The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

I will let people that understand this stuff far better than me correct me but Jesus was mortal. He came to this earth as a human. It wasn’t until he was resurrected that that changed.
I’m not an expert either but my take is that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man, being God he was immortal, also he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and not a descendant of Adam thus not inheriting his sin nature. Jesus did have a Resurrected body after his resurrection and was did things that he didn’t do before his death.
 
Could you point out the misinterpretations? I checked a few with my version of The Living Bible, and it was verbatim.

Be happy to. But first we need to talk about translations of text and without opening a giant can of worms let's just say that there are translations of the text that are done in literal form and then there are translations that are "attempts" to say the underlying message, if you will. "The Living Bible" translation falls more into the latter category while I tend to prefer a more literal translation of the text like "ESV- English Standard Version".

Going to the link, the first topic is Women and most of the text criticisms seem to be just objections to male/female roles. There is one using Genesis 3:16 where they use the NLT to claim that women "must welcome their husbands affections" (as if that would be a bad thing?" A more literal translation using the ESV reads, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you." This occurs, as we already mentioned in Genesis 3, after the fall of man. You're familiar with Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit, yea? Well after that, God was laying out what the consequences of their actions are. If the feminists are mad that men rule over women, it would be important to note that the original design of God was to be equal partners and after the fall, pain in childbirth and man's rule over women became the norm.

Moving on to Family and I'm just trying to pick the ones that might be easiest to explain here quickly:

1 Chronicles 2:34-35 "Sheshan gave his daughter to his slave Jarha" Not sure what their point is here. This is just narrative story, it's literally just a genealogy. But it goes to the point that people like to pick out a text in the Bible and make assumptions that God approves of these things just because they were written down. Text doesn't say that at all.


Sex, Adultery and Divorce: There are quite a few here that imply raping is ok when that is not what the text says it all. In Deuteronomy 22, the woman in question is either an engaged women, a non-virgin who lied about her virginity, and someone who is married and committed adultery with another man, not a rape victim but a willing participant. It is true that these things (aldutery/lying about virginity) did warrant death, as decreed by God for the nation of Israel.


Rape again comes up further down siting Deuteronomy 21:10-13. The text again doesn't say rape them, it says marry them.


The Worship Me or Else category: In the Old Testament context, Israel was a Godly nation, set apart by God, having been brought out of slavery in Egypt and given a land for their own. The texts you read are warnings from God not to let anyone with false idols or other gods be apart of their society. If you read enough of the Old Testament you can see that Israel fails miserably and it is not too long before the toxicity of false idol worship plagues their culture.
New Testament scriptures are pretty blatant and they got it right. Jesus does make the claim that He is the only way to Heaven. I think that is why we are here having this conversation. It's a bold claim and I would hope that everyone would analyze it for themselves at some point.



I may pick this back up later but I have got to get a little more work done today. If you have any that you would like for me to address specifically, shoot them out there. Maybe someone else will chime in also.
 
Fair enough. It seems that there was at least one case of someone (besides jesus) dying, going to heaven, and coming back in the bible, and I was mostly just curious if that type of situation was addressed or recognized since now it seems to be (relatively) common for someone to clinically die and be brought back to life.
I can give you that modern tech in medical industry makes it a little harder to believe as like you said, its far more common today. I dont have an answer for that.

Quick google search showed that there was a handful of people raised from the dead in the Bible. Like I said, I have never read it cover to cover so I cant confirm. Its on the list of things to do.

One last question and truly, I am not trying to convert you. You just seem to have similar doubts/questions as I have had and still do have, I am just on the "prove to me its not true" side of the coin. Have you ever wondered/thought that maybe you struggle more with the organized religion/churches that surround the teaching in the Bible more so than the Bible itself?
 
Fair enough. It seems that there was at least one case of someone (besides jesus) dying, going to heaven, and coming back in the bible, and I was mostly just curious if that type of situation was addressed or recognized since now it seems to be (relatively) common for someone to clinically die and be brought back to life.
There is a book called heaven is for real it’s about a 4 year old boy that had an experience like you are talking about in the early 2000s.
 

