Have you read the Bible?

[i3iz]

The bible was first writen in various languages, Aramaic, Hebrew. Then compiled in Greek, then translated into Latin, from which most modern language translations come from....

Im not a bible scholar, so I might be wrong in the exact order, but what is for sure is that its a translation of a translation of a translation.......

What I suspect here is that english teaching is being done mostly by American missionaries over there, with the agenda of then inserting the Bible...

neopwi ok the old testament was originally written in hebrew. There are several different authors of the old testament books, or atleast we ascribe them to several different people, though we believe that God inspired each one to write. however the new testment was written in aramaic for some of it and greek for the rest. Also since the bible was recopied, there are different versions of the greek floating around. they usually get about 2-3 major greek copies, in each translation. Now the catholic bible has books like the wisdom of soloman and 1 macabees. These are not included in the protestant canonised bible. Also there are many different translations. King James, New King James, New american Standard, New Living. New International Version.

Also as for the latin, that is called the vulgate.

and the greek OT is called the septuigent.

The bible is available online for free, at biblegateway.com you can even pick different translations.

If you are interested in the story of the bible, there are 11 story line books of the OT and 2-3 of the NT.

Which means you merely need to read14 books max out of the 66 to understand the whole story.

The NT story line books are Luke-Acts and sometimes Revelation. I guess it just depends on your understanding of exchatology (or the study of the end times).

The OT story line books are, now i hope i am geting these correct. Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 kings, Ezera, Nehemiah. The books after Esther are Prophetic and poetic iterature, which is not neccisary to the main narrative, however it is helpful in rounding out the story. And christians believe that God put it in there b/c it was intended to be studied and it has just as much importance as any other part.

Now know that there is a doctrine for the bible in christian belief. They hold to the fact that All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. Any moe questions, feel free to ask, i may not have all the answers, but i am pretty sure i can answer a lot of questions.

thanks in addvance,

--i3iz

[i3iz]

i never read bible...it is very boring and dificult to read realy.

neopwi try reading the New living translation, and start with the new testment, luke, then acts.

i think you might be surprised.

[Sticktron]

I've read it. Anyone interested in philosophy, religion, history should read it... it's quite an influential book and has shaped people's behaviour for 2000 years. The Old Testament is a combination of myth and history that details the early development of religion. You can follow the progression of "God" from a tribal god, to a vengeful god, to a god of peace. The New Testament is much more interesting (I found) and is much more applicable to life. IMO, Jesus was a revolutionary. He saw all the corruption in the world, from the streets right up the supposedly "Holy" Temples/Synagogues, and decided to dedicate his life to spreading his philosophies about living together peacefully, loving each other, treating each other with kindness, helping each other. He was like the original Ghandi.. someone who spoke out against the status quo, peacefully, and many people supported him and his message. Of course, he was killed for it, but that's the price you pay for revolution, for change. Everyone could benefit from what he was saying. Forget about the metaphysical, whether or not there is a "God" or gods or whether Jesus was the son of God or whether God spoke to Mohammad. That's all part of the storytelling, the mythology, the mystical nature given to things beyond comprehension. What's important is the real messages at the root of all major religions: peace, love, kindness, respect for each other, respect for nature, etc. That's what we should be focusing on, not bickering about the details.

:ninja:

[mw_jon]

(the classics, the ones actually worth reading)

neopwi Are you saying that "the classics" are the only novels truly worth reading?

[i3iz]

Regarding dinosaurs not being mentioned in the bible:

FYI - the word "dinosaur" wasn't introducted into the English language until sometime in the 1800's.. so of course there is no mention of "dinosaurs" in the Bible. What do you think people called dinosaurs before that? Maybe dragon, behemoth, leviathan, etc. Do you think everyone in the world calls a "humpback whale" a "humpback whale"? I also never remember reading specifically about "sharks" or "alligators", but that doesn't mean they weren't around at the time the Bible was written.

neopwi http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/2.asp

i havent read this page, but i think it attempts to explain the dinosaurs with the bible.

for those who are interested it might help out.

