Did God lie about how he made the universe? Was he hiding something?

Question

God reuses ancient Greek astronomy (which Thales, the "father of science," also believed) in his explanation of universe creation. The theory became very popular throughout Europe and Israel. It says the universe is actually an ocean, the flat earth separated from the ocean by a bubble, and the earth, it's moon and sun floating in the ocean (this was before gravity was known).

In the opening of Genesis he talks of the earth being formless in the "deep," while he moves across the waters (universe). He then says he divided the upper waters from lower waters, gathers the lower waters to one spot and creates dry land.

He also reuses various characters and epics from Babylonian mythos, such as Adapa (Adam & Eve), Ningishzida (serpent), Atra-Hasis (flood, among others), Epic of Gilgamesh, Enûma Eliš, etc...

Why did God feel it necessary to reuse human-made theories and mythos? Why not just tell it like it is? After all, Genesis is divinely inspired and not made by people, right?

n9wff:
It's not out of context, I just didn't have room to quote, besides I thought you could look it up yourself:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201%20;&version=51;

Feel free to disprove that it is an obvious rip-off of ancient Greek astronomy.

TONY,
How can one disprove the bible without mentioning what the bible says? The only way to disprove something is to take it to the source. Think before you type. Besides, I didn't quote it - I summarized the opening of it and simply mentioned other parts (adam & eve, flood, etc..).

Answer 1

Funny you would say that God reuses ancient Greek astronomy...the Greeks were not even organized as such when Moses wrote the book of Genesis. The Babylonians were close to Noah...why wouldn't they have references to the progenetic origins of human life? The Hebrew people were the best at keeping to the original story...so when Moses wrote it down, he was inspired to maintain the word of mouth epic which was handed down from Adam, to Noah, to Abraham, who was from the land we now call Iraq...and who was the forefather of many nations. So in essence, the 'human-made' theories and mythos were different versions of the story the Hebrews treasured for generations since Adam. Don't forget the different races and languages came about soon after the time of the Great Flood...and even more since then since language is alive and changes over time. In a word..."DUH!"

Answer 2

I believe no matter how the Bible is analyzed, it is flawed. Strictly discussing only the New Testament, it was written two centuries after Christ was murdered. which was long before translators made the Bible readable for the masses. They had complete discretion over content. Before being released to the masses If a story wasn’t complete, multiple stories were woven together to form one book. Pieces were moved around and put together like a puzzle. When a turn of a phrase disagreed with the King’s Church, it was removed in its entirety. We now know that multiple scrolls of material, intended to be included as part of the Bible, were carefully hidden instead. This was necessary to avoid destruction of both the authors, and the information. We are aware of this as scripted Codices, have slowly been discovered. They’ve been carbon dated and authenticated by experts to prove they were written at approximately the same time the Bible. Numerous experts believe these writings were intended to be part of the original Bible. However, it is also true to say that these compositions are still the cause of great debate. Before the Bible was let loose to commoners, these powerful people had just simply raped it. When one controls the religion of a people, they then control those people. This is why it was so important to make sure the Bible only told the stories approved of by the King and his Church. It also explains the hiding of certain texts. If anything written even smacks of freedom for the common man, it must be destroyed. For if it was found that the King was not god, the King could loose his ability to control his kingdom. As the translators were loyal to the King, the Bible was edited very carefully indeed. Speaking only of the New Testament, the Bible remains one of the very best set of life instructions known to man. There is only one, most important law. It is: To love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might, and to love thy neighbor as you love yourself. If this Law is followed to the letter, it isn’t possible to break even one of the old Ten Commandments. When Jesus was born, all prophecies from the Old Testament were fulfilled. The Old Testament passed away with the first coming of the Christ. The Ten Commandments were no longer relevant. According the Christ the only Commandment needed in order to not sin is: To love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. This is how we can live more abundantly, which is as God wants us to live.
Blessed Be

