by JH 29 Replies latest jw friends
OK' the bible is full of errors and inconsistencies some will say, so does this make the bible nul and void?
Some verses are still very clear, like thy shall not steal, or thy shall not commit adultery or fornication...
Some will think that if you find a few errors or inconsistencies in the bible, then it's not trustworthy anymore, so scrap the whole book.
Is that your point of view?
JH:
OK' the bible is full of errors and inconsistencies some will say, so does this make the bible nul and void?
Not necessarily, but it should make one wary of following anything it says.
Some verses are still very clear, like thy shall not steal, or thy shall not commit adultery or fornication...
It's just as clear when it prohibits eating shellfish, shaving your beard and wearing mixed fibres. I prefer to have good reasons to support my moral choices. Obeying the commands in a book is not a good basis for morality.
Some will think that if you find a few errors or inconsistencies in the bible, then it's not trustworthy anymore, so scrap the whole book
The book still has some value as a historical record, as poetry and occasional nuggets of wisdom. It's worthless as prophecy and positively dangerous as a moral guide.
As far as saying that the bible is the inspired word of God... I don't think so. If it was there would be no mistakes!
However, there are many excellent principles that are indeed applicable. I think the biggest mistake people make is disagreeing with one concept/rule or principal and then automatically discounting the whole book.
There are definetly some good things in it but by the same token, you have to read it with a "grain of salt".
As a history, I can't trust it. It's too full of intertwined myths.
As a moral guide, I can't buy it. Fornication is okey-dokey by me. (Even adultery, but only if all affected parties are ok with it. [would it still be adultery?])
As literature, it's boring as hell. It might be ok in places, but I just started Moby Dick and it's got me enthralled from the get go. You could swing a false prophet and hit a dozen more enjoyable-to-read books than the Bible.
As a guide to getting closer to god, it may have value. The Psalms can serve as the basis for a godly person's prayers. Lots to ignore there, too, though. Not sure how much value, but maybe some.
Dave
Would have to agree with FunkyDerek on most of this.
There are parts of the Bible I've always enjoyed - Ecclesiastes in particular, a strange mix of Oriental philosophy in the midst of Jewish history and ranting prophets.
It's certainly not inspired, and certainly not infallible. As a moral guide it's rocky indeed.
I would say its greatest value lies in its history and influence as a book.
But beware of seeing it for anything more than that - the Bible has created huge problems for humankind for centuries because of its being viewed as so special. Witness what the religious right and our fundamentalist President are doing in the name of the Bible right now. Certainly the "War on Terrorism" is being driven by a Bible-based agenda.
S4
I have never doubted the cultural and historical significance of the bible for the western world and the evolution of western culture. But beyond academic interest, I find it rather dull. I believe it lost most of its literary power through endless translations and dilutions. In terms of its moral authority, it really has no value once you have abandoned religion.
There is more wisdom in a Harry Potter book.
j
As I see it now, it certainly has value.
Historical value for two reasons. It gives insight in the way of living and thinking of some ancient people. and second, the role the bible played in more recent history.
Moral value: some things, do have a high moral value. Most of the things for example that jesus thought, fall in this category. Some things are very outdated moral values of course, and are more historical significant.
In antropology, it can be interested to see how the God idea changed over time. The jewish God idea was very powerfull. So much so, that it survived the battle of the fittest God.
Other values? I am nor sure about that
Danny
I always issue this challenge to bible thumpers:
But, no.
The bible is at the core of all this mystical mumbo-jumbo.
All religious views change and ebb and flow with the needs of society. The bible was one thing fifty years ago and is another thing today.
The Puritans who settled in America would be viewed by us today (if we had to live amongst them) as horrifying religious zealots with dysfunctional families and a sadistic streak in their society. Even today's Amish would seem astonishingly liberal by standards from a bygone era.
The bible is mush.
Reading it and quoting it makes your rational mind mush.
we have no clue what the bible originally said or if its all there or if its been added to, since the bible was voted on by powerful religious men long after the death of christ.
at best it is a history of the Hebrew nation and its religious and cultural edicts along with prophecies about its future ups and downs.
then it is about a cult that arose around a teacher and philosopher whose teachings and philosophy were basically deconstructed by a supposed convert named Paul.
yeah, it gives some excellent advice on living, most religious and philosophical texts do.
