You know the 10 commandments??? Six days you should work and on the seventh you should rest?? Because God created the earth in 6 days and on the seventh he rested. So whenever you see days it mean days as in 24 hours. It may not fit with your theory but this is a clear thing
This is true, if it were to mean a period of time it would not include the second "day" or third "day" Its very specific and very literal.
Just a couple of question, gents. The eucharist, for example. Are you literally eating Christ's body, and drinking his blood? I ask, because Christ said: When one is born again, does one become a baby again, re-enter the womb? What was Christ talking about when he said: Is it possible that symbolism is, in fact, part of Christ's message?
Sure it is, but its very obvious when it is. When he said this is my blood he didnt cut a vein open and poor it in a flask, it was wine. The context you quoted shows what born again means, it points out that it is not in the physical since, but in the spiritual
So, it isn't to be taken literally, at least some time. And when to take it literally, and when not, is apparently up to the reader? "Obvious" is a subjective standard, after all? God rested on the seventh day, correct? If so, please help me understand: In genesis, Satan was a snake, a legless reptile? Remains so? I ask, since Christ referred to Satan's followers as "the brood of vipers?" Is it possible a snake is just an idea of evil? And, as this was in Genesis, this was a symbolic sense?
There are times in the bible when Jesus speaks in parables, or when a point or example is being made, and yes some figurative speaking is present, but when it occurs it is very obvious, as in you would have to be blind not to know the difference, as in your examples which are clearly explained. The bible clearly states not to take from nor add to the meaning of the scriptures.
Scripture is clear. I am reminded of the words of Mark Twain: "It ain't the parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." It is very obvious where the Bible means days as in 24hr days. The problem appears when you look at outside influences to try and interpret the simple meanings of Scripture.
You say it is very obvious. What tips you off as to when the Bible is to be taken literally, and when not?
Well, as I used to preach it by the age of 13 or so, studied New Testament Greek around that time, lived and fasted outside society in preparation for the second coming, and took Christ's message literally (to the point of not worrying about how I would make my way in the world - lilie's of the field, the sparrow, and all that) I had a yeoman's introduction, anyway. Was there something else I should be reading? Please explain "context" a bit more.
It might be clear with you but is not at all clear with me. That's like saying "Jesus said I will be in paradise today!" referring to Luke 23:43. However, in context he actually said "Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise." Note the difference? I am a christian and yet I also believe in science. However, that's not me saying "I only believe in science" or "I only believe in the Bible". Science complements the Bible and vice-versa. I think what you need to do is do some more research on the Bible. Stop messing around in these forums so much because nobody is going to give you much cred by making statements about this stuff "just because you believe" AND because you are trying to prove all of this stuff in a forum. Face to face discussions are best with the use of books. REAL books like the Bible and external credible references such as encyclopaedias, dictionarys and books written by scientists, professors and the like. All I have seen you do here is create angst by attacking other people's beliefs. This is a discussion forum, not a lecture theater.
According to Genesis, God created day and night before he created the Sun, which makes no sense considering night and day depend on the sun. Also night and day are created before the earth yet they depend on the rotation of the earth, so how can there be night and day. Genesis also says that the earth was created before the Sun, but the earth is part of the celestial body of the sun and rotates around the sun, not the other way round and cannot have existed before the sun.
North, I think there are certain passages which when read in context are very easy to understand, especially when you consider the literal meaning. I struggled with the commandment Jesus gave: "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out..." I thought: "Is that to be taken literally?" And then I read the part where He gave the people sight and I understood He did not mean that literally. Why pluck the eye and at the same time He gives sight?? I could be totally wrong when it comes to you. TOTALLY wrong. But I am willing to take a chance and I mean this with all sincerity. I think you should read from the book of Matthew from chapter 13;18 to Matthew 13;23 and then ask yourself which of those descriptions fits you best. Again, this is MY take and I could be wrong but at the same time I believe you can find yourself in there. I use sarcasm many times and I am questioning the use of sarcasm but nevertheless, this time I mean this regarding you appearing somewhere in those verses. But only you can decide if you are described in one of those or not. Of course it's not clear with you. There is a difference between a Christian and a Watchtowerite. You could not "interpret" anything without the "light" you receive from the Watchtower. Your reply here left me completely confused. What exactly are you trying to say? "Proteindude, I want you to stop posting here because your views don't agree with mine." I don't get you. An expert on cults told me that when dealing with the JWs a strong advantage is "Unlike other cults the JWs totally believe in the authority of the Scripture. Let me say it again: the JW's believe the Bible fully as the word of God and there is no discontentment there." I am just wondering if this also applies to you because the first day and the first night means according to the Bible what it says. You can use outside references to change the meaning but you will notice everywhere the word day appears it means 24hrs. Now the same dude that said the JWs DO BELIEVE in the Bible said the problem is you won't accept any teaching unless it's approved by the Watchtower. So NO, I am not expecting you to think for yourself but to immediately reach for the latest issue of Awake or whatever magazine or newsletter Watchtower prints these days.
Protein, I appreciate the sincere comment - and I take it that way. I can tell you I felt it fully, and, equally, lived it fully. I lived my life more in literal fulfillment of the Christian path than any I have known - and I am not saying that as a badge of pride or honor, only as a statement of fact. I fully accepted that it was a ridiculous notion to put stock in the mundane world, when I was told, by Jesus's word, that I needn't worry about this and that my only jobs were to live in close communion with God, and to spread "the good news." This was all beginning around 11 or 12 and persisted throughout the next 8 years or so, through leaving home at 15 and entering the U.S. Navy. I did not come to atheism through some profound disappointment or trauma, some question over why God would allow such a world as we have, etc. I came to it through rational inquiry across many, many subjects. From a kid who left home at such a young age to a PhD student at Berkeley, I made my path and hungrily sought out knowledge, which continues to this day. That said, there are many things from many faiths I draw from, and Christ's life is one of them I look on with admiration and respect. If I am disappointed, I am disappointed in the chasm that I feel exists between so many of his followers and what he, Christ, actually espoused.
Funny you call yourself an athiest, yet you admire christ. Seems you are more confused then anyhting.
SB, you have trouble with seeing basics when they come up - so it doesn't surprise me you can't see how an atheist could admire Christ. Note: I'll put big blinking lights next time, to signal "SARCASM AHEAD." I've got over 2600 posts to my time here, and for good or ill, most of those have been in the P&R section. Did you really not get it, that I would know where the P&R section is? Hence, I directed you, via links, to take a look at sarcasm and irony on wiki. Guess that one flew by you as well. When you missed that MIA was in agreement with you, I pointed that out as well, as did MIA: The conclusion is that if basics are lost on you, I am not surprised this one would be as well. "Confusion" might be a word you'd consider investigating. Sorry to point it out so baldly, brother, but if you're going to step in it, you should be prepared for someone to point out the crap that's on your shoe.