Question:
Help? Bible question?
Mr-Kay
2008-11-28 07:54:07 UTC
Can you believe some of the scriptures and reject the rest. eg like Leviticus and other old testament stuff.
Only apply what holds true to you and your leading.
Or does it have to be all or nothing.

Thanks
39 answers:
john10001
2008-11-28 09:23:49 UTC
Jewish people believe the Old Testament and are still waiting for the Messiah to come.



Christians believe the Bible; New Testament and Old Testament but esp the New Testament as that is the story, life, teachings and work of Christ.



Messianic Jews are Jews who are Christians and also believe that Jesus is the Messiah! Confused?



A number of things in the Qu'ran were plucked from the Bible.



So I guess that many people already do only believe parts of the bible and reject other bits. Even within Christianity different faiths have slight differences in regard to the multitude of books and scriptures that make up the Bible.



I certainly don't have any objection to anyone reading the Bible, looking at the evidence and deciding for themselves. I'd encourage people to read the books of all the main religions in the world, examine them in depth, compare them, look at the evidence and claims in each book and then draw your conclusions as to which you think originates from a devine source and which are bad. It's also good to ask questions about the different parts of the books you are reading to get a better understanding and explanation.
2008-11-28 18:24:45 UTC
Q: Can you believe some of the scriptures and reject the rest. eg like Leviticus and other old testament stuff.



Of course you *can* do this - but it is not very reasonable.



I would say the only reasonable position is an "all or nothing" position.



Understand, though, that this is a sort of loaded question. Consider these facts:

1) Leviticus is part of Mosaic Law

2) Scripturally, there are two groups of people required to follow Mosaic Law

a) those who are Jews or descended (through the male line) from Jews

b) those who live in a nation that is ruled by Mosaic Law



The reason I say this is that Mosaic Law was accepted by the early Hebrews as *a contract* between them and God.

http://www.studybibleforum.com/htm_php.php3?do=jump_to_chapter&refstr=Deut+4%3A2&trans=NASB

Notice, especially, verse 13, but the whole chapter is instructive: God made a *contract*, a *covenant* with the Hebrews. He did not make it with others, nor did he demand that the Hebrews force obedience to the Mosaic Law on those who were not under the (national) rule of Mosaic Law.



Most Jews will inform you that Gentiles are required to live only by Noahide Law. The Mosaic Law is a covenant arrangement strictly between the Jews and God.



Acts 15 punctuates this

http://www.studybibleforum.com/htm_php.php3?do=jump_to_chapter&refstr=Acts%2015&trans=NASB





So, we Christians *cannot* "reject" Scripture such as Leviticus. However, Scripture *plainly* tells us (Gentile Christians) that we are not bound by Mosaic Law as the Jews are. You cannot take Leviticus out of the context of the bible and expect to apply the regulations within to all Christians and Jews when the context clearly states that Mosaic Law is *not* required of all. Scripture itself tells us that those regulations are *required* only for a specific group, and Scripture itself tells us that Gentile Christians are not *required* to live under Mosaic Law (excepting the 4 regulations mentioned in Acts 15).



However, it should also be noted that **many** of the requirements of Mosaic Law are repeated for Christians in the New Testament. In other words, the New Testament instructs *Christians* that they cannot participate in such things as murder, thievery, homosexuality and the like.



Conclusion: Reasonably, it is irrational to "reject" portions of Scripture. The *whole* of Scripture must be accepted, including those portions that designate who is required to be obedient to which regulations!



Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/
2008-11-28 08:30:37 UTC
The Old Testament is basically the dealings of God with the Hebrew nation, and how the Hebrews interacted with those who were outside the covenant - known as Gentiles or unbelievers. In some instances they were their captors and at other times they were their friends or at other times they were armies they fought and so on.



The New Testament is addressed to the Jews and the Gentiles, and the call to salvation is offered to all. When Christ died on Calvary and the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom the way of salvation no longer required the intervention of a priest but all men could now come to God directly through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. This made it possible for the Jew to offer himself or herself to God without having to bring a sacrifice to a priest because Christ became the sacrifice once and for all time.



