As I think about the scope of corruption in this world, I often ponder the things of God. The enemy and his Cabal minions have managed to corrupt and alter truths to forward the agenda. One of Satan's prime tools is deception...but not outright. If they can manage to corrupt our food, media, medical establishment, etc. then why not the truths of God?
I have to consider that Christianity has been greatly compromised in many facets. All religions in this world have elements of truth but not the whole, unadulterated truth. For instance, Islam is correct concerning certain dietary restrictions but wrong as a whole. Buddhism has many great proverbs that align with Scripture but they do not serve the living God.
All false teachers in the Christian realm speak truth, otherwise they'd never be believed but what if those truths we're intertwined with falsehoods? That's how Satan deceives. For example, Satan spoke a truth to Eve in the garden (you shall be as God knowing both good and evil) but paired it with a lie (you shall not surely die).
What if the Bible has been altered by men and interpreters not under the guide of the Holy Spirit? What if the doctrines and practices that have been drilled into you are not Biblical or Godly? How do we know that our experience with the Holy Spirit isn't just seducing spirits keeping us deceived? How do we know that the religious institutions of men are of God?
I've pondered much and am curious as to your thoughts.
I question everything but the Lord Himself.
Indeed.
Well there is still debate about how much of the modern Bible is altered
as far as the bible goes, there is this thing called chain of custody, where the jewish scribes of b.c.(ot) sacrificed their lives to preserve every jot and tittle, and for the nt, witnesses of Jesus' actual ascent into heaven (over 500 of them) preserved and verified the nt authors' account, sacrificing their lives as well to make sure the written account of their witness survived
and now we even have pieces of papyri and animal skin, codecies, that confirm that the bible was preserved
when I was in seminary, I remember there was supposed to be a project to collate the bible only using quotation from the church fathers, and then comparing them to the found pieces of the greek
there's no other books in the history of the world that has such a mountain of preserved chain of custody and multitude of fragments of early copies as the bible
As much as we are encouraged to question and look for ourselves, I have found the same to be true for faith. Instead of relying on what a pastor, a teacher or a church says, the truth is pretty clear if you make an effort to simply read the Bible, as it were the truth. What you understand, do. You will rapidly discover that many teachers water down the truth so as not to offend and to keep the pews and offering plates full. Others add items that add to our burden instead of simply following the basics we are told to do. As Mark Twain said, "It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.
I hear you. I've done 4 reads of the OT and 7 of the NT. What I've found are massive discrepancies between nominal Christian doctrine and what the Bible actually says.
What I've never found in the Bible:
That Satan was once an angel (the references in Ezekiel and Isaiah clearly point to Nebuchadnezzar as "Lucifer" (only found in the KJV) and use descriptive language to note his rise and fall due to pride.
The Rapture
That God is three persons
Accepting Jesus as Lord grants salvation
That Christmas/Easter are approved of God
That Christ will return in a physical body
Really, the list goes on.
I began to notice these things at 19 when I left the church. I'm 37 now and never went back.
As for Christ returning in a physical body, I could be mistaken but that was the impression I had in reading revelations. He comes back riding a white horse, no? I could def. be mistaken.
If you've read it that much, stick to what you know: (1) the original manuscripts are God's sufficient, necessary inspired Word; (2) God is real, he reveals himself to us, obedience and right are better than disobedience and wrong; (3) the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth; (4) we are to be fruitful and multiply, not to be alone, and we are to edify one another; (5) no man comes to the Father but by Jesus (Yeshua). The quibbles you point out will sort out in time "until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (Ephesians 4:13).
You seem to pursue Truth but not to be as interested in Jesus as Lord. Of course individual churches make mistakes and disappoint us; unlike most institutions it's their creed that they're sinners. But stick to the question of Jesus, "Who do you say that I am?" Keep working on the answer until you're satisfied. I can tell you that he is Truth Himself.
Yes, the Bible talks about Satan being cast from heaven and it states that he was amongst the children of God for a time.
But what is heaven? Is it merely a realm that one goes to when they die or is it also a present spiritual reality?
I'm not associated with the site but I've found a lot of insight here:
https://www.thepathoftruth.com/falsehood-exposed/diabolical-doctrines/index.htm
I'm not sure why. Check my post history. I'm just trying to inspire some critical thought.
I don't debate this stuff, I just put stuff out there and people can take it or leave it. Ponder this: 1 John 4:8 - But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:16 - We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. Love is the most powerful thing in existence. God isn't just "loving". God IS love. Then read all of 1 corinthians 13. A lot of keys to understanding, in my opinion, are in this simple yet very profound truth about the NATURE of our Creator. Love isn't this weak thing.... too many don't understand the power. Light always overcomes darkness. Darkness will never win. It has already lost. We're just living in the shadow of it's last dying breath. God wins. "every knee will bow...." just my perspective, for what it's worth.
Please see here, fren: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-corrupted.html
The Bible is God's primary way to communicate with us, there are several verses that attest to its truth and divine origin. It's like a guidebook, a compass, a Constitution, and any more things (as similes). That's why I have faith that the Lord would not allow his Scriptures to be corrupted. Hypothetically speaking, if you couldn't trust God's word, what could you trust?
One thing to keep in mind is that while satan is in this world, deceiving many and warring against Christians, he can only operate within limits set by God. See Job 1 if you need an example.
1 John 4:2-3 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_Scrolls#Biblical_significance
The Dead Sea Scrolls Wikipedia page is a good read if you are unfamiliar.
As an agnostic I applaud your questioning, but I would think that most Christians are not going to allow that the bible has been altered by man to be intentionally misleading.
As a more general idea, I'd say that the idea of 'question everything' is getting out of hand ...
Well, since there are many different versions of the Bible, it's a given that some have been altered by man. Not to mention translated ... unless you read Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek.
If you can't/don't trust the Bible to be written by men guided by the Holy Spirit, who is this "Lord" you speak of?
Certainly. The ceremonial/sacrificial law was done away with but the moral/spiritual law was not. I remember Revelation 22:
"Those who keep my commandments, they will have the right to the tree of life."