Omnipotent god

Why is it that God did not make certain the Bible was written so that it was clearly understood by man? It is the rules by which man enters the kingdom of God, yet it is so misundersood and misinterpreted. Why didn't God use his omnipotence to make sure various versions stayed true to the original? Why did he allow certain books to be left out of the modern day Bible?

Please don't say anything about free will. Man was given free will to choose if he wanted to follow the Word, not on it's interpretation.

 

A good portion of it is clearly communicated. Proverbs, Job, most of the Gospels, the Ten Commandments, and most of Paul's letters are pretty straightforward.

It is frustrating. Most of the time I think misinterpretations come from men trying to use the Bible to justify what they want to say. That's the easiest way to fall into the trap of 'editing' the Bible for our own agendas. More than once I've had to catch myself doing that, thinking it said one thing and finding out it really says another.

God has very rarely 'forced' anyone to do anything in this life, and I can't think of a single instance off the top of my head since the crucifixion.

The Bible as we know it today was compiled by men who claim to have been inspired by God. That becomes problematic, as clearly they aren't all on the same page, so to speak. I've seen some samples of what has been omitted from the Bibles I use, and from what I can tell the reasons for omission are valid. Much of the material I've seen is extremely out of place compared to the rest of the Bible, both old and new testaments.

A good point. The Bibles I use vary in grammar and syntax, but are pretty consistent in their teachings. I've done a little research on how most were compiled, and I'm satisfied enough to trust their integrity. Interpretations run a wide gambit though, which is why I use the Bible itself as a litmus test for all the teaching I hear. Heck, I even saw a commentary in a Bible last night that was off base. I take nothing spiritual at face value. I always cross check things with something else.

 

You have to remember that the Bible was not written in modern day english. Translation is not easy. For example (someone correct me if I'm wrong) there are 13 different types of "Love" in Greek, so to get the correct meaning may not appear to be as easy as it seems.

Nothing is ever intrepreted the same way, people view history differently just like you may have a different intrepretation of a movie (someone may say it's good, someone may say it's bad). The Bible has very basic truths that are easily understood.

 

You guys have only proven that the Bible is left to interpretation. I'm asking why didn't God ensure it's clarity? It's the "Manual of Life". You don't buy a piece of equipment that requires assembly and proper use and interpret the instructions. Something as important and life altering as the Bible, the written word of God, should not be left to interpretation. It's vital to man's life and his honoring God's will. God is powerful enough to make sure man understands what God expects from him to have everlasting life.

 

In my experience studying it, the Bible is as simple as it needs to be, but can be as complex as anyone would want. The basic concepts are clearly communicated, but if you want to spend a lifetime in the intricacies, the Bible can accommodate that. In that way, I think it reflects the nature of God Himself.

I also think God has allowed the Bible to remain somewhat confusing to keep us looking to Him for answers and help. The Bible's intention has never been to make us independent -- it's always been to give us our best life.

 

What a great answer :applause:

 

Well, instead of asking us, why not ask Him?

 

whole point of the book is to effect a state of being in readers over millenia, how do you write hard rules that do not become out dated over time. However giving examples of how and why individuals acted a certain way at a particular moment gives one a guide to go by when trying to effect the same sort of behavior in situations that elicit the same emotions even though the society of the time is drastically different.

I mean gosh how would ' THOU SHALT NOT BE AN ASSHOLE' translate over time. Hell I could see people in ranlo sewing their assholes shut.

 

I thought it's intent was to outline the commandments as to how we as humans should live our lives to get into heaven or have everlasting life here on Earth. Every religion thinks it has the one true interpretation and only by that interpretation can a soul achieve a closeness with God. Why would God leave something that vital up to chance when he had the authority to do otherwise?

 

Your supposition about the Bible is wrong and thus your question is flawed. The Bible is clear in how to get to heaven and it does put it simply. Accept Jesus as your savior. That's it. How can it get more simple than that?

Now perhaps if you could point out how different people interpret that differently we could argue those finer points.