Bible written by different writers at different times for different people

me ^ | 12/6/01 | me

[Skywalk]

A more modern retelling of that similarity was written by Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist priest.

Yeah I've pointed that out before to people. There are none so blind as those who will not see.

If I'm not mistaken a few "mothers" were named Maya, Mary(forget what the Hebrew is) or Merte(Egyptian, I believe) There were all kinds of gods running around the Mid East since the Sumerians, and no reason to believe that the Bible's writers didn't copy and edit to their heart's delight from the rich source material. Lets not forget the murder of Hyapatia at the Library of Alexandria by the Bishop of ALexandria and his nutty,wacky followers.

[nicmarlo]

This may be a repeat, it's already well past 300 posts, but I was taught as a possibility between the two accounts in Genesis:

The first creation: God created everything and Lucifer was already given power over the earth. It was his, basically. Then God kicked Lucifer out of heaven and in his anger, Satan ruined the earth and caused the life then existing (dinosaurs, etc.) to die.

Then God re-created the earth. Genesis 2 is the recreation.

There is scripture in Isaiah 45:18 referring to this (such as "For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, But formed it to be inhabited.") which directly refutes that God had created the earth a waste place. It became that way after Satan wrecked it.

[Carol Roberts]

And to borrow a quote, "There is nothing new under the sun." Someone somewhere has noticed each, asked these questions and had them answered.

What you said! Just wish I saved all those answers. I'll look for 'em later tonight.

I just wish those raising the questions put as much energy into trying to find the answers, such as learning the culture, context and language.

[mrb1960]

Hey, like I said it's just a theory. I just wanted to put it out there and see what people thought.

[Tribefan]

It was fascinating. All of my required religion and philosophy classes were great. I dreaded taking them, but they were required. They ended up being the most memorable and meaningful classes I took.

I'm glad you had the chance to take them! Funny how the classes you dreaded turned out to be the most memorable...seems like the Lord continues to work in mysterious ways! I'm going to try and find that article you mentioned - I'm sure I would enjoy reading it!

[Sueann]

"Where did the light come from" (on the first day)

It was the presence of God which made the light!

[Weatherman123]

I guess you hadn't heard that Moses wrote the Pentateuch, or, the first five books of the Bible. Same person. Sorry.

No, I hadn't heard that. Thanks for clearing things up for me.

[Weatherman123]

You insult the nature of God by claiming he made a "mistake" by having contradictions in his holy Word.

Where did I claim God made a mistake? I've repeatedly stated that I believe the Bible to be divinely inspired, therefore, any fault in the book is made on the part of the humans who wrote it, not God. Sorry, but I never said mistake or screw up, those are your words, not mine.

[Weatherman123]

By the way, if you want to pretend to be a Christian wanting discussion in the faith next time, perhaps you could not call Genesis a "Myth" and your deception would not show through.

Go look up myth in the dictionary. It's primary meaning is NOT a false story. I'm sorry you don't believe I'm a Christian, but that's your problem not mine. As for me and my house, we serve the Lord. I don't have to prove that to you. But thanks for chiming in.

[Weatherman123]

You'll be fightin' a losing battle. The Priestly, Elohist, Yahwist authors are all acknowledged by legit Biblical scholars, yet you'll find no such knowledge by many fundamentalist/literalists here on FR.

Yes, I sure found that out the hard way, didn't I? Oh well, I've wasted time on less important things than this. I did actually learn a lot from those who were willing to discuss and not insult, so in that sense it was worth it. I think I'll stop reading though, it's like banging my head against a wall.

[Weatherman123]

Being a Catholic I'm not permitted to read the Bible (just ask my protestant friends, they'll tell you) ;0)

Cap'n! I wish you had told me this earlier. I forgot I'm not allowed to read the Bible. Please don't tell the Pope! I'll stop reading right now, I promise! :)

[Tribefan]

We'll just have to hope the Pope's not a freeper. What do you think his handle would be?

[Weatherman123]

"KingoftheWorld"? "4moreyears"? I'm tired and uninspired.

[Sueann]

I found the Gospels to be as interesting. They were written by 4 different people, to 4 different groups.

Matthew was written by Matthew to all the Jewish people. He used over 65 references to the Old Testament. Only the Jewish people would have understood the references. This Gospel was about the man, Jesus

Mark was written by Mark to the Romans. The Romans believed in might and power. Mark wrote to the new Christians telling of Jesus might and power.

Luke was written by Luke to the Greeks. The Greeks were into the body. Luke, as the physician, was the perfect one to tell the new Christians about the "body" of Christ.

John was written by John to the Jews and the new Christians. It was written to show the deity of Christ.

Yet, throughout the first 3 Gospels, the story of Christ's birth and ministry are similar in many respects. Each gave their view of what they saw Jesus do.

[Tribefan]

I'm thinking "TheGuyWithTheCoolHat", but perhaps I need sleep too! Goodnight Weatherman!

[RobbyS]

Philologists, like all scholars, have their conceits. Like many other scientific hypotheses, the German ones are likely to be overthrown if and when new evidence comes in.

[Kevin Curry]

You are like the man who knew the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Your musings aren't worth the time it takes to read them more than once.

[homeschool mama]

***Main Entry: myth

Pronunciation: 'mith

Function: noun

Etymology: Greek mythos

Date: 1830

1 a : a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon b : PARABLE, ALLEGORY

2 a : a popular belief or tradition that has grown up around something or someone; especially : one embodying the ideals and institutions of a society or segment of society b : an unfounded or false notion

3 : a person or thing having only an imaginary or unverifiable existence

4 : the whole body of myths

© 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated Merriam-Webster Privacy Policy ***

Most people may assume #3 would be the definition you illustrated. Perhaps you could be clear in your initial thoughts next time?

[Weatherman123]

Most people may assume #3 would be the definition you illustrated.

Well, that's an incorrect assumption on their/your part isn't it? I used the most popular, ie #1, definition. I can't help it if people read my post with prejudice and assume I'm using the least popular definition of the word, the definition that suits their purposes.

Perhaps you could be clear in your initial thoughts next time?

Perhaps you could read without bias next time?

[wwjdn]

***Another minor discrepancy: Where did the light come from, created on the first day, if the sun, moon and stars were not created until the 4th day. If you read the Bible literally, how can this make sense?

I think you are trying to understand GOD...good luck. Explain how he can create an oak tree from a seed, or a human being (with all his complexity) from one cell.

You also ask about the names "God" and "The Lord". God was given hundreds of names by his people. Everytime he showed his people a new miracle, they gave him a new name. I can think of at least twenty names for God without even thinking. Because he has several names doesn't make him less, it shows how little we can comprehend his glory and his power.