There's a few Christian concepts which I would like to understand??

Question

I am currently reading the Bible. There's a few things that confuse me. Can you explain them?

In the book of genesis it says about how God rested on the 7th day, after creating the world. Why would God need to rest? Isn't God all powerful

2) Do you take some things in the Bible metaphorically? If so, why?

3) In Mark 16:17:18 it talks of '"These are the signs that will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; even if they drink any deadly poison it will not hurt them; and they will place their hands on the sick, and they will recover." The passage talks of the mark of a believer. But drinking poison = death. ???

Thanks.

Answer 1

1) http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsou...

Interestingly enough, it has been scientifically proved that the human body operates best when taking a break one day in seven. There were attempts during the French Revolution to introduce a ten day week, but this proved impracticable.

2) Some people take every word in the Bible literally, but I take some things metaphorically and indeed some of the books of the Bible (e.g. the Song of Solomon) are intended to be understood metaphorically.

3) I have not come across any instances of people drinking deadly poison and being rescued from the ill effects purely through faith, but I have seen and heard about such extraordinary miracles that I am prepared to accept that this is possible.

Answer 2

Some Christians take the bible completely literally.  Others take certain portions of it as allegory ("metaphor" isn't quite the right term here).  Most have never read it, and simply follow what their parents and/or preacher says.

Answer 3

1) If God is willing and not able, then he is not all powerful. If He is able and not willing, then is he not malevolent? And if He is neither able nor willing, then why call Him God?

2) You can't take much in the bible literally. There are too many things that are obviously metaphorical.

3) That'll be metaphorical, mate.  

Answer 4

Don't trust it - it's all claptrap!

God is reported to have rested on the seventh day so that (in medieval times) the higher classes could get the minions to work a 6 day week, with one day rest!

The bible is all there to show folk in olden times how to live a better life, work hard and don't cause trouble for the governing bodies!

Religion is just a control mechanism, a way of building power, making money and keeping the poor in their place.

Answer 5

YES, it is all very confusing!!!!! I agree. Especially in a modern context and with all our levels of education and technology.....but that's exactly how you have to interpret the Bible...as the product of stoneagemen. And that is also the shortcoming of some Muslims and Christians alike...applying a literal interpretation to their scripture instead of applying common sense and realising we live in a modern world....

The 7th Day was religions way of making sure slavemasters gave a day off per week...

We nearly all drink poisons and don't die...this is called Modern Medicine and its Jesus's way of telling us not to shun technology as the christian church does. If you take lanoxin for your heart you take a poison from the foxglove plant. Atropine from the poisonous plant, atropa belladon is used to speed up a heart stalled in heart block etc

You've got to add an awful lot of sarcasm and distain to Jesus's tone of voice when you read the Gospel.."Sinners" is used as a parody of the Pharisee priests judgement of others...in tone Jesus means these people termed sinners are not sinners in God's eyes. Jesus's message is AntiChurch...for instance, the whole of christianity is against his model of religion...religion from your heart without sacrifice or priestly Lords. But a type of human personality exists, the priest personality, and these types bend all religion towards their control. Jesus's infact hated this idea

The Bible, especially Jesus's stuff, is full of metaphors...see the good Samaritan. The Flood of Noah obviously was local...but to stoneage Noah it was the expanse of his world etc. I imagine metaphors are an Arab method of talk originally. Jesus's times were probably as dangerous a time to speak out as modern day Palestine. Could you imagine a man standing up and telling a crowd of people who were to stone a woman to death:" Hey guys, throw a stone at her by all means but lets have the first man here who hasn't sinned be to throw the first stone" in a fundamentalist Islamic Republic. Or imagine turning to Osama Bin Laden after a speech and saying:" Perhaps, a lot of our problems are to do with the restrictiveness of our religion and our lack of flexibility to fit into a modern world and our extreme responses to the intrusion of other cultures. Maybe we should abandon the rules and think with our hearts" ...this essentially is what Jesus said to the pharisees long ago...and they didn't like it.Would you or I be so brave...metaphors and parables were a less agressive way to confront religious leaders and more importantly to get their followers to think for themselves.

You've gotta realise too that Jesus does not equal Christ...that was St. Paul's fanatical equation. Jesus was really for non extreme religion, for people with faults but good hearts at the back of it all. You view Christianity...but this is simply a religion started by extremists that hijacked the image of jesus and produced a typical middle eastern "rulebook" scenario and hypocrisy. D'ya think Jesus would agree with the crusaders butchering islamic men, women and children ? No...that was men's doing.