Answer 3

God does not lie, greek mythology is just what is says it is, myth. I would suggest to take a look at the Bible from a new perspective, read it from a view point that if it is real you will accept that. If you can do that then God will show he is real, as long as you are playing these games God willnot reveal himself to you because you are not serious about him, he created you, Jesus died for you on a cross but still you take his name in vain. Thats not good, Please take my adivce and start reading the Bible with an open mind instead of mocking it and always trying to disprove it. May God open up your eyes to the truth, in Jesus's name Amen, If you have any questions about the Bible just send me an email, take some time and think about this sinners Prayer, Dear Jesus, I know and confess that I am sinner in need of salvation. I believe you died on a cross at calvery and arose from the grave to wash away my sins, I ask you right now to come into my heart and save me, I pray this Prayer believing in the name of Jesus Amen. If you prayed this prayer with a sincere heart you are now a child of God, rejoice that your name is written in the Lambs book of Life. Also if you really believed you have had a change in your heart and you have felt it and cannot deny it. May God Bless, now Find you a church and read your Bible daily.

Answer 4

There ar emany theories and ways people try to lable and put on God's word and love, Like everything we learn or know already is a lie.
God is the beginning and the end. He also is with us in between those to time frames.
The bible and commandment are full of good information and lesson for us.
They prove that man's word is empty, and often twists things into the way people want it to be. As we never want to admit we could be wrong about something.

Like my question with creation vs evolutions. We were created this way for a reason. We arent a mistake, a chance of nature, or all fromt the smae ameba or cell.
As my question about evolution. Is if we evovled into what we are today. Then why has the evolving ended ? As to me in my mind I'd think it would keep going , endlessly , as we have not become perfect beings, with no flaws or perfect.
Creation seems right to me. As we were created this way, to lean on and learn from each other , to need each other, and most of all To go and sit with Jesus / God and learn why we are this way and grow strong from the truth we have been given. Any doubts or questions we cant answers here, Are things we'll learn about from God himself when the time is right. So we need to head in the right direction of truth, not rely on myths or lies and fears of others.
Read the bible and truths, and soak it in for ourselves and learn it the way God intends us to see it and understand it at the times we're meant to .

Answer 5

The God mankind made according to its limitations made a world that is not functionioning without causing suffer and pain.
That is the man-made God though, the one in the Bible, the one of the scriptures written by people.
Because people created that image of that God, that God suffers the limitations of those very people who created him.
Even if you're a strong believer, until this day nobody has found an objective reason behind this universe's existence. Only subjective ones.
Once we find the objective reason behind all the life and the existence(s) here, we may have found God and the real creation, the real way how it was and will ever be.
http://JoeMessiah.com

Answer 6

Sweety, Genesis predated- Greek mythology- a healthy course in world history will set you straight- Why would GOD- rip off Greek mythology- He created man and thus the world- the heavens and the earth- so all things followed after GOD- perhaps-you need to look at these events chronologically- it even makes logical sense

Answer 7

God didn't use these theories & myths, unfortunately you can't ask the man or men who originally wrote the bible. They're the only ones who can explain why they used these concepts. God didn't write the bible & there's no way of knowing if god wanted ppl to have a book to refer to, faith cannot be obtained from a book but some human beings thought it was a good idea.

Answer 8

You missed one major point: God does what he does, but it's how MAN interprets it that screws everything up.

First - I believe in God! That said, man is known for doing things HIS way! If we don't like,we alter it a bit. Why do you think the Catholics keep those ancient bibles locked up?

There are certain stories in the Bible that are just false. The first that comes to mind is the story of jonah and the whale. Whales are HUGE, bit if you ask anyone of the study of them if it could happen, they will all say "NO!"

That's because as huge as whales are, their throats are not big enough to swallow a person!

Answer 9

God isn't merely an adventure, he's an perpetually endless entity. once you suspect in God you're merely putting it accessible which you think of there extra to existence that whats in the international and we share a consumer-friendly writer. Feeling God ought to be a fantastic adventure the place a surprising know-how includes you from interior of; the silent voice of God chatting with you.

Answer 10

People lie, your Lord has no reason to lie and would never do such as thing. Its pure and simple ignorance to even think such a thing and surely anyone that thinks that is an ignorant fool.

People make up their own oppression they cannot handle and or bare to deal with in proof and knowledge instead they run off blind faith. Read it again for the first time.