Ask a Bible college Student

[Emzap]

Emzap, are you happy that America has elected a fascist for president, seeing as he was the fundagelicals (and the KKK's) choice?
Do you think it brings the world closer to apocalypse?

I wouldn't say that I'm happy with Donald Trump. I think that he is horrible personally. But I think that some of the policies he stands for are good, such as his stance as pro-life, and upholding the second amendment. I think as a businessman he can bring economic change that will better our nation. I think he is a better choice than Hilary Clinton. I think Hilary is a criminal. She put our nations security at risk. Trump was half of the nation's choice. Thats why he's the next president, and we can't blame anyone but ourselves. 

Yesterday one of my friends shared this quote with me, "If your eschatology is correct then the thing you should be feeling about the election is curiosity." I believe that no matter what happens with this country, it is in God's hands. All authority is in place because God has put him/her there. But God does allow and use suffering. We grow the most not in the easy times but in the hard times. I don't know whats going to happen with Trump as president. But no matter what happens, I find hope not in this Earth, but in Christ Jesus, and in my eternal home in Heaven with Him. 

---

My recommendation is to be a learner. Seek to learn as much as you can. Ask tons of questions.

I hear you on all of that. But answer me one question: What is the actual purpose of your education and is it really about keeping an open mind without being judgmental?

Because of the double major with bible and intercultural studies, the bible part is mostly for the sake of knowledge and understanding. As a Christian the Bible is seen as God's word, in which He reveals Himself to us. This is something I want to study. The intercultural studies part is to know and understand how to interact with people of other cultures better. Many people use this training to go into missions work overseas, but it can be used in a variety of ways, especially in the USA, which is a melting pot of various cultures and people groups. Its not about keeping an open mind and not being judgmental. That happens on its own when you go about understanding different people. Becoming judgmental happens when you don't take the time to learn or try to understand.

[Minimalist]

I was going to post a one hour video by Richard Carrier but I figured that might be an imposition right off the bat.  Instead, I'll start with a much briefer passage from Bart Ehrman's "Jesus Interrupted" and see what you make of it.

A very large percentage of seminarians are completely blind-sided
by the historical-critical method. They come in with the expectation
of learning the pious truths of the Bible so that they can pass
them along in their sermons, as their own pastors have done for
them. Nothing prepares them for historical criticism. To their surprise
they learn, instead of material for sermons, all the results of
what historical critics have established on the basis of centuries of
research. The Bible is filled with discrepancies, many of them irreconcilable
contradictions. Moses did not write the Pentateuch (the
first five books of the Old Testament) and Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John did not write the Gospels. There are other books that did
not make it into the Bible that at one time or another were considered
canonical—other Gospels, for example, allegedly written by
Jesus’ followers Peter, Thomas, and Mary. The Exodus probably did
not happen as described in the Old Testament. The conquest of the
Promised Land is probably based on legend. The Gospels are at odds
on numerous points and contain non-historical material. It is hard
to know whether Moses ever existed and what, exactly, the historical
Jesus taught. The historical narratives of the Old Testament are
filled with legendary fabrications and the book of Acts in the New
Testament contains historically unreliable information about the
life and teachings of Paul. Many of the books of the New Testament
are pseudonymous—written not by the apostles but by later writers
claiming to be apostles. The list goes on.

Pgs 5-6

[vorlon13]

I was going to post a one hour video by Richard Carrier but I figured that might be an imposition right off the bat.  Instead, I'll start with a much briefer passage from Bart Ehrman's "Jesus Interrupted" and see what you make of it.

A very large percentage of seminarians are completely blind-sided
by the historical-critical method. They come in with the expectation
of learning the pious truths of the Bible so that they can pass
them along in their sermons, as their own pastors have done for
them. Nothing prepares them for historical criticism. To their surprise
they learn, instead of material for sermons, all the results of
what historical critics have established on the basis of centuries of
research. The Bible is filled with discrepancies, many of them irreconcilable
contradictions. Moses did not write the Pentateuch (the
first five books of the Old Testament) and Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John did not write the Gospels. There are other books that did
not make it into the Bible that at one time or another were considered
canonical—other Gospels, for example, allegedly written by
Jesus’ followers Peter, Thomas, and Mary. The Exodus probably did
not happen as described in the Old Testament. The conquest of the
Promised Land is probably based on legend. The Gospels are at odds
on numerous points and contain non-historical material. It is hard
to know whether Moses ever existed and what, exactly, the historical
Jesus taught. The historical narratives of the Old Testament are
filled with legendary fabrications and the book of Acts in the New
Testament contains historically unreliable information about the
life and teachings of Paul. Many of the books of the New Testament
are pseudonymous—written not by the apostles but by later writers
claiming to be apostles. The list goes on.

