why are the opinions expressed in the bible any more valid than my own opinion about the nature of God?

Question

I did not personally know the people who wrote the bible and since we are all God's children why should I trust their opinions or believe they are any more valid than my own?

Answer 1

If your opinions are based on reality and evidence and are internally consistent, you are way ahead of the bible already.

There is absolutely no reason to trust the bible. It was written by dozens of people over the course of several centuries. These people had no concept of modern science -- astronomy, geography, biology, physics etc. and much of what they wrote is wrong. After it was written, it was edited and translated over and over. Books were thrown out for no good reason, pieces were changed to suit the current doctrines, etc. It is probably one of the most untrustworthy documents ever written.

Answer 2

Do you really think that God wants us to worship Him because we feel guilty? This is a standard marketing ploy used by evangelicals to shame people into submission. Great marketing, lousy theology. First of all, a sacrifice involves giving up something. The people of Israel gave up nothing. People who "accept" Jesus give up nothing. In fact, the whole marketing campaign focuses on how much they will gain. And in the end, Jesus did not give up anything. He had a bad weekend but came back stronger than ever. So the whole guilt trip appeal is irrelevant. Second, there is nothing to forgive. The whole scenario assumes that God has high expectations for us but is disappointed with the results. This assumes that, when God sent us here, He had no idea how it would turn out. In other words, God's great plan for mankind is "throw them up against the wall and see who sticks". This means that God has no clue about the future and is confined within the same limits of time and space as we are. WRONG!!! God has a plan and has already seen the successful completion of it. He knew every mistake you would make before you thought of them and forgave you before you were born. So there is nothing to pay for and no need to be cleansed. The crucifixion and resurrection were Jesus's way of proving the power of God over life and death. He did it to show that offering sacrifices to the church was no longer necessary. Unfortunately, the modern churches have turned it into a guilt trip to encourage customer loyalty and contributions. God wants our love, not our shame. The only ones who benefit from this approach are the religious organizations. Like I said, great marketing, lousy theology. Best always Brother Ron

Answer 3

The bible is not anyones opinion. It is God's inspired word. He would have made sure that only what he wants contained in it are there and that anything he did not want in was left out. These people were not giving an opinion, they were giving prophecy and good news. At times they were giving warning. God works through people, therefore several people actually wrote the bible, but it was not their words, the words are God's.

Answer 4

Quite right. They are not only not more valid, they may well be less valid. The people who wrote the Bible lived in a very primitive society where nobody traveled much more than 10 miles from their homes. You live in a world connected by the Internet and superior transportation, and you are able to gather ideas from all over the world.

Trust your own good judgment.

Answer 5

You probably don't know the writers personally either of the books you read, so why should you trust their opinions?

We all come into the world like an "empty container" and other people fill us up with what they have learned-- from other people before them. You have to teach a baby how to hold the spoon and feed herself. You guide your child while he learns to walk. Apart from a few instincts all the we do, say and think is LEARNED from someone.

So, we are not the SOURCE of wisdom. God is the source of wisdom. Everything comes from Him, and He has revealed Himself to us through the writers of the Bible.

Answer 6

Whether REALLY VALID & TRUE or not, Dear, many BELIEVE them to be true...

Those who believe it are strong and in majority...

If even a wise person like Gallileo had to surrender to their strength and bully, who are you?

If you say YOU KNOW GOD, these people who believe in bible may massacre you!

So, Know that what you know as God is true and is your own first hand information. But talk about it only in front of those who may understand you...

Answer 7

In a strict sense, your question is almost paradoxical. If you believe in the traditional Biblical God, then you believe that that God wrote the Bible through those people-- not through you. If you don't Believe in that God, why ask the question?

Answer 8

Because, first, you has to become an spiritual authority and most important, a pure person, free from material contamination, otherwise, the opinion of a sinful person trying analyze God is useless.

Answer 9

The Bible is God's divine revelation of himself to mankind. It is filled with writings that begin with words like "Thus says the Lord" or "The Lord says". If God reveals Himself to you in a vision or something then you can speak about the nature of God from wisdom. Your opinion just like my opinion or the opinion of anyone else is worthless because they are the equivalent of describing an idol, a "god of our own making" created in our own imaginations.

Answer 10

There are 3 views in this life: Your view, my view, and the right view. God's Word is Truth. I didn't know the biblical writer's either, but I know the One who inspired all their writings, God. You can know a person as a friend for years and not really know them like you would if you spent time with them every day and got to experience their love and promises firsthand. Well, that's how a Christian gets to know God and that His Word is truth..... by faith, experience and time.