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Like many things in this world it's a concept that the feeble human mind may not/cannot fully conceive. It’s just the way it is. :)

“The Trinity is a profound and complex doctrine that underscores the uniqueness of Christian theology. While it challenges our understanding, it also enriches our faith by revealing the depth and mystery of God's nature. By embracing the complexity of the Trinity, we acknowledge the limits of our human understanding and the boundless nature of the divine. Through Scripture and the teachings of the Church, we can approach a deeper appreciation of the Triune God, even as we recognize that some aspects of His nature will always remain a divine mystery.”
 
One last question and truly, I am not trying to convert you. You just seem to have similar doubts/questions as I have had and still do have, I am just on the "prove to me its not true" side of the coin. Have you ever wondered/thought that maybe you struggle more with the organized religion/churches that surround the teaching in the Bible more so than the Bible itself?
As a devout Christian I have problems with organized Christian church’s and religion lol

Don’t let someone else’s sin keep you from a personal relationship with Jesus. At the end of the day you have to answer for the life that you lived on this earth.
 
I can give you that modern tech in medical industry makes it a little harder to believe as like you said, its far more common today. I dont have an answer for that.

Quick google search showed that there was a handful of people raised from the dead in the Bible. Like I said, I have never read it cover to cover so I cant confirm. Its on the list of things to do.

One last question and truly, I am not trying to convert you. You just seem to have similar doubts/questions as I have had and still do have, I am just on the "prove to me its not true" side of the coin. Have you ever wondered/thought that maybe you struggle more with the organized religion/churches that surround the teaching in the Bible more so than the Bible itself?

I'm sure that's probably part of it. I grew up in the deep south and went to a Lutheran school for most of my early childhood. Growing up I didn't question religion at all because I was raised with it. The older I got the more questions I had that didn't get satisfactory answers and the more I was exposed to and recognized people who talked the talk without walking the walk.

At the end of the day I guess I'm just happy with my life as it stands now, without religion. I'm not searching for anything. I don't feel like anything is missing. I don't feel like I've gotten to this place because some higher power sent me down this path. I don't feel like I need to strive for more in the name of serving a deity. I'm not afraid of death or dying...I'm curious about what comes next even though I don't claim to know what it is. I am completely satisfied with my life, I'm healthy, I have good relationships with the people in my life...I don't see what religion has to offer besides the part that requires a blind "trust me".
 
Here's a helpful starting point on understanding who Jesus is/is not:


Colossians 1:15-20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Jesus
  • uncreated, eternal
  • preeminent, first and supreme over all things
  • creator of the universe, sustains everything in it
  • fully God
  • reigns over all things, ultimate authority
  • provided a way so we can be reconciled to Him
 
As a devout Christian I have problems with organized Christian church’s and religion lol

Don’t let someone else’s sin keep you from a personal relationship with Jesus. At the end of the day you have to answer for the life that you lived on this earth.
Our main purpose on this earth is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Faith without works is dead faith. Works without Faith is dead also. Someone else’s sin does not affect my personal relationship with Jesus, but it does affect me trying to be Jesus’s hands and feet. When Jesus lived on this earth, he addressed sin when he saw it. Likewise we address our own sins, and come along side our brothers and sisters and help them thru their sins. That’s what the Christian life is all about. Doing it TOGETHER
 
I'm sure that's probably part of it. I grew up in the deep south and went to a Lutheran school for most of my early childhood. Growing up I didn't question religion at all because I was raised with it. The older I got the more questions I had that didn't get satisfactory answers and the more I was exposed to and recognized people who talked the talk without walking the walk.

At the end of the day I guess I'm just happy with my life as it stands now, without religion. I'm not searching for anything. I don't feel like anything is missing. I don't feel like I've gotten to this place because some higher power sent me down this path. I don't feel like I need to strive for more in the name of serving a deity. I'm not afraid of death or dying...I'm curious about what comes next even though I don't claim to know what it is. I am completely satisfied with my life, I'm healthy, I have good relationships with the people in my life...I don't see what religion has to offer besides the part that requires a blind "trust me".
I get that. I grew up in SE Idaho. There’s a pretty dominant religion there. Made it a little over bearing, especially once I got to the age that I started to realize I didn’t care for what they taught me. At least in the south you got delicious southern food. I am extremely jealous of that.

I was genuinely curious as reading your posts you sound very similar to me, just a different side of the coin.
 
I am just asking for people to check out their local church. I think the church as a body is one of the best present day examples that Jesus is the way. When I think of my local church, I have 400+ people from all different backgrounds, all different opinions, but we all agree we need Christ. Any point in my life when I need a brother, I have one there. Any point I need help, I have a family there.
Where else can you find a group of people doing life together who are committed to serving one another, loving one another, and doing life together?

