BibleStudy

[MistOfTheSea86]

Now this is something I would really learn from, I find myself many times making pointless accusations about the bible without have even reading it, and I was wondering if people would not mind having a discussion. Thoughts?

[Lilu]

Hmmmmm, you know I would probably find that interesting. Hubby is always saying stuff about the Bible, he knows quite a bit about it and I'm just like "Ahhh, ok!" :)

BB
Lilu

[MistOfTheSea86]

that how it is always with me.... I want to hold a stable debate!lol:p

[EasternPriest]

Sure.

[MistOfTheSea86]

This is good:) *Twiddles fingers and smiles* I am gonna learn alot I can see:)

[Lilu]

So who's going to run this shindig?

I am completely unqualified... :bug:

:)

[MistOfTheSea86]

Originally posted by Lilu
So who's going to run this shindig?

I am completely unqualified... :bug:

:)

Yes so am I. Come one guys for us less fortunate people:)

[story]

i'd love it if some one did, but i can't run the thing............

[Myst]

What aspects are you trying to study? Usually when people do this I think they choose things to note - like themes, stories, or they pick a certain theme to examine in the book...

[Swanspirit]

LOL I think a bible study for pagans is a great idea ..........but I have to tell you having been spoon fed the bible from an early age ......
I can barely stand to hear about it other than from a strictly historical perspective , so I might drop by from time to time ..... if that is ok. Also I have a suggestion.....why dont you find a couple of websites that everyone can reference and make an outline of what you want to study OR look at some study outlines from other bible study groups put one together and NO one person has to RUN the group ...... it would run itself.......almost ...... and ou have given me a great idea for a thread heheh look for a thread on the Dead Sea Scrolls sooon ......
Love and Light
Swannie

[MistOfTheSea86]

is that we could go book by book, and like higlight important passages...

[EasternPriest]

You could do it book by book. The other way is to go by topic. Pick a topic :" judgement" "redemption" etc..., and then you look across the full Bible to see the breath of that topic, then paick another topic, and so on....

[seawitch]

i think it's a wonderful idea i study the bible quite alot and it only reinforces my beliefs in my faith mostly i have been studing on abuses against women indorsed by jehovah and that book is full of them slavery rape and the like
and did you know the word bible actualy means book just book thus the word bibliography
so lets decide where to begin and i would like to join
aroura

[MistOfTheSea86]

I think the first discussion should be on... Judgement. How bout this?

[Semele]

SOunds like a good idea to me. I am vaguely interested in it myself. I look forward to reading others ideas here. So get it started and I'll join in. I wouldn't know where to start myself.

[Revelation]

I have an NIV student bible that has reading courses and study questionsand study guides in it.

I don't think I'd mind leading a few discussions on the Bible (Save that I"m not a biblical scholar) if anyone would like me to do so.

[MistOfTheSea86]

I need to get SS in here, she had a really good historical point I think would be beneficial to our discussion.

[Swanspirit]

which one???
LOL Ye Gods and little fishes he expects me to remember ............
HUGS
Swannie
here is a historical fivepointer ...... if it isnt me ...... never mind........ LOL

[Myst]

not you.

SimplyStrange

[Myst]

problem.

:ahhhh:

Aw shoot, I went over 2000 without even noticing :)

I've read the bible a few times, chose to be a Christian and go to church for a few years, and went to bible camp every summer for yeeeeears.... one of my favourite topics, very interesting from a historical standpoint... I wonder whatever happened to my children's bible.. I sincerely hope this thread can share it from a historical standpoint without personal feelings getting in the way too much.

[MistOfTheSea86]

I hope so as well... I will try my personal hardest:)

[SimplyStrange]

Uhm...MistOfTheSea told me he wanted me adding a little into here...

...so I s'pose I shall.

As far as judgement goes, as well as the idea of a heaven and hell, Christianity and the Bible is not the start of it. Zoroaster was the man who first introduced these ideas into religion, and broke the continuous chain of polytheism...

Zoroasterain soon became a religion. Zoroasterains believed in the good god of truth and light, Ahura Mazda and the evil god Ahriman. They believed that eventually there would be a final judgement and those who followed Ahura Mazda would go on to paradise and "heaven", if you will, and those who followed Ahriman would go on to eternal torture and suffering.

