And its for that reason that many hold onto the bible despite its unreliableness, simply because they feel its still usefull and there is nothing else to build thier faith upon."
But that is untrue. I get that many feel there is nothing else to build their faith upon... but the only one we are meant to build our faith upon... is Christ.
That is my case in point with how people view the bible. You excuse the glaring errors it contains that you normally would not make for any other book like say, oh , the Quran.
That is not true, actually. I hold the Quran and any other Holy Book to the same standards as the Bible. I just didn't start with the Quran or any other Holy Book. Mind you I was also around thirty when I first read the bible... but I believed in God since, always. Just wasn't always sure WHAT was TRUE about God... until knowing Christ.
The fact is, your God did a crappy job preserving the bible.
You are assuming that it was His job to preserve the bible.
He spoke... He did not write. He spoke to Abraham, to Moses, to prophets. Christ spoke and taught also... and after He died and was resurrected, He still spoke as the Spirit.
He made sure that after only a few decades the only accounts of these events in existence are copies of copies of copies which will be verifiably altered and added to in historically and theologically significant ways from generation to generation, sect to sect.
HE did not make sure of that. That is what man DID. Christ even warned about it... as well as had John add a warning in the book of revelation about adding to or taking away from (which warning would not be needed if it was impossible to add or take away from, yes?)
He did not preserve the original copies of these accounts, he did not protect them from revision, did not set in place any mechanism of protecting them from being interpreted in hundreds upon hundreds of ways most of which being heretical and therefore punishable.
Are people supposed to be putting their faith in what is seen? Are they supposed to be putting their faith in their own or in others interpretations? Man has always done that. But what did Christ say that God wanted?
"Those who worship in Spirit and in Truth."
The bible is a witness (or rather many witnesses) pointing TO Christ, who IS the Spirit and who IS Truth. But the bible is not the Spirit or the Truth, itself.
Christ also said, "You continue to search the scriptures because you think that by them you have eternal life... but you refuse to come to ME for life."
When it is CHRIST who IS the Life.
Does it sound like Christ promoted the bible and putting faith in it.. or knowing it to know God.
"If you know ME, you know my Father."
"You do not know ME, so you do not know my Father, either."
But that was his plan right Tammy? To be really confusing? What is even worse is that, when all is said and done, you demand that he be praised for his rediculous plan.
That was NOT His plan... and if you listened even just to the words we do have written from Christ... you might see that... and go to HIM who DOES speak, and put your faith in Christ - the Spirit and the Truth.
Why would God or Christ NEED to rely upon a book that can be altered or mistaken... when they are Spirit and can communicate with those who would hear them in that way?
Man and religion prevent people from knowing this truth... because they, themselves, do not know it. Like the pharisees who stop up the kingdom... they themselves do not enter, and they do not allow those who are seeking, to enter.
Is he the god of the bible? Is he perfect and if so, shouldn’t his word be perfect? But you do not care that there are contradictions, historical inaccuracies and anachronisms in the bible so debating is futile.
He is Jahveh... the Father of Christ... the Most Holy One of Israel. He is much more than the bible. He is the God of the LIVING. His image (Christ) is not dead stone, golden calves, wood, paper or ink... but LIVING, as He is.
His Word speaks only Truth... but His Word is NOT the bible. Christ is the WORD of God. The living Word of God.
Peace,
tammy