[Destian]

im Christian and i've read most of The Bible..

Christians amaze me.

[i3iz]

You can follow the progression of "God" from a tribal god, to a vengeful god, to a god of peace.

One of God's attributes is his immutability, or his inability to change. another one of Gods attributes is Love, this is checked and balanced with his attribute of immutability. Another attirbute is Justice and this is Checked and balanced by love and immutability. Infinite is another. You can see how the list continues. There are large scholarly debates on how many attributes exist, but none of them negate the other. Israel rebels, The LORD punishes them. If you ground your kids, do you not love them? Have you changed?

sticktron also much of what you say about Jesus is true, but you are missing the one crucial fact of christianity.

"All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God."-The apostle Paul

"For the wages of Sin is Death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Christ Jesus."-Paul the Apostle

"no man comes to the father, but through me"-Jesus

"I am the way the truth and the life"-Jesus

Now granted we ought to all love each other, but this is not possible apart from God. Thinking we can do good in and of ourselves, takes away the need for God. And then we enter the circular argument. However, i think this is where a lot of people confuse Christianity. Sure it is about love, but not the love we can give. The greek word for the love that the bible is about is AGAPE. In 1 Cor. 13 it speaks of this love. It is an unconditional love. God loves all of his creatures with that love.

When we anthropomorphize God, we take Him out of his majestic and omniscient context, and put our own structural framework around him. What i am sayiong, is not neccisarily to believe in God, or to not believe in God. What i am saying, is to honestly critique christianity, or the bible, you must be able to exegete scripture properly. To have a proper hermeneutic.

As far as those who love to read philosophy books, have you guys ever read dallas willard? He is the head of the philosophy department at USC. He has some great things to say in his books. I reccomend the Divine Conspiracy, if you are interested in philosophy. Also AW Tozer has a great book called knowledge of the Holy. Which discussed the attributes of God from a more philosophical perspective.

Thanks again

--i3iz

[bayrider]

if u wanna learn the english we speak today, the bible is the last thing u want to read to learn english from

[Sticktron]

Regarding dinosaurs not being mentioned in the bible:

FYI - the word "dinosaur" wasn't introducted into the English language until sometime in the 1800's.. so of course there is no mention of "dinosaurs" in the Bible. What do you think people called dinosaurs before that? Maybe dragon, behemoth, leviathan, etc. Do you think everyone in the world calls a "humpback whale" a "humpback whale"? I also never remember reading  specifically about "sharks" or "alligators", but that doesn't mean they weren't around at the time the Bible was written.

neopwi http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/2.asp

i havent read this page, but i think it attempts to explain the dinosaurs with the bible.

for those who are interested it might help out.

neopwi That site is ridiculous... it claims the earth MUST have been created in six days, and that the BIBLE says the earth MUST have been created about 4000 BC. LOL that nonsense was thrown away by religious scholars ages ago. Even the most devout Christian understands that the story of Creation's simple, sweeping concepts are merely symbolic of the spirit and majesty of God.

The Universe is thought to be around 20 billion years old. The earliest evidence of life on earth is 3 billion year old bacteria. Dinosaurs and other large reptiles ruled the earth during the Mesozoic Era, which was 225 million to 65 million years ago (a 165 million year period). It was during that time the continents were formed from the former Pangaea (one large land mass). The homo genus has been for 2 million years. homo erectus (an earlier type of man that homo sapiens made extinct) fossils have been found from 1.5 million years ago. 500,000 years ago fire was discovered. The oldest homo sapien fossils are 400,000 years old. Neanderthal man (homo sapien neanderthalis) lived in ice age Europe and Middle East before becoming extinct around 40,000 years ago. 20,000 years ago bow and arrow are invented. 10,000 years ago the Agriculture in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East flourishes. 7000 BC: pottery invented. 6000 BC: linen invented. 5000 BC: Mesopotamian Civilization begins.

