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To: boatbums
If, indeed, they are "hopelessly irreconcilable", then what next? Toss out the whole Bible?

Not at all -- but take it for what it is: a book of inspirations, some of them contradictory, written by human beings to tell a story and promote certain ideas.

They didn't always agree on what views were to be promoted, and if you're going to "tell the story of the Bible", you sometimes have to pick and choose which version you will tell.

The one thing you shouldn't do is take it all literally, because then the contradictory reports and interpretations will knot you up like a pretzel.

Use it as a source of wisdom and inspiration, and use what reaches you, because God shows up for each of us in the way we are individually most likely to recognize and understand. Much of that is shaped by culture, upbringing, and theology.

196 posted on 03/05/2013 8:33:06 PM PST by TBP (Obama lies, Granny dies.)
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To: TBP
Not at all -- but take it for what it is: a book of inspirations, some of them contradictory, written by human beings to tell a story and promote certain ideas.

So, when the Apostle Peter refers to St. Paul's epistles as divinely inspired Scripture, we should not take that literally? When Paul said "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for all good works", we should ignore him because he didn't mean it? When Jesus said, "It is written..." in answer to every challenge tossed at him by Satan, we shouldn't follow his lead? Because, if, as you say, it is merely man's clumsy work, then you'd have to call it a lie and toss it all out. There is no middle ground.

You are perfectly free to take what the Bible says only as it applies to you and as you are most likely to recognize and understand it and not as THE Word of God that guides our paths. I, on the other hand, KNOW what I believe and why I believe it because GOD said it. The Bible is far more than simply a "book of inspirations". I see it as an "owner's manual" for how we work best and to our fullest potential and how we can relate to our Creator. It tells us how to be saved for eternity. I'd warn you to ignore it at your own risk.

Chances are that you may be missing THE component that will open your eyes to the treasure we have in this amazing book - it's called the Holy Spirit. The natural man doesn't receive the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. It sounds like foolishness to him. Maybe that is why you don't recognize how remarkable the Bible is.

201 posted on 03/06/2013 12:24:00 AM PST by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
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