Pgs 5-6

Wow, someone inside the skunks works spill the beans!!

This is as good on Christianity as the Tanner book is on the Mormons.

[Minimalist]

I have a .pdf version if you want to read it.

[Emzap]

I was going to post a one hour video by Richard Carrier but I figured that might be an imposition right off the bat.  Instead, I'll start with a much briefer passage from Bart Ehrman's "Jesus Interrupted" and see what you make of it.

A very large percentage of seminarians are completely blind-sided
by the historical-critical method. They come in with the expectation
of learning the pious truths of the Bible so that they can pass
them along in their sermons, as their own pastors have done for
them. Nothing prepares them for historical criticism. To their surprise
they learn, instead of material for sermons, all the results of
what historical critics have established on the basis of centuries of
research. The Bible is filled with discrepancies, many of them irreconcilable
contradictions. Moses did not write the Pentateuch (the
first five books of the Old Testament) and Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John did not write the Gospels. There are other books that did
not make it into the Bible that at one time or another were considered
canonical—other Gospels, for example, allegedly written by
Jesus’ followers Peter, Thomas, and Mary. The Exodus probably did
not happen as described in the Old Testament. The conquest of the
Promised Land is probably based on legend. The Gospels are at odds
on numerous points and contain non-historical material. It is hard
to know whether Moses ever existed and what, exactly, the historical
Jesus taught. The historical narratives of the Old Testament are
filled with legendary fabrications and the book of Acts in the New
Testament contains historically unreliable information about the
life and teachings of Paul. Many of the books of the New Testament
are pseudonymous—written not by the apostles but by later writers
claiming to be apostles. The list goes on.

Pgs 5-6

These are all claims with no support. Claims that have been made throughout this entire thread. Claims that cannot really be proven one way or another, because we weren't there. From my studies, I personally have found the Bible to be historically accurate. There is archeological finds to back it up. There are lists and lists of specific names, places, and numbers that would not have been written into a fictional story. There are elements of the Gospel itself that would not have been written into a fictional story. Really, though, it all comes down to faith. Because there is no hard evidence, and a heart set against God and His word wouldn't accept the evidence even if it was plain to see- there are always more reasons and excuses that people use to suppress the truth.

[vorlon13]

Thanx and much appreciated.

Found a nice RL actual book on amazon. It's worth having in my collection!

[Minimalist]

Don't take Ehrman's class.....he'll eat you alive for your ignorance.

You see, he's a little beyond a "bible college student."

Bart D. Ehrman
Ph.D., M.Div.

Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He began his teaching career at Rutgers University, and joined the faculty in the Department of Religious Studies at UNC in 1988, where he has served as both the Director of Graduate Studies and the Chair of the Department.
Professor Ehrman completed his M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees at Princeton Seminary, where his 1985 doctoral dissertation was awarded magna cum laude. An expert on the New Testament and the history of Early Christianity, has written or edited thirty books, numerous scholarly articles, and dozens of book reviews. In addition to works of scholarship, Professor Ehrman has written several textbooks for undergraduate students and trade books for general audiences.

But it tells me all I need to know about you.

[Emzap]

Thanx and much appreciated.

Found a nice RL actual book on amazon.  It's worth having in my collection!

If you want to keep an open mind and do some light reading on the other side of the argument, A Case For Christ by Lee Strobel is a great read. He is a journalist, scientist, and former atheist who investigated Christianity trying to disprove it, and found the evidence for Christ so strong that he couldn't deny it. I encourage you to read it and take it at face value. I too read on the opposite side of my beliefs. I've been reading parts of Farewell to God by Charles Templeton.

[GrandizerII]

Thanx and much appreciated.

Found a nice RL actual book on amazon.  It's worth having in my collection!

If you want to keep an open mind and do some light reading on the other side of the argument, A Case For Christ by Lee Strobel is a great read. He is a journalist, scientist, and former atheist who investigated Christianity trying to disprove it, and found the evidence for Christ so strong that he couldn't deny it. I encourage you to read it and take it at face value. I too read on the opposite side of my beliefs. I've been reading parts of Farewell to God by Charles Templeton.

Scientist in which field?

[Minimalist]

According to Wiki the only science he knows is bible bullshit.

Strobel received a journalism degree from University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School,[5] becoming a journalist for The Chicago Tribune and other newspapers for 14 years.

The book in question is him interviewing a bunch of other jesus freaks.  Not a single negative voice about their horseshit.  Don't waste your time with Stroebel.  Pure apologetic nonsense.