(September 23, 2015 at 3:30 am)robvalue Wrote: I'd say it's actually impossible to live by the whole bible, because it is contradictory. So some arbitrary choices have to be made even by those who are trying very hard to follow it to the letter.
Which is no one, so this isn't such a problem.
A person could live by the Bible if he wanted to. Of course he would be considered to be totally criminally insane if he did. That's because the basic rule is to believe and obey without exception. So, when it says to kill everyone or to stone your disobedient child that's exactly what's required. And when it says to feed and shelter the needy that's also what's required. Therefore it's possible to be completely cruel and yet merciful and kind within five minutes, depending on what's being responded to. All of the stories show how people were rewarded and punished when they deviated from the basic rule. Even Moses, one of the most fanatical minions, got kicked in the teeth when he didn't follow the basic rule.
