[Zechariah Smyth]

The Bible is full of metaphors. It's hardly ever straight forward.



Let's be a little more mature about this. We aren't in kindergarten anymore.

How do you decide what is and isn't a metaphor (a word which does not appear in the KJV Bible, by the way)?

What part of "Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished" (Isaiah 13:16) is metaphorical?

Yours in Christ,

Z. Smyth

[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

Okay Octavia, you are obviously here for a reason...perhaps, giving you the benefit of the doubt, your heart is in the right place but your head is in your duffle bag. So...once more...

I am indeed here for a purpose.

The internet mocks you constantly and doesn't ever take you seriously. They share links with each other at laughable threads where logic seems to be non-existent.

I came here to see if these claims around the internet are accurate. I came here for intellectual discussion about particular subjects. And so far, there have been only two people were who have treated me with respect.

Everything that has been quoted to you is accurate

According to your interpretation, yes, but not according to mine and those of many, many others.

There are not "many different versions of Christianity" Octavia.

Yes, indeed there are. Catholics and Baptists are two (out of many) that have the same core belief, but different interpretations of the Bible. I am neither of those, but you get my point.

The father of lies himself invents those "versions of Christianity". They may be hard to discern, for the most convincing lies are the ones with elements of truth.

Using this logic I can say that your version of Christianity is one of those "convincing lies". I won't of course. That would be disrespectful to you and the other members of this forum.

If you are going to claim to be a Christian, you must believe ALL of what God says...every last bit of it

Oh, and I do. I just think he is saying different things than you.

So, have you actually read the Bible, KJV1611 cover to cover?

I'm not actually sure. My grandpa gave me a Bible a few years ago that I've read, but I'm not sure which version it is.

[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

How do you decide what is and isn't a metaphor (a word which does not appear in the KJV Bible, by the way)

Well, to give you an idea, the book of Revelations is all a big huge metaphor.

[Zechariah Smyth]

Re: Hey There

Well, to give you an idea, the book of Revelations is all a big huge metaphor.

How do you reconcile that claim with 2 Peter 1:20?

What parts do you interpret as metaphor and what parts do you take at face value?

Is "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" a metaphor?

It seems much easier (and scripturally sound) to simply take the Bible as it was given to us and not try to shape it to conform to our worldview.

YiC,

Zech

[s. warnin]

Re: Hey There

I am indeed here for a purpose.

The internet mocks you constantly and doesn't ever take you seriously. They share links with each other at laughable threads where logic seems to be non-existent.

I came here to see if these claims around the internet are accurate. I came here for intellectual discussion about particular subjects. And so far, there have been only two people were who have treated me with respect.



According to your interpretation, yes, but not according to mine and those of many, many others.



Yes, indeed there are. Catholics and Baptists are two (out of many) that have the same core belief, but different interpretations of the Bible. I am neither of those, but you get my point.



Using this logic I can say that your version of Christianity is one of those "convincing lies". I won't of course. That would be disrespectful to you and the other members of this forum.



Oh, and I do. I just think he is saying different things than you.



I'm not actually sure. My grandpa gave me a Bible a few years ago that I've read, but I'm not sure which version it is.

I don't care about all the rumors on the Godless Internets.

You have been given intellectual discussion as well as respect.

God is clear about His will in Scripture.

Catholics, and "other forms of Christianity" are not True Christians.

You are not sure if you read the Bible? I think you would know it if you have...it's really not like any other book on the market.

Peace be with you...

[Jack O'fagan]

Re: Hey There

Well, to give you an idea, the book of Revelations is all a big huge metaphor.

Hi, Octavia

Is the virgin birth a metaphor?

Is Christ's resurrection a metaphor?

These are both unlike events today, if you do not accept all of the Bible at face value what is you mental process for these two events?

Also have you actually read a Bible ALL the way through? If not, why not?

YiC

Jack

[Rev. Jim Osborne]

Re: Hey There

The only time the Bible is metaphorical is Jesus's parables, and only because they are presented as metaphors in context. The rest of the Bible cannot be considered a metaphor. The Bible presents itself as straightforward facts, and for you to even consider it being a metaphor is your own personal (read: wrong) opinion. It's equivalent to taking a historical document, (which presents itself as an accurate, truthful, non-metaphorical work) like The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire and then claiming that the stories are supposed to be metaphors.

When you start going down the metaphorical interpretation road, you are undermining the very essence of Christianity. So if Noah's Ark never happened (because you think the logistics are impossible, and our Loving God would NEVER, EVER destroy the world...), how can you be sure the Gospels are truthful as well? Are they metaphors? Maybe Jesus wasn't really born of a virgin (thus invalidating prophecies in the Old Testament, which throws out any credence that He was the Savior)? Maybe Jesus didn't really perform miracles? Maybe...He never even existed?

If He never existed, how can we even worship Him? You wouldn't pray to a fictional character like Obi Wan Kenobi from Star Wars, would you? No, that would be preposterous. And why should we listen to a metaphorical character? Why should we heed your favorite commandments to love our enemies?

I hope you can see my point, young lady. The Bible can only be understood as a whole. It's God's Word. You cannot be so audacious to receive God's Word and then use a highlighter and scissors to turn it into Octavia's Word. That's just religious plagiarism.

I will sincerely pray that you choose not to ignore our words of encouragement and warning, so that it may not be too late to save your soul from the eternal Hellfire that awaits you by espousing your current feel-good philosophy.

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: Hey There

Well, to give you an idea, the book of Revelations is all a big huge metaphor.

[James Hutchins]

Re: Hey There

First of all, I thank you for the respectful question rather than outright attacking me like the others. That's what I was hoping for when I joined here.

