This ugly Lil piggy asks: Is the Bible a reliable source for any true knowledge?

Question

I used the New york Times method of phrasing the question at the 6th grade reading level. Hope it isn't too high concept for this crowd ( a very tough crowd I might add). I do learn...

As near as I can tell, teh King James version of the bible was written in Spencerian ( AKA Elisabethan) English. It is generally prefered by those who haven't a basic command of contemporary English, I find this odd,if not disturbing.

Answer 1

The old testament has proved useful in dating known events in ancient Egypt.

Answer 2

you cute li'l piggy there is lotsa good info in the Bible. Consider this in a discription of Heaven, written over 1800 yeras ago, it states that the gold was so pure it was clear. Not until late in the 20th century was man able to get gold pure enough to observe thie quality.

In giving instructions for circumcision the 8th days was prescribed as the right time to do it. In the 70's scientists figured out on this day in anyones life healing from a cut is at it's optimum potential over any other time in a persons life. There are a lot more things like this but I have very likely aggrevated you enough at this point.

TTFN.xxxooo

Answer 3

The KJV is at a six grade level...why not read it for yourself and find out...is piggy too illiterate to do the reading without a lot of outside opinion?
We can do without all the hammy condescending comments...
EDIT:
Well...there's always the pop-up Bible version for children that might be more appropriate for you, since the KJV disturbs you so much.....

Answer 4

Is any history book a reliable source for any true knowledge? Remember, history is usually one sided. As for insinuating we here at Y!A are not a bright bunch, you are way off the mark. Most people on this site are quite intelligent. They just don't waste time trying to make others look stupid.

Answer 5

Very much so. You would have to study and pray for understanding. To understand what will happen in the future you must look to the past. If you do not understadn the Old testament you won't understand the new testament.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.

Answer 6

sorry, even as an atheist, an out and motivated evangelizing atheist, I'm offended by the stupidity of your questions. The bible contains many true words, they are contained, granted, in the structure of a largely miss-informational book. You know there are also quite a few true-isms in "Alice in Wonderland" and "Harry Potter", doesn't mean it's a great place from which to derive your moral code of conduct.... .although Alice in Wonderland does get me thinking.

Answer 7

A source of knowledge? no a source of basic morale guidance yes, but the BASICs are the same in any religion be good and kind to each other. It's a shame the world can't grasp this idea.

Answer 8

I think the Bible is a relaible source for all ture knowledge.

With regards to the different translations it is a great resource to compare them all to get a clear picture of what God is saying because God breathed (inspired) it.

I like the phrasing of your question it is not as harsh as the way you have phrased other questions.

Bear in mind not all Athiest's (or agnostic's other religions) all have high IQ's as yours.

Answer 9

Lectio Divina is Latin for “spiritual reading” and represents an early monastic technique of prayer which continues in practice though less widely, intended to achieve communion with God as well as providing special spiritual insights and peace from that experience. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word.

History
Lectio Divina was first expressed in the year 220 AD. It was found that to read the Bible profitably it is necessary to do so with attention, consistency and prayer. The systematization of “spiritual reading” into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book entitled “The Monk’s Ladder” (Scala Claustralium) wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI stated, “This is the ladder by which the monks ascend from earth to heaven.”

Method
Lectio is typically practiced daily for one continuous hour. A selection from the Holy Scriptures is chosen ahead of time, often as a daily progression through a particular book of the Bible.

Time
Selecting a time for lectio divina is important. Typical methods are to pray for one hour in the morning, or to divide it into two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the evening. The key is to pre-select the time that will be devoted to the prayer, and to keep it. Using the same time every day leads to a daily habit of prayer that becomes highly effective.

Place
The place for prayer is to be free from distractions. This means it should be isolated from other people, telephones, visual distractions, etc. Some find a religious icon to be helpful. The same place should be used for lectio if possible, especially as one first begins to practice it. Familiarity with a location reduces the possibility of distraction away from the prayer. Some practitioners conduct other devotions, such as praying before the Catholic Eucharist, as a preparation for Lectio Divina.

Preparation
Prior to reading, it is important to engage in a transitional activity that takes one from the normal state of mind to a more contemplative and prayerful state. A few moments of deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time helps to set the tone and improve the effectiveness of the lectio.

Once the stage is set it is time to begin the prayer. There are four phases of the prayer, which do not necessarily progress in an ordered fashion. One may move between different phases of the prayer very freely as the Spirit guides.

The Four Moments
Lectio
Read the passage several times.

Meditatio
Reflect on the text of the passage, thinking about how to apply to one's own life. Gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular import. This should not be confused with exegesis, but is a very personal reading of the Scripture and application to one's own life.

Oratio
Respond to the passage by opening the heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more of the beginning of a conversation with God.

Contemplatio
Listen to God. This is a freeing oneself from one's own thoughts, both mundane and holy. It is about hearing God talk to us. Opening our mind, heart and soul to the influence of God. Any conversation must allow for both sides to communicate, and this most unfamiliar act is allowing oneself to be open to hearing God speak

Answer 10

Glad to see yur usin' yur gooder English again...LOL

Being that it's historically, geographically, scientifically and archaeologically verified to be 100% accurate, I'd say yup.