According to religion,god gave us intelligence and wants us to use it.So why would it be wrong to use the intelligence that people think god gave us to notice all the inaccuracies and contradictions in the bible that would lead a person who uses the gifts of reason and logic to come to the conclusion that the bible is no more than a good read.
Why would god give us reason and logic then tell us to ignore them and blindly follow the teachings of a book written by man that uses itself as proof of its own authenticity.
Can anyone help me understand this
2007-12-25 09:14:30 · 23 answers · asked by upside 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can try to help you understand my perspective, but I can't make you share it.
God didn't tell us to blindly follow the teaching of a book written by man...he told us to use our logic and reason to seek the truth in his message...big difference!
The way I see it, identifying an inaccuracy or contradiction in the bible (or in anything else) is the beginning of reason and logic not the end. The bible is far more than a good read, it is the living word of God and in it lies the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of his message for you (and for me). When logic and reason lead you to identify a contradiction in God's word, that's a clear indication that something is wrong with your interpretation. I've never discovered (or heard about) a contradiction or inconsistency in the bible that I couldn't, with his help, resolve reasonably and logically by looking for flaws in my own perception.
Therein lies the purpose of reason and logic...more importantly, the purpose of that mental tension created by logical inconsistencies or paradoxes. Psychologists call it cognitive dissonance...a feeling that something isn't quite right...that we might be missing something important.
It can be difficult for us to accept that we're fallible, that our logic and reason doesn't always lead us to the right conclusions...but anyone that is truly honest with him or herself has to admit that we don't always reach the right conclusions or interpretations of the events and experiences in our lives. Perhaps that's one of the biggest benefits of faith...it allows a person to accept that the bible is the true word of God and urges you to keep seeking that truth in the face of contradictions or inconsistencies. I believe that if you will accept that the bible IS the word of God and that it is perfectly true, that reason and logic can help you find the truth in it. On the other hand, if you think it is just a "good read", you'll miss out on the true message because you won't take the time to resolve the apparent contradictions!
2007-12-25 09:43:02 · answer #1 · answered by KAL 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I dont see any problem using logic and reasoning understanding the bible. The problem that I see is with the CONCLUSION made out of those premises made.
Bible is a mixture of historical account of genealogy, epistles, psalms, prophecy. Inaccuracy doesnt necessarily degrade its value. It is, in fact, a virtue, that humanity is put in a limited and confined world. The bible says that we should not go beyond what is written. If the Bible doesnt tell that much it only means that the degree of value ends there and nothing more can suffice its purpose.
Contradictions also depends on the one who reads it. A grammarian would definitely find trouble reading it because the bible is not an academic book. A contextual analyst would also find it intriguing and confused because Bible is not a case portfolio. A scientist would also scratch his/her head because it is not a scientific journal. A historian would question it because it lacks elements of history archiving. A genealogist wouldnt agree because the bible is not intended to be an inheritance paper.
Error among others like inaccuracy, vagueness and ambiguity are inherent nature of language. Bible is not spared from this. The real messengers of God would let you know how to go about it. It is the duty of the Messengers of God to reveal it. As Apostle Paul said:
Eph 3:3-5
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
2007-12-25 17:40:02 · answer #2 · answered by bongnate 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Lawerence,
Interesting question.
However, I have studied the Bible thoroughly for 33+ years (and I have a degree in theology) and have found no contradictions, and no inaccuracies. None. Zip. Nada.
Now, when it comes to using reason and logic - God tells us to use those. Check out Isaiah 1:18, and check out Job chapters 38-42. Oh, and the book of Proverbs - God given wisdom applicable today.
If anyone tells you there are contradictions - do like I do, tell them to point them out to you. That's what I do, and no one has ever been able to.
God's richest blessings upon you.
"Ranger"
2007-12-25 18:46:17 · answer #3 · answered by earanger 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The answer should seem pretty obvious to you if you have gotten this far. Reason and logic are part of the equation. God gave them to you for a reason, and that reason was not just to confuse and mislead you.
One other thought. Maybe reason and logic and not the totality of the equation. I am thinking of things like intuition. Some people claim there is something like a spirit of God that is at the center of everyone that is an indicator of truth.
2007-12-25 17:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by lwk2431 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
what are the inaccuracies and contradictions that you are talking about? God did give us reason and logic, but sometimes we do not have the mind to understand everything. If we follow logic and reason alone in this life, will that get us anywhere. Does logic give space for the supernatural....maybe? There are historical evidence for the bible.....in order for me to understand your question, you will need to state those inaccuracies. Even then i may not be able to answer because i do not have all the answers. I chose to believe in Jesus simply because He chose to love me first.
2007-12-25 17:29:29 · answer #5 · answered by muthu 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
He doesn't, man does. Find your own truth. It is possible to build your own personal relationship with God. The bible has great lessons and truths. I believe it is a key, but only a key. You do have a great mind, although remember sometimes logic and reason that you are aware of cannot explain everything. Until you truly learn to know God, things make all the sense in the world.
Spiritualist
2007-12-25 17:21:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
With reasoning we understand
1) the Bible is a compilation of many books
2) written by many different men
3) during an unknown length of time
4) vehemently argued over by people smarter and more spiritual than any on this board.
5) written during a time of general lack of science stuff.
God gives you these parameters and knows you have the intelligence to work with it. The bible was put down for all generations. Not just this one.
2007-12-25 17:35:11 · answer #7 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't think God would.
But do not think that because the Bible is used as a foundation for Christianity that all religions are riddled with internal contradictions like that. One of the things that attracted me to paganism is that given certain starting postulates, the rest of the theology has impeccable internal consistency. (And by starting postulates, I mean the statements, "God exists. The nature of God is the sum of all things plus a further transcendental component.")
2007-12-25 17:27:29 · answer #8 · answered by Alexandra L 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The belief is actually widely accepted that God wants us to use our brains and our logic. He wants us to explore the world and learn about life, and to question. He doesn't want blind followers who don't ever question anything. Making the CHOICE to believe even after questioning and especially after having a crisis of faith makes it that much more profound and meaningful than just blindly believing what you're spoonfed by priests or anyone else. Jesus taught this.
2007-12-25 17:25:06 · answer #9 · answered by ♛Qu€€n♛J€§§¡¢a♛™ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I like this question. Why indeed? It's like giving wings to an eagle but then tying it to the ground. Apparently, we're gifted with a mind capable of doing something no other life on this planet can do - creative thought. But then we're given what people assume is the word of a god and when we discover something that casts doubt on the word of a god, we're apparently not allowed to teach it to our children because it makes a god angry.
2007-12-25 17:19:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