How Should I Read Scripture? Help.

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Professor

Guest
#1
#1
Hi from Snowy Colorado! God is blessing us with an abundance of precipitation. We have been in a drought, so thanks be to God!
As some of you know, I am a new Christian. I have been struggling with how to discern truth in Scripture. Perhaps some of you can help me. I'll give you a couple of examples of what I mean.
How should we discern truth when there are (seemingly) contradictory accounts? Let's take the Sermon on the Mount, for example. Matthew 5:48 has Jesus saying "Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Another account is given at Luke 6:36 where Jesus says "Be merciful, as your Father is merciful." These are totally different (or did Jesus say both?). Also (since we are approaching Easter), there are two contradictory accounts of what Judas did with the money and how he died (Matthew 27:8 and Acts 1:18-20). I imagine there were many stories/legends circulating about the death/punishment of the person who betrayed our Lord. Should we be concerned about which account is true? Given these, and other examples, how should we discern truth? I know, from personal experience, that God uses scripture to speak directly to us, but what if we are just studying scripture for understanding?
Thanks!
 
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psychomom

Guest
#2
#2
Hey there, Professor. :)

This is merely my opinion, but I think your best bet it to settle into a good church where you can hear the Word of God taught.
Hopefully the pastor will be well educated in the original languages, and will be available for questions. :)

hmmm...it's been a while since I was in your place. There are good resources out there for study purposes, and you can (and should) just read the Bible for pleasure, not worrying about too much. It'll all come together--God is good at that. ♥

It's hard these days to find a church that teaches well, and so many Christians try to 'go it alone', yet the Body of Christ is corporate, and meant to be so.
So, we need one another, and church is the best place for that...made for it. :)

blessings to you, sister-
ellie
 
Domenic

Domenic

Banned
#3
Oct 14, 2012
335
4
0
#3
Professor said:
Hi from Snowy Colorado! God is blessing us with an abundance of precipitation. We have been in a drought, so thanks be to God!
As some of you know, I am a new Christian. I have been struggling with how to discern truth in Scripture. Perhaps some of you can help me. I'll give you a couple of examples of what I mean.
How should we discern truth when there are (seemingly) contradictory accounts? Let's take the Sermon on the Mount, for example. Matthew 5:48 has Jesus saying "Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Another account is given at Luke 6:36 where Jesus says "Be merciful, as your Father is merciful." These are totally different (or did Jesus say both?). Also (since we are approaching Easter), there are two contradictory accounts of what Judas did with the money and how he died (Matthew 27:8 and Acts 1:18-20). I imagine there were many stories/legends circulating about the death/punishment of the person who betrayed our Lord. Should we be concerned about which account is true? Given these, and other examples, how should we discern truth? I know, from personal experience, that God uses scripture to speak directly to us, but what if we are just studying scripture for understanding?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Before I comment on your question..."Do you believe Jesus is the son of God?"
 
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Professor

Guest
#4
#4
Hi Ellie,
Thanks! I have been going to church regularly, and have befriended a couple of pastors, but even they are suggesting different ways to try to discern truth!

psychomom said:
Hey there, Professor. :)

This is merely my opinion, but I think your best bet it to settle into a good church where you can hear the Word of God taught.
Hopefully the pastor will be well educated in the original languages, and will be available for questions. :)

hmmm...it's been a while since I was in your place. There are good resources out there for study purposes, and you can (and should) just read the Bible for pleasure, not worrying about too much. It'll all come together--God is good at that. ♥

It's hard these days to find a church that teaches well, and so many Christians try to 'go it alone', yet the Body of Christ is corporate, and meant to be so.
So, we need one another, and church is the best place for that...made for it. :)

blessings to you, sister-
ellie
Click to expand...
 
P

Professor

Guest
#5
#5
YES! ABSOLUTELY!!! You can read my testimony (under Testimonies).

Domenic said:
Before I comment on your question..."Do you believe Jesus is the son of God?"
Click to expand...
 
homwardbound

homwardbound

Senior Member
#6
Oct 24, 2012
14,983
101
48
#6
Professor said:
YES! ABSOLUTELY!!! You can read my testimony (under Testimonies).
Click to expand...
then you have:
Ephesians 1:13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

therefore do not grieve:
Ephesians 4:30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
And going to flesh and blood does not free man goping to God having the Holy Spirit since you are by beleif sealed, yuo ask in your heart and read knowing truth will be revealed to you by God and God is Love and Mercy is attached and connected to Love for as you have probably read for:
John 3:16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Do you believe this then you have this and who actually is your teacher then
God will be your teacher, your discerner because we ar ein the time of:
2 Timothy 4:3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
therefore goto God in all you hear and trust God to discern waht is truth and what is not truth, and you will know truth as truth sets one free
Love you and read to know God with that only in mind to know God between God and you which is shown through belief in the Son
 
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