A friend asked me recently if there was a good Bible app I could recomend to her for her smart phone. I am not that savy with the smartphone/apps thing so I said I would throw it out in the Cafe for some feedback. As Len Sweet said we are living in a post-Google world, so a bible could be something contained on a smart phone as well as a book. Your help is greatly appreciated, thanks.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
I know of some many instances, addictions, sufferings, abuses, weaknesses where this just isn't true....
When I first became a Christian ("accepting Jesus as my Savior!") I read the Bible with a group of fundamentalists who interpreted the scripture in a "face-value" kind of way similar to what one hears on some posts and by TV evangelists and from many pulpits too.
Is right-wing, American christian fundamentalism a Christian Heresy? It invokes the name of the Xtian God while waging war, enriching the rich, oppressing the poor, polluting the planet and promoting american consumerist society?? George W. Bush espoused being "born again" while lying to the world about WMD and sending troops into Iraq. Apparently there was a weekly Bible study in the WhiteHouse during his tenure. He even used biblical language calling the muslim fanatics who oppose the West "evildoers." All this religious-political hype.
What's the purpose of this guy? More than 5 years ago, I have begun to reject the concepts behind hell, Satan, demons, fallen angels and whatnot. While I'm Christian, I just don't see why he has to exist.
In fact, I think it's scape-goating that brought him into Christianity. People didn't understand concepts like the unconscious, dreaming, psychology in general and blamed the devil and demons for their thoughts and the "voices" they heard.
Coming out of our last discussion on Salvation (thank you everyone who answered!) more questions have arisen. I have read some other writings of other religions - doing a comparing thing. Some I find very beautiful and even inspiring. For example, the Bhagava Geeta. What it says about Krishna I could easily apply to the Cosmic/Resurrected Jesus - no problem. But would that be heretical of me?
Anyone else ever listened to this podcast or read any theological works by Robert M. Price? Price is a bible scholar and fellow of the Jesus Seminar who teaches in the US. I've known of him for years as an editor and writer in the field of pulp horror and fantasy but just recently found out about his theological credentials. It's an interesting and often amusing hour as he takes on various questions people have sent him.
... or for guidence? Source of wisdom? How do you reconcile all the nasty bits of it when you search for G_D's Presence? Is G_D present in the Bible for you? In what ways? What other reasons do you read the Bible for?
I'm in a bit of a funk about the Bible... I still love it, but I'm really not sure about much of it... Especially knowing as much as I know about its history... Not sure how to keep looking for consolation or wisdom amidst all the other stuff.
