Bible - truth or fiction
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Bible - Is it truth or myths and legends?
I was raised to believe that the Bible reveals the truth and to believe that the Bible could foresee the future. Prophets have foretold the rise and fall of nations. I believed that the Bible explained the real meaning and relevance to individuals and to nations of people.
The Bible, completed over 2,000 years ago, is indisputably the world's bestselling book of all time. Why is the Bible more unique than any other religious book? What should be put out trust in? Why should our spiritual beliefs be based on the scriptures of the Bible? Is the Bible still based on the same message as it was when the original 66 books that were compiled? What about the numerous translations of the Bible? Has this affected the meaning in any way? Is the Bible just a collection of myths and legends? Are all of the stories inspired by God?
Science is always trying to prove and disprove theories and hypotheses. Theologians are constantly explaining truths. Many are fearful to question. It is important to know that Apostle Paul encouraged questioning. He actually promoted others to question faith. Do not take my word for this. Read (1 Thessalonians 5:21) where Paul states “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” Paul recognizes his position of being a witness and gives his disclosure to this fact. “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).
The Apostle Peter recorded that the Scripture “never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). Peter forewarned his followers to “be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets.” The Bible is written to give warning to all. Peter states that “scoffers will come in the last days” questioning and ridiculing Scripture, “saying, ‘where is the promise of His coming?’” (2 Peter 3:1–9). The “word of truth” is used repeatedly. “Thus says the Lord” is stated over 300 times in the Old Testament, indicating that the words of Scripture are inspired by God. Was this just to scare people into submission?
What about the numerous translations? Have you ever played the game where someone whispered something to someone, they in turn whispered something to someone else and they whispered it to someone else and so on. The message is distorted and that all happens in just a few minutes. The Bible was completed almost 2,000 years ago. Has the message been preserved with all the translations? If a message can become altered in a matter of minutes, what can happen in several thousand years? Over 24,000 ancient New Testament manuscripts have been discovered thus far.
Scribes who were regarded as the Bible custodians until the time of Christ, the Sopherim (400bc to 200ad), worked with Ezra and they were followed by the Talmudists (100ad to 500ad) and finally by the Masoretes (500ad to 1000ad). It has been confirmed that these scribes copied the biblical texts and actually counted the number of words in the Bible and even the number of times a letter appeared in a Bible. There is more but my point is made. Such attention to minute detail leads one to conclude that the Bible was accurately transmitted. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, dating back to 1,000 years earlier than 1000 ad, helped to prove how precisely the Old Testament text was preserved. The scrolls are of two nearly complete copies of the book of Isaiah and were proved “to be nearly word for word identical with our standard Hebrew Bible. Some slips of the pen and variations in spelling were factored in.
The Bible claims to predict the future with great accuracy. Hundreds of prophecies have already come true. This is confirmed by historians. The Bible tells what is ahead for our nations and for the human race. Did you know that the Bible contains over 1,800 predictions? A quote from a notable archaeologist, Nelson Glueck: “it may be clearly stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a single biblical reference .” Skads of evidence prove the existence of Goliath, the ark, and much more. What does this mean for the facts and truths of the Bible?
The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were prophesized in detail. It was foretold that Jesus would be born of a virgin, He would be named Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:3–8), He would be the son of God, His birth would prompt the mass execution of children (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:16–18). He would live in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1–2; Matthew 2:19–23). He would enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1–5). He would die with transgressors and be buried in the tomb of a rich man (Isaiah 53:9, 12). He would be resurrected after three days (Matthew 12:40; Jonah 1:17).
The book of Daniel is embedded with prophecies giving the detailed accounting of the return of Jesus Christ and what will lead to his return at the end of time. Locations and names are given in detail and are verifiable. Daniel had a dream about the four parts of the body: chest, belly and thighs, head and chest and feet. He stated that four empires would dominate the Mediterranean world. Scholars of the Bible now identify these empires. There is a present belief that the unfolding of Daniel’s prophesies are happening presently and can be pinpointed with the contributory factors. Jesus said that the culmination of all these events will occur at a time in history when the very existence of life on this planet will be threatened. Would nuclear power, global warming and international terrorism meet this description? Jesus said this would only be the “beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8). He foretold of a world-wide persecution of Christians. He also said that none-the-less the truth would “be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Jesus said that “unless those days were shortened by His return no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:22).