Sooner or later each person has got to form their own "normal" relationship with God in private, do their best for their family and community and find a way to adapt and gently change the world we live in for all our benefit and as God would wish eg use contraception to limit our populations so that we have no need to expand our territories for food etc.

Answer 6

God rested means that He ceased from work, His creation was complete.

we know that Jesus is not an actual door when He state's

Joh 10:7  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

Gill's commentary

Mar 16:18 - They shall take up serpents,.... The Arabic version adds, "in their own hands"; and in an ancient manuscript of Beza's it is read, "in the hands"; so the Apostle Paul had a viper, which fastened and hung on his hand, which he shook off, without receiving any harm from it, Act_28:3.

And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; not that they were hereby warranted to drink poison, to show what power they had; but should they accidentally drink it, or rather should they be forced to it by their enemies in order to destroy them, they should find no hurt by it: and Papias (x) reports of Barsabas, surnamed Justus, who was put up with Matthias for the apostleship, Act_1:23, that he drank a poisonous draught, and by the grace of the Lord, received no hurt: and the Jews themselves report (y), that

"a son of R. Joshua ben Levi, swallowed something hurtful; and one came and whispered to him in the name of Jesus, the son of Pandira (so they call our Lord), and he did well.''

It follows,

and they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover; as the Apostle Paul did on the father of Publius, who was thereby healed of a fever, and a bloody flux, and also others, Act_28:8; nay, some were healed by the shadow of Peter, Act_5:15, and others, by handkerchiefs and aprons taken from the body of Paul, Act_19:12. The Persic version adds, without any authority, "whatsoever ye ask in my name, shall be given unto you".

(x) Apud Euseb. Hist. Eccl. l. 3. c. 39. (y) T. Hieros. Sabbat, fol. 14. 4. & Avoda Zara, fol. 40. 4. & Midrash Kobelet, fol. 81. 1.

Answer 7

I guess some of your lot would do well to adhere to this one

Thou shalt not kill.

Answer 8

1. If you think about it the bible was written a long time ago when human knowledge was not as advanced as it is today. Genesis is really a very good way of explaining the origin of life to a people that had no concept of the world and the universe that we have today. It is told in language and ways that would make sense to them.

2. There are many metaphors in the Bible which is ofter a good way of explaining difficult concepts.

3. Again we are talking in terms which would have been understood in those days. We should always remember that as the Bible was copied and translated it would undergo many changes and the concepts would be changed to fit the knowledge of the time . Don't take it too literally. Think what it means to you to have a faith.

Answer 9

1. This verse if you try to seek the truth, this is about giving us an example by God not to abuse our body for we are only but a dust and created by HIM; Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

That God is only asking us to give Him a day to fully focus on giving praises, honor, and to have fellowship with Him through listening to His Holy Words in unity with other Christians. Besides, this is how you oculd understand that God is not a boastful God, but; Phi 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Phi 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Phi 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Phi 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Phi 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Phi 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Phi 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2. Some. Yes! but not all. which means there are verses on the Holy Words of God that are literal.

3. These verses peratins to the apostle power that was given unto them, as apostles of Christ Jesus. Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mar 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mar 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

about this poison thing, this is all about: if someone try to sabotage them by putting poison on their drinks(thiis is very true in one of our neighboring town here in our country). That (the apostles) as given the power by Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles were protected from any harm by their enemy; Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

you're welcome.

Just pray and meditate on the Holy Words of the One True Living God, Lord Jesus Christ to find the truth nothing but the truth.oh 5:37  And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

Joh 5:38  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Joh 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Joh 5:41  I receive not honour from men.

you're very welcom and with the Love of Christ Jesus! Amen.

note: i suggest you ask God, Lord Jesus Christ ot help you find the truth. Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Free from the bondage of sin. 2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  

Answer 10

God did not NEED to rest. He set us an example.

I believe in the literal truth of the Bible, but some things are parables. Also Revelation is Apocalyptical literature and like all literature like that you take the figurative meaning first and then literal

God enables us to do miracles if our faith is strong enough

Answer 11

1. Rest means God stopped creating- he did not need a break- He was through.

2.Yes. Those things which the writers intended to be taken metaphorically should be. Those things intended to be taken as history are done so.....and so on. We do not choose how a passage is to be taken- the Bible indicates which way to interpret.

