Contextual interpretation of the Bible cost me my faith
- Thread starter AtHisMercy
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
There’s a clear answer to this but you’re not going to like it.
Let’s put it this way; is it more likely that the word of God is flawed or perhaps you have not Spirit given discernment?
Jesus said my sheep hear my voice and follow me. He said to the Pharisees you hear me not because you are sons of satan. He said I will send the Spirit to bring all things into remembrance, to help, to guide etc.
The Spirit, the one who births every Christian from above, gives faith (eternal faith that cannot be lost) and discernment.
If you have not this, if you hear not his voice through the word, then it’s quite possible you are not his, you are not born from above, you are not Christian.
The good news is, God works all things for the good of those who love him. It’s clear that you’re going through something, something we all have to go through. Fight for your faith in the word and on your knees, fight everyday as if your life depends on it.
Some will say I shouldn’t judge. Some will tell you you’re fine, that doubt is normal. Remain as you are… But this is the word of satan.
For God is not the author of confusion, he is the giver of peace. Peace only found in faith, living faith, eternal faith. Have not this peace, have not this enduring faith unto death and you have not the Christ.
Let’s put it this way; is it more likely that the word of God is flawed or perhaps you have not Spirit given discernment?
Jesus said my sheep hear my voice and follow me. He said to the Pharisees you hear me not because you are sons of satan. He said I will send the Spirit to bring all things into remembrance, to help, to guide etc.
The Spirit, the one who births every Christian from above, gives faith (eternal faith that cannot be lost) and discernment.
If you have not this, if you hear not his voice through the word, then it’s quite possible you are not his, you are not born from above, you are not Christian.
The good news is, God works all things for the good of those who love him. It’s clear that you’re going through something, something we all have to go through. Fight for your faith in the word and on your knees, fight everyday as if your life depends on it.
Some will say I shouldn’t judge. Some will tell you you’re fine, that doubt is normal. Remain as you are… But this is the word of satan.
For God is not the author of confusion, he is the giver of peace. Peace only found in faith, living faith, eternal faith. Have not this peace, have not this enduring faith unto death and you have not the Christ.
E
If I have questions?
Rom 6 is baptism of the spirit
1 Cor 12 is baptism of the spirit
Gal 3 is baptism of the spirit
Col 2 is baptism of the spirit
titus 3 is baptism of the spirit
It is the ANOINTING of the spirit (the spirit coming into us) by which we receive power. if we mess terms up and try to tell people to do things which are not biblical can not only confuse them, but may give them the wrong idea
Rom 6 is baptism of the spirit
1 Cor 12 is baptism of the spirit
Gal 3 is baptism of the spirit
Col 2 is baptism of the spirit
titus 3 is baptism of the spirit
It is the ANOINTING of the spirit (the spirit coming into us) by which we receive power. if we mess terms up and try to tell people to do things which are not biblical can not only confuse them, but may give them the wrong idea
If you can give an example of how this caused you to lose faith?
Context is important when reading the word of God so we understand why what was said, was said.
The context we read in the bible Jesus came to die for a lost world and to save them.
The context shows us Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and risen from the dead literally.
-
1
- Show all
it is a method of Biblical study in which one looks a chapter for meaning in depth.
One theologian said this about the method:
Good Points
none of this takes away from the relationship one has with the Lord.
One theologian said this about the method:
Good Points
- More exposure to scripture
- Better understanding in context
- Get to discover the meaning for yourself
- Could get stuck on something hard to understand
- Can be long
- Could end up with bad interpretation
- Can be hard to find real-life applications
- Could be too much information
none of this takes away from the relationship one has with the Lord.
Well, I couldnt have imagined the amount of response. Thanks for that. Im not always online, so it takes me some time to reply. But given the amount of remarks, I will try to explain the things that stuck with me while reading it all.
The contextual interpretation looks at the Bible and what is written. But it also holds track of other things that happen in the time it was written (the context). For example:
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, it's obvious he is very angry about certain things. Did it affect him? Are you affected by rage? Why wouldnt he be? However being angry isnt wrong and im not stating that he said something contradicting here.
