I'm going to toss you a link regarding our disagreement about whether or not a "True Christian" can be identified. I can't state my case more eloquently or more succintly than has been done here.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn3.htm
It also touches on the subject of works, or faith, or whatever else any particular denomination might beleieve is required for salvation.
The central thread of the OT is of course Christ, I did say that the OT was written in a narrative style known as the prophetic cycle did I not? What other prophecy would I be referring to?
God's great love is a central theme of the bible? I'm not sure how to address this, since you immediately followed this statement by requesting that I not mention all the wars and killing.
I wrote that reading the bible " expecting to learn anything other than the narrative style of the authors, and collective superstitions of the target audience is a fruitless endeavor." Not, as you have rewritten my statement, that reading the bible is a fruitless endeavour. I stand by my statement. The bible is seeped in middle eastern superstition, and the narrative styles of the authors are distinct enough from each other that we can say things like X author of Y. That you look to the bible to find "God's truth" whatever that may mean is for you an article of faith, you're assuming it is there, because you assume that there is a god, and that the bible is his book. I'm simply not willing make those assumptions. I open the bible like any other book, fully expecting it to be a book, and nothing more.
That the bible has aided in the discovery of historic sites isn't something that I would take issue with. It is, after all, a book about a real (for the most part) place. Bombs, natural catastrophes, and claimed "psychic revelation" have also aided in the discovery of historical sites. We do not view any of these things as a credible source of history simply because they were associated with the discovery of said sites. The two events that I brought up, Exodus and the census in bethlehem, aren't just events in history. These events are given as factual accounts of events that help to form the basis of a religion. God delivering his chosen people out of slavery is a part of the prophetic cycle. It is echoed in the sentiments of salvation and heavenly reward. These events in a prophetic cycle build up to and reenforce each other. It's actually very important that they be accurate. If the census in Beth had not taken place, then what other reason would Joseph and Mary have had to travel to Beth? Yeshua ben Joseph could not have fulfilled the prophecy and been Christ unless he was born in Beth. Does that make the factual reality of the census in Bethlehem sound like a trivial matter to you? The intent of the bible is in fact as a book of history, that's why they started with "In the beginning, took the pains to add in every begot and begat, and further continued to give a "history of the future" in revelation.
I would argue that the bible is a work of art. And there are many narratives and psalms in the bible that I enjoy. Beyond that, what can I say?
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn3.htm
It also touches on the subject of works, or faith, or whatever else any particular denomination might beleieve is required for salvation.
The central thread of the OT is of course Christ, I did say that the OT was written in a narrative style known as the prophetic cycle did I not? What other prophecy would I be referring to?
God's great love is a central theme of the bible? I'm not sure how to address this, since you immediately followed this statement by requesting that I not mention all the wars and killing.
I wrote that reading the bible " expecting to learn anything other than the narrative style of the authors, and collective superstitions of the target audience is a fruitless endeavor." Not, as you have rewritten my statement, that reading the bible is a fruitless endeavour. I stand by my statement. The bible is seeped in middle eastern superstition, and the narrative styles of the authors are distinct enough from each other that we can say things like X author of Y. That you look to the bible to find "God's truth" whatever that may mean is for you an article of faith, you're assuming it is there, because you assume that there is a god, and that the bible is his book. I'm simply not willing make those assumptions. I open the bible like any other book, fully expecting it to be a book, and nothing more.
That the bible has aided in the discovery of historic sites isn't something that I would take issue with. It is, after all, a book about a real (for the most part) place. Bombs, natural catastrophes, and claimed "psychic revelation" have also aided in the discovery of historical sites. We do not view any of these things as a credible source of history simply because they were associated with the discovery of said sites. The two events that I brought up, Exodus and the census in bethlehem, aren't just events in history. These events are given as factual accounts of events that help to form the basis of a religion. God delivering his chosen people out of slavery is a part of the prophetic cycle. It is echoed in the sentiments of salvation and heavenly reward. These events in a prophetic cycle build up to and reenforce each other. It's actually very important that they be accurate. If the census in Beth had not taken place, then what other reason would Joseph and Mary have had to travel to Beth? Yeshua ben Joseph could not have fulfilled the prophecy and been Christ unless he was born in Beth. Does that make the factual reality of the census in Bethlehem sound like a trivial matter to you? The intent of the bible is in fact as a book of history, that's why they started with "In the beginning, took the pains to add in every begot and begat, and further continued to give a "history of the future" in revelation.
I would argue that the bible is a work of art. And there are many narratives and psalms in the bible that I enjoy. Beyond that, what can I say?
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
