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The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:00 pm
There have been a few threads in the last few week along the lines of "Christians! Explain [weirdbiblestory]like the one about bears[/weirdbiblestory]"
I very rarely can. But that got me to thinking. Why do we (and by we I mean Christians) assume that ALL the bible is accurate*. I mean the bible says that its all accurate, but that might be one of the bits which isn't.
I have no time for the semantic and interpretive gymnastics which people go through to make the weird bits of the bible fit with modern morality. But why should it follow that just because SOME of the Bible is Fubar (and I agree that it is) that the whole shooting match is equally absurd?
*As I typed that I heard (I think) Esquilax's voice in my head saying "why should you assume ANY of it is accurate". That's a different thread 
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
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RE: The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:16 pm
(January 12, 2014 at 4:00 pm)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: There have been a few threads in the last few week along the lines of "Christians! Explain [weirdbiblestory]like the one about bears[/weirdbiblestory]"
I very rarely can. But that got me to thinking. Why do we (and by we I mean Christians) assume that ALL the bible is accurate*. I mean the bible says that its all accurate, but that might be one of the bits which isn't.
I have no time for the semantic and interpretive gymnastics which people go through to make the weird bits of the bible fit with modern morality. But why should it follow that just because SOME of the Bible is Fubar (and I agree that it is) that the whole shooting match is equally absurd?
*As I typed that I heard (I think) Esquilax's voice in my head saying "why should you assume ANY of it is accurate". That's a different thread
I just started another CHRISTIANS PLEASE EXPLAIN "walking dead"... can u give ur input?
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RE: The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:19 pm
With a due sense of exhaustion and dread, I'll have a look.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
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RE: The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:19 pm
(January 12, 2014 at 4:00 pm)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: There have been a few threads in the last few week along the lines of "Christians! Explain [weirdbiblestory]like the one about bears[/weirdbiblestory]"
I very rarely can. But that got me to thinking. Why do we (and by we I mean Christians) assume that ALL the bible is accurate*. I mean the bible says that its all accurate, but that might be one of the bits which isn't.
I have no time for the semantic and interpretive gymnastics which people go through to make the weird bits of the bible fit with modern morality. But why should it follow that just because SOME of the Bible is Fubar (and I agree that it is) that the whole shooting match is equally absurd?
I'm sorry Jake, but I can't help you with this. Because it was this train of thought that let me to eventually become an atheist..
When I was young, there was a god with infinite power protecting me. Is there anyone else who felt that way? And was sure about it? but the first time I fell in love, I was thrown down - or maybe I broke free - and I bade farewell to God and became human. Now I don't have God's protection, and I walk on the ground without wings, but I don't regret this hardship. I want to live as a person. -Arina Tanemura
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RE: The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:20 pm
(This post was last modified: January 12, 2014 at 4:20 pm by Kayenneh.)
(January 12, 2014 at 4:16 pm)truthBtold Wrote: I just started another CHRISTIANS PLEASE EXPLAIN "walking dead"... can u give ur input?
And no, you do not bump your own threads like this, especially when there's (potentially) good discussion to be had in this one. That's just bad manners.. 
When I was young, there was a god with infinite power protecting me. Is there anyone else who felt that way? And was sure about it? but the first time I fell in love, I was thrown down - or maybe I broke free - and I bade farewell to God and became human. Now I don't have God's protection, and I walk on the ground without wings, but I don't regret this hardship. I want to live as a person. -Arina Tanemura
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RE: The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:24 pm
I tend to agree. While the Bible is clearly not factually accurate (bats are not birds, bushes don't speak with human voice), there are bits and bobs of it while, not unique or original to the Bible, are clearly good advice:
-Treat people fairly.
-Help the poor.
-Keep an eye on your neighbour's goods.
-Gain understanding.
-Don't forsake your friends.
I don't think it matters that most of these and the other worthwhile bits are - in context - to get one in good with God. They, in and of themselves, are good advice and to reject them simple because they appear in the Bible, is, well...nutty.
Boru
‘But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods or no gods. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.’ - Thomas Jefferson
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RE: The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:35 pm
But then how do we know which ones are accurate and which aren't? As far as I know, the same standards were used on all the books to determine if they should be canonized, so if you reject some of them, you've basically rejected the whole Bible.
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RE: The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:38 pm
(January 12, 2014 at 4:35 pm)Avodaiah Wrote: But then how do we know which ones are accurate and which aren't? As far as I know, the same standards were used on all the books to determine if they should be canonized, so if you reject some of them, you've basically rejected the whole Bible.
Firstly, I'd make a distinction between "accurate" and "useful". The bible is neither a history book nor a science book. I'd describe it more than anything as a self help book (ducks).
But I just can't see how rejecting some of it means rejecting the rest of it.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
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RE: The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:44 pm
(January 12, 2014 at 4:38 pm)Jacob(smooth) Wrote: (January 12, 2014 at 4:35 pm)Avodaiah Wrote: But then how do we know which ones are accurate and which aren't? As far as I know, the same standards were used on all the books to determine if they should be canonized, so if you reject some of them, you've basically rejected the whole Bible.
Firstly, I'd make a distinction between "accurate" and "useful". The bible is neither a history book nor a science book. I'd describe it more than anything as a self help book (ducks).
But I just can't see how rejecting some of it means rejecting the rest of it. I guess it depends on the difference between the parts you accept and the ones you reject.
What is the difference for you?
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RE: The Bible. All or nothing?
January 12, 2014 at 4:51 pm
(January 12, 2014 at 4:20 pm)Kayenneh Wrote: (January 12, 2014 at 4:16 pm)truthBtold Wrote: I just started another CHRISTIANS PLEASE EXPLAIN "walking dead"... can u give ur input?
And no, you do not bump your own threads like this, especially when there's (potentially) good discussion to be had in this one. That's just bad manners..
Hmmm. I started this one... dont u see ... silly rabbit!!!! And il start plenty more....join in anytime
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