Is the bible still relevant today?

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JehovahsWitness
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Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #1

Post by JehovahsWitness »

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/maga ... 8-jan-feb/
Image

Many say parts of the bible date back thousands of years, yet millions still read it daily. Some people as, is the bible actually still relevant today? I personally never let a day go by without reading my bible, it has been a great source of wisdom and a daily reminder of how much I have to learn.
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

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tam
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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #11

Post by tam »

[Replying to post 1 by JehovahsWitness]

Any truth or wisdom written in it would indeed still be relevant today, since truth and wisdom are relevant regardless of what time period one lives in.

There is truth and wisdom written about in that book (and some others)... but most certainly in Christ - who is Himself the Truth; who is Himself, Wisdom. (Proverbs 8, and also Proverbs 9:1-6; also 1 Corinthians 1:24)


From Proverbs 8 (I hope you don't mind, I started reading it, and it is such a beautiful and truthful description of my Lord, I wanted to copy the entire passage out. I highlighted a couple of things to emphasize who the passage is about, for those people who may not accept that this is about Christ.)

Does not wisdom call, (Rev 22:17)
And understanding lift up her voice?
On top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;


Beside the gates, at the opening to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.

“O naive ones, understand prudence;
And, O fools, understand wisdom.


“Listen, for I will speak noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
“For my mouth will utter truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

“All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.
“They are all straightforward to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

“Take my instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
“For wisdom is better than jewels;

And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And I find knowledge and discretion.
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power is mine.
“By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
“By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.


(such as all those whom Christ appoints to be kings and priests with Him in His Kingdom)

“I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.
“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.

“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.
“I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.


“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
“From everlasting I was established,
From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.

“When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no springs abounding with water.
“Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills I was [h]brought forth;

While He had not yet made the earth and the fields,
Nor the first dust of the world.

“When He established the heavens, I was there,
When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

When He made firm the skies above,
When the springs of the deep became fixed,
When He set for the sea its boundary
So that the water would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth;

Then I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
Rejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men.


“Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,
For blessed are they who keep my ways.
“Heed instruction and be wise,
And do not neglect it.

“Blessed is the man who listens to me,

Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.


“For he who finds me finds life
(Christ IS the Life)
And obtains favor from the Lord.
“But he who sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death.�




Peace to you and to your household,
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy

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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #12

Post by Tcg »

[Replying to JehovahsWitness]

The Bible would have had to have been relevant sometime in the past for it to still be relevant today.

It is certainly useful for those who want to use it's teachings as a means to gain and maintain control over others. It is still used that way today by many religious propaganda organizations.

I'd say, NO, it isn't relevant today and probably never has been. It is useful for those who desire to control others with promises of future rewards they can't possibly know will ever be fulfilled.

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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #13

Post by Tcg »

tam wrote: [Replying to post 1 by JehovahsWitness]

Any truth or wisdom written in it would indeed still be relevant today, since truth and wisdom are relevant regardless of what time period one lives in.
Sure, but this doesn't prove there is any truth or wisdom in the book. Using the book itself to provide "evidence" that it does indeed contain truth and wisdom is humorous, but of no logical value.

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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #14

Post by tam »

Tcg wrote:
tam wrote: [Replying to post 1 by JehovahsWitness]

Any truth or wisdom written in it would indeed still be relevant today, since truth and wisdom are relevant regardless of what time period one lives in.
Sure, but this doesn't prove there is any truth or wisdom in the book. Using the book itself to provide "evidence" that it does indeed contain truth and wisdom is humorous, but of no logical value.

So you cannot see any wisdom or truth in the chapter above? Okay then, the following is prompted by something DI touched upon in his post:

From my Lord:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.


You see nothing true or wise in these words?

You know that people can make themselves both mentally and physically sick by worrying and being anxious? By being stressed? So worrying can and does cause us actual harm. Not only that, but as my Lord also said:

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

You see nothing wise or true in these words?

(Please note that my Lord did not say, do not think about tomorrow, as DI suggested... my Lord said do not WORRY about tomorrow; in fact, He said do not worry or be anxious over anything.)



Peace to you,
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy

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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #15

Post by OnceConvinced »

The picture above reminds me of this one here:

Image

Speaking of "is the bible still relevant today?", Christianity can't even decide what the relevant stuff is. Every sect has their own opinion on what the bible really says and insist what they have is the correct interpretation. There is just no way to determine who has it right.

Society and its morals evolve and will continue to evolve. The bible however remains the same and just requires more and more apologetics and claims of "metaphors" and "symbolism" to justify it.

Prayer is like rubbing an old bottle and hoping that a genie will pop out and grant you three wishes.

There is much about this world that is mind boggling and impressive, but I see no need whatsoever to put it down to magical super powered beings.


Check out my website: Recker's World

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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #16

Post by OnceConvinced »

Tcg wrote: [Replying to JehovahsWitness]

The Bible would have had to have been relevant sometime in the past for it to still be relevant today.

It is certainly useful for those who want to use it's teachings as a means to gain and maintain control over others. It is still used that way today by many religious propaganda organizations.

I'd say, NO, it isn't relevant today and probably never has been. It is useful for those who desire to control others with promises of future rewards they can't possibly know will ever be fulfilled.
Every time I watch a TV show or movie where religious folk go off to war and die stupidly for their king (especially after a big speech about how God is going to give them glory and that those who die will go to Heaven or Valhalla or Stovacore or whatever), I come to the same conclusion you have. What better way to get people to dedicate their lives to your cause than with the use of religion. I see fat rich pastors getting rich off their congregations all the time. Sure those people don't have to go to war anymore, but many are willing to give up their life savings and hours and hours of their time instead, all believing that they're doing it for a god.

