"There is much to be examined (and yes even challenged) in man's interpretation of the bible. In doing so we come upon the very question Renee posed. How can we be sure the word's we're reading really are God's words and not man's?"-sophie
because they are both.-eot
you are fascinated by my answer. [do you feel it in your soul?]
the answer pretty much said it all but I will help you understand my interpretation!
Eyes, can you elaborate further on what you mean here? I understand the concept that we are a part of the divine, that "God" speaks through man. Also, I think the intention of the message, the heart of it we could say, is something we could interpret very easily (it would seem) as "God like". But, specifically, because there are so many interpretation of the Bible alone, not to mention other spiritual texts, I'm asking by my question...which can we be sure is the word of God. I think we could say that they are ALL the word of "God" but I think that would also include many things OTHER than the bible. Don't get me wrong, I think there is truth in the Biblical texts. I've just always been interested in the translations, interpretations, etc. of the words and intentions. Not so much the author, but how we take what we read in the book and apply it and WHY it is interpreted that way. It's fascinating stuff.-sophie
there is truth in everything.
you nail it in the head and I admire the direction.
we can take so much of what you said, break it down and expand on it
but I will try my best not to get sloppy and
I will answer your first quote instead and let the rest take care of itself.
"There is much to be examined (and yes even challenged) in man's interpretation of the bible. In doing so we come upon the very question Renee posed. How can we be sure the word's we're reading really are God's words and not man's?"
because they are both.
first I analyze the message [content] and then the author.
but the author is not more important than the message![self-less]
we can never truly "know" an author as a person nor can we know his intention or aspirations
in the process of his writing [in this case the bible] but
In the message we will see [glimpse] first hand at the soul of who is writing it
and where it originates from? [again, self-less]
people of a higher state of consciousness possess this gift.
in fact, we all do but many of us don't realize it yet or have not begun to use it.
[some don't know how or know it exists]
how can we get in touch with this higher being?
[Christ tells us how in the bible]
we are all spiritual people[some don't even realize it]because we are truly spirit.
a higher state of consciousness reflects a higher state of lifestyle.
both go hand in hand.
these are the very same people that come up with great ideas and inventions!
like Mozart, Picasso, Michaelangelo, etc... [through arts and crafts]
the other class would be the people that bring out great wisdom and teachings like Christ, Buddha, etc...
from all the same source, this same "God source"; [as I like to call it]
these are the very same people that wrote the bible. [for the bible is no "other book"]
the interpretations vary but is the message from all these teachers the same?
it is in this same essence that all religions from different walks of life come in!
[Muhammad, Krishna, Buddha, etc...]
these are all manifestations of God on earth.
[depending which religion you associate yourself with]
doesn't Christ say "be perfect as your father is perfect"?
yet he like all great teachers teach us that he is no different than any of us,
that we can all reach the same level of perfection he was if we really want it!
that is the difference between Jim Jones for example and Christ or St. Franciss of Assisi-
Jim Jones used the power of religion for his own [selfish] means and gains
and then look what happened as St. Franciss[the opposite of Jim JONES]
used the message of God to empower people and give them the free will
to do what they wanted to with their own lives.
St. Franciss was self-less.
the message should reflect the author in some way or another.
St. Franciss like God and mother Theresa were servants of good and devoted to God.
we can be there and share the same love and wisdom as them if we wish?
now do you understand my interpretation?
the people that wrote the bible had no idea they were writing the bible,
all they knew was that God told them too and they put their faith and trust
in God to guide them there!
I tell you if religion or bibles were based on "false phony things",
there would be no religion and we would find such things in a circus instead of a church!
this is why in this sense Christ was no ordinary man for it takes alot to be like Christ
but its possible as all the brothers and sisters before us have done by example!
though Christ was God personafied, Christ never drew us to him to make us feel
like he was special and separate, what he focused more on was what made us all
the same instead of what made us all different.
one of many more attributes to admire.
and besides that, he brought us a message! the word of God!
if you don't want to read the bible because your lazy or not interested
or maybe because you don't trust anything or anyone, then I recommend
you get in touch with God first through Christ if possible
or through another teacher/master living or dead
but be careful there are alot of phony people out there
so always pay attention to the message and the author!
and most importantly yourself
your inner self!
there are some things in the bible that are not easy to understand.
that is why it is wise to get into some study or have God teach you the way himself
[after all that is what christ did]
always remember there is your master/teacher and your teachers master/teacher!
always find out who the author is serving!
selfish self[jim jones] or self less self [Jesus Christ]
very wise people have that effect on the masses!
there are some experiences that we cannot put to words!
that is why the mind cannot comprehend the full meaning
or understanding of all that God has to offer.
which also explains why the people don't respect the bible that much
because they don't understand it in the first place!
what does God have to offer?
its beyond words!-eot
wanna know it all!!!!
wanna learn from Christ, [insert name], or God first hand?
you know what to do!
get in touch with God and find out!
originally posted at efh2t.com
