The Bible. A problem with interpretation.

Interesting...I had none of those, there must be other options.

 

I thought we were talking about the Christian Bible, not "Indian religious texts". And things that appear to be contradictory appear that way because they are that way. Ever hear of the law of non contradiction?

 

I suppose if he was Atheist that might make sense.

 

no ...and no.

 

No, the point is that research is needed t understand what was said. Interpretation of necessity leads to a change in the message according to the bias of the one doing the interpretation.

 

So, as with all theists an idle threat of punishment for not believing you. Good to know.

 

Then, if we were to apply your standard to the Bible, it is self-contradictory.

 

Please let me know when you get a tree to obey your command to jump into the nearest body of water.

 

Since you were a priest you should know what the real Ten Commandments are. Please give book, chapter, and verses. If you get it wrong then you will have zero credibility about the Bible so be very careful with your answer.

 

You strain out a knat and swallow a camel.

 

One short answer is that religion does not come entirely from a text. A text is a guide, but not the end all.
One also places faith in others, believed to be more knowledged and wiser than oneself, and of course belief that direct communication with the deity plays some part.

 

”You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
John 8;44

 

What is your meaning here?

 

No, I am not going to play your dishonest game. Say what you mean or get lost.

 

It wasn't a tree, it was a mountain, and you claim to know the Bible?

 

Only if you don't know what is being said, or let me put it another way: if you think it's contradictory, you're missing something. Or ignoring something.

 

There are lots of contradictions in the Bible.. Don't try to tell people they can't read.

The Permanence of Earth
“… the earth abideth for ever.” — Ecclesiastes 1:4

“… the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” — 2Peter 3:10

 

Seeing God
“… I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” — Genesis 32:30

“No man hath seen God at any time…”– John 1:18

 

Margo, let me help you here. The scripture speaks of Marriage most often in the context of "Husbands and Wives". Is that so hard to understand? It gives guidance as Marriage is vital to the structure of family. No where does it suggest wives and wives or husbands and husbands. Why? Because to those who introspectively worship our Creator find same sex unions as unthinkable. Of course there are those, many here in this thread, who desire to pervert the meaning of marriage to satisfy their own carnal desires. Is anyone trying to stop them?....no. They are free to live any way they want to. This is a battle against those that wish to distort our language and weaken the family.

 

How is that connected to John 8?

 

It seems to me you cannot see beyond the physical in your interpretation of Scripture. You must follow those that seek merely physical interpretations in order to prove their pre conceived notions.

 

Then a Hindu could argue the same way. You stated that, if something appears to be a contradiction, it is. Sounds like a double standard.

 

What is "physicial" about reading words on paper?


Punishing Crime
“The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father…” — Ezekiel 18:20

“I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation…” — Exodus 20:5