2005-2-19 04:42:00
Rosie Cross wrote:
All of these things point to errors with some of the ways the Bible has been interpreted. But none of these illuminate any errors in the Bible itself, even if one interprets it literally.
Overall, I look for truth rather than the error. This does not mean that the error is not there for the Bible was not written by the finger of God, but by human beings with faults like you and I.
Some of the teachings in the Bible represented the morality of a past age but not today. For instance, after a victory the Israelites of the Old Testament were told by God to kill all the men and take the women as slaves. If a child misbehaved the parent was allowed to put him to death. If a citizen was found working on the Sabbath he was to be put to death.
We have moved beyond these draconian methods, yet many believe that they were given by the voice of a perfect God.
In the New Testament Paul stated that women were not to speak in meetings, and to keep their heads covered.
Thinking people today (even Christians) see no reason to follow this injunction.
When reading the Bible it becomes obvious that the disciples were a lot like many believers are today in that they believed the end of the world was just around the corner.
Paul said:
The appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none." I Corinthians 7:29
Paul seemed to think the end was near and thought it best that no one have sex children. This is not something we want to take literally today.
Paul further illustrates that he expected the end within his lifetime:
We who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord... I Thessalonians 4:15
Peter said: "The end of all things is at hand." I Peter 4:7 and even the inspired Book of Revelations says that it reveals events which "must soon take place." Rev 1:1 2000 years later most of the events have still not come to pass on a literal basis.
If we realize that those disciples were like people today then these mistakes can be understood. No one wants to predict the glorious new age as being 2000 years away, but we want to see our salvation as just around the corner. Who among us is making predictions about the year 4000? Virtually, no one. Even so, the disciples in Jesus' day were hoping for a glorious return in the near future.
John C makes a good point about the virtues of the Bible despite its flaws:
But none of this takes away from the true principles which are taught in the Bible, and which can be found by beginning and advanced disciples, alike. And if we are reading for the Bible searching for truths instead of searching for mistakes, we will find the truths. The roses amongst the thorns, as it were.
Rosie Cross:
If you wish to debate a Christian, never, ever, claim the bible contains false statements. Never, ever tread on the deeply held beliefs of any person for that matter. All you will ever do is create conflict and division, and you achieve nothing. To claim the bible is in error is to introduce error into your own teaching and bring judgment upon yourself.
If you wish to debate a Christian, rather, study the bible. Understand it very clearly in its full context, know the teaching by heart. Then you will be able to reinterpret it correctly. And remove the plank from your own eye so you will be able to clearly see how to help them remove theirs.
This is good advice and I'm sure you meant it to be taken or left as the reader sees fit.
I have indeed found through experience that when you tell a believer that his very foundation is wrong that he will become very defensive. Yes, it is good to see the scriptures through his eyes and work with what he has. I have also found that just teaching truth, without offering criticism of the seeker's belief system, is attractive to many and eventually something will come to them that will transform them.
You can debate a believer on his own turf even if you know nothing of the Bible or whatever it is he is studying. Just have him read some of his favorite teachings and use your common sense to put new light upon them. Your viewpoint may open his eyes to something new.
I realize, of course, that you have to teach a lot of people before even one will make an effort to see a new light.
Question:
Has someone ever spoken or taught just the right thing to you that made you wake up to a higher truth? Tell us about it.
Or
Has there ever been a time that you said just the right thing to turn someone else's life around or bring them to a higher vision?
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)
Copyright 2005 by J J Dewey