I asked about accepting the Bible as a Historical or Literary book and everyone acts like I'm trying to cram religion down their throat when I wasn't. I was simply asking instead of caling it a fairy tale, to accept it as a history book or literature book, since it has significance in both fields and been proven in history. I had no Religious matter in mind, wasn't asking anyone to convert, or accept God or Christianity. It was like I asked about apples and you answered with oranges, It wasn't a Spiritual answer I was looking for. I was asking about a BOOK. Answer about a book, when asked about a book, answer about religion when asked about religion.
2006-09-20 17:45:33 · 19 answers · asked by creeklops 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The bible is unbelievably historically accurate. That's why alot of people don't believe in prophecy contained in it. They think it is too accurate and must have been written after the fact. That is a matter of faith, but as regards your question, the bible is definitely a very reliable history book.
Just one of many events that the bible describes, that have been held up through archaeology.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyrian_Siege_of_Jerusalem
Ther are plenty more for people williing to look.
2006-09-20 17:50:15 · answer #1 · answered by No More No Less 3 · 4⤊ 3⤋
You talk about that Book from the point of view of faith and that is why you see it as a real historical book but for someone who does not believe or is not christian (has not been brainwashed with cristian doctrines) this book does not seem to have any value. I like many parts of the Bible especially when it illustrates good character and good behaviour but there are parts which if you take them literary do not make much sense; eg the armagedon, the end of the world with beasts and stuff like that makes it look like a fairy tale and a non fiction book, nothing to do with reality. Did you know that the jews were expecting Jesus or the Mesias to come in a spectacular manner too and yet he was born like anybody else and after he died nothing happened. Nothing really changed for the Jews in Israel or for the world, for the christians everything had happened but for the jews nothing changed and that is why they are still waiting for the Mesias. So it is a matter of belief.
2006-09-20 17:59:25 · answer #2 · answered by Incredula c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard for everybody.
We so often get enamored with the vehicle and forget to note the content being delivered.
Just look at any new technology. We are amazed at the new steamboat chugging up the Mississippi River and don't realize that trade has been revolutionized.
We are in awe of the new web pages, blogs, cellphones and iPods and barely nod to the content being delivered.
Content is what it's all about -- not the vehicle that delivers it. I want the food in the truck, I don't care about the truck.
Same is true with your question -- most people are focused in on the vehicle (the Bible) rather than the content (God's Word). They gnash their teeth if you ripped one up -- but it's just paper with ink on it.
The moment the Bible as book becomes so sacred that it's a symbol like a flag or the cross or a statue of Mary or a statue of a Golden Calf -- this it is idolatry.
But, give us poor Christian's a break -- these are trying times to be spiritual and religious. Trying to follow a path with a lot of people just bashing on the entire religion while they respect Buddhism and Zen and other belief systems is .... (sigh) a difficult path.
We need nice people in our lives too.
2006-09-20 18:32:34 · answer #3 · answered by wrathofkublakhan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, I don't think I saw your first question.
The bible is [so far] about a strong 7 on the scale of historical accuracy (As far as can be proven with archeology, people!)
This means that while there are a few inacuracies, the bible is a pretty good historical document- better than most -by the scientific community.
Literature? I do't care for it much as a piece of literature myself.
Mythological? Perhaps the single most important mythological text ever. If you haven't studied mythology, don't even think about responding, because you'll probably misconstrue the very meaning of the word "myth." (Almost without exception, myths are based at least in part upon factual events. Some myths are almost completey factual.) So don't anybody start ripping on ME now...
2006-09-20 17:57:12 · answer #4 · answered by Jerry 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"The Bible" is for those of The Church of which Jesus The Christ is The Head. It is not a history book or just a "work of literature". It has nothing in it for one who is not of The Faith of The Church. While there are varifialble historical things recorded in The Bible that is not it's purpose...nor is it a guide to any "lifestyle" other than The True Christian Faith. No one not of TheFaith wll find anything for them in The Bible of The True Christian Faith...It is not a book of law to apply to others who do not know it for what it Truly is...If you are not looking for "Spiritual answers" then do not look in The Bible.
2006-09-20 17:57:06 · answer #5 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People just reject all aspects of truth. They try to disproove the Bible. It's a touchy subject, because people feel strongly about the truth, and about the issues within. There is a great political religious debate going on. The Anti-God people are trying to lump modern day Christian evangelicals with the Islamic Fundamentalist terrorist groups. The Evangelicals are very bold, and enthusiastic about sharing the Gospel and getting the truth out, and some are haters too. There are plenty of haters to go around in every religious and political group. Plenty of ignorance, and immature people who have every belief.
I'm an Evangelical. The truth can't be wrapped up in a nice package. The truth is the truth, and it's condemning for some, because they are involved in great sin, or are just brainwashed, and fear that they have been wrong the whole time and are too proud to admit that they were wrong. Well... I admit that I was wrong when I doubted.
2006-09-20 17:51:45 · answer #6 · answered by The Bible (gives Hope) 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It's a master work of translation but that's all it is. It's not a factual account of history. For some reason, Christians seem to forget that the holy bible was NOT written in English and that the poems were passed down through the oral tradition.
2006-09-20 17:53:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you should read this:
2 Peter 3:2-4 (King James Version)
2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
It is sad but true.
2006-09-20 17:51:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
For those that dont believe that it is true read the following quote directly from the bible, from God Himself.
John 20
30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may[a] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
2006-09-20 17:55:46 · answer #9 · answered by papaofgirlmegan 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
People are so touchy because the bible contains something that no other book of history contains.
In it are the Words of God that convict us of sin. Lots of folks don't want to admit that they sin (as in broken any of the 10 commandments). Once we realize that we have sinned, it needs to be dealt with. - In other words some one has to pay the penalty for that sin. Jesus did that with His blood on the cross.
The bible is light that shines on our darkness. Some do not want the darkness exposed.
That is why people get so touchy.
2006-09-20 17:55:34 · answer #10 · answered by redeemed 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