Friday, December 16, 2005

How do we know if the Bible is really from God?



Couldn't have said it better, so go here.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

First error: She says the Bible never contradicts. This is clearly untrue, and even many theologians and Bible experts agree that it does. Here is a pretty good list: http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/jim_meritt/bible-contradictions.html

Next, she makes the analogy with love being unproveable…however, nobody is claiming that love is a tangible thing. We all understand that love is an intangible emotion and the only proof of such a concept is actions and words. The concept of God is that he is a real entity, able to impact our lives. That requires tangible, hard evidence. The analogy is inherently flawed, thus.

Thirdly, she begins with the already drawn conclusion that God does exist. That’s an inherent flaw in trying to demonstrate that the Bible is the inspired word of God, for we haven’t even established that there are any gods…much less that they’ve done anything, like write a book or raise the dead.

So, we can really go no further. The rest of her paper begins with the premise that God exists. I reject that premise. We’ll need to address that first.

Lastly, I’d just like to offer that it seems to me that a book that was written by an omnipotent, holy, omnibenevolent God, the greatest creature in the entire universe, would contain some of the most astounding and marvelous things on each page. One would think it would contain the most beautiful prose, the most logical of statements, and things that simply make your mind and imagination soar. Instead we find bizarre things like incest, racial cleansing, blood sacrifices, horrendous slaughterings, mysogeny, slavery-endorsement and perversity.

Additionally, we find irreconcilable contradictions…that can only be explained through will apologetic contortions of logic. Clearly, an omnipotent God could make a book less confusing and more child friendly.

Mike said...

I totally disagree with your assessment, but you're right, we can't go further. It doesn't appear that any specific piece of evidence will be satisfactory. I'll leave you to forever ponder(hopefully not too long) the the Case for Christianity and wish you well on your pursuit of spirtual nirvana. We still have one thing in common, law school, perhaps we should stick to discussing that sadistic ritual called legal education. Best wishes to you.

Unknown said...

I'm not looking for Nirvana...nor am I suscetible to the common "Pascal's Wager" illogical argument. That you chose Christianity makes you no more safe because there are a plethora of religions and it's just as likely that you are in eternal danger because you chose the wrong one...that my choosing NONE puts me in danger.

Our positions are equal in that regard.

Mike said...

You are right, one is free to choose his religion or no religion. Better make the right choice! The scales of evidence tilt supremely in favor of Christianity.

Unknown said...

Mike: The scales of evidence tilt supremely in favor of Christianity.

Me: No, it certainly does not. Of course, as a Christian, you'll say this...but you certainly cannot demonstrate it. You can't even demonstrate there are any gods at all...much less that the God you chose is the right one.

Mike said...

You're kidding me right? With this I bid you adou. If you had or have real questions and were truly seeking answers, you could find them easy. The existence of God and the authority of the Bible are essentially #1 and #2 basic apologetic topics as related to Christianity. There is so much information out there. My links to the right are just a drop in the bucket.

If you're not getting your questions answered, you're not looking and/or hearing. I wish you well.

Unknown said...

Mike: You're kidding me right? With this I bid you adou.

Me: See? Jesus must be really proud.

Mike: If you had or have real questions and were truly seeking answers, you could find them easy.

Me: So...what you are saying is that those who truly seek these answers...find out that you are correct. *laughs* do you realize how illogical of an answer that is? If it IS correct...you should have no problem explaining it to me without "magic tricks" or evasion tactics like, "Well, if you truly wanted answers, you'd get them." That doesn't even make good sense. I can physically demonstrate gravity to you. I don't need to jump through hoops of apologetics to somehow twist and contort to make gravity work.

Mike: There is so much information out there. My links to the right are just a drop in the bucket.

Me: Sorry, I don't go fetch. I am talking to you...not to yourlinks.

Mike: If you're not getting your questions answered, you're not looking and/or hearing. I wish you well.

Me: Fine. Take your marbles and go home. I see how you are. How proud Jesus must be.

Mike said...

You won't tell me what specific evidence you'll accept...all you want me to do is run around in circles. You're not going to give my evidence a fair shake. You're twisting and contorting everything I say, you're playing word games, you're telling me what I believe and committing a number of logical fallicies with your rejoinders. I "ain't" playing anymore. I'll take my marbles and play with someone who is intellectually honest and is really seeking information/answers (that doesn't mean they convert...I don't convert anyone). There's a ton of academic theological/apologetic/philosophical writings/evidence out there and you're not willing to look at any of it. You're on my blog to rile me. Ain't gonna happen. I'm very secure in my saving relationship with Jesus and my chosen religion and I'm very confident that Christianity is the one true "religion". I hope you find your answers.

Unknown said...

Mike: You're on my blog to rile me. Ain't gonna happen.

Me: I really had hoped that you were more honest and benevolent than many of your hypocritical and dishonest constituents...but my hope is dwindling. Apparently you cannot answer any questions and your position isn't as secure as you'd like to believe...else you'd be able to actually answer a question rather than to place all the focus on how I talk. Classic evasiveness.

Know this: While you see my words as "riling you", what I'm actually doing is responding to what I see as flagrant misrepresentation. You are free to erase my remarks on your blog and if you don't want me here...just say so. Just stop pretending you are on some moral high ground. At least be honest with yourself.