3. Unfortunately that last passage in Mark is believed by most conservative Bible students to have been added by a copyist. Some believe the original ending was lost and a copyist may have  added the new ending. The text that the early translators used to produce the early English Bible had this ending in their available source text. Today we have many, many more source texts than early translators had access to. Most all the text do not have this longer ending to Mark. Modern translations will note this. The writing style of this long ending does not match the rest of Mark.  

Answer 12

Most Christians just say "that's a metaphor" at some bits of the bible but then suddenly the next page is definitive truth. Then you have to realise their leaders can decree certain bits false as well. It's a cut and slash system

Answer 13

You are asking from the thoroughly confused who are having over 600+ sects & denominations, contradicting basic theology of Christianity.

I myself took 3-straight years in completing the Old Testament and reverted back to Koran for it's more clear & lucidly explains the matters.

Answer 14

I'm an atheist, and I think this sounds quite interesting:

Bump for great glory!

Answer 15

1. To set the example for mankind to follow.

2. Yes. First, It was Jewish tradition to do so. Second, it is obvious when reading some of the Biblical stories that it was intended.  

3. This is a teaching of faith. The Bible states that if someone has enough faith they can tell a mountain to move and it will move.   +?+  

Answer 16

1.  You are right about God being all powerful and not needing 'rest.'  So the question becomes in what sense does God rest?  The Bible tells us that God doesn't sleep or grow tired!  did you know that?

God then 'rested' from his works here on earth because they had been completed, and the works now needed to bear fruit as they had been created to do.

Paul teaches us that this 7th day rest period of God continues even today; this tells us that these days of God are thousands of years long.

------------

2.  The text determines how to interpret it when reading, doesn't it?

Particularly Revelation and Daniel contains symbols or metaphors that are later explained if a person seriously looks for these explanations.  

In Daniel and Revelation, beasts are used as metaphors, symbols  - for governments both democratic and otherwise.  The amount of symbolism is beyond recounting here.

However, when Paul tells us that those who practice wicked deeds shall not enter God's kingdom, the deeds mentioned must be taken at face value, don't you think so? (See source box)

--------

3.

Jesus showed us that doing something like jumping off the temple so that God would have to save him was wrong. (Matt chapter 4)

What you speak about in this case is not a question of Christians being told to do such things; rather, it was given them during the first century when the holy spirit was passed on by the apostles by the laying of hands upon the newly converted that they would be able to do miracles such as curing the sick, even resurrecting the dead, and so forth according to what you mention.

In this regard, we see Paul being bitten by a viper and simply shaking it off into the fire without any harm to himself.  This is what was meant; it wasn't meant that Christians should seek to harm themselves and go unscathed.

To do that would lead to disapproval and damnation just as Jesus himself would have been rejected by doing that.  

In today's world, I have myself experienced the 'miraculous' assistance for mortal danger (not brought on by myself).  

Two times with mortal danger have I been helped;

once I was shown how to avoid accidental sin;

once I was told not to do something that I then did anyway and had to pray for help to because of getting in over my head in dangerous trouble. (at the time, it didn't look dangerous at all - the weather caught me)

once I needed help badly and had to ask for assistance twice in one night.  Ironically, at my second request, a man named Mohammed came to my assistance and didn't charge me for his help though I offered it.

once on a trip to Africa, the mail had not arrived due to problems with mail delivery in France.  So I became therefore stuck in a strange country without anyone to meet me.  I didn't have my appointment's address, nor spoke the language.  God answered my prayer for help by sending a Catholic missionary who helped me and gave me lodgings for the night.  In the morning, he had found my sponsor.

----------

God helps those that need it.  Not those who sin willfully and try to hurt themselves.

Answer 17

Our concept of rest is not what God meant... Before man's fall into sin, rest meant taking a moment to appreciate the work done... giving room to fellowship... instead of work work work. No God does not tire as in the physical sense. God was also setting a precedence of how we are to live our lives, work then rest. By him doing so we are to follow his example the way a child follows it's parents. As for these signs will follow, there are christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit and perform miracles in Jesus' name, healing and deliverance's and the raising of the dead!

The mark of the beast refers to bio-chips which will replace credit cards and money. Eventually no one will be able to trade without these, If you take this mark you destined eternally for h**l, so we are commanded not to take it and trust Jesus Christ to be our saviour. By doing so we may risk dead in this life but will gain life eternal. It is all linked to the end times and the antichrist!  We are so close to the end now it is unbelievable. I hope you will continue to read the word and find out the truth. Email me if you like, I happy to share what I know!

Answer 18

As regards Genesis 1-11, I don't take that literally. The very name 'Adam' means man, so the whole early section of the Bible may have been partly symbolic to the original authors.

