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Do I have to believe that the Bible is true ?

Do I have to believe that the Bible is true ?. Just Looking. NO!. Your Father in heaven has given you free will to make up your own mind . Through Jesus , He invites you to make an informed decision as to whether – and in what way – the Bible is true. Just Looking.

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Do I have to believe that the Bible is true ?

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  1. Do I have to believe that the Bible is true? Just Looking

  2. NO! Your Father in heaven has given you free will to make up your own mind. Through Jesus, He invites you to make an informed decision as to whether – and in what way – the Bible is true Just Looking

  3. The Bible – which is, in fact, a collection of books – claims that it holds truth: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3 16 … but this is only persuasive if you start out believing it to be true! In reality, all Christians apply some form of interpretation to their reading of the Bible – and may see it as “true” in different ways Just Looking

  4. “… anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell …. Matthew 5 28,29 Just Looking

  5. Conservative Charlie Liberal Larry Post-modern Pippa Fundamentalist Fred Evangelical Eve Just Looking

  6. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness …”2 Timothy 316 “Have you no faith?” Mark 4 40 “Where is your faith?” Luke 8 22 “O you of little faith!” Matthew 8 26

  7. “Fundamentals” • verbal inerrancy of scripture • the divinity of Jesus • the virgin birth • substitutionary atonement • physical resurrection and bodily return of Jesus Fundamentalist Fred Just Looking

  8. Because the Bible says that it is God-breathed (in-spired), it is completely true – every word is from God God commanded the deaths of idolatrous and sinful people Fundamentalist Fred The universe was created in six literal days, in 4004 BC The Bible – literally true Homosexuality is an abomination which deserves the death penalty Jesus must have said, “Have you no faith? Where is your faith? O you of little faith!” Just Looking

  9. Emphasis on Scripture as the foundation Commitment to sharing the Good News Centrality of Jesus Emphasis on Jesus’ death for us Commitment to caring social action Conservative Charlie Evangelical Eve Just Looking

  10. At one end of the “conservative evangelical” spectrum: • standing firm against any dilution of the Good News • defending the inspiration of scripture • studies and knows the Scripture Conservative Charlie Just Looking

  11. Because the Bible says that it is God-breathed, it is infallible. However, this is “as originally given” . God commanded it. His ways are not our ways. It is possible that the six “days” were seasons of time;but Charlie is rather suspicious of talk about evolution. Conservative Charlie The Bible – infallible Gayorientationis acceptable provided there is celibacy. All statements true “as originally given” Just Looking

  12. At the other end of the “conservative evangelical” spectrum: • wanting to be “culturally relevant” • committed to the Bible – but aware of “issues” of interpretation • learns more from sermons and worship than from study • in practice, may not doeverything shebelieves the Bible says Evangelical Eve Just Looking

  13. Speaks of the Bible as “authoritative” rather than infallible; apparent minor conflicts in Scripture are from transmission. These verses trouble Eve. She knows they should be true. She avoids them. Accepts the Big Bang – but God banged it! Accepts “theistic evolution”, but points out that the evidence is weaker for species to species. Evangelical Eve The Bible – authoritative Eve has gay Christian friends. She is troubled because her teaching says they are sinning – but she sees Jesus in them. Each gospel recorded or translated what Jesus actually said differently. Just Looking

  14. Larry’s starting point is the love of God - this is the test for every belief • He prefers the New Testament to the Old, and is very Jesus-focussed • He thinks the picture of God in the Old Testament says more about the Bible writers than it does about God! Liberal Larry Just Looking

  15. Considers the Bible “inspirational”, but has no problem with radical re-interpretation. Some parts are simply wrongor untrue. A God of love would never do this. It must reflect the writer’s (mistaken) beliefs. What’s the problem?Science tells about science, and within the Bible we find ways to find God. Liberal Larry The Bible – inspirational What’s the problem? God is the source of all love, gay or straight. What’s the problem? The Bible stories are clearly shaped editorially and show the authors’ points of view. Just Looking

  16. Pippa has not chosen her standpoint – she’s imbibed it. • She is not sure that there can ever be absolute truth. • She thinks everyone should “become their own person”. • She takes the impact of experiencevery seriously, and it shapes what shebelieves. • She loves the mysteries of Celtic faith. • She distrusts institutional religion. Post-modern Pippa Just Looking

  17. Readsthe parts of the Bible that “speak” to her – on the basis of personal impact. Ancient wars aren’t relevant, and don’t have any connection with how we live. That part of the Bible reflects an out-dated institutional Christianity. Post-modern Pippa Accepts science … but is happy for others to believe whatever is “true” for them. Gayand lesbian people live the life that is right for them, and others should not judge. The Bible - experiential Different people see “truth” in different ways. Just Looking

  18. How did Pippa become a Christian? • she (genuinely)encountered theloveof Jesus in her Christian friends • she experienced the touchof the Spirit inworship • she met JesuswithinScripture- and lovedHim • sheneeded– and asked for –forgiveness from God • all she knows about Christianity is what she has heard in church. Her pastor may have assumed she knew more when she soughtbaptism. • because she chooseswhich parts of Church life to embrace, she will probablykeep on living the Christian life that is “true” • for her, and take timeto extend her faith Just Looking

  19. Conservative Charlie Liberal Larry Post-modern Pippa Fundamentalist Fred Evangelical Eve Just Looking

  20. Just Looking

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