Bible

[Butterbescotch]

I can't find any thread so I made one. As a not-so-dedicated Christian, I sometimes (or always) struggle with the meaning of the passages and I hope you can help me out (or we can help each other).

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Question:

Can you remember the verse about adultery? The part when about lust.

[Evapohler]

If I remember correctly, adultery is discussed in Leviticus.

[Aileenhu]

I think adultery is discussed not only in Leviticus, but some books around that one.

[Maud Fitch]

God didn't actually write the Bible, he guided others to interprete his Will here on Earth. Leviticus tells us that adultery is punishable by death but I think we've come a long way since that decree and would interprete it today as being unnecessarily harsh.

[A24]

The New Testament associates remarriage after divorce and adultery. Marriage is a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. Divorce does not break the bond, so remarriage is viewed as adultery except in cases where unfaithfulness was the reason for the divorce (Matt. 5:32; Mark 10:11-12).

[Butterbescotch]

@Maud Fitch

Oh right. Thanks for the correction.

@all

Thanks for the answers

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Question:

How did Jesus exactly save us by dying at the cross? That is what the elders always told me but not only Jesus died at crucifixion. There are already many people before him who have suffered.

[A24]

Jesus was the only pure sacrifice - without sin. So, his dying on the cross took all the sins of man....past, present, and future. It is God's gift to us. But, as a gift - it is extended and must be received. When you admit you are a sinner and accept Jesus Christ as your savior, this is the ONLY way to Heaven.

Man's Problem: Man is separated from God by his sins.
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." Romans 3:23


Man's Solution: Man tries to earn his way to heaven through good works.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9


God's Solution: God has already paid the penalty for man's sins.
God Himself took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ,
died in man's place and rose to demonstrate victory over death.
"God made Him (Christ) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him
we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21


Man's Response: Believe/Faith. Believing means that you personally put your
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the payment He made for you on the cross...
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13


You may wish to use this prayer to call on the name of the Lord:
Dear Father, I now understand salvation. I freely admit that I am a sinner
and that my sin separates me from you. Right now, I accept the Lord Jesus Christ
as my personal Savior. I am depending on Him, and Him alone, to forgive
my sins and to bring me into a right relationship with you by removing the barrier of sin
between us. I pray these things in the name of your Son and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."



If you have believed, welcome to God's family.
"...that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:10-13

[Artdude]

A good example of tragi-comedy.

[A24]

A good example of tragi-comedy.

What exactly do you mean?

[Artdude]

A good example of tragi-comedy.

What exactly do you mean?

It has examples of both tragedy, and comedy.

[Vogin]

I've tried to understand religious people for the purpose of a book I wrote. I made interviews, took notes and interpreted as best as I could, but I won't pretend I've ever understood for even one second how can someone live by by believing in something with no evidence whatsoever.

[Stella]

I'm not religious, but after reading The God Delusion I wanted to understand more about the Bible. I believe that you can't disregard other people's beliefs without trying to understand them more. I liked some of the stories, but I will always see it as fiction. It's just the way I've been brought up to think.

[Simworm]

I definetly believe the what the bible says is true, but it is most definetly open to interpretation and the conflict of it all is that sometimes people don't always get the same meaning of it as another. God and His Word have definetly helped me get through a lot being a young mum and this first year of marriage and always has provided just enough for me. Anywho... back to the main question, I think there is a scripture in the New Testament that talks about how your body belongs to your husband/wife, so even if you look at somebody else lustfully then you are committing adultery. I suppose I understand it as I get offended when my husband looks at say, Emma Watson, on tv and then says out "I'd tap that" or something to that effect. Though, perhaps, I'm in the wrong for being jealous?

The Bible gateway website is always helpful though if you're looking for a specific verse.

[Maud Fitch]

...I won't pretend I've ever understood for even one second how can someone live by by believing in something with no evidence whatsoever.

It's called faith, and faith takes on many forms in everyday life, it's just that we don't always attribute it to religious significance.

A good example of tragi-comedy.

My late father used to say 'every story ever written about human nature has already been written in the Bible'. It covers a broad spectrum of human emotions displayed during the trials and tribulations of life.

[Fran]

There are so many interpretations of the Bible .... something the human race has many reasons to regret!

The Old Testament IMO is really a history of the Jewish people and as such is a very interesting, if bloodthirsty & somewhat bawdy, read. I've read it in the same critical manner I read any book and would certainly not take it as a definitive road map to lead my life by. I have, for example, no intention of attempting to wipe out the seed, breed and generation of every person who ever insulted me ... whether intentional or accidental. I bet the exaggerated bloodthirstiness was a way of keeping the reader's (or more likely listeners) attention, much the same as contemporary horror writers will included plenty of blood & guts to hold their audience.
Just a terrible pity so many take the Old Testament literally and choose to ignore the gentler, forgiving, more life enhancing but more demanding message of the New Testament.
That's just my opinion & to each their own I guess.