Over the centuries, Biblical scientists have gone to great lengths to prove the validity of the Bible. To me, that means proving I have a genuine copy of the original. Ever since the discovery of the Qumran scrolls, researchers using the latest scientific techniques have pored over these documents in an attempt to date them, then meticulously align their findings with earlier writings of both the Old and the New Testament. Today, I would think there is more proof for the validity of the Bible than for any other ancient writing including that of Chaucer and Shakespeare, Aristotle and Cicero.
But another word comes to mind when I think of the Bible: veracity. To me this means proving that the Bible is truthful. Depending on your religious belief, I would assume that most believers feel the Bible is truthful. Many believe it is God-inspired and therefore contains no untruths.
I can only agree with that idea to a point. If by veracity one means the Bible reveals the true beliefs of the Israeli people existing when it was written, I would have to confess that, yes, the Bible scrupulously states the belief system of those who wrote it — those who believed it. In retrospect, those who penned the Bible methodically wrote down what people of that time already accepted as truth.
But now, an unyielding wall appears in front of me. If I believe the Bible is truthful, this implies that I accept its words because I believe them to be true; they are holy, sacred words. But I must keep in mind the words are truthful only in so far as they expose genuine truths of the early Israelites.
When priests, ministers, and religious gurus preach to their flocks about living a holy, God-inspired life, they pull out from the Bible, those chapters and verses that typically relate to living a good, loving, decent life. There are probably few people on planet earth who have not heard about the Beatitudes or the Ten Commandments.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Irene Wagner
But don’t you think that’s a heavy thing, having to bury one’s own child, especially when God himself confirms what is sometimes suspected by the grieving parent, or by less than helpful “friends,” that the parent is to blame for the child’s death? Was the baby the one being punished here, or was he taken out of the care of a jerk-dad and a mom who might have been similarly dispatched, with her baby, after her appeal wore off?
That biblical story has been good for some people. There are those who have really messed up in life, to the point they feel they can never turn into decent people again. They hear all the details of King David’s life, and how far he fell, and how severely he was punished, and how he was restored. They think, if God can get David back on track, then God can get them back on track.
2 - Regis
I appreciate your comments, Irene; the Bible has some great guidelines for life, but it also contains so many terrible acts that I find it hard to accept as an inspired document.
My belief in God may seem strange to most people, but s/he seems to be beyond our grasp. I wish that wasn't so because I'd like to have a more personal God in my life.
3 - roger nowosielski
Let me throw the monkey wrench into the works - God's command to Abraham to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac, as proof of his faith.
Kierkegaard called it "the theological suspension of the ethical.
4 - Irene Wagner
That’s for sure, Regis, there are so many of them. Those which have been a challenge to me when I try to understand how they could be consistent with “the natural law of a Wholly Other being who built into our brain’s cortical wiring a sense of love and decency” are the ones directing Jews to destroy their enemies. I love your description of God, by the way.
For instance, what to make of Psalm 149, “…to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints.” There were and are people who "need killing," but a commitment to seek specific direction from that Wholly Other being you mentioned, distinguishes those who slaughter anyone who crosses them from those who execute righteous judgment. Sometimes the Jews in the Bible did not always seek out this wisdom.
Could Psalm 149 be more than something to skip over for being irrelevant to the "peace-maker?" Ephesians 6, written to those trying to live with Jesus as an example says: for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground...”
Well, could you "take up full armor of God," and in Jesus’ name, “bind with fetters of iron (ps.149)” some of the legions of Evil forces interfering with (by confusing human minds, keeping important information hidden) the clean-up of the Gulf of Mexico? That’s called spiritual warfare prayer, it doesn’t involve bloodshed. And on a practical personal level, it would involve fighting the demons who influence me to live in a selfish, careless way that contribute to our national over-dependence on oil in the first place.
So, Regis, you think people think YOUR idea of God may seem strange! I’m a whack-job who believes in fighting devils! This practice seems to get better results for me than fighting with people does. That's what motivates me to try it on the other problems I see in my world. Well, thanks for the article, and all the best in your quest for a closer walk.
5 - Irene Wagner
I love that story, Roger, because it is so full of parallels to the story what happened to Jesus in the the garden of Gethsemane and in the place of the skull. God the Father's role there is considered by some to be a theological suspension of the ethical as well. Not by me, though.
6 - roger nowosielski
To me it means that true faith, given the right circumstances, trumps morals.
I think that was Kierkegaard's point.
7 - roger nowosielski
But yes, I do see the parallels with Gethsemane.
8 - Irene Wagner
That interpretation could justify a lot of religious terrorism, though. Regis referred to an evolving code of what is generally considered to be decent among humans. I don't think God ever encouraged people to violate that code, as it was understood by the people who lived in the age and place where the commandment was given. Be nice to your slaves, would be an example. Stone homosexuals...I haven't figured out.