The Ten Commandments span both Testaments because they were given to help us avoid the mistakes that lead to all kinds of evil in the world. The books of Proverbs and Psalms provide sound counsel for living as we should in this life while teaching us the mistakes we can make as well. Genesis speaks of creation and the beginning of sin. Every book of the Bible holds something in it that we can learn from which will help us avoid evil and live righteously if we adhere to those things which tend to righteousness.



The one thing that is sure is that God has informed believers that the Holy Spirit will "lead us into all truth." It is up to us whether or not we will submit to His teaching.
2008-11-28 08:08:39 UTC
In the old testament, the people were given the law of obedience, because they would not live the higher law. And so a whole lot of obedience laws were made. The new laws made by Christ. (He fulfilled the old law, the main part of the old law was sacrifices) He kept the 10 commandments, but added the laws of love and forgiveness. The Old law was and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. The people weren't and couldn't live the full law. The first commandments on tablets were broken. So God gave them a lower law. Part of that was the 10 commandments. But now no revenge, no hate, love only, forgive. Give to the poor etc. These are much harder than just not walking a certain distance to church etc. Now if the ox is in the mire, we can harvest on the sabboth, but only for good reasons.



So that is the just of it. We do not have to live those laws just for obedience reasons. We are now not little children, but are treated as grown up.
2008-11-28 08:22:16 UTC
K:

Only Bible 'literalists', those who, amazingly, believe every word of it was inspired by their god, and contains not a single error..believe it must ALL be accepted without question. That includes the atrocities commanded by their god, and enough obscenity to make a hardened sailor blush.

Biblical scholarship, on the other hand, has determined over the centuries, that the Bible, FAR from being inerrant, contains upwards of 2,000 contradictions, errors, anomalies, anachronisms, and outright forgeries and lies.

....including conflicting geneologies for Christ (one actually manipulated to fit some cockamamie numerical jigsaw puzzle, the other having no releveance to Jesus since it derives from his FOSTER-father, Joseph.

To make matters more ridiculous, the scientific errors...such as a flat, immovable earth, and a traveling Sun, necessitate a total suspension of reason and logic....as illogical as accepting talking snakes and donkeys.



As John Wesley stated (though for a totally different reason) "If there be ONE error in the bible it cannot be the Word of God". What, then, can be said for a collection of books that contain more than 2,000 errors and contradictions.



ERGO: One either blindly accepts error and falsehood as the 'inerrant' inspired word of God....or one deconstructs and demythologizes the Bible (and the invented Christ) and tries to find meaning, in a collection of archaic writings, that will help 21st century men and women understand the God of the Bible and the historical Jesus of Nazareth.



A good place for ANYONE, with an open mind, to start would be with Bishop Spong's: "Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism: A Bishop Rethinks the Meaning of Scripture"
esuz
2008-11-28 08:36:46 UTC
The only parts or commands in the Bible that are not adhered to deals with sacrifice for sin.



Sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary since Jesus gave himself for us as a sacrifice for our sins. His shed blood does not cover sin as the blood of animal sacrifices. The blood of Jesus cleanses all sins and these sins and iniquities are no longer remembered. And there is therefore no more offering for sin [Hebrews 10: 17 & 18]



All other parts and commandments of the Bible should be obeyed. And both the Old Testament and New Testament should be believed whether you like them or not.
greatprincemichael
2008-11-28 08:03:03 UTC
I believe the original writings of the Bible are the inspired Word of God, so in theory it should be an all or nothing situation. However, the English translations used by most Christians are non-factual. These translations are copyrighted, and in the USA you can't copyright facts, just Fiction and Opinions. Since the publishers of these Bibles do not consider their very own translations to be factual, why should anyone else?



So my advice is to stick to the basics, such as loving your neighbor as yourself, and ask the Lord to guide your steps in service to Him.
2008-11-28 08:07:04 UTC
It is all true - but keep in mind that it has been translated a number of times and some errors exist due to this. Anyone who studies the book in the original language(s) will confirm this.



Also keep in mind that over time the Lord has required different behavior from his people. For many years Israel lived the Law of Moses. We are asked to live a "higher" law now. The book thus documents some requirements not applicable now.