As you can see, life started WAAAAAY before 4000 BC.

[DsnBehind]

I'd say probably 90% of noteworthy fiction (the classics, the ones actually worth reading), allude to the Bible in some way or another.

That's a bit self-centered. Unless you want to give some examples, that claim sounds stupid.

[pctuk]

Religion is so funny, I really can't understand how so many people are still taken in by this pre-science, mythological, spiritual, bull$hit.

Why is it that you are more likely to be a Chrisitian in the US, or a Muslim in Pakistan? Because religion is not a result of people seeing "the light"/"the true path"/"the good life - it is because children are indoctrinated at childhood into believing the dominant myth of the society. Luckily people are coming around to realise how ridiculous religion is - unfortunately there are still a lot of people that will be keep the "faith"/religion/bull$hit going.

Then again, if we didn't have religous people - there would be a lot less to laugh at. God bless ######.

[macf13nd]

Christians amaze me.

neopwi hehe (Y) nice one! :D

[Sticktron]

sticktron also much of what you say about Jesus is true, but you are missing the one crucial fact of christianity.

"All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God."-The apostle Paul

"For the wages of Sin is Death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Christ Jesus."-Paul the Apostle

"no man comes to the father, but through me"-Jesus

"I am the way the truth and the life"-Jesus

neopwi This is why I suggest to people to leave aside the metaphysical, which is dependent on personal interpretation and supernatural beliefs, and simply think about what the man Jesus was talking about. Lets just deal with facts. He was alive, he was a man, and he did preach to followers about living in peace and loving each other and the world. That is the most important part of the Bible story. Jesus sets an example of the way we can live so as to achieve the peace and happiness we want in life. That applies to every living person, regardless of religious beliefs, unaffected by church doctrine, interpretation, or misuse. You don't have to be Christian to follow the basic moral guidlines offered by Jesus.

Also, contrary to most people's understanding, Jesus himself also said that you didn't have to be any particular religion--or even have heard of religion at all--to go to heaven. All you have to go is live a life of peace, kindness, goodness, and you be rewarded. The beauty of it is that while you're trying so hard to get to heaven, which in all probability doesn't exist, you in effect make your actual life on earth much better--and THAT is the REAL reward.

[noll3095]

I've read nearly all of it while in church to keep myself from falling asleep. Reading it is one of the reasons I'm an atheist now. Though most of the people who blindly follow it make up a larger percentage of that reason.

[Sticktron]

Religion is so funny, I really can't understand how so many people are still taken in by this pre-science, mythological, spiritual, bull$hit.

Why is it that you are more likely to be a Chrisitian in the US, or a Muslim in Pakistan? Because religion is not a result of people seeing "the light"/"the true path"/"the good life - it is because children are indoctrinated at childhood into believing the dominant myth of the society. Luckily people are coming around to realise how ridiculous religion is - unfortunately there are still a lot of people that will be keep the "faith"/religion/bull$hit going.

Then again, if we didn't have religous people - there would be a lot less to laugh at. God bless ######.

neopwi There are several reasons religion has played such an important role in human development. It offered a way to explain things that aren't explainable yet by science (or before science existed). It implemented a reward/punishment system before there were police or courts. It offers people a personal source of comfort when needed in life. And it implemented a moral standard by which people could live so we were not all barbarians. Don't kill, don't steal, don't rape, don't pillage, etc. etc. these laws come originally from religion, before there were law books and justice systems.

[helmers]

There is one thing I hate about religion, and that is the fact that someone is bound to get really really mad when discussing it.

Anyways, I've read the Bible, and think that it is something everyone can enjoy, Christian or not. Many colorful stories, good morals to take with you in life and also brands itself "based on a true story".

You should read it for Christmas if you can spare the time. :)

[DsnBehind]

unfortunately there are still a lot of people that will be keep the "faith"/religion/bull$hit going.

