If the Word of God rightly divides itself what's with all the private interpretation?
829371
There is MUCH private interpretation, because people don't wait on God to give them revelation of what the scripture means. God told us not to lean to our understanding. A lot of people think they know what the Bible means because they've got education, but God doesn't care how much schooling. Remember the aposltles and prophets didn't go to "seminary" school.....they were taught by Jesus. Christians shouldn't even be cursing people out, because that's not Christ-like....yes they are hypocrites.
742993
I think that this is the biggest problem with Christianity.  If you take the whole bible literally, than you aren’t making any logical sense, but it you take parts of it metaphorically than you have to pick and chose which parts to take seriously.\n\nIt’s all pretty self-serving if you ask me.
324134
The misinterpretation has to do with the word judgment.  Typically, it is thought that this will mean that many will be condemened.  But the only judgment of love is innocence.  This misunderstanding is brought about by those who do believe in judgment and condemnation.  That is what they understand and therefore project onto everything else and then assume that the mind of God is like their own.  You are right, a loving God would not do this.
1124204
It's pretty obvious what God means when He says that it is a detestable thing for a man to lie with another man as a man lies with a woman.\n\nIt is made even more so obvious when you look at 1 Corinthians 6:9.\n\n"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders..."\n\nMade even more obvious in Romans 1:26-27 - "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."\n\nTranslators often use the oldest and most reliable Hebrew manuscripts to write their Bibles. The only differences among the versions are in that of wording, but the collective meaning is not lost (slightly altered, maybe). For instance, in Genesis, the word "yom" is used for "day" in the 24 hours sense, so we can apply that to Genesis 1, which uses "yom" and thus the days of creation took six literal days.\n\nAre you indeed even AWARE what those verses are talking about, or are you just blindly holding to the homosexual's argument that those verses don't really refer to such things, because you sure don't give any substantiation to back up your claims. Your case does not have a point to begin with, because you are just spouting hot water.\n\nAs Paul said in Romans 7:7-8, "What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead."\n\nThe law (Exodus, Lev., and Deut.) reveals sin for what it is.\n\nMay you find peace from Christ.
939388
The verses you quoted are just one of many contridictions the Bible contains.  The most blatant one is the one that claims the Bible is the literal word of God.  If so, the Bible could not say anything which could even be the least bit ambiguous.  This of course accepts the premise that God is perfect.  Either God is imperfect, or the Bible is not God's\n literal word.
1104086
Nice book. (If you’re a sadist)\n\n\n(edit)\nWhy would the old testament be in the book if this god decided to change his cruel, voilent and hatefull ways. Then you shouldn't present the old testament to me. If I tell you "Hey man, here is the word or GOD, the creator of all the universe! He is all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present!!!! ..But why then is there a part in his word that doesn't apply to our time?? I thought he is all-present which would mean his word will be timeless.
638907
I am excited for you!  God has put a burning question in your heart that most Christians don't even consider, which happens to be one of the reasons why Christianity is in its current divided state.\n\nThere's so many directions I could go with this...but I think I'm going to try to keep it short and sweet.  Here's the main verse:\n\n"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)\n\nThe soul is our thinking, emotional self-awareness; our mind.  The Spirit is as the body is to the physical realm; it is our spiritual extension and ***what receives messages from God.***  When we are "born again" it becomes alive -- and the good news is it's perfect!  See I Peter 1:23.  So it hears from God perfectly.\n\nThe soul has a problem called the carnal mind, which is "enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."  Paul right here is saying the Bible is crucial in telling the difference, able to divide between the two.\n\nSo like you said, we're dodging voices and we want Truth.  The Bible is crucial in this.\n\nSecondly, in John chapters 14-16, he describes the Holy Ghost as the "teacher."  Understanding the scriptures properly is necessary; else we are flailing this "sword" around in the dark.  This is where prayer comes in.  Pray for God to open up His Bible to you through the Holy Spirit.  Do so in faith.  See Matthew 7:9.  \n\nGetting to know His voice is a process and often trial and error.  Over time you recognize it and lean on it.  Let this goal be your prayer, and God will honor it!
661304
**************************************************************\n\n   God has arranged the bible to contain the books it has in it, both the old and new testaments. The books He included were meant to be there to complete His perfect book. If it's in there, He has something to say in it. ANY word from God is important.\n\n   So my answer would be that there isn't a least important.\n\n***********************************************************
1005393
God doesn't follow his own teachings.  It is lust, and greed.  His first commandment shows that he would be envious if you worshiped anyone else.  He also killed babies in Egypt breaking his thou shall not kill commandment.  He also broke his commandment of not coveting your neighbors wife when he knocked up Mary.  If God went by his own rules, he'd be in hell!
