Referencing the bible.?

Question

How do christians think that citing the bible to prove their religion holds any water?

I could just as easily write a book about my own religion that was totaly bs, bury it in the ground, come back to it in 40 years and try to spread MY religion, citing my own writen book as 'fact'.

Answer 1

Well I'm not religious, but it seems to me that we have no way of knowing if some of the accounts of medieval Europe are true or not when referencing leaders, battles etc. We don't even really know what Shakespeare looked like, as we only have one picture that has no historical foundation. All we can do is use our judgement to make assertations about what we believe to be the truth based on the various evidence presented to us. If we ask an historian about the battle of 1066, he will reference the Bayeux Tapestry, but we have no way of knowing how much 'artistic licence' the creator took, or if they were instructed to include bias. So if you are going to ask Christians about their religion, the only thing they have to cite is their Bible.

Just because you and i don't believe it is almost irrelevant, if i was having a debate with a religious person about the validity of their religion (Hindu, Scientologist - whatever) i would fully expect them to quote their various texts to support their argument, just as I would quote science theory and documents to support mine. You may disagree with their viewpoints and they way they present, what in most cases, is a very weak argument, but you can't really expect them to do anything other then quote the Bible.

Answer 2

If we were to apply that line of reasoning, we could then ask why do people cite the dictionary when they want the definition of a word? We could just as easily write our own dictionary, have it published, put it on a store shelf, and then cite to it when others ask us for a definition, yes?

Why do people cite law books when they want to determine whether a particular activity is legal?

The real question that is being asked then seems to be: is the Bible the divinely inspired record that it purports to be?

Sir Isaac Newton, a renowned English scientist once said: "I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane [secular] history whatsoever."

Many true Christians have themselves made a thorough study of the Bible and have come to the reasonable conclusion that the Bible is the product of a divine author: God. Perhaps this is why they cite to it so confidently.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 3

Orangepaint,

Thank you for this question because it points to the very root of all prefered faiths of belief. I'm a Christian, so I will be honored to let you know what I think from my cultural standpoint.

I think that Christians (or any other faith followers) should do their best NOT to "prove their religion holds any water" because it implies a positivist (i.e. scientifically methodical) approach. We can never prove God's existence based on universal fact, for that would require many examples of miracles to be performed to belay unbelief. God refuses to be tested like a magician who has to prove his tricks are real rather than slight of hand (Matthew 4:5-7). Why would Michael Jordan need to prove his basketball talent? It is our personal failing if we can't obviously recognize it. For God, He knows he's all powerful. What He wants us to do is believe (i.e. have faith) in this complete knowledge, power, and control without seeing Him or requirinig any proof-positive miracles (John 20:24-29; Hebrews 11:1).

With that in mind, you are right. Christians cannot rely on just citing the Bible to show that Jesus is who He and God say He is. Why? Because the Bible is filled with Spiritual ideas that can only be understood by a person who has the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). If a person does not have the Holy Spirit, then Christians cannot expect that person to care about cited verses. In the same way, if a person does not understand a cited Biblical verse, then that person does not have the Holy Spirit and can't understand, yet. We cannot expect someone to understand what a home run is if he or she has never seen a baseball game. That's not fair.

The best way for us (Christians and other followers of any other faith) to show the validity of our belief system is to keep on living and to keep on conquering problem after problem by relying on that system. Eventually, this type of modeling will convince those it is suppose to convince that our way of life is best for them. God will draw who He intends to draw to Him. Some will adopt it while others will not.

We shall find out at the end of time, who did it the right way.

I hope this helps. Have a fantastic day,
Reggie:)

Answer 4

Yes, you could. But the problem would be this. Your religion would only go back forty years. And you would only have one copy of it written down. In a court of law, if you are accused of a crime, you can testify on your own behalf, or present eyewitnesses to testify for you. Clearly, people don't want to give the Bible that opportunity, even though it has committed no wrongdoing. It's a book. Historically, archaeologically, and culturally, the Bible can be corroborated. There is more documentary evidence for the authenticity, accuracy and validity of the Bible than any other writing in history, yet people still doubt its truth. Names, dates and places are frequently mentioned. Amazingly, they can be verified. Make sure when you create your religion, if you want it to be believable, that you are very specific.

Answer 5

Well I can see why they're doing it. The bible is supposed to be "God's word" and when quoting the bible, they're not quoting the bible, they're quoting God.

So from that view point quoting bible makes a lot of sense.

However the problem comes in when although the bible was inspired by God it was written by Man and being human meant that the message was influenced by that's Man's experiences in life. ie social context in which the bible was written. For two reasons, so the people of the time could apply it to life and secondly the bible was the law book of the times, so some of the laws aren't that religious but rather practical for 500AD ... but not so practical for 2007

I'm going to sound mean by saying this but go ahead and write a holy book, you can quote it too, but they'll treat you as a crazy man. Someone trying to found a cult no less.

Christianity, although it's been a big platform for social groups in society to attack each other, has its basis in fact. Strangely there is a lot of proof for what went on in the bible, such as Jesus life, and cruxifiction, the parting of the red sea Abraham and numerous other bible stories. 90% of the bible is good sense and has some wonderful stories and lessons to learn.

Answer 6

It totally depends on what the question is. If it requires the use of Scripture, I have no problem using it, although I'm much more likely to use it in response to a question from a fellow Christian. Usually, I will use it when someone asks why I believe what I believe. In this case, I feel that it's completely appropriate. And of course, there are those questions which ask for a specific Scripture reference. I would look pretty silly answering those with quotes from Gone With The Wind, now wouldn't I?

Answer 7

Hmm, interesting concept. Lot of folks have done similiar things, just not waited the 40 years.

To explain our freedoms, rights, and responsibilities here in America, we reference the documents that gave us and continue to give us those freedoms, rights and responsibilities: The Declaration of Independence and THe US Constitution.

So, using your question, look at it from this point: Why do Americans think that citing the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitition to prove their rights holds any water? Because those are the documents that set them up.

SO>>>>>

Why do christians think that citing the bible to prove their religion holds any water? Because that is the document that establishes our religious beliefs. Why not murder...Bible cites many scriptures against it. Why love your neighbor? Bible exhorts us to love them. Why believe in God? The Bible holds the truths about him and what he's done.

Bottom line...reference the documents that establishand support it.

Answer 8

Considering that the Bible was written by 40 different writers over 1500 years, your trick would be a bit difficult.
And it has ONE theme/
The establishment of God's Kingdom.
What we pray for at Matthew 6; 9.10

Answer 9

Interesting question. But, lets think of the other side. If we didn't quote scripture, and believe it was (and is) fact, then we wouldn't be christians!

God's word is truth. It will not return to him void. You probably have His word rollin' around in your head right now, and don't even know it! It sticks with you and is more powerful than a two edged sword. It is the love letter from our Creator. That is why we believe it.

Answer 10

The bible is so large and so vague that every believer has a different opinion of it.. It can support or go against anything the reader desires. Plus it has been amended and changed so many times that perhaps the original meaning has been completely lost...