going to stop wearing my mixed fibre cotton lycra underwear either - they are way too comfy, but the bible tells me it is a sin.

You know when the bible was written before "I'm going to go to the supermarket, buy some mould rid and clean it off." was possible
I dont think you have any concept of reality

You don't get my point.

Fundamental Christians 100% accept that every single word in the bible is God's word and therefore must be followed.

They are the ones with the no concept on reality.

Your wording below proves my point about the bible not being entirely relevant for today's world

You know when the bible was written before "I'm going to go to the supermarket, buy some mould rid and clean it off." was possible

originally posted by: markosity1973

You don't get my point.

Fundamental Christians 100% accept that every single word in the bible is God's word and therefore must be followed.

They are the ones with the no concept on reality.

Your wording below proves my point about the bible not being entirely relevant for today's world

You are absolutely right, I don't get your stupid point.

You accuse others of a concept of reality issue and infer these people are burning their houses down or cutting off their hands

Can you tell me of bible believers who condemn their houses, fundamentalists included, please??? Just Guessing are you???

Can you show me some people, any people who

originally posted by: markosity1973
"Fundamental Christians 100% accept that every single word in the bible is God's word and therefore must be followed."

Or do you just talk and talk and talk with out anything valid to back up all your talk.

My wording doesnt prove your point, just proves you havnt a clue about what you think you know, it proves more about you than me and the teachings in the bible.

originally posted by: Raggedyman

originally posted by: markosity1973

You don't get my point.

Fundamental Christians 100% accept that every single word in the bible is God's word and therefore must be followed.

They are the ones with the no concept on reality.

Your wording below proves my point about the bible not being entirely relevant for today's world

You are absolutely right, I don't get your stupid point.

You accuse others of a concept of reality issue and suggest they burn their houses down or cut off their hands

You can tell me of bible believers who condemn their houses, fundamentalists included, please???

Can you show me some people, any people who

originally posted by: markosity1973
"Fundamental Christians 100% accept that every single word in the bible is God's word and therefore must be followed."

Or do you just talk and talk and talk with out anything valid to back up all your talk.

My wording doesnt prove your point, just proves you havnt a clue about what you think you know, it proves more about you than me and the teachings in the bible.

Sigh.....

Study these verses very, very carefully. These verses are showing you how powerful and anointed the Bible really is. Since all of the Bible comes direct to us from God the Father, you can completely trust and rely on that what you will read from the Bible will be 100% pure, solid, God-truth

www.bible-knowledge.com...

Clearly you have no idea about fundamental Christianity.

originally posted by: 3NL1GHT3N3D1
The bible is an allegorical commentary on the human condition, not a literal history book.

That is 100% religious propaganda...

Who told you this and why do you believe it?

Historically when people do not like what a document says or they want to make it fit their philosophical bent they allegorize that document. This is what Philo did with the Jewish Bible in Alexandria, Egypt and, early on, some Christians picked up this habit from him and imported it into the church.

digitalcommons.liberty.edu...

If you don't believe the Bible....fine...don't believe it. But don't suggest that one part should be taken allegory when another part of the Bible CLEARLY indicates that it isn't. I'm guessing you don't do that with other forms of literature, do you?

If you have a history book on George Washington, do you decide to read chapter 3 as an allegory, but the rest of it as fact simply because you don't want to believe the events of chapter 3 took place? If chapter 14 is believed to be historical---and it refers to the events of chapter 3 as historical....why would you believe chapter 3 to be allegory?

Is The Bible Literal Or Allegorical?

The Bible, history's most published, studied, translated and quoted book, is also its most misused and misinterpreted book. Cults and false religions use it to their own ends and others simply misinterpret it. That this occurs so often leads many to assume the Bible has no clear meaning. This is a false assumption.

As mentioned in the introduction, allegorizing Scripture has a long and destructive history. The reason many have been sold on the allegorical method is the false assumption that since the Bible is a spiritual book, inspired by the Holy Spirit, that it therefore contains hidden or secret meanings.

Many contemporary preachers are quite adept at allegorizing passages of Scripture. According to them, Jesus can be found teaching modern success theories, positive thinking, liberation theology (Marxism), Unitarianism, the New Age, or anything else. Remember that the key reason for the allegorical method's existence was to integrate the Bible with Greek philosophy or whatever other contemporary worldly ideas that seemed popular and desirable. The resurrection can be allegorized into the new hope that springs into being with the cycles of nature: bunnies, and green grass. Or it can be allegorized as something analogous to ugly larvae changing through metamorphosis into butterflies.

cicministry.org...

When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word, at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.

The Golden Rule of Interpretation

Those holding to an allegorical interpretation of the Bible point to a variety of scriptures and use them as proof-texts for the claim that God intended for His Word to be interpreted allegorically, and as we shall see, many of these verses have been taken out of context or redefined so as to give the appearance of supporting the false allegorical mode of interpretation. www.scribd.com...

originally posted by: BO XIAN
In many dozens, hundreds of cases, THE LITERALISTS WERE ALWAYS PROVEN CORRECT as archeology uncovered more and more confirmation that the Bible was literally true in detail after detail. Some things are literal AND symbolic, both/and. I don't think a great number of things in the Bible are primarily or only symbolic.

originally posted by: markosity1973

originally posted by: Raggedyman

originally posted by: markosity1973

You don't get my point.

Fundamental Christians 100% accept that every single word in the bible is God's word and therefore must be followed.

They are the ones with the no concept on reality.

Your wording below proves my point about the bible not being entirely relevant for today's world

You are absolutely right, I don't get your stupid point.

You accuse others of a concept of reality issue and suggest they burn their houses down or cut off their hands

You can tell me of bible believers who condemn their houses, fundamentalists included, please???

Can you show me some people, any people who

originally posted by: markosity1973
"Fundamental Christians 100% accept that every single word in the bible is God's word and therefore must be followed."

Or do you just talk and talk and talk with out anything valid to back up all your talk.

My wording doesnt prove your point, just proves you havnt a clue about what you think you know, it proves more about you than me and the teachings in the bible.

Sigh.....

Study these verses very, very carefully. These verses are showing you how powerful and anointed the Bible really is. Since all of the Bible comes direct to us from God the Father, you can completely trust and rely on that what you will read from the Bible will be 100% pure, solid, God-truth

www.bible-knowledge.com...

Clearly you have no idea about fundamental Christianity.

sadly shakes head and looks down to the ground in disappointment of the intellect of the human race as a whole.

Yes the words are God inspired, even I believe that.

I dont believe that they are to be followed in the way you are inferring they be followed.

I havnt met any Christians that do
Again
Can you show me some people, any people who

originally posted by: markosity1973
"Fundamental Christians 100% accept that every single word in the bible is God's word and therefore must be followed."

that every word be followed, are you saying that, seriously are you saying every word in the bible must be followed and some christians do.

You do know saying that we (Christians) read is pure solid God and its an entirely different statement to say that every single word must be followed.
Can you comprehend that those two statements are different concepts, at all??

I guess you are an atheist so you must know everything about the Old Testament and the New Testament and how they relate and being an atheists you must know what every single Christian thinks, cos you know, you are better than christians

I am sorry Markosity, you really dont know what you are talking about and thats just sad

Nobody condemns their house because of a little mould, its just silly you could suggest that.