Random Christian "Truths" That Aren't Actually in the Bible (15 items)

• 

  (#12) God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

  Though often widely mistaken for a Bible verse, this saying was actually popularized by Benjamin Franklin when he quoted it in Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757. The phrase apparently goes back even further, with its first known usage originating in a 1698 article called "Discourses Concerning Government" by Algernon Sydney.

  Not only does the phrase never appear in the Bible however, it's actually contradicted by quite a few verses in which God is said to help the helpless, such as the Beatitudes, Isaiah 25:4, and Romans 5:6.
  
• 

  (#8) The Term "Immaculate Conception" Refers to Jesus's Virgin Birth

  The two are actually separate things. The Virgin Birth refers to the fact that Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb without the presence of a human father. The Immaculate Conception refers to the idea that Mary was free of original sin when she was herself conceived.
• 

  (#2) Satan Tempted Eve to Eat an Apple in the Garden of Eden

  Though the imagery of Eve falling victim to the lure of the serpent and the tasty apple he enticed her to sample is almost universally familiar, the Bible never actually specifies that the fruit was an apple. In fact, Genesis 1:29 actually provides evidence that it certainly wasn't. In the passage, God specifies that it's cool for Adam and Eve to eat from any fruit that bears seeds.

  Although the wily serpent behind Eve's downfall is often assumed to be the devil in disguise, the Bible never actually suggests this in any way, either. Many have read into the symbolisim, but for all we know it could've just been a super crafty snake who was randomly capable of speech.
  
• 

  (#5) Jesus Was Born in a Stable

  Only two Biblical writers, Matthew and Luke, mention Jesus's birth and neither of them ever actually specify that he was born in a stable. All we really know is that when the time came for Mary to give birth, which for all we know could've been weeks after the couple actually arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room in "kataluma" - a word often translated to mean "inn," but which more likely means "guest room."
   
  We do know Mary laid the baby Jesus in a manger, but in 1st century Judea mangers were everywhere. They could be found on the street, in the courtyards of larger homes, and even inside the first floors of some houses - where animals were sometimes brought inside at night for warmth.
  
• 

  (#14) Jesus Drank from the Holy Grail at the Last Supper

  Although scripture does mention in passing that Jesus drank from a cup at the Last Supper, there is nothing at all to indicate that said cup was in any way holy or even remained in the possession of any of Jesus's followers. 

  Most of the lore attached to what would become known as the "Holy Grail" was invented as a plot device for use in the legends of King Arthur. The Grail's earliest recorded mention occurs in an unfinished romance entitled, "Perceval, the story of the Grail" by 12th Century French poet, Chrétien de Troyes. In its earliest forms however, the Grail was not a cup but a serving tray. Throughout the years it would also appear in other legendary incarnations ranging from a plate used to catch Christ's blood during the crucifixion to a precious stone that fell from the sky.
• 

  (#13) This Too Shall Pass

  Though popularly believed to be a Bible verse and sometimes argued to have originated with King Solomon, this phrase never actually appears in any translation of the Bible. Though we may never know for sure who first uttered the now famous phrase, one of the earliest recorded instances of its use goes back to a proverb recorded by the Medieval Persian Sufi poet, Attar of Nishapur.

  The story tells of ancient Middle Eastern King who had such intense mood swings that he finally asked for the help of a group of wise men to help him get a grip and find balance. The wise men went away to ponder how they might best help the angsty king and when they returned they presented him with ring.

  The ring, they explained, had a phrase engraved on it that would bring him happiness when he was sad and could even balance his times of extreme happiness with a little bit of sadness, thus keeping him at a sort of perpetual emotional middle ground. Upon examining the ring, the King found it engraved with the words "This Too Shall Pass."
  

New Random Displays    Display All By Ranking