I get the impression that Abraham believed, or very soon after the ascent to the place of sacrifice, started to believe, that God was going to provide a way out that did not require an immoral act.
9 - roger nowosielski
Don't forget, though. Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his own.
True faith is not a license.
10 - Irene Wagner
Wow, before I get tempted to spend the rest of the afternoon trying to "take on all comers" I'd better give other people a chance to talk! I still have a lot to learn, too. See you later, Roger and Regis.
11 - roger nowosielski
Humility is a virtue, Irene. I don't hold it against you.
12 - Irene Wagner
Thanks Roger. You know, it's interesting. I'd never thought until just this minute, that one who lives in faith while carrying doubts and questions around, can be like Abraham carrying that boy up the mountain. Cool. I'm glad I stayed to chat. See ya!
13 - roger nowosielski
Later, Irene. It's a pleasure.
14 - John Wilson
The bible is full of legend, poetry and drama. Good luck trying to make any sense out of it.
No comedy, though.
The Greeks were better at this. The playwrights knew that heavy drama had a limited audience, and so wrote the Tragedies only upon command from rulers, who are always eager to impress on the simple folk What A Burden It Is To be King. The rulers had to pay writers for those heavy tragedies, and there are only about 20 of them.
Whereas the playwrights could easily turn out a big paying crowd for the Satyr plays about sex, drinking, sex, cuckoldry, sex, etc., so there are over 600 of them.
I suppose that "The Bachae" is the supreme pulling of the rulers noses by comedians.
Comedy is probably a better description of human life, and maybe a better guide to living, too.
Thus, the bible falls short.
15 - Dr Dreadful
It might be worth reminding ourselves of a few things the Bible is not.
It is not:
a) a history book;
b) a science textbook;
c) a political treatise.
Trying to treat it as any of those things will cause you to run into some serious issues involving Reality.
That said, it is important to read it in its historical context. The book places its characters (and by extension, its readers) in some tough conundrums, not all of them pleasant or easy by any means.
You won't learn anything from it if you try to excuse or explain away the (to us) wicked or immoral things done by the alleged good guys/deities.
That whole sorry business with David and Bathsheba, now. While a child in Old Testament times was highly valued, it was more along the lines of a commodity rather than as an idealistically precious being.
So for God to kill that child was not only the thing that would hurt David the most, it would also have been an acceptable outcome from the point of view of the contemporary reader or listener. God comes out of it smelling of roses and David looks like a dick - while remaining free to learn from his mistakes and go on to fulfil his destiny as a national hero.
Let's suppose that story were being told today. Would God choose the same punishment? Probably not, but it would be something equally brutal and just as morally satisfying.
16 - roger nowosielski
I look at at it as wisdom literature, Dreadful, the Book of Job, for example.
17 - Dr Dreadful
Indeed. You can't read that book and reasonably conclude that Job was an actual historical figure or that those events really happened. It's a fable, intended to teach a moral lesson.
18 - Hank Nash
I am compelled to comment... You said that --- "King David snatched her, raped her, and killed her husband" --- I want to point out 3 things.
--- This is the Old Testament...Before Christ...
---- We have free will... If we were only able to choose good, we would be robots... in order for there to be evil there must be good, if there is good there is evil....We must have FREE WILL To choose Good or Evil...And there MUST be some sort of Moral Line to differentiate between good and evil… Hence a Moral Law…..Hence and Moral Law Giver…. GOD.
Would you rather have your wife be forced to love you, or Choose to LOVE you…? I would think Choose.
We see Evil as a problem in the world…This is obvious… the question is what is the solution?
Will our good deeds outweigh our bad…so when we die we don’t go to the same place as Hitler?
Can we truly earn forgiveness? If I give to the poor because I can and have the finances, will that ensure a better ‘after life’ for me.. is that fair? What about the poor person that cant….? So the question is, can any man Earn his way to forgiveness? If so can he Boast about it?
What I am trying to say is…imagine you are in a room with a bowl of water… its just a bowl of water…. Lets say your in a room with the same bowl of water…but instead there is a fire in the trash can…This is a problem… Suddenly that bowl of water is not just a bowl of water.. it’s a Solution to a Problem… (the fire)…
We see Evil as a problem….But what is the solution? It s not good deeds…its not to Give more.. No… its not possible for Any Man to claim he earned it.. Because " God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16
David wrote most all the Psalms…. What he went through, the dark place he was in when he committed the ‘rape, murder etc….’ was obviously not approved by God…. And for God to take away his “son” that was conceived from this sin…for it to be called evil of God, makes no sense.. God is the one who Gives life… so for Him to take life… Is He really doing something He shouldn’t?
