"Which Bible is perfect?" Another good question Chrissy. There are different translations, all the more reason to pray first and ask God to reveal His truth to you. I have several translations and they are all good. But you have to be careful. God says beware of false prophets. It also helps to spend time with other believers discussing what you have read…as we are here
Yes but one persons false prophet is another persons true prophet. Okay, I am done on religion for today. It's only 7:23 am and I'm getting a headache.
Well, I learned that Catholic is the only TRUE religion and Mary is Holy. And although I'm an ex catholic there are many who are devout Catholics and would say and believe with all their heart and soul that they are right.
I can't speak for Catholics because I'm not one. I can only tell you what the Bible says about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus, or anyone else, direct any praise, glory, or adoration towards Mary. In Luke 1:42-44, Elizabeth praises Mary for the the blessing of giving birth to the Messiah but that wasn't based on any glory from Mary…it was a blessing from God. To God be the glory. Mary was present at the cross when Jesus died (John 19:25). Mary was also with the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14). However, Mary is never mentioned again after Acts chapter 1. The apostles did not give Mary a prominent role. Mary’s death is not recorded in the Bible. Nothing is said about Mary ascending to heaven or having an exalted role there. As the earthly mother of Jesus, Mary should be respected, but she is not worthy of our worship or adoration. The Bible nowhere indicates that Mary can hear our prayers or that she can mediate for us with God. Jesus is our only advocate and mediator in heaven (1 Timothy 2:5). If offered worship, adoration, or prayers, Mary would say the same as the angels: “Worship God!”…not Mary (see Revelation 19:10; 22:9.) Mary herself sets the example for us, directing her worship, adoration, and praise to God alone: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is His name” (Luke 1:46-49).
Just one excerpt I found among many... And here is another Catholic favorite: Luke 1:41-43: “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN, AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB!! [emphasis added] And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Now, if Mary is “just another woman,” why would Elizabeth be in awe that she was granted a visit from “the mother of my lord?” It just doesn’t make sense that if Mary is any old person and not to be revered in some way that she is treated with such respect and has many honors bestowed upon her such as being “full of grace” and the other examples given. I'm not saying I believe this Lara, I'm just saying that every faith and person sees things differently. And just an immaculate conception would make her special and Holy if I believed that.
I really can't defend or argue for Mary, Lara...I have forgotten most of what I have been taught anyway but growing up Catholic it's funny that the only prayer I still can recite without stumbling is the "Hail Mary"
I understand the confusion but we have to take the bible at it's word. The Bible is not the author of confusion. So the Bible easily clears this up. You may want to review my post again. I never said nor did the Bible say that "Mary is just another woman". I said she should be respected…just not worshipped because even Mary agrees in scripture the worshipping is only for God (see my last sentence). The Bible refers to Mary as a "humble" servant because that is a fulfillment of prophesy, that the Messiah would be born in a very humble way….not born of royalty or riches. To exalt Mary would remove her from that humble part of the prophesy which would tamper with God's perfect plan for the Messiah. God had a reason for wanting jesus to be born in a humble surrounding. He wanted Jesus to be humble like man in order for him to take on all of man's sins and suffer on the cross for man's salvation. It's an extremely important reason for keeping Mary on a humble level. Elizabeth was in awe that God chose Mary because she wasn't royalty…just a lowly humble human being. It WAS a blessing for Mary to be chosen by God to be and should be respected for that. I mean, how cool is that?!! But just cause it was cool doesn't mean she should take God's place in worship. Reread the last sentence to find what mary wants us all to do.
But still a very large group of people (Catholics) say she is to be worshipped. She is Holy Mary, Mother if God. People can interpret the exact same thing so differently and have.
What is true cannot be false but what you believe to be true can be false. As for faith I have faith in my ability to think and use reason. When you are basing your faith on what someone else has written you are putting your faith in that persons thinking rather than your own.
I'm not basing my faith on the written word alone. My faith in the Bible is backed by reason, logic, answered prayers, accurate fulfillment of prophecies, miracles, historical accounts, archeological discoveries, science, and philosophy…all have shown scripture to be factual and consistent. More so than with any other religious text, we have assurance that the Bible is true. The combination of it's written consistency, connection to evidence, and relevance to our experience makes the Bible unique among books. All religious works claim to be true but, unlike any other religious work, the Bible emphatically supports that assertion.
Reason and logic are what make me not believe the Bible, Lara. It was written sooooo long ago. I'm sure the translation we are quoting isnt even accurate. Anyway, it's the bible itself that causes me to not believe. I have a glimmer of hope that there is a spiritual something in humans but it also could be our evolved brains.
The Old Testament is difficult and intense some is only meant for the "Old Law". Although Psalms and proverbs are wonderful! I recommend the New Testament to start with. It's all relevant for today. The Book of John (not 1st and 2nd John at the end) is a great place to start. It comes after Luke. The King James Version is widely believed to be the most accurate translation. With that said, I prefer one with less thee's and thou's but still close to the King James Version. Once you finish the New Testament then you can go back and pick up at the beginning. When I wasn't a believer I started with the Book of John in the Bible. By the time I got to the end of Ephesians, I prayed that I was not perfect and in need of a savior and asked God to fill the void inside me….and he did….that was 1978 and I've been a believer ever since. The Bible gets a bad rap from atheists and agnostics which are the bulk of online chatrooms and forums so that's where you may be picking up your hesitation. SO is the exception. Whatever the reason though….saying a prayer before one begins reading each time helps reveal the truth in a personal way (if one asks for that). One's heart and mind need to be clean and open too….filled with the Holy Spirit (ask for that too). Eagerness to receive helps. New Christians are so thirsty for the truth and that's the best attitude ever. That's when things get really exciting and lives change for the better.
@Lara Moss , these have been my views before I even got on the internet. I'm not saying I don't appreciate the beauty and reverence of a lovely old church and I still can get teary eyed and goose bumps listening to a well known song from church but my main disbelief still comes from the Bible, I just can't trust the source. The bible has always been what caused me doubt because when I do look at the beauty and mystery of the universe it's hard to believe its random. But organized religion and the Bible always have me thinking otherwise.