I know from personal experience that it is easy to disbelieve the Bible when you know more about it...?

Question

But doesn't it seem that the opposite is true as well, that it is easier to believe the bible when you know less about it?

In my experience the people who know least about the Bible are it's biggest supporters.

How is it then also that so many Biblical scholars and members of clergy can believe it so strongly? Is it their faith that overcomes their knowledge? Why would that be?

Answer 1

Interesting question.

Denial, maybe.

Answer 2

Well your under the assumption that when you truly study the Bible, it's origins, the timeline, the evidence, beit it supporting or not supporting the Bible, that your natural conclusion would be you would "discover" the Bible to be false. I have found this to be the opposite. The more I study it, the more remarkable and faith building things I see.

I used to have an art history professor tell me all the "goodly" knowledge he had on the bible and early christians. He trailed on about illuminated pages and that the scribes were not concerned about content and would leave entire passages out if it didn't line up pretty and visually attractive when they finished at the end of the velim scroll. He would say that during the dark ages they played a game of book swap where we have no certainty what belongs or does not belong in the finished work of the Bible....yadda yadda yadda yakkity shmakkity blah blah blah. I was a cultural christian at the time and hadn't spent a minute portion of a minute studying how we got our bible up until that point. It was very confusing and made me sad and ashamed to call myself a "christian". For what it was worth, how I veiwed christianity at the time in a 2 demensional way. Later when these questions plagued me, I actually looked into it and found out just how wrong this professor had been and just how hostile he was towards the truth found in the bible and the authority and authenticity of scripture. The scribes would count the letters in the scrolls, count the sentences and have it double checked and triple checked by their big boss scribes to make sure they had it perfect.
If one thing was wrong, they would throw the whole thing away and start over it. We know they took great care to preserve it because of all the manuscript evidence from all over the world that all say almost (95% accurate) the exact same thing. Out of the 5% remaining in question, not a single mistake, transposed words or misspelling has EVER affected a single christian tenet. The bible is the Word of God and we can have confidence it it. And all you nay sayers with your false pretenses can lob your little barbs all you like....it just causes folks like me to ask questions...AND the answers ARE out there.
sorry so long, just felt compelled to share my story.

Answer 3

Faith overcoming knowledge? Exactly what are you talking about? Could you perhaps list some things that a Christian would have to completely ignore about reality in order to believe the Bible? I have read the Bible. I don't know everything about it, but then again, I have not come across anything that would be entirely unbelievable. It has been said that if one can accept the first verse (Genesis 1:1), then the rest is easy. In fact, oftentimes I find myself in the Scriptures, whether it be actions or emotions or something else that I have been dealing with, even before I really read and understood that passage. God bless!

Answer 4

People of true faith are willing to study their faith, whatever it may be. Those who have little faith but big mouths are more willing to spout than discuss simply because they are not equipped to enter true discussion.

Some people are simple and humble. They believe, they do not question, but do not boast.

Some are boistrous but have little knowledge. These are the more irritating sort. They admonish, exhort, and condemn, but know little of what they profess.

Some have knowledge and attitude, but little faith. They work religion to attain a goal; notoriety, financial, whatever.

The ones who have knowledge as well as faith aren't afraid to discuss their faith with others. They are usually not wildly condemning of others. They usually show a certain level of moral maturity.

All of the above can be exhibited by those of any faith, from Christian to Wiccan.

The reaons one may believe or disbelieve in a particular faith after learning more about it is simply because faith is different for each person. Some look at Wicca as a contrived religion, but others look at Christianity in the same way.

My belief is that finding a religious or philosophical path is a personal choice. Believing in it and living it are what makes life for so many of us worth living. If faith makes one live a better life, then it's worth spending time to investigate and learn.

Answer 5

For myself, the more I know about it, the more interesting it is.

I don't hold with a literal interpretation, but I do think the Bible can tell us much not only about social mores, customs of the ancient Hebrews, but also about the teachings of Jesus, even about such rare occurences as the centurion learning from Jesus.

I hope to learn some Hebrew and Aramaic, the better to read not only Old Testament, but also Mishnah and Gemarah, which are Talmudic commentaries.

Faith, in my experience, grows not only from a richer understanding of the historical, linguistic, and theological aspects of Scripture, but also from an anthropological and philosophical understanding of the ways God has manifested himself to people since the time of Jesus, the Apostles, and Paul.

From Quakers, I have got affirmation for my suspicion that too many Christians worship the Bible, and not so much G-d.

Answer 6

I don't know what version of the Bible that you are reading from, but all of my studies in the 33 years that I have been saved have only strengthened my faith in it's accuracy and truth. To the unsaved, the Bible is foolishness (God made it that way). Prophecies made in the Bible have come to pass, there are more to come soon, and the alignment that is shaping up in Europe and the Middle East points to the accuracy of the final days described in the Bible. I am certainly no scholar, but I read and study, and I believe that Jesus came, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again that whosoever will may accept His gift of eternal life.
Knowledge of the world as you know it is foolishness to God - but in the end every knee shall bow and every tongue confess the name of Jesus. God bless you, and I hope that you accept Christ as your personal Saviour before it is too late. Time is running out for we are in the final days in which no man knoweth the hour (we do however have an idea of the season).

Answer 7

Well, why don't you just let everyone choose for themselves. So you dis-believe, I love reading my Bible, I believe my Bible. It's my guess that Bible Scholars and Priests Feel the same way I do. It is our Faith that helps us deal with bashers and non-believers like you putting us and our Bible down all the time. So, you opt not to believe, ever hear of freedom of Religion? Mind practicing it, instead of being an immature imbecile and insulting us. Thanks !!

Answer 8

Actually, you are a little off. Most people that talk about how false it is don't usually know anything about the Bible or organized religion. Just what they have heard second hand. If you come to that conclusion on your own having studied the Bible yourself, I can respect that, but most of them just repeat what they are told by others.

Answer 9

I would say that you don't know much about the Bible. God says that if we do what He asks us to do we will experience Him. I can only speak for clergy, but the more we do for God, the closer we come to Him and the closer He comes to us. As my knowlege of Him increases, my faith increases. As my faith increases, my knowlege of Him increases.

Answer 10

You are blind,you think you have knowledge.But God has said your wisdom is filthy rags to him.He cares not what you think you know.
A child that believes has more knowledge, then you will ever own.
One day you will stand before God . You will have to give account. For every ideal word that has come out of your mouth.
You have lifted yourself up,but God will bring you low.
You will bow to Him.<><

Answer 11

I find it to be the opposite. The more I read and study the bible, the more my love for it and it's author grows.