What is your view of the Bible?

[Rainbow Mage]

I'm asking this because I'm curious how everyone views the Bible, and I don't see how asking this could turn into an argument, because usually someone accuses me of trying to attack Christianity in an underhanded way, which I'm not trying to do, but anyway, moving on. I'll begin with my view of the Bible.

I believe the Bible is some history of the Jewish people mixed with some myth, some legend, some folklore, and some wisdom teachings. The Old Testament that is. I'm not sure where the actual history starts, since I think the Exodus was a myth, I think likely around Judges or 1 Samuel, when it starts taking about Israelite rulers and kings. The New Testament, I believe, is an attempt by the Church to create a list of books on the teachings of Jesus, which they find acceptable. They have excluded several books from the canon, for whatever reason they saw fit. I do not think it is an entirely accurate account of the teachings of Jesus, all history suggests it has been edited, more then once, throughout the years it was in the hands of the Church strictly. Now, what about everyone else. What is your view of the Bible?

 

[Storm]

I think it's a magnificent example of myth (which I do not denigrate).

It's also one of the great mystical texts, and should be respected as such.

It is NOT the Word of God. It's the word of man about God.

 

[Walkntune]

I find The Bible as a teaching and letter of love that man can not truly follow and needs grace.He is not even able to interpret without revelation must less write.

 

[Zadok]

I believe the Bible to be a very ancient and partial collection on one of the most powerful texts of divine understanding available to man. I do not like the word mystical but for many on this forum, it appears that mystical is one of the better terms to describe it. It is a book of ancient symbolism that requires a life time of study to begin to understand. It is a foreign book of understanding in our modern society of literalism and materialism. It greatest treasures and wisdom are hidden to the religiously inept that are incapable of seeing anything but myths and fables as well as the religious extremist that can find excuse for whatever oppression or individual aggrandizements are desired.

But mostly, I find the Bible to be much more prophetic than it is historic. The epochs and sagas are written in an ancient poetic format that draws the wisdom of the past to map valuable and necessary understanding of the future to the committed disciple in search of divine truths. I believe the Bible to be a word of G-d and not “the” word of G-d. I believe it is obvious to any honest person that the Bible is missing critical and important pieces. But I believe this is by divine design. It is not so much a book of solutions as it is a book of teachings of how to search out and find solutions in partnership with G-d.

Zadok

 

[Caladan]

It is impossible to have a full understanding of English literature (or language) without knowledge of the Bible.
To understand some of the most celebrate art of the renaissance and western society one needs an understanding of the Hebrew Bible and Classical mythology and literature. great artists and musicians of the 20th century, from Salvador Dali, to Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan were inspired by the Bible in creating their art and music.
The Hebrew Bible gives us a further context into various studies of the ancient near east, as it is a unique part of this ancient landscape, which can be studied when placed and studied in the context of ancient inscriptions from the ANE, and the literature of the ANE.
The Hebrews, upon inheriting us the Bible give as an insight into the landscape of some of the greatest empires and civilizations humanity has known; the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians, and the Hittites. the Hebrews communicate to us the dramatic events which took place in the ancient near east and give us an additional context into the ancient chronologies of the region, like the chronologies of the Assyrians.
beyond the ancient insight into the society and politics of the ancient near east, the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament played a central role in the politics and society of the last two milennia, and the modern age which has grew out of it.
so por-favor, for those who are going to dismiss the Bible as the 'mythology of Bronze Age nomads', remember that it would be more accurate to call it the 'Iron Age mythology' of scribes whose eyes have seen the rise and fall of vast empires, and have shaped the course of history to this very day.

"You don't know me from the wind
you never will, you never did
I'm the little Jew
who wrote the Bible
I've seen the nations rise and fall
I've heard their stories, heard them all"

~Leonard Cohen, The Future

 

[dogsgod]

A most genocidal book of all, allegorical fictions, poetry. The most ancient of the preserved writings we have otherwise it receives far too much attention. A book that many are superstitious about.

 

[Twilight Hue]

A collated book of ancient mythology of which its contents have been used and manipulated in unique ways over the centuries.

 

[lunamoth]

The sacred story of our ongoing and developing relationship with God.

 

[Random]

It's a very boring book, but essential reading nonetheless from a research point of view.

At best, it helps us build a framework for a relationship with God and an understanding of Her, and to grow in knowledge and wisdom.

 

[Classicus]

Myth.
But I enjoyed reading it (well some parts).

 

[sunsplash]

Keep in mind that I'm currently a seeker so any beliefs that I currently hold are not fundamental and may change as I grow spiritually.

My current opinion of the Bible is that is perhaps divinely inspired but manipulated by man (whether intentionally or not) but not written by God himself. I suppose it to be non-literal writings based in fact though changed over time (think the telephone game) and original truth and/or intention is lost or obscured. I have serious issues with the early councils that took place deciding what should be allowed in its compiliation, with early mistranslations and how modern day definitions of words are used in place of the originals leading to reading out of context (ie: gay = happy / gay = homosexual). So...a book filled with some great moral teachings but not itself holy or more correct than other "holy" books.