Zoroasterain influenced other religions that follow one god such as Islam, Judaism and eventually Christianity. Many people believe that the devil was a Christian invention, when indeed...it wasn't.

Just thought I'd clarify... :)

[Semele]

Very interesting Simply. I had never heard of this. What exactly is this Zoroasterain? Or perhaps who is the question I mean to ask?

[Swanspirit]

This is an excellent web site on him ......
with good images as well ......

http://sangha.net/messengers/zoroaster.htm

Love and light
Swannie

[Semele]

That was a good link. Thanks Swan.

[Swanspirit]

Zoroaster was considered to be a numero UNO heretic
UHOH that rhymed........
heheh HAVE YOU seen this yet??? tad bit OT
Love and light
Swannie

[Tigerwallah]

is Harlot By the Side of the Road "Forbidden Tales of the Bible." It is written by Jonathan Kirsch. It focuses on the stories of the Bible that were omitted by the King James version, and that you don't hear in mass. I found the text on Moses to be fascinating.

[QueendeQrash]

also, just a thought. There are so many verisons of the Bible, perhaps we should just pick one. Maybe the more popular verison... one written in modern english, so we are not deciphering Old English (King James English :) ). Then we can work our way backwards and make references to other verisons and older, left out stories.
Personally, I like the idea of going from topic to topic... judgement, sexuallity, redemption, ect.
As for which one, we can always draw one from a hat... or have a poll.

[Tigerwallah]

I'd prefer to use the American Bible. It' is comprehensive. I've found that discussions with fundies who use the King James version are rather cofusing due to the extream censorship of the Bible. I often wondered how they could put so much into such a tiny little pocket book. Well, when you leave out anything that isn't slated toward peace and love, the Bible is a very short book.

[EasternPriest]

The kings james isn't any shorter then the american bible...

[Tigerwallah]

In fact, she's missing many verses. Of course, her bible is small enough to fit in her small purse. It's the only King James Bible I've ever seen. I own the New American Bible, and it is the same one I used in Roman Catholic school. There is no possible way that that thing could be condensed enough to fit in a book no larger than a Harlequin romance.

[EasternPriest]

That explains it -The JW have their own translations of many things.

[Tigerwallah]

She seemed to have only verses that contained love and peace. Left a lot of the old testament out. In fact, she didn't know that Moses went on a killing spree after leaving Egypt, in a sort of ethnic cleansing to rid the promised land of all of the idol worshippers (Pagans).

[Emy]

Well,
When I studied religion at the uni a couple of years ago we talked about zoroastrism, and this is some of what I have learnt about it...

Their God is called Ahura Mazda, but also there are two spirits that are important in their religion. Spenta Mainyu (the "good" one) and Angra Mainyu (the "bad" one). The most important book is called Avesta and contains both laws, rituals, songs (among them Zarathustra), prayers etc. The Zoroastrism has plenty to do with duality, there is duality to everything...

Another interesting thing about the zoroastrians is that they have got a fire which are monitered by priests and that is constantly burning and has been burning for a looooong time... I know it is considered holy, but I can't remember why, anyways not everyone is allowed in to see this fire.

As for discussing the bible, I'd love to join in that discussion, however I haven't gotten an english bible, but I think it should work out fine anyways... We also studied the bible a lot (when I studied religion) and it is really interesting :)

Blessings

[MistOfTheSea86]

BUMP

[MasterMoon]

The Bible.....lol
I was a JW from the age of 9 - 18
The one thing that JW's do is substitute the name Jehovah for God (Adonai) sp ..because the NT God is kind and forgiving. Clearly a different God than the OT's Jehovah. The JW's make the leap by calling the God of Yeshua ben Joseph, (Jesus) Jehovah. tsk tsk
Jehovah was an old testament God. Very vindictive and cruel.
Exodus 19:17 begins the account of Moses on the mountain.
The account goes to explain how Jehovah came down on the mountain with smoke and fire. verse 18
Then it reads..as the lord descended the sound of the horn bcame louder and louder verse 19.
Exodus 40:38 talks of the "lord" was smoke by day and fire by night. lol
Here is my opinion:
Jehovah was/is an ET.
*He is without emotion....so are grays (ET's)
*Seems to fly in a spaceship...the descending on the mountain with the sound of trumpets.
* A pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night....hmm isnt that like the exhaust of a flying ship?
Thats my opinion...Im not trying to sell it to anyone....