Another expample: When Nero was still king, you couldnt simply send letters. There was a good chance your mail would be checked and if it the message wasnt to the kings liking, your mail would be cancelled and the sender would be severely punished. In this context, its easy to see why (I believe its Paul) writes that we should obey the ruling government. However, John gives us a clue that the anti-christ was Nero (his name equals 666). So there is conflict there.
Furthermore is it well known that Matthew is a writer who took his time to make sure that Jesus was linked to the OT. So he makes sure that references from te OT match Jesus' stories. Matthew states the well known: "Sermon on the mount", while Luke 6:17 states that they had just come down the mountain and were actually on a plane. Matthew is free in his usage of the scripture on more than one occasion.
In Acts, they say that the first church was almost perfect and they paint a utopian picture. This picture is then followed by the letters which show the big problems the church face. Another contradiction.
These things make me wonder. If everything is to be seen in its context, time, ruler of the time, state of mind and whatsoever, the book becomes frightingly human. If there are these small 'mistakes' in the Bible, then what is still truth?
Then there is the fact that, for example, there are two stories of creation. These dont match, because in the second story, humans are present while God creates everything, while in the first story they are placed last.
--------------------------------
Ive seen questions about my character. Im not sure how to react to these things, I will say that I am indeed raised a christian and received child-baptism. However, in my search I found that I think its important that the baptism is a choice of my own. A few years ago I have received a baptism with family, friends and others present. I have sought the HS as well and I have been baptised with the HS. I never felt anything become different however. You may have your opinion about this. Maybe the wrong person baptised, maybe I had to much sin, maybe I wasnt open enough. I have pondered all these things as well and all they have done is make me insecure.
In my search for Jesus I have been quiet, i have prayed for hours on end, fasted, read the (entire) Bible multiple times, talked to people who should have known God and have people pray for me, but I never felt any closeness to God. I know this may sound like 'works', but if trying isnt allowed, how am I to find God?
Once however, I prayed for a new job for my wife, because she was getting miserable at her (then) present one. I received belief and when I got home, my wife had gotten a similar feeling. We let everyone know God had given her a new job, while we didnt have it yet. A few days later she got a new joboffer.
This is the only thing that keeps me klinging to faith and why Im now here to find out how to regain trust in the Bible. I hoped others went through a similar crisis, but got out and had some advice.
The contextual interpretation looks at the Bible and what is written. But it also holds track of other things that happen in the time it was written (the context). For example:
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, it's obvious he is very angry about certain things. Did it affect him? Are you affected by rage? Why wouldnt he be? However being angry isnt wrong and im not stating that he said something contradicting here.
Another expample: When Nero was still king, you couldnt simply send letters. There was a good chance your mail would be checked and if it the message wasnt to the kings liking, your mail would be cancelled and the sender would be severely punished. In this context, its easy to see why (I believe its Paul) writes that we should obey the ruling government. However, John gives us a clue that the anti-christ was Nero (his name equals 666). So there is conflict there.
Furthermore is it well known that Matthew is a writer who took his time to make sure that Jesus was linked to the OT. So he makes sure that references from te OT match Jesus' stories. Matthew states the well known: "Sermon on the mount", while Luke 6:17 states that they had just come down the mountain and were actually on a plane. Matthew is free in his usage of the scripture on more than one occasion.
In Acts, they say that the first church was almost perfect and they paint a utopian picture. This picture is then followed by the letters which show the big problems the church face. Another contradiction.
These things make me wonder. If everything is to be seen in its context, time, ruler of the time, state of mind and whatsoever, the book becomes frightingly human. If there are these small 'mistakes' in the Bible, then what is still truth?
Then there is the fact that, for example, there are two stories of creation. These dont match, because in the second story, humans are present while God creates everything, while in the first story they are placed last.
