Literatures outside of the Word

[Classik]

does the adding removing from the Word thing apply when we read stuff and practice them, stuff not found in the Word? Things like: some books there that try to giver deeper and clearer meaning of biblical stories. You have some of them written by the people of the NT days or written by scholars or the people who are living in Isrealand who profess to have deeper and better understanding of the culture.

So some of the stuff is quite interesting. But they are not found in the bible.

Should we read those...considering that, as some have said, the best book that interprets the bible is the bible itself?

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

does the adding removing from the Word thing apply when we read stuff and practice them, stuff not found in the Word? Things like: some books there that try to giver deeper and clearer meaning of biblical stories. You have some of them written by the people of the NT days or written by scholars or the people who are living in Isrealand who profess to have deeper and better understanding of the culture.

So some of the stuff is quite interesting. But they are not found in the bible.

Should we read those...considering that, as some have said, the best book that interprets the bible is the bible itself?

You should rephrase your question to this: "Are these books being written for any other reason than to make money"?
Then evaluate whether or not you should read them?

 

[iLOVE]

does the adding removing from the Word thing apply when we read stuff and practice them, stuff not found in the Word? Things like: some books there that try to giver deeper and clearer meaning of biblical stories. You have some of them written by the people of the NT days or written by scholars or the people who are living in Isrealand who profess to have deeper and better understanding of the culture.

So some of the stuff is quite interesting. But they are not found in the bible.

Should we read those...considering that, as some have said, the best book that interprets the bible is the bible itself?

The Holy Spirit will illuminate the scriptures to Jesus Disciples who have made Jesus master (Adonai). This is called turning on the light. The veil is removed and Jesus has opened your mind for understanding.

 

[JeffS]

As long as it doesn't replace you're reading the Word, I don't see a problem with it. Sometimes wisdom can be found in learning from other people who have walked with God. You should always check it though against what the Word says.

 

[Christ_empowered]

This is one reason I'm considering turning Catholic. Different people have different interpretations, just like kiwidan wrote above. Some make a good bit of money selling their interpretations---right or wrong--to the masses.

 

[Classik]

Maybe

You should rephrase your question to this: "Are these books being written for any other reason than to make money"?
Then evaluate whether or not you should read them?

,maybe, but not really. there are some very interesting ones out there. the writers are not money conscious about them. they just want to teach

 

[LovethroughDove]

Why would someone need a book to interpret the bible? If you can't read the bible, you don't have the Holy Spirit. People who have books to help you with the bible are only profiting off of people's spiritual lack.

 

[Obadiah]

There is certainly no requirement to leave your brain at the door when you enter into a relationship with Jesus. Of course it's ok, and wise too, to read and understand things such as the culture at the time of the writing of scripture, the ancient languages it was written in, and many many other things. Just for an example, a person can't say we shouldn't gain understanding from outside sources and then go off to read a Bible that is translated from the original (using outside knowledge of languages, culture, etc) and claim they don't need anything other than scripture and the Holy Spirit. If this were true, they would read in the original language and trust the Holy Spirit to give them understanding of the ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.

As long as what you are reading doesn't contradict scripture and it is from a reputable source, it's beneficial to knowledge and edification.

 

[Obadiah]

Maybe,maybe, but not really. there are some very interesting ones out there. the writers are not money conscious about them. they just want to teach

Exactly. I have a friend who has published 3 Christian books expounding on the scripture. He is an educator and that is his motivation. He's told me how much money he's made from his books and to be honest, had he put the same amount of time into any menial minimum wage job he would have made a lot more money! I think the common idea that anyone who publishes a book is making a lot of money off of it and that is their main goal for writing it is a huge over generalization. It's more like "Hollywood" actors. Most are making a living at minimum wage jobs, not getting rich from acting.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Maybe

,maybe, but not really. there are some very interesting ones out there. the writers are not money conscious about them. they just want to teach

Such as?

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

There is certainly no requirement to leave your brain at the door when you enter into a relationship with Jesus. Of course it's ok, and wise too, to read and understand things such as the culture at the time of the writing of scripture, the ancient languages it was written in, and many many other things. Just for an example, a person can't say we shouldn't gain understanding from outside sources and then go off to read a Bible that is translated from the original (using outside knowledge of languages, culture, etc) and claim they don't need anything other than scripture and the Holy Spirit. If this were true, they would read in the original language and trust the Holy Spirit to give them understanding of the ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.

As long as what you are reading doesn't contradict scripture and it is from a reputable source, it's beneficial to knowledge and edification.