Mark 16. You need to read about faith - there is much teaching and examples to help in the Bible, as well as teachers such as Kenneth Hagin and Smith Wigglesworth (also see Kenneth Copelands' many faith recordings at www.kcm.org) who have made clear the Biblical revelation . Generally although God does some things sovereignly, faith is required for the promises to be activated. So you can see Paul get bitten by a poisonous snake on Malta in the book of Acts and yet suffereed no ill effects - because he had developed his faith. Also you see him performing miracles in Ephesus of a similar kind to Jesus' - again because of faith. And of course he was beaten many times, left for dead once or twice yet recovered and continued. All christians have the faith (received when they first hear the 'word of salvation') to believe Jesus died for their sins, and hence to be forgiven and to be regenerated in their spirit. But people must go on and develop their faith to do truly worthy things here on earth - for which they will be rewarded. As the parable of the Sower indicated, some progress very well, and some get somewhat stuck, and as it were scrape into heaven with little reward.

You can drink poison and not die if you have faith and are in God's plan for you ! But if you just doing it for some facile reason, and not because of maybe being persecuted and forced to, or on mission encountering hazards, you won't have real faith, as you would know in your heart that God won't support such silliness, even if carried away from some vain mental fancy (it would also require a person lacking common sense).

Answer 19

All religions make me wanna throw up

All religions make me sick

All religions make me wanna throw up

All religions suck

They all claim that they have the truth

That'll set you free

Just give 'em all your money and they'll set you free

Free for a fee

They all claim that they have 'the Answer'

When they don't even know the Question

They're just a bunch of liars

They just want your money

They just want your consciousness

[Chorus]

All religions suck

All religions make me wanna throw up

All religions suck

All religions make me wanna BLEAH

They really make me sick

They really make me sick

They really make me sick

They really make me sick

They really make me sick

They really make me ILL  

Answer 20

all religion is made up

people beleive what they want to beleive

i want  to beleive that jebus crist came from heaven, to save my soul

he died for my soul, and my sins, then he returned to heaven, and 300 years later, a new testment of bible is written, and it was all true to the last word, if it was not true, then why is the bible the best selling book of all time, it's the most printed book of all time, join us

Answer 21

Two separate questions...

1. The ' resting' means that creation ceased.

ceasing creation would not affect God's power.

2. In the Bible, some things are literal and some symbolic.

3. This referes to the disciples of Jesus, and not just the apostles.

70 were sent out two by two.

God protected them in their preaching. They would not have deliberately drunk poison, but would have been protected if someone else tried to poison them.

The Jewish religious leaders had no love for these new Christians...[ ex- Jews]

These ones were performing healing miracles...just to prove that Jesus was indeed the son of God.

Answer 22

Reading any book held holy by the believer with an open mind is a wonderful way of exercising your gift of knowledge.

Genesis; means that you stop material creations and think Godly.

2: Open mind.

3: I think in this context it means anyone who contaminates or manipulates what has been said.

There's a saying:

'Some have survived snake bites and yet some have died from shoe bites'

Answer 23

Not to disappoint you but you will be told there are some parts you are to read literally (all the good parts) and other parts are metaphorical (which are usually the bad parts where god kills masses of people). Hope that helps.  

Answer 24

1. God just took a break.  The creation was very big and complicated.  He needed to think about the whole deal maybe.  But the thing is we are supposed to follow his ways and rest one day a week to spend time with him.  He does things that he wants us to copy.  Such as Jesus got baptized but it wouldn't have been necessary but he wanted us to follow him and be baptized also.

2.  Not sure exactly what you mean.  Jesus spoke in parables, yes.  We have to interpret with the witness of the Holy Spirit which is why the atheists can't understand anything.

3. No, this is misinterpreted over and over.  Some people have misinterpreted it so much there are actually churches that have snakes and some people were bitten and died (but not in this area) and the pastor was arrested.  

As far as the snakes and poison goes, it means that IF you were to accidentally pick up a snake (we have to use wisdom), the snake would not bite us but in order to have all the good blessings of the Lord we must be abiding in Christ.  

Now the same thing for the poison, if we accidentally drink it or someone evil gives us some poison, it will not have any effect if we are abiding close to the Lord, and this is also true if God wants to save us and it is not our time to die.

Answer 25

The bible is just as full of contradictions and absurdities as the Qurran. Xtians who realise this try to get around it by saying some passages are allegorical or parables, and not to be taken literally. The problem with that game is how you then justify taking any of it literally.