Should a book deemed holy by some be held to the same standard of proof as any other document?
If not, why? Wouldn't the truth have nothing to fear from honest debate and research?
2007-02-09 05:59:05 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Certainly. If you want to read some intelligently written Christian commentary, check out some of Episcopal Bishop John Spong's writings. He seems to have a deep and abiding faith but also a recognition that the bible was written at and for a different time.
2007-02-09 06:03:30 · answer #1 · answered by Dave P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
THE WORST IN MAN
Gen.8:21; The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth.
WHO TRIED? Heb.11:1-40; 12:2,3; In 4,150 years, their names list on one page.
Matt.1:1-17;
Can any one do the genealogy of Jesus?
Noah was son #10, When? Abraham was son #20, What then? David was son #34, what about him? Jehoiachin was son #48, captive in Babylon Empire #3, Judah kings end, never a king until when? Jesus is son #62, born in Roman Empire #6, in year 33 he did ascend.
Can any one name the world Empires?
What happened to who in Empire #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, what about #7, and is there an eighth of the seven? Does the bible tell all this? Is the prophecy based on what is going on in the empires of the world?
So where does one start with truth to have no fear from honest debate and research?
How is it one can find several bible time lines from several different people?
Where it seems there is no truth to be found, is it the bible or other?
Why does the bible give a time line, or all Empires, and what for?
So what do most people have faith in, God and son Jesus, a trinity, a rapture, torture,
reward, saved, a time when all is good and perfect and there is no evil, or what?
2007-02-09 14:42:55 · answer #2 · answered by jeni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exactly as you said, truth is nothing to fear. We should always be skeptical of what we are taught, else we could easily be led astray, and our religion would be "genetic" not sought after.
I've seen some great, and easily digested, dvd's from discovery channel store. I don't agree with everything but each is eye opening. Also got a book of the complete translation of the dead sea scrolls and some on bible history and translation. Usually the main points are quite well preserved. I do think we are probally in need of some fresh translation and addition of text from some forgotton manuscripts, and perhaps even deletion of some questionable parts.
Now hard proof of God does not exist. We can never prove if the disciples saw jesus walk on water or the healings. There is a point where a leap of faith is required. I don't know why but he wants hearts that are open and true to seek him as creator. If he revealed himself completely there would be no freewill.
2007-02-09 14:17:40 · answer #3 · answered by G's Random Thoughts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must be skeptical of the bible, man so many has written rewritten added and taken from that book it is almost a comic book read and you shall end up saying -WHAT???!?~
I don't mean all of it hay ,you know what is so bad only i think 3 books can you definitely know the author of or whom scribed them now that crazy and look at mark Luke and Matthew did you see how silly it is to add 3 men telling the same story and to judge to add these books to the bible is meaningless and foolish and 2 of the writers copied off the one, now is this not destroying the old testament and the Torah is what i recommend you reading all of you Christ worshiping folks the book you so heavily rely on has many many errors and this must be taken very serious and this is why your sceptically!
I ASKED THIS OF YOU AND ALL TO READ THE TORAH and you shall see the word of the original bible or close to it any way hay that book has been through it to the point the sane one cant and wont grasp most of it
hay i love the old testament read it much and Solomon is the the best and job wow now that's deep Joseph what great morals and values they all held told and for us to learn from the old testament i beg everyone to read learn love !
hay did any of you christians know that that book was destroyed and someone rewritten all in it now imagine that!
Reference book? yea! Holy book? not at all! Sacred book? a best seller! Tampered with? all over it! Good read - you bet!
2007-02-09 14:16:53 · answer #4 · answered by wise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anything is possible.
Yes, it should.
The truth should have nothing to fear from honest debate and research. The problem lies when you find that research shows inaccuracies and absolute fallacies in a book that so many deem to be holy and the only word of truth.
2007-02-09 14:03:58 · answer #5 · answered by Kallan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christ did not say, "Sit down and write Bibles and scatter them over the earth, and let every man read his Bible and judge for himself." If Christ had said that, there would never have been a Christianity on the earth at all, but a Babylon and confusion instead, and never one Church, the union of one body. Hence, Christ never said to His Apostles, "Go and write Bibles and distribute them, and let everyone judge for himself." That injunction was reserved for the Sixteenth Century, and we have seen the result of it. Ever since the Sixteenth Century there have been springing up religion upon religion, and churches upon churches, all fighting and quarreling with one another, and all because of the private interpretation of the Bible.
One cannot have God for his Father, who will not have the Church for his Mother, and likewise, one cannot have the Word of God for his faith who will not have the Church for his teacher. It is the infallible teaching authority of the Church, as promised by Christ, which alone preserves God's Word from erroneous interpretation.
It is Divine Faith alone by which we give honor and glory to God, by which we adore His infinite wisdom and veracity. That adoration and worship is necessary for salvation.
2007-02-09 14:21:32 · answer #6 · answered by cashelmara 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think that true debate and research into the Bible is wrong. I think the truth stands up under anything, eventually. The only problem is, most people are so eager to prove it wrong, that they don't come into it with an open mind.
2007-02-09 14:05:04 · answer #7 · answered by irie.girl_2006 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Almighty said come, let us reason together. There are things in Scriptures that were placed there by evil men. You had better be skeptical. Absolutely, the truth has nothing to fear.
Bring YHVH your hard questions! He knows the answer. (Be sure they are honest questions, and be willing to hear His answers) He sent His son YAHOSHUA so you would not have to die. He is working for your salvation.
2007-02-09 14:05:23 · answer #8 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What can man find out that God hasn't already told us? Do you honestly think Christians need a justification for God or need to be shown anything in order to have Faith? Men debate the Bible everyday. However, no matter what man says or does, the true test of Faith is putting God before men in all circumstances. Even when those men think we are wrong. No amount of research and debate will move me from God. So, continue on however you need to be able to justify God to yourself. But, don't expect a Christian to drop their faith so quickly for the world and it's views. If I didn't believe God was who He said He is, I may be swayed. But because I have Faith and believe His words to be true, it won't help your case much.
2007-02-09 14:09:32 · answer #9 · answered by Stacey B 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
To strive to understand and comprehend the bible is essential to anyone seeking absolute truth.
Those who get their knowledge of the bible from others and never pick it up and read it for themselves can easily be mislead and the bible warns against this very thing.
skeptical, not sure of that word, but seeking wisdom and understanding, very much yes. Keep reading, questioning and seeking understanding. It is very much a part of our growth process as Christians to do this.
2007-02-09 14:04:45 · answer #10 · answered by cindy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