Why do people claim the bible is older than it is?

Question

Anyone can look it up on the internet and the general consensus among science is that that oldest scripture from the Old Testament was written down around 980 BC. I realize that it tells of stories that happened earlier than then. But this is the oldest documented version we have. There are plenty of other ancient writings that are older than that and tell of some of the same stories and creation.

The Exodus supposedly happened around 1300 BC so how could it have been written by Moses when it even tells of his death.

Before you start telling that I am wrong or quoting bible verses, back it up with the name of an Anthropologist, the date he claims and website.

I don't think that I am confusing anything. I stated oldest written down copy. the rest is just he said she said and proves nothing.

Answer 1

The book of moses is about moses, not by moses.

I agree with what you are saying, in general.

As to your question, people who are uneducated about history misinterpret the bible on a daily and ongoing basis.

The power of the bible, for me, is not diminished by it's being dated only 3000 years ago.

Answer 2

What you’ve said isn’t bizarre at all, and from what I tell seems to be the general consensus, so there's little to argue about.

People who think the Bible just arrived in “finished form” and also was always in written format just haven’t bothered to research the topic.

From the earliest days, the Torah and other material was passed down orally, since the people were nomadic and a written history was simply not feasible. Much of the text is structured in such a way (I think it’s called “chiasm,” using parallel phrasing, etc.) as to make it easier to memorize. Much of Genesis seems to be cultural stories woven together; later book seem more historical; but there are various types of books (poetry, history, wisdom, etc.), not just a straight chronological account.

Eventually the Torah was written out. This is attributed to Moses, but who knows? (We know he was part of Pharaoh’s court, so he had the right education and training, but beyond that?) Regardless, obviously the disclaimer over Moses’ death was added by someone else who admired him. (Which I think is fine and doesn’t discredit the scripture in any way.)

Having the oldest scripture date to about 1300BC doesn't say anything about the accuracy of the contents, it just marks the point at which we lose track of any written record. We do know from the dead sea scrolls that the material we have now in our Bible matches what existed at the time of Christ.

Overall, I think much of the arguing that happens nowadays in the general culture over the “validity” of the scripture seems to be over claims that were not accurate in the first place. Looking at it as what it is, one can take the scripture on its own terms.

Answer 3

Please dont take this reply as written with disrespect or anger or in debate-argue mode lol It is just my personal reply to what you said with no negative emotions at all...

In the first sentence four words you used are what throw up red flags...
Word #1- internet
Words #2 & 3 - general consensus
Word #4- science

Degrees do not make anyone perfect- experts can be mistaken, as they have been numerous times!

I am a Certified Ordained Minister...do you know how I got that degree? I filled out a short form online and now by LAW, I am certified to mionister. Doesn't take much. I dont tell too many people that, because I got that certification while involved with the new age movement...I have since been shown truth and experienced things to take me from that. But point it, degrees do not make facts.

I have been wrong, even when I was 100% sure I was right.
I did photography for over 10 years- that doesn't mean every photo I took was flawless...
The problem here is giving man-proclaimed experts the value of perfection and the Word of God is taken away.

The only evidence that is reliable is the evidence that we witness directlyOnly when it deals with debating evolution do I worry about dates.
Man made dates, but God made man.
I know you probably dont like my reply, but, the Bible 's Word, God's Words, have proven themselves to me in my life 100%.
The Scriptures have been already proven to be authentic and accurate in the fields of science, medicine, history, archeology...
But for every fact, no matter who p-resents it, there wil be someone out there to try and disprove it.
In the Bible, it states it perfectly: were you there? So how do you know? You have to go off man's words...The Bible says it is the words of God, only written by man...and when I began following it, my life became 110% awesome! I became a better mother, wife, woman, daughter, sibing, worker, etc...And I'm not the only one who says this.
What will anyone gain by believeing thoise whose main goal is to disprove hope?
.
But if proof for you is what others say on the internet, I'll send you to this site, where he offers $250,000 for anyone who can disprove his facts:
http://www.drdino.com

Also read:
How We Got the Bible, by Ralph Earle

And I'll end with words of wisdom...
In Job 4, God asks Job: "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?"
Point being, none of us were there, and that is where faith comes in.

Answer 4

Can it be the Internet is wrong? The Torah was written by Moses. The book of Job is older than the Torah.

Half of the Torah was regarding the building of the tabernacle, the laws regarding feasts, dietary, sanitation, and sacrificial laws. What, they didn't write it down until the 5th century!? Were the ten commandments written by God later as well?

Answer 5

Hi Its me, you have a good open spirit.

Re Bible look at this the Oahspe
http://www.angelfire.com/in2/oahspe3/oindex.html
Tells you all you need to know

Also the Oahspe has The red star (planet X) in it
and about all the false gods that run the religions
Wish oh how i wish planet X was not here but it is
2009 may be or 2010 for the poleturn

Answer 6

You are confusing the oldest known copy to what may have preceded it including oral traditions. All we and science can say is that we just don't have a copy that is any older.

The same thing applies to Homer and the Iliad. The oral tradition is probably much older than the oldest copy we have.

Answer 7

If you think about it most of the stories of the Bible were passed down orally until they were everntually written down. Do you thinkg the Egyptians would have allowed their slaves to educated and learn to read and write?

Answer 8

Agreed. The bible is an extremely young book when put in context with the age of man. It therefore makes a God completely unneccessary.

Answer 9

I don't the bible is a mystery apon a mystery Anthropologist?
you should so be getting your advice from Archaeologist

Answer 10

I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.
MAYBE YOU ARE RIGHT , I DON'T REALLY KNOW BUT I DON'T QUESTION THE BIBLE BECAUSE MEN WILL ALL GIVE CONTRADITING ANSWERS. ASK THE FATHER,HE KNOWS THE TRUTH