Today I'd like to explore the common misconception that the Bible is flawless...as if somehow it is mysteriously perfect with no mistakes, spoken from God and literally written and TRANSLATED by man, under the assumption it was all under divine inspiration.
Is that what God taught?
What are symbolic literary works?
Symbolic Literary Works: literary works, that often but not always, blend historical context with symbolic meaning, where characters, settings, and objects represent deeper, abstract, or allegorical concepts.
What is historicity?
Historicity: historical authenticity of actual events.
Is it possible to have literary works that aren't historical literal events?
Yes..."Literary works can also explore themes and characters that are not directly tied to historical events, allowing authors to create unique and imaginative narratives. This flexibility in literary expression enables writers to engage with and critique various aspects of human experience, beyond the constraints of historical accuracy." ~ The University of Tennessee at Martin
I often hear how the Bible is inerrant. After returning in 2019 and actually taking the time to read the Bible, it was impossible to believe that man didn't corrupt scripture. Way too many inconsistencies and way too many obvious biases applied, not to mention no ORIGINAL writings exist. So, when people say this, I'm perplexed.
My next thought is...Really...have you read the Bible?
The verse often used to explain this goes as follows...
All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, — 2 Timothy 3:16
Wait, let's read this version instead... [2Ti 3:16 ASV] Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness:
Can you see the difference?
The very scripture used as a "proof" text just so happens to be the very scripture that proves the Bible has been altered, that it is flawed. Imagine that! It doesn't say ALL SCRIPTURE is God-breathed, it says Scriptures inspired of God are used for teaching, reproof, correction and instruction.
That should be enough to understand that one cannot understand the Bible without God's help, that what you are reading is not what you get. In other words, without God's help, you will never understand what GOD wants you to get out of the Bible.
I have nothing against scholars, I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to study and understand scripture, but to claim the Bible is accurate or inaccurate is just silly... unless they have God's TRUE SPIRIT, it is impossible for them to know. As I said, one's perception will always be off. I don't rely on scholars, but I do love to listen to them (believers and non-believers), always waiting to see if there's some truth being said to what they share.
It's thanks to Bart Ehrman that I learned about the lost gospels. That there were other books out there that did not make it into the New Testament. I bought his book on November 3, 2021. I fell to my knees and in tears when I read the Gospel of Phillip, among others, as it confirmed my testimony, what I had understood in the Spirit. Yet I was treated by many as if I were crazy. Told it was impossible, that I was an infant in learning and clueless to scripture.
Natural ability to understand, by the SPIRIT not the letter. I understood this early on, although I still had much more to learn and discern.
Since then, I've learned much and continue to learn from many. I listen to all, believer or non-believer. God uses countless to help guide me. By not turning any away and showing love towards all, I've gained much. I've learned to test spirits, to accept people in love regardless of who they are, what they do or what they believe in. Loving the sinner (human), those used to persecute, and not the sin (demon).
God has given me an understanding that belongs to me, as it is my story and no one else's. Although, the overall story is for all, it's still very unique to each of us as individuals. (Galatians 6:1-5) I don't need any to confirm it for me, nor do I need any to understand it. I have my Father in heaven who confirms it for me and it's enough.
JUST BE NICE...agree to disagree.
Many can't accept that the Bible has flaws in it, many can get extremely upset, even volatile. They never see how they have turned the Bible into a god in itself. Well, without the TRUE SPIRIT OF GOD you shouldn't have faith in it because you will NEVER read it for what it is truly intended for. Your lens (perception) will always be altered, fuzzy, keeping you blind. Without realizing it, you will have followed the god of this world instead of the True God of the Bible. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Many have asked why God has made it so complicated. It's the art of war (Matthew 6:3-4), scripture tells you it's not against flesh and blood, that it's against bad spirits. There's a spiritual war happening. Things humans couldn't begin to understand. On top of that, religions have used the Bible to control the masses, many falling to its deception. There's no explaining it because most won't listen...countless depending on man-made churches and/or their teachings when God says he does not dwell there. Resisting the Holy Spirit. (Acts 7:48-53)
Spirits (good and bad) do their work in humans, sadly, most can't see how they easily side with the bad spirits (1 Timothy 4:1), making it about SELF. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15) Never truly disowning oneself as claimed. (Matthew 16:24)
So, when someone says they went to seminary school or divinity school as if somehow that's a badge of honor, I automatically know they went down the wrong path. As explained above, it is not by man's knowledge that one will ever comprehend.
Sadly, this is why there are countless debates and arguments. Religious use their own wisdom, not perceiving why their perception differs from the perception of another. These "claim" to believe but don't comprehend as they should, hence why they continue to have endless debates and arguments. Hence why their love sits on the surface, it's not real.
