Your assuming the Bible is accurate as written and interpreted literally. I do not hold that view. It reflects the ancient perspective of those that edited, redacted and compiled it.[/QUOTE
shunyadragon,
Well, think about what the Bible says about God’s written words.
It seems that God did not want His word to remain just words spoken by someone who thinks he knows truth. It seems that God wanted His word written, and copied many times. The reason being, men can change the meaning of words they heard. A long time ago, I remember that a story was told to a friend, the story circulated for some time, and when it got back to the person who started the story, it had changed so much, that the original storyteller did not even recognize his own story. This is what would have happened to the stories in the Bible. God had His word written so that anyone could go to the Bible, and make sure what God’s message was.
Notice that the Bible says that God’s word will endure forever, Isaiah 40:8, 1Peter 1:24. If the word changed, it would not really be God’s word any longer.
It seem that God did not want His word to change, so He promised to keep His word pure through all generations, Psalms 12:6,7. It seems that God has protected His words from being changed, so that we could never be sure, if what we read is what He originally had written.
It is true that there are mistakes in every Bible. This is true, because no imperfect person can translate a complete Bible without making mistakes. The truth though, can easily be found by comparing different Bibles, just as God said, He has protected His word.
Consider what is said at 2Peter 3:15,16. Here Peter is making the point that a person who does not understand God’s word well, should not translate a Bible, because, even making mistakes because of ignorance, could get you condemned by God.
I have about 60 Bible translations, which I compare, if I have a question. Invariably, I can find the truth, the one truth that agrees with everything the Bible says.
The Holy Scriptures tell ONE story, harmonious throughout!!!
It seems that, no one else can produce a book like The Bible!!!
Agape!!!