Quote Originally Posted by Great Spirit
The Bible is a SPIRITUAL book and you have to read it spiritually to truly understand it. Add the Quran, Rig Vedas, Nag Hammadi codices to your library collection to! They are all of equal status and none is better then the other. Did you know that the Gospel of Thomas predates the canonical gospels, before Mark? Some consider the Gospel of Thomas to be the actual "Q" source that Mark, Matthew, and Luke drew their sources from.

The Christianity that is taught today is the result of the Pauline letters...not Jesus. Remember that during the first century or 2 of Christianity, there were different views and sects. Why do you think the monks in Egypt saved the manuscripts we now call the Nag Hammadi Library? When the organized Catholic Church came to power, they considered such writings as heresy.

Yes there are contradictions in the Bible. The fundementalists believe that it is without error...but since there are, there whole VIEW of their faith shatters. Thank god because I am so much happier and understand so much more after I left the Church. I don't need to give $20 to the Church for a new vacation Bible school swimming pool. Give it to the poor!!

When Jesus meant by ressurection, it was spiritual...not physical. Remember...you must be BORN AGAIN. You ressurect in this life...then die. You need to get away from the "physical" meanings and embrace the spirit...as true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
There are many books left out of the Bible, Thomas being one of them. I seem to remember reading parts of his gospel on line, although I don't remember where I found it.

I prefer to take a hands on approach when discerning biblical texts. I do agree that much of it has to do with spirit, though. I think I may even agree with your take on the ressurection. Our ressurection, or second birth comes when we take on the spirit of God, (Which I believe is love) or in other words...when we become born again. I think Jesus set a fair example of what it means to be born of spirit.

I choose not to 'worship' as I don't think that God demands it, but I will continue to honor God, creation, Jesus, love, forgiveness, responsibility, and all thats been given for me to endure.

I think that if God exists at all, he would rather us respect him w/o demand...

I disagree with fearing him even in the least....

Anyone have a take on what it means in the book of Proverbs when Soloman says that "The fear of the Lord is the begining of wisdom"?

Some say that fear means 'respect', but true respect doesn't come from fear, imo. It comes from adoration, and it is earned...

It cannot be demanded!

Btw, my mother has crossed over, and is now in almost full agreement with me...

Imagine that!