Most Americans Own a Bible, So Why Aren't They Reading It?

[luckyhouston]

Respectfully lucky, the thread was closed because the horse was dead, and yet people were still whacking at it. You are welcome to your opinion, that was made clear, but constant posting of the same thing over and over, is frustrating for others to read. Thread jacking is also not proper forum etiquette, and using this thread to start whacking at that horse, is exactly that, and it reads like sour grapes. I apologize if this comes off as harsh, because I don't mean it too.

I don't feel I said the same thing over and over, but that's water under the bridge.

I do feel that one of the main reasons people don't read the bible is simply because it suits the leadership of the church or group. They have formed their doctrine and will not allow it to be amended in even the slightest degree. This is the sin of pride. Belief is dictated to the audience, and reading it for themselves presents a challenge. This is what Luther rebelled against.

Another is the idea that we must be fluent in Greek or Hebrew to understand the bible anyway. If the words in English aren't really the total word of God why should I bother reading it?

[livin_in_the_Son]

I don't feel I said the same thing over and over, but that's water under the bridge.

I do feel that one of the main reasons people don't read the bible is simply because it suits the leadership of the church or group. They have formed their doctrine and will not allow it to be amended in even the slightest degree. This is the sin of pride. Belief is dictated to the audience, and reading it for themselves presents a challenge. This is what Luther rebelled against.

Another is the idea that we must be fluent in Greek or Hebrew to understand the bible anyway. If the words in English aren't really the total word of God why should I bother reading it?

Well, you should read the bible yourself for your own understanding. Did you always believe gossip, or did you do your own investigation? It's the same concept. The english versions are good for understanding, but you would be remiss if you don't use more than one translation, plus getting a separate concordance, and a few bible commentaries. All of it used together only benefits you, and your understanding. If you relied on the movie The Ten Commandments for your view of the Exodus, you would never learn that Aaron did the talking for Moses, etc because it was never mentioned or portrayed in the movie.

Your point that because a 'leader' doesn't like you to contradict him based on scripture alone is also a fallacy. A true leader would welcome the criticism, and would be more than humble to accept proof of his own error. I grew up in a religion that didn't promote bible reading because then their own fallacies would come to light. Did that stop me? No. A person using the excuse that they don't read the bible because their spiritual leader doesn't like it, is really leaning on a crutch of 'it's not MY fault'. Whether you come here, go to a specific church, or read your bible, these are all your choices. You made them, no one forced you, and therefore you are welcome to choose to also quit. With regard to your views, you also have to be willing to accept being wrong as well. Pride is an easy sin to committ, and it's a hard one to admit. I also suffer from the sin of pride, no one gets me, they are all wrong, I know what I read....but God has also humbled me greatly by showing me just how wrong I am sometimes. Don't fall into satan's trap of taking every disagreement as a personal attack, it's not meant that way. Especially here, all of the members are out to clear up confusion that man creates, not to point fingers or laugh at someone's lack of knowledge.

thread jack done....sorry everyone.

[SteveJM]

From luckyhouston-

In the end only one point of view gets across. If only one point of view is allowed again why bother reading the bible.

Why bother? It is God's revelation to man, that's why we should bother. I understand your frustration, but your viewpoint was made, even though promoting the belief you hold to is against the forum rules. I understand your opinion on the subject and will say that whether you believe it is eternal in one sense or another, either way it's dreadful. Most everyone here has an opinion on the subject and some are unsure, but those who chose to engage for the most part disagree with you. That doesn't make them right and you wrong or visa versa. This forum has taken positions in a variety of areas that we must honor, whether we agree with them or not. This is a place where, for the most part, like minded believers can have fellowship with each other. I would recommend reading the rules for posting and give them your consideration.

Brother, we have so much to talk about and discuss, that we shouldn't park ourselves on one issue. Don't be discouraged, but continue seeking the truth. As it is with many areas of doctrine there are many opinions, with many scriptures to support the differing views but truth can't be contradictory, and as such, there can only be one perfect answer to a question. Part of the problem is that we have a tendency to oversimplify things that are complex and complicate things that are simple. Keep studying His Word. Stay with this forum, but if you want to have an ongoing debate about the subject, try to also find another forum as well, or bring it up for discussion at your local church, provided that they are open to that. In the local church too, you have to give consideration to the congregation. In the end we will all know the truth on the matter in question and the truth about all doctrine.