Now, it's not that I think they were poorly thought out or incorrect, I just think that people interpret them in many different ways. That's why we have so many different types of Christianity. All Christianity has the same core belief, but its the other things within the Bible that is commonly debated.

See, that is what confuses me. No where in the Bible does it say to interpret it. I read it and it as plain as day, like a newspaper. When the newspaper tells me there was a terrible car accident and everyone died, everyone dies. It does not suggest that there might of been an accident and possibly no one got hurt. The Bible was written in simple words so even the feeblest of minds can understand it.
How can you have different types of Christianity. That is like believing in different Gods. If memory serves, the Bible is very clear on that, some about 'You will have no other Gods but me'. I am no Bible scholar but I can get the passage if you want.

I guess the point I am trying to make is when Biblical law (like secular law too I suspect) you are expected to follow it. All of it. I really do not understand how you can choose what parts to ignore. In my simple mind, that is like playing God. Or deciding that secular laws like paying taxes do not apply to you. How do you resolve this?

I am really enjoying your insightful comments. I look forward to a response.


YIC
JH

[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

You all seem to be questioning the whole metaphor thing, so rather than doing a bunch of quotes I'll try to explain a bit more.

Revelations is full of metaphors, and what Revelations is actually talking about is unknown. It is impossible just to read Revelations and know what it is saying.

Most of the interpretations fall into one or more of the following categories:

Historicist, which sees in Revelation a broad view of history;

Preterist, in which Revelation mostly refers to the events of the apostolic era (1st century);

Futurist, which believes that Revelation describes future events;

Idealist, or Symbolic, which holds that Revelation does not refer to actual people or events, but is an allegory of the spiritual path and the ongoing struggle between good and evil.

I forget where, but at one point Revelations talks about dragons. Now, there obviously aren't any dragons flying around right now, and they don't even exist. When Apostle John was getting these visions, I can see how he could have seen a fighter jet and had no idea what it was. It would make sense for him to call them dragons.

That's what I mean. Revelations can be taken in many different ways.

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: Hey There

I forget where, but at one point Revelations talks about dragons. Now, there obviously aren't any dragons flying around right now, and they don't even exist. When Apostle John was getting these visions, I can see how he could have seen a fighter jet and had no idea what it was. It would make sense for him to call them dragons.

A fighter jet has nothing in common with a dragon except that it flies. By that logic, why not assume the dragon represented a bird, or a kite? Obviously you are allowing preconceived notions to influence your understanding of the Bible. That is probably how you justify all your drunken rug-munching as well.

Why not just take God at His word?

[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

A fighter jet has nothing in common with a dragon except that it flies. By that logic, why not assume the dragon represented a bird, or a kite?

Well, when a fighter jet fires a missile and stream of fire follows it, and when it hits the ground it makes a big explosion that is bright and looks like fire.

A kite doesn't do that, nor does a bird. A dragon on the other hand breathes fire and can set the earth on fire.

A fighter jet is a big scary thing that causes destruction, just like a dragon would. Because he has no idea what it is he could just think of the closest thing to it that he knows, which was a dragon.

These are not my assumptions by the way, I'm just trying to make a point.

That is probably how you justify all your drunken rug-munching as well.

What drunken rug-munching?

Don't talk as if you know what I do with my free time. You have never met me, and so you have absolutely no idea.

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: Hey There

Don't talk as if you know what I do with my free time. You have never met me, and so you have absolutely no idea.

Why are you so ill-tempered? If you would open your heart to Jesus, He would forgive you and then you wouldn't have to take vengeance on the pure of spirit for making you look bad and feel guilty. Doesn't that sound nice?

[Zechariah Smyth]

Re: Hey There

Well, when a fighter jet fires a missile and stream of fire follows it, and when it hits the ground it makes a big explosion that is bright and looks like fire.

A kite doesn't do that, nor does a bird. A dragon on the other hand breathes fire and can set the earth on fire.

A fighter jet is a big scary thing that causes destruction, just like a dragon would. Because he has no idea what it is he could just think of the closest thing to it that he knows, which was a dragon.

These are not my assumptions by the way, I'm just trying to make a point.



What drunken rug-munching?

Don't talk as if you know what I do with my free time. You have never met me, and so you have absolutely no idea.

What?????



I've read the Bible 14 times and I can't recall fire coming out of their mouth. Maybe you are confusing the Bible with a Henry Potter novel?

Please post the book/chapter/verse where the KJV Bible explicitly states that fire comes out of a dragon's mouth.

Yours in Christ,

Z. Smyth

P.S. Frogs don't count as fire (Rev. 16:13).

[Octavia]

Re: Hey There

Why are you so ill-tempered?

This coming from the guy who said "Do you see how stupid your pseudo-Christianity is now?"

I'm not ill-tempered, I am just presenting a fact. You know nothing about me, so please don't pretend that you do.

If you would open your heart to Jesus, He would forgive you and then you wouldn't have to take vengeance on the pure of spirit for making you look bad and feel guilty. Doesn't that sound nice?

That's been done already.

What?????



I've read the Bible 14 times and I can't recall fire coming out of their mouth. Maybe you are confusing the Bible with a Henry Potter novel?

Please post the book/chapter/verse where the KJV Bible explicitly states that fire comes out of a dragon's mouth.

Yours in Christ,

Z. Smyth

P.S. Frogs don't count as fire (Rev. 16:13).

Dragons are a myth. One of the given abilities of this myth is the ability to breathe fire.

Anyway, you guys are totally missing the point of what I am trying to say.