Bible Thump
Posted @ 10:32 a.m. on 2008-03-20
Arguing just to argue isn’t always the nicest thing to do. But it can be used to evoke thought.
This morning I went to breakfast with some of the guys from church. I knew two of the 6 other guys that were there so I got the chance to meet new people. I think that I may have made a few people uncomfortable with me. I am very careful when discussing my views on the Bible and what things in the Bible "mean". When expressing my opinion I am very quick to say that I am speaking my opinion. I am also used to receiving strange looks when I say things.
Perhaps I talk to people who don’t speak The Kyle’s English.
I came across a situation today that I couldn’t pass up. The group was discussing their opinions on Heaven and what it would be like. We all agreed that it was a fairly big place. One of the guys said that the Bible gives the dimensions of the "New Jerusalem" described as Heaven in the book of Revelation. he said that is was something like 1500 square miles. As in 1500 miles tall, long, and wide.
This is a grand thought that a city could be so large. But it is my opinion that if you put a limit on it then you are admitting that something that God made could only be that size. No bigger, no smaller. When I said that to the group they all looked like I just kicked them in the nuts. Then some of them shook their heads. The guy beside me said that the bible was filled with exact measurements like Noah’s Ark.
To this I responded that in my opinion the numbers in the Bible directly related to physical objects were written down after such things were built. Whether the measurements of Noah’s Ark were from God was never in question. The question comes from the fact that nobody has seen this "New Jerusalem". It was described in Revelation and in my opinion the measurement of 1500 square miles is just an illustration for how absolutely huge the city is and a description of Gods inconceivable power.
After reading this I’m sure that anyone can guess that I don’t believe in every little detail of the Bible. I am reading a book that brings up a good point. When the people who wrote the Bible sat down with pen and paper they had agendas.
I’m not saying that they falsified the Bible for selfish reasons. I just saying that, in my opinion, it seem that that there were specific audiences that the authors were trying to reach. So the writings were "tailored" to certain people of "that" era.
I don’t think that everything in the Bible transcends time. I DO think that the morals and values that the Bible teaches are timeless. I DO think that the Bible should be used as a finer delineation between right and wrong. I DO think that the Bible speaks to us.
The only problem with that is when two people don’t get the same message ...which is what happened today.
Everyone should have their own opinion on what things in the Bible mean. If people follow a specific belief that they are "taught" then it is nothing but an empty belief.
We were all called to have a relationship with God. Not with the pastor or preacher that says his/her way is the right way.
If there is anyone reading this that has become angry or frustrated with me about my opinion then may I direct you to the Bible. Hebrews 8:8 http://bible.cc/hebrews/8-8.htm
Then to Hebrews 9:15 where, in effect, it is stated that through the sacrifice of Jesus and his resurrection the "old covenant" is now obsolete as stated in Hebrews 8:13. This is also referenced in the Old Testament in Jeremiah 31:31