MARTIN LUTHER'S TRANSLATION WAS NOT APPRECIATED BY THE CATHOLIC HIERARCHY, BUT THOSE WHO WERE SEEKING THE TRUTH READ IT. People Who Want Truth Desperately Will Not Be Hindered By Papal Bulls Or Government Prohibitions. Some Roman Catholics do begin to seek the truth and this brings about much change in the world.

How was Martin Luther's German translation of the Bible received by 16th century Catholics?

It is said that Luther's translation formed a basis — if not the basis — for a unified German language. But wouldn't Catholics regard a Protestant translation as untrustworthy?

Harry Riches

Answer requested by Lorenzo Peroni
You are asking me to answer something that is really impossible for me to answer as a witness, because I was not there. As for Roman Catholics having access to the Bible, I am led to believe that this was prohibited for the common man because the priests, and hierarchy of the day, did not want people to read the Bible and find out that what they did was really the work of the Devil.

Here is an example of what is written about two Popes:

Pope Clement VI (1291 – 1352)

By his own words, Clement was “a sinner among sinners.” His love for expensive living quickly drained the savings of his frugal predecessor (Benedict XII), and Clement resorted to raising taxes and selling off bishoprics to finance his worldly pursuits.—Top 10 Worst Popes in History

Pope Boniface VIII (c. 1235 – 1303)

Boniface quickly became one of the church’s strongest advocates for papal supremacy in both spiritual and civil matters, involving himself in foreign affairs to no end. His desire for political domination, of course, did not sit well with many rulers of the day, such as Philip IV of France, whose policies of clerical taxation angered the pope and prompted a string of bulls culminating in the famous Unam Sanctam, which essentially claimed all civil and spiritual authority for the papacy….Boniface never quite attained to the absolute power he craved. Not surprisingly, his insatiable ambition led directly to a brutal beating at the hands of those who refused to submit to him, and within a month of this incident he was dead.—Top 10 Worst Popes in History

Jesus said that His Kingdom was not of this world.

• But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25–28)

Jesus also warned against the evils of desiring wealth.

• No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they scoffed at him. But he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:13–15)

There is much worse than this recorded about the behavior of Popes, not to mention other members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Understandably, the hierarchy did not want people reading the Bible unless there was a revolt. Luther exemplifies this revolt.

No Confusion Exists Of God’s Requirements When You Understanding The Truth

VIOLENCE IS SO COMMON THAT IT IS FOUND RECORDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. People Do Not Realize That The World Is Notoriously Violent When They Are Living In Their Little Cocoons.. Moreover the fact that violence exists as far as humans are concerned has nought to do with the Lord God, but to do with the Evil One.

Which versions of New Testament have violent teachings?

Happy Riches  Answer requested by Robert Fairbrother

The question you ask demonstrates ignorance, because you know that the Crucifixion is an act of violence and Jesus said that everyone has to follow Him, which could be said to suggest that everyone is to die violently. But just so that you do not remain ignorant and cannot say that you did not know, there is violence spoken about in the New Testament. But are these violent teachings?

This world is under the influence of the Evil One and this is why violence exists on this Earth. Most people, if they were not influenced by the Evil One, probably would not be violent.

The New Testament teaches the god of this world blinds people from seeing the truth—being blinded against one’s will is a form of violence. Instead of acknowledging the truth that people are violent and lose their temper and are so frustrated with life (being born to die and being powerless to overcome death is futile after all), the unenlightened bow down to their god, who really controls their lives. Consequently, we see violence occurring everywhere, men raping young boys (falsely claiming that it is natural because animals do it), women bullying girls to have sex with them, men beating women, women harming men, heads being decapitated—the list of atrocities goes on.

