Can you be a Christian and NOT believe the Bible? (disciple, atheist)

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by mrsengle

I seldom pipe up on religious threads, but I'd like to participate here.

I think the Bible is a good book, but I don't think it's the word of God. I don't think anyone is capable, insipred or not, of containing God's Word in a book.

My relationship with God is a very private matter. The only time I truly pray is behind closed doors. I just can't do it in a church. I seldom discuss it with anyone, including my husband. But I will say, I see God everywhere I look. I think He talks to us all the time, but I don't think we do a very good job of listening. Does this thinking make me less of a Christian? I don't think so. Either way, I am a child of God. I am part of His Plan, I am a part of His Creation, as is everyone else on the planet. IMHO, to label a human being as 'saved' or 'damned' makes a mockery of God and the very reason Jesus died for us.

I'm not a 'cafeteria Christian.' I am the Christian that God made me. My knowledge of God isn't something that I was ever taught in church or by my parents. It is deeply intrinsic. It is my Rock. It isn't something I found in the Bible, and it isn't something I came up with in my intellect. Yet, it is very real to me, and I carry it everywhere I go. My faith springs from this.

This is more of how I believe and much the same as I have come to my faith, however you have said it so much better than I could have.

[Brother Dave]

Originally Posted by pianogal

Brother Dave,
A careful reading of John 1:1 shows that the WORD IS Jesus - it is not referring to the scriptures (or Bible) in that passage.

Jhn 1:1
IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jhn 1:2
He was in the beginning with God.
Jhn 1:3
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Jhn 1:4
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Jhn 1:5
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Hi Pianogal and all here who love and try to follow our Savior Jesus

Thank you for posting John 1:1-5. Yes, Jesus Christ IS the Living Word of the Living God ! Jesus made all things and beings in this large universe of ours. Hebrews ch 1 also states in Truth that Jesus Christ made the worlds. (plural in some Bibles)

As an Evangelist-Theologian for over 30 years to date, I do clearly see some spiritual progress in Christian viewpoints worldwide. More on this dawning "Spiritual Springtime" later. Here is a vivid example of why I (and you and others here) are posting that the Word of God is Jesus and not the Bible(s).

Around AD 1975, my family was in W. Texas where we owned and operated hardware, gun and music stores One day, a S. Baptist preacher came in and talked religion with me, my wife, and some of our clerks-guards-gunsmiths. (This was about one or two years before my Spirit Birth in Jesus; I was an agnostic Truth seeker then) I told him that I did not believe that the Bible was the "Word of God" as it had too many serious errors. He got very upset, causing our Doberman guard dog to immediately growl at him. (Out ! Baron ! Stay !) This "preacher" then lifted up his large Bible and said: (in so many words)

"This Bible is the Word of God ! When I put my Bible up on a shelf; God is up there on that shelf until I bring Him down !!!"

I told him that belief was insane; leave and never come back.

He wanted so hard to control God ! -- utter foolishness !

The True Revelation of God in Jesus, One in Spirit here, CONTINUES worldwide ! All spiritual and Theological errors are slowly and wisely beiing removed by HE --JESUS -- the Spirit of Truth.

Peace and progress in our Holy Father-Son-Spirit of Truth,

Your Brother Dave

[dncngrl1964]

Originally Posted by irishmom

I think this goes back to different denominations of Christian and personal faith choices. I believe in Jesus as Christ, therefore I am Christian. I just don't believe that the bible is the word of God, there is too much of man's interpretation and infuence throughout it. Therefore I choose to interpret the text of the bible for myself instead of going by the interpretations/teachings of others. To say that you are a REAL Christian to me means you believe in Jesus as Christ not that you believe the bible verbatim. To you it obviously means you must believe in the bible verbatim and assumingly the interpretations of the bible from what ever study group or pastor has given them to you as teachings.

.

Thank you irish this is exactly what I am trying to say
How can one believe it word for word when it has been altered by a man on a mission
It says it on the title
The King James Version
well how many versions of God's word can there be??????

[CelticLady1]

Originally Posted by Brother Dave

"This Bible is the Word of God ! When I put my Bible up on a shelf; God is up there on that shelf until I bring Him down !!!"

And, unfortunately, it seems that's where many Christians leave him. How convenient.

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

And, unfortunately, it seems that's where many Christians leave him. How convenient.

