Something that needs to be said - So I'm gonna say it.

[EricH]

Why don't we all take this literally:

The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 HCSB

what does it mean to quarrel? are we not to disagree ever?

but I will be the first to admit that I do struggle with the patient and gentleness thing, but I am working on it.

Thanks for the post

That is a great question! The word used for quarrel (machomai) has the nuance of engaging in armed combat or of those who contend in the courts with each other over property. It is basically conflict that is unedifying and is in oppostion to being gentle and patient. It is basically conflict that has at its root the desire to win at all costs.

[soshine]

I find it somewhat incredible that when a Believer in Jesus states that he/she believes in the Bible ...LITERALLY...that other Believers are quick to point out their beliefs of the SAME written WORD. Their opinions CONTRARY to what the Bible says. Of course translations may have altered down through the centuries but the Bible is still regarded by many historians both Christian and secular, that it is one of THE most faithful of writings from antiquity to have made it into the modern era.

Did God want to confuse His Followers by delivering the TRUTH of His nature and the Truth of mankind, only to sit back and see how WE - His Followers, interpret it?? Personally, I don't think so.

Jesus gave credence to the five books of the OT by quoting from the OT.

When Jesus called the Bible "the Word of God," He indicated that the truths revealed in it do not have their origin with men, but with God.

Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, "I said, "You are gods?" '? I f He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, "You are blaspheming, " because I said, "I am the Son of God'?" Jon 10 vv34, 36 (Quote from Derek Prince - World renowned Bible scholar and teacher of Sripture.)

The Scripture cannot be broken. Wow, that is HUGE.

How many situations in the OT can we identify where the Prophets messages from God were met with.."Now let me see...God gave this message but my interpretation of His wording of the message is thus! Therefore, I will accept His message on MY terms....thankyou Phrophet."

Blind faith (REALLY? Believing the Bible literally is blind faith? hmmmm) Rather, hearing something and checking it out in the Bible to confirm it's Truth is SMART....with eyes WIDE open.

I am PROUD of the Bible and I'm proud to believe what the Bible says....literally.

Literally speaking...I take the Bible at it's Word.

Hi His girl

I personally use the KJV, but use other translations to help decipher it when the archaic language poses a problem for me.

ALL prophecies uttered must line up with the Bible, or they were not from God. I love how God continues to write His word in my heart, by guiding me through each day. But I am also aware of other voices, particularly the ones that try to mimic the sound of the Holy Spirit, and even quote scriptures. These familiar spirits are the little foxes that spoil the vines, the little leaven that leavens the whole lump. And they love to whisper their fake but convincing lies, out of context truths meant to lead you astray, and other fakeries into the ears of fellow Christians. That is why, in the spirit of meekness and humility, we need to correct one another in love.

The Bible is God's literal word to us. But without Him speaklng to us day to day, our trust in the Bible is no more alive than the Pharisees' was. The Rhema word is just as important as the Logos, and the one will never contradict the other.

Peace to you, because of Christ

soshine

[Guest HIS girl]

I'm not going to split hairs with what I believe anymore on this thread.

I stated clearly in my first post, my position of the Bible and I don't need to justify that to other people. Especially brothers and sisters of the Faith.

When Jesus says let your yes be yes and your no, no - then I will take that cue here.... yes - I believe God's Word to be literal : no - I don't have to justify that belief to anyone.

I'm answerable to God.

[Guest HIS girl]

If that was from the heart and honest, fantastic -

if in sarcasm, I feel sorry for you.

[Smalcald]

I'm not going to split hairs with what I believe anymore on this thread.

I stated clearly in my first post, my position of the Bible and I don't need to justify that to other people. Especially brothers and sisters of the Faith.

When Jesus says let your yes be yes and your no, no - then I will take that cue here.... yes - I believe God's Word to be literal : no - I don't have to justify that belief to anyone.

I'm answerable to God.

No you don't have to justify it to anyone.

I do think it is important to look at the more simple explanation of scripture and the more literal explanation when there is a conflict and I would veer toward being more literal rather than less. Which is why I also believe in a 6 24 hour day creation.

However if we do take the bible literally we must show special respect for those who also take the bible literally and come to different conclusions than we do. For example the bible says in Mark that God will confirm faith in Christ by the accompanying signs, those being handling poison snakes and drinking poison. Most of us feel that this does not mean we should do that, but some who claim that they are "literal" do indeed do this. I disagree with them but I will not disparage them for their faith.

The same goes for communion. Christ said and Paul intimated that communion was the Body and Blood of Christ, there are some Christians who take this literally, I disagree with many of them, but I will not disparage them.

So literalism will still produce disagreement, I think the key is that we have respect for those who seek truth in this way.

[Grace1479]

I also believe in taking the Bible literally. And where something's unclear, I depend on the Holy Spirit to guide me in the understanding. That's why it's so important that we have to be fined tuned to hear the Holy Spirit's voice or guidance

[Guest HIS girl]

However if we do take the bible literally we must show special respect for those who also take the bible literally and come to different conclusions than we do.

I don't think I've shown disrespect for anyone's point of view here. You will have to read all of my posts on this thread to arrive to your conclusion.

[Guest HIS girl]

but I also don

[Guest HIS girl]

I also believe in taking the Bible literally. And where something's unclear, I depend on the Holy Spirit to guide me in the understanding. That's why it's so important that we have to be fined tuned to hear the Holy Spirit's voice or guidance

Absolutely.

WITHOUT the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can read the Bible and interpret it however we WANT.

[Guest shiloh357]

Do you think that will be beneficial? We seem to not agree on the Bible OR the word literal.

Do you believe Jonah was swallowed by a large fish? Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt? Noah and the Ark? 24 hr day Creation? The miracle by Jesus of feeding the 5000?

I believe each and everyone of them..literally.

Do you?

With your answer we may bridge the gap to what we both perceive as the meaning of literal.

To read the Bible literally, means to read it as literature. What I mean is, there are different types of literature in the Bible, like poetry, parables, narratives, history, prose, prophecy, etc.

To take the Bible "literally" means that you understand what is written both within the framework of the type of literary type employed as well as the intent of the author.

One thing to keep in mind is that "literal" does not mean "face-value." If it did then we would all have to pluck out our eyes and cut off our hands as Jesus commanded. "Face-value" is a wooden approach to the Bible that fails to account for symbolism, metphors, similies, allegories and so forth. Often those who take the Bible at face-value are under the fale impression that they are taking the Bible literally.

I am not assigning that value to you, His Girl. I am just making a general observation of what I have seen happen many times.