Honestly, Christians, does the "big picture" of the bible make THAT much sense to you?

Given that 90% of self-identified Christians have never even READ the entire Bible, the vast majority of them have no idea what the "big picture" actually IS.

They just like the feel-good wish-thinking, and make themselves willfully ignorant of the rest so it doesn't spoil their little fantasy.

It is very clear from what you have written that YOU have not read the Bible...which is why "the big picture" as you describe it is, indeed, so thoroughly confused.

If you want to remedy your confusion regarding "the big picture of the Bible", you can only do so by reading it for yourself. If you are still confused once you have read it, at least you will have a leg to stand on when you complain about it.

- Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/

Clearly, you've never seen the Big Picture. Those of us who have do not come up with the kind of nonsense you have just spouted. You will only begin to see the sense of it once you realise just who Jesus Christ really is, and why He chose to leave heaven to be born as a sinless man in order to meet the perfect, divine standards for justice - for our sakes.

Next thing, I suppose, you'll be asking a "question" that states Jesus never existed.

Wise men have need to be directed how to deal with fools; and they have never more need of wisdom than in dealing with such, to know when to keep silence and when to speak, for there may be a time for both. 1. In some cases a wise man will not set his wit to that of a fool so far as to answer him according to his folly “If he boast of himself, do not answer him by boasting of thyself. If he rail and talk passionately, do not thou rail and talk passionately too. If he tell one great lie, do not thou tell another to match it. If he calumniate thy friends, do not thou calumniate his. If he banter, do not answer him in his own language, lest thou be like him, even thou, who knowest better things, who hast more sense, and hast been better taught.” 2. Yet, in other cases, a wise man will use his wisdom for the conviction of a fool, when, by taking notice of what he says, there may be hopes of doing good, or at least preventing further, mischief, either to himself or others. “If thou have reason to think that thy silence will be deemed an evidence of the weakness of thy cause, or of thy own weakness, in such a case answer him, and let it be an answer ad hominem - to the man, beat him at his own weapons, and that will be an answer ad rem - to the point, or as good as one. If he offer any thing that looks like an argument, an answer that, and suit thy answer to his case. If he think, because thou dost not answer him, that what he says is unanswerable, then give him an answer, lest he be wise in his own conceit and boast of a victory.” You are not seeking the truth but justification for your unbelief.

first off if you understand the full bible it makes the big picture a perfect mosaic of history and how things work (socially and nationally). the full bible has a golden thread from the beginning to the end tying it together into a complete picture. it makes complete sense.

second, (your lastly) christians need to atone for their sins to the victims. in addition christians need to do good and not evil.

Yes, because the Holy Bible is the proven word of God.

This is where language gets you in trouble every single time.

If I say 'Smith and Sons', then Smith can come to the party,
but...which one?

So, Smith is a larger group than the Son but the Son is Smith also...
with me on this? Or lost already?

Satan wants your soul so God doesn't have it...because
each time God has a soul, satan loses just a little power,
and he's 100% into power, only God IS the power.

And this annoys him.

Just like people sometimes, not that different.

Satan won't get Eternity, so question is mute. The bible says
that satan is the adversary...and HATES mankind.

If you check out witchcraft, the inner circle, and if you ever
read up on those who would like to LEAVE it...nuh, uh...
different story. Get in fine, but not out.

Is this cause they love you?

Are you seeing this that satan doesn't want you because
he loves you?

Even people do this, even families, maybe you have
experienced this.

I NEED atonement, and I still need to make it up.

Because if I 'borrow' your car without asking you,
saying sorry doesn't do it. Buying you a new car
is not the car you chose.

All sin destroys at levels we can't even imagine.
But I've seen it...it can travel for years.
The Scots...did you know they used to carry on feuds
for hundreds of years? Didn't matter if one side
made up at all. Never make it up.

See what I mean?

So, yeah, I'll stay with Yehoshua, you keep your 'do it yourself'
and look at the world while you're at it, since they're
just doing such a job of things!!!

