Could the Bible not just be the work of simple minds?

Question

In some remote jungles of the world, you will find tribes that have rarely (if ever) seen a human being from a different race. They’ve never seen technology. Things like radios, cameras, mobile phones, guns, aeroplanes would be mind boggling to them, so much so, they would probably think you were from out of this world.

There’s a good chance such people would think of you as some type of God, or others would be threatened by your presence, string you up, and stick spears into you until you were dead. Fortunately for you, you may not be dead, and others in your exploration group could revive you, heal you, and within 3 days you’re on your way again.

Years later, how do you think those simple minded tribes will explain what happened, and what will their story sound like in 2000 years time? What do you think really happened 2000 years ago? Could the Bible not just be the work of simple minds?

Answer 1

The Bible, which is the most printed and reprinted book ever, is an ever changing book. You have the beginning, which were oral stories handed down from generation to generation, about the history of the world, according to how those generations had heard it and believed it to be true. Then it went from oral to etchings on stone, and then went to written scrolls. That was long before 2000 years ago though. 2000 years ago was the time that Yehosua (Joshua, but later, through transliterations from different languages ended up becoming Jesus) walked the Earth. The actual oral Bible and carvings on stone tablets and then scrolls were long before Yehosua walked the Earth.

To this day, different Bibles have different meanings-- all basically the same message, but different meanings. One can say "Ye Hath" while the next one says "You Have" and the third says "We Have". Through time, and depending on which religious denomination a person visits, they will have numerous versions of the same texts.

I studied "Bible as Literature" for a semester at the University that I attend, and the first day, everyone showed up with their own personal Bibles. There were several versions and some had verses that were much different than other versions.

Then you must consider the King James Version of the Bible, which is one of the most common versions of the Bible. It was commissioned by King James, as a way to allow those who do not speak Latin (I believe that was the language) to have the Bible. The Bible was basically re-translated for the "common folk" and in it, King James asked that certain key points be emphasized. So as they would transcribe the Bible, they would add a word here or there to help emphasize the point-- as we all know, in doing so, you can really change the meaning of a sentence.

The history of the Bible is interesting, but although the Bible may have been written by "simple minds", it was history orally passed down that went into making the Bible, and so you can really get a sense of customs, traditions, languages, etc. if you actually see the Bible as not just a religious item, but as Literature.

But most important, we must see the Bible as not a religious item to be worshipped, but rather we must see it as a guideline. Do I believe this person or that person walked on water, or was healed instantly? Maybe not, BUT I do know that the Commandments (and there are something like 632 Commandments/rules in the Old Testament) all seem to be written as common sense and common decency. Respect your parents, eat foods that are good for you, remember God at all times (putting part of scripture on the doorposts of your home), resting on the Sabbath, etc. (I often wonder, why some religions ask for forgiveness and give prayer requests on the "day of rest" when we know that God set that day aside to rest and cease labor-- yet we expect God to work on that day of rest, by handling our prayer requests, etc.).. Alot of current traditions lack common sense, and common sense is what the Bible is all about.

I could go on about religion, (such as how most Christian practices all have Pagan origins, like Christmas, Easter, etc.) but I won't. The point is to answer your question-- the Bible could just be the work of simple minds, but the actual "story line" and "plot" and "themes" of the Bible have to be from more than just a simple mind.

Answer 2

So the Bible was written by a cargo cult people?

Not really a very profound thesis, if you want the truth.

It's not consistent w/ the explicit claims of the Bible, nor w/ the sophistication of the texts. The philosophy of Ecclesiaties and Proverbs; the passion of Job; the laws of Deuteronomy...all profound.* Even moreso for "simple minds".

That doesn't even include the ex nihilo creation story, which happens to match well w/ modern science...at least according to Penzias.

Maybe you should read CS Lewis' book, Miracles. It will explain much about this topic.

*Lest I forget, the romance of Ruth, the poetry of the Psalms and Isaiah, the accuracy of Nehemiah. A stunning collection of books if you actually read them.

Answer 3

I really think that 2000 years ago God come to the earth in human form to save us from ourselves. And here is why.

Psalm 116:1-2 "I love the Lord, for he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live"

My husband and I were married for 9 years, we always believed in God but never went to Church or practiced our faith. We wanted to be parents very badly and for 9 years we never conceived. We looked into adoption and we looked into INVETRO nothing felt right. We finally one night prayed "Lord, we want to be parents, please show us what we must do." I was pregnant within the month.

This is just one of the examples of how my life has been touched by GOD.

I believe in the power of prayer and I always will even in 2000 more years.

Answer 4

Oh, no...the Bible is the product of brilliant minds.

Brilliant, twisted, sadistic minds.

Answer 5

If only we could all be as smart as you.