Should Christians only use the Bible?

Question 1

Fundamentalist Christians believe that the Bible is the literal word of God

Answer 1

Some Christians believe that the bible is literally the word of god and that God speaks to them directly through the Bible. It is totally right and without errors. These Christains are called Fundamentalists because they want to go back to fundamentals (basics) of the Christian religion. E.g. the Feeding of the 5,000 is an actual miracle

Question 2

It contains rules accepted in society for example, the Decalogue

Answer 2

The Bible is filled with laws that Christians believe are God’s laws on how people should act. The most famous are the 10 Commandments – e.g. “Do no murder”, “Do not steal”

Question 3

It contains the teachings of Jesus and shows what Jesus would do in moral situations (Give examples)

Answer 3

e.g. the Good Samaritan, “treat others as you would like to be treated”

Question 4

The Bible is not influenced by present culture and society

Answer 4

e.g. Evangelical and Roman Catholic Christians believe that homosexual relations are condemned by God

Question 5

Liberal Christians believe that, although inspired by God, the Bible was written by humans and therefore needs to be seen in the context of history. (Give Examples)

Answer 5

The Old Testament is about promoting monotheism over polytheism
Noah’s Flood is based on the Babylonian story of the Epic of Gilgamesh

Question 6

There appear to be contradictions in the Bible and guidelines that today would seem immoral such as slavery, genocide and rape

Answer 6

e. g. there are different number of days in the story of the Flood - 40 days in one account and 150 in the other
e. g. there was a mistake when translating the word “virgin”
e. g. “And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.” (Joshua 6:21)

Question 7

Other moral authorities should also be used

Answer 7

Church Teachings (Roman Catholic Church, Church of England)
The Conscience
Situation Ethics (Liberal Christians)

Question 8

The Bible does not contain information about all moral issues

Answer 8

e.g. stem cell research, organ donation, nuclear war