Misuse of the Bible

[Navy CW4]

". . . his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16)

It is vitally important for every Christian to study and use the Scriptures, for they constitute our only real authority (note Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 14:26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; etc.). In doing this, however, it is just as important that we not misuse the Scriptures, for this can be almost as dangerous as ignoring them altogether.

Many people twist the Scriptures, seeking to make them fit some opinion of their own, hoping thereby to give a pseudo-biblical authority to their peculiar prejudices, instead of allowing the Lord to say what He means. Such distortion of Scripture has generated a plethora of cults and heresies--past and present. This was essentially Christ's view of the Pharisees: "in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).

Similar--perhaps even worse--is claiming to receive new Scripture, or perhaps new (and authoritative) insight on existing Scripture. "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it" (Deuteronomy 4:2). "Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:6).

Cults and heretics distort and supplement the Scriptures, but still deadlier are the liberals who try to explain away the Scriptures. "If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life" (Revelation 22:19). This act of distorting and then denying God's word ("Yea, hath God said. . . . Ye shall not surely die," Genesis 3:1, 4) was the very lie of Satan which brought sin into the world. No wonder the Bible warns so severely against it!

[The Deacon OCS]

I totally agree Navy

That being said, even some of Navy's verses above are taken slightly out of context (I am sure not intentionally so, as he is making a point).

For instance, Deut. 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.(KJV).

In this verse God is commanding Israel (is for Christians as well) to keep the "law" pure and to not add to it or diminish it. It is a prohibition against changing the letter of the law.


I would agree that many "cults" or so-called Christian denominations are created from several verses taken from the Bible that are taken out of context. The mormon religion is one. Many verses within the Book of Mormon have plagerized the Bible but have changed a couple of words or letters to create a glaring contrast and blasphemy.

For instance lets take the first 5 verses from the Holy Bible:
Gen 1:1-5
1 In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
KJV


Now lets take a look at the first 5 verses from the Mormons book used in conjunction with the book of mormon - called the Pearl of Great Price. From the Pearl of Great Price in the 4th Chapter of the Book of Abraham it says the following:

 1 And then the Lord said: Let us go down. And they went down at the beginning, and they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth.
  2 And the earth, after it was formed, was empty and desolate, because they had not formed anything but the earth; and darkness reigned upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of the Gods was brooding upon the face of the waters.
  3 And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light; and there was light.
  4 And they (the Gods) comprehended the light, for it was bright; and they divided the light, or caused it to be divided, from the darkness.
  5 And the Gods called the light Day, and the darkness they called Night. And it came to pass that from the evening until morning they called night; and from the morning until the evening they called day; and this was the first, or the beginning, of that which they called day and night.


The glaring example is that the mormon's book uses the word "gods" which is a plurality of the word God. Another words they are polytheistic believing in many gods. They have changed one word by adding the letter "s" and created a polythesitc religion. Most mormons are hesitant to admit this but it is right there in the teachings/writings of John Smith. Don't believe me? Here is a link to the LDS website referencing the verses above. http://scriptures.lds.org/en/abr/4

I have and always will challenge the heresies that are out there. As I have said before, I have close friends that are mormons but I still love them and pray that they will turn to the Word of God. The more you read the Bible the more you will know God and His Word.

[Nighthawk]

Amen to that Deacon

[Mouko OCS]

Sadly, this is so very common Navy.  That is why we should always be encouraging the body of believers to not simply  READ the Word but committ themselves to the STUDY of the Word to know the truth.

On that note, if EVER anyone notices a verse out-of-context in anything I write, PLEASE tell me so I can both learn and correct myself.  I can't tell how many times, since I began applying myself to knowing the Word through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I've discovered verses I was misinterpreting because I was satisfied that it proved MY point.  Today I still must gaurd against doing that.  It is SO easy to do if we don't watch ourselves and take that extra effort to BE SURE of what we've been taught.

Thanks Navy...

[PureKnight OCS]

Guys, I enjoy reading this post and I want to say to add into this post. I think 2 Timothy 3:14 to 4:5 said it beautiful... Navy hint it a little in his post. I just want to expand it.

