according to the bible, jesus said:  "seek the truth, and the truth will set you."
by: Dr. Naji I. Al-Arfaj


as a seeker of the truth and a student of life, and after many years of observation, research and comparative study, it appears to me that people often base their beliefs and judgments on weak, sandy foundations, rather than on the solid foundation of rock that jesus recommended.

concerning the topic at hand, i have noticed some major differences between what is commonly and officially understood about god in christianity, and what the bible itself states!

opinions? thoughts? rants? be civil please.

John 8:32 (New International Version)
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

See also:
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

King James Bible
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

American Standard Version
and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Bible in Basic English
And you will have knowledge of what is true, and that will make you free.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Darby Bible Translation
and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.

English Revised Version
and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Tyndale New Testament
and ye shall know the truth: And the truth shall make you free.

Weymouth New Testament
and you shall know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free."

Webster's Bible Translation
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

World English Bible
You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Young's Literal Translation
and the truth shall make you free.'


It's commonly assumed that by this Jesus meant himself, not truth as the Greek word "Veritas" would have it.  As in "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me." which follows the above quote.  (John 14:6)  And John starts out saying (John 1:14)  And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

"Turn over a stone and I am there, split wood and I am there." Gospel of Thomas

"The Kingdom of Heaven is within you." Gospel of Thomas and Gospel of Mathhew (that is the Matthew that shows up in the Christian Bible as it is collated today.)

I would think those might indicate that Jesus found truth available to all, not simply himself. I suppose though that someone might need to turn a stone or split some wood to discover it?

IOW, it requires something more than sitting on my ass and spouting platitudes to discover 'truth.'

I just think that when real Christians think of truth, of knowing truth, and of truth setting them free they mean exactly "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son" as being the only think they need to know, for in that is the truth is freedom from sin and death.  All the rest is details.  In a wider sense, they are not really all that into it - hence intelligent design, science should fit the Bible and God's word, the 'truth' of science is merely in the way, and can be ignored.

Quote from: tekla on February 02, 2008, 09:52:54 PM
I just think that when real Christians think of truth, of knowing truth, and of truth setting them free they mean exactly "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son" as being the only think they need to know, for in that is the truth is freedom from sin and death.  All the rest is details.  In a wider sense, they are not really all that into it - hence intelligent design, science should fit the Bible and God's word, the 'truth' of science is merely in the way, and can be ignored.

i agree with the first part ( the part where god tells us how much he loves us) and would also like to add what god wants us to do.... love god with all your heart, mind and soul and love others as yourself. its all pretty easy, its all about the love.

as for creation, intelligent design and science fitting gods word.... i think that it does. i think that god is awesome.... but i am also pretty simple minded. 

Quote from: beth06 on February 02, 2008, 10:56:33 PM
i think that god is awesome.... but i am also pretty simple minded. 

Shall we add yet another 'Barbie' to the ranks, Beth? I believe Tink might be handling the sign-up sheet.

N~

Quote from: Nichole W. on February 03, 2008, 06:20:54 AM

Shall we add yet another 'Barbie' to the ranks, Beth? I believe Tink might be handling the sign-up sheet.

N~

Yes, I am handling the sign-up sheet if anyone is interested  .  First off, you will have to pass a series of tests where we bleach your hair, pump your head with air just to see if you are a real barbie or just a wannabe  >

tink

oooh. those tests sound hard. everytime i have tried to bleach my hair i get a wicked headache and my head smells like the local swimming pool for about a week, and i really dont think my head is air tight at all. one time blowing up a balloon i got a little confused and all the air went out of the balloon through my nose...... maybe  im not so simple after all.

..You know, you're not supposed to use real bleach ...

Sara