I didn’t mean to discourage people from reading the Bible, simply to convey my opinion that it shouldn’t be taken as the highest authority, especially blindly taken along with a specific religious interpretation of it as the highest authority. That is my biggest issue with the Bible, is that so many people claim to follow it as the highest authority, as the word of God, and yet come to such so many different and contradictory interpretations. I think this is because some parts are imperfect, or allegories taken literally, and people tend to pick and choose the parts that support their chosen theology.

It was and sometimes still is used to defend slavery, the inequality of men and women, war, Jewish supremacism, Zionism, capitol punishment, usury, blood sacrifice, and many other things I would consider evils that most true followers of Jesus and many church going Christians as well would condemn.

I have the utmost respect for the scriptures though, and you’re right, much of what I know about Jesus come from the Bible. But I don’t believe it is the perfect, innerant, infallible, word of God, and I don’t see the Bible itself teaching that anywhere either. Nor do I think it is the only valid source for spiritual wisdom, which can also be found in many other sacred writings of old. It seems to me that the word of God is used interchangeably (in most cases) with the spirit of God, as when the word of God came to Ezekiel, the spirit of God then rested upon him.

Also, according to the Bible, the word of God came to all the prophets, and to John, before the Bible was ever written, so that indicates they are not one and the same, plus books don’t come to people. Furthermore, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit/spirit of truth to his disciples, not a book (such as the New Testament). He warned the Pharisees that their diligent study of the scriptures, insomuch as thinking they contained the key to eternal life, was actually one of the things holding them back from coming to him and learning his teachings which would bring them life.

Just my thoughts, which are still often evolving as I continue to learn and study new information and views I had never considered before. My spiritual beliefs and convictions have drastically changed over the past years, and rapidly more recently - going from fundamentalist evangelical to agnostic to the journey I now find myself on, trying my best to follow the way Jesus taught, seek truth, and keep an open mind. I’m sure my views will continue to change in the future, though I doubt I will drift away from the teachings of Jesus as the foundation for my faith.

Thanks for the comment, and hope you have a good day!