YOU are not the Bible's target audience.

The various books of the Bible were all written at different times, by different authors, each coming from a different school of theological thought, and each with a different target audience.

This is easiest to see with the 4 gospels, each of them has an obvious audience. Mark is targeted at gentiles, hence it's perceived (and in many opinions quite obvious) anti-semitism. Lineages are included in other gospels to entice Hebrews to follow.

So I ask all of you, why do you think that the Bible was written for interpretation in the modern day?

Originally posted by madnessinmysoul

So I ask all of you, why do you think that the Bible was written for interpretation in the modern day?

It wasn't, IMO. The texts are mysterious in their ways, I'm starting to think (see armageddon thread) that Christian Fundamentalists in the elite are financing and working an agenda that involves fulfilling Bible Prophecy, most scarily, Revelation.

I think the texts are written for all ages to interpret. You learn the same lessons from the stories in the Bible, and these stories are there to show or teach you what is the wrong way to be, ie; evil, and how to do the 'right thing' in the eyes of God.

So if I read Prodigal Son today as a 24yr old former spitting image of the Prodigal Son, I connect with it, learn its lesson.

If I were living in Medieval times and was of a Royal family so wealthy, I'd read that story and still get the same lesson from it. So most of the stories transcend centuries and times.

Now regarding Revelation and the "end" , Thats more of a soothsayer thing. Alot of people, as always in history, feel that the end is near. The reason is because of what I'm thinking is the NWO elite types funding that agenda are pushing that concept of end time scenario, so they can unleash it all for their benefit over the people when the timing is right. A takeover of the people.

This is strikingly similar to the Antichrist's story. He will be loved at first, then he will dick everyone over and take them over. Then the 'real deal' Messiah comes and saves the people afer 7 years of torment.

So my question is: If the NWO Fundamentalist types get away with pulling this off, I wonder if the Messiah would actually show up to their dismay, lol. Like they'd have no inclination it was a real prophecy, just using it for control, and then all of a sudden Messiah comes flying in with eyes of fire and a tongue bladed sword that slays people dead with a single word of divinity.

[edit on 4/29/2007 by runetang]

Madnessinmysoul, I would be interested in your take on this thread...
www.abovetopsecret.com...
As to the Bible, as it exsists in Modern Form, is really only half the story. What wasn't supressed in Nicea, and what wasn't written out in various retranslations, or burned away in the minds of 'heretics' at the stake is all we have left of it to judge by.
Christianity was considered at the time to be something of a People Power movement from within Judiasm. When Jesus went in to the Temple and started flogging the Money Changers for what he called theivery, that single act probably defined the entire movement and ultimately sealed his fate and the fate of Christianity's true meaning. The target Audience became a target themselves and the supression of the true functions and the esoterics of Christianity were subdued and subverted, and over time became so much aristocracy.
Indeed the We are the target audience, and we have been kept in the Dark. Jesus tried to bring the Light out of the temples for all man, and it was just too much for the Ruling Class to handle. An enlightened people is dangerous to the establishment.

You are 100% correct. The target audience was the people of that time period. It was the folks who put all the books together, under the one 'bible' cover, that had a larger world-wide target audience in mind. (and an agenda).

I wish people would keep that in mind when they read 'Revelations'.

Originally posted by madnessinmysoul
The various books of the Bible were all written at different times, by different authors, each coming from a different school of theological thought, and each with a different target audience.

This is easiest to see with the 4 gospels, each of them has an obvious audience. Mark is targeted at gentiles, hence it's perceived (and in many opinions quite obvious) anti-semitism. Lineages are included in other gospels to entice Hebrews to follow.

So I ask all of you, why do you think that the Bible was written for interpretation in the modern day?

Hi Madness/

The Bible is still as popular as it was back then.
Why?
Because it was written so it could be read by all.
I Believe it is the WORD(LOGOS) of God.
There is the Old Testament.....which in fact was not one, but a number of books.....called the Scriptures.
And there is the New Testament....Of course written after Jesus Christ and His teachings.
Both of these two Sacred books are needed to understand the wholeness.
Most of the Bible has been interpreted by theologians......and should never change according to How we live in the times of now.
It is in recent times that people have begun to interpret it in their OWN way and all this confusion came about....this only has added confusion to what the Bible is telling us.

If you read the Scriptures.....as they are meant to read, then there is no confusion.
Man just wants to think that he is better then the next and continues to put himself on the pedastal.....he wants to gain recognition of his so called accomplishments and therefore lives for Worldly ideas, forgetting that he too sometime shall taste death!
Ok, maybe Im getting tired and Im not making any sense......just let me know.

