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followingtheway
Guest
I’m very interested in World Religions, so my dad’s friend gave me “the Zohar”. Is this okay?
Is it okay to have holy books of other religions in your house?
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Publisher
Guest
Holy books, scriptures of other faith traditions can offer profound insight into man’s search for the Eternal…as with the Bible, all scripture is a “search” to understand The Eternal…our Source of existence…the One “in whom we live and move ahd have our being.”
With the Revelation of God through Jesus of Nazareth, Christians believe they have a fuller understanding of God’s nature…we look to Jesus to know what God is like…God’s full disclosurement was in Jesus of Nazareth, anything we need to know about God…we will find in Jesus…He is the Sum-total…the First Born from the dead…the One who was and is and is to come…Daystar…Dayspring…He is the Bread of Life.
We know God is at work in everyone…why could we not learn from other’s insights and understandings…perhaps “Why” they came to understand a certain theological point…is as important as to 'what they believe"…in their experience with the Etrernal…they do have wisdom to share.
With the Revelation of God through Jesus of Nazareth, Christians believe they have a fuller understanding of God’s nature…we look to Jesus to know what God is like…God’s full disclosurement was in Jesus of Nazareth, anything we need to know about God…we will find in Jesus…He is the Sum-total…the First Born from the dead…the One who was and is and is to come…Daystar…Dayspring…He is the Bread of Life.
We know God is at work in everyone…why could we not learn from other’s insights and understandings…perhaps “Why” they came to understand a certain theological point…is as important as to 'what they believe"…in their experience with the Etrernal…they do have wisdom to share.
meltzerboy
New member
I don’t see anything wrong with the Zohar! Or owning copies of the New Testament or the Qur’an, for that matter. However, please realize that the Zohar (part of the Kaballah) does not supersede the Torah and it can often be used to interpret complex Torah passages. Further, some Traditional Orthodox Jews (the non-Hasidic variety) do not study or believe in many of the teachings of Jewish mysticism, which would include, for example, the notion of reincarnation.
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Rascalking
Guest
I have the Koran, several Jewish works, and a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. I’ve never been tempted to become a Muslim, Jew or Hindu.
Knock yourself out. You can learn alot from those books. If your insecure spirtually, avoid them. Other than that though, you should be fine.
Knock yourself out. You can learn alot from those books. If your insecure spirtually, avoid them. Other than that though, you should be fine.
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Pythons
Guest
Those other books are really not “holy” from a Christian perspective…
…But it’s a good idea to understand where Musims and other faiths are coming from.
…So you can actually talk with them without being in the dark on what they believe.
I’ve got several world religion scriptures in my shelf.
…But it’s a good idea to understand where Musims and other faiths are coming from.
…So you can actually talk with them without being in the dark on what they believe.
I’ve got several world religion scriptures in my shelf.
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vera_dicere
Guest
I don’t have a problem with the texts of other faiths in my collection. (Probably wouldn’t have a heretic bibical translation of course).
Its important to understand other religions, if only to develop a deeper understanding of your own faith in the context of others.
The only problem I could see with it, and its almost a non-sequitur though, that other people visiting your house might wonder why you have such books. Of course, all my mates know I have screeds of texts on other religions, including ancient mythology and they know I’m not out in the back yard each night pouring libations to Anubis.
Its important to understand other religions, if only to develop a deeper understanding of your own faith in the context of others.
The only problem I could see with it, and its almost a non-sequitur though, that other people visiting your house might wonder why you have such books. Of course, all my mates know I have screeds of texts on other religions, including ancient mythology and they know I’m not out in the back yard each night pouring libations to Anubis.
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CopticChristian
Guest
Books are sources of information. Libraries have books somewhat unprejudiced in their collecting. I have Protestant books, Martyrs mirror, Noble army Heretics and more. Scott Hahn has stated that he has many Protestant books in his Library. Books are OK and are not the near occasion of sin. Books not discerned may be the near occasion of sin. Learning and understanding are good. Asking questions is also good.
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seeker57
Guest
Knowledge is power, and, as others have stated, it is good to learn about religions other than your own.
This doesn’t mean you will convert to some other faith system, but it is possible you will have a better understanding of the beliefs of others.
We study all faiths to gain whatever we can from them, including Christianity.
Peace,
Seeker
This doesn’t mean you will convert to some other faith system, but it is possible you will have a better understanding of the beliefs of others.
We study all faiths to gain whatever we can from them, including Christianity.
Peace,
Seeker
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Izdaari
Guest
I have at least the Tao Te Ching and Koran, and the Book of Mormon. It is useful for Christians to know about other religions, if not to follow them.
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Kouyate42
Guest
I asked a similar question about keeping the Qur’an in the house some time ago and I believe it to be fine, as long as you don’t use them for religious purposes (although the Torah might be excluded from this on the grounds of being a part of the Bible) or view them as equal to the Bible.
I have learnt an incredible amount from reading the major holy texts. To ignore the Torah or Qur’an is to ignore a part of Christian thinking.
I have learnt an incredible amount from reading the major holy texts. To ignore the Torah or Qur’an is to ignore a part of Christian thinking.
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