I have 3 young children and I can’t think of any other place to raise my kids. The truth that they are learning from the Bible at 3 years old will affect them the rest of their lives.

All I’m saying is give it a try. I’m not here to argue. The best thing I can do is to share what I have and that is the good news of salvation! Some of the best moments in our church is when an unbeliever comes and their life is changed forever.

Have you ever tried going to church with an open mindset?
Sounds like a no.

To your question, I have. I studied the RCIA 25 years ago. I've read the Bible from Genesis to the barking mad Revelations.


I gave it a fair shake and then some.

It's just not for me.
 
Sounds like a no.

To your question, I have. I studied the RCIA 25 years ago. I've read the Bible from Genesis to the barking mad Revelations.


I gave it a fair shake and then some.

It's just not for me.
Why buy Leupold/vortex when we have NF/Trij/SWFA?

For real though nothing about other spiritual or philosophical paths offer an objective understanding the universe. Seriously. I have looked at many other religions. Nothing comes close to what eternal life through Jesus offers.

Atheists have some serious balls believing everything just happened to align perfectly. At least pantheism and pan en theism have constructs similar to Christianty in terms of a creation account. Intelligent design is a thing. Heck I'd believe aliens made us before I believe a big bang did. I just dont have the necessary faith to become an atheist. 🤷

I think Ian hit the nail on the head. Take a moment and out of a sincere place ask God to reveal Himself to you. There's nothing to be scared of. Try it.
 
I am not interested into trying to change anyone's mind to believe like me. And dont even tell people my beliefs unless asked. I have no problem with people going to church or believing any religion they so choose. Just so I can get the same in return. I went to church all the time growing up. My grandma is as religious as they come. And when she is there we pray at every meal. I bow my head out of respect for her. Doesn't bother me in the least little bit.


However I just believe differently. I 100% think that most church's and the people that go are about as fake as it gets. And that has nothing to do wether I believe in God. It's those people's actions when not in church that has me think like that.


The older I get the more I am convinced there is no God. I hear all the time about how good he is and what he can do. And I personally dont see it. So I will just keep on doing what I do.
 
Atheists have some serious balls believing everything just happened to align perfectly. At least pantheism and pan en theism have constructs similar to Christianty in terms of a creation account. Intelligent design is a thing. Heck I'd believe aliens made us before I believe a big bang did. I just dont have the necessary faith to become an atheist. 🤷

I don't have the faith to think that all the things I don't understand can be explained by an invisible magic man in the sky who was created by something other than a big bang.

Edit: I don't necessarily believe in a big bang either. Although I've read the theory on it, it's way over my head and it is exactly that - a theory.
 
I am not interested into trying to change anyone's mind to believe like me. And dont even tell people my beliefs unless asked. I have no problem with people going to church or believing any religion they so choose. Just so I can get the same in return. I went to church all the time growing up. My grandma is as religious as they come. And when she is there we pray at every meal. I bow my head out of respect for her. Doesn't bother me in the least little bit.


However I just believe differently. I 100% think that most church's and the people that go are about as fake as it gets. And that has nothing to do wether I believe in God. It's those people's actions when not in church that has me think like that.


The older I get the more I am convinced there is no God. I hear all the time about how good he is and what he can do. And I personally dont see it. So I will just keep on doing what I do.
 
Atheists have some serious balls believing everything just happened to align perfectly. At least pantheism and pan en theism have constructs similar to Christianty in terms of a creation account. Intelligent design is a thing. Heck I'd believe aliens made us before I believe a big bang did. I just dont have the necessary faith to become an atheist. 🤷

I don't have the faith to think that all the things I don't understand can be explained by an invisible magic man in the sky who was created by something other than a big bang.

Edit: I don't necessarily believe in a big bang either. Although I've read the theory on it, it's way over my head and it is exactly that - a theory.
Please give me an objective, direct, explanation of how we got here. Something with teeth that I can trust without a doubt.

Existence demands design. There is no getting around it. Try me.

Romans 1:20
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
 
God is not restricted by the confines of time or space.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5

For those saying miracles are no longer happening among us today, as a simple example, I urge you to look up cases of "spontaneous remission" and provide an alternate, reasonable explanation
 
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