Is the Bible outdated?
By Barb42
@Barb42 (4214)
United States
July 5, 2008 3:49pm CST
There was a young high school student who wrote that question to Billy Graham a few weeks ago. He is a Christian and has been made fun of at work (he works a summer job) for reading and studying his Bible and trying to live by it. And Billy Graham answered his question with a "NO". And He went on to explain in detail from scripture why the Bible was not outdated.
I believe the Bible is a Christian's handbook for our daily lives. It admonishes us to follow after righteousness and to obey his commandments. It tells us that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It says that man would not live by bread alone but from every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. And he gave the scriptures to his prophets to write down and pass on to every generation in order for us to know the laws that we need to follow. If we take time to read and study the Word, we will find there is a situation and an answer provided that will help us with our own similar problems.
Jesus is also the author and finisher of our faith. And he gives each of us faith as the grain of mustard seed. IT is up to us what we do with that faith. Do we trust Him, or do we get over into doubt and worry and 'lean on ourselves' rather than lean on Him?
And every time you read the scriptures, if you will ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you, a new nugget of truth will come alive for you. It will come to light although you may have read it many times. It often amazes me what the Lord shows me when I really get into the Word
The world would have us believe that the Bible wasn't relevant into today's world. But I believe it is more relevant today than at any other time in history. The enemy is certainly out to steal, kill, and destroy all he can to keep them from getting into the Kingdom of God. And he's working through the people today. If you follow prophesy, you will find that things prophesied in the Bible are beginning to happen in the world now. And those things are all coming together for the soon return of the King of Kings.
3 people like this
6 responses
@Pirate_Arg (472)
• South Africa
8 Jul 08
It may not be completely outdated but I don't believe that the bible you are reading right now is the same one that Jesus wanted people reading. If you look at it from the point of view of a ruler, religion is a great way to maintain control over people so the bible was doctored many times. At the same time, the bible has been around for much longer than the printing press so it must have been copied by hand many times. When was the last time you copied an entire book perfectly by hand? Then how much of the exact meaning do you think was kept when the entire thing was translated multiple times?
So if it was the word of God originally, what is it now? Saying that God edited it through man is kind of against the free will argument, isn't it?
@Pirate_Arg (472)
• South Africa
8 Jul 08
Religion does have power over people. Maybe not so much in modern times but the times when it was altered to promote control over people are the same sort of times that people were burned alive for saying that they don't believe in it. Even without the obvious threats like that, people have an inate desire to conform and so if everyone else is doing the catholic thing then it is hard not to follow the bible that the church has given you.
Just because the bible say's that there will be consequences for changing it, doesn't mean that people won't change it anyway. There are enough people that do not believe that there will be consequences.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I'm not into religion, but salvation-a personal relationship with my heavenly Father. I don't fear what man/religion can do. But I do believe what the Word says. We were made to worship Him and we are supposed to be following Him. That's not religion, but a spiritual need in our lives. Too often people look for peace in everything but where they can find true peace. They struggle all their lives and never know what they are truly missing all because they think that religion is where it is at - when they really need to trust in God with their lives.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
5 Jul 08
This world is a cycle whatever is happening now has been happening since the beginning of time. I will agreed that the bible is not outdated and that it does has the answer to our problems. You see every problem that we as an individual goes through there are someone who has been there. There are also time when we tends to put our problems into God hands and because we consider that he is moving too slow for us we take it back out. God knows the weakness of the human race and because of this he said that we should have faith. Yes there are times we read the bible and do not understand it at that particular moment and this is why before one reads we are to pray and ask for understanding and wisdom. In proverbs it taught us about wisdom and when ever we does not have it then we are liken to be call foolish.
The bible also say that no man knoweth the time nor the hour when the son of man shall arrives. It says before his words are pass away heaven and earth will have to do that first. It also say that there are parts into the world that persons does not know him and so this will have to happen. 1999 when we were approaching 2000 there were alot of preachers who were telling the public that they should be baptise because the Lord is coming for his world in 2000. Now it is 2008.
Events in the bible has been fulfilling since its inception so what we as human should do is try and do the good that we can.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
5 Jul 08
Our pastor said once that the Bible truly holds the answer to all life's problems. Only thing is we have to open it up and study to find them. And too many are not going to do this and instead, they try to make life better by themselves.
I remember the 2000 prediction. In fact, a woman told me that the 1999 Christmas would be our last. I never took that thought into my head. I just thought you have to be kidding! God didn't give you that information and no man knows when the last Christmas will be. We won't know until we are caught up to be with Jesus.
Man can be so foolish and believe everything he hears instead of relying on the only person (GOD) who has the answers. But they only go to God when the going gets rough, and don't rely on him to sustain them throughout every day.
@efc872 (1077)
• Jamaica
6 Jul 08
No man knoweth the hour when the son of man cometh?. This quotation needs updating, It is time to correct it to read - No man knoweth the hour when the son of God cometh. When you say the son of man, it confuses all.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
20 Jul 08
Why should it be confused. He is the mediator between us and God and because of this he is consider to be call the Son of Man. Thanks for the B.R.
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Hi Barb,
I happen to believe that everything you wrote about the Bible and whether or not it is outdated, is true.
I'm one of those people others claim is brain washed and I've been accused of 'following blindly'.....but hey, it works for me.
Like an above post reads, "the same yesterday, today and tomorrow". And something else that I agree with.....There is instruction for every issue of our lives; from raising children to running a household, and everything in between.
Good for you for posting this one.
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I agree Barb. I've even found people who say they are Christians, don't realize they could have so much more freedom and peace if they studied the Bible more.
And - just because we have the 'knowledge' doesn't mean a lot of people will learn it (read it or study it), let a lone, apply it to their lives, for if they did, they wouldn't have the misery and misfortune they do.
I believe, rather, I KNOW, having God (and the Bible) in our lives is why our lives have been so positively blessed. Our lives are abundantly filled with His overflowing Grace and Mercy every second.
I know it works for us......
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Terilee, most of the people who will tell you that you follow blindly or that you are brainwashed don't understand the Bible. If they had a personal relationship with the Lord, then their outlook would be totally different. But it is hard to reach people like that. I tend to live my life, believe in the Bible and God and others can do as they please. But if they bring up the subject, I will discuss the Bible and my beliefs with them.
People who never pick up the Bible and study do not know what they are missing. There are so many of life's stories right there in the Bible. People are still the same as they were back then. Just because we have the technologies we do today doesn't change our need for the Lord. And those rejecting him today will realize that one day in the future.
1 person likes this
@ajmccrary1986 (454)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I agree with Br. Graham. The Bible is not outdated. It has been around since Christianity was born. It is the handbook for our lives.
@positiveminded1977 (7072)
• India
6 Jul 08
Well, it depends on individual taste. Many people have considered the Bible as a Holy Book, inspiring, as having all the answers in it. For them, it is relevant.
And then there are many people who have been shocked by the cruelty in the Bible, who feel it can't be taken as a moral guide.
I think we should respect both views. After all, one man's meat is another's poison.
Cheers and happy mylotting
@paisleylass (440)
• United States
8 Jul 08
God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The bible gives us a map on how to go home after this life. Satan wants every one with him, so confuses young and old people that today is today and God has to accept that. The fact is we have to accept Gods ways. God created us, He is already in heaven, we have this one life to choose. Life is short but eternity never ends. Where do we want to spend it
