What's your view on the accuracy of the Bible? - FREEP THIS POLL!!!

MSNBC.Com ^ | 12/24/2001 | MSNBC.Com

[aruanan]

“I CAN’T THINK of any New Testament scholar who takes [the Gospel accounts of Jesus’s birth] to be historically reliable,” said Fredriksen, a Boston University professor who specializes in early Christianity. “Most believe he was born in Nazareth.”

This guy is hopelessly out of touch with New Testament scholarship. He's still living in the late 19th century. His statement is one of the sure ways that you can spot a theologically liberal Bible scholar--in their minds, anyone who believes differently from them is, by definition, not a scholar; hence, he doesn't know of a single scholar who doesn't believe exactly the way he does.

[Rudder]

How on earth would we know if the Bible is accurate or not? Stupid poll.

[aruanan]

This is a poorly written poll which says more about the presuppositions of the author than it does about the subject. A better poll statement would be:

I believe the original manuscripts are authoritative, whether in matters of history, theology, or geography, etc..

[Quix]

REVISIONISM has been going on a long time. It will intensify. The Bible clearly indicates there will be a major deception so polished, potent, that IF it were possible, the authentic believers themselves would be deceived [except for God's protection from such for those who--for example--know and hear HIS VOICE.]

But those who's Christianity is on the order of feeling they are Christian because their parents were or because they are American--the kind of--"I'm a car because I'm in a garage" mentality . . . who extrinsically put RELIGION on like a coat rather than risk and persist in deepening an authentic RELATIONSHIP with ALMIGHTY GOD through The Only Door--Jesus, The Messiah--welllllllllll, the casual, half-hearted Christian may have a rude awakening. . . . Thankfully God is the sole judge of their hearts. . . but given the givens, I wouldn't want to risk eternal isolation from HIM.

[Bobby777]

How on earth would we know if the Bible is accurate or not? Stupid poll.

I'd say after one has read it they have to decide what they think of it ... I believe it to be literally true, so it's no problem for me finding an answer ... FReegards

[f.Christian]

What's your view on the accuracy of the Bible?

* 100818 responses

Every detail is literally true. 38%

Some details may be inaccurate or exaggerated, but the fundamentals are true. 34%

The Bible is fundamentally fiction, incorporating some historical facts. 25%

None of the above (share your view on the Mysteries of the Universe BBS). 4%

[Bobby777]

dang ... hasn't changed even 1% will all the votes ... :(

[Sci Fi Guy]

I am in the 2nd group myself, as a non-fundamentalist

I'm in the first group. This poll would be better if they gave an example of what they meant by "inaccurate or exaggerated". Because literally true allows for figures of speech, hyperbole, rounded numbers, etc.

Literal truth (or interpretation) often refers to the authors intent. For example, if a gospel writer gives a round number(like when Jesus fed the 5000). That's not considered inaccurate because the writer didn't intend to give an exact number. On the other hand, if the poll meant by inaccurate that Jesus didn't do some of the Miracles that the Bible says he did. Now that's a whole another story.

[Sci Fi Guy]

I get so bugged by articles like this one. Just once I would like to see the mainstream media quote a conservative scholar. The majority of seminaries in this country are conservative. Modern scholarship strongly supports the traditional (high) view of the Bible. For example I've Heard that the view of the resurrection held by the most respected liberal scholars is that Jesus died on a cross and that his disciples believe he rose from the dead. (So strong was their belief, that most died for it.) Instead of reporting that, they find professors who cling to outdated scholarship.

[eazdzit]

You have stated that you believe the bible to be literal and 100% true. If you will confirm that you believe the following passages to be translated accurately then I have a couple of questions.

1) KJV Genesis 2:7 7.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

2) KJV Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

3) KJV Colossians 1:15
(speaking of Christ)... Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

4) KJV 1 Corinthians 15:27-28
27. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

I will check back for your response.

Cheers:^)

[Codie]

I'm a "Catholic" does that make me a Christian in your world? If so, I'll be more than happy to vote.

[knighthawk]

Freeped at:

Every detail is literally true. 38%
Some details may be inaccurate or exaggerated, but the fundamentals are true. 34%
The Bible is fundamentally fiction, incorporating some historical facts. 25%

[Paleo Conservative]

I believe the original manuscripts are authoritative, whether in matters of history, theology, or geography, etc..

As a geologist I would have to say that the Bible was never intended to be a scientific explanation of the world.

[nicmarlo]

I will have to defer commenting on these passages, when I have time to read my Bible and be able to engage in conversation with you--as I must also read the chapter from which the verses come. Until then, Merry Christmas to you and to all.

[Bobby777]

no doubt you have a question that no one has been able to answer for you ... either way, ask on ... I'll give you one response ... if that does not satisfy, I shall not be able to assist you ...

[Bobby777]

perhaps a better question is do *you* consider yourself a Christian? if so, why? if not, why not? (I'm believing that you are but let's hear why) ... FReegards ...

[Codie]

I have a question no has been able to answer.Here's my one shot, "please" don't duck it.Do you believe Catholics are Christian?

[Codie]

No,a better question is do, "you", consider the Catholic Church and all her teachings a "Christian" Church?

[BillyBoy]

Voted for Option 2: Some details may be inaccurate or exaggerated, but the fundamentals are true.

Any Christian who selected Option 3 needs to find themselves a new religion. ;-)

[RightWhale]

From the article:

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“Most believe he was born in Nazareth.”

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Starting the article this way encourages some to drop it and move on to something of potentially greater accuracy or utility. How can the author summarize the beliefs of Bible scholars in this way. Who has ever taken a poll of Bible scholars to see if most thought the reference to nazarene referred to the town?

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