Do I or should I live in fear? Do I want anyone else to live in fear? The answer for me is emphatically no. I do not. I seek truth through the acceptance of others and by loving others. Do I slip up? You bet I do. I also know that I am forgiven when I repent. Do I use this to excuse my blunders? I try not to. When my own son was going through his years of questioning and doubting, I explained to him that until he can have faith and trust to think of God and Jesus as a power of light and love. It matters not to me if he calls that power by the name of God and Jesus. I know that he has his faith and in time he will find his way. My intent is to learn and to inform. Should you choose to believe and follow out of love then we can find a way together to spread Christianity and accept Christ’s alternatives.
If beliefs make people act angry, stern, self-righteous and judgmental, then I ask, would you want to sign on?
Read
Walking Toward the Lord
and
Grief, God, and Good
for examples of what faith has done for my life
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My thought is that it is SO SAD that with all the world religions.......each one thinks theirs is the only right way and because of religion so many wars have been fought and religion is still the reason for wars today. I was brought up Catholic and my husband was brought up Methodist. Same God in both cases.
I have a friend who is a "born again Christian" and she firmly believes that if everyone is not "born again" they will be going to hell. What about the people that were born BEFORE Christ walked the earth......or those that have never heard of him......or those that believe in other religions, I asked her. "All going to hell" was her reply. Now THAT I find hard to believe.
So much controversy about whose religion is right and whose is wrong. Guess it will always be that way until the end of time as we know it on earth.
Religion should be a help to people..........not have the opposite effect.
Yes, I too know people who believe they have the answers. We need to love and be the examples. When people learn that I am a Christian, they are interested in learning more. They know I will not force or impose my views, merely share. It draws people to you. When people feel preached at or pulled at, in my experience, it does the opposite. People pull away. Jesus was a very gentle man. We need to emulate his examples.
I believe that much of the controversy over the holy bible is due to the fact that many parts are not clearly explained. People may not realize that there were so many hundreds of religious texts that were relevant, that scholars argued for many years over which ones should be included in the bible (to keep it a reasonable size). Now that we have online capability, it would be fascinating to have all of those texts printed for everyone to read. Excellent hub!
'It shouldn't have taken two hundred years to compile the New Testament. If the Apostles would have just scribed their records from their experience with Jesus they could have had it out in one year or less. They should have been the ones to have written and edited it and not someone in the next millennium.'
The four gospels where written all before 60 years after Jesus death and resurrection, and Paul writes over them that these are the actual stories that 'need to be believed.' These gospels where already used and believed to be true in all the christian world of that time before they where secured in Nice in 325.
Another good hub,you are not only practical, but spiritual as well, I commend you.
Stay Blessed,
John
Are you denominative?
The bible was made up by the government back then to get some kind of control so there wouldn't be chaos. Think about it. There is no way for someone to write all that down and go around and collect all these books it is all bull!!!! I ask god for a lot of thing but still I got nothing my father was a drug attic died when I was 7 I lost the only person I had when I has 11 aka my mom no body wanted me I leaved on the streets until I was 18. I asked god for so much I use to go to church I use to do a lot and wat did he do he condemned me I will not forgive he answered nothing for me just took it away like I was a puppet of his I do believe in a high power but its not god or the bible the bible was made by the govenment period
First, I am so sorry for the hardships that you have endured. Many of us are dealt many many many challenges. People ask me why I am a Christian and how I know there is a God. I tell them that much of it has to do with faith. I too have been through a lot in my life. Presently mom is suffering and I know we are losing her. My family is torn apart over disagreements on what is best for my mom. This seems very unfair to me. I ask God why.
I do believe that there have been many influences by mankind as well. However, God has shown his presence in my life in so many ways that I cannot deny Him. I try not to question too many things as sooner or later He finds a way to reveal to me why I had to endure certain life challenges.
