does the bible contain anything of value

[Orbit]

You ignored the OP with this comment. The point was that these things of "value" (which, I agree with wholeheartedly, btw) can be found elsewhere. So, while the actual lessons have value, does the Bible gain value from them, since they can be found elsewhere?

The question in the OP is biased. There are NO human ideas that can't be found in more than one place. Why do I care in what place they are found? I don't believe something has to be unique to be valuable. In fact, I think that idea is a fallacy.

 

[Ouroboros]

often people say dont throw the baby out with the bath water but to me it seems like sticking your hands in a vat of acid for a few shinny baubles found elsewhere . nothing good in the bible is unique .
@Orbit

The story of Romeo and Juliet isn't unique either. Still we find the composition, combination, exact execution of the story in that specific way, to be intriguing and one of the hits. Just because we use the same English letters, words, and grammar that other people have used before us. Just because phrases, ideas, and combination of ideas aren't new, doesn't mean that the unique combination can bring something new to light and wake up a certain insight in some person that wasn't there before. I've had situations in life where the exact same phrase and words were used by two different people. The first one, I didn't get. The second one, clicked. Simply because it was a different person that I found easier to listen to and open my mind to. Value doesn't always come with what being said, but how, when, and by who it is said. The Bible is unique in its own composition even if the ideas are all old.

Take this website as an example. I haven't seen any idea on this site that can't be found somewhere else. So is there any value to this forum? The answer is yes. Not because of unique ideas, but because of its uniqueness of bring the ideas and people together.

 

[leibowde84]

The question in the OP is biased. There are NO human ideas that can't be found in more than one place. Why do I care in what place they are found? I don't believe something has to be unique to be valuable. In fact, I think that idea is a fallacy.

I agree. I just think it is important to note this reasoning. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Underhill]

You ignored the OP with this comment. The point was that these things of "value" (which, I agree with wholeheartedly, btw) can be found elsewhere. So, while the actual lessons have value, does the Bible gain value from them, since they can be found elsewhere?

I think there are better alternatives out there. Buddhism, from what I know of it, seems to have a better mix of morality and rather mild religious doctrine.

 

[Iti oj]

perhaps what i should have asked is do the other parts devalue the bible more than the good parts add value ?

 

[rusra02]

often people say dont throw the baby out with the bath water but to me it seems like sticking your hands in a vat of acid for a few shinny baubles found elsewhere . nothing good in the bible is unique .
@Orbit

What do you find in the Bible that you do not like?

 

[URAVIP2ME]

So what is he waiting for, another 2,000 years to go by?

Waiting for the completion of the ' final phase ' of Matthew 24:14 about the international proclaiming of the good news message that God's kingdom ( 1,000 year rulership by Christ over earth ) reaches the far corners of earth - Acts of the Apostles 1:8 - as Jesus said.

Modern technology has made rapid Bible translation possible, and has made the ' final phase ' more possible because now globally people can have Scripture in their native languages or mother tongues.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

I find parts of the Bible useful. I see no need to pay attention to the parts I don't find useful. I see no reason to make it a zero-sum game.

Do you find the commission of Matthew 24:14 useful ?_______

 

[URAVIP2ME]

I think Jesus' message of a loving father, brotherly love, the Golden Rule, forgiveness of others, etc. are valuable. As far as uniqueness; the truth must be stated again and again in different ways to reach people.

Isn't Matthew 24:14; Acts of the Apostles 1:8 unique ?________

Jesus was more than just about having self-sacrificing love for others - John 13:34-35 - but about establishing permanent Peace on Earth among men of goodwill. That Peace on Earth will include the healing or curing of earth's nations - Revelation 22:2
Jesus is the one who will fulfill God's promise to Abraham about earth - Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18

 

[Iti oj]

Isn't Matthew 24:14; Acts of the Apostles 1:8 unique ?________

Jesus was more than just about having self-sacrificing love for others - John 13:34-35 - but about establishing permanent Peace on Earth among men of goodwill. That Peace on Earth will include the healing or curing of earth's nations - Revelation 22:2
Jesus is the one who will fulfill God's promise to Abraham about earth - Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18

that is not a moral teaching or religious practice to adhere to . its an empty promise and has little to do with the op.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

that is not a moral teaching or religious practice to adhere to . its an empty promise and has little to do with the op.

