Lately I have been wondering if the bible was a fictional story that has evolved over time, through poor interpretation and the hands of the wrong people into the way we know it today. I think maybe it was written by many people, hence the books of the bible, and put together for 1 long fairy tale. What if the bible was the Harry Potter of it's time? Just a thought. Any one else feel this is possable?
2007-06-07 05:01:29 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Not so much fiction as myth. It's an important difference.
With the OT, you have the Pentateuch, which was compiled from Jewish oral traditions over a period of centuries, the Histories, which were propaganda, largely, made up by the priesthood during a period of aggression by the Persians, the Prophets, some of which may be real, some of which may have been made up by their later disciples, and the mysterious Book of Job, which from the internal evidence, predates Judaism entirely. Collectively, though, you have the mythic cycle of the Jewish people, tracing their transition from a nomadic people to an agricultural one, from polytheists to henotheists to monotheists.
In the NT, assembled by the Council of Nicea, you have a different problem---the Gospels, 4 out of about 200, which *were* the "Harry Potter" of their time . . . a time roughly a century after the events they pretend to describe. It was a literary fad of the day. Then you have the various letters, mostly written BEFORE the Gospels, which read without reference to them . . . read a LOT differently. Paul, for example, never once refers to an earthly ministry of Jesus, and clearly places his crucifixion in a spiritual realm. Finally, you have the Book of Revelations/Apocalypse, which appears to be written in code and could mean almost anything . . . mainstream xians believe its "prophecies" were fulfilled in the fall of Rome; in the early 20th century several ecstatic religious movements sprang up which interpreted it as an "End Times" prophecy and started the whole Rapture/Antichrist stuff that later gave us so very many really bad movies. It's worth noting that the island on which it was supposedly written is known for its Amanita Muscaria mushrooms . . . and that among some early xian sects, these mushrooms were used as a pictographic symbol for Christ, much like the bumper fish nowadays.
But beneath all that, is the nature of myth: stories cultures make up to express their underlying truths. Read on that level, the bible is a fascinating document. Taking it literally is a sign of inadequate education.
2007-06-07 05:33:45 · answer #1 · answered by Boar's Heart 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I disagree with only one thing: The Bible was written by many people (there is no maybe to it). That is historical fact. There are probably a few truths in the Bible. I assume they managed to get a name correct here and there. However, I think any rational person would read it and say, "My, what an excellent example of fictional writing." Imagine if you were given this book to read without any preconceived notion that people thought it was true. Can you honestly expect me to believe that anyone would take it seriously above the age of ten?
2007-06-07 05:13:57 · answer #2 · answered by seattlefan74 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The bible is a bunch of stories like the Odyssey and the Iliad.
There is some historical fact in there. Troy existed, as did many of the Biblical cities. Agamemnon, Paris and Achilles probably were real people as were Solomon, David, Herod the Great, etc. But Achilles was not killed by an arrow to the ankle, David was not made king because he killed a giant with a single sling shot.
2007-06-07 05:19:24 · answer #3 · answered by Simon T 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The bible WAS written by many people: 40 authors over 1,500 years. So you are correct in your assumption. However, it wasn't finally put together until it was cannonized in approximately 300 A.D. No other book in history can claim the same continuity with anywhere close to the number of years or authors it took to compile the Bible.
The Bible is the living, breathing Word of God and He became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-5) If you believe in His sacrifice and confess that He is Lord you will be justified in God's sight. (Romans 10:9)
2007-06-07 05:24:47 · answer #4 · answered by DB 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, we think it is fiction. A talking donkey? A talking serpent? A man being swallowed by a whale and survives for three days? Need I go on? Really, maybe the people of old age believe in these things because they were so primitative. There is no excuse to believe in this tripe now.
2007-06-07 05:06:01 · answer #5 · answered by DeCaying_Roses 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the bible is a *bunch* of stories. most are probably fiction.
2007-06-07 05:05:08 · answer #6 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