Why do people take the Bible as the word of God when it has been changed so much over the centuries?

Question

Especially the King James version. And when it was, in fact, written by mere men? In most cases, it was written hundreds of years after the events described took place.

I suppose faith requires one to just accept things as fact and leaves no room for questions or discovery.

And what of the books that were omitted from the version of the bible we see today?

can we get some answers from people who aren't as devout maybe? I'm sensing some anger here. Not like it's subtle or anything. :P

Answer 1

The Bible was, in fact, written by men. Not only that, it was translated, edited, translated again, revised, edited some more... by men. And then you go to church, and it's interpreted by men (and women). To me, it's OK to ask questions and discover that maybe, just MAYBE, there's something more to the story than what we are told in the Bible.

Answer 2

While the King James Version, the Bible of most Protestant churches, is one example of a Bible that changed since it removed certain OT books and in a few cases shorted some remaining the Bible used by the Catholic church has remained the same since the 300s. The biggest difference that occured over the years regarding the Bible would be updating its language. Nevertheless the message remains the same in any language regardless of the wording.

Their is no question the Bible was written by men, we even know the book of Genesis isn't even the oldest book. What we have today are a series of sacred writtings complied into a traditional order, or chapter. Most people who read the new testament realize the Letters were the first "books" written. Later Gospels, Acts and Revelations were composed.

Nevertheless for the faithful the Bible represents a timeless morality lesson even if they know how old the books are.

Answer 3

Your question is the problem.
1a. It hasn't been changed much over the centuries.
1b. Newer translations rely on more prolific and older manuscripts, and are therefore more reliable.

2a. You are assuming it was written by "mere men." The Bible offers a different account of its origins.

3a. It was not written hundreds of years after the events took place "in most cases." Some books were written long after, some were written shortly thereafter.

4a. Faith does not require "accept[ing] things as fact and leav[ing] no room for questions or discovery." You don't understand the basic nature of faith.

You have obviously heard some comments from your college professor, but taken little time to actually investigate those questions. How about you ask a few different questions, like, "Has the Bible changed over the centuries?" "Was the Bible written by mere men?" "Was it written hundreds of years after the events described took place?" "What is the nature of faith?"

Answer 4

You should investigate the facts on this a little more. The Bible is the best documented piece of ancient literature known to date. And it's amazing how little it has changed over the years, no matter what language the translation is in (Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, etc.). The Gospels in the New Testament were written by the Apostles (who knew Jesus) or by men who knew the Apostles.

The King James Version has changed so much because of original errors or changes in English. Pity, those guys could really turn a phrase.

Answer 5

Not all the books of the Bible were written 100s of years after the events happened, especially the New Testament. The New Testament was written within 30 years of the events happening; that way they would be accurate and people would still be able to give accounts of the events that happened.

Even though words may have changed, the concept still remains the same. Yes it was written by men, but God spoke to the men who then wrote it down. That way, it is more believable if people write it down (as apposed to Joseph Smith who received Golden Tablets and started the Mormon faith).

Answer 6

If you spend time really comparing the difference between one translation and another there is not a lot of difference in ultimate meaning. Also this is reason here are resources like strongs numbers which take the original Hebrew and Greek and assign them numbers so you can compare the word translated in context to the meaning of the original Hebrew or Greek word.

As far as your concern of it written hundreds of years after the events, aren't there countless history text books written hundreds or thousands of years after the events they discuss?

In address in the fact the bible was written by man, yes men wrote down the words but Christians believe every word of the bible was inspired by God.

Answer 7

The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God's acts in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12.)

Look at these examples of Bible prophesy:
A. Four world empires to arise: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Daniel chapters 2, 7, 8).
B. Cyrus to be the warrior to capture Babylon (Isaiah 45:1-3).
C. After Babylon's destruction, it would never be inhabited again (Isaiah 13:19, 20; Jeremiah 51:37).
D. Egypt would never again have a commanding position among the nations (Ezekiel 29:14, 15; 30:12, 13).
E. Earth-shaking calamities and fear toward the end of time (Luke 21:25, 26).
F. Moral degeneracy and decline of spirituality in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Answer 8

The more you study the bible the more you are amazed at how wonderful the different books written by different men harmonize,. It provide evidence that none of it could have been done except by men inspired by the exact same spirit. God has always planned on using men to accomplish his goals. Humanity was always to play a big part in saving humanity, not just sitting to the side letting God do al the work.

You assumption about faith needs correcting by the way. Its lack of faith that leaves no room for questions, discovery, or possibilities

Answer 9

Don't forget that king james was a catholic with an agenda to fulfill that's why I don't like the whole religion thing of following blindly but to your answer only the versions are perverted some can still get their hands on original Aramaic text or at least take a concordance and find the Hebrew meaning of the words, tons of knowledge can be found this way as a matter of fact its a lot more interesting all be it more work. If you did this you would also know that not once in the scripture does the creator refer to himself as a god,but says not to worship gods,goddess,deity,lords,etc.So my conclusion is that people A-worship god blindly and ignorantly or B-know the difference and still choose to not follow the laws

Answer 10

I know you're just trying to stir things up.... :)

Actually, there are lots of translations out there that vary a bit, but the meaning is always the same when accurately transcribed from the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. And no, those original manuscripts haven't changed a bit... That's why tens of thousands of copies dating back to the 200's found on three different copies are so valuable! They prove that we still have the real thing!

Answer 11

Which books are you speaking of.The Gnostic's writings were not in accordance with the old or new testament,they are considered to be less than accurate.
Maybe the book of Enoch,it's origins were doubtful and many things did not correlate with the other histories,it was how ever well read and even quoted in early Christianity.Are there some others?