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Why Study The Bible?

Earthling

David Henson
Bible skeptics often ask believers why read the Bible, why not read the other religious texts? It's a valid question. We should read as many other sacred texts as we can, I myself have read many, even published them on various websites over the years. But why is the Bible important? For a variety of reasons. I have talked to several serious students of history who were atheists and very knowledgeable on the Bible due to it's historical value. Though they don't believe in the supernatural aspect of it they respect tremendously it's historical significance. Secular histories, after all, not only can't compare to the Bible due to sheer volume of manuscripts available in comparison to secular histories, but also the Bible writers were much more honest and straight forward about their shortcomings and failures.

The unique thing about the Bible is that it also gives us some insight on what was going on before the Earth itself was created. For example, it says that the creator existed before time, and that the very first act of creation was the son of Jehovah God, the creator. Since he was the first created being and the only part of creation which was exclusively created by Jehovah he is called the first born only begotten son. His name was Michael. Everything thereafter was created by Jehovah through Michael as master worker. First the heavens, then the myriads of spirit creatures, then the earth and it's inhabitants, concluding with mankind.

What a remarkable work the Bible is!
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Bible skeptics often ask believers why read the Bible, why not read the other religious texts? It's a valid question. We should read as many other sacred texts as we can, I myself have read many, even published them on various websites over the years. But why is the Bible important? For a variety of reasons. I have talked to several serious students of history who were atheists and very knowledgeable on the Bible due to it's historical value. Though they don't believe in the supernatural aspect of it they respect tremendously it's historical significance. Secular histories, after all, not only can't compare to the Bible due to sheer volume of manuscripts available in comparison to secular histories, but also the Bible writers were much more honest and straight forward about their shortcomings and failures.

The unique thing about the Bible is that it also gives us some insight on what was going on before the Earth itself was created. For example, it says that the creator existed before time, and that the very first act of creation was the son of Jehovah God, the creator. Since he was the first created being and the only part of creation which was exclusively created by Jehovah he is called the first born only begotten son. His name was Michael. Everything thereafter was created by Jehovah through Michael as master worker. First the heavens, then the myriads of spirit creatures, then the earth and it's inhabitants, concluding with mankind.

What a remarkable work the Bible is!
You do realize the Bible doesn't corner the market in respect to ancient writings.

There's nothing special or different historically compared to others that makes it stand out any more or less significantly.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
and that the very first act of creation was the son of Jehovah God, the creator. Since he was the first created being and the only part of creation which was exclusively created by Jehovah he is called the first born only begotten son. His name was Michael. Everything thereafter was created by Jehovah through Michael as master worker.
It doesn't say this.
 
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sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
Bible skeptics often ask believers why read the Bible, why not read the other religious texts? It's a valid question. We should read as many other sacred texts as we can, I myself have read many, even published them on various websites over the years. But why is the Bible important? For a variety of reasons. I have talked to several serious students of history who were atheists and very knowledgeable on the Bible due to it's historical value. Though they don't believe in the supernatural aspect of it they respect tremendously it's historical significance. Secular histories, after all, not only can't compare to the Bible due to sheer volume of manuscripts available in comparison to secular histories, but also the Bible writers were much more honest and straight forward about their shortcomings and failures.

The unique thing about the Bible is that it also gives us some insight on what was going on before the Earth itself was created. For example, it says that the creator existed before time, and that the very first act of creation was the son of Jehovah God, the creator. Since he was the first created being and the only part of creation which was exclusively created by Jehovah he is called the first born only begotten son. His name was Michael. Everything thereafter was created by Jehovah through Michael as master worker. First the heavens, then the myriads of spirit creatures, then the earth and it's inhabitants, concluding with mankind.

What a remarkable work the Bible is!
Read it again. You’re making claims that the Genesis account never makes. And your theology is askew. The Son was not created; he is eternally begotten.
 

Audie

Veteran Member
Bible skeptics often ask believers why read the Bible, why not read the other religious texts? It's a valid question. We should read as many other sacred texts as we can, I myself have read many, even published them on various websites over the years. But why is the Bible important? For a variety of reasons. I have talked to several serious students of history who were atheists and very knowledgeable on the Bible due to it's historical value. Though they don't believe in the supernatural aspect of it they respect tremendously it's historical significance. Secular histories, after all, not only can't compare to the Bible due to sheer volume of manuscripts available in comparison to secular histories, but also the Bible writers were much more honest and straight forward about their shortcomings and failures.

