Why should anyone believe in anything in the bible?

Question

if the only only source of reference is the book itself. how can one sensibly answer questions related to the bible if all of the evidence supporting this book is contained within the book.

how can one become a mechanic if there was no information from which to draw. could one be a plumber without multiple sources of information to support their learning.

I am asking this question because I just posted a question a few minutes ago. Some of the answers I received were from people who could find no way to answer the question, except to use the bible as a reference. I didn't require expert opinions, just basic information on one major topic of religion.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArvkcYNk6yh9ZEHp6zJswXTsy6IX?qid=20061124191402AAegJvs

Answer 1

good luck with that!

Answer 2

If your question is "Why should I believe the things contained in the Bible are true?" then I can only echo the previous answer and say it's faith. You would have to pray, and you would have to believe the translations are correct.

If you are asking whether there are other sources of reference, I could point out that the Bible did not come from a single scroll, but from a collection of writings spanning centuries. There are also the Dead Sea Scrolls, which at least confirm that the Old Testament (Torah) hasn't changed much in translation in the last couple thousand years. Even the Koran contains the story of Jesus, although he's considered a prophet, not the Messiah. And, if you're open to it, there's the Book of Mormon, which is considered by LDS people to be an additional testament, and is used to further understand the Bible.

Bottom line, I cannot convince you to believe in the Bible. No person can. Each person must decide for themselves whether they believe it or not, and then how to interpret it. Judging by the number of Christian denominations, I'd say lots of people have different ideas about the same book.

Answer 3

You can't. The question you asked concerned prophecies coming true. You might try a couple of things (outside of Yahoo! Answers). The Oxford Annotated Bible has a lot of scholarly annotations, if you know specific chapter and verses. As far as I know, it is only available in book form, so you'd have to go to a library or buy it at a bookstore or on-line (considering you are interested in prophecies, I would recommend the version with the Apocrypha, since many prophecies in the Old Testament connect with it).
You could also try the Skeptic's Annotated Bible at www.skepticsannotatedbible.com

The former is pretty neutral, the latter is more negative than positive, but still a pretty good reference.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The Bible is not the only "source of reference". But that's a poorly chosen phrase. The Dead Sea Scrolls is one source of reference validating the Bible's truth. Other authors who were contemporaries to the Bible's New Testament such as Josephus are also sources of reference.

Another logical argument for the truth of the Bible is that it was written over thousands of years, having many different authors (perhaps around 30 - 40; I can't remember exact numbers), spanning thousands of years - and all of their stories match up.

Another logical arugment for the truth of the Bible is that over thousands of years the Bible has not changed it's message. It stays very consistent.

Another argument is that the author's of the Bible are very real. There are many things they say that someone faking the Bible would not say. Example: Paul says that if the resurrection of Christ didn't happen, Christian's faith is absolutely foolishness (what author would dare suggest that if his claim isn't truth, followers of said truth are absolute morons?)

Keep researching this topic - there is a ton of information. I suggest a library though - the internet has a wealth of basic information but nothing substantial.

Answer 5

Yes this is a very valid point which constitutes a prime example of religious mental conditioning rather then objective self realisation, the interference and changes made by the roman emperors such as Constantine and Justinian are significant enough, what to speak of the reformers whose sectarian translations and influence have watered down the original message to a simplistic faith system that abdicates responsibility for evil onto a personality known as the devil and responsibility for individual sin onto the victim of a barbaric murder 2000 years ago.

Answer 6

No one should believe everything in the bible.

Let me elaborate.

The Bible is filled with parables. They are like fables. Each story is divinely inspired. Each story has messages in them.

For example, I don't believe Jesus walked on water, but i believe in the concept of having faith and trust in him. From other things, I dont believe an ant talked to a grasshopper, but the concept of being prepared is a very real concept.

I believe that we must attempt to follow the messages that the bible teaches, as they are divine.

The biggest message that the bible teaches is be a good person.

That is the biggest thing. If nothing else, do that. Be a good person. Which means, do unto others as you'd have them do to you.

Answer 7

Thank you for such a question.
The bible was originally written by MEN and a few WOMEN to change certain behaviors that they didn't see as suitable...Then comes King James...He didn't buy into all of what was said and didn't want the WOMEN to have a say. SO he had his monks to "translate" the bible into English, leaving out the parts the women wrote and painted the stronger women as whores. He also had other facts deleted and changed to reflect how he felt...this was very easy for him to do...he was the king..you don't do it ..off with your head!

Answer 8

The manner in which history is written has changed dramatically throughout the ages. The Bible is written different than the way most history books are written today. This makes it intruging and possibly more truthfull. History is history, the bible is different (ancient).

Answer 9

The answer you are lookin for can be found in Bible Prophecy, do a web search, be sure to check the dates out that something was prophesied and the dates they were fulfilled, the odds of even a few of these happening are way way way out there. Allot of these prophecies are recorded in History, and archeology as well.

Answer 10

The fact is, you don't have to believe anything in the Bible! God has given you a free will. He doesn't force you to accept Him! He doesn't just invite you to follow Him, but He expects us to accept that He is the creator, and He created you to be His friend! He wants you to look up into the sky, and say, "this didn't just happen by chance!" That's a start, anyway. Later on in life, you will need a friend like Him. Who wouldn't want the creator of all to be a friend? Faith is believing. If you don't believe it, that's your choice. Accept Him as a little child. In faith. It doesn't hurt!

Answer 11

It is the only book in the whole wide world that is close to 100% accurate. I am no expert I am only 16. I only read my Bible and trust it. There really is no answer as to why you should just trust it... Faith is my only answer. God has perfromed miracles for me. It is okay to doubt, every Christian does. Pray about it, tell God what you think even if you think he doesn't want to hear it he'll listen. Yell if you are angry, cry if you are sad just tell him how you feel and see what the result is. He listens and answers prayers even if it seems like he isn't lifting one finger to help. He is.