Contextual interpretation of the Bible cost me my faith

AtHisMercy · Sep 20, 2021

So...
I was always interested in learning more about the Bible and in doing so, I hoped to get closer to God. When I got the chance, I followed a Bible study which thaught me the contectual interpretation. Ever since that study, I have lost my faith in steps. I just can't read the Bible without seeing all its flaws. I just can't talk to anybody about this in fear that I would take their faith away as well. However, I can't live in this insecure and godless way. Are there any of you who experienced the same? How did you overcome this?

SomeDisciple · Sep 20, 2021

Maybe you could explain what this "contextual interpretation" is. What about the scriptures don't seem solid to you anymore.

Realize there are a lot of whack teachers and teachings out there. Some lies are constructed to be very convincing. Don't you have any experiences with the lord outside of bible study? Nothing should be able to shake you from those things.

Aaron56 · Sep 20, 2021

AtHisMercy said:

Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Find someone who has the Spirit and ask him to lay hands on you so that you might receive Him.

You had a “cognitive faith” by reason, so logic and reason were able to defeat it. Sadly, this is a by-product of Calvin et al who were heavily influenced by the age in which they were instructed: the Ago of Reason. This type of “faith” is the dominant faith in the pews on Sundays. Once baptized, you could easier believe your grandmother isn’t real than the Spirit who is within you.

If you seek Him you will find Him.

Peace,
Aaron56

Pilgrimshope · Sep 20, 2021

AtHisMercy said:

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

somethings not right because the only place to get faith is from his word

Cabrillo · Sep 20, 2021

Aaron56 said:

I nearly never heard of Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I had been hanging out with a small group of Christians that had no home church. We held Bible studies in the park around dusk on most nights. We heard some Missionaries from Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa (30 miles away) had just returned from Africa and had a message for us.

We took up a collection between us and rented a High School auditorium to hear them share with us. On the eve of Pentecost 1977 We all got together with them and listened to some amazing story's about their travels and adventures. I wasn't convinced but I was intrigued. We were not Charismatics. Suddenly people started speaking in tongues, prophesying and praising the Lord. I was surprised, confused, frightened and a little covetous.

One of the missionaries pointed me out and thanked the Lord for allowing me to witness what was happening. I meditated about what I had thought I had seen till 0 dark 30. I finally started praying like never before in a not so cognitive way and challenged the Lord. If what I had seen was real, please prove it to me.

He did. I had been working day labor and going through a divorce at the time. I had no electricity (lights). The room lit up and blinds started rattling like a strange wind was blowing. That's when my life and heart changed completely. I don't know how long it lasted initially but as the sun rose I felt more loved than ever before in my life. I was truly grateful thanking and praising the Lord, without stopping for the greatest part of several days. I was and still am experiencing the greatest love of my life. Hell or high water will never make me doubt that what happened was and still is real!!!
That's what happened to me. I had never heard of such a thing in modern times. Being a former Catholic and thinking such things were most likely fairy tales like Santa Clause. I had never read Acts either. Believe is too weak. Now I know that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are alive, well and working in many lives today.

I pray that something similar happens to you.

P.S. we took a collection to help the missionaries to continue their ministry. They turned it down. I never heard of such a thing. Preachers turning down money. Who'd of thought?

Cabrillo · Sep 21, 2021

AtHisMercy said:

I was raised Roman Catholic. I spent a weekend in jail for street racing in 1972 where I read the Gospel of Mark for the first time. I was very conflicted between what I had just read and the hogwash that I'd been taught. I lost faith too. If you want to share in private send me a P.M. (that's the little envelope at the top) I would gladly discuss your paradox. I've been doing this a while (40+ years) I had more faith in E.T's. than the RCC dogma, in the early- mid 70's.

I'm your huckleberry

(Val Kilmer, Tombstone)

tanakh · Sep 21, 2021

SomeDisciple said:

From what I've read contextual interpretation is firstly a legal method of understanding documents
involving the meanings concerning written contracts where some kind of dispute has arisen. Its a method used in commercial law.

