I have read the Bible for most of my life. I see it as a guide to how to live a peaceful life. Life can be so chaotic that I find it comforting to just have a book that I can open to find some answers. I find a lot of hope in reading the Bible that I have never found anywhere else in the world.
Besides that, the stories are amazing and remind me that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9.) People are doing the same things today as they did 2,000 years ago.

I understand that a lot of people believe that the Bible is distorted. Sometimes I don't understand what I read in the Bible so I pray and ask God to explain it to me. Within a few days or weeks, some situation will occur in my life that explains what the Bible means. I read the Bible, I pray to God, God works in my life - the Bible helps me to develop a relationship with God. I believe that the Bible helps me to get to know Jesus.


[edit on 29-6-2008 by checkers]

Originally posted by Stumpy1
in my opinion that it is about as accurate as Aesops fables or a stephen king book.


So ask me this question in another thousand years when we are worshiping the doctrin of one fish two fish red fish blue fish by Dr Suess.

ha! i laugh just at how you worded this! love it and almost similar to how i view the bible.

i see a message in the bible (and the same one i see in most religious texts) that is a guide for how to make it through all of this. the message is always developing though and thus i think these texts serve a very important purpose, for me anyway.

i believe the surface, as i have stated numerous times, of the bible serves its purpose too. it divides those who are truly selfish from those are looking for their true purpose in this life. those that impose the surface of the bible on others hardly get the point of what spirituality is, IMO (which i am entitled to )

i find the bible has been changed over the years,its actually fact,but i believe that the basic teachings and morals are still there.jesus teachings are especially good.you know if you read the bible and it speaks to you,you actually feel convicted or at least i know i did.and no the book doesnt talk to you,but when you feel conviceted god can speak to you through the holy spirit.i laugh when people discredit the bible and havent even read it.and comparing to a stephen king book is arrogance and ignorance at its best.right now though with all the different religions,jehovas witnesses and mormons and so on,i can tell you that they have been changed,books have been removed and added,i go with the bible and i also like the apocrypha,the lost books of the bible,and more....but in my opinion the book is still fruitful.so give it a chance,...or at least read it.

I was raised in a small Midwestern community as a Christian (Methodist). I moved to the West Coast and tried life out as a little bit of a sinner (although still with my own personal morals).

I found the Bible fits halfway in between. It never made sense to me growing up as literal history, that was missing the point. I was blessed to have open-minded parents who helped me explore that a bit, too. Then when I lived an urban life uninvolved with the church and on my own, I realized the rules and limitations pulled from the Bible are also not the important part, and are in fact very backwards.

Since graduating college and living in LA for 4 years and really observing human behavior to the best of my ability, my Bible now reads like this; a collection of stories written by thoughtful people to provide examples (metaphors) of problems and solutions that arise in society. I think it was written both to be current [at the time(s) the books were written] and prophetic (tells us if we don't learn from the past, we're doomed to repeat it), so to speak. The New Testament especially gets into man's destructive tendencies and tough situations, which, generally speaking can all be solved by complete love and compassion.

I believe Jesus existed, but I think many many stories and legends were attached to the Jesus figure to essentially create the ultimate role model for Christians. Jesus Christ of the New Testament isn't a real person to me, he is the collection of the morals and behaviors we should all strive for. Erroneously, he (and God for that matter) have been entirely too personified in churches and it feels almost as a mistranslation of the Bible.

So, TO ME, the Bible is essentially groups of metaphors saying: God is love --> God is in all of us --> Love is in all of us --> to experience God we must show and use this love ("love" as in patience, honesty, our ability to reason and ponder what is best for everyone) no matter who or what the situation involves.

Yes...It was interesting in some areas and revolting in others. Mostly, it was simply comical. I wouldn't want my children to read it, however. I give the Bible a rating of XXX for strong sexual content, language and violence.

Originally posted by laiguana
Yes...It was interesting in some areas and revolting in others. Mostly, it was simply comical. I wouldn't want my children to read it, however. I give the Bible a rating of XXX for strong sexual content, language and violence.

xxx maybe for old testament,but if thats the case you can get the new testament by itself believe it or not.

Originally posted by justamomma
those that impose the surface of the bible on others hardly get the point of what spirituality is, IMO (which i am entitled to )

I completely agree. Actions speak louder than words, and if you live how the Bible suggests a human should live, you don't have to say a word about your faith to anyone.

When when a person is loving, friendly, tactful, fun, kind, generous etc., others will be drawn to him or her. Then that person can share their faith through their positive action.

I also believe humor is important to God. It's in the Bible.
Job 13:5
Zechariah 6:7
Proverbs 21:19

As a lifelong student, I can tell you the Bible is NOT to be taken seriously.

Before I asked Jesus into my heart, my mom gave me a white KJV Bible.
I thought it would make me a Christian if I read it and tried to live a good life.
I couldn't understand it, but, I would read a chapter many nights.

It actually (on the surface) looked to me like an affirmation that women were cattle for men, according to God.
I quit reading it. Then one day I heard the gospel and asked God "If you love me as much as a man, show me."
I opened up my Bible and read it and was astounded. I can't remember what I read, (I just opened it and looked.)
Well, it was love and I said the prayer I heard on T.V. and immediately I cried and KNEW I was saved and loved by the Creator. He forgave me for the horrible things and everyday things I had done.
It has hidden treasure that the carnal man can't see.
Even with bad translation the KJV saves people EVERY day.
I have been looking for a more accurate translation in line with the Textus Receptus.

Originally posted by Clearskies
Before I asked Jesus into my heart, my mom gave me a white KJV Bible.
I thought it would make me a Christian if I read it and tried to live a good life.
I couldn't understand it, but, I would read a chapter many nights.

It actually (on the surface) looked to me like an affirmation that women were cattle for men, according to God.
I quit reading it. Then one day I heard the gospel and asked God "If you love me as much as a man, show me."
I opened up my Bible and read it and was astounded. I can't remember what I read, (I just opened it and looked.)
Well, it was love and I said the prayer I heard on T.V. and immediately I cried and KNEW I was saved and loved by the Creator. He forgave me for the horrible things and everyday things I had done.
It has hidden treasure that the carnal man can't see.
Even with bad translation the KJV saves people EVERY day.
I have been looking for a more accurate translation in line with the Textus Receptus.

that was great,it happened to me in much the same way,i also have a friend who no more that 1 year ago said he would never believe much less worship any god,now hes singing a different tune as well.he has heard and felt god,which is the deciding factor,great post star for you....i love hearing testimonies.