Originally posted by @moonbusIf you look at the generations of people from Adam on you can trace that in scripture, and
You want to read the Bible as recorded history? Fine. Then submit the Bible to the same criteria of verification as any other recorded history (Thucydides, Tacitus, right up to present historians). Who is writing the history? What are his credentials, what is his credibility? Who were his sources? Is there an unbroken provenance from the original script to ...[text shortened]... of their ancestors. That was why they kept lists of names, to hold their ancestors in reverence.
the reason for that is God and man thought it important enough to matter even though
many myself included think those begot in scripture as the most boring passages in the
Bible. Of course begetting a son is quite enjoyable, so if that were my lone contribution to
make in a book of that importance I'd be willing. 🙂
You can count the generations of who lived from Adam until the flood, most of those
people lived with each other for several years. Not having TV, sporting events, cars,
chess, and other distractions talking about walking with God was more than likely one of
the major topics of discussion. History being passed down either through word of mouth
or the written word would have been very close to the source.
Originally posted by @kellyjay"This was inspired by God, therefore it must be true." Is that the ticket?
The Bible isn't one book it is 66 different books, each covering different parts of history
and covering a variety of topics. What binds them all together with the exception of one,
the book of "Esther", are people's interactions with God. Again, do you think anyone who
does not believe in God is going to accept anything with God in it as historical, e ...[text shortened]... nd the other is shifting sand that can change on you
as soon as the next new thing comes along.
Why are you not a Muslim? Muslims acknowledge that the OT and the NT were inspired by God; then there was an epilog better than merely "inspired."
The Koran was not merely written (and later translated) by men inspired by God. It was transcribed verbatim in God's own language (which is Arabic, by the way) as dictated directly by God's own angel. Beats "written by men inspired by God" hands down.
Originally posted by @moonbusWell, as I said either the scriptures are real or they are not. I have been around Muslims,
"This was inspired by God, therefore it must be true." Is that the ticket?
Why are you not a Muslim? Muslims acknowledge that the OT and the NT were inspired by God; then there was an epilog better than merely "inspired."
The Koran was not merely written (and later translated) by men inspired by God. It was transcribed verbatim in God's own language ( ...[text shortened]... way) as dictated directly by God's own angel. Beats "written by men inspired by God" hands down.
and have several friends that are, and have been their whole lives. I have said this before
here, I shared an apartment once with another Christian, and a Muslim, and we had a
room below us that the Mormon church rented out for its people doing their time, and
there was also a Kingdom Hall two houses down.
Claims can be made by anyone I agree, it is done in science, and in faith. Truth, the
reality of it all, I believe is where God resides and only there. I've touched upon those
other faiths, debated, reasoned, and it was done there with a lot more civility than it is
here. *NOT SUGGESTING YOU ARE NOT CIVIL*, but sitting down breaking bread and
sharing faith was done a lot by everyone.
I believe the Bible the 66 books sets it apart from all other faiths, my experience with God
calling me out of my sinful life style over 30 years ago has shown me how faithful God is
through good times and bad. If you believe the Koran is the word of God over the Bible
that is up to you. Having shared and witnessed, and listen to those that know both books
well have convinced me that it isn't.
30 Jul 17
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeFor the record, I also thought moonbus' opening lecture to cheney was quite spot on advice, especially considering most advice from atheists consists only of the "wake up and smell the coffee" variety. Cheney has shown a remarkable ability to skip the main message of the Bible and focus only on extraneous things which basically mean nothing. He could definitely use a bit more direction in what his focus should be on when examining the Bible.
I referred to the main bulk of his 'lecture':
'Having read a number of your posts spanning a number of threads, it is my considered and genuinely well-meant opinion that you should stop reading the Bible; it is doing you more harm than good. Not the Bible is doing you harm, but your reading of it. Your take on things you read there is bizarre, do ...[text shortened]... find troubling about the Bible indicate a thorough-going misreading of what is going on there.'
30 Jul 17
Originally posted by @suzianne"Main message"? So what's this main message supergirl?
For the record, I also thought moonbus' opening lecture to cheney was quite spot on advice, especially considering most advice from atheists consists only of the "wake up and smell the coffee" variety. Cheney has shown a remarkable ability to skip the main message of the Bible and focus only on extraneous things which basically mean nothing. He could definitely use a bit more direction in what his focus should be on when examining the Bible.
And I suppose that you just ignore or dismiss the parts of the Bible that flat out don't make sense?
Do you purposely misspell my name? You do it all the time.
Originally posted by @chaney3The main message of the OT/NT is that the Hebrews, and only the Hebrews were God's chosen people forever, while everyone else was very bad, and then they weren't God's chosen people anymore because the Christians, and only the Christians became God's chosen people, while everyone else is very, very bad. Apparently.
"Main message"?
30 Jul 17
Originally posted by @fmfThis is actually pretty good. I wonder if supergirl will agree, or if she'll think you need a bit more direction in what your focus should be.
The main message of the OT/NT is that the Hebrews, and only the Hebrews were God's chosen people forever, while everyone else was very bad, and then they weren't God's chosen people anymore because the Christians, and only the Christians became God's chosen people, while everyone else is very, very bad. Apparently.
30 Jul 17
Originally posted by @chaney3Well I know who the Jews are there is a nation of them. Who are the Christians?
This is actually pretty good. I wonder if supergirl will agree, or if she'll think you need a bit more direction in what your focus should be.
Originally posted by @kellyjayRest assured, you are of the same spirit as all of them. I won't argue with that.
Well, as I said either the scriptures are real or they are not. I have been around Muslims,
and have several friends that are, and have been their whole lives. I have said this before
here, I shared an apartment once with another Christian, and a Muslim, and we had a
room below us that the Mormon church rented out for its people doing their time, and
t ...[text shortened]... d and witnessed, and listen to those that know both books
well have convinced me that it isn't.
Originally posted by @chaney3The word "chosen" more or less covers all the Christian theology about being "forgiven" and "saved", and the words "very bad" with regard to other people are a nod to the key notion underpinning Christian exceptionalism.
This is actually pretty good. I wonder if supergirl will agree, or if she'll think you need a bit more direction in what your focus should be.
30 Jul 17
Originally posted by @suzianneSo, what do you want non-believers to do? Promote your religion for you?
For the record, I also thought moonbus' opening lecture to cheney was quite spot on advice, especially considering most advice from atheists consists only of the "wake up and smell the coffee" variety.
30 Jul 17
Originally posted by @fmfWell, regarding a 'main message', I have a hunch that if Jesus was really crucified, then all of mankind benefits. No strings attached.
The word "chosen" more or less covers all the Christian theology about being "forgiven" and "saved", and the words "very bad" with regard to other people are a nod to the key notion underpinning Christian exceptionalism.
Supergirl disagrees with this, of course, but it just shows how the message of the Bible is different for everyone. She is biased to her own conclusions and interpretations.