It is often used by people trying to prove their own biblical beliefs. Hebrew Greek and Aramaic are languages whose words and phrases often have several meanings and this plus the linking of isolated
texts and passages out of context and ignoring others can make all sorts of beliefs look legitimate.
Muslims also use use contextual interpretation for the Koran.

Here is an example used by the JWs to prove that Christ will not return physically but will only be seen
by the ''eye of faith'' whatever that is........

Behold he cometh with clouds and every
eye shall see him and they also that which
pierced him and all kindreds of the earth
shall wail because of him. Even so Amen.

Rev 1 vs 7

According to them clouds indicate invisibility
An aeroplane can be hidden in clouds so that people
on the ground can't see it. People in Australia and Africa
wouldn't see him because of Geography

Those that pierced him. The Romans pierced his body
but they are long dead so it must refer to people who
similarly mistreat Christs true followers in the last days
I assume they mean themselves.

The kindred of the earth are the wicked who will know what is
happening because they were warned in advance. By an organisation
that strongly inferred that Armageddon was at hand numerous times !!

All of this and much more can be found in Reasoning from the Scriptures
pages 342 - 343 Published by the Watchtower Society (1989 edition)
Its the book their people use to learn and defend their beliefs.

Aaron56 · Sep 21, 2021

Cabrillo said:

I nearly never heard of Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I had been hanging out with a small group of Christians that had no home church. We held Bible studies in the park around dusk on most nights. We heard some Missionaries from Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa (30 miles away) had just returned from Africa and had a message for us.

We took up a collection between us and rented a High School auditorium to hear them share with us. On the eve of Pentecost 1977 We all got together with them and listened to some amazing story's about their travels and adventures. I wasn't convinced but I was intrigued. We were not Charismatics. Suddenly people started speaking in tongues, prophesying and praising the Lord. I was surprised, confused, frightened and a little covetous.

One of the missionaries pointed me out and thanked the Lord for allowing me to witness what was happening. I meditated about what I had thought I had seen till 0 dark 30. I finally started praying like never before in a not so cognitive way and challenged the Lord. If what I had seen was real, please prove it to me.

He did. I had been working day labor and going through a divorce at the time. I had no electricity (lights). The room lit up and blinds started rattling like a strange wind was blowing. That's when my life and heart changed completely. I don't know how long it lasted initially but as the sun rose I felt more loved than ever before in my life. I was truly grateful thanking and praising the Lord, without stopping for the greatest part of several days. I was and still am experiencing the greatest love of my life. Hell or high water will never make me doubt that what happened was and still is real!!!
That's what happened to me. I had never heard of such a thing in modern times. Being a former Catholic and thinking such things were most likely fairy tales like Santa Clause. I had never read Acts either. Believe is too weak. Now I know that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are alive, well and working in many lives today.

I pray that something similar happens to you.

P.S. we took a collection to help the missionaries to continue their ministry. They turned it down. I never heard of such a thing. Preachers turning down money. Who'd of thought?

I have a very similar history: grew up going to a “Bible-believing“ church. They liked the Holy Spirit but they liked Him to stay over there until they needed Him to intervene. When I was baptized with the Holy Spirit He became a living being to me, not just a doctrine to believe.

Blessings my friend.

eternally-gratefull · Sep 21, 2021

Aaron56 said:

Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Find someone who has the Spirit and ask him to lay hands on you so that you might receive Him.

You had a “cognitive faith” by reason, so logic and reason were able to defeat it. Sadly, this is a by-product of Calvin et al who were heavily influenced by the age in which they were instructed: the Ago of Reason. This type of “faith” is the dominant faith in the pews on Sundays. Once baptized, you could easier believe your grandmother isn’t real than the Spirit who is within you.

If you seek Him you will find Him.

