April 2012

I don't generally like religious or political discussions, for several reasons.
Number one. I'm chicken.
Number two. I don't know enough to be able to discuss anything accurately.
Number three. The truth is never simple. If you try to condense something into something simple, it isn't the whole truth, therefore every conversation and every debate is limited as to the amount of truth it can hold, and unlimited as to the amount of untruth and misunderstandings there can be.
Number four. I can't stand it when people interrupt each other.
Number five. You might be right.
Number five and a half. I might be right and you won't get it.
Number six. I'm really desperately hungry/thirsty/tired and I just can't keep up with you all.

That said, I have to comment on the differing estimations people have of the Bible. Some don't receive the New Testament. Some receive the Tanach as a holy book, but they count the Torah as more inspired than the Writings and the Prophets. Then there are some who seem to respect the Tanach as a somewhat holy book, but not actually inspired, and maybe full of fables. How can you have a religion without an inspired book? I suppose that would mean that God hasn't really revealed himself with any amount of clearness, so a) we have to guess, b) we have the ability to guess, and c) it's not so important that guessing isn't good enough.

But, since I do believe the whole Bible, Tanach and NT, is inspired, and that man can't find God without the word, and that it's really important to know what God wants us to know, I like to know what it says. And if you read what it says about itself, and all the promises it has for anyone who needs anything, it sounds like something that would be good to base your whole life on.

Luk 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (also Deut 8:3)
Isa 66:2 For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Hbr 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.