According to humanists, humans are evolving into more intelligent beings. Yet archaeological discoveries have revealed that humans seem to have been more intelligent a few millennia previously. The ability to build stone structures beyond the capabilities of man today and fit massive blocks together with laser beam precision boggles the mind. The fact humans cannot do this today suggests humans are degenerating in intelligence rather than evolving into more intelligent beings. The moral behavior of people in the current day is further indication of this, also. The Ten Commandments has yet to be kept perfectly by human beings born of an earthly father (cf. Matthew 5:18).

When Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is taken by men of violence (Matthew 11:12), this is a reference to those who are possessed by demonic powers attempting to prevent the purpose of God being wrought on Earth. Violence is evident when the ground trembles from an earthquake or a volcano erupts. When these events occur, energy cuts loose, uncontrollably.

However, righteous execution of justice, although perceived by the corrupt and feeble-minded as violence, is really an unfortunate necessity to bring about peace. In saying this, the people of the world are going to be subdued by violent people who want to rule, not according to the righteousness of God, but to appease the god of this world.

What is written above can be found in the New Testament, regardless of which version one might consult, unless consulting pseudepigrapha of some sort. For in the main, the teaching of the New Testament is those who exercise obedience of faith will receive the love of God so that they can righteously interact with their fellows by walking in the light (1 John 1:7).

Of course, even though God is love, our Heavenly Father is also righteous, and righteousness requires judgment. Judgment may require what people think is violence to restrain the violent, when it is merely the Omnipotent One exercising justice.

Victory Over Violent Ones Is Possible For Those Who Truly Desire Eternal Life

RIDICULOUS BIBLICAL LAWS THAT PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH. Naturally (or is it unnaturally) Some Behaviors Are Definitely Conspicuously Outrageously Contravene Biblical Laws. Nevertheless, there are some laws that seem to be irrelevant today.

What are some biblical laws that seem ridiculous today?

Happy Riches Answer requested by Nadav Kipnis

When it comes to the Bible, many focus on prohibitions and what they like to think of as ridiculous. The laws that were given to the Israelites may seem ridiculous to those who think going against nature is an act of brilliance or that children come from colons rather than uteri.

The Apostle Paul taught that which was written in the Old Testament was given for people’s instruction for salvation and right-living—this includes all the laws (ceremonial, civil, governmental, and natural) given to the Israelites. Bearing in mind that this was also an agrarian society, it is no wonder many of the statutes seem ridiculous to people who think eggs grow in cartons and fruit grows at the back of supermarkets.

Likewise, when it comes to hygiene, the Israelites did not have sewage treatment plants, so they were given a law about ablutions. Also when it came to eating shellfish, this was probably designed to guide people away from being poisoned because they ate something that filters pollution and is contaminated with disease.

The Laws Of God Are Nonsense To Those Who Think They Are Smarter Than He Is

CHRISTIANS ARE SO IGNORANT WHEN IT COMES TO UNDERSTANDING THE TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE. The Reason Is They Think That They Can Live In The World And Behave As People In The World Do And God Will Love Them. Little do they know that the god of the world is the one who has control of their minds and souls and hearts.

Why do many Christians not know the Bible/Biblical scripture very well?

When trying to discuss the Bible in general or particular passages of scripture many Christians seem to be completely out of their depth. How can they profess faith in something they seem to know so little about?

Happy Riches answer requested by anonymous

The reason people do not understand the Bible very well is they have not been taught by the Holy Spirit.

• But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26)

• If any man’s will is to do his will, he shall know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (John 7:17)

The truths of God have to be experienced rather than discussed academically. Unless a person experiences salvation, how can a person claim to know what it means to possess salvation.

The other reason is the god of this world blinds the minds of unbelievers because they do not possess faith. Faith is something that grows as a person experiences more confidence about a matter. Confidence only occurs when there is evidence everything is going well.

Belief systems such as the theory of evolution require people to accept things as true which cannot be proven in the now. Upon being threatened with death, many people, who say they believe in the theory of evolution, would deny it as true. Especially, if they found themselves among a community that did not possess the assumption and killed people who believed in the theory of evolution. This is because believers of the theory of evolution have no evidence that it is really true. If they could prove it in the now, they would not deny the belief when threatened.