You mean a lot, lot, LOT of people. :no:

[reactionary007]

the bullsh*t is that so many of you cry and scream about the freedom to think and feel any way you want and that anyone who puts you down is a bigot and a pile o' sh*t but you have no qualms of putting down christians and calling them fools and morons and treating them with contempt. i as a christian believe that we were all created in the image and likeness of god and that we all are sinners. i see no ground for me to stand on and put others down or judge them. i needed jesus' blood just as much as anyone. christ died to save any who call upon his name and you all are under that umbrella and can trust in him if you so choose. i am used to being put down for my faith on these boards... but i just wanted to point it out cause so many of you don't seem to realize... and the boards rules about trashing people for who they are don't seem to apply to me and the love of my life... strange.

[Spyder Veteran]

You should read it for Christmas if you can spare the time. :)

neopwi hook me up with the cole's notes (Y)

[0sit0]

huh?? Your teachers tell you if you want to learn english correctly - you should learn the bible??? Your teachers are just a bunch of thumpers!? For one - pretty sure that the use of the bible in public school would, even if for some type of english classs would be walking a fine line on the separation of church and state issue.

I know for sure if my kids brought home a bible as a text book - I would be bringing it to someones attention!

If looking for examples of the proper use of english, etc.. - the bible sure and the hell would not be on my top 100.

i know usa sucks in that way, they want to destroy a monument of the 10 commandments, change the pledge of alligence and others, but they teach crap in school, they make monuments of other things stimulating sex, and do bad stuff, anyway i dont want to change the thread but it really sucks, and yes i am christian i have read the bible, you shall read it to:whistle:l:p :p

[eth3l]

You are right.

i have always found the best movie which discusses the christian faith, and what faith really is is Kevin Smith's Dogma. The conversation with the 2 angels in the garage sums up what faith and god and christianity really are.

Good post.

[DsnBehind]

i see no ground for me to stand on and put others down or judge them.

Not unless you carefully read your preaching posts... :whistle:

[aem4162]

Regarding dinosaurs not being mentioned in the bible:

FYI - the word "dinosaur" wasn't introducted into the English language until sometime in the 1800's.. so of course there is no mention of "dinosaurs" in the Bible. What do you think people called dinosaurs before that? Maybe dragon, behemoth, leviathan, etc. Do you think everyone in the world calls a "humpback whale" a "humpback whale"? I also never remember reading  specifically about "sharks" or "alligators", but that doesn't mean they weren't around at the time the Bible was written.

neopwi http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/2.asp

i havent read this page, but i think it attempts to explain the dinosaurs with the bible.

for those who are interested it might help out.

neopwi Unfortunately, I DID read it. What a load of excuses and lies made to fit their closed-minded and illogical thinking. Can't explain why there were no dates next to the bones found? Just say it's a lie!

[jkinzer]

Just how do you Christians think that Evolution fits into the Bible. The Bible says that God created Adam and Eve in his likeness as the first humans. How does that fit with the hard scientific evidence that humans evolved from neanderthals who evolved from apes? And how does the Bible reflect the scientific discoveries about the evolution of the Universe? Oh, it doesn't, it just says that God created that too. BS. When are Christians going to start listening to the facts about the Universe and themselves and start realizing that science negates Christianity?

Just my humble opinion... :shifty:

[VII]

this thread can go on forever, because we base argument upon faith.. peoples beliefs.. no matter what science has to say you can't take that away from people. it's what they live for, in essence their holy grail.

there is no right or wrong religion... and if someone wants to believe whatever the hell they want, they are entitiled to that. it's thier right as a human being.

there is no one religion that has proven what happens after death, and no one can tell you what happens after death because there is no way to factualize it. and you can't factualize it, because religion is BASED off faith. so you have yourself a catch-22 and you start over again.

I believe in a God, yes. Something greater that started everything. Or at least pushed the first ball in the domino effect of scientific related happenings leading to our existence. However I have not, nor will not tend to believe what is written in any of the tens of books given to each religion to follow from. People know the difference between right and wrong. If you choose wrong, good luck. If you choose right... well.. good luck.

Vii