When Ezekiel saw Jehovah Ezekiel 1:4...read this and then tell me it doesnt sound like a close encounter...lmao

[seawitch]

at least JW have a name for their god, unlike the majority of the christian population. who just call him God.
i studied with JW for 2 years about 15 years ago. when i started on my path 12 or so years back.
it was kind of odd. i just told my JW study group, that i had been reading about the old religion. and they never came back saying that they couldn't be unevenly yoked with non believers. and since we had been studying for 2 years, i knew the truth and was probably damned.
but my life is peaceful and unchaotic. so it seems to be working for me

[MistOfTheSea86]

Originally posted by seawitch
at least JW have a name for their god, unlike the majority of the christian population. who just call him God.
i studied with JW for 2 years about 15 years ago. when i started on my path 12 or so years back.
it was kind of odd. i just told my JW study group, that i had been reading about the old religion. and they never came back saying that they couldn't be unevenly yoked with non believers. and since we had been studying for 2 years, i knew the truth and was probably damned.
but my life is peaceful and unchaotic. so it seems to be working for me

"I know nothing of god or the devil. I have never had a vision or known a secret that will save or damn my soul." -Armand

[Myst]

Originally posted by MasterMoon
Jehovah was/is an ET.
*He is without emotion....so are grays (ET's)
*Seems to fly in a spaceship...the descending on the mountain with the sound of trumpets.
* A pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night....hmm isnt that like the exhaust of a flying ship?

Hmm... interesting... *wanders off to find a bible*

[Myst]

Ok, here we are,

"Ezekiel 1:4
As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire."

Incidentally, http://unbound.biola.edu/ is a great resource for this discussion.

[Illuminatus]

Originally posted by MasterMoon
Here is my opinion:
Jehovah was/is an ET.
*He is without emotion....so are grays (ET's)
*Seems to fly in a spaceship...the descending on the mountain with the sound of trumpets.
* A pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night....hmm isnt that like the exhaust of a flying ship?
Thats my opinion...Im not trying to sell it to anyone....

When Ezekiel saw Jehovah Ezekiel 1:4...read this and then tell me it doesnt sound like a close encounter...lmao

Heh, neat theory!

I wonder if greys could have parted the red sea for Moses?

Anyway, I was watching the 10 Commandments over Easter Sunday like I do every year, and we got to the part where Moses met up with the burning bush. And I couldn't help but laugh- you know how some bushes, when you burn them, make a special kind of smoke? and this special smoke gets into your brain and makes you hallucinate and feel all funny inside??? That's all I can think of when I see that scene..

"Moses Dude... check it out... that bush is like, burning"
"Yeah, totally. Aaron man, I am so wasted"
"Yeah. Hey let's carve some tablets!"
"Groovy!"

- Ill

[MistOfTheSea86]

Originally posted by Illuminatus


Heh, neat theory!

I wonder if greys could have parted the red sea for Moses?

Anyway, I was watching the 10 Commandments over Easter Sunday like I do every year, and we got to the part where Moses met up with the burning bush. And I couldn't help but laugh- you know how some bushes, when you burn them, make a special kind of smoke? and this special smoke gets into your brain and makes you hallucinate and feel all funny inside??? That's all I can think of when I see that scene..

"Moses Dude... check it out... that bush is like, burning"
"Yeah, totally. Aaron man, I am so wasted"
"Yeah. Hey let's carve some tablets!"
"Groovy!"

- Ill

LMAO! Kudo's Ill. Kudos...

[blindsight]

I was a bible scholar at one point. if you want the truth you should go to a hebrew old testement or a greek new testement.
Speaking of hebrew old testement did you know that the original hebrew text mentions the Lord and Lady and the pantheon (the word used was "elohiym" meaning Gods/desses*judges)as creating the world? Yeh, then one specific member of the pantheon named "Yahweh" went off and created the garden of eden after the entire six days of creation stated in Genesis 1. It's kinda kool to have a biblical proof that we arent going to "hell" because we dont have original "sin".(laughs mockingly).It makes it kinda hard to take christian seriously when the far majority dont even know what the bible says and those that do become neo-pagans*HEHE*.

[MasterMoon]

TRUTH??