So yes, we could say that bible is still relevant today because although it's not normally getting people to die stupidly for silly wars anymore, it's still getting people to make huge sacrifices for the guys up the top.

Society and its morals evolve and will continue to evolve. The bible however remains the same and just requires more and more apologetics and claims of "metaphors" and "symbolism" to justify it.

Prayer is like rubbing an old bottle and hoping that a genie will pop out and grant you three wishes.

There is much about this world that is mind boggling and impressive, but I see no need whatsoever to put it down to magical super powered beings.


Check out my website: Recker's World

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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #17

Post by JehovahsWitness »

[Replying to post 16 by OnceConvinced]

Jehovah Witnesses don't fight in wars, we are taught to love our enemies! Other bible principles mentioned in the article are...



VALUES WE NEED TODAY
You may wonder, though, ‘Are Bible teachings really practical for our modern day?’ To answer, ask yourself: ‘What are the worst problems facing mankind today? Which ones are the most terrifying?’ Perhaps you think of warfare, pollution, crime, or corruption. Now consider some principles that the Bible teaches. As you do, ask yourself, ‘If people lived by these values, would the world be a better place?’

LOVE OF PEACE

“Happy are the peacemakers, since they will be called sons of God.� (Matthew 5:9) “If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men.�​—Romans 12:18.

MERCY, FORGIVENESS

“Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.� (Matthew 5:7) “Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as Jehovah * freely forgave you, you must also do the same.�​—Colossians 3:13.

RACIAL HARMONY

God “made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth.� (Acts 17:26) “God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.�​—Acts 10:34, 35.

RESPECT FOR THE EARTH

“Jehovah God took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it.� (Genesis 2:15) God will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.�​—Revelation 11:18.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/maga ... es-wisdom/
Source:
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #18

Post by OnceConvinced »

JehovahsWitness wrote: [Replying to post 16 by OnceConvinced]

Jehovah Witnesses don't fight in wars, we are taught to love our enemies! Other bible principles mentioned in the article are...

You're lucky you're living in a time where you're not being forced to go to war like many Christians in the past. But you're still giving up your time and money aren't you? Who benefits the most from your time and money? Who has a vested interest in keeping you in the JWs?
JehovahsWitness wrote: we are taught to love our enemies
All Christians are, not just the JWs, but if they are forced to go to war, they don't have much of a choice. Fortunately for Christians to day, they are living in a time where they don't have to. Who knows if or when that will change.

Society and its morals evolve and will continue to evolve. The bible however remains the same and just requires more and more apologetics and claims of "metaphors" and "symbolism" to justify it.

Prayer is like rubbing an old bottle and hoping that a genie will pop out and grant you three wishes.

There is much about this world that is mind boggling and impressive, but I see no need whatsoever to put it down to magical super powered beings.


Check out my website: Recker's World

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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #19

Post by JehovahsWitness »

OnceConvinced wrote:
JehovahsWitness wrote: [Replying to post 16 by OnceConvinced]

Jehovah Witnesses don't fight in wars, we are taught to love our enemies! Other bible principles mentioned in the article are...

You're lucky you're living in a time where you're not being forced to go to war like many Christians in the past.
I do appreciate living in a democratic country that respects freedom of religion, that said, Jehovah's Witnesses do not fight in wars.
OnceConvinced wrote:... if they are forced to go to war, they don't have much of a choice.
Some authorities have resorted to the threat of executed for refusal to perform military service - sadly this has resulted in a thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses being killed, imprissoned or executed. There are currently many hundreds of our young Jehovah's Witness brothers in prison as we speak for this very same reason. No one can force a Jehovah's Witness to take up arms.

The Watchtower (#1 2018) I will be highlighting for January and Febuary outlines the principle (JWs) live by ...

Image


JW



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http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 543#853543

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Last edited by JehovahsWitness on Fri Jan 26, 2018 2:59 pm, edited 3 times in total.
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

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Re: Is the bible still relevant today?

Post #20

Post by JehovahsWitness »

OnceConvinced wrote:But you're still giving up your time and money aren't you? Who benefits the most from your time and money?
Well I earn my money honestly, I pay my taxes and I believe I have the right to spend my own money on what is important to me and what gives me pleasure without having to justify that to strangers. That said, I am devoted to God and am happy for to use my money for charities and non profit organizations that further the causes I support.

I have never asked anyone what they do with their money and believe everyone has the right to support causes and charities that are dear to them as long as they are legal without judgment. Whether their money goes to homeless cats or to build a church or they give all their money to buying diamonds for a big busted Betsy that already has a string of men with diamonds, that their right.

As for my time, again, that is my own, I don't believe anyone has the right to make value judgements about how I spend my days (and nights). My personal devotion to God is a priority, so yes I spend much of my time in prayer and voluntary work. I don't rely financially on anyone nor do I neglect those I am responsible for, so other than that I don't I don't believe I am answerable to anyone as regard to how I spend my time whether that be pursuing a hobbie, studying a language or slumping in front of a tv for 8 hours a day. That's part of being free.
It would never occur to anyone to ask someone to justify what they are spending their time on, whether that be on porn or in church that's their own business; I'm nobody's judge.
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

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