What does this mean?

Question

I have had several christians say to me lately when discussing the historical acuracy of the bible stories

"WE know it isn't historically true but it is religiously true?

What does this mean? Something is true or not true, there is no real grey area?

Imacatholic-you were the first to say it the other day and it still makes no sense (to me a t least).

Answer 1

Yes, it is quite a contradiction, is it not? My own assumption is these Christians accept the validity of evolution, natural selection, and carbon dating, but not of the big-bang theory. They still maintain life is too great, and too complicated, to have been created in chaos by a series of accidents.

Answer 2

No, you're confusing "true" with "factual". They may SEEM to be the same concept, but they really aren't. The best example I can give is the story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree. It isn't a *factual* story - it never happened historically. But it is nonetheless *true* in that it captures the essence of Washington's character. That's the whole point of myth - to capture truth in a narrative way and make it easily accessible. The problem comes when we forget that myth is myth and try and make it history; we lose the point. Hope that makes sense?

Peace to you.

EDIT: one more thought: if you are taking "truth" to mean "factual" then you're right there are no grey areas: something either happened or it didn't. But anyone who's studied philosophy can tell you that "truth" definitely has grey areas!

Answer 3

Really! And yet they QUOTE the bible left and right to prove their points. So how do they determine which is historically true, religiously true, both or neither? Who are THEY to make that judgment? Shouldn't that be God's call?

If they OWNED their truth, they would not need to depend so much on a book that wavers in its validity.

Answer 4

I guess they look at the deeper meaning of the stories and feel that even if they're not *historically* true, they can still make a point and teach us something.

Answer 5

I think that they lie to themselves about the truth of the Bible. I think they know, deep down inside, that it's not true and choose to ignore that fact.

atheist

Answer 6

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:16-20)
Other areas of interest are: John 15:8, "By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples." Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:15)

Answer 7

People do not understand the nature of the Bible is to Believe it is true not to know or have knowledge it is true, and this is the tree of Knowledge of EVIL. Genesis 2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
So if history disagrees with the Bible means nothing to a Christian because you know God's word is eternal,1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. you will side with the words of the Bible over the words of a man about history; Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
I have never found any story in history to be more accurate than the Bible. But the Devil inspires men to fight against the word also and God will cause these men to believe a lie;
1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Answer 8

There is a fundamental difference between truth and fact.

It is true that God exists but I cannot prove it.

It is a fact that President Bush said he invaded Iraq because of weapons of mass destruction but it is not true.

Catholics believe that the Bible teaches truth about God but it is not historically factual at all times.

The Bible's primary purpose is to teach us the truth about God and His (or Her) love for us, not to teach facts about history or science.

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 105 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

To me it sounds like there not totaly convinced that Christ is are savior! And if so they are saying that For everyone to believe it's not true but for Christians to believe it is true!

Answer 10

perhaps it was some part of history was planed for our eyes and beliefs to deceive us from the truth,