No such thing...its all relative...your truth my truth etc...........

[Myst]

Actually the Elohim have been discussed here before. In particular you'll want to see

http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14013&highlight=Elohim (amberlaine's thread on the feminine face of God)

http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=44777&highlight=Elohim#post44777

http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=24912&highlight=Elohim#post24912

I actually am not too concerned about biblical proof of anything, though it's an interesting thing to discuss :)

[Illuminatus]

Originally posted by MasterMoon
TRUTH??

No such thing...its all relative...your truth my truth etc...........


No, it is Absolute!

If you get confused, just try to remember that Truth is like the Vodka, Absolut, except with an E at the end. So that would make it... TruthE. I think

[Myst]

I think we all need to drink more.

[GOE]

Ok I will run the Bible Study.
I will start a new thread. Just look for it.

Get your Bibles ready and we will have a great discussion.
Anyone need a Bible?
Let me know I think I know of a websight that has it online.

[GOE]

Originally posted by Myst
Ok, here we are,

"Ezekiel 1:4
As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire."

Incidentally, http://unbound.biola.edu/ is a great resource for this discussion.


Ezekiel

Ezekiel saw a vision that revealed God's absolute moral perfection. God was spiritually and morally superior to members of Isreael's corrupt and compromising society. Ezekiel wrote to let the people know that God was also present in Babylon, not just in Jerusalem.

Israel had sinned, and God's punishment came. The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile were used by God to correct the rebels and draw them back from their sinful way of life. Ezekiel warned them that not only ws this nation responsible for sin, but each individual was also accountable to God.

Ezekiel consoles the people by telling them that the day will come when God will restore those who turn from sin. God will be their King and Shepherd. He will give his people a new heart to wroship him, and he will establish a new government and a new temple.

An angel gave Ezekiel a vision of the temple in great detail. God's holy presence had departed from Israel and the temple because of sin. The building of a future temple portrays the return of God's glory and presence. God will cleanse his people and restore tru worship.


God communicated to Ezekiel in visions. A vision is a miraculous revelation of God's truth. These visions seem strange to us because they are apocalyptic. This means that Ezekiel saw symbolic pictures that vivdly conveyed an idea. Daniel and John were other Bible writers who used apocalyptic imagery. The people in exile had lost their perspective of God's pupose and presence, and Ezekiel came to them with a vision from God to show God's awesome glory and holiness and to warn the exiles of sin's consequences before it was too late.

Ezekiel's latest dated message from God(29:17) was given in 571 BC. He was taken captive during the second Babylonin invassion of Judah in 597BC the Babylonians invaded Judah a third and final time in 586 BC completely destroying Jerusalem, burning the temple, and deporting the rest of the people. Ezekiel dates all his messages from the year he was taken captive 597. His first prophecy to the exiles occurred four to five years after he arrived in the land of Babylon 593BC

Ezekiel1:4
in this first vision, God called Ezekiel to be a prophet Nothing in Exekiel's previous experience prepared him for such a display of God's glorious presence and power. The immense cloud flashed with lightning and was surrounded by a brilliant light. From the fire in the cloud came four living creatures. They showed Ezekiel that jerusalem's coming destruction was God's punishment of Judah for its sins. When Ezekiel received this vision, he was far away from the temple in Jerusalem, the physical symbol of God's presence. Through this vision, he learned that God is present everywhere and that God's activites in heaven are shaping the events on earth.

Ezekiel 1


The Living Creatures and the Glory of the Lord

1 In the [1] thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.
2 On the fifth of the month-it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin- 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, [2] by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. [3] There the hand of the LORD was upon him.
4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north-an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal

[Myst]

uhhh not sure why you posted all of that?

MM just mentioned there it seemed like aliens had appeared, so I posted the actual passage so people could see what he meant. I can see where he'd get that idea.

[GOE]

Originally posted by Myst
uhhh not sure why you posted all of that?

MM just mentioned there it seemed like aliens had appeared, so I posted the actual passage so people could see what he meant. I can see where he'd get that idea.

Well since the topic is on Bible study. I was just posting regarding the Study of that verse you posted.

[Myst]

Uhhuh. Sorry I was a bit confused, thought you were starting new threads with lessons in order...

