Not trying to offend anybody here but I am with ****** on this one.
Smitty in the last sentence of your first paragraph you said that the translations continue to improve based on our understanding of ancient society. You are saying there that we change what we think the stories in the bible mean. Does that mean that the bible has been taught wrong for the past hundreds of years?
It just seems that the teachings in the bible go by who interpretes them and have evolved over the years to whatever we need them to be for a certain period of time. I have nothing against what the bible says is wright and wrong I am just not a firm believer in it. Does this mean that I am going to ****? Maybe, but it still doesn't change the fact that I live my life with the same morals as the guy that goes to the bible for the answer to his every question. The only differance being that I make my own decisions.
The understanding of ancient societys only comes into play with a word for word translation. IE. Agape = Love Now there are FOUR types of Love in the Greek.
Eros: Romantic love (in ancient Greek, desire). [Addition: Sometimes this is also equated with "lust" and in that sense, it is not love. "Eros" is the "Cupid" variety of love as well.]
Philia: Friendship, Love (but especially "platonic").
Agape: Divine, unconditioned love. Sometimes Christians will refer to the love that they receive from God as agape love.
Storge: Natural affection.
So when the Bible says agape in English we only have Love. Which one do we use?? That is what most of the translation (This is my understanding). Hopefully that makes sense.
The stories are the same. The meanings have never changed. Did you have one that you had a question about??
Yes you can use any verse in the Bible to support whatever position you want. But using them in context will not allow you to do that. IE. My Uncle smokes pot because "man has domination over plants and animals." In context we are not supposed to be "Drunk, stoned, High, looped, etc etc.
"Maybe, but it still doesn't change the fact that I live my life with the same morals as the guy that goes to the bible for the answer to his every question." The guy that goes to the Bible for the answer to every question is a Sinner, outside of Gods will, but asked Jesus to be his savior, and when he sins he ask for forgiveness. So you are admitting that you are a sinner, but don't ask for forgiveness??? Just my thoughts, no offense.
I like you last point. "The only differance being that I make my own decisions." That proves that God gave us "Free will."
As far as who goes to **** and who doesn't the Bible will not get anyone into Heaven. The Bible (Not me) says that unless you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sin, died, was buried and raise three days later, you will go to ****. **** to be defined later.
Thanks for taking your time to respond, I do love the discussions. Some times I don't care what people think, but the WHY they think that way.
FYI "God helps those that help themselves." is NOT in the Bible. LOL
Smitty