Do you believe the Bible

Some of you are thinking, "but Jeff, the Bible says..." 

Well, did you know that most people know just enough of what the Bible says to make them dangerous.  Be careful when you say that you believe the Bible... It is a big complicated book.  Often what people mean when they claim to believe the Bible is that they believe what they have been taught by their pastors.  They have integrated into their lives what they believe is in the Bible, but most people don't really know all of the things that are in the Bible...


The Bible says…

That we should not eat shrimp - Lev 11:10

That we should not eat pork - Lev 11:7

That we should not have round haircuts - Lev 19:27

If you curse your father or mother you should be put to death - Leviticus 20:9

That slaves should honor and respect their masters - 1 Peter 2:18

That women should not teach or speak in church - 1 Tim 2:11

That if your city is under siege, it is ok to eat your children - Deut 28:53

Someone born out of wedlock cannot attend church - Deuteronomy 23:2

We should not have savings accounts - Mt 6:19-21

If a woman interrupts a fight between her husband and another man, her hand should be cut off - Deuteronomy 25:11-12

If your brother dies, you should have sex with his wife - Mark 12:19

That non virgins are to be stoned - Deut 22:20-21

That an unruly son should be stoned Deut 21:18-21

That we should not get tattoos - Lev 19:28

That handicap people cannot approach God - Leviticus 21:18-21

As far as believing the Bible, everyone picks and chooses which passages to affirm.  I choose to hold closely to those passages that focus on love.  

And as my favorite theologian, Terry McCarty says, "the Bible is not a hammer."

The Bible is never to be used to hurt others or push people away.  It should not divide us, it should draw us together in love.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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