Bible Verses I "Disagree" With (Facetious)

The following article is an ongoing collection of passages from the Bible that I disagree with. The point of this compilation isn't simply to air my opinion; rather it is to confirm whether or not my intuition against them is in accordance with reality. And if they are, further evaluate their impact on my philosophy and, therefore, the way I live and teach others to live.

It has been my experience, however, that if I disagree with a passage from the Bible it's simply because I didn't have the context. Once it's put in that context, I find that I no longer disagree. So my title is intended to be facetious.

I encourage comments on this article in the form of verses you disagree with (and an explanation of why) as well as considerate and authentic responses that may help me (and others who read this) adequately adjust their opinions to be in accordance with what is reality (verifiably true).

Romans 13:1-7

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ..."

Authority, as defined by Webster's "the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience". I would not accept Hitler's authority as authority "from God". And there is no possibility that our creator has appointed every leader without violating his own nature which would seem to make the existence of God, then, impossible. The only condition in which I can foresee myself accepting this passage as true is if the author is assuming that the authority is submitting themselves to God as their authority at all times. Which really isn't possible unless, of course, their assuming forgiveness from God by Christ. But even salvation doesn't guarantee righteous behavior moving forward (in this life).

The only way this verse seems true is if the author is making the assumption that you're omitting authorities that are clearly wicked (Nero, Hitler, etc...). But he clearly states "all", so I find that a hard pressed argument to make. It seems much easier to assume he's expecting you would be a reasonable person and respect authority, generally speaking, and - of course - rebel against people who are a clear threat to God's kingdom established on earth.

Furthermore; I understand that the people he was writing to were under the authority of Nero. Ugh! Nasty guy.

I think this a prime example of when we accept a man's words as God's when they are not. And it's our faith in God (essentially his character) that screams "No! I will not lend myself (faith) to you on this matter. It's simply not true!" which is the only way we accept someone's words (including words in the Bible) as equivalent to the Word of God.

Missing Citations

These are items that I can't cite but I recall reading or hearing. I intend to cite them and respond to them accordingly but anyone reading this should not challenge me about them because I don't actually know whether or not their even in the Bible and I'm not building a case for or against them in any way until I have.

• Proverb that says "Those who obey God's commands will not be hurt." If this is intended to be taken literally, as God's word, it's clearly debunked and it would make God a liar. I think this is another piece of evidence that the Bible is not equivalent to, nor intended to be accepted as; the Word of God.