The unique thing about the Bible is that it also gives us some insight on what was going on before the Earth itself was created. For example, it says that the creator existed before time, and that the very first act of creation was the son of Jehovah God, the creator. Since he was the first created being and the only part of creation which was exclusively created by Jehovah he is called the first born only begotten son. His name was Michael. Everything thereafter was created by Jehovah through Michael as master worker. First the heavens, then the myriads of spirit creatures, then the earth and it's inhabitants, concluding with mankind.

What a remarkable work the Bible is!


I think the bible was worth reading, for all that I
would say it is the most overstudied piece of writing
ever!

As a semi-historical novel / collected folk tales
and folk wisdom of a people, for its poetry
and imagery, its pretty good.

A lot of it is as dull as ditch water.

Where people go wrong with it is taking it
and themselves too seriously.

Lots of people on this forum think they are
gifted (of) god, with the infallible power
of right readin'. THEY know the true meaning
of chapter and verse; other readings are wrong.

And of course announce wit h full confidence
their "facts not in evidence" that the bible
is "true" and that the 'god" in it really esists
and did all those things.

How do they know? "Faith"!

I'd say that those of us who read it for what it
is have a far better and more nuanced appreciation
for it than those who think all the magic realism
is,you know, real.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
Maybe a reason to study it would be to find out what it really does say?


A proper study of the Bible quite often leads to atheism. Or else strong cognitive dissonance. The problem for believers is that cog diss is obvious to those that did not "drink the Kool-Aid".
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Bible skeptics often ask believers why read the Bible, why not read the other religious texts? It's a valid question. We should read as many other sacred texts as we can, I myself have read many, even published them on various websites over the years. But why is the Bible important? For a variety of reasons. I have talked to several serious students of history who were atheists and very knowledgeable on the Bible due to it's historical value. Though they don't believe in the supernatural aspect of it they respect tremendously it's historical significance. Secular histories, after all, not only can't compare to the Bible due to sheer volume of manuscripts available in comparison to secular histories, but also the Bible writers were much more honest and straight forward about their shortcomings and failures.

The unique thing about the Bible is that it also gives us some insight on what was going on before the Earth itself was created. For example, it says that the creator existed before time, and that the very first act of creation was the son of Jehovah God, the creator. Since he was the first created being and the only part of creation which was exclusively created by Jehovah he is called the first born only begotten son. His name was Michael. Everything thereafter was created by Jehovah through Michael as master worker. First the heavens, then the myriads of spirit creatures, then the earth and it's inhabitants, concluding with mankind.

What a remarkable work the Bible is!

Reading the bible helps one know their own faith. The Dharma has better insight and wisdom than bible. The Dharma is very extensive. Over thousand "scripture" addressing everything and challenge every man has. There are a lot of analogies and they addresses solutional words for laymen, monks, and scholars in between. It talks about how to practice, why, motivation, and present, at the moment, living with success today not when we die. The Dharma teaches us how to live to die and explains the nature of our final death. The Dharma teaches us how to improve our spirituality by what we do not what we believe. It doesnt expect us to study. It expects us to practice. It teaches us how to die.

Not based on faith but based in action; what we can evaluate and experience now. The bible doesnt teach that.

But its good to study sacred scriptures nonetheless.
 
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Audie

Veteran Member
I've read it cover to cover and I know it does not say this! :D

I will take your word for that.

It is kind of amusing in a not terribly funny sort of way
thatour hero who says he does not do blind faitn
makes it so plain that its exactly what he does.

He says others should read and learn the bible, but,
then claims it says things it does not.


We recommend he return to quiet study and c
contemplation, this public display is undignified.
 

Earthling

David Henson
You do realize the Bible doesn't corner the market in respect to ancient writings.

There's nothing special or different historically compared to others that makes it stand out any more or less significantly.

I disagree. The OP has already established that and t his thread will continue to do so.
 

Earthling

David Henson
Read it again. You’re making claims that the Genesis account never makes. And your theology is askew. The Son was not created; he is eternally begotten.

Eternally begotten? What in the world is that supposed to mean?

Revelation 3:14 / Proverbs 8:22-31
 

Jayhawker Soule

-- untitled --
Premium Member
A proper study of the Bible quite often leads to atheism. Or else strong cognitive dissonance. The problem for believers is that cog diss is obvious to those that did not "drink the Kool-Aid".
To provisionally eschew atheism while deeply appreciating the Tanakh is not at all the same as to "believe in" the Bible.
 
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