Changes made to the Bible
Information you may not know about the writings of the Bible
This article is not meant to be a bashing of the Bible. It is an informative collection of what is known about when and how the bible was written. Also included is when and why changes were made to the bible.
My personal thoughts are included as well.
Knowing or Believing
What we know and what we believe is important to start with because many people have not asked themselves - do I know this or do I believe this.
Knowing is what you have personally experienced. You have met a person or you have actually done a thing is knowing, it is your personal experience.
Believing is something you have a belief in because you have come to know about the subject because of what you have read, been told about it or have thought about and come to a conclusion. If you have come to believe in the word of the Bible or Jesus this is not something that you know, it is something that you believe.
What I Believe
It is difficult to walk the path that Jesus walked in life. By this I mean that if we are to follow the example that Jesus set for doing his works and following the ways he taught are a path that requires great commitment to achieve the level of denial of becoming as great a he was. Little is written about the actual life that Jesus lived on a day to day basis, but I believe that we have enough information to make a decision of 'What Would Jesus Do' in living life on a day by day basis.
What Would Jesus Do
Assuming that you are not going to spend all of each day teaching, healing and demonstrating the power of following God as Jesus did, but that you are doing a job, having a family and leading a day by day life. How would Jesus lead such a day by day life?
Churches
As I examine my experiences of going to different churches I have often looked at the building and asked myself if Jesus would want such an ornate building to do his teachings in? Would Jesus wear the garments that are worn to show stature in the church?
Church's and the pastors of the church seems to have lost touch with the original teachings. Often each church will have an agenda that seems at odds with the teachings of Jesus. Give money for this cause and give money for that cause and how much of the money given actually reaches the cause? Not what a reasonable person would expect makes it to the need it was collected for.
Following the Path
I believe that in order to become as great as Jesus we must examine his way of life and make changes to our lives so as to become as knowledgeable in the spiritual nature of the world as he was. Are there 'laws' of the mystical domain that are not being taught to people. This is why mystics such as Jesus learn a method of going within to listen for the truths of the spiritual laws.
Most religions will teach a false method of talking to God. They teach that you are to petition or ask god to provide you with something. yes or no?
Has is ever occurred to you that perhaps you should go within and listen to find an answer to what you seek.
Are you supposed to be telling god what you want to happen? I think not.
Perhaps you should be listening to what you can be doing so as to allow the best solution to happen. Action may be required on your part, but correct action leads you to the path to happiness and prosperity.
Learn to listen to what direction you should take when you have a choice to make.
Becoming a seeker
First I will examine my personal habits and ask myself am I doing all that I can to keep my mind clear and my body healthy. Have I put all habits aside that will harm my body or my mind? The simple habits are the hardest ones to put aside because they are often accepted as a modern way of life.
Is smoking tobacco harmful to my health? If so then it must be put aside. What do you think Jesus would have thought about alcohol as it is now served. Would he have been a person who stops at the store and brings home a six pack or a pint to help him get through the evening of watching TV with the wife. I can be sure that he wasn't getting buzzed on drugs so that he could enjoy the high.
Well then if I'm to walk the path I have to make good choices. I believe that smoking, drinking and getting buzzed on drugs isn't going to be a part of my path to enlightenment.
Jesus did often teach and try to get people to see the path and the life that they could follow if they would follow his teachings.
What were the teachings of Jesus
Well now we have a difficult challenge when we ask what were the teachings of Jesus.
Have you given thought to the fact that there isn't one thing in the Bible that was written by Jesus. Not one word is available that was actually written by any one of his twelve disciples. The earliest written descriptions of the teachings of Jesus and his disciples were written 60 to 100 years after his passing and most were rewritten 600 years after his death.
But, but the Bible is the word of Jesus you may say. How can it be if Jesus didn't write the Bible nor did anyone who was alive during his time write it. Wrap your mind around this.
Ok, this is about the teachings of Jesus, so what did Jesus teach?
I can truly say I don't know what Jesus taught. Do you...?
George M. Lamsa and the Bible
According to George M. Lamsa some of the words in the modern Bible do not hold the same meaning that they held in the times that Jesus lived and taught. Mr. Lamsa, a native Assyrian, was born August 5, 1892 he was raised in an area and in a civilization that had the customs, manners and language that is almost identical to the way it was spoken in the time of Jesus. Mr. Lamsa was born and grew up near where Jesus taught The many books he has written on the subject of Jesus life are unique because Mr. Lamsa's native tongue has the idioms and parables used in Jesus time.
A biography of Dr. George Lamsa
The Old Testament of the Bible
The Old Testament was written and is about the time before Jesus and the New Testament was written after his passing from this life. Therefore what we know about being a Christian is a belief. It's ok folks I'm not out to discredit our beliefs, just think about what you know and what you believe though.
King James version of the Bible
To those of you who use the phrase "If it's not the King James Bible, it's not the Bible". I would like to say something that would allow you to become a thoughtful, intelligent person, but I'm not that wise.
I will ask - Do you really believe that a version of the bible written in 1611 and one that went through many changes to suit the needs of King James and his court is really the truth?
It was written to conform to the Puritan faction of the Church of England.
How the King James Bible came to be
I will give you some things to consider and think about
Even with the problems as I stated with the teachings of the modern Bible and the lack of verification of the words of Jesus - The world will be a better place if we all try to live by the Golden Rule, 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you'.
I believe that Jesus was a great mystic, healer and teacher, a son of God.
And for those of you who believe that God would only have one child, in one brief period of time and history...
Wake up, open your mind consider the possibilities.
It would seem that God would want all cultures to know about God. And don't most cultures have a system and belief in a higher power?
Why do some think that their religion is more correct than another's belief?
Why do some religions force their beliefs on other cultures?
There has been too much torture and killing over the spreading of religion. Abandon any religion that does not have love, happiness, freedom of thoughts and free will as it's basis.
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Page created February 27, 2009
Page updated February 4, 2010
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