Comments on: Is knowing the Bible important to Christians? If so, how many know the punishment for breaking a Commandment?

By: Hogie

Hogie — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:40:59 +0000

Knowledge of the Bible is critical. If you knew the Bible, you would know that you were referring to commandments in relation to the old covenant between God and Israel; a covenant that Christians are not a party to, and a covenant that ended. The old covenant was the ministration of death and condemnation.
References :

By: mjmorell

mjmorell — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:32:59 +0000

According to John’s Gospel (1:1), Jesus himself, not the Bible, is the "Word" of God. And while Jesus quoted much of the Old Testament approvingly (e.g. "I desire mercy, not sacrifice"), Jesus is highly critical of the legalism that pervades many parts of it. He appears to correct it in many places (e.g. Mark 10:2-5), leaving some doubt as to whether it was entirely from God (or partly from Moses and other men).

As for the punishments you mention, Jesus deals with one of these directly in the case of the adulteress, John 7:53-8:11. (Of course, whether this text belongs in the Bible is disputed, but this just confirms the point I make below.)

I am a Christian myself, but it saddens me to see many Christians holding up the Bible as inerrant, 100% authoritative, and absolutely essential for the Christian life. Seems like a form of idolatry to me, not to mention a good way to drive thinking people away from the faith. Christians don’t even agree entirely on which books belong in the Bible or which translation is best. And for centuries the vast majority of Christians were illiterate. They got by just fine knowing the basic outline of what Jesus said and did, along with conscience and the Holy Spirit, without having to defend and argue over every word of a massive compendium of religious literature (that’s what Pharisees did). I think if Jesus wanted us to be primarily bookworms rather than primarily agents of His Love, He would have written a book Himself.

My advice to anyone here seriously thinking about religious questions (as opposed to just poking fun at people for sport) is to take a fresh look at Christianity. Start with the Gospels, not as verbatim words from the Most High, but as the efforts of early disciples (not professional historians) to put to paper portraits of Jesus’s life. Ruminate over the core of His message, rather than trying to pick apart details and find a reason to discredit the whole story. Find some help from good authors (CS Lewis’s "Mere Christianity" possibly being the best of the bunch) to frame it in a logical context. If you open your heart and intellect to it, you might be surprised how well it fits.

I wish God’s blessings on all of you.
References :
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010:2-5&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+7%3A53-8%3A11&version=NIV

By: Rud E

Rud E — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:47:59 +0000

Why direct all Old Testament (Tanakh) questions towards Christians when it's actually relevant to the Jews, as it is their covenant and their holy book?
References :

By: huliendin

huliendin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:30:59 +0000

I watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail on IFC yesterday. I saw you after scene 23 and just before scene 25. You had a stellar performance. Have you done any research to find out which type of swallow the question was referring to?
References :

By: hypno_toad1

hypno_toad1 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:40:59 +0000

I think that means my shower has been sinning.
References :

By: Angel Dumott Schunard

Angel Dumott Schunard — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:07:59 +0000

doesn’t matter does it, that’s Old Testament, the Old Testament doesn’t matter, according to Jesus.

M.V.P- oh yes, because that has something to do with the question?
References :

By: Blue Foots™

Blue Foots™ — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:56:59 +0000

I think public whipping would be interesting.
References :

By: Q&A Queen

Q&A Queen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:33:59 +0000

OK. Let me ask. Do you know YOUR bible. Clue: It was nailed to Christ's torture stake. What was it?
References :

By: xcherrykiss

xcherrykiss — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:49:59 +0000

The bible is important to us, and we follow the 10 commandment. Even if we break the law, what can we do? (which we all have) pray to god to forgive our sins, and were ALL IMPERFECT so what does it matter to know our punishment. In the end is God who'll decided if we are worthy of him.
References :

By: gertystorrud

gertystorrud — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:40:59 +0000

lol. When you have broken just one of them you have broken them ALL anyway!! (That is WHY Jesus came here to die for us because He already KNEW we fall short of 'them'!!) Get a clue!
References :