The Bible is the same as it was,it has not changed with the times!
Only man has changed it to fit in with their own so called,knowledge of things.
take care,
helen

Originally posted by madnessinmysoul
So I ask all of you, why do you think that the Bible was written for interpretation in the modern day?

NEVER 'interpretation' in any day!

To interpret presumes a key of some sort to transpose one 'language' to another. And, while there IS such a key to translate spiritual (intangible) truths into material (tangible) allegory...it cannot be sought out or found by any seeker who seeks not to UNDERSTAND in order to improve one's affect/interaction with all of creation and mankind.

If one's heart is purely motivated toward righteousness (justice and TRUE equity that is divine) then the Spirit of God will reveal, over time, what the bible is REALLY saying.

Unfortunately, many seek to interpret the bible so that they may then demonstrate to other people that they are approved or seen as 'good' in God's sight, or some other variation of delusional self-righteousness. And also there is a large portion that come to read it with doubting intentions, and often, deep-seated resentment of some sort toward either God or those who claim to represent God (most of which fit in the first group I described).

Now please understand I am not making derogatory or judgmental statements about ANYONE...I understand that we do not realize our motivations 98% of the time and that is compounded by the fact that we are all born knowing we will someday die and the fear of the unknown is the most powerful force behind the human predisposition for self-deception as a coping mechanism.

But yet, it IS what it IS. We ARE what we ARE.
Thank goodness change is the ONLY constant and evolution is fact on both the physical as well as the spiritual levels.

Madness, I certainly don't expect you to believe what I say just because I do. You have free will and a thinking logical mind the same as I. And I respect that. But an open mind is potential and a closed mind is a dead end trip from the start.

So, to sum up and answer the OP:
I believe that the 'targeted audience' of the bible is whomever feels compelled to pick it up and seek God's truth privately and for the right reasons.

It is truly a double edged sword...truth on one hand...and on the other, an instrument of confusion and destruction in the hands of greedy and envious souls whose fear keeps them prisoner.

There is not just ONE way to seek the revelation of truth and God. But the bible, IMO (when handled 'correctly' and with the 'proper' tutor/guide) is the most complete source. But that is not going to be obvious to many people at all.

And those that do see it will understand what I say when I say the bible is the most remarkable masterpiece of literature that has ever been written with the human hand through the mind of Christ and revealed under the light of the Spirit of Truth.

It´s my understanding that many of the texts in the bible has a esoterical meaning and are mainly targeted to the initiates of the learned ones,the magi,gnostics..etc from the ancient times.For the profane written like a theatrical play or story..

Even Jesus used this method..

This has probably already been addressed but yes, it is true that there are a lot of things in the Bible which had more meaning thousands of years ago. But I would say the "big lessons" such as "love thy neighbor as thyself" are so timeless that we need them today just as much as they were needed then.

And still people were reading it thorough history and tortured innocent women and peasants in the name of God. Also they read it and rape children at same time. History is filled with many more examples of depravity and greed from holy people.

So, if this is word of God or Joshua or whoever, why it is not touching these people? Not to make them saints, if their heart is too black, but maybe just to spare few children from suffering? Apparently it has no power to do that as we can see from historical and contemporary lessons.

I sure don't want to be target audience of any holy book. Let's make sure we don't repeat history. Believe in yourself and what people can do with their hearts and minds.

Originally posted by detonator
So, if this is word of God or Joshua or whoever, why it is not touching these people? Not to make them saints, if their heart is too black, but maybe just to spare few children from suffering? Apparently it has no power to do that as we can see from historical and contemporary lessons.

It is a book. The only power it has is that which we give it. People have the power of choice. You chose to believe and it can change your life. You chose to not believe and it is just another book. Nothing can touch us if we do not allow it.

Originally posted by detonator
And still people were reading it thorough history and tortured innocent women and peasants in the name of God. Also they read it and rape children at same time. History is filled with many more examples of depravity and greed from holy people.

But acts of depravity and greed would automatically rule out holiness on the part of the person perpetrating such acts, wouldn't it?
Guilty persons will blame others for their deeds - a God who is invisible is a VERY GOOD choice for such a diversionary tactic.

So, if this is word of God or Joshua or whoever, why it is not touching these people?

Because they are driven by greed, envy, and avarice!

Not to make them saints, if their heart is too black, but maybe just to spare few children from suffering?

Why don't WE try to spare these children from suffering? Non-depraved humanity, that is.
The measure we currently employ are totally ineffective and have been, from the start. The problems continue to spread and intensify. And yet we continue our efforts only be intensifying the ineffective measures already in place.
That is totally illogical. The bible is not intended to take the place of humans maintaining human society.

