The bible underpins our faith and is the building block for church life at Tree of Life.
This is our personal collection of bibles (there are a few missing scattered around the house and car) in the office just above my desk. We have goodness knows how many versions in at least 6 languages. Some are used a lot more than others, though increasingly I use e-Sword which is a brilliant bit of bible study software!
To the neo-atheists who dismiss the bible as nothing more than a fairy tale I have to say you need to get on and read it. It's anything but a fairy tale.
Also, if it were simply a fairy tale then it's highly unlikely that it would still be circulating and in print a few thousand years later. And let's not forget the central character has gone further in shaping our culture in the modern world than anyone else in all of human history!
As for the contradictions in the bible, anyone playing bible bingo will find a heap of contradictions. Bible bingo is a game played by atheists and others who like to take two random, out of context verses, normally one from the Old Testament and one from the New and use them to contradict or disprove the other.
Personally I've never found any contradictions despite having read the whole thing several times but I'm always open to being shown any providing they're in context.
I'm interested to know your thoughts on it.
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This post is part of a series in the Blogging From A To Z Challenge, April 2013.
I'm really looking forward to what you post this April, and you are off to a fantastic start.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I am Catholic - and as you also know, we are not always known as great Bible readers. When I was growing up, the enormous Bible was a place where we recorded our life events, sacraments, and pressed flowers from funerals.
In 1987 I was being driven to the airport for a business trip, in a van and I was the only passenger. The driver, an older African-American man started talking about his daily Bible reading, "starting the day with the Word of the Lord and ending the day with the Word of the Lord." He urged me to do the same, and I went out and bought a small Bible.
That particular attempt did not work out so well, but God is so lovingly persistent, and a few years later, another person, and another Bible came into my life, and here I am today. It has been a privilege to take many Scripture courses and Bible studies at this point, and to have led some Bible studies as well.
Where would we be without this book? I cannot imagine - and thanks be to God, we do not have to worry.
I enjoyed your post so much thank you! I too have many Bibles, the Pentateuch as well ... King James, The Good News and really, I would say about 8 or 9. Also many expositions on the Bible ... some psychological which is particualr interest to me as this is my interest.
ReplyDeleteI blogged today about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden - I'm a few below you (I think) ...
Thanks Susan, you're very kind.
DeleteI'm not a Christian, so I find posts about Christianity and the Bible quite fascinating and educational. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti @Daily(w)rite
Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2013
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
It's a pleasure, thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI own three bibles, and I am a Christian. I never talk about religion, or politics....would love to, but do not. I say enjoy your many bibles, your faith you share with others in your life.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy
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