Peace,
Aaron56

are you thinking he is not saved?

Cabrillo · Sep 21, 2021

Aaron56 said:

It's always great to hear others ratify that it happened to them too. Few people are in touch with their spiritual side. Even fewer ever experience a life changing spiritual change without being taught what it really is. After experiencing it, It's impossible to deny. Thank you for sharing.

SophieT · Sep 21, 2021

AtHisMercy said:

not saying this in a negative way, but you say you were raised a Christian

did you know that each person must make the decision to believe in and follow, Jesus for themself?

have you ever actually understood or studied, the life, death and resurrection of Christ?

if you have not accepted Jesus or understood why He had to die, the Bible can be a hard book to comprehend as it is the Holy Spirit who helps us to understand it

nothing mystical there...actually just what the Bible says about itself

there are actually not many flaws in scripture but if you think so, I can understand why you are having difficulty

rayzor · Sep 21, 2021

AtHisMercy said:

The worlds fake...the bible is a great idol.The more you see the sadder you will get.ignorance is bliss spaghetti a virture.Most of us are not real.There is way 2 find zion however.

Aaron56 · Sep 21, 2021

eternally-gratefull said:

Don’t know.

Nehemiah6 · Sep 22, 2021

AtHisMercy said:

That is a rather strange and unusual result of studying the Bible contextually. If anything it should have strengthened your faith. The bigger problem is taking verses and passages out of context and misunderstanding them. Perhaps a specific example would help.

At the same time, it should be clearly understood that (1) the entire Bible is for our edification, (2) what is in the Old Testament is written "for our learning", (3) the New Testament is the unfolding of the OT, (4) the words and teachings of Christ are applicable to all Christians (other than the very few times He gave instructions regarding the Law), (5) the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher of Christians, and unless He indwells a person, that person will not really understand spiritual truths.

eternally-gratefull · Sep 22, 2021

Aaron56 said:

Well if he has not yet been baptized by God he is not. He is still unclean and dead in his sin.

Thats why I was asking.

p_rehbein · Sep 22, 2021

I didn't see him ever state he had been saved, and baptized, or any such profession of faith. This stuff he is talking of is just plain weird IMO.

Maybe he just fell in with the wrong people and is confused, and needs to find some true believers, a good church group who can take him in and instruct him in the Truth of the Word of God?

I hope, if he is sincere, that he finds his way to the narrow path. If he is sincere, I believe God/Holy Spirit will find him and guide him.

mindfulzen · Sep 22, 2021

p_rehbein said:

I didn't see him ever state he had been saved, and baptized, or any such profession of faith. This stuff he is talking of is just plain weird IMO.

Maybe he just fell in with the wrong people and is confused, and needs to find some true believers, a good church group who can take him in and instruct him in the Truth of the Word of God?

I hope, if he is sincere, that he finds his way to the narrow path. If he is sincere, I believe God/Holy Spirit will find him and guide him.

That is good advice preben

mindfulzen · Sep 22, 2021

Nehemiah6 said:

That is a rather strange and unusual result of studying the Bible contextually. If anything it should have strengthened your faith. The bigger problem is taking verses and passages out of context and misunderstanding them. Perhaps a specific example would help.

At the same time, it should be clearly understood that (1) the entire Bible is for our edification, (2) what is in the Old Testament is written "for our learning", (3) the New Testament is the unfolding of the OT, (4) the words and teachings of Christ are applicable to all Christians (other than the very few times He gave instructions regarding the Law), (5) the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher of Christians, and unless He indwells a person, that person will not really understand spiritual truths.

That is correct.

Aaron56 · Sep 22, 2021

eternally-gratefull said:

I counseled him to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Baptism by the Holy Spirit is different.

eternally-gratefull · Sep 22, 2021

Aaron56 said:

No.

It is the baptism of the spirit by which we are cleansed.

There is no salvation apart from HS baptism

Contextual interpretation of the Bible cost me my faith

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