Leading by example is our job. The bible gives us an example. Who follows it?

Apparently it has no power to do that as we can see from historical and contemporary lessons.

Actually, I can personally attest that it does. I say that strongly and with certainty.

Unless we all quit deluding ourselves with nonsensical excuses and wasting our time pointing fingers at both people and objects, we can't expect anything to be manifesting power except CHAOS.

I sure don't want to be target audience of any holy book. Let's make sure we don't repeat history.

AMEN!
That is my 'battle cry' these days! We have repeated our destructive patterns over and over for the last 7,000 or so years! Stop the insanity!

Stop. Think. Act.

Believe in yourself and what people can do with their hearts and minds.

We must take action or else that belief is no less a pipe dream than the rest of the stuff which is regular fare on these message boards.

I've got a horse, a banner, and a set of armor that supposedly belonged to Joan of Arc.

Anyone free this weekend?

I would first have to call into question your initial assumptions. Yes, the books were written at different times, and, in the most mundane respect, by different authors, and I can even understand how it could be perceived, based on your example of the four Gospels, that they could have a different target audience. However, where do you get that they each come from a different theological thought?

Before I will respond to why I think scripture applies to today as much as it applies to yesterday, I'd like to know: what makes this age so different from every age in the past except that you're alive in this one?

The Bible is the WORD of God........the truth and by far the most important book on earth........nothing comes close.

The accuracy of the prophecies is undeniable.

It's easy to reject and dismiss the Bible. Just reject factual truth......... it happens all the time.

Who says the Bible is the Word of God?
Jesus didn't.

Originally posted by queenannie38
Stop. Think. Act.

Believe in yourself and what people can do with their hearts and minds.

We must take action or else that belief is no less a pipe dream than the rest of the stuff which is regular fare on these message boards.

I've got a horse, a banner, and a set of armor that supposedly belonged to Joan of Arc.

Anyone free this weekend?

I agree and i am working on stuff.

We need to replace Bible with something more useful. Only thing which i don't like is when people see spiritual stuff they are so easily distracted. Oh well, i guess it's in their genes, hehe.

Originally posted by detonator
I agree and i am working on stuff.

That is wonderful. I am encouraged by you!

We need to replace Bible with something more useful.

Well, you might. I would never suggest you do anything against your personal convictions. But as for me, there could never be anything more useful or trustworthy. I will carry it in the breastplate of my armor until they bury me. Without it I would not have the courage to act for the good of all.

Linus had a blanket and Batman had Robin. I have the bible.

peace!

Well you may follow Bible but be careful about some stuff in there. You are not sheep and you don't need shepherd but someone who respects your intellect and abilities and not someone who wants peaceful slaves (sheep). God gave you power so you can be free of all those who force fed you religious and political views. Learn from history. Atlantis was destroyed more or less because they mixed science and religion. Those who say they are peaceful usually bring most doom and destruction at the end. Destroy them all!

This is strikingly similar to the Antichrist's story. He will be loved at first, then he will dick everyone over and take them over. Then the 'real deal' Messiah comes and saves the people afer 7 years of torment.

7 years is that all? When you think hundreds of millions of russians and eastern europeans went under torment for 69 years of soviet socialism !!!

The Bible is still as popular as it was back then.

Wrong, at the time the bible existed only in isreal until it started to spread especially when emperor Constantine made it the only allowed faith of the roman empire (which is why europe is christian, and is why americans are also christian, thanks constantine)

Because it was written so it could be read by all.

Not exaclty. Litteracy rates mus have been extremely low at the time

The Bible is the same as it was,it has not changed with the times!

the modern bible is the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy of the copy .... that was translated successevely from arameic,greec,latin,old english,modern english,etc.

Originally posted by junglejake
Before I will respond to why I think scripture applies to today as much as it applies to yesterday, I'd like to know: what makes this age so different from every age in the past except that you're alive in this one?

well... we don't stone disobedient children, sell our daughters into slavery.. i mean marriage, marriage to girls hitting puberty is frowned upon in most of the world, we don't think the sun revolves around the earth, and each person on this forum has access to more information than was available in the hundreds and thousands of years in which the bible was put together and written.

i could list off all the things we know now that we didn't know back then... but i don't have the decades of time required to do so.

I also can not comprehend why people can not understand that fact, about the bible been for the people if the time that was written and actually geared as in the old testament to the Jewish emerging nation.

Like FlyersFan said it was until later . . .AD that the new testament was used to spread a new version of the early believes by the Jewish into a new religion that will target the entire world.

But still this was done by men on an agenda.