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If the Bible had an F.A.Q. section…

If the Bible had an F.A.Q. section…

Last updated on: January 3, 2012 at 1:02 am by Sarah Moon

If the Bible had an F.A.Q. section… 2012-01-03T01:02:01-06:00 Sarah Moon

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Do you ever wish that the Bible had an F.A.Q. section?

Or maybe it does, and I just haven’t found it yet. Some Christians probably have–you know, the one’s who are always saying, “The Bible clearly says that…” Yeah, those Christians must have found the F.A.Q. section.

Because, let’s be honest. The Bible is anything but clear.

It’s complicated, contradictory, and confusing.

If the Bible had an F.A.Q. section, this is what I’d like to see in it:

*What IS salvation?

*Is there a hell? What’s it like? And why would God send people there if he loves them?

*Why did God kill so many people in the Old Testament, and then turn around and tell us to be peacemakers in the New Testament?

*Gender roles…what’s up with that?

*Does God really hate gay people?

*Can I please have sex with my fiancé?

I’d like to know these things. Because I can’t find the answers in the Bible, even though people are constantly telling me that the answers are clear.

But, maybe the Bible isn’t about finding answers. Maybe Christianity isn’t about knowing everything. Maybe we shouldn’t spend our lives fighting about what’s right.

And maybe we should just focus on being more like Jesus. After all, as Robert Fischer said in an interview with Rachel Held Evans, “The Bible is not ‘The Word of God.’ Jesus is ‘The Word of God.’ Jesus is not the Bible. Ergo, ‘The Word of God’ is not the Bible.”

If we love Jesus and strive to be like him, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, then I think we’ll be okay, even if we disagree with one another on some of the details. Even ol’ Paul recognized that sometimes, “right and wrong” can be subjective.

Sure, we can have discussions (you know I love them!) about these things. In fact, I think we need to have discussions about these things. But let’s stop assuming that everyone who disagrees with us is just a heretic who hates the Bible. Let’s stop silencing those who are seeking answers with the “The Bible clearly says…” phrase.

The Bible’s not clear.

And maybe…just maybe, that’s a good thing.

If the Bible really did have an F.A.Q. section, what questions would you hope to see in there?

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