Could the bible be prone to mistakes?

[LordSmaug]

P.S. It was Lethal G talking about Contradictions, not Oneironaut.

[Lethal G]

Look, I was not trying to make the bibe out to be completely false or anything like that, do not get me wrong. There is a plethora of true history and prohecy that I do believe is contained in the biblical texts. It's only that I prefer to keep an open mind on cerain subjects.

You are aware that there are books of the bible (the Apocrypha) not contained in the canonical texts, aren't you? I don't know the complete history, but they were written out of the Canonical versions. The catholics I believe still use the apocryphal texts. A lot of what are inside these "black books", as nicknamed by protestants, are contradictions to the canonical texts. One good example I can think of includes the passages by Paul stating that "women are to sit in church and be quiet" or something to that effect. Due to this statement in the canonical bible alone, certain Christian denominations do not allow women to have any part in the church. However, one passage found in the Apocrypha states that women should have more rights than men. Kind of sounds like our society is a bit sexist, don't you think? The Apocrypha is also the only source of a physical description of Jesus as well. Maybe the source of the bible's controversies isn't because it is God's will, but because of simple humanity and our being prone to mistake. After all, the bible was written and pieced together by man, was it not?

Personally, on the issue of religion itself, it all boils down to faith, no matter what religion you consider yourself a part of. You have faith that what you believe is the truth, and that is all that should matter. I am not attempting to test anyone's faith by arguing against the bible, per say, but instead to give others something more to think about.

I will still continue to keep an open mind on the subject of religion. If there is one thing in common with most major religions, it is to not judge others, as we are all human. I just believe this goes for religion as well, as no one can know the absolute truth, and is why I don't judge others for their faith in what they believe in.

[LordSmaug]

You know... Jesus was kind of the first women's rights activist. He was always trying to make women equal with men and he always described them as being that way. If I remember correctly he said something to the effect of

"Men and Women are equal because Women came from Man's rib, and Men are Born of Women"

That's definitly no where near a textual quote but that's the way I remember it... I know it's in there. And I'm sure some of the early church leaders where Racist/Sexist too... That's just human nature.

[Big Calhoun]

Being raised a Muslim in a Christian (Baptist) family, married to a Catholic, and having completed multiple Theology classes....my views are simply anything interepreted by man is prone to mistakes and misinterpretations.

[LordSmaug]

How the hell do you end up getting Raised a muslim in a Baptist Family? Did they not like your or something? Or where they baptist converts to Islam?

[Big Calhoun]

How the hell do you end up getting Raised a muslim in a Baptist Family? Did they not like your or something? Or where they baptist converts to Islam?

LOL. Yeah, holiday times were always real special at my house.

Basically, my mothers family is American and Baptist. My fathers family are Sudanese and Muslim. When my parents divorced, my mother promised my father she'd continue to raise me in Muslim traditions. Was one of the reason I kept taking theology classes, to try to gain some sort of perspective on it all.

[OnionsOfLove]

yes, because god gave man free will.

however, the idea of the bible is still there. man has not chosen to destroy religion because everyone is looking for something and religion is the answer for many many people. but the power that is given to one man who translates a book that "comes from god" is a large power. in this day and age, considering how metaphorical the bible is, there is a large power in purposeful misinterpretation.

[beachguy in thongs]

LOL. Yeah, holiday times were always real special at my house.

Basically, my mothers family is American and Baptist. My fathers family are Sudanese and Muslim. When my parents divorced, my mother promised my father she'd continue to raise me in Muslim traditions. Was one of the reason I kept taking theology classes, to try to gain some sort of perspective on it all.

I was confirmed Roman Catholic, raised in an alcoholic household. Go figure. :smokin:

[braddog10]

One good example I can think of includes the passages by Paul stating that "women are to sit in church and be quiet" or something to that effect. Due to this statement in the canonical bible alone, certain Christian denominations do not allow women to have any part in the church..

Hi Lethal, You are absolutely right, This is one of those passages that clearly addresses the culture of the day. At that time, The women and the men sat separately, across the room. For women at that time to attempt to inquire of their husbands re: anything stated was considered disruptive. This separation was typical of all the eastern cultures at that time.

It is this kind of interpretive problem to a degree why the word states that the letter of the Word kills, but the Spirit of the Word brings Life. The written text of the scriptures, itself indicates that the written text used outside of the Spirit of God, Can be used to do whatever....manipulate, be used in bizarre ways...Harm....Kill... Praying for enlightenment/ understanding by the Spirit of God will yield alot of good stuff for one seeking some real spiritual substance from His Book.. I wouldn't say that this passage would rattle my world.

The lord can communicate much straight to the heart of the reader, for anyone reading to be Fed by the Spirit (of the Word). This is what I want...... To just learn some Bible verses.....to what? I don't get it. Mike Hayes of Covenant Church Carrollton, Tx. mentioned knowing a man that could come close to quoting the entire Book but lacked the understanding of The Spirit of the Word to do anyone or himself any good. In fact as we all have seen. Some are nothing more than a drunk man with a bow and arrow as it indicates in proverbs. I know I have come out in the wrong spirit at times and used scripture in the wrong Spirit... The Spirit weighs on us about it .....for those of us that care. He knows our propensity, due to emotions, sympathies, prejudices. None of us Christians are that reliable. Any more than any one else out there. We get a limp alot like Jacob, got after he wrestle with a form of God, all one night. All of us do this. We wrestle with God through our lives, and develop a limp. He can trust those that have one. I am finding myself handicapped in alot of ways. It is then I will be safer for His use. I have some wrestling matches ahead, I'm sure. But, I would hope that I would learn to concede as I approach the mat. Life would be better for myself and family, and certainly anyone else I would come in contact with.

Too many of us confident with the scriptures. We've studied and have our magazine full of ammunition for our 50 cal. Bible Guns................ Killing machines.......this is the real deal. The letter does Kill and just as affective as any 50 cal.

It is the Spirit that we are looking for, or should. Pride is a poacher though ....Look at what I know...or think I do. I can blast holes in people with this .........mmmman, this is better than sex! Watch this! and any of us can blast away

[weirdo79]

Well 90% of its stolen from other more ancient religions so theres bound to be mistakes , Horus, Osiris, Jesus...It's a running theme. Compare ancient myths to bible myths, remarkable similarities. (in this day and age we'de call it plagiarism)....

I like the golden rule though, from any of the myths/stories its taken , either way its a good one.