Can you explain an obvious error in your holy book that you have abandoned?

Question

My falling away point was when Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael into the desert to die. This was his first-born son and a woman that served him faithfully that he was condemning. How can he do that and be God's favorite?

Answer 1

My belief is that religious texts preserve the myth cycles and unstated values of a culture . . . and honestly, if you look at the accounts of the Jewish "patriarchs" from Noah to Abraham to Jacob/Israel to Moses . . . hooo, buddy. THAT'S the kind of conniving, underhanded, sneaking, craven nithling behavior God condones?

No thanks.

Answer 2

You fall away easily with little understanding, then call it and error in the Holy Book that "we" have abandoned.

Pretty presumptuous don't you think ? To speak for those who believe ?

Got an agenda ?

Abraham was being faithful to what God told him to do, he didn't "like it" but he followed God's command to do what Sarah wanted. God had already promised Abraham that Haggar and Ishmael would be taken care of, that Ishmael would become a nation, and not to feel bad about it.

God told Abraham his son would be Isaac that God would make a convent with and that he would be many nations, that Isaac would be his heir.

Abraham and Sarah became impatient (as we all do)
because they thought it ridiculous to have a child at their ages, and and so Haggar and Ishmael entered the picture. God saved them in the wilderness and God's words held true.

The point is Abraham did what God said, and proved his ultmate faith with Issac later on, on the mountain top.

Abraham wasn't perfect, he did have a lot of faith though.

Read further, you can't just stop before a story ends and make up your own ending, then act as if the Holy Book was in error.

Like I asked ..... "what's your agenda?"......maybe you should think about that.

Answer 3

Abraham messed up big time. First of all, he took Hagar because of a lack of faith; thinking that "maybe that is how the promise will be fulfilled". He got tired of waiting for the promised son. He made a number of bad mistakes but God still loved him. Once Ishmael was born, Hagar began to lord it over Sarah because she had the firstborn son and Sarah was still childless at 80 years old. It probably was a really bad situation for Sarah to bear. God did keep his promise though, and she bore Isaac at age 90. Once she had her son of the promise, she didn't want Hagar around anymore. She badgered Abraham to get rid of her till he did it. Both Abraham and Sarah were to blame for that sin. God was merciful to Hagar and saved her life. Ishmael is the father of the Arab nations and Islam. Abraham still loved God and God had to test him with something Huge in order to reconcile again. God was merciful to Abraham and Isaac as well. This was man's error not God's.

Answer 4

If I remember the story correct, Ishmael and Hagar were causing confusion in the family. Sarah was the mother of promise, and Hagar was still the servant.

God told Abram to He would care for her, which He did, and God kept His promise to make them a mighty nation.

When Isaac was born, then God told Him to sacrifice his only son at Mt. Moria. Then God led him to the spot, then stopped the sacrifice.

Why? This story helped convince me that God was, in fact, our savior. You see, God the Father sent His Son to die on that very spot--yes, that desolate spot was Jerusalem 2,000 years later, and Jesus, the real sacrificial lamb was crucified on Mt. Moria in fulfillment of Bible prophecies.

There is more, for skeptics like you. God sealed a code, only to be opened at "the end of the days." See: http://abiblecode.tripod.com

This is strait from my donkey's mouth!

Balaam

Answer 5

I thought it was because Sarah and Abraham doubted when they were told Sarah in her old age would give birth to a child

Answer 6

There is no error...

Sarah, Abraham's wife did not want Ishmel to be heir with her own son Isaac. God told Abraham that the son he had with Hagar would be the leader of a great nation. He new God would make a way for His son. God loved Abraham very much.
And Abraham trusted loved and totally trusted God. There is no error.

Genesis 21:10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.

11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.

12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.

14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Try asking God to open up His word to you, instead of you nic picking it to death.

Answer 7

Um, here's some of my favorite man-made ideas that "slipped" their way in:
Exodus 20:3
"You shall have no other gods before me." (Humanized, jealous God? I don't think so.)
Exodus 22:18
"Do not allow a sorceress to live." (Yeah, what?)

Funny stuff...

Answer 8

Only gullible people who need a crutch, give creditability to any so-called holy books. All religions are frauds.

Answer 9

I thought god was all about LOVE, what gives? And I thought christians were all about forgiveness, I'm confused?

Answer 10

Because you don't have to be perfect to have God's love.