395366
"rightly dividing" must be defined in the context of this chapter, an extended call from Paul to Timothy, reminding him of how he is to faithfully preach the word of truth --the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ-- and to avoid errors of FALSE teaching (both factual error and people stumbling into living in error).\n\nThe 'roote meaning' of the word in question --orthotomein--  is 'cut straight'.    The only other biblical use of the term is in Proverbs 3:6, 11:5 whre the Greek version of the OT translates a Hebrew expression referring to  'making (or keeping) straight' someone's paths (KJV,  'direct' ), that is, to lead people in the right and true way.\n\nTimothy is here being told to 'make straight' with or 'rightly handle  "the word of TRUTH", that is the GOSPEL  (as Paul elsewhere uses the term, see Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5).   In the context of 2 Timothy 2 --where Paul instructs Timothy about how to faithfully proclaim and teach the message, and to AVOID error and foolish arguments--the charge to handle the word of truth first of all focuses on the truth of the gospel message of JESUS (v.8), the message Paul himself had repeatedly taught (v.2).\n\nThis call espeically stands in sharp contrast to the warnings in the surrounding verses about falling from truth into ERROR, into  'quarrels' (v.14) and 'wicked and empty babble' (v.16) that is, fromthe failure of other teachers who, rather than steering a straight course, have "swerved" from the TRUTH (v.18), and from the GOSPEL (same language in 1 Tim 1:6, 6:21 )    \n\nAgain, as Paul is reminding Timothy of how he is teach the people, the straight 'handling' or 'directing' is very much concerned with the practical consequences for the hearers.   He is especially concerned with how false teaching or deviating from the clear message of truth (the gospel) can ruin the hearers (v.14), upsetting their faith (v.17) and leading them into ungodliness (v.16)).   Perhaps it is this image of DIRECTING the steps of others into the truth of the gospel (both knowing it and living by it) that leads Paul to adopt the language of the Proverbs with their concern about people learning to walk in straight paths.\n\nIn light of this larger context and parallels, the verse is NOT (as some have sugested) about Timothy figuring out certain  'keys' of how to properly 'break up' Scripture (law and gospel, or whatever)or 'get it in the right order'.  The point is to steer the straight path and not deviate from the truth of the GOSPEL, the truth of Jesus, and so 'directing' his hearers to both believe and live by the truth of the gospel.    \n\nIn chapter 3 and 4 Paul will continue this charge to Timothy to properly teach and preach the word which centers in the message of salvation in Jesus Christ, and to properly apply it to the lives of his hearers (teaching, correcting, encouraging, rebuking, training) --3:15 -4:2.\n\nNow there may indeed be Scripture passages that speak about how to understand and properly 'order' the teachings of the Word... this just isn't one of them.  Except prehaps for Paul's repeated point that the WHOLE message finds its CENTER in the gospel of Jesus.
437550
The Bible is a product of the church, written to retain social control over the masses that believe in it. 'God's Will' seems to favour the bourgeoisie ideology not the humble proletariat  who had nothing. Religion is so mixed up now and along with money is the only other reason why so many wars are breaking out. I think that your sexuality is biologically determined - In your genetics before you are born. Believe in what you choose too, but always remember to stay true to who you are.
345476
Its not.  Whether the bible is the word of God is controversial enough, but it was incorperated, written, edited, and translated by man.  Men have a tendency to put their own thoughts, opinions, and assumptions in.\n\nNeed proof?  Ask a question as to what God wants, you'll get dozens of different answers speaking on his behalf.
175208
Scriptures are given by God and are true from the beginning.\n\n\nThe Holy Scriptures are not the private interpretation of men (2 Pe.1:20 below), but they are given by God through the Holy Spirit.   ALL Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Pe.1:21, 2 Tim.3:16, 2 Samuel 23:2, Eph.3:5 below).\n\nGod’s word is true from the beginning (Ps.119:160 below).\n\nGod is the God of truth (Ps.31:5, Deut.32:4, Ps.25:5, Jn.17:17 below). \n\nAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Tim.3:16 below).\n\nThe spirit of Truth will guide you into all truth (Jn.16:13 below)\n\nIf a religious author’s writings do not speak according to the Holy Bible, there is no light in them (Isa.8:20 below).\n\n\n2 Pe.1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.\n\n2 Pe.1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.\n\n2 Tim.3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:\n\n2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me (David), and his word [was] in my tongue.\n\nEph.3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;\n\nPs.119.160Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.\n\nPs.31:5 Into Thine hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.\n\nDeut. 32:4  He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are judgment, a God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is He.\n\nPs.25:5Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.\nJn.17:17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.\n\n2 Tim.3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:\n\nJn.16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.\n\nIsa.8:20  To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.\n\n\n\nPat (ndbpsa ©)
1123572
Since the bible was inspired by God, and it says so in many places including the ones mentioned above, then it must be God's word.  He would not inspire the bible writers to write someone elses words.
233311
First off nowhere in the scripture does it say that it went out with the disciples or apostles. Secondly if you are a child of GOD you are a disciple of CHRIST...So as long there are children of GOD there are disciples. Thirdly it says unknown tongue, if Peter would have spoke in a foreign language only the person of that tribe or nationality would have understood. Uknown tongue is exactly what it means a tongue that can not be learned or taught, but only by the Holy Spirit...Why cant we take the word for what it says. Lastly the NIV version is hypocritical because they take alot of the important scriptures out. The Bible says to not take away or add to. For example John 5:1-5 which is talking about the pool of Bethesda in the KJV it goes in order from verse 1-2-3-4-5 ETC... But in the NIV it goes 1-2-3- oops 5 where is verse 4, hmmm want me to show you what verse 4 says "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." So basically the NIV is taking the power of GOD completely out of the picture. Tell me again why is the KJV wrong...Seems to me the KJV is right and the NIV is wrong....
546072
Interesting notion, but no, it is because God wants us to come to Him by faith. THEN He will reveal Himself. Sin is what blinds us and makes us deaf to His voice. Remove the sin issue through the blood of Jesus, and communication is restored. The result of which is a natural desire to do His Word and what is right.\n\nhttp://tinyurl.com/o44bt
1171149
Reverence is not required from those who do not believe.  You will not believe if you are not exposed to the Bible, or it's message in the first place.  Exposing yourself to it may result in belief, which might require reverence, but until then - reading the Bible will return to you only what you put into it.  There are some people who read the Bible looking for ways to cut it down - and they find those ways.  Reading it to enjoy the story-line is perfectly okay.