How We Know the Bible is God's Inspired Word

[Trey of Diamonds]

As to Bible prophecy, there are no misses.

Epic Fail

 

[idav]

The bible is inspired and seems to inspire, not always in a good way. People decided a long time ago that these certain works were inspired by god but now we look back and find that there is a significant amount of cultural bias which makes the source of the inspiration questionable.

 

[InChrist]

Proverbs 26:4-5


4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.

So... should one answer a fool according to his folly or not?

There was a time when I asked the same question. I remember we were sitting around the breakfast table and we had just read these verses out loud. We began to discuss it and came to the same conclusion...both are correct depending on the situation and the person.

In some cases it is pointless to answer a fool when they prefer to argue for the sake of arguing and don't really want an answer. Such conversation is futile.

In other cases it is necessary to answer with the truth so a person can see their foolishness and possibly realize their lack of wisdom.

 

[cottage]

I agree with your first statement, but the Bible can be full and final proof that the book is inspired by God.

I'm sorry but that makes no real sense. To say a thing is inspired by God is to say 'God exists' is true, but that has already been answered by the first statement, which is, as you've agreed, that a book of words can never be a full and final proof that 'God exists' is true.

Disagree with your second statement. Usually those who claim the Bible contradicts itself have not read the Bible, but base their claim on what they have been told by others. Seeming 'contradictions' generally stem from the readers misunderstanding a Bible text, and are easily resolved in most cases.

Usually I find that theists quote the clarity of Bible, informing us that scripture is clear and distinct in its instructions, but then where there are contradictions theists attempt to explain them by lengthy tomes of exegesis and all manner of creative interpretations: such-and-such is true because it is clearly written, but when so-and-so is contradicted it is still true and the misunderstanding occurs because it is not clearly written.

But if a particular text can be interpreted to mean something different from what is clearly expressed then a principle is established, which is that nothing can be taken at face value and every utterence can receive the same treatment. It seems that even the Bible, the supposed word of God, must be altered to fit with whatever is agreeable or useful to the believer.

Seed time and harvest were never to cease

Gen 8:22

Seed time and harvest did cease for seven years
Gen 41:54,56/ Gen 45:6​

God is just and impartial

Ps 92:15/ Gen 18:25/ Deut 32:4/ Rom 2:11/ Ezek 18:25

God is unjust and partial
Gen 9:25/ Ex 20:5/ Rom 9:11-13/ Matt 13:12​

God is to be found by those who seek him

Matt 7:8/ Prov 8:17

God is not to be found by those who seek him
Prov 1:28​

God accepts human sacrifices

2 Sam 21:8,9,14/ Gen 22:2/ Judg 11:30-32,34,38,39

God forbids human sacrifice
Deut 12:30,31 ​

Because of man's wickedness God destroys him

Gen 6:5,7

Because of man's wickedness God will not destroy him
Gen 8:21​

Killing commanded

Ex 32:27

Killing forbidden
Ex 20:13​

Marriage or cohabitation with a sister denounced

Deut 27:22/ Lev 20:17

Abraham married his sister and God blessed the union
Gen 20:11,12/ Gen 17:16​

God is satisfied with his works

Gen 1:31

God is dissatisfied with his works.
Gen 6:6​

God is tired and rests

Ex 31:17

God is never tired and never rests
Is 40:28​

 

[InChrist]

Epic Fail

According to the scriptures Harold Camping is a FALSE PROPHET.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

According to the scriptures Harold Camping is a FALSE PROPHET.

Why? Because he's missed the mark on the Rapture? Didn't everyone during the first century after Christ make the same mistake? As I understand it everyone believed Christ would be back in their life time. Does this mean they are all false Prophets? If so why do we take their written works as Gospel?

 

[InChrist]

The bible is inspired and seems to inspire, not always in a good way. People decided a long time ago that these certain works were inspired by god but now we look back and find that there is a significant amount of cultural bias which makes the source of the inspiration questionable.

The fact that certain groups or individuals have used the Bible in a twisted way for their own evil or selfish motives does not disprove divine inspiration.

