The Bible is so confusing!

[SortOfMormon]

I was just reading some random pages of the Bible, and it is like reading a language from Mars! Some of it is just plain hard to understand. And it always seems to contradict itself. Take a look at this.

Crazy stuff from the bible

What am I supposed to believe?

[Misshalfway]

yup. it is. Not sure if you are serious about your concern or just expressing amusement here.

I sympathize, though. I think it takes a little study and help from other bodies of scripture and commentary to understand what the words mean and the context in which they are said....especially considering that we live in a different time and are reading from a translation. This may be one of the reasons the LDS people believe the Bible as far as it is translated correctly. I think some of these are just missing added explanation.

Following what the Spirit teaches while we study certainly helps too.

[SortOfMormon]

I am serious. I want to know what God is really like and they say to read the bible for answers. And for me it just causes more confusion. Here is some stuff from that website. The bold words are my comments.


"When the Lord delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the males .... As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder for yourselves." (Deuteronomy 20:13-14)


I thought God was merciful, loving and good?


I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Exodus 32:14
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.


I thought God was all good and had no evil in him? The Bible is just plain confusing and just reading some of the cruel stuff from God in here troubles me.

[prisonchaplain]

I have some presuppositions about God. He is all powerful and He is good and just. I find these characteristics about God in the Bible, and, to use LDS terminology, I have a testimony to this. So, when I read the Old Testament, I do so through that prism. God is just, so if God commanded the Israelites to destroy a wicked people, this is his sovereign justice. Further, any innocents in that society would still be ushered into God's eternal kingdom. We don't believe in annihilation of the soul, after all.

As for God repenting, changing his mind, context would show that these came about as God's people petitioned him in prayer. That God responds to our cries is not confusing to me...it's incredibly reassuring!

Scriptures are inspired and understood by the Holy Spirit. It's not surprising that reading atheist commentary on the Bible would cause one confusion.

[rameumptom]

The Bible is hard to understand for most people, because most people do not understand how ancient people think. Nephi told his people that he would explain Isaiah to them in a way they would understand. Why? Because growing up in Jerusalem, he knew how they thought, but his people in America did not know nor understand.
It can take years of study to begin understanding the ancient ways of thinking, the symbolism, and how each event made sense to the Israelites. Many Christians do not make the effort, but go on faith that somehow to God it all makes sense. Most Christians never have read the Old Testament all the way through, while more have read the New Testament, which is easier to understand as it is more teaching, and less historical drama.
I would suggest you start by reading the New Testament a few times, along with Genesis, Exodus. Much of it will go over your head, because you do not know the various kingdoms of the world in those times, their customs, their gods, or their religions. But you can get a taste of the history of the Old Testament.

I suggest that after you've read the New Testament, Genesis and Exodus a few times, where you are somewhat comfortable with them, read some commentaries on them. These can give background and insight on the issues at hand.

Next, read the Book of Mormon a couple times. It will help set the stage for the times of Jeremiah and 600BC. Several of the OT concepts are better explained in the Book of Mormon, as are their views and ideas. It will give you a primer on Isaiah, as Nephi quotes and then explains several of Isaiah's chapters. It will also help you to see how the belief in a Messiah and Christology developed over time, from Lehi's knowing a Messiah was to come, to Jacob and King Benjamin being told his name is Christ, to Jesus actually coming to the Nephites and teaching them His law and gospel.

Once you've done this, then try reading the Old Testament all the way through. Take notes on the things you do not understand, and ask them here.

[Dr T]

They say the Bible is the best commentator about the Bible. Read the whole thing and get the big picture to understand better.

[EruditioSalvatus]

Most confusion concerning the bible can be encapsulated into three broad areas when it was written, how was it translated, and how it was made.
The old testament was written in ancient hebrew over a thousand years before christians existed, it was translated several times before christians ever saw it, and finally, after several more translations, found its way into the english language.
The new testament was created by a council who decided what was worthy and what was not. It was also translated a couple of times before reaching the english language.
On top of language barriers, both the new and old testaments were heavily edited with each translation.

Even if these translations, edits, and councils totally 100% accurate each book of the bible was written by a separate person (and in the case of psalms, several people). Each person has his own take on god and his action and, despite being similar, no two people will see god in the exact same way. So one person's 'merciful god' could be another's 'vengeful god.'

To further compound confusion, there are several oddities concerning the relationship between science, nature, and the bible.

[Misshalfway]

I have read sections of the Bible and all I could say was "Huh?"

[volgadon]

Don't read sections, read the whole thing!
Read it once to get an overview. Read it again, going more in-depth. Read it again, it will become clearer.

[Galatians220]

Hi SortOfMormon, I'd like to respond to your post about understanding the Bible. Having read the Bible for many years, it can be confusing if you're just starting off. When I first read scripture, I started off on Genesis because I thought it makes sense to read it from the beginning.

At first, it gets interesting but then as you read Leviticus, Numbers, you start to wonder if it'll ever end.

Here's the advice I was given when I got saved;

1. Pray before you Read.

I'm sure you that someone has already shown you James 1:5....

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Pray to God to give you understanding and not let any bias or preconceived beliefs interfere with the proper interpretation of Scripture.

2. Read the New Testament first before the Old Testament beginning with either gospel accounts. The New Testament will give you a better understanding of the OT because the OT law is restated and also explained. Once you've read the NT, you will have a much better understanding of the OT

3. Basic Reading and Interpretation (a, b, c, & d)
a). Interpret the Bible Literally and at face-value; why? Because it was meant to be that way:

29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. - Deuteronomy 19:29

The Bible is not a Code Book nor it has any hidden meanings. While most can be read literally, by common sense, you know that Prophecy, Parables, and the Poetic books (Psalms & Proverbs etc)

b) Quality of reading more important than Quantity (Or how much).

While reading 6 chapters a day allow you to finish the Bible in a year, it does little to help in your understanding. By reading the Bible at your own pace, you will get more details of the passage, and therefore, you know the context of the passage and this will prove invaluable in your ministry.

c) Have a Journal and Pencil ready to jot down what stuck out for you and the ones you don't understand.

d) Context and Difficulty.

The Context is the background of the sentence. It can be a paragraph to a few chapters because it may deal with a broader issue. The Context is a very important thing in seeing what the Bible says, especially in building a strong defense of God's word and your faith (2 Timothy 2:15).

When encountering a problematic passage, look at the context of the verse because more often than not, you will find the answer you're looking for. However, if you still cannot solve it; write it down on your notes for your Elders to look at it.

Don't be afraid to ask, there is no such thing as a stupid question. Your Elders and your peers are there to help. Once you received your answer, write it down on your journal so that you can look back on it.


Other Tips:

1. Search for a Bible Commentary. I don't know if the LDS has a commentary yet on the whole bible but look for it. A good commentary deals with every chapter in the Bible, not just select chapters and passages.

2. Buy a Bible Dictionary or Encyclopedia.

3. Buy a KJV dictionary because Old English is not easy for anyone to understand. If you can, buy an easy-to-read Bible version such as the NKJV