"But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (NKJV... sorry guys... )

When I read that... conviction of Holy Spirit fall on me and desiring to be ready out or in season for every reason. I pray that my deeper inner desire will not spray me away from the TRUTH but rather increase my faith and strength in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: I pray according to the mightly name of Jesus Christ whom already have authority and already bestow upon us the authority therefore I now pray in authority that we, brother of Christ, will not fulfill our desire according to worldly view but rather fulfull our desire according to great heavenly view which is your creation. Help us to endure the sound doctrine namely our Holy Bible and moreover to Holy Spirit for You are the ONE and TRUE. You are not author of confusion but bring light to every soul who seek for you. Answer to those who ask, seek, and knock... want nothing but YOU. If our prayer is not being answered then teach us what is in us and give strength to do the job to elimiate the sin (or a wrong motivation for that matters) inside of us. You command us to be holy for You are holy. It is hard but nothing is impossible with You. I believe, I believe, I believe. Lastly, Help me to be quick listener to Your divine word. Thank you for listening to the prayer. You are in my favor as I love you, O high Lord and King. ln your name, we honor, AMEN.

[Navy CW4]

Thanks guys.

[Navy CW4]

(I am sure not intentionally so, as he is making a point).

uld agree that many "cults" or so-called Christian denominations are created from several verses taken from the Bible that are taken out of context. The mormon religion is one. Many verses within the Book of Mormon have plagerized the Bible but have changed a couple of words or letters to create a glaring contrast and blasphemy.

You are right Deacon, it was to just make a point.

In this day and age, we have more cults calling themselves Christians, than Christians calling themselves Christians.  There are like a book of who's who.

The Shrine's, Eastern Star, Freemasonry are prove of this.  Few people see the connection between them and "i"slam or witchcraft, which amazes me.

Consider this:

Masonry: Beyond The Light, by William Schnoebelen

You can tell a great deal about a religion by its god, and this is one of the central questions which must be analyzed in comparing Free-masonry with Christianity. Does the "God" of Free-masonry resemble the God of the Bible?

It is difficult to learn the name of the deity of Masonry, since it is a closely guarded secret! To outsiders, the god of the Lodge is usually referred to as "The Great Architect of the Universe" (or T.G.A.O.T.U.). That sounds alright, if a bit vague. This is, sadly, exactly how it is intended to sound.

The blandness of the titles of the Masonry's god diminishes as the degrees climb. As in most secret societies, the revealed material gets more bizarre as you get further into the club. As an example, in the first prayer the candidate hears, deity is addressed as "Almighty Father of the Universe." Throughout the lower degrees, the deity is addressed either as "God" (as when the candidate swears his oath by saying, "so help me God…", or as T...G...A...O...T...U...

As one progresses higher into the degrees, the nature of God begins to take on a less soothing quality. The closest description I can think of is generic foods in the supermarket. The god of Masonry is a "generic" god. His label is blank, so if you want to write in Allah or Krishna or even Satan, you could do so and no Mason could possibly object.

This is obviously "God-to-the-lowest-common-denominator." The Masonic authority, Albert Mackey put it this way:

"Be assured, that God is equally present with the pious Hindu in the temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Mohammedan in the mosque, and the Christian in the church."

One could just as logically add to Mackey's thought by saying that this "god" is equally present to the satanist in his coven as he cuts the heart out of a child.

Lest the Mason think that such a statement is absurd, let us see just how discriminating the authorities are about the nature of the god they worship. Henry W. Coil, the most highly regarded Masonic scholar states:

The Masonic test is a Supreme Being and any qualification added is an innovation. Monotheism has been espoused as the sole religious dogma of Free-masonry by some authors. This obviously violates Masonic principles, for it requires belief in a specific kind of supreme deity.

Thus, if you tell the satanist that he cannot be a Mason because his supreme being, the devil, isn't up to snuff, you are in violation of "Masonic principles."

When I applied for Lodge membership, I was a witch, and attended an Episcopal church.

I was stupid enough to think the witch god, Lucifer, was the Supreme Being, the father of Jesus. So when two Masons came calling to check me out as a candidate, and asked me if I believed in God, I said yes, without hesitation, knowing that my god was Lucifer.

I was welcomed into the Lodge with open arms, and remained there for nine years. During that time none of my "Christian brothers" ever witnessed to me about Jesus. That would have been bad Masonic etiquette!

After a couple of years, I met two high ranking Masons who were also worshippers of Lucifer. One was a famous ritualist in the York Rite, and one was a Master of a Lodge.

This generic god is obviously a god with whom everyone can be comfortable, except Bible believers! He is a god who offends no one. However, is this broad-minded "man upstairs" the right God, the Biblical God?

The God of the Judeo-Christian heritage is not some blank slate upon which you can trace the form of whatever idol you like. He is very clearly described in the Bible. From Mt. Sinai, He thunders:

"I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:2-3).

