Alright boys and girls, this question was inspired by another topic in the other beliefs forum. It is entittled: The Message of the Bible is very Reliable".

And it got me to thinking, what exactly IS the message of the bible?

Is it a guide for living, or an instruction manual?

I am interested in hearing what the various followers of the book think is the message that the book is sending. Is it a "step by step" guide on the right way to pray and worship? Or is it a code of conduct on how to behave to your fellow man?

And while the various discussions about the truth or falsehood of the book are very entertaining and informative, I think that, for a change of pace, we could each just say what we think the book is supposed to accomplish as opposed to a verbal fencing match between believers and non.

The message of the bible is fear...I can't help but think how many lives have been lost, What purpose does it serve??? What one isn't, what isn't natural ....... JM I'm sorry to be so unorigianal here but this is what came to mind....

I have heard so many times, "Everything you need to know to live, is in the Bible".

After reading through it, your guess is still as good as mine...

The message of the Bible is God's unfolding plan for mankind. The central focus of that message is Jesus, culminating in the coming Kingodm of God.. The "gospel" accounts, chronicles his life, the later books, the early church. THe Old Testament points towards Jesus.

While the Bible also provides teaching, training, history, prophecy, poetry, wisdom, Love, and more, it's main message revolves around God's plan for us.

Just my opinion, of course

Regards, PA

Okay, so what is his plan for us?

Do you really want me to start a sermon?

LOL Only if you can keep it under 1000 words.....

I agree. The primary message in the bible is fear. As is exampled by the first books which describe gods command over his people, under his "law", to invade and kill other people not like themselves, in his name!

And to this day how many of us know at least one person that, "fears god"? Causes one to wonder how one would fear a spirit and yet live their entire life subservient to the rules that would allow them to live eternally in the presence of that which they fear for the traits of a mortal temperament. But then again logic is not implicit in faith.

The message for all mankind that some have alluded to, may explain why Western civilization is deluded by the Christian faith that is, in and of itself, fraught with textual contradictions throughout "gods word". Which lends credible proof that god's word can be abridged by the hand of man.
Consequently, if one reads the old testament in full they recognize the message there is one of acquisition, immorality, and theocratic totalitarianism. Whereas the new testament, explains how to live in the world acquired through the mechanisms dictated in that OT. Only rather than being damned after life for eternity, one now has the chance to be saved from the consequences of their actions in life through the office of the Christ. Though Jesus himself was in violation of certain of that Old Testament law when he said the Kingdom of god is within, which is in conflict with the OT tenets.

Therefore the message in the Bible alludes to an institutionalized intollerant sado-masochistic philosophy. It is not the only faith in the history of the Earth. However that is not to say it has not had it's fair share of sadistic advocates that intended to make it as such, by repressing every other religion on the earth.

I feel that the bible, and other holy books meanings and teachings have been hijacked by the supposed holy men in charge of religions to manipulate the people in doing what that paticular religion wants. Most people know the difference between right and wrong and perhaps if they cared for there fellow man and the enviroment that they live in, the world would be a better place. I think that the old testament is written in a way to use the fear of God but I feel that the new testament is a book that talks about a more forgiving God who cares about man.