--------------------------------
Ive seen questions about my character. Im not sure how to react to these things, I will say that I am indeed raised a christian and received child-baptism. However, in my search I found that I think its important that the baptism is a choice of my own. A few years ago I have received a baptism with family, friends and others present. I have sought the HS as well and I have been baptised with the HS. I never felt anything become different however. You may have your opinion about this. Maybe the wrong person baptised, maybe I had to much sin, maybe I wasnt open enough. I have pondered all these things as well and all they have done is make me insecure.
In my search for Jesus I have been quiet, i have prayed for hours on end, fasted, read the (entire) Bible multiple times, talked to people who should have known God and have people pray for me, but I never felt any closeness to God. I know this may sound like 'works', but if trying isnt allowed, how am I to find God?
Once however, I prayed for a new job for my wife, because she was getting miserable at her (then) present one. I received belief and when I got home, my wife had gotten a similar feeling. We let everyone know God had given her a new job, while we didnt have it yet. A few days later she got a new joboffer.
This is the only thing that keeps me klinging to faith and why Im now here to find out how to regain trust in the Bible. I hoped others went through a similar crisis, but got out and had some advice.
The Bible is a history book with a spiritual message. Knowing the historical context surrounding everything may be helpful sometimes, but in your case it sounds like it's doing more harm than good. It's not crucial to know the context of every single thing in the Bible.
The more important question is do you believe Jesus is God's Son who loves us and died for our sins? This is more important than knowing everything there is to know about the Bible.
If you believe, let Him help you. Pray, ask for guidance. It sounds like you did believe at one point. Don't let a few misunderstandings about the scriptures steal your relationship with Him. I say misunderstandings because there are a lot of shady characters posing as Bible scholars who are clueless. Make sure of your sources.
There are a lot of things about the Bible that make me wonder sometimes, but I'm not that worried about it because I know in Whom I believe.
The more important question is do you believe Jesus is God's Son who loves us and died for our sins? This is more important than knowing everything there is to know about the Bible.
If you believe, let Him help you. Pray, ask for guidance. It sounds like you did believe at one point. Don't let a few misunderstandings about the scriptures steal your relationship with Him. I say misunderstandings because there are a lot of shady characters posing as Bible scholars who are clueless. Make sure of your sources.
There are a lot of things about the Bible that make me wonder sometimes, but I'm not that worried about it because I know in Whom I believe.
Hello @AtHisMercy , have you considered looking into some apologetics books? Lee Strobel has some books he wrote such as The Case for Christ, the Case for Faith and others. There are some YouTube videos that give a defense for the Christian faith. Mike Winger is a personal favorite YouTuber of mine. He has some videos that give a defense for the Christian faith.
I have always been a seeker of truth. If there was more to life than a carnal cycle, I had to know what. After much research, I found Christianity to be authentic. Because I could identify a difference between what I read in the Bible and what I saw in churches I knew there were pieces in the puzzle missing. Like you I fasted and prayed for hours. At one point I was in the best shape of my life. I was eating very few carbohydrates (keto). Because my resting heart rate was in the 40s I could get into a deep meditative state. That is when I first heard God. It wasn’t an audible voice or anything. It was like answers were downloaded into my brain to questions that I’ve always pondered. I understood what it meant to be grafted, to be connected to the Creator through the Holy Spirit. All at once I just understood Scripture, like never before. I had been baptized years before by water. This was definitely different.
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.
Blessings my friend.
-
1
- Show all
Understanding what is implied by the “Word”, without understanding Logos and the stoic movement that preceded Christ may very well be the greatest hurdle to understanding Christianity. Greater than that is the proper translation of elohim to understand the Old Testament. Our ability to discern our role in the universe is based directly on how diligently we seek He who created it. Context isn’t important, it’s essential. Grasping Biblical concepts will never cause someone to lose their faith as experienced by the OP. It gives fullness to understanding, confirming it.
You are the sort I like to get to know . let's edify one another . the bible is whole and one ,no flaws .. Its understanding you are yet to harness . Glory to God , if you like you can reach me on my facebook Akpobome Ajueshi .we can exchange true understanding helping one another grow in faith . being on cc my friend is a step of faith .. Hallelujah
First, I see you were raised from birth in being Christian.
