Christians?

Question

Why is it that christians always have to defend the bible, if it written by 'god' shouldnt it be perfect? How come it encourages slavery, and even has rules as to how you should treat your slaves? Some may say its because it was written a long time ago when this was acceptable. But if 'god' wrote the bible shouldnt he had known that the book is being read thousands of years later? Why didnt he make it applicable throughout time? Theres plenty other examples in there aswell such as child killing, stoning homosexuals and rebellious teenagers to death etc. Why is it so inaccurate???

Answer 1

Here are a couple of thoughts for you. Hopefully they'll provoke some further pondering on your end.

"God" encourages (or allows) some things to happen that we, with our limited knowledge, deem to be "bad". Perhaps these events are actually in the best interest of those involved, or for future generations. The problem is that we don't have perfect knowledge as He does - of the past, present and future. Perhaps armed with this information, we may then understand such things, and see why they're actually good.

For example, suppose that you knew that a person were going to grow up, invent some new weapon of mass destruction, and annihilate the entire world. Wouldn't you do something that would prevent that person from getting to that stage? I'm certainly not suggesting that God will always interject and prevent bad things from happening - obviously that is not the case. He does allow us to exercise our freedom to choose. However, we need to have an open mind with regard to some of His ways - especially when they seem strange to us. He knows what's best, in the long run, for mankind.

Consider the act of exercising - we actually rip and tear our muscles in order to make them stronger. Short-sightedness would suggest that we should never harm our bodies. However, it is known that the positive effects of such actions are better for us in the long run. Consider also the pruning of trees and bushes. It would seem quite strange and counter-productive to start hacking away until you realize how such actions will encourage growth.

Another thought ...
Loaded with the concept that our life on earth is all about secular achievement, such aspects as you have pointed out (primarily in the Old Testament) would seem out of place and inappropriate. Maybe there is another purpose to our existence. Maybe this mortal life is not our entire existence. Maybe we have lived before and will continue to live after death and some of those things that happen during this mortal life won't mean that much in the long run and are actually in our best interest.

Have I prompted any thoughts?

Good luck!

Answer 2

The Bible is not a magical document written by a supernatural being to express His dictates, but rather a human document - inspired by God and conveying His message, but written by human beings in human language for human beings. But God inspired it, which means that we cannot 'guess' its true meaning just from a superficial reading. God also created a human community where the Bible is meant to be read, where human beings can grapple with precisely the sorts of issues you are concerned about.

The Koran is an exact earthly copy of a text that exists in heaven, as the Book of Mormon is a translation of a text that exists somewhere guarded by angels. But the bible is not such a thing.

Christians believe that Jesus Christ is fully human and fully God. He is not a bit of each sort of mixed up. Likewise we believe that the Bible is fully human, although expressing the word of God. No human being can be 'summed up' in a few words, but they take a full lifetime to understand. If it was possible to do what you want no doubt God would have done it that way, but unfortunately that wouldn't be really human.

Answer 3

I just have to say something, and I'm not defending the Bible: the Bible clearly states it wasn't written by God, but by apostles who worshiped God and/or were followers of Jesus Christ. God Himself didn't write anything that we have as of today, except for the Ten Commandments. These rules that deal with things like slavery, child-killing, homosexuality, stoning people, etc. may be controversial, but they weren't written by God.

Answer 4

How is that 'inaccurate'? It's not like a fairy tale where all is well and good. It is a historical document. That is what happened back then. God allowed certain things to happen. Yes, there was slavery, but God told them to treat the slaves with respect. Everything that was done, everybody had more than a fair chance to obey. It just shows us that God does not lie. If he says something, it is going to pass, no matter what. As for the killings, God has promised to bring them back from their sleep.

Answer 5

Maybe you need to do a college course in Bible studies; then maybe you will understand that the Bible is History, tradition, culture, paganism, myth, magic...and religion all tied up in a neat bundle.
You may also discover that the Bible is truly a book for all times.
Now if the Bible didn't include killings and deceit, it would be unfinished. What I admire about the Old testament is that it hides nothing; it tells the good, the bad and the ugliness of man...and the nature of the God who created him.

Answer 6

The bible was written by Apostles , in accordance with the teachings of God. and back then as far as stoning anyone , Anyone who disobeyed the Church or it's teachings were considered rebellious ,wicked , and unfit for society , the church back then also did not believe Jesus was the Son of God. they were against him because of his teaching of God's Love and forgiveness, he was criticized and killed because he taught people that God loves ,and will forgive anyone , the church called it Blasphemy.. The Bible teaches you this . It has violence in the contents ,as a reflection of how times were then . God teaches an eye for an eye , and a tooth for a tooth , it also teaches to not be sucked in to the ways of the world or man , but devote your life to God ,and put him first in everything , he also teaches love one another as he has loved us, treat others the way we would want to treated . He teaches love ,and forgiveness , but he has a temper and a mercy less wrath as we have seen like in the schools ever since we caved in to Madeline Murray O' Hare , and the group of atheist to have the Bible,and Prayer removed from schools , since then we have Middle school shootouts , and armed police inside the schools , it has lead us away from strict discipline and the teaching of morals ,and respect to our children , now we have a record number running wild committing crimes ,and have a record number in juvenile corrections facilities, and as the world gets farther ,and farther away from His way things will just keep getting worse , Back then you did not give community service or therapy to anyone who killed or molested a child , they were stoned , and beaten... so how can anyone say things are better now when we have to put tracking devices on opur children, we are finding the bodies of children in dumpsters, and in garbage bags on the roadside, how is that better, if we would go back to stoning we would have a lot less crime , if we cut of a thiefs hand like the Bible says we would not have cashiers getting severely beaten over 50 dollars that was in her register..but politicians ,and activist say the world is making progress ?? I just do not see it ................

Answer 7

The Quran not only allows slaves, but explicitly gives the slave-owner the right to have sex with them. There were no Muslim abolitionists because slavery is deeply ingrained in the religion. In fact, the Quran has more to say about enjoying sex with slaves than it does about several of the five pillars of Islam.

Mohammed owned and traded slaves. He commanded that women and children be taken as slaves in battle, and allowed them to be raped after capture. His followers continued the practice for centuries until it was forced to an end in most regions by European armies.

Unfortunately, slavery still persists in dark corners of the Muslim world today, such as Niger, the Sudan, and Mauritania. And, most tellingly, none of the articles by contemporary Muslim apologists (giving their religion retroactive credit for abolition) even bother to address the subject of modern slavery, much less condemn it.

On November 23, 1937, Saudi Arabia's King Ibn Saud told British Colonel H.R.P. Dickson: "Our hatred for the Jews dates from God's condemnation of them for their persecution and rejection of Isa (Jesus) and their subsequent rejection of His chosen Prophet."

He added "that for a Muslim to kill a Jew, or for him to be killed by a Jew ensures him an immediate entry into Heaven and into the august presence of God Almighty."

Answer 8

Why are you so critical of God's Word the Bible?

I believe that you are under conviction!

Don't allow silly arguments to get in the way of you knowing God!

God Bless you!

Answer 9

the bible books were written for ancient societies. Today's christian must go forward. those who worship a book and believe it is the very God's words are muslims, not followers of Christ. Jesus answered your question already.

Answer 10

The Bible tells about real life, both good and bad. If it only had good things in it, I would suspect it would be like a fairy tale, but instead of glossed-over views of its heroes, it tells both their triumphs and their failures. That actually makes it more believable.