Your last statement here leaves it wide open to interpretation.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Exactly. I have a friend who has published 3 Christian books expounding on the scripture. He is an educator and that is his motivation. He's told me how much money he's made from his books and to be honest, had he put the same amount of time into any menial minimum wage job he would have made a lot more money! I think the common idea that anyone who publishes a book is making a lot of money off of it and that is their main goal for writing it is a huge over generalization. It's more like "Hollywood" actors. Most are making a living at minimum wage jobs, not getting rich from acting.

And can you name one?

 

[Obadiah]

And can you name one?

Name one what? Book? Author? Actor? I have no idea what you are asking or why. What difference does it make if I can name any of these? Or are you just challenging me to see if I'm lying?

 

[Obadiah]

Your last statement here leaves it wide open to interpretation.

As are most things in real life.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I dunno...one thing about Protestantism that bothers me is that we're all supposed to be free to interpret Scripture. That and different denominations have different interpretations, so you can "shop around" to find one that suits you and your lifestyle. This is the main reason I'm considering the RCC.

 

[jasonc]

I dunno...one thing about Protestantism that bothers me is that we're all supposed to be free to interpret Scripture. That and different denominations have different interpretations, so you can "shop around" to find one that suits you and your lifestyle. This is the main reason I'm considering the RCC.

yes. I understand that but you don't mind being told what the bible says? one can read the bible and not be actually reading it. I know that from my cult days.

 

[th1b.taylor]

CE,
The very same thing is true of the RCC and is that way in every denomination for two good reasons. The first is because every person that reads the Word is given, of the Holy Spirit, exactly what they need at that time.

Someone, earlier, gave you some very good advise that is applicable, no matter where you worship when they advised you to check everything a teacher teaches against the Word of God.

When we do that we will discern (Judge) the truth, as we are meant to do. (Acts 17:11) You'll find that many will have a different life application for this or for that passage but the strange part is that if the two applications compliment each other they are both of the Holy Spirit. If they oppose each other, the one that cannot be reconciled to the context surrounding the verse, the one is a lie and is not of God. That is why Paul taught us to test every spirit.

The second reason lies withing the building so many think is the Church. To begin with the Church of the Christ is a small portion of the people gathered there. Most of those there are liars but they are in the right place to hear the gospel and a few of them will, also, be saved but the large majority of them have not understood Grace. Because they do not understand, they are busy working good works on Sunday Morning and they live like Hell the rest of the week to give themselves reason to go to the church building sunday Morning.

This issue is found in any church building on any Sunday. But the RCC? You would do well to go to a library to find out why Martin Luther wrote and nailed the 95 Thesis on the door. There are Protestant churches for a good reason and that reason is listed in Luthor's 95 thesis and the RCC.

 

[Deborah13]

And can you name one?

Peggy Moore, wrote a 138 pg devotional that is a kindle download. $2.99. That's $.02 per page.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Name one what? Book? Author? Actor? I have no idea what you are asking or why. What difference does it make if I can name any of these? Or are you just challenging me to see if I'm lying?

Your Hollywood actors making minimum wage. I never heard of such a thing. There may be many out of work but when they work, they make minimum wage?
Why say such a thing if you can't back it up?

 

[Obadiah]

Your Hollywood actors making minimum wage. I never heard of such a thing. There may be many out of work but when they work, they make minimum wage?
Why say such a thing if you can't back it up?

Why not make sure you understand what a person is saying before you get so accusatory. At least ask for clarification in a polite way instead of making a demand for them to "name one", which implies a challenge rather than asking for clarification. We are people here, not just electronic signals on the other side of the internet. Do you react this way in face to face real life conversations with people you hardly know?

If you read what I said again you will see I didn't say they made minimum wage while on an acting job. I said most are making a living at minimum wage jobs, not getting rich from acting.. If you had ever worked in an area where a lot of them live and work, and worked in a capacity where you interact with them a lot as I have, you wouldn't be so quick to judge my honesty. One of the most common jokes in areas like Hollywood, or the Pacific Palisades of Los Angeles when someone says they are an actor is to ask them what restaurant they work at. Just so there is no more misunderstanding between us; the reason that is a joke is because the vast majority of actors spend most of their time making a living at jobs such as waiting tables and similar things as this while they wait for the elusive acting jobs. They act because they love to act, not because they make much money at it. When they do get paying acting jobs they usually do get paid better than minimum wage, but not always very much better. Only a small percentage ever become stars or celebrities and are then able to make a good living at it. This is reality for them.

By the way, the same thing applies to most authors of books too. Very few have the status to make a good living off of writing. Most of them write books for the love of their craft of writing or for the love of sharing their knowledge with others. Many, many books are written that never get published too, so those people never make a dime for all their time and efforts.