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All of my adult life, I have wondered why the scriptures are "the scriptures." Why do so many people put such an emphasis on them? Why don't we study other ancient (or non-ancient) books instead or in addition?

If you believe scriptures to be literally "the word of God" (and that's why they're important), why do you think they were written in the form that they were written? That is, why are they a bunch of biographies/autobiographies of various people, like the "Book of Isaiah" instead of being something more a "Book of Commandments" with more "thou shalts" and no/fewer stories?

Natsunekko wrote:All of my adult life, I have wondered why the scriptures are "the scriptures." Why do so many people put such an emphasis on them? Why don't we study other ancient (or non-ancient) books instead or in addition?

If you believe scriptures to be literally "the word of God" (and that's why they're important), why do you think they were written in the form that they were written? That is, why are they a bunch of biographies/autobiographies of various people, like the "Book of Isaiah" instead of being something more a "Book of Commandments" with more "thou shalts" and no/fewer stories?

The scriptures are merely accounts about man's dealings with God. There are many such accounts (or holy books) and they are all useful if they lead you to seeing, understanding, speaking with, and knowing God.

Councils voted on what books to include in official canons... there are books I would vote in and books I would vote out. I would vote in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Psalms, and several others. I would vote out Revelation.

The Bible is the history of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is about why, how, when, and where surrounding the Savior. The Bible is about His people and their trials and mistakes. The book of Revelation is the conclusion to what will happen to those who reject Christ. The Bible isn't about what makes people happy. Joy is different than hoppiness.

LittleNipper wrote:The Bible is the history of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is about why, how, when, and where surrounding the Savior. The Bible is about His people and their trials and mistakes. The book of Revelation is the conclusion to what will happen to those who reject Christ. The Bible isn't about what makes people happy. Joy is different than hoppiness.

Not all Christians accept the Book of Revelation as scripture. Here's one example, http://www.christian-community.org/libr ... eresy.html

Jesus is loving, and said to love your enemies. If those who reject Christ are His enemies, then He loves them, regardless of whether they love Him or not. God's love is unconditional. It doesn't mean we're all the same spiritually, but God's love is perfect and complete. He is not anti-Semitic or anti-Buddhist or anti-Hindu.

LittleNipper wrote:The Bible is the history of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is about why, how, when, and where surrounding the Savior. The Bible is about His people and their trials and mistakes. The book of Revelation is the conclusion to what will happen to those who reject Christ. The Bible isn't about what makes people happy. Joy is different than hoppiness.

i thought word of God pretty well summed it up....and then....

lol XD I like how most Americans believe that people of religions other than their own can be saved.

Natsunekko wrote:All of my adult life, I have wondered why the scriptures are "the scriptures." Why do so many people put such an emphasis on them? Why don't we study other ancient (or non-ancient) books instead or in addition?

If you believe scriptures to be literally "the word of God" (and that's why they're important), why do you think they were written in the form that they were written? That is, why are they a bunch of biographies/autobiographies of various people, like the "Book of Isaiah" instead of being something more a "Book of Commandments" with more "thou shalts" and no/fewer stories?

they are the scriptures because of what the word means...
"inspired writing"..."religious text"..."Word of God"

People put an emphasis on them because they have read them.
Its like not having ever tried chocolate and asking "why do people like chocolate so much?"

We do study other things, but they do not surpass the scriptures because of their implicit and explicit experience.

The titles of each Book within the Bible is as good as any other and is likely the result of convention and/or tradition.

As for the notion of having the scriptures be a list of rules and without allegory, metaphor, simile, symbolism, poetry, and other assorted methods of communication is to basically miss the entire point. The Bible is not just text and not just grammar...it is a deliberate conveyance of the spiritual experience.
The KJV was written i nits manner because it was a dramatic shift in how human culture had access to the scriptures. It was written in a manner to be heard and read by most everyone...it was a deliberate motion towards greater access. No longer confined to the pulpit of the elite, no longer a clandestine archaic language document. Do not underestimate the incredible event in human history that KJV represents.
There is not only power within the pages of scriptures, but also in the events surrounding them.

Yeah, it's definitely an improvement that we have almost universal literacy and access to scriptures in our own languages, not only of one religion but of many religions.

Augustus wrote:

LittleNipper wrote:The Bible is the history of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is about why, how, when, and where surrounding the Savior. The Bible is about His people and their trials and mistakes. The book of Revelation is the conclusion to what will happen to those who reject Christ. The Bible isn't about what makes people happy. Joy is different than hoppiness.

Not all Christians accept the Book of Revelation as scripture. Here's one example, http://www.christian-community.org/libr ... eresy.html

Jesus is loving, and said to love your enemies. If those who reject Christ are His enemies, then He loves them, regardless of whether they love Him or not. God's love is unconditional. It doesn't mean we're all the same spiritually, but God's love is perfect and complete. He is not anti-Semitic or anti-Buddhist or anti-Hindu.

Martin Luther had problems with the book of Revelations. He was also somewhat anti-semitic. People love a God of love. People take issue with God's justice. God sends none to hell ---- they drive themselves there of their own volition. All anyone need do is turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness. But will one ask for forgiveness for things one believes to be ok? "God made me this way." Oh really, I thought HE created a perfect world and that man turned from God to become god himself? It says so in the Bible. Genesis 3:5 for why God knoweth that in whatever day ye shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil.