Wayin

Hi all,

I'