That is very true and very sad, I have been guilty of that myself.

[michelleleigh]

I allways belived that, God word is Gods word however the bible was edited by Man

[Calibelle]

Accepting Jesus into your heart is not the only step to making it to Heaven. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The new testament is an account of Christ's life, and his ministery while he was on earth. The old testament speaks of the ancient prophets who testified of Christ's birth, and were prophets to him.

Saying that all you have to do to be saved is accept Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior isn't the end. We need to live as He did, and obey the things he taught. If someone says they accept Jesus into their heart, and then they go and murder someone, I really doubt they are going to be saved, unless they try to repent of their sins.

Getting to Heaven takes a daily effort of doing our best.

Saying that you are saved for accepting Jesus into your heart, but then not believing in the bible, which tells us everything Jesus taught.... is like putting your name down on the ballot as a democrat, but then not believing a darn thing the democrats stand for.

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by Calibelle

Accepting Jesus into your heart is not the only step to making it to Heaven. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The new testament is an account of Christ's life, and his ministery while he was on earth. The old testament speaks of the ancient prophets who testified of Christ's birth, and were prophets to him.

Saying that all you have to do to be saved is accept Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior isn't the end. We need to live as He did, and obey the things he taught. If someone says they accept Jesus into their heart, and then they go and murder someone, I really doubt they are going to be saved, unless they try to repent of their sins.

Getting to Heaven takes a daily effort of doing our best.

Saying that you are saved for accepting Jesus into your heart, but then not believing in the bible, which tells us everything Jesus taught.... is like putting your name down on the ballot as a democrat, but then not believing a darn thing the democrats stand for.

But if what you say is true and in order to be saved you have to live as he did, then believing what a lot of churches teach the bible means would make one quite judgemental and intolerant of others. It is my belief that He was not like this. So I choose to take my meaning of the bible from how I think Jesus would have wanted it to be read instead of how the men who wrote it interpreted His words.

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by Calibelle

Accepting Jesus into your heart is not the only step to making it to Heaven. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The new testament is an account of Christ's life, and his ministery while he was on earth. The old testament speaks of the ancient prophets who testified of Christ's birth, and were prophets to him.

Saying that all you have to do to be saved is accept Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior isn't the end. We need to live as He did, and obey the things he taught. If someone says they accept Jesus into their heart, and then they go and murder someone, I really doubt they are going to be saved, unless they try to repent of their sins.

Getting to Heaven takes a daily effort of doing our best.

Saying that you are saved for accepting Jesus into your heart, but then not believing in the bible, which tells us everything Jesus taught.... is like putting your name down on the ballot as a democrat, but then not believing a darn thing the democrats stand for.

All that's required for Salvation is faith.

While I see what you are saying and I agree that the 'proof' of that faith is proved out in our lives, there's nothing that we can 'do' to make us good enough to deserve the free gift.

Our salvation is not tied to works, it is tied to faith and coming under the authority of Christ. (Hence 'Lord AND Savior)

Again, I realize that act of acceptance and submission brings about works, it has to, but the works are not 'part' of salvation. That's teaching a conditional salvation, and that's not biblical.

[Calibelle]

Originally Posted by irishmom

But if what you say is true and in order to be saved you have to live as he did, then believing what a lot of churches teach the bible means would make one quite judgemental and intolerant of others. It is my belief that He was not like this. So I choose to take my meaning of the bible from how I think Jesus would have wanted it to be read instead of how the men who wrote it interpreted His words.

Christ said to love our enemies, do good to those that hate us, use, and persecute us. Jesus walked among the poor, and those who sinned, not the rich and mighty.

My advice is to pray about the things in the bible that may not make any sense to you. If you get a warm feeling in your heart after prayer, then you know what you are reading is the truth. In the book of James it says,"If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not."

Yes, Faith is an important part of salvation. Faith is believing in things that are not seen, which are true.

I once heard that the definition of charity, the pure love of Christ is saying the following to those around us, " It's not I love you because.... it's I love you in spite of."

Being judgemental and pointing the finger at people who we think may be sinners is not what Christ taught. He taught us to love and forgive all men. Christ said," I the Lord God will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you, it is required to forgive all men."

I do not agree with churches who preach fire and brimstone, and eternal damnation, and who openly pronounce to people that they are sinners, and judge them. That is not the order of the Church which Christ established during his time on earth.