Isn't Matthew 24:14 a religious practice to adhere to ?
Isn't Jesus' command at Matthew 28:19-20 a religious practice to adhere to ?
What is Not religious about that spiritual work Jesus gave his followers to do ?

 

[Iti oj]

Isn't Matthew 24:14 a religious practice to adhere to ?
Isn't Jesus' command at Matthew 28:19-20 a religious practice to adhere to ?
What is Not religious about that spiritual work Jesus gave his followers to do ?

to Matthew 24:14, seems to me like failed prophecy more than commandment.

Matthew 28:19-20 was not mentioned in the post i quoted so is off topic to mention it now

 

[Underhill]

perhaps what i should have asked is do the other parts devalue the bible more than the good parts add value ?

The two are linked. Sure, Jesus taught some good things. But nothing new or revolutionary. (And very little that most Christians today pay attention to.) The adverse affects are also there but fortunately also ignored by most christians today (be content with what you have, women be submissive to husbands...).

I just don't see any value there.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

to Matthew 24:14, seems to me like failed prophecy more than commandment.
Matthew 28:19-20 was not mentioned in the post i quoted so is off topic to mention it now

How has Matthew 24:14 failed ?
Even modern technology has made rapid Bible translation possible for even remote areas of earth.
People of earth today can have Scripture in their own native languages or mother tongues which was Not possible in the past.
So, far from being a failed prophecy, the good news about God's kingdom ( Daniel 2:44 ) is being proclaimed on an international or global world-wide scale as never before in history.

 

[Milton Platt]

There's a lot of wisdom in the Bible, and Jesus' teachings on non-judgement, forgiveness, and caring for those less fortunate are valuable.

Too bad for him they already existed....

 

[Milton Platt]

often people say dont throw the baby out with the bath water but to me it seems like sticking your hands in a vat of acid for a few shinny baubles found elsewhere . nothing good in the bible is unique .
@Orbit

Amen to that.....

 

[URAVIP2ME]

The two are linked. Sure, Jesus taught some good things. But nothing new or revolutionary. (And very little that most Christians today pay attention to.) The adverse affects are also there but fortunately also ignored by most christians today (be content with what you have, women be submissive to husbands...).
I just don't see any value there.

Have you ever had a job where there was No boss ?
Without a boss to run the business how much would be accomplished ?

Who ever complains about the headship principle in the school system ?
The pupil's head is the teacher, the teachers head is the principal, the principal's head is the super.
That headship principle allows for the smooth working out of the school system, as the ' boss head ' runs the business system.

So, the Bible's headship is like a captain and his first mate to steer us through the rough waters of life.
The first mate can have the input, but the final decision belongs to the captian.
Have you ever read Ephesians 5:25 or Ephesians 5:28-29 ?

Biblical submission is: as unto the Lord - Ephesians 5:21-23
As ' unto the Lord ' then would mean a ' relative ' subjection and Not absolute. Not to be submissive to wrongdoing.

Whose voice did God want Abraham to listen to and obey at the latter part of Genesis 21:12 __________ Wasn't it his wife's voice ?

If Jesus taught nothing new, then what do you find old about Jesus' new commandment at John 13:34-35 ?

Perhaps ' revolutionary ' is Not the word I want to use regarding that Jesus' words will like a sharp executioner's sword to rid the earth of wickedness - Isaiah 11:3-4; Revelation 19:15 - but doesn't that sound as if it could be considered as revolutionary ?_________

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Amen to that.....

You don't find it unique that Jesus is the one who will usher in global Peace on Earth among men of goodwill ?
You don't find it unique that Jesus will govern over earth for a thousand years - Revelation 20:6

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Too bad for him they already existed....

Jesus was Not teaching to judge God's judgement.
Jesus was teaching Not to judge as to impute a wrong or bad motive to another person's actions when they are Not out of harmony with God's will or judgment on matters.

Doesn't Jesus judge according to Isaiah 11:3-4; Revelation 19:15 and Matthew 25:31-32 ?_________

 

[Iti oj]

How has Matthew 24:14 failed ?
Even modern technology has made rapid Bible translation possible for even remote areas of earth.
People of earth today can have Scripture in their own native languages or mother tongues which was Not possible in the past.
So, far from being a failed prophecy, the good news about God's kingdom ( Daniel 2:44 ) is being proclaimed on an international or global world-wide scale as never before in history.

we did are part, the bible is preached in all land, that is the first part. the second part is then the end shall come and it has not .