*shrugs* :)

[Chibi-Fallon]

Just for FYI here’s why GOE is here. Sorry, if this seems mean, but she/he posted it. There's a whole topic on Wicca (which we all are, I didn't know that, but who am I to disagree), and how evil we all are. :D I find it quite amusing, but then people say I'm twisted.
http://www.christianbbs.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=001552

[GOE]

Chili,
As you have noted the topic of this thread is Bible Study, Now I have not over step my bounds in posting anything relating to Bible Study. I could see if I was on here putting people down for their belifs but thats not the case, I am on here responding to Bible Study and also doing Bible Study.

I have not done anything against the rules.

So Whats your point?

[Chibi-Fallon]

Well you stated your point here was to convert. I just thought people should know as almost everyone on this board is Pagan and converting isn’t something we do to each other. You didn’t seem to want to state to readily that you think we’re worshiping Satan and from what I’ve seen and how you tend to deal with me is pretty intolerant. Or are you taken my advice finally on how to convert us. ;)
It sounded to me like you we’re ready to march on in like a crusader, that’s what your other posts seemed to be saying. You know the whole “Sign up here, so I will know I have some Christian friends linked in arms with me.” bit. We promise we’re not harboring Osama. :D
And it’s Chibi with a “b” not Chili. I do know a really cute dog named that tho. He’s a toy poodle but they keep him in a puppy cut so he’s not ugly, just cute and fuzzy. :cutie:

[Myst]

Ah. Well the BibleStudy is welcome. Just as long as we all remember to respect eachother's paths.

Conversion attempts aren't welcome. :)

[GOE]

Originally posted by Myst
Ah. Well the BibleStudy is welcome. Just as long as we all remember to respect eachother's paths.

Conversion attempts aren't welcome. :)

Has anyone seen any attempt to convert? Like I said this was all in the Bible Study thread.

And as far as ChiBi where did I ever say I was here to convert?

If you read my post it said there is a thread called Bible Study and they are wanting to do a Bible Study I said lets link arms. you know like skipping over to someone's house and give them some Bible Verses.

One thing about it is if someone wants to learn about it why not get it from the people who know it and believe it?




and from what I’ve seen and how you tend to deal with me is pretty intolerant.

What the heck is that supose to mean? how I tend to deal with you is pretty intolerant? I don't think I have ever posted anything in response to or against you, so where do you come off saying this?




You didn’t seem to want to state to readily that you think we’re worshiping Satan

First off, It has pretty much been discussed that people in the pagen religion do not think they are worshiping satan, I can have an oppion, but I did not feel like it was for me to come on here and start attacking people left and right for what I believe. I did think that I had ever right to come on here just like you go on the other sight and post. like I said I was just posting in the Bible Study, and if I feel like it I will post in other topics stating my thoughts on the subject just like you do in the other BBS





We promise we’re not harboring Osama

And by the way, I never thought you did, I could say you have different beliefs, but I would be wrong, I think we covered that on the satan topic :)

As for your feelings on this chiBi, I don't really care what you think of me or what you THINK my intentions are, what Iwould like to know is WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS on the Christians online bbs? you are so concerened that one of us came over here, well you have been over there for a long time why??

[Myst]

Guys, if you have a personal problem take it to private message or something. We don't need to publicly see the argument.

And GOE, did I say you were trying to convert anyone? No. When I do, let me know. What I did say was it isn't welcome, so if you have no intention of doing it I guess that doesn't apply to you, does it?

Now, would we like to get back on topic please.

[Emerald Oak]

Back to the topic at hand...

According to the bible, people lievd for nearly a mellinium each, while our current life expectancy is 70 something. Any thoughts?

[GOE]

People did not live for a millinum (sp?)

Methuselah lived 969 Years Gen 5:27
Jare 962 Gen 5:20
Noah 950 Gen 9:29
Adam 930 Gen 5:5
Seth 912 Gen 5:8
Kenan 910 Gen 5:14
Enosh 905 Gen 5:11
Terah 205 Gen 11:32
Isaac 180 Gen 35:28
Abraham 175 Gen 25:7
Jacob 147 Gen 47:28
Ishmael 137 Gen 25:17
Sarah 127 Gen 23:1
Joseph 110 Gen 50:26
Jehoiada 130 2 chr 24:15
Aaron 123 Num 33:39
Moses 120 Deut 34:7
Joshua 110 Josh 24:29

Some believe that the ages listed here were of family dynasties rather than ages of individaul men.