Later in the Ten Commandments, He warns:

"Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them (other gods), nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" (Exodus 20:5).

Imagine the colorless god of the Lodge being jealous? It just doesn't wash. The God we quoted is not pleased to be identified with another god.

He insists throughout the Bible that He is the only true God and He will tolerate the worship of no other deity. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10, 44:6-8, I Timothy 2:5).

[TheLastSparten OCS]

It's not John Smith, it's Joseph Smith.

And remember, it was translated, NOT written by us in these days, but by the prophet Abraham.

Have a nice day!

[Mouko OCS]

Still Sparten, the two do not agree...

So if I am understanding correctly, we have the pearl of great price written Abraham according to mormonism refering to creation...and we have the Genesis account written by Moses in the Bible...the two not agreeing...and so correct me if I'm wrong, but, the book of mormon is supposedly a "supplement" to the Bible?  If this is so, then in truth mormons have made it, in fact, a book of further interpretation of the Bible and have changed what the Bible says, and therefore replacing the Word.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

[The Deacon OCS]

Yeah, I stand corrected on the name. Long day and I have a friend named John Smith. Interesting that is the only thing being contested.

Spartan:
You stated that it was "translated" by Joseph Smith and the LDS teachings seem to confirm that.

I believe that there was an Abraham of the Bible. No where did Abraham refer to the "Gods" when refering to the God that created the Heavens and Earth. Did Joseph Smith do his translations of the Pearl of Great Price while wearing the same ruby colored glasses that aided him in his translations of the plates that became the book of mormon? The same glasses that no one else could look through and translate the plates. If the mormon church uses the Bible,  the book of mormon and the pearl of great price, how then do you account for the fact they conflict with one another? Such as the example above using "God" or "Gods". That one little "s" is significant.

Another major prophet of the LDS church that followed Smith was Brigham Young.  In his April 9, 1852, discourse, he stated that the body of Jesus Christ was the product of sexual intercourse between God and Mary. Again, Young's teachings are part of the teachings of the LDS church. This is a major difference with the Bible that teaches of a virgin birth.

Or in Brigham Young's writings he states the following :

When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! about whom holy men have written and spoken-He is our FATHER andour GOD, and the only God with whom WE have to do.

Based on this one of your major prophets is teaching that Adam is Michael and that he is your god.

I could go on about the conflicts but that is for another thread already going.

[Nighthawk]

wow Deacon you amaze me  i hope oneday to have 1/3 of your wisedom and knowleadge   i must say you truely are a Great man of God  and  i know he is saying well done my good and faithful servant   God bless you

[The Deacon OCS]

Nighthawk -

Remember, I am just a man who makes mistakes and fails God on a daily basis. Although I have been a Christian for most of my 46 years, I have wasted much of that time on things other than God. I am trying spend my remaining time making up for time I have wasted. Don't waste time. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Immerse yourself in the Bible to gain knowledge which will help you serve God even more than you do now.

Interesting that you should quote from one of my favorite scriptures: Matt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done , thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

These are the words that I want so much to hear after I leave this world. This is the legacy I hope to leave behind for those around me. It is all about serving Him.

[Nighthawk]

Oh Dear Brother i know you are a man who like myself sin and only by his Grace and mercy can live day by day but you are a good man and a Godly man one with whom the Lord requires a great deal of and doing it humbly compasinate and with the Holy spirits leading so thanks for shareing it with us God bless you Brother

[TheLastSparten OCS]

Hay... I'm not an expert. I'm only 18. 

The only reason I said anything is because you made it sound as if Joseph Smith had written the book of Abraham and not the other way around.

And the only reason I have said nothing more is because I do not want to get into this,    and only wrote something because you have repeatedly stated Joseph's name wrong. 

Good Day!!!

[The Deacon OCS]

Not a problem to challenge a mistake I have made on the correct word or spelling as I have done the same with you.

However, I think you may the only one here that believes that Abraham wrote that book. What is the ancient historical and archeological data that the mormon church uses to prove that Abraham wrote a book? I guess I should also ask if you believe that this is the same Abraham the Bible speaks of in the book of Genesis.

Being 18 is no excuse or maybe it is. I am not trying to pick on you. I am only trying to engage and challenge you to research your own churches teachings. And, if I am right, acknowledge that there is error in the books that the mormon church uses. Even your apostle Orson Pratt said "convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical arguments, or by the Word of God, and we will be ever grateful for the information....".