At a recent atheist meetup the discussion turned to inconsistencies in the bible. The ex-christians got into the minutia of various passages and had a great time debating and pointing out problems.
As typically happens my eyes glaze over. To me such discussions sound like:
Here it claims the fish are red, but then says they are blue.
Yes, but do the fish have stars or cars?
No, no, there is only one fish not two!
OK, maybe not exactly like that but close. Since I have never been a believer, to me the bible is just a collection of fables. Very few people would discuss other books in such a way. It is a collection of stories written by different anonymous authors so it is unsurprising that there are inconsistencies.
I react the same way to front door proselytizers who quote bible verses to defend their position. They could be quoting from little red riding hood for all I care. The book may be meaningful for them but not at all for me.
Perhaps I will have to try reading a bit of the bible again. You never know, maybe next time we will be discussing whether the ham is green or just the eggs.
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I really wish you would read more of the Bible, it’s much more than just a book to me. Try reading The Message Bible; it’s incredible.
The problem with me reading the Bible is that I already know enough of the history that I am unlikely to find it meaningful in the same way that you do.
It would be a little bit like seeing a movie after going to the set. It might still be fun, but you know that much of it is just facade.
Have you read any books about the history of the Bible? Bart Erdman is probably the most popular in that vein.
“Perhaps I will have to try reading a bit of the bible again.”
My suggestion? Go mow the grass or watch a movie. Either one will be more enlightening. The Bible is beyond you – by light-years.
Makarios,
Thank you for your wonderful suggestion. Your kind comments are exemplary of what it means to be a Christian and a follower of Jesus.
The Bible is clearly beyond you, Makarios. What about love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness (which you’ve clearly displayed in your rude and childish comments)?
Speaking as a Bible translator, I can tell you with absolute certainty that it is NOT perfect, and its value is contained in personal introspection, like any other story. It wasn’t written to be anything but wisdom literature that teaches about virtuous and good living, IMHO.
Awfrick,
As a bible translator are you translating the original source materials, or from Latin/English to some other language.
There were two things in your comment that struck me. I agree that the bible stories contain pieces of wisdom, but this is true of most books. What author writes and does not try to communicate some form of knowledge or wisdom to the reader.
I think that personal introspection is always useful. There are many other books, movies, activities and methods that can lead to personal reflection. For example: mowing the lawn.
I would hope that people would not use the bible as their only mechanism of self reflection. Unfortunately rather than introspection, some of the outdated “wisdom” in the bible is too often used just to confirm existing prejudices rather than true personal reflection.
I would be willing to bet that on average that atheists are far more introspective than Christians. I wonder if someone has done a study.
skeptic,
I actually work with the original Greek and Hebrew to English.
I think the messages in Scripture are not exclusive to Scripture itself, I agree, wisdom and understanding are prevalent in many other mediums, just as you said.
Unfortunately, awfrick, it makes no difference – the gospels are all written decades after the fact and based on oral tradition, not eyewitness testimony. Not my idea of extraordinary evidence, not that eyewitness testimony would fit that description anyway. It’s the kind of evidence that makes bad evidence look good.
Coming from you, makarios, that ad hominem is a compliment.
It wasn’t meant as a compliment. Sorry that I wasn’t clear.
Makarios, your forthrightness is exemplary. How could others not be astounded by your actions. Rest assured that I forgive you for any ambiguity in your comments.
Like I said, “Coming from you, makarios, that ad hominem is a compliment.” I’ve seen the limits of your capabilities in regards to critical thinking skills and knowledge elsewhere, so I have ample evidence for my statement.
Silly Christians…. Myths are for kids!
You think Jesus is a myth?
The Jesus in the bible? Absolutely.
Do you think Zeus is a myth?