The Psalm that David wrote after this.. when he was so far from God.. Begging for His mercy and forgiveness has been a Life line to its readers. It has showed that even someone that has done such evil deeds like David can be redeemed. There has been countless sermons, books and teachings specifically about what David did and what God did… It has been the foundation to people that are searching for understanding that God knows what is happening. And is in Control... That God can forgive even the most evil deeds… To people with a Sincere heart… People who have faith….. Faith in Jesus Christ.
If you believe that the Israelites believed what they were writing.. Old and New Testament… then you believe they wrote the Truth… and that they died for what they knew to be true…. By witnessing what Christ did.. His resurrection makes perfect sense if you believe there is evil in the world… because Christ is the Solution…. People will fly a plan into a building because they are taught to believe something to be true… but to die for something that you KNOW not to be true.,.. to be martyred because Of believing in Jesus…The Jesus they saw resurrected.. There is only one answer.. It DID happen. The old Testament is the Old testament.. .. the new Testament is fulfillment of the Old… And Christ is our Answer to Life..
19 - Hank Nash
I have investigated the Bible and its authenticity, reliability, accuracy and power, I came to realize that what the Bible says is absolutely true. I know that i have sinned against God; just look at the 10 commandments. I have lied, I have stolen, I have used God's name in vain, I have looked at a woman with lust in my heart... thats just 4 of the 10 commandments... The Bible says The wages of Sin is Death.. And God being a righteous and Just God, must punish me...Death.... That would be considered the 'bad news'..but the Gospel.. it means "The Good News".. The Bible.. a Book written over 1,500 Years, by 40 different authors.. from Kings to poets, to Shepard's..on 3 DIFFERENT continents, in 3 DIFFERENT Languages...YET.. it is a book that is in complete HARMONY with itself.. Its ALL ABOUT JESUS.... The best selling book of all TIME.. If the Bible is thrown out as being an accurate piece of history, you MUST throw out Aristotle, Platto, Socrates..Alexander the Great.. If it was not the Bible, Scholars and Teachers all over the world would Praise it as a MIRACLE.. but because it is, it is attacked all the time.. Even knowing all this.. it doesnt matter.. What does matter is if you Believe in Jesus, that He is the Son of God, and He died on the cross for Your Sins...Past, Future and Present.. You WILL BE SAVED.. its NOT RELIGION.. the word actually means to BIND.. Religion is DO.. Christianity = DONE ....I think of sharing this is like a beggar telling another beggar where to find Bread..
20 - zingzing
"it is a book that is in complete HARMONY with itself"
you have to be joking.
21 - Hank Nash
Dr. Dreadfull - 4. The prophet Isaiah also tells us that the earth is round: "It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22). This is not a reference to a flat disk, as some skeptic maintain, but to a sphere. Secular man discovered this 2,400 years later. At a time when science believed that the earth was flat, is was the Scriptures that inspired Christopher Columbus to sail around the world (see Proverbs 3:6 footnote). ---------5. God told Job in 1500 B.C.: "Can you send lightnings, that they may go, and say to you, Here we are?" (Job 38:35). The Bible here is making what appears to be a scientifically ludicrous statement"that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. But did you know that radio waves travel at the speed of light? This is why you can have instantaneous wireless communication with someone on the other side of the earth. Science didn’t discover this until 1864 when "British scientist James Clerk Maxwell suggested that electricity and light waves were two forms of the same thing" (Modern Century Illustrated Encyclopedia).--------3. At a time when it was believed that the earth sat on a large animal or a giant (1500 B.C.), the Bible spoke of the earth’s free float in space: "He...hangs the earth upon nothing" (Job 26:7).--------7. Science has discovered that stars emit radio waves, which are received on earth as a high pitch. God mentioned this in Job 38:7: "When the morning stars sang together..." ---------------8. "Most cosmologists (scientists who study the structures and evolution of the universe) agree that the Genesis account of creation, in imagining an initial void, may be uncannily close to the truth" (Time, Dec. 1976). --- In the Beginning, God Created the Heavens and the Earth... Big Bang? Who Banged it? with creation was.. Time, Matter and Space... In the Beginning (time) God Created, the Heavens (space) and the Earth (Matter)... The big Bang explained in the first Sentence of the Bible... Not a Book of Science? Was the corner Stone to Science my friend :)
22 - Hank Nash
ZingZang.. Please please show me its not in harmony with its self...
23 - zingzing
it's loaded with contradictions. go look them up yourself.
24 - Hank Nash
All i ask is show me ONE :)
25 - zingzing
alright... well, there are two different tellings of the creation, which contradict each other, in the first two chapters of genesis. there are two separate sets of the 10 commandments. there are multiple, contradictory tellings of the crucifixion. people have different fathers, different mothers, different children; the same person becomes king at wildly different ages, they rule for wildly different time frames... etc, etc, etc.
the bible is a sloppy mess. it needs an editor.