Have you actually read the Bible ?

[gumbo]

You left off a choice. No. :shrug:

If your referring to the never read a word in the Bible choice ?
I honestly thought those who haven't read a word, would not be in the religion section anyway. My Bad

 

[Railroad]

I've read the King James version cover-to-cover at least twice, and have read extensively The Living Bible and Good News for Modern Man, and have begun using the New King James Version.Why do you ask?

 

[K_Jo]

My Catholic school wasn't big on the Bible. My answer is no.

 

[Club'nBabySeals]

I've got a degree in Biblical Studies---so I spent a lot of time in college and overseas reading the Old Testament. I've read the New Testament; as well as a number of Apocryphal books which were excluded from the canon by the church.

Some of the stories that didn't make it into the New Testament are the most intriguing of them all, in my opinion.

 

[Kizzy]

My Catholic school wasn't big on the Bible. My answer is no.

It's ok, you can admit it, I also spent most of the 1 1/2 per day in Religion staring out the window.

 

[2ndAmendment]

The God of the Old Testament and (to a lesser extent) the God of Paul's Letters and Revelations comes across to me as arbitrary, capricious and impossible to please.

Not arbitrary, capricious and impossible to please but absolutely holy and He expects nothing less than holiness.

Like nothing humans do is good enough for Him.

That is absolutely true since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. We are not good; we are not holy. The point is we cannot earn our way into His kingdom; we are accepted into His kingdom totally through His grace and plan of salvation.

Thank God He provides us Salvation through His sacrifice on the cross. Those that accept His forgiveness strive to do our best and that is what He expects of His children, our best. Those that do not accept His plan of salvation must be perfect and holy to get into His kingdom. The simple lesson that is the point of every book of the Bible, believe God and seek to live according to His will and receive forgiveness or be eternally separated from Him and goodness in the afterlife. Choose Light or darkness, salvation or damnation. Pretty black and white; no gray area at all the way I see it.

 

[K_Jo]

It's ok, you can admit it, I also spent most of the 1 1/2 per day in Religion staring out the window.

You had windows? :sad:

 

[Tonio]

Not arbitrary, capricious and impossible to please but absolutely holy and He expects nothing less than holiness.

It doesn't seem like that to me. The old saying that "it's all part of God's plan" makes God sound like a father from a Pat Conroy novel. It seems to me like humans can get in trouble for almost anything, depending on what mood God is in on a given day. Not just from what I've read in the Bible but also what I've read and heard from some Christians. And the whole idea of salvation for those who believe--isn't it impossible to make yourself believe something?

 

[dems4me]

Ive read it from cover to cover... how else would you compare Scripture in light of other scripture??? There are some parts I feel uncomfortable reading - such as the Song of Solomon, but other than that...yes... And, to make sure you don't lean unto your own understanding, I've also gotten several student NIV bibles to add to my studies.
God's the greatest!!!!

 

[dustin]

Lots of bits and peices since I've been able to read. various gospels and whatnot...in no particular order...just all over the place....

can i quote any scripture? maybe like 3 or 4....

but i figure thats one of the main reasons i dont have to remember scripture and just the lessons.....because its written.....why remember your windowsXP manual when you can just refer to it when called upon?

 

[2ndAmendment]

I know without a doubt there is a God, RR and 2nd, do you think God looks poorly at me for not reading the Bible?

It is not knowing that God is real that is the question; satan knows that God is real and satan does not need faith to know it since he has seen and been in God's presence. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? That is the question.

 

[2ndAmendment]

It doesn't seem like that to me. The old saying that "it's all part of God's plan" makes God sound like a father from a Pat Conroy novel. It seems to me like humans can get in trouble for almost anything, depending on what mood God is in on a given day. Not just from what I've read in the Bible but also what I've read and heard from some Christians. And the whole idea of salvation for those who believe--isn't it impossible to make yourself believe something?

Lots of people with lots of reasons for not believing. Sorry you are one of them. I pray that someday you will "see".

Human "intelligence" and wealth are two of the biggest obstacles to faith. Jesus said we must have the faith of a little child.

I believe because of my personal experiences with God. He is real! I know it.

If you don't believe, just on a "just in case" thing, pray to God that He reveals Himself to you. See what happens. Look for the evidence of God around you; you will see it.

 

[2ndAmendment]

Maybe I shoudn't have asked RR and 2nd that question, so understand if they wish not to answer, was going to delete post, but since Dems reply I'll leave it.

Hard to explain, but it's like I know it, without ever reading it.

I answered. See post above this one quoted.

 

[Toxick]

The whole kit & kaboodle.

Cover to Cover in the New American Standard Version. Bits and pieces in King James Version, New Living Translation, Revised Standard Version, and Hebrew Names Version (which is very cool, but requires more attention as to who's who, since some of the names are long and cumbersome).

I've tried to read the King James Version, but I just can't get through it. I seem to spend more time translating to modern English in my head than I do actually absorbing the content. Although not as much if as if I'm reading, say, the Canterbury Tales. Still - I find the language very distracting.

I've also studied a lot of books *about* the bible written by historians, and how the bible came to be, and about the people who wrote the books within.

That can be just as interesting as the bible itself. Moreso in some cases.

 

[jazz lady]

I have read quite a bit of it, especially the NT. I believe most of it has been the KJV.

I have also read some of "The Book of Mormon" when at one time I was considering joining their church long ago, but I found it and the church were not for me.

 

[Toxick]

If you don't believe, just on a "just in case" thing, pray to God that He reveals Himself to you.

I've always thought that Pascal's Wager to be the absolute worst reason to believe in God, or putting faith in Christ. In fact, it appears to me to be "I don't really believe in God, but I'm afraid of the concept of Hell, therefore I will force myself to 'believe'."

It appears to me that that is not faith, or belief - it's a gutless useless attempt at an excuse at salvation.


I'd rather deal with a sincere atheist than a someone who's Christian by default out of fear of the consequences of being wrong.

But that's just me. God might have a different opinion, and that's the one that matters.

See what happens. Look for the evidence of God around you; you will see it.

I've often said that anyone who can't see the evidence of God is ignoring it, or dismissing it out of hand.

 

[Bustem' Down]

Yes I have, King James Version back in High School. I've also read The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, some of the Quaran, some of the Bagvagad-gida (sp?).

 

[2ndAmendment]

I've always thought that Pascal's Wager to be the absolute worst reason to believe in God, or putting faith in Christ. ...

I think you misunderstood my intentions. I was thinking more on the lines of Gideon's fleece. Seek God, even if it is "just testing" and He will reveal His evidence or reason to believe. When His reason is revealed, it is no longer "just testing", but becomes "I see."

I'm not sure that is any clearer, but I tried.

 

[Tonio]

Although I believe in God, I do not expect others to share my belief, nor do I try to convince others to share it. My beliefs about the nature of existence are mine and mine alone. I stay away from most religious dogma because I don't like organizations or individuals trying to tell people what to believe. But even if I accepted Christian dogma, I would still refuse to believe that others are going to heaven or hell, because that seems to me like a violation of others' personal boundaries.

 

[Pegster710]

I've read bits and pieces of the St. Joseph's (Catholic Bible) and the King James version, too. I was raised Catholic, but have attended "holiness" churches and really like to worship with prayer and praise, song, dance, etc.

My sister and I were the first Alter "Girls" at St. Georges Catholic Church in Valley Lee, MD. My son and daughter both served Mass at Holy Face in Great Mills, MD.

And, 2A, I "see". I understand the message you are trying to send.