Do you believe the Bible to be absolute truth or absolute fiction?

Question

Or somewhere in between?

Answer 1

Definitely somewhere in between, but generally, leaning more towards fiction.
I am atheist and I can still see that the bible contains primitive mans words and therefore something to learn from. Even if its to learn what not to do. Its a part of mankinds history. It still has decent wisdom in it. The bible is not one book it is a collection of many individual books by many different writers.

Ecclesiastes is a good book to read and proverbs also. To learn about some peoples thoughts in the past and see how far we havent come is positive. There is still some history in the bible (though much is dubious). The book itself is a part of history as the Quran is also and the Baghadavita (my spelling sux I know). Its not like the bible writers had all their information in total disarray.
So definitely somewhere in between but generally leaning more towards fiction.

Answer 2

Any undertaking is achievable, notwithstanding we've chanced on information to assist that the fairly some human beings, places and activities have been in all probability actual. yet that doesn't propose that the memories weren't decorated and sensationalized. And there are some memories that have been stolen from different historical non secular texts, like the Epic of Gilgamesh only approximately verbatim. consequently, i think of of the Bible as historic fiction. Nova did a great particular in this. (see link below) They confirmed how memories like the Exodus, only did not take place the way the Bible claims it does. according to probability there have been people who left the bondage of Egypt, yet not interior the numbers the Bible claims. they are able to finding no information of a hundred,000 + human beings roaming the wasteland. There may well be if a team that great did so. yet they have chanced on issues that look to assist the existence of figures like style David. So collectively as i don't have confidence the miracles and stunning myths contained in that's pages, that's nonetheless a effectual historic textual content fabric.

Answer 3

I love these answers: TRUTH! FICTION! FACT! LIES!

In reality, the Bible is a group of books and letters written by men to explain the world around them. Some of it is absolutely true: the books of Kings explain the factual events of Israelite history. Some of it is absolutely opinion: Paul admits that his letters are his opinion. He's a smart guy, but this words are strictly his opinion, not the word of God. Some of it is absolutely myth: the events of Genesis did not actually happen. True story.

The beauty of the Bible is that if you admit that it is a human document written by humans (mostly Jews), then you can start to appreciate the human genius behind some of its ideas. You can also appreciate its very evident failings. But that's OK. No human is perfect, after all.

Answer 4

It's not ABSOLUTE fiction because it refers to real people who really existed, and certain real events. However, if we take the MAJOR events of the Bible - creation, the ark, the miracles - then they're hugely fiction - and the significance of those events matters. Jesus existed, so did Herod, but Mary wasn't a virgin, Lot's wife didn't turn into a pillar of salt and Lazarus didn't rise from the dead. So it's mostly fiction because the scale of the fiction is so outrageous in parts. Other bits we just can't know about. So somewhere in between, mostly fiction though.

Answer 5

Your question assumes that there is no other position then the ones you list. I disagree. There is (at least) a third position which holds that the Bible is the truth of God revealed through man which must be understood in light of its original context.

What this means is that the truths held in the Bible should be understood not as a scientist would understand a math book. Nor should it be looked at the way a fundamentalist preacher looks at it (in the sense that it has been literally "penned" by God).

Rather the truths should be taken for what they are. Sometimes this means an allegory (such as the creation narratives of Genesis), sometimes they are songs (the Psalms), sometimes they are poetry (Song of Solomon). Each needs to be understood in the way it is presented and within the historical context that it is presented in.

In other words we need to understand the Bible for what IT has to say not what we WANT it to say.

Answer 6

it is in my opinion hearsay and myth and truth. Christians pick and choose what to believe and what to ignore. they advocate no sex before marriage but condemn stoning a child for disobedience. they deny the possibility of any other interpretation than their own but laugh at the Amish who exemplify the "live in the world but not of it" concept. most of the Christian women wear pants and make-up and jewelery even though the new testament frowns upon it.
I believe that there are some intrinsic truths in every religious text

Answer 7

Whether it's truth,fiction or in between it will never affect my relationship with God. The bible is not what draws you to him or make you believe. It's his presence.

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Answer 8

The Bible has some things that are true in it. Like references to actual places. But for the most part it is just story telling based in large part off of prior myths.

Answer 9

It IS absolute truth. The bible actually proves all science true or false.
What is Truth?

Answer 10

Somewhwre in between.

Historically, it has some merit. SOME merit I said..... But about being the word of God and being innerrant and the absolute truth? 100% false.