All people learn scientific theory in schools including Darvin theory as I know so ppl whom you ask are not aliens and they if choose something else they may have some reasons. Though may be its impossible to understand in rational way, because if you really dont feel that there must be something more than just an accident , and if you did not find yourself that hedonism wont make you happy though according to logic it should , it may be impossible to understand .. I can try to answer anyway.
Jesus died for humanity, to save it so all people got a choice - do they want to be saved to be with God or not. Why would He forgive somebody who dont want forgiveness and who will not be able to live on Heaven ?
"Moreover, what does satan want with our soul? What would he do with it for eternity? Wouldn't it get boring to him after its all said and done? " ..Satan is not a human, so he may feel all another. And satan is not a God , fhe was jelouse to people and went against the creator because of this and fall down so deep in hole that never will be able to get out. So what else he could do there exept trying to do some revenge to creations he hated so much ?In the world where is no money , no death,no hapiness?
And lastly - yes of course you should try to make repair and you should ask for forgiveness to person you have offended, and better you would try not to do offensive things again. But this you do for a person and in name of love , and if your dids can make God sad you ask for God`s forgiveness. At least if you love God and want to be with God on Heaven . And what about cases where you dont offend somebody but still do a sin and if there is alredy nobody to ask for forgiveness. If
Would idea of forgiveness appear at all without Jesus. And would idea of love to all people even your enemies appear without Jesus..You now live in the world wich includes a lot of bible morality wich most of the atheists would support exept may be some not comfortable for them things. But you cant give any evidence to morality itself without God because without some absollute never changing measure there is no bad and no good. With rational ways you can prove that to kill is a good thing like Hitler did it...and he made a lot of people follow him. Was they all insane or crazy .. it was in 20 century the in wild times.

People in developed countries are not happier than people in poor countries..According to statistic they are even more unhappy and depressed. Just interesting if we all go for the right ideals why it all happens so that it does not lead to any good.
Logically it should but it does not.. I did not mean it to be an evidence of God, but its the reason for going and look for something else. Just where you will look for and what its your choice.

Honestly?

You're going to begin this tirade with a word like Honestly?

I think its been so long since you've been honest that you throw it around because of your guilty conscience.

If you don't like how Christ has paid for our justification then pay it yourself. But HONESTLY, what are you going to pay Him with?

Your good works?

Isa 64:6 ¶ But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

That's going to impress Him when you're standing in front of Him with your filthy rags on.

I have read the Bible often enough to know not to cast pearls before swine.

I've always wondered about that loophole, too, but I'm not God so therefore I patiently await His answer, knowing there will be one. He knows what He is doing. That I'm fully convinced of, and what I'm fully convinced of I must go by. I've learned over the years that whenever I am confused by something in the bible, its not God that is the wrong one. Never that. <<cough>>

Satan doesn't "want" our souls. He wants to destroy as many people as possible because of his consuming HATRED of GOD. And there's an awful lot who fall for his tricks, too. He could care spit about us, and is still fuming over not being allowed godhood. Satan is nothing but a generic psychopath. Wants what he cannot have, takes as many down as he can just to spite God knowing He loves us without measure. We are a mere diversion to the "angry red guy" as my little gg-grandson dubbed Satan. Nothing more. If God cared about rocks more than us, the mountains would be sand pits.

Who says just because your sins are atoned for, you don't have to go and try to repair the damage you have done in your life?? I've seen more often than not, brand new believers GO to the people they have hurt in their lives and apologize, make restitution---before even being aware they should!! My own father, after finally realizing his lifelong mormon religion pulled its doctrines out of the air, traveled for days to tell me I was right for leaving the LDS church behind long ago. He apologized for his cold, hostile behavior toward me all those years for doing so. Nobody told him to. We are to act like Christ, after all. That includes behing honest about our former actions and doing as much as we can down here to make things right. Action speaks louder than words. If you knew my hard, proud dad, you would know without doubt... something... changed his life. Trust me.

You believe what you think you should, and I will believe as I must. At least you are not a hypocrite, claiming you are Christian while wondering if you are--or assuming. So yes I do understand the ongoing theme of the Bible. Love.

Peace.

More puzzling to me than the inconsistencies in the Biblical stories when examined by human standards which plainly will be different from those of God assuming I am right and there is one. Is why someone who does not believe should waste his/her life trying to prove to us that we are wrong. Why not just admit that nothing you can say or do will change the fact that i am right and you are wrong even if only in my eyes. Peace be with you.