"Why is the Bible so Poorly Written?"

[savagewind]

If the Bible is so poorly written then why is it the all time best selling book?

It has a promise.

 

[Skwim]

If the Bible is so poorly written then why is it the all time best selling book?

It serves a need. The need for confirmation that something greater than one's self is watching over them. That such a source is riddled with problematic issues is inconsequential to the needy. As long as they can pull a glimmer of hope and comfort from it that's all that matters.

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[metis]

According to the notable theologian William Barclay, the oldest version of John's gospel that we have has over 1000 spelling errors in it.

 

[savagewind]

According to the notable theologian William Barclay, the oldest version of John's gospel that we have has over 1000 spelling errors in it.

If that is true then there will also be grammar errors which can change the meaning in small or great ways.

 

[Kenny]

The parts of a body work together in sync. Denominations directly contradict and conflict with each other because they cannot agree what "the truth" is when it comes to the "authority" of the bible. If it were clear, there would be no confusion or multiple interpretations. Thus, it's a poorly written book. Thankfully, the goofy fables of ancient goat herders don't actually represent or reflect upon any actual god.

Ahhh... but we are fixing that! But not confusion if you understand Romans 14. Thankfully, the Gospel truth eventually gets the sheep herders reflecting their owner. Besides, we follow Jesus and He doesn't change.

 

[Kenny]

According to the notable theologian William Barclay, the oldest version of John's gospel that we have has over 1000 spelling errors in it.

And the oldest versions is when? And in what language?

 

[Hockeycowboy]

And yet Jesus claims to understand it on his own.

Yep, that makes sense...he is called the Word of God.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Yep, that makes sense...he is called the Word of God.

With short term memory loss. He is someone who can't remember what he said mere pages ago.

 

[metis]

And the oldest versions is when? And in what language?

Here:
Rylands Library Papyrus P52, a Greek papyrus fragment with John 18:31–33 on one side and 18:37–38 on the other, commonly dated to the first half of the 2nd century, is the oldest New Testament manuscript known.[36] A substantially complete text of John exists from the beginning of the 3rd century at the latest, so that the textual evidence for this gospel is commonly accepted as both earlier and more reliable than that for any other. John stands fourth in the standard ordering of the gospels, after Matthew, Mark and Luke... -- Gospel of John - Wikipedia

I would assume that it was written in Koine Greek.

 

[Thief]

If the splintering of a religion ("over 40,000 denominations and non-denominations") because of the poor expression of its message isn't such a good thing, then I would think that could be considered harmful.

and strict adherence to a dogmatic ritual is also harmful

the words NEED to be interpreted

no two people are going to be influenced in the same details.....anyway

40,000 denominations?
try several billion believers......and no two are the same

 

[Skwim]

and strict adherence to a dogmatic ritual is also harmful

Perhaps, perhaps not. Depends on the ritual.

try several billion believers......and no two are the same

To a meaningful degree there are---not that I intend on "proving" such a thing, but among several billion the likelihood is overwhelming.

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[Kenny]

Here:
Rylands Library Papyrus P52, a Greek papyrus fragment with John 18:31–33 on one side and 18:37–38 on the other, commonly dated to the first half of the 2nd century, is the oldest New Testament manuscript known.[36] A substantially complete text of John exists from the beginning of the 3rd century at the latest, so that the textual evidence for this gospel is commonly accepted as both earlier and more reliable than that for any other. John stands fourth in the standard ordering of the gospels, after Matthew, Mark and Luke... -- Gospel of John - Wikipedia

I would assume that it was written in Koine Greek.

I was wondering about that since I knew there were only pieces available. How we got thousands of errors on just a few pieces was a little weird for me.

 

[Thief]

Perhaps, perhaps not. Depends on the ritual.


To a meaningful degree there are---not that I intend on "proving" such a thing, but among several billion the likelihood is overwhelming.

.

.

doubt abounding....

 

[`mud]

Amongst the blaring of trumpets, thrones floating, and angels dancing on pins;
there exists pieces of samples of thoughts of somewhat detressed imaginations.
And among those pieces exist a few positive ideas, for the furtherance of man.
But on the whole....a lot is missing, especially the existance of any heaven.
Maybe that heaven exists on those missing pieces, and the minds of all those believers.

 

[Thief]

Amongst the blaring of trumpets, thrones floating, and angels dancing on pins;
there exists pieces of samples of thoughts of somewhat detressed imaginations.
And among those pieces exist a few positive ideas, for the furtherance of man.
But on the whole....a lot is missing, especially the existance of any heaven.
Maybe that heaven exists on those missing pieces, and the minds of all those believers.

what if it does not exist?

death would be the ultimate evil?....the greatest harm dealt?
is it not our form of capital punishment?

 

[`mud]

No Thief, not our wildest dream.
Our `spirits`, if they exist, will find there place in the Cosmos,
right where they belong.
I live with that dream inside of me, and I can hope that it is true.
Who needs cognizance with those feelings, capital or not.

 

[Thief]

No Thief, not our wildest dream.
Our `spirits`, if they exist, will find there place in the Cosmos,
right where they belong.
I live with that dream inside of me, and I can hope that it is true.
Who needs cognizance with those feelings, capital or not.

I have been dealt that vision
We may be closer to mind and heart than you think.....and so....
I believe.....

 

[Akivah]

The canon of the current "Christian" NT was compiled in 367 A.D at the time of the "Christian" pagan festival of Easter, such as the feast of Astarte, by the Roman bishop of Alexandria, of the church of the "daughter of Babylon" (Zechariah 2:7).

I don't know if you're correct or not. But I do know that if you're correct, then that canon is not the same as the versions in use today. It's been translated into Greek, into Latin, into English, with no quality control for the past thousand years. Is there any wonder that there are so many different Christian bibles in use in the present day?

 

[Estro Felino]

I can only speak for the NT, given that I only know Ancient Greek. I find the official translation slightly arbitrary in some parts, tending to use spiritual terms instead of more literal ones.
example: Lu, 1:28 χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη· ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ· εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξίν.

If you ask me to translate that, I will say that this messenger Gabriel wants to compliment Mary's beauty because κεχαριτωμένη is exclusively referred to physical qualities in literature, especially of deities. Besides, it turns out that her beauty is something well-known (εὐλογημένη), that is, she is praised among other women for it.

The result is a bit different in the KJV translation:And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Lost in translation you say? definitely

 

[Skwim]

I can only speak for the NT, given that I only know Ancient Greek. I find the official translation slightly arbitrary in some parts, tending to use spiritual terms instead of more literal ones.
example: Lu, 1:28 χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη· ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ· εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξίν.

If you ask me to translate that, I will say that this messenger Gabriel wants to compliment Mary's beauty because κεχαριτωμένη is exclusively referred to physical qualities in literature, especially of deities. Besides, it turns out that her beauty is something well-known (εὐλογημένη), that is, she is praised among other women for it.

The result is a bit different in the KJV translation:And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Lost in translation you say? definitely

Thing is, translations were often governed by their sponsors; meaning that they had to conform to their particular theology, be it a pope or a prince. Want to get paid or keep your life? then you'd damn well better translate רַע (ra`) in Isaiah 45:7 as "bad times."

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