Wanna talk about the Bible?

[_rcrocket]

I get it. You refuse to answer my direct questions. As do many here. You are just one of many.

P

[_grampa75]

I decided to post this up here in hopes that our resident uber-mormons will be less inclined to personal attacks when faced with something that goes against what they believe. It is my opinion that there are some parts of the LDS faith and also Conservative Christianity that are simply not biblical. They are "doctrines of men", taken from a misreading/misinterpretation of biblical scripture, and blown way out of proportion. Example: the earliest justification for racism, Aaron and Miriam being upset at Moses's wife, because she was a Cushite woman. LDS example: "ye are gods", meaning apparently to them that we will one day rule our own planet and people if we're good enough.

As I said on harmony's "Jesus is a Mormon" thread, the Bible is a very esoteric text, at least to me. When I first started reading it, I didn't know what the hell I was reading. And I was raised between two faiths who both used the book, both of them not knowing what they were reading either. So many people who read this book come away with perceptions on how this book and what is in it should be applied to their lives, and far too many come away with ideas that they are somehow superior to others (God's people), or that they have a right to be cruel to non-Christian humanity. I could elaborate, but if you've ever come across a fundie Christian, you know what I mean.

I'm a religious studies major. I decided to take this path when I started my transition out of the LDS church a few years ago, and sat down to think about why I got into the faith in the first place. What motivated me? What motivates others to believe what they believe? My dream is a church where no one is turned away, where the faith is strong and the worship dynamic, the teaching relevant for everyday life. My dream has come true in a way, because when I can I do get to attend a church like that. But many folks are still stuck in tradition, and feeling trapped at that. My dream is to be able in some way shape or form to be able to reach folks like that. In what way, I do not yet know. People ask me all the time if I'm gonna be a pastor, the verdict seriously isn't in yet. I'm a tempermental antisocial individual, hardly pastoral material. Anyways...

I wanted to start a part of this thread today, as I'm kind of tired, and the ideas I want to present are going to take some time. But if anyone is willing, and I hope that when Jason gets back from his vacation he will still be willing, I'd like to discuss the Bible in depth. Here are a few starter questions that I plan to asnwer as well:

Firstly, on a personal level, how do you see the Bible? To me, there is no wrong answer to this question.

For those who read in depth, do you see a theme in Old Testament? How do you feel about the idea of the Old Testament being a testament of Christ from beginning to end? If you think that it is, what brought you to that conclusion?

There are some who feel that the Old Testament and New Testament are not interrelated. How do you feel about this?

The writers of the New Testament, and the authors of the four Gospels especially, how do you feel about their writings? Have you read any of the Gnostic Gospels? What do you think of them?

Was the Council of Nicea truly the first time anyone agreed on the complete biblical canon? How was the Hebrew Bible decided upon?

The idea of Temple worship in the early Christian church, where is the evidence for this?

I've probably overwhelmed the thread already, but this stuff fascinates me. In time I would like to broaden my studies to other religions, but I thought it best to have an exhaustive knowledge of my own first. So I focus here first, hope it does not annoy. Take whatever aspects you are comfortable with, and reply if you wish.

I believe that you are in the proper frame of mind at this time to understand why a 14 year old boy would say: 'The teachers of religion of the differenct sects undstood the same pages of scripture so differenty so as to destroy any confidence by a question of the Bible.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ for what it does for me personally. We can know the truth for certain because we will always require two witnesses of anything we read or have been taught but one of those witnesses would have to be the Holy Spirit. We are not suppose to put our trust in the arm of flesh.

Oh, sure, we have a prophet to lead and direct the affairs of the Church but anything he tells us in regards to prophecy or a personal understanding of the scripture HAS to be verified by the Holy Spirit for us to be able to believe it. I will grant you that there too many Mormons who will not follow this practice and can be lead astray just like anyone else. But let's talk Bible:

1 John 2: 27 The anointing which you have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is NO LIE, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

St. James 1: 5 IF any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.

To know truth you first have to find the path to truth. And the LDS are supposed to know the truth of the past, the present, and the future according to the Bible and LDS books.

St John 8: 31 If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.
32. And you shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free.

Doctrine and Covenants 93: 24 And TRUTH is the knowledge of things, as they were, as they are, and as they are to come.

Find the path and you'll find peace
grampa75

[_Fortigurn]

Was the Council of Nicea truly the first time anyone agreed on the complete biblical canon? How was the Hebrew Bible decided upon?

No. In fact the council of Nicea made no decision on the canon.