It is by the TRUE Spirit of God that one comes to understand, having no need to argue about it. Having no need to put on a show or seek followers. (Acts 20:29-30) Having no need to preach or teach for others on a regular basis, showing they are led by the Spirit by their behavior towards others (treatment of people). Knowing when and how to preach, teach and rebuke and knowing how to brush it off from those who don't want to listen, learning when to move on.
And whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you leave that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. — Matthew 10:14
Know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes by one’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever made by the will of man, but men being moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. — 2 Peter 1:20-21
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I am commanding you. — Deuteronomy 4:2
“Whatever I am commanding you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. — Deuteronomy 12:32
I bear witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. — Revelation 22:18-19
How about these?
And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one deceives you. — Matthew 24:4
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, — 2 Thessalonians 2:3
Little children, let no one deceive you. The one who does righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. — 1 John 3:7
as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. — 2 Peter 3:16
Most importantly...
And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. — Luke 8:10
who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. — 2 Corinthians 3:6
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. — 1 John 4:1
God knew false teachers would arise after Christ was crucified and that new religions would be formed to deceive and control the masses. It's why the meaning of scripture is hidden, it's a mystery that only God can reveal.
How does God use scripture to his advantage?
God uses the Bible to discern true hearts. It has brought out people's greed and selfishness, many coveting what doesn't belong to them. Many excusing literal words written as an excuse to do bad things, not understanding the symbolism behind most of it. Literally using the scriptures as weapons to fulfill your own desires. To gain approval by those siding with you. Excusing "killings" from God, not understanding its symbolism, or that there are verses that have been changed and manipulated by men who are under demonic inspiration to control the masses.For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are uncovered and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we have an account to give. — Hebrews 4:12-13
Countless forgetting that the demonic spirits know how to manipulate the Bible to their own benefit. The opposers knowing the mind of man, influencing them to do their dirty deeds. (Revelation 16:13-14)
(Read Matthew 4:1-11)
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. — 2 Corinthians 11:14
Be of sober spirit, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. — 1 Peter 5:8
Is claiming it by mouth, "Jesus Christ as Lord", enough... or is it by Holy Spirit?
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed,” and NO ONE CAN SAY, “Jesus is Lord,” EXCEPT by the Holy Spirit. — 1 Corinthians 12:3
Sadly, many are deceived by false spirits and believe that they are anointed, or they are lied to by their religious leaders and told that they are anointed (in Christ). ANYONE can be guided by the TRUE SPIRIT, think of the story of Apollos, he was fervent in scripture and preached alongside with apostle Paul, but yet, he had a different baptism from apostle Paul. (Acts 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians 4:6)
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; — Acts 18:25
Those claiming to be anointed "in Christ" wouldn't be going to brick-and-mortar churches to be with God, as most of you do, they wouldn't be looking to go to divinity schools, wanting to be pastors, preachers, teachers, or even scholars for that matter. Those anointed would FULLY COMPREHEND that it's wisdom of men not the wisdom of the TRUE God. These would understand that you can't serve God with a paycheck, with money.
Does this make them bad people?
Absolutely not, it simply proves that they have NO UNDERSTANDING of the Spirit of God, that they have not been anointed...these are unable to separate literalism from symbolism, unable to read what's hidden.
So how is it that one can put their faith in what's written in the Bible?
Because when the timing is right, God decides when and what to reveal, and to whom it is revealed...After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”And I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
— Revelation 7:9-10, 14
Until then, yes, meditate on God's word (Psalm 1:1-2), don't argue about what you perceive to be accurate, you can be wrong. Be the best version of a human that you can be because you want to, not because you have to. If you believe the Bible, then believe it's not against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:11-12) Also believe it when it says, all sin is sin in God's eyes, the ONLY SIN to occur death is to sin against the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 6:4-6)
If you're not anointed, truly in Christ, the following doesn't pertain to you...
“Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—
— Mark 3:28-29
I'm always grateful to hear those who are honest with themselves. There's peace in it and refreshing because it's honest. Something mankind lacks. There's no performance or drama. There's no exaltation. There are those who claim to believe while admitting and fully understanding that they are not anointed by the spirit. Knowing that they can be guided by the TRUE Spirit while not being anointed by it. (Luke 11:13)
Some admit they truly don't comprehend anything when it comes to God or the Bible but still believe that there's a God and that something good will come out of it in the end. It's beautiful. There are atheists who don't believe yet live their life as if they did, sharing as much love as they know how. If only all learned to do that.
I'll end it here...
The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and all men will die once (Hebrews 9:27). Thankfully, Jesus was sent to save mankind, to save the whole world, not just part of it. (John 3:17)
For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. — 1 Timothy 4:10
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. — Matthew 5:44-45
ALWAYS do your best to...
Be silly. Be honest. Be kind. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
and...
Be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Gandhi
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. — Matthew 5:46-48
~ Peace, Love, and Joy ~