Most people know I am a teacher. What they may not know is that I became a teacher later in life after having my children. Many of my experiences have led to me being a much more compassionate and caring teacher than I know I would have been had I not endured such challenging experiences. Thus, I cannot say I would have chosen those hardships but I would not choose to be different than I am now, as I know the person I am now is able to better help others.
I will pray for you that your hardships are soon over and that you too will soon know His love and His purpose for your life. Do not feel badly about doubting either. I did at times. God didn't give up on me just because I gave up on Him now and then. He showed me His love is stronger than mine. He will do this for you as well.
Trimar7, thank you for excellent job. I love it.
Jesus is Lord!
I think all will be explain in future, I mean message to doubter.
Trimar7, thank you for excellent job. I love it.
Jesus is Lord!
I think all will be explain in future, I mean message to doubter. Please keep hubing.
To: Wife Who Saves.
The Bible, Old Covenant was given to Jews by Moses. It addressed only part of man in the flesh, since no one was born of God yet. Old Covenant saints were in captivity captive until Jesus came to preach and led them out. That time they were born again. It does not exist now.
New Covenant books selection was made upon references from the Old. It is simple to understand. The Old Covenant is the root. Selection of scriptures were made not because the Law only but New Covenant proved predictions made by prophets of Old Covenant, plus addressed matters of spirit of man - new creation. I hope I am clear.
I couldn't figure out if you were saved according to the pattern set forth in the bible or not. The line about your child not calling god, jesus disturbed me after i was sure you had at the very least convinced others about the validity of the bible. There is only one name under heaven whereby people must be saved and that name is jesus christ. You cannot earn favor from God, he gave his son - what will you give to equal that? Nothing can replace your son so how will anybody earn redemption. We must get to know God through Jesus that is the only way to be snatched from eternity apart from God. God doesn't care how nice or good we are, he wants to tweak both the bad and the good to bring them to His level and His purpose for their lives, to come into relationship with them and then he can bring them home to Him. This is salvation a process described in:
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved".
belief is greek, kurios, where we get the word curiosity from, being curious means to find answers.
Nice hub, well written.
God granted all grace. You accept Jesus/God/the Holy Spirit and you are saved. One must accept a child's spiritual journey and not try to force feed him or you will turn him off and away. I know there were periods in my life when I doubted and God never turned from me even in my weakness. I don't think that God held it against my son for having his moments of being on his spiritual journey any more than he did me.
A well thought out, well researched article. What impresses me most is the patience and grace you have shown responding to the comments. As for your son, we do the best we can to teach our children the way, we just have to trust that God will guide and protect them as they find their own way to Him. God bless him and keep him; your faith and prayers are not unanswered. This was the first hub of your I've read, looking forward to reading more.
Thank you Dave for your nice comments. I hope that all find God's grace and realize how unconditional it really is.
Trimar,
First…WOW…exceptional writing and use of research. You pieced together very impressive evidence and accompanied scripture. Very powerful, not only do I stay on top of what RevLady writes, but now I must read your insightful analysis. God is definitely using you in a most compassionate format.
To those who cannot understand the suffering, we all must suffer, if Christ and his flock were to never endure suffering, then how would our faith be tested, how could we show perseverance or God’s grace if we experience no time of tribulation?
I am inspired by you Trimar, keep leading the pack.
Thank you for your kind comments. You are correct. God has been able to use my life to serve Him. He has bestowed many gifts on me in order that I may know that He exists and is ever present in my life. I believe that we must guide by setting the example. I have known people who think they can belittle people into believing. I would hope that they would know that this actually turns many people away instead of doing what was intended. Model trust, faith and kindness in His likeness and others will follow your lead.
I am very blessed on how you answered comments in your hub, I believe that God's wisdom is in you! Thank you for being a blessing to the world, I knew it is one of your purpose why God has created you! I'll follow your hub, since it really strengthen my faith, Thanks for being an instrument of God!...
It is easy to see that you are an educator and obviously that is one of your "Spiritual Gifts" as well. -KUDOS!
Excellent work on your article above as it covers the question both historically and with great empathy making it more sincere and heart felt.