A study of the Bible is required to determine what is applicable now and what isn't.
jennifer f
2008-11-28 08:01:28 UTC
honestly the scriptures are guides for your life and what is going around you and has all the answer to your questions but you have to look carefully. to answer your question it is preferred that you would not reject any but if you feel that way believe what is true in your heart. the bible and God will wait for you when you are ready and it will lead you to answer you never heard of or thought of before.
origen_1999
2008-11-28 07:59:22 UTC
it's not a matter of "rejecting" the material from Leviticus, and the OT. Just a matter of seeing it in its overall context. For example, the "cleansing from mildew" rituals in Leviticus had a cultural application, which is no longer applicable. All of the ceremonial rites, the same, all fulfilled in christ.
Ray W
2008-11-28 08:18:05 UTC
You don't reject the scripture, they are true but you must know who the scriptures are written to. Today we are living in the age of grace or what is called the church age or the body of Christ which is the church. All scripture is given for our learning but all scripture is not written to us. 1 Corinthians 10: 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Romans 15: 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Most of the Bible is written to the Nation of Israel under the Law of Moses. The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth to offer the Nation of Israel the Kingdom but they rejected Him and had Him killed on the cross. When He died He died for all people that would believe and trust in Him. He called the Apostle Paul and sent him to the Gentiles and gave him the gospel of the grace of God. Romans 4: 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Romans 4: 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

He tells us that must divide the Bible to understand it and to be approved of God. 2 Timothy 2: 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Leviticus tells us not to eat certain things but today God instructs us that we can eat all things if received with thnaks giving. 1 Timothy 4: 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:Always ask the question, Who is it written to?
Doethineb
2008-11-28 08:03:17 UTC
I think that the prayer "Lord I believe, help Thou mine unbelief" (Mark 8:24) is of assistance here. Once you begin to reject things, where does it end? Many people who are believers struggle with certain things, but trust God. The Holy Spirit helps us understand what is true -- He is the Spirit of truth. Always pray before reading God's word.
goshine2
2008-11-28 08:15:34 UTC
Paul told Timothy: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)



The Bible is not an unrelated assortment or collection of heterogeneous fragments from Jewish and Christian literature. Rather, it is an organizational book, highly unified and interconnected in its various segments, which indeed reflect the systematic orderliness of the Creator-Author himself. God’s dealings with Israel in giving them a comprehensive law code as well as regulations governing matters even down to small details of camp life—things that were later mirrored in the Davidic kingdom as well as in the congregational arrangement among first-century Christians—reflect and magnify this organizational aspect of the Bible.



.
M P A
2008-11-28 08:02:55 UTC
All or nothing. Once you start taking it apart and rejected some how can you possibly know what is true. On what would you base your own life and how could you expect co-operation from someone who has 'thrown out' different bits from the ones you 'threw out'?
fj m
2008-11-28 08:01:10 UTC
God says that you eigther choose Him or you choose satan. there is no "in the middle" or "both". if you choose anything other than what God wants, you dont choose Him.



if you are having trouble choosing who's side to be on, then just think about this:





"What if you're right?

And he was just another nice guy

What if you're right?

What if it's true?

They say the cross will only make a fool of you

And what if it's true?



What if he takes his place in history

With all the prophets and the kings

Who taught us love and came in peace

But then the story ends

What then?



But what if you're wrong?

What if there's more?

What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?

What if you jump?

And just close your eyes?

What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?

What if He's more than enough?

What if it's love?



What if you dig

Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends

What if you dig?

What if you find

A thousand more unanswered questions down inside

That's all you find?



What if you pick apart the logic

And begin to poke the holes

What if the crown of thorns is no more

Than folklore that must be told and retold?



You've been running as fast as you can

You've been looking for a place you can land for so long

But what if you're wrong? "



-Nichole Nordamen
HOPE 4 THE FUTURE:
2008-11-28 08:21:37 UTC
it depends what your up to........



No Offence, what or who are you hoping to impress.



There is no formula for Christianity, i'm not really sure what you are asking.

Try reading Romans Chapter 2. then read on.