Those that think these were actual ages offer three explanations.

1. the human race was more genetically pure in this early time period, so there was less disease to shorten life spans

2.no rain had yet fallen on the earth, and the expanse of water "above" kept out harmful cosmic rays and shielded people from environmental factors that hasten aging.
Genisis 1:7 So God made the expanse and seperated the water under the expanse from the water above it and it was so.

(the "expanse between waters" was a seperation between the sea and the mists of the skies)

3.God gave people longer lives so they would have time to fill the earth.
Genisis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.

[Ravensnest]

So which Bible are you using? That's the thing that kills me about the bible. Most people who quote from it use the King James Version totally missing that word "version". King James version isn't even the Bible. King James took entire books out of the bible and rewrote entire passages to suit himself. And yet, this is the version most go by! Go figure! lol

[Danustouch]

Ummmm..actually, The king James bible wasn't created by taking whole books of the bible out, alone.

The King James Bible was created because prior to it's creation, there were so many differen't versions of the bible out there. Differen't sects deciding for themselves which books actually fit, and which ones didn't, that it was quite confusing to both scholars, and the common folk. Imagine going to a Church one week, and another church the next week, and then inviting a wandering monk into your home the next week, and getting differen't answers about Christianity each time? This was life prior to the King James Bible. The King James bible was an effort to unify various early christian sects under one generally accepted book of beliefs. Hardly a horrible goal, though it may have become something horrible throughout time. I don't prefer to use the King James, either. I think that so many discoveries have happened since the time of the King James bible, as far as translations are concerned, that it doesn't suit me at all. But I can hardly say that the King James Bible just axed stuff out wherever it felt like it. To read more about the history of the KJV, to gain a little more insight on it..go here.

http://www.av1611.org/kjv/kjvhist.html

[TarotCanada]

The KJV is supposed to be the most literal interpretation of the bible but there are errors contained in the translation based on the documents they were using for the translation apparently. These errors are documented various places on the internet just punch King James Version Errors into a search engine. In 1643 the Apocrypha or the Intertestament, which used to be placed between the old and new testaments, was removed from the KJV.


http://TarotCanada.tripod.com/WomenApostles.html

http://TarotCanada.tripod.com/Thecla.html

These might interest some of you.

Sincerely,

Cheryl

http://www.tarotcanada.ca

[Danustouch]

Yep..the KJV is filled with errors. That I won't debate. Which is why I never use it..that..and it get's dry. While you are correct that the apocrypha was removed, most of the modern bibles do NOT have the apocrypha included, mostly because they were thought to be "extraneous"...

Ever heard a minister quoting the apocrypha in church? Probably not, because there isn't much in there of real importance to the overall message.

There were parts that were left out, yes. Mostly because their authenticity were in question, and because they didn't seem to support the rest of the work.

Like any book, some stuff ends up on the cutting room floor. The most important reason why some stuff was left out of the KJV, is because it didn't support the Canon of the early church.

However, the priests and scholars of the day were faced with quite a quandry. It's not so much that they wanted to leave stuff out to deceive people. It's because as any new group/religion forms, they try to come up with some general guideline and set of beliefs. Especially a religion such as Christianity, whose goal is to spread their gospels to the rest of the world. They needed to have a collection of beliefs to adhere to, and to spread. Christianity in the early days was filled with many various interpretations of the gospel. Differen't "Sects" and radical groups, even some which were considered heretical. This must have made it extremely difficult to "convert" individuals of other cultures, if there were so many differen't beliefs flying around at the time, and interpretations of the gospel. That is why the "authors" of the KJV were told to use the most accurate translations of words, etc, in their version, that they could. In hopes of unifying this new religion under one "standard" belief system.

I think it was also in part, politically motivated, as the authorization of the KJV came near to the time of the great schism between roman catholicism and orthodoxy.

However, I don't think that whole passages or books were left out of the bible in order to deliberately deceive people. I think they were left out because they caused more devision than unity..more confusion, than clarity.

So...they basically took all of the books which supported eachother fairly well (well enough, at least), and meshed together with the overall story line/message of the bible, and let go of the rest.

[MistOfTheSea86]

Great replies everyone!