What’s Wrong With The Bible? 4/28/08 -A Test of Faith
It’s time to see just how faithful Christians are. Let’s look at what the Bible says about true believers.
Mark 16:17:
“17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;”
Ok, let’s grant them the fact that many Christians do “exorcise demons” and “speak in tongues”. So they’re doing ok so far. Let’s continue.
Mark 16:18:
“18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”"
Hmmm, now that’s interesting. I wonder how many Christians are willing to play with poisonous snakes and drink poison. I say next time you go by a church you throw some cobras at them or put strychnine in the sacramental wine. That’d be a great way to weed out the doubters and see who the true believers are. Who’s with me?
Starbix
“Don’t Panic.” -Douglas Adams
May 14, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I hate to tell you this, but many Christians do not take the Bible quite that literally. It is possible to accept that the Bible was a book created by human beings and still believe that God loves us anyway. Taking the Bible literally is religious fundamentalism.
May 15, 2008 at 3:47 am
The verse about poison and snakes. It isn’t in a lot of versions of Bibles, and in the ESV,(I think) it is included with a side note that discusses its placement.
I had a talk with a pastor about it. He offers that one of the people witnessing Paul’s actions saw Paul do these things, and assumed that it was an ability given to all Christians.
This is on the fly, I am stating this from a several month old memory that was very brief, but I’m pretty sure I gave you enough information to look it up from a more reliable source if you care to take the time.
I’m not saying that what I bring up is fact, its just what I’ve heard about that particular verse in passing.
Love ya.
May 16, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Lucy,
I realize that many Christians do not take the Bible literally, but there are enough that do who are extremely loud and adamant about it. Many of them wish to break down the Wall of Separation. My major problem with Christians is when they try to impose their beliefs on other people. It is Biblical Inerrancy and the claims that the Bible is the source of morality which I am addressing with these posts. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog.
Starbix
“Don’t Panic.” -Douglas Adams
May 16, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Rebecca,
I am aware of the disagreement about the validity of Mark 16:9-20, but the verses I quoted are still supported by other passages in the Bible.
Luke 10:19:
“19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Acts 28:3-6:
“3And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
5And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.”
Luke 10:19 is especially relevant as it states that “nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
I do thank you for reading and commenting on my blog and invite you to stay awhile. I am always interested in discussing the Bible with believers.
Starbix
“Don’t Panic.” -Douglas Adams
May 16, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Are you living in America? I heard the fundamentalists give atheists a hard time over there.
May 16, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Yes, I am living in America. I’m in California, but the county I live in is one of the most conservative in the state. They do give us a hard time over here. Atheists have been called so many names, most that I care not to repeat because of the ignorance associated with them. I assume you live outside the U.S. We seem to have a preponderance of Biblical literalists over here who want to push their morals on the rest of us. I’m pretty unoffendable (is that a word?), but that is one of the things that really gets my hackles up.
Starbix
“Don’t Panic.” -Douglas Adams
May 16, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I’m in Britain. As far as I’m concerned people can believe what they want as long as they cultivate love and compassion.
The Biblical literalists really get my hackles up too.