Would you read a book that shows that the Bible is heavily flawed? Just to see another point of view?

Answer 1

Yes, I'm reading one now, it's called "Misquoting Jesus" by Ehrman. It is interesting - he explains how the bible manuscripts have been changed through the centuries by scribes who either made mistakes, or even willfully changed certain passages.

It is a fascinating book from a book history standpoint. Ehrman ignores some obvious facts, though.

For one, when Paul and John and whomever wrote the gospels and letters, etc., it was taken for granted that things would get changed around as the letters circulated. That was just a fact of life in publishing in ancient times. That fact didn't seem to bother them, nor did it bother other ancient writers. It was just an accepted fact of publishing at the time. Ehrman doesn't seem to control for this - although I haven't finished the book - maybe he'll address that issue by the end of the book.

Ehrman also concedes that while there have been a lot of changes handed down through the centuries, not many of them are devestating to the basic tenets of Judiasm or Christianity. But his question, and a valid one I suppose, is that if it's been changed so much, how can we be sure of ANY of it? Well, that fact holds true for ANY ancient work, and really any work copied before the advent of the printing press.

I suppose if God were overly concerned about it, he would have waited to reveal the gospel until the printing press had been invented, or caused someone to invent it thousands of years ago.

One thing I find amusing is that Ehrman's book itself contains a number of typos and misplaced lines between pages. Nothing to ruin the book, but considering its subject matter, I found it ironic.

Good book though - pretty well written, although I am also reading "His Excellency" by Joseph Ellis, so I'm comparing the two writers, probably unfairly. It's about George Washington, and it is FASCINATING and excellently written. (Ellis also wrote "Founding Brothers".)

Love, Jack

Answer 2

It depends what you mean by "flawed". I view the Old Testament as a historical narrative of the Israelites - one that weaves history, culture, and storytelling together and works God into the narrative - similar to The Illiad. The New Testament comprises several narratives on Jesus' ministry and various letters that circulated in the 60 years or so after Jesus' death. So in that sense, the Bible can't really be "flawed", it is what it is.

I think what's flawed is the mindset of those who want to take it "literally".

So, a book purporting to point out flaws would only make sense if it were aimed at those who take it literally, and most of them have been drinking the Kool-aid too long to consider other viewpoints. I think a better book would be one that addresses flawed thinking regarding what the Bible is.

Answer 3

That's right, the bible is not flawed. NOT flawed, I tell, ya! It don't matter what kind of contradictions or facts you point out, the bible is NOT FLAWED cause I don't want it to be! Nope. And I can get my priest to interpret any verse in the bible to mean anything he pleases, so those contradictions you found, and those facts... shove em, they're all lies CAUSE THE BIBLE IS 100% TRUE!!!!!
(Seriously, what's the point?)

Answer 4

Only a person who thinks the bible is flawed would write a book to substantiate that claim.

Answer 5

If you (or anybody else) could come up with a single Bible contradiction, I'd listen to it. I do try to listen to other points of view. However, just because somebody has a point of view doesn't make it right; not every person or every religion can be right.

Answer 6

I've read a few. the problem with a lot of anti-Biblical, and anti-(insert religion here) literature is it's frequently more biased and argumentative than helpful. These books tend to read like angry rants without really making a valid, serious argument that is based in verifiable data.
If you know of one that's not a hate-filled rant, I'll give it a shot, but I'm pretty leery anymore.

Answer 7

No, because it is not worth my time and I know that It would be false. What are said to be ''flaws'' in the Bible are only things that we humans don't have the capacity to understand.

Answer 8

I would read the book, but probably to see how that book is flawed.

Answer 9

Like the bible, for example?

Answer 10

If I care about the truth I should but if I prefer blind faith I will not. After all God will account us according to our superior brains that He provided us with to use not to put on the shelf.

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