Christians (that is, true Christians) are willing to die rather than deny the truth about Lord Jesus Christ being raised from the dead. Why? Because they have experienced a change within their innermost being. This change assures them that God raises the dead and that they also will be raised from the dead. This assurance comes because true Christians have been baptized into the body of Christ and they know, because they have received the guarantee that this is so.

• In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesian 1:13–14)

Beliefs can be defended. But people lose confidence in their beliefs if they are given the option to investigate the truth and find that what they are told is not true.

People question the Bible because they listen to what they are told by atheists for hours, then they look at the Bible’s cover occasionally without looking inside to learn that God wants to have a relationship with them. Many of these people call themselves Christians; only they are not really sure whether God is real, let alone whether Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead and demonstrated that He was the Son of God.

Truth has to be sought, experienced and demonstrated within one’s life. This is because what happened yesterday may not be happening today—the memory may even be an illusion. However, a relationship is something that is very real. People understand what it means to be in a relationship. If people, who say that they are Christians, have a relationship with Lord Jesus Christ, they will begin to learn the truth of the Scriptures.

The Ten Commandments are about relationship, yet we see people claiming to be Christians dismiss them. Consequently, they have a poor understanding of God’s purpose for themselves. (Hope Eli has a little of the understanding that is found in The Only Words Written By The Finger Of God—as all that within there is merely a little of what I know and have experienced; yet much more than what most people know.)

The Scriptures Point To The Truth And A Relationship With Our Creator

GOD DOES NOT EXIST SAYS THE FOOLISH PERSON WHO IS GOES WITHOUT A NAME. This Is The Case Even Though The Proof For God Not Existing Is Non-existent. Many claim that there is no need for proof but because they cannot see God, He cannot exist, which is rather like a child saying that he cannot be seen because he has covered his eyes and cannot see you.

If I said I have proof that there's no God which is from infallible personal experience could you accept this on faith?

Happy Riches answer requested by anonymous

Faith is the evidence of things unseen. You probably mean wishful thinking rather than faith. As for your own testimony, if I learned you were a liar, any credibility you may have been granted would have been lost.

There are many liars who think they can deceive people and not be found out. In terms of anyone having evidence of there being no infallible god, this depends upon whom is being spoken. Many Hindu gurus claim they are gods. People actually worship them as gods. In such instances, proof of infallibility is not difficult to demonstrate.

However, if you claim that you have proof the Creator of the Universe, who set the Moon in motion around the Earth, and the Earth and Moon in motion around the Sun, is not infallible, I would expect you to have power over death. If you have not, then like your question, whatever claim you make is just as foolish.

There Has To Better Ways To Attempt To Disprove God Than Being A Fool

DEPRESSION IS A COMMON AILMENT THAT IS OFTEN TREATED BY DRUGS THAT DO NOT ACTUALLY PROVIDE A CURE. Often What People Call Depression Is Really Just A Bout Of Sadness, The Term Is Overused. Some forms of depression are severe and many think there is no hope of being healed; however, this is not the case.

Has the Bible talked about depression?

Have there been any stories about people suffering from depression? The stories might not mention the term by name, but the people would show signs of depression.

Harry Riches answer requested by anonymous

Depression is a psychological phenomenon that has varying degrees of intensity from slight to severe. Depression is a term used often by people to describe a minor feeling of discouragement, a disappointment, a minor feeling of sadness, a lack of sleep, some mild feeling of remorse, indifference or a sluggish physiological state. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness may be very short-lived and only last an hour or, sometimes, a day or so. But if the feelings of forlorn hopelessness begin to become prolonged or chronic then we are talking about what is classified as clinical depression or a depressive disorder. The magnitude of which will be determined by the other factors associated with the primary condition.

