How can anyone call the Bible inerrant, or God just and kind?

Question

The Lord orders the stoning of a man who picked up sticks on the Sabbath - Numbers 15:32-36
Donkeys talk to their mastersNumbers 22:21-30
Moses orders the slaughter of mothers & children and the enslavement of 32,000 virgins as prostitutes- Numbers 31
Moses encourages pedophilia- Numbers 31:18
The Lord orders the slaughter of "every living thing" in the promised lands to allow the Jews to reside there - Deuteronomy 20:16
A virgin who is raped must marry her rapist - Deuteronomy 22:28-29
The Lord will cause other men to sleep with your wife if you disobey Him - Deuteronomy 28:15,30
Cannibalism is approved of - Deuteronomy 28:53 II Kings 6:29
David, God's chosen, kills 200 Philistines in order to collect their foreskins as tribute to marry the King's daughter - I Samuel 18:27
God seriously abuses a devout believer and kills his children on a dare from Satan - Job
"Happy be the one who dashes your little ones against the stones..." - Psalms 137:9

Hey folks, I have read the Bible, but thanks anyway for the suggestions. For you who are really interested in seeing another side of the issue, I recommend Why I Am Not A Christian, by Bertrand Russell (Unless you are too insecure in your own faith to have your beliefs questioned.)

Antiquecardboard, this was my favorite quote from your site - "Atheists on the other hand (I believe) have to accept that the main points in all religions are one big mistake (i.e. a supreme being, absolute morality, truth, etc...)." You are right, but we atheists already do accept that premise. Now if everyone else could accept this, we'd live in a better world.

Answer 1

This may sound cliche'd but you are doing what is refered to as proof texting. In other words you are taking things out of context or completly misinterpetting them. For example the verses you cited about cannibalism: it is not being approved of but rather, in Deuteronomy, is proclaimed as a curse for disobeying God and then in II Kings this curse is fullfilled when the Jews are starving and resort to eating their own children. Cannibalism was a punishment from God.

I am very glad you are asking these questions. You are actually putting time into figuring out the truth. I can totally see you disgust for the Bible and Christianty. It is a complicated religion. If you ever are bored I would recommend reading "Mere Christianty" by C.S. Lewis. A very facinating analysis of the christian faith. If anything it will give you a better view into the mind of a christian and help you to counter their seemingly baseless arguments. Best the luck to you.

Answer 2

The bible is a decision of significant thoughts for awareness the user-friendly philosophy of christianity. it relatively is no longer the tip all and be all of Christian concept as many religious sects would carry approximately have confidence. the main definitive bibles are per a greek textual content fabric. in certainty the greeks during the neo-platonists (plotinus) with the aid of way of St. Augustine formed many of the concept finally became generic as Christian. look on the Enneads the Mackenna translation is a sturdy examine and maximum folk familiar with biblical and non secular teachings will comprehend some stunning similarities.

Answer 3

You have raised a serious question. One which would have gotten you killed just 200 years ago or would now if you were muslim and islam was the religion you were talking about.
That more people have died under christianity than any other religion is true. The bible as you quoted should make even the most faithful sick, but people have been conditioned to beleive to avoid hell and tha tis the root of the problem.

Answer 4

If you are asking this question because you are genuinely wanting the answer then you will find that you will need to do more than your initial surface reading. The Bible is not an easy read and it would be in your best interest to find someone to help you in your study of this question and any other that you have. A prayerful study of the Bible will actually reveal the Creator to you. Be careful in your quest for such help and make sure that they teach you from the Bible and not their own religious dogma i.e. man-made teachings and or philosophies. In fact, if its your earnest desire to really understand and know God, ask Him to help you with that and then be alert to anyone who offers to help you with that. God hasn't changed - He still uses others to do His will. And that will is "that all sorts of men be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth."

Answer 5

The Old testament shows the way God had to look upon a sinful and unforgiven world. A world that could only exist on the outskirts of Hell and only because the Jewish people were the Chosen ones.

Initially, the Jews thought that Jesus would be a powerful conqueror. How could he not be. All The Lord did for them up to that point was to help them conquer to survive. He would be the all powerful, dreadfully fierce God wou turns people to salt on sight, nukes cities and floods worlds.

The idea of a kind and just God comes in the New Testament, after Jesus forgave us of our sins. His coming as a forgiver and not a warrior practically changed God. Because we can be forgiven, we don't need to be l;ooked upon with so much wrath anymore. We're forgiven. Instead of being one step away from Hell, we're actually one step away from Heaven. And that so called "merciless" God actually suffered himself to bring about this change.
So it turns out that the Old Testament only knew so much about who God really is, and now we know so much more. That HE IS just and kind.

Answer 6

Because those that do are too stupid to accept proven facts and rational thought. Theirs is a world of truthiness where they feel safe and will not accept the idea of telling them that their fabled "God" does not exist at all. I, unlike those people, live in the real world, where I live my life by my own free will, not the will of some mythical creation. In my opinion, the greatest mistake humanity ever made was to live under a God. Look at all the problems that has caused, including the conflict in the Middle East.

Answer 7

Because your question's is so voluminous, I'm going to give you a general answer and it sounds like your mind is made up, but this is for the benefit of other people reading this question....You took everyone of those scriptures out of context...I answered a question similar to this last night which was basically "God-bashing"....but at least the guy only put out 4 scriptures and I was easily able to dispense with him....I, nor God have anything to prove to you....God DOES punish people who blatently disobey HIM and enemies of his Chosen, i.e. the Jews whether YOU like it or not. God IS a loving God, but like any parent, WILL punish and just being a child, woman, or elderly person does NOT qualify you as "innocent"....If you are a member of an evil society and participate in the culture thereof, you are just as guilty as it's armed soldiers. All the violence God allows, WE BRING ON OURSELVES....simple as that....take it or leave it....if your choice is to stand in judgement of God, hon, YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET....hopefully you will come to your senses in time....I wish people like you could open your eyes before it's too late....I want you to find peace in the Salvation of Jesus Christ and hope someone you know or will meet will find a way to make you understand the meaning of the Love of the True God and stop blinding you by Satan's lies, because right now he has you by the throat....I do pray for you and love you as Christ loved those who rejected Him†

Answer 8

Well considering God can do anything like create the universe.... I think He can make a donkey talk. Its called a miracle.. you know those special things that happen everyday, which you probably never see, but I have seen plenty. (not that one though) And God never does anything unjustly. If you actually read the Bible you will see that it was MAN or if MAN did something first.

Finally, YOU WERENT QUOTING THE BIBLE! You added words and switched things around.... what type of person does that. What do you having nothing to do but try to look up verses, screw them up, and then try to convince people of stupid things? Give UP! God exists, He is perfect, and the Bible is without error. Except it

Answer 9

Maybe you should actually examine the Bible for yourself instead of going to those skeptics websites that only selectively quote the Bible to make it look bad, and most often take verses completely out of context.

Answer 10

Pretty scary stuff. The punishment for the smallest transgression is severe. That's why people appreciate what Jesus did. But even some of what Jesus said was scary.