Atheist Bible Study 1: Genesis

[GrandizerII]

There's a verse somewhere in the NT where it says a "god day" is like a thousand years. Forgot which one, and can't be arsed to look it up now.

That said, I don't think it had anything to do with the seven days of creation.

Psalm 90 whose authorship is attributed to Moses.

A thousand years in your sight
    are like a day that has just gone by,
    or like a watch in the night.

Also quoted in 2 Peter 3:8, which is what I was referring to.

[Jehanne]

The problem is that they all start with the conclusion that the book must make sense, and must contain inspired truths. They then do whatever mental gymnastics it takes to join up imaginary dots from the cretinous rubbish (scientifically speaking) in front of them.

I feel sorry for the authors, really. I’d bet that most of these stories were meant as allegories in the first place. (And allegories stolen from other religions which probably stole them from somewhere else.)

Theirs is an answer that is in search of questions; it's like they have been brainwashed. Let's see how they are feeling on November 7.

[Cod]

I feel sorry for the authors, really. I’d bet that most of these stories were meant as allegories in the first place. (And allegories stolen from other religions which probably stole them from somewhere else.)

I don't. Look at all the trouble they caused with their stupid nonsense. Should have stuck to bumming goats.

[GrandizerII]

Ok, next passage to read and analyze:

Cain and Abel

A question to ponder:

Was the implicit characterization of Cain an unfair one in this passage?

[Bahana]

There is the interpretation for why YHWH preferred Abel's offering is he sacrificed the good stuff while Cain only gave "some". I also heard Robert M. Price make the point that livestock was the preferred offering because the Israelites were sheepherders. Also notice later on Cain wandered to the land of Nod and nod means wandering. He wandered to the land of wandering.

[Mystic]

I think they key to understanding the Torah is the talk of envy between Cain over Abel, and then Seth being appointed and set by God, and Enoch in the image of God, and then get into understanding of how people deviated by taking the name of God and naming themselves with it, and then the story that surrounds the chosen ones from the offspring of Abraham which makes way to understanding the promise to Aaron and his family.  Aaron and his family were promised with a true promise,  even though the Torah goes 180 against it afterwards, it's obvious that the whole talk of Abraham was to set up Aaron and his family.

And you must understand the position of the "the one who God will send" with respect to the promise through Ishmael, and the 12 princes, and it's protective side point that Ishmael had twelve sons with the same number of the twelve princes promised.  It was a way of protecting the promise of 12 anointed pure Kings that would inherit a true King from Ishmael, and Gospels clarify who the true anointed Kings are with Jesus being an example of being one, and they were the way to life, the truth, and no knows God or get's to God except through them.

[Cod]

I think the best way to view this particular story is in the same way you view the whole sorry book. Dismiss it as fantasy from the minds of primitive nomads who knew no better and just scribbled their thoughts down. Unaware that sophisticated people in the future would analyse discuss and waste their precious time on it.

I'm off to the fridge for a beer. Anyone want one?

[Mystic]

It's anything but ancient stories. Rather in these iterations, there is healing and proofs for a people who submit and believe in proofs and God knows the sincere and knows the too stubborn to hear.

[downbeatplumb]

Am I alone in not caring what the bible says?

[Cod]

Am I alone in not caring what the bible says?

You are not alone..