American Psychological Association notes the following symptoms regarding clinical depression:

People with depression may experience a lack of interest and pleasure in daily activities, significant weight loss or gain, insomnia or excessive sleeping, lack of energy, inability to concentrate, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

American Psychiatry Association informs us much the same:

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite—weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or increased fatigue
• Increase in restless activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms must last at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression.

The Bible informs us that what many call depression is really sadness or a downcast spirit. Importantly, though, notice that a sad countenance can be put off very quickly but a downcast spirit can be severe and appears to correlate to bone cancer. In fact, in the following verses, we see a sad countenance appears to be a small matter, a downcast spirit is a severe matter, but God will comfort those who are downcast—presuming they call upon Him and expect to be comforted.

• ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer.’ (Job 9:27)

• A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)

• But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us (2 Corinthians 7:6)

The most well-known case of depression that is found in the Bible concerns King Saul of Israel when the Spirit of God left Him and he had to go back to persevering under the domain of the Evil One, even if this is expressed as our Heavenly Father sending an evil spirit to torment him.

Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is skilful in playing the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.”
So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”
One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skilful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the Lord is with him.”
Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.”
And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a skin of wine and a kid, and sent them by David his son to Saul.
And David came to Saul, and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer.
And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.”
And whenever the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. (1 Samuel 16:14–23)

Saul began to experience what it is like to go from being in the presence of God back to having the Devil torment him. Far better not to know the blessings of God and then have to experience what it is like to be disobedient and have to once more get back into fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Instead of Saul seeking God, he took the shortsighted option, and sought relief from someone within his kingdom by listening to the advice of his sycophantic servants. God used this to His advantage to bring about His own purpose and David was summoned.

Saul was suffering severe depression and probably going out of his mind with torment. When we read the full account, King Saul appears to show signs of manic-depression or what psychiatrists like to refer to as bipolar disorder. However, in line with the Scriptures provided above, God provided comfort for Saul through the music of David.

Christians who walk with God do not suffer depression, even if evil spirits surround them and they may feel oppressive negative sensations of depression. The joy of salvation within enables them to overcome these feelings of hopelessness, uselessness, utter despondency and despair, even suicide—I speak from experience.

The Way To Life Requires Us To Be Honest And Acknowledge The Truth

PEOPLE MEETING THE RESURRECTED LORD JESUS CHRIST ARE QUITE COMMON. Some Claim Only Those Who Were In The Bible Ever Met Lord Jesus After His Resurrection. How impoverished such people are when it comes to knowing why they exist on Earth.

Is meeting Jesus in a more real up-close way (such as at His second coming), only possible by dying physically in this mortal world?

Harry Riches answer requested by Ki Lee

Your question does not make sense. Maybe you are trying to say, Is it possible to meet Jesus without dying in this physical world?

Yes. Many people have testified that they have met the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from those who knew the Nazarene before He died, Saul of Tarsus is the first person on record to have met the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.

My grandparents told me that Lord Jesus Christ appeared to them in their lounge room.
Jesus appeared before me 2.00 am, Tuesday, 6th August, 1974. He has since appeared to me on many occasions since. Standing against a mountain range, standing in a racecourse, in a concert hall, in churches, in the street and numerous other places.

When Jesus appeared to the first time, I went to bed, slept and woke up filled with joy, as if placed in an elongated balloon, and secured between my belly button and the top of my sternum. That joy is still there today, 43 years later, and people say that I am deluded, because I have internal evidence that I have eternal life.

The Bible tells us that joy is a fruit of the Spirit and also declares it to be evidence of salvation. The Psalmist testifies that he had lost the joy of his salvation.

• With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3)

• Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.(Habakkuk 3:18)

• Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:12)

The joy of salvation is not something that is a fleeting buzz like when dropping a pill or having a heroin hit. Joy is not relief from pain. Joy invigorates.

Actually, the message of the Bible is that we are to seek Lord Jesus Christ, so that we can receive the guarantee of our salvation. Joy is the evidence of the seal.

Those Who Are Genuine Are Willing To Seek Out The Truth, The Rest Do Not