I would like to know what "church" you were raised in, that lead you to believe you were a Christian, and how did that come about?
I was raised a "Baptist" in my youth, mostly through my father's Parents, my Grandparents and Aunt. My father was never a Christian, he died as a Methodist in his senior years only as a "safety net" to make sure he would not go to hell. He was never born-again by the Holy Spirit. He died unsaved, sadly....
I said the prayer as a young boy through the ongoing pushy nagging of my aunt, I was baptized, and was involved with the choir, loved Sunday school, read my bible, and even won a contest for reading more scriptures than any other child in Sunday School. I celebrated Halloween, Christmas, Easter, yet all the while in my "secret life" I was playing around with boys, most of my young years, also desiring to be a girl, (this was all due to me being sexually molested by my mother, who was involved with witchcraft, and other adults as a toddler). I believed in Jesus, I knew of Him, but I never did KNOW Him. I was religious, living in a homosexual life style right through my adult years, until the Lord came and invaded my life when I was 27 yrs. And HE changed my life forever.
I am sharing this to reveal one can "think" they are a true Christian because of their upbringing and are religious, but their "faith" is built upon shifting sand. When we are truly Granted the Gift of Repentance by and through the working Power of the Holy Spirit, then the Faith of Christ is planted in our hearts and mind and soul, because we have received Salvation by being convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, which leads us to God Given repentance, then forgiveness, and THEN we are washed by His precious Blood, and then sealed unto Salvation by the Holy Spirit. So the Faith we are granted with comes From God, and NOT by and through the WILL of the flesh, or man.
I understand your terrible struggle, because while I was a "babe in Christ" only saved about 2 months, I got sucked into a "home fellowship cult". I did not know this at first, because I knew not the ways of the Lord, and just thought a Pastor; in this case a "woman pastor/prophetess/teacher, who was from Holland, she was originally from the "Dutch Reformed Church", in North American it is known as the "Christian Reformed Church", was one from whom I would be taught about Jesus Christ and learn how to grow in Him.
Well to make a long story short, after about 3 or 4 years, our home fellowship was raided by the police and this "hyper-faith" female pastor was arrested for various abuses, physical, emotional, and I found out sexual abuse also. When this raid happened, I was shocked and shaken to my core, and it was reported in all the paper's in the city where I live, and my faith went flying out the window!
I eventually left the home group, out of fear, and embarrassment, but I also realized.... many years later, I knew somethings that took place there I was not comfortable with, but being such a novice regarding how the Body of Christ was to function, I could not from a Biblical standing articulate my thoughts, and whenever I did question things that I was not comfortable with, this woman pastor would scare me by accusing me of a "rebellious" spirit, so I would shut up and not question "those that are anointed of the Lord".
I say this because when I left that group, I felt as if I was a Judas, and my faith in the Lord "seemingly" went out the window, and I thought I was not a true Christian, because I left the group during times of so-called "persecution". This woman Pastor kept informing us shortly after all this happened, that she was "suffering for Righteousness sake", which was the furthermost thing from the truth! She was found guilty, and I learned she was sent to prison, but due to her age, she was in her 40's, she only served a 6 months sentence.
What I learned by all this, is that what I was learning at this Home fellowship was NOT the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, my faith was NOT being built up in Him, but in my pastor and her false teaching.
However, the LORD did not give up on me, because I was ignorant of His True way, He brought me back to Himself a few years later, and has over the course of 30 or so years been teaching me by the Holy Spirit, and His Word, not by the words of men.
Just me, the Lord, His Word and the Power of the Holy Spirit to give me "spiritual understanding" of His Word, and writing His Truth's upon the Tablets of my heart, and not by and through the dead fleshy words of men/women.
I hope this will assist you to see where your belief is truly planted upon. I am here for you, if and when you desire too.