 

[InChrist]

Why? Because he's missed the mark on the Rapture? Didn't everyone during the first century after Christ make the same mistake? As I understand it everyone believed Christ would be back in their life time. Does this mean they are all false Prophets? If so why do we take their written works as Gospel?

He was a false prophet because he went beyond the teachings of scripture. The scriptures clearly teach the return of Christ so this is a legitimate belief for every Christian. The scriptures also clearly teach no one knows the day or the hour, yet Harold Camping set a date, not only once but at least twice, maybe three times. I forget how many. He was teaching outside of the revealed word of God and in direct contradiction to it. This makes him a false prophet.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

There was a time when I asked the same question. I remember we were sitting around the breakfast table and we had just read these verses out loud. We began to discuss it and came to the same conclusion...both are correct depending on the situation and the person.

In some cases it is pointless to answer a fool when they prefer to argue for the sake of arguing and don't really want an answer. Such conversation is futile.

In other cases it is necessary to answer with the truth so a person can see their foolishness and possibly realize their lack of wisdom.

So then what's the point of these proverbs, then? Your explanation makes them useless, rendering them to something like "do what's appropriate, depending on the circumstances."

 

[InChrist]

[FONT=&quot]The scriptures are not something which can be surface read. God wants people to read the words, then think about them and seek wisdom from Him, especially when the words are difficult to understand. The problem is that skeptics and those whose only motive is to be critical simply do not want to understand. There are plenty of verses and passages which are very clear and to the point which many refuse to accept or believe such as; In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth 9Gen. 1:1) or… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) or For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John3:16).[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]If a person refuses to believe or accept even the straightforward words of God then He is not going to give further understanding of the more complicated passages.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The scriptures indicate that the word of God is living and powerful.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][/FONT][FONT=&quot]For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] This means the words of scripture are alive and interactive. The Holy Spirit uses God’s words in people’s lives. If you don’t believe this then try to forget this truth as revealed in the scriptures. You may try, but you will not be able to because the Holy Spirit will keep reminding you in one way or another throughout your life that God’s word is alive, real, powerful and true even as you fight against it.[/FONT]

 

[InChrist]

So then what's the point of these proverbs, then? Your explanation makes them useless, rendering them to something like "do what's appropriate, depending on the circumstances."

The point is to use wisdom and discernment in conversing with others. They are not useless passages. As with anything else in life there are times when certain things are appropriate and when they aren't. It is the same in conversation. Sometimes things should be said and at other times they shouldn't be said. Sometimes people are receptive and sometimes it is better not to say anything.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

He was a false prophet because he went beyond the teachings of scripture. The scriptures clearly teach the return of Christ so this is a legitimate belief for every Christian. The scriptures also clearly teach no one knows the day or the hour, yet Harold Camping set a date, not only once but at least twice, maybe three times. I forget how many. He was teaching outside of the revealed word of God and in direct contradiction to it. This makes him a false prophet.

So his crime was precision? Because the disciples didn't give a date they get a pass? Do you even realise the amount of ammunition you give the atheists?

 

[InChrist]

So his crime was precision? Because the disciples didn't give a date they get a pass? Do you even realise the amount of ammunition you give the atheists?

Harold Camping claimed to be speaking God's truth and gave a false prophecy by setting dates, contrary to the scriptures. The disciples taught according to the scriptures. This gives nothing to atheists.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Harold Camping claimed to be speaking God's truth and gave a false prophecy by setting dates, contrary to the scriptures. The disciples taught according to the scriptures. This gives nothing to atheists.

The disciples taught that Jesus would return to this Earth in their lifetime. They were wrong. How are they any different than Camping just because he set a date and they didn't? At least we don't think they did. After all, if they did and it was wrong it wouldn't have made it into the records. :sarcastic

 

[Quagmire]

How quickly some accuse without examining the facts.

Yes, you've demonstrated that wonderfully (and you're still doing it) :yes:

Perhaps that is why so many reject the Bible,

Not the bible, just self-serving interpretations thereof.

without seriously considering the abundant evidence it is God's Word.