~ sunsplash
A spiritual seeker on a quest with questions

 

[Tiapan]

I agree it is a massaged text manufactured to suit current times with more content than it ever had originally, because of the embellishment of myth placed upon it

Cheers

 

[sandandfoam]

It's fascinating. I also find it a useful resource. The stories have depth beyond my abilities.
It's great company and I love the bits about the nonviolent radical.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

The Bible can be a lot of things, depending on whose hands it's in. It can be a sort of "bandage" for people looking for spiritual healing. It's a learning tool for those who look to it for research on human philosophy/religion. It's a weapon for religious leaders that would have everyone follow their instructions and throw money at them.

 

[footprints]

I'm asking this because I'm curious how everyone views the Bible, and I don't see how asking this could turn into an argument, because usually someone accuses me of trying to attack Christianity in an underhanded way, which I'm not trying to do, but anyway, moving on. I'll begin with my view of the Bible.

I believe the Bible is some history of the Jewish people mixed with some myth, some legend, some folklore, and some wisdom teachings. The Old Testament that is. I'm not sure where the actual history starts, since I think the Exodus was a myth, I think likely around Judges or 1 Samuel, when it starts taking about Israelite rulers and kings. The New Testament, I believe, is an attempt by the Church to create a list of books on the teachings of Jesus, which they find acceptable. They have excluded several books from the canon, for whatever reason they saw fit. I do not think it is an entirely accurate account of the teachings of Jesus, all history suggests it has been edited, more then once, throughout the years it was in the hands of the Church strictly. Now, what about everyone else. What is your view of the Bible?

Fact: Based on book sales alone, the bible is the most powerful book on earth. For this reason alone, it must be taken seriously, be this in the positive or negative context.

My personal view:
From what I can make out, the bible is a perceptional history of the Hebrew people, commencing from the Hunter and Gatherer stage and ending just after the death of Jesus. When looked upon in its entirety, it is a perfect match of human transition from the Hunter and Gatherer stage, through the primary producer stage to trading, commercialism and the development of cities. From its entirety, we can get a general overview of life, the good, the bad and the ugly of it all. This gives us a series of choices, and their probable outcomes, based on the pages of history, which we can factor our own life and times. Sadly to say, modern mankind, still thinks and believes there is a value in war, even though the bible clearly shows and Jesus tried to teach against, war only begets more war and keeps war alive.

The Bible itself, appears to contain many pieces of factual evidence, some of which can be scientifically evaluated, other sections are definately a perceptional view from the Hebrew perception of how they seen events, other sections appear to be traditional stories common to ancient cultures from which a moral of living can be drawn.

There are some discrepancies in the bible when correlated from the pages of now, known history, were these typographical errors from the original authors, were they translation errors, were they talking about different events entirely to what history is relating them to, is something we most probably, will never know.

 

[AxisMundi]

I'm asking this because I'm curious how everyone views the Bible, and I don't see how asking this could turn into an argument, because usually someone accuses me of trying to attack Christianity in an underhanded way, which I'm not trying to do, but anyway, moving on. I'll begin with my view of the Bible.

I believe the Bible is some history of the Jewish people mixed with some myth, some legend, some folklore, and some wisdom teachings. The Old Testament that is. I'm not sure where the actual history starts, since I think the Exodus was a myth, I think likely around Judges or 1 Samuel, when it starts taking about Israelite rulers and kings. The New Testament, I believe, is an attempt by the Church to create a list of books on the teachings of Jesus, which they find acceptable. They have excluded several books from the canon, for whatever reason they saw fit. I do not think it is an entirely accurate account of the teachings of Jesus, all history suggests it has been edited, more then once, throughout the years it was in the hands of the Church strictly. Now, what about everyone else. What is your view of the Bible?

Both Old and New, the bible is a simple Theopolitical Manifesto.

 

[BruceDLimber]

Greetings!

Baha'is view the Bible as legitmate, God-sent scripture for earlier Ages.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I believe the Bible is some history of the Jewish people mixed with some myth, some legend, some folklore, and some wisdom teachings.

As a wonderful rabbi once told me, the Torah is not laced with myth but with Myth.

 

[byenvidnasi]

I think the idea that every word of the bible is true including 'and' and 'the' is the most harmful idea to arise over the last two hundred years. It's harmful to society because it promotes Creationism and anti-intellectualism harmful to Christianity because before this idea of literalism certain forms of Christianity were easy to understand live. All you had to do was to accept Jesus into your heart. Now you have to believe not only that Jesus was the son of god, but you also have to believe in ancient science.

 

[Comicaze247]

It's a book written by many authors and edited by many editors.
It's full on contradictions and plot holes, and therefore, if it were a novel, it would never get published unless the publishing company was trying to kill itself.
When not taken literally, it is a great source of insights and moral values (at least some of the books).
It is not evidence of anything other than some people wrote stuff and it was compiled into a thick book. And that paper and ink exist.