To us? Or to them?

[yomotalking]

No one has answrred my question clearly.

I would not give up the Bible....(thanks Rons!)

But questioning it.

I don't think that is wrong.

[Guest shiloh357]

Hi all.

I was  thinking about things some days ago...and I suddenly realised that the Bible talks to the people of the times it was in.....not us.

It was a shock.

Some of you would say "That's silly,"

But......howm do we know that it was for US, not the people recieving the letters, commands, texts,and so on...then.......?

I'm not looking for a heated discussion, just answers.

For all of you who seem worried, I am still reading the Word of God.

I'm not dropping it......I'm simply asking about it.

Yomo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yomo, what you are becoming aware of, is the difference between interpretation and application. There is only one interpretation of any given passage, but there can be several applications.

The letters that Paul wrote to the various Churches spoke of specific issues that applied to them in that day. The Bible is, among other things, a book of history that is written to a people in history, and as such contains commandments, exhortations, admonishments that are uniquely relevant to them in their day and age.

The Bible talks about the manifold (many-sided) wisdom of God. God's word is limited in interpretation but is unlimited in application. We can interpret what is being said to clearly understand the literal meaning of God was saying to the Church at Corinth for example, but we can glean spiritual principles that apply to us as well. The Bible is set up that way. God can minister a verse of Scripture to you that meets a specific need in your life, and minister the same Scripture to someone else in a way that meets a totally different need in their life. The Bible is an amazing book, really.

God's word addresses every need of the human heart, and therefore while being uniquely relevant to a specific people at a specific time, is universally relevant to us where the spiritual applications are concerned.

[justme7]

That's great yomo that you are seeing this on your own.  The holy Spirit must really be moving in you.  Yes, the bible is God inspired writing to the people at that time and is like a journal.  It gives great advise, teachings and we can see that their daily struggles are no different to us now.  We use this to help us understand how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.  When we are in a crisis or need help, it is the best place (besides prayer) to go to for insight .   

We have an awesome God!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i agree. there is nothing new under the sun right?? some parts of the Word, namely the NT, speak to us as believers and yet were still written to a particular people in that time frame. in the OT we see history of GOD's dealings with man. both are perfect and useful for reproof, instruction, edification etc. somehow, in actuality, the whole of the Word speaks directly to us....not always in the sense that we should do this or that (OT), but in the sense that here is GOD's Word and HE is continually saying know Me....know Me....know Me.

[Guest yod]

Hi all.

I was  thinking about things some days ago...and I suddenly realised that the Bible talks to the people of the times it was in.....not us.

It was a shock.

Some of you would say "That's silly,"

But......howm do we know that it was for US, not the people recieving the letters, commands, texts,and so on...then.......?

I'm not looking for a heated discussion, just answers.

For all of you who seem worried, I am still reading the Word of God.

I'm not dropping it......I'm simply asking about it.

Yomo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I forget that this is a revelation to some people. I'm so happy that you got the revelation!!

This is exactly why I always harp on understanding the hebraic context of the Bible.

[Guest Zeph3:14]

The Bible is the inspired word of God, it is also the living word, just as God is still living. It may have been written at a certian point in time but the Holy Spirit allows it to be alive and speaking directly to you, today. It applies as much to our time as the time it was written. The God of yesterday, today and tomorrow wrote it, it applies, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

[justme7]

Hi all.

I was  thinking about things some days ago...and I suddenly realised that the Bible talks to the people of the times it was in.....not us.

It was a shock.

Some of you would say "That's silly,"

But......howm do we know that it was for US, not the people recieving the letters, commands, texts,and so on...then.......?

I'm not looking for a heated discussion, just answers.

For all of you who seem worried, I am still reading the Word of God.

I'm not dropping it......I'm simply asking about it.

Yomo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yomo---cool question! my personal opinion is this: we know the law portions of the OT, were for Israel, GOD's people. the rest of the OT is mostly history of GOD and man, or GOD and HIS people, Israel. we can read them and know that they are benificial to us, even though they were not directed to or told to us personally. the neat thing is that the OT is like a prelude to the NT. they somewhat mirror eachother, having always common themes. in the NT we find that Abraham is now the father of all who believe. so here we go... the NT speaks to us, even though the epistles are written to specific groups of people, because we believe now, we are lumped together with those who believed then. the things that we absolutely know we must follow are the words of JESUS. the words of JESUS when followed, cover the ten commandments as well. the NT tells us directly that specific dietary and cultural laws (ie...pork/circumcision) are not neccesary any longer. the OT set GOD's people aside by behavior and tradition, whereas the NT focuses on being set aside by faith and the condition of one's heart.

the Bible answers your question perfectly...explaining in the NT that all scripture is benificial to the believer, explaining what food and cultural laws have changed, explaining that all the law and the prophets hang on our final and full command from JESUS (love the LORD your GOD/love your neighbor as yourself) , and explaining the character and heart of CHRIST.

i may have rambled, but i meant well.

amber

[ann2]

Yomo-----go back and read Nanners post real slow and think about it.The bible is our guide book for here on earth.It will answer any question or problem you encounter.Bless you for digging deeper about your faith.

[yomotalking]

^Thanks, all.

Especially Zeph.