Rev.Ted
Well you have been here longer than me so I don't guess I have to tell you how much Atheist hate God they don't believe in, to any Christian it is more than apparent who their god is and that is satan and a few have so nicely asked me to read this or that about how he should be pitied. I guess we can just stand our ground and hope for the best, somehow someone even got my IP banned for 2 days and I couldn't even get to my hubs and that is just not right, I think it is possible that was a professing Christian who did that. Well, just wanted to say hi, and see if you know Kristeen, they give her a really bad time and I hate that so bad, she could use any encouragement. God bless, Polly
I am sorry for your troubles Polly. True Christians help others. They do not hurt. There are those who act in a negative tone or even evil tone and then hide behind their religion. I do NOT belive that any religion justifies evil and hurt in spite of those who would try to declare otherwise. All we can do is pray and put it in God's hands.
T7 i really agree that true christians dont hurt anyone intentionally and i have found that religious people are often the most hurting and slamming people out there cause they are wound up in religion and forget who jesus is and why he is .we have to let go of religion and get a hold on JESUS who died on the cross and rose again so all may come to know him and every one will have heard of him before the end of time that im sure of cause God is a just and fair God and all will have a chance to turn to him before judgment day.....
Excellent hub! Very well written - bless you!
I gave it four months I tried to believe in something but I still got nothing I will just go with I'm agnostic I'm sorry if I offend any of you'll but I thought I would share but I do respect all of you for believing in something because I lost all faith in everything
tnbyzak91 - it is not for any of us to judge you or be offended by your comments. Instead I would hope that those of us who have come to know the Lord by His gifts, love and support can offer you some of the same. Some of my more meaningful evidence are in my hubs entitled Walking Toward the Lord and Grief, God and Good. I will list them above in a backlink textbox for your ease of viewing. God works in His own time however. We think four months is an eternity. Faith is important in having a relationship with God. Try to trust that He will not forsake you. He did not forget me - just a tiny speck in a great universe. I know He will not forget you either. Try to have faith. He will let you know but you must be listening.
Points to ponder.
Good Hub!
The word of God is truth. I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. According to St. John's gospel:
"In the beginning was the word and was with God and the word was God." ...
Thank you trimar7 for the gracious word you've shared with us.
My vote is truth all the way! Anyone that will do an honest comparison of the world's religions can only come to one conclusion, that Jesus was EXACTLY who he said he was and that there was no one else in the history of the world who has ever claimed the things Jesus does. I came to that conclusion through logic and reasoning, not just by blind faith, even though that works as well... :)
Well done, trimar7!
Kudos especially to your very last statement. Believers, especially new ones, need to check our self-righteousness at the door if we expect to lead other into His kingdom. Each individual must decide and accept Christ on his own and not be coerced by any of the adjectives/ methods you used above.
We must simply tell the truth and let God give the increase.
James
If all men will be judged by the bible then surely there is no GOd. Men lived and dead before the bible was produced and it is said that God does not change so what is happening?
I think everyone has the right to a belief and I know many people no longer fall to the threat of only one path to God. But say to them, " Do not fear for I shall stand for you on any plane of existence because there will be no judgement without justice and justice has come to dwell among men."
Interesting perspectives. I consider myself to be of strong faith, as do many Christians. I am forever baffled by the amount of judgment of my fellow Christians when it clearly says - "vengence is mine sayeth the Lord." Yet I find the kind of judgment that I observe to be a kind of vengence.
It all same because others are strong in their faith. God said that but it depends on the situation. My earlier comment was to show that Christians believe in the bible so do others believe in their scripture so it depends on the scripture one sees as the truth. Its relative and God will judge all base on any scripture when he did not create man and showed man a single religion or scripture so believe in your own and let us believe theirs. Do not take from others what you will not like to be take from you.
Greetings trimar7
Just dropping a note to you to let you know I enjoyed your hub. I'm not a Christian, nor Buddhist, agnostic, atheist, or any other label. Even in the "last days," I'll not likely become any of them either. I am me, present in the world and living the wisdom of all the great teachers as best I can.
I do believe in a divine force that touches everything. It's clear to me, your heart has been moved by the grace with which you speak and I thank you for shareing.
The judgment you see in others who call themselves Christian's is based in fear. Though they may preach and all to often, lead, they spread only hatred for anyone who questions or believes different then themselves.