How can anyone consider something that isn't being presented?

FYI, the quote is from the New World Translation, one of the most accurate Bible translations available.

First off, no: the NWT is one of the most disputed translations available (and when did you become a JW? Just curious. Or do you just borrow from anyone who's telling you what you want to hear?)

Here is a link to this verse.

Ah, OK. Guess Bible-gateway didn't consider the NWT worth including in the list of 30+ versions they have in their file.

OK then, that's 30+ to 1 against your interpretation, rusra.

In other words, you lose.

Don't let that stop you from taking the moral high ground though. Considering the size of that huge, steaming pile you have to stand on, I'd say it's inevitable.

 

[Quagmire]

In 2 Samuel 24:1, though, we read this, "Now again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel and it incited David against them to say, 'Go number Israel and Judah.'

[/FONT][/COLOR]

Did you happen to notice that out of the 15 versions the page in your link compares with each other only 1 version says this? One more says something similar but the other 13 say the exact opposite.

 

[Quagmire]

I agree with your first statement, but the Bible can be full and final proof that the book is inspired by God.

Disagree with your second statement. Usually those who claim the Bible contradicts itself have not read the Bible,

That's not true at all. And even if it were you have a BUNCH of people just in this thread who have read the Bible saying the same thing.

but base their claim on what they have been told by others.

Says the man who considers a quick google of Yahoo Answers "research".

Seeming 'contradictions' generally stem from the readers misunderstanding a Bible text, and are easily resolved in most cases.

No: the seeming resolution of those contradictions generally stem from the arm-chair evangelizer intentionally misunderstanding a verse.

...and are easily resolved in most cases.

Of course: searching for and settling for whatever explanations makes you the most comfortable and ignoring everything to the contrary is the easiest thing in the world.

 

[Quagmire]

The bible is inspired and seems to inspire, not always in a good way. People decided a long time ago that these certain works were inspired by god but now we look back and find that there is a significant amount of cultural bias which makes the source of the inspiration questionable.

As well as a significant amount of contemporary cultural bias that which makes questioning the inspired status of the works unpalatable.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Why hasn't this post been addressed? I'd like to see that, even if it does take up a lot of space.

But if a particular text can be interpreted to mean something different from what is clearly expressed then a principle is established, which is that nothing can be taken at face value and every utterence can receive the same treatment. It seems that even the Bible, the supposed word of God, must be altered to fit with whatever is agreeable or useful to the believer.

Seed time and harvest were never to cease​

Gen 8:22

Seed time and harvest did cease for seven years

Gen 41:54,56/ Gen 45:6​

God is just and impartial​

Ps 92:15/ Gen 18:25/ Deut 32:4/ Rom 2:11/ Ezek 18:25

God is unjust and partial

Gen 9:25/ Ex 20:5/ Rom 9:11-13/ Matt 13:12​

God is to be found by those who seek him​

Matt 7:8/ Prov 8:17

God is not to be found by those who seek him

Prov 1:28​

God accepts human sacrifices​

2 Sam 21:8,9,14/ Gen 22:2/ Judg 11:30-32,34,38,39

God forbids human sacrifice

Deut 12:30,31 ​

Because of man's wickedness God destroys him​

Gen 6:5,7

Because of man's wickedness God will not destroy him

Gen 8:21​

Killing commanded​

Ex 32:27

Killing forbidden

Ex 20:13​

Marriage or cohabitation with a sister denounced​

Deut 27:22/ Lev 20:17

Abraham married his sister and God blessed the union

Gen 20:11,12/ Gen 17:16​

God is satisfied with his works​

Gen 1:31

God is dissatisfied with his works.

Gen 6:6​

God is tired and rests​

Ex 31:17

God is never tired and never rests

Is 40:28​

 

[Quagmire]

The fact that certain groups or individuals have used the Bible in a twisted way for their own evil or selfish motives does not disprove divine inspiration.

Heck, those are the very people who are usually trying to twist it in order to prove divine inspiration.