Leviticus is evidence in a way, partly it shows Gods nurturing and providing for the active but sinful human mind. We are free thinkers and free to think, but we must choose to. Jesus saves.
2008-11-28 08:03:18 UTC
All the OT points to Christ. Christ fulfilled all the laws in Leviticus. Slaughtered animals were a foretype of Christ.
bowie
2008-11-28 07:58:30 UTC
It may be unappropriate for me to answer, as a non-believer, but if you follow the bible, shouldn't you follow it all? If you choose, then aren't you just following the word of man, and not god?
ignatz
2008-11-28 08:07:34 UTC
The bibles are only books of Jewish Fairy Tales.

Both old and new are filled with contradictions and people who believe in

their infallibility are full of contradictions.



Which religion is RIGHT? All or nothing is ridiculous.

What ever works for an individual is good as long as they do not

harm others.
.
2008-11-28 07:59:03 UTC
2 Timothy 3:16

(16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
David
2008-11-28 07:58:01 UTC
All, but for that to work we must first understand all the scriptures and how they relate to each other, which few if any ever achieve.
2008-11-28 07:58:20 UTC
Many bible stories are just that - stories. They are written to bring a point or an example across. They were not all meant to be taken literally.
2008-11-28 07:57:41 UTC
Well, if you're going to pick and choose, you run into the immediate problem of: by what criteria do you decide which to take seriously and which to say "Well, God didn't really mean THAT" to?



The intellectually honest path would be "all or nothing"; and once you factor in the empirical evidence we have about the nature of the Universe, the logical choice would be "nothing"...
Doc Occam
2008-11-28 08:01:48 UTC
Well, I'd say it's fine to pick and choose, with one caveat: you have to realize what you're doing. You're putting something higher than the Bible - your own sense of reason and morality, usually. The question then becomes: why not just use your sense of reason and morality?
Pirate AM™
2008-11-28 08:01:21 UTC
People have to pick and choose otherwise we could sell our daughters into slavery and there would a "Prop 8" against divorcees getting remarried.



Technically it is all or nothing, but as society changes religion also changes.
lainiebsky
2008-11-28 08:02:01 UTC
You pick and choose just like everyone else.



Even those who insist that you have to take all of it have invented excuses allowing them to dismiss the parts they don't want to follow.
marx
2008-11-28 08:02:30 UTC
im sure it wont be accepted that you only accept parts of the bible as it is deemed: "The word of God" as a whole. but you should do as you please and believe what you want. religion is not so much text and beliefs but as to practice and faith.
2008-11-28 07:58:42 UTC
the bible is simply a template for " how to " live life
Raja
2008-11-28 08:00:33 UTC
Whatever you study take only what is applicable for sense and justice. You need nobody's advise in this regard.
2008-11-28 14:40:21 UTC
It all not nothing at all. Its all helpful if u meditate and think abt it
Feta Smurf
2008-11-28 08:00:10 UTC
If a person is not a hypocrite they have to accept it all..... which is really scary because the Old Testament is pretty effed up.
2008-11-28 07:57:57 UTC
If you get to pick and choose what parts of the bible to follow, then it has no meaning.
Jim W
2008-11-28 08:10:36 UTC
The Bible is God's revelation of Himself to man. When you reject parts of it, you reject part of God. You cannot reject just part of God. It is all or nothing.
lc
2008-11-28 07:57:35 UTC
You can believe whatever you convince yourself to be believable. That's the beauty of belief - it doesn't have to be justified or based on fact.
davidagnew26
2008-11-28 07:57:03 UTC
As it is supposedly 'the word of God', I should imagine that all of it should be obeyed literally.
Jesus loves us!
2008-11-28 07:56:36 UTC
All or nothing. The Bible was inspired by God...every bit of it is TRUE.
SCIENCE NOOB.
2008-11-28 07:56:46 UTC
the WHOLE bible, is the truth.

one thing leads to another.

So i don`t think that`s right to believe certain stuff.
2008-11-28 07:58:55 UTC
It's all real .
countryboyminstrel
2008-11-28 07:57:04 UTC
you can, but it doesn't make sense to do that.


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