Thank you for walking the road less traveled.
David,
Greetings. The truth is that no one is taking anything away from anyone. According to the Christian faith, all of us have been given free will and are able to choose what to believe. Was there something you read in trimar's hub that makes you think that she is forcing anything on you? If so, what?
We believe there are consequences for snubbing the God of the Universe based on what we find in scripture. If Christians truly believe that those consequences are reality, how scummy would we be to keep our mouths shut? We are simply trying to give people the opportunity to make an informed decision. I truly respect the job trimar has done here. You want to paint her holding a club in one hand and a crucifix in the other, but this is a mischaracterization. Love speaks out; love waves the red flag. Whatever you choose is up to you. My hope is that you choose wisely, having done all you can to find truth.
Trimar7,
Awesome hub. You make a clear case in a respectful manner. I look forward to reading more of your work.
You rock. :)
Sonfollowers - you have me a bit confused. You ask the question if I am forcing anything on anyone. The comment about the club and the crucifix also have me baffled as to your views. Yet, you have complimented my hub in your next comment. So am I to take it that you are supporting my views or have questions? Either way, please know that I feel that viewers have a right to their perspectives and I am glad that you stopped by.
Bless you and yours - trimar
trimar7,
The confusing comments were in response to davidkaluge's comment earlier. "Do not take from others what you will not like to be take from you." Hopefully that clears it up.
Thank you sonfollowers for clearing that up - I did not read above to reread the comments made by others - my mistake. I am happy that the readers are exchanging thoughts as well. We are all on our spiritual journies here and helping and learning from one another. My issues stem from a position of watching one person berate another for their beliefs. To all I say: if we cannot set an example of love and acceptance, how can we expect others to have a desire to follow the path that we have chosen?
trimar7,
"if we cannot set an example of love and acceptance, how can we expect others to have a desire to follow the path that we have chosen?"
I was certainly not trying to berate anyone. On the contrary, I think everyone has the right to choose their own path. That was the point I was trying to make, actually. I certainly don't think it's helpful when we become antagonistic, rude, mean, etc. I've chastized others for doing that when commenting here.
I do think there's a difference between healthy disagreement/discussion and beating each other up. I think that the "Do not take from others" line paints an inaccurate picture of how you were behaving but also how the church behaves in general. What David is essentially asking us to do is stop sharing our faith, as if the sharing of that faith somehow takes free will from someone. I disagree with the characterization. There's nothing wrong with making a case for something you believe in. Treating people like morons, trying to beat them into submission, or ridiculing them for believing the wrong thing is what I think really needs to be addressed. I don't think I did any of that.
See you around. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Nice hub!
well done,
issues veritas 3 years ago
The bible was created by man, for man and it is interpreted by man.
The old testament made no mention of Jesus and the Holy Ghost, so much for that prophecy.
Moses couldn't find the promised land.
The fact that the commandments given to Moses by God doesn't exist tells something is wrong with the bible.
The bible originally came without punctuation or even spaces between the words. Man and man alone edited these letters in to words, paragraphs etc.
The bible was meaningless as the Church couldn't get from it that the Earth traveled around the Sun and not vice versa. It took a scientist to tell them the truth, and then what did the church do to Copernicus?
Translations do affect the meaning of the bible and everyday people read into the bible what they choose to see.
The basic prophecy of the bible is that the majority of mankind are going to fail God. If that is true why bother and play out the hand. The same is true of predictions of the future, if you can predict the future based on the bible then there is no reason to play out the hand.
Are humans better than the biblical Angels. that failed God. Adam and Eve got tricked by the devil who shouldn't even have been in the Garden of Eden, but the Angels openly defied God. There is a major difference in the Angel versus Human. Angels didn't care to see God anymore. They had already had the experience and they wanted to get away from God. Sort of like the King of England wanting to get away from the Pope.
It shouldn't have taken two hundred years to compile the New Testament. If the Apostles would have just scribed their records from their experience with Jesus they could have had it out in one year or less. They should have been the ones to have written and edited it and not someone in the next millennium.
I could go on but you probably zoned out after the first paragraph.