May the Lord bless you and open your eyes to the Truth of His Word, and His Ways.
In His Love...
I would like to know what "church" you were raised in, that lead you to believe you were a Christian, and how did that come about?
I was raised a "Baptist" in my youth, mostly through my father's Parents, my Grandparents and Aunt. My father was never a Christian, he died as a Methodist in his senior years only as a "safety net" to make sure he would not go to hell. He was never born-again by the Holy Spirit. He died unsaved, sadly....
I said the prayer as a young boy through the ongoing pushy nagging of my aunt, I was baptized, and was involved with the choir, loved Sunday school, read my bible, and even won a contest for reading more scriptures than any other child in Sunday School. I celebrated Halloween, Christmas, Easter, yet all the while in my "secret life" I was playing around with boys, most of my young years, also desiring to be a girl, (this was all due to me being sexually molested by my mother, who was involved with witchcraft, and other adults as a toddler). I believed in Jesus, I knew of Him, but I never did KNOW Him. I was religious, living in a homosexual life style right through my adult years, until the Lord came and invaded my life when I was 27 yrs. And HE changed my life forever.
I am sharing this to reveal one can "think" they are a true Christian because of their upbringing and are religious, but their "faith" is built upon shifting sand. When we are truly Granted the Gift of Repentance by and through the working Power of the Holy Spirit, then the Faith of Christ is planted in our hearts and mind and soul, because we have received Salvation by being convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, which leads us to God Given repentance, then forgiveness, and THEN we are washed by His precious Blood, and then sealed unto Salvation by the Holy Spirit. So the Faith we are granted with comes From God, and NOT by and through the WILL of the flesh, or man.
I understand your terrible struggle, because while I was a "babe in Christ" only saved about 2 months, I got sucked into a "home fellowship cult". I did not know this at first, because I knew not the ways of the Lord, and just thought a Pastor; in this case a "woman pastor/prophetess/teacher, who was from Holland, she was originally from the "Dutch Reformed Church", in North American it is known as the "Christian Reformed Church", was one from whom I would be taught about Jesus Christ and learn how to grow in Him.
Well to make a long story short, after about 3 or 4 years, our home fellowship was raided by the police and this "hyper-faith" female pastor was arrested for various abuses, physical, emotional, and I found out sexual abuse also. When this raid happened, I was shocked and shaken to my core, and it was reported in all the paper's in the city where I live, and my faith went flying out the window!
I eventually left the home group, out of fear, and embarrassment, but I also realized.... many years later, I knew somethings that took place there I was not comfortable with, but being such a novice regarding how the Body of Christ was to function, I could not from a Biblical standing articulate my thoughts, and whenever I did question things that I was not comfortable with, this woman pastor would scare me by accusing me of a "rebellious" spirit, so I would shut up and not question "those that are anointed of the Lord".
I say this because when I left that group, I felt as if I was a Judas, and my faith in the Lord "seemingly" went out the window, and I thought I was not a true Christian, because I left the group during times of so-called "persecution". This woman Pastor kept informing us shortly after all this happened, that she was "suffering for Righteousness sake", which was the furthermost thing from the truth! She was found guilty, and I learned she was sent to prison, but due to her age, she was in her 40's, she only served a 6 months sentence.
What I learned by all this, is that what I was learning at this Home fellowship was NOT the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, my faith was NOT being built up in Him, but in my pastor and her false teaching.
However, the LORD did not give up on me, because I was ignorant of His True way, He brought me back to Himself a few years later, and has over the course of 30 or so years been teaching me by the Holy Spirit, and His Word, not by the words of men.
Just me, the Lord, His Word and the Power of the Holy Spirit to give me "spiritual understanding" of His Word, and writing His Truth's upon the Tablets of my heart, and not by and through the dead fleshy words of men/women.
I hope this will assist you to see where your belief is truly planted upon. I am here for you, if and when you desire too.
May the Lord bless you and open your eyes to the Truth of His Word, and His Ways.
In His Love...
-
1
-
1
- Show all