(November 13, 2015 at 10:56 pm)ronedee Wrote:The stories about Jesus are no more or less "subjective" than the rest of the Bible. Taking part and leaving the rest is classic cherry picking.(November 2, 2015 at 8:04 pm)Rhondazvous Wrote: The story about the Tower of Babel presents us with some interesting questions. In this story, the inhabitants of the Earth move further away from the Garden of Eden after Adam's eviction therefrom. They all speak the same language and pretty much stick together. There is no confusion among them. No misunderstanding. No war. The Bible tells us they were all of one mind (Genesis 11:1-9). The God of the Bible comes down to see this. When he notes that they are united and their unity strengthens them, he is displeased. They plan to build a tower up to heaven. The God of the Bible doesn't merely laugh this off as foolish hubris. Rather, he sees it as a serious threat and takes steps to put a stop to it. He confuses their language so they can’t understand one another. I cannot see the Creator of the universe acting this way. But the creator of an Earth-centered fantasy world which does not exist outside the pages of the Bible did act this way. Let's take a look at this passage and see if any of the following questions seem a tad odd.
We might also see the synergy of people working together. A community where people work toward common goals—where nobody says “that‘s mine” can be imagined. And if we can imagine a thing, we can build it.
I guess you know nothing of human nature? Men do what men do. God does what God does.
Look to the "Word of God" personified as your guide. Aka Jesus. The rest is subjective: inspired by God; written by men. Common sense of those times, wisdom and discernment is needed for the OT.
Two themes are prevalent to me throughout the old testament: God's Patience & Love, and man's constant disobedience and rebellion. The ONLY solution was Jesus Christ! Its basically a backdoor to Heaven. Because we are unable to get there; as the Babylonians tried building towers to it! Unsuccessfully I might add. The symbolism is astounding, as is your negligence in seeing the relationship to mans rebellion! But again, you need open awareness to read these stories.
Jesus paid the wages of sin for us. "He who was without sin, became sin." And put sin to death on the cross! Now, sin has no exclusive powers. Death [was] only meant for sinners when the curse was adjudicated in the beginning. Christ broke that bond in living a perfect life, but dying anyway.
God said: "It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifice." Only through human experience can we demonstrate that "act". And no amount of "omni_____." will do that. Not without God making it that way for us!
Moral of story? God gets to make us real, instead of robots! Real means: actually having a choice separate and apart from any influence.
And as for evidence? He says throughout the bible that we have sufficient evidence!
2 Peter 3:5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
Which part can I leave since Jesus said none of it can be changed until heaven and earth pass away. So what you're saying is in direct contrast to what Jesus said.
The god who allows children to be raped out of respect for the free will choice of the rapist, but punishes gay men for engaging in mutually consensual sex couldn't possibly be responsible for an intelligently designed universe.
I may defend your right to free speech, but i won't help you pass out flyers.
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.
--Voltaire
Nietzsche isn't dead. How do I know he lives? He lives in my mind.
I may defend your right to free speech, but i won't help you pass out flyers.
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.
--Voltaire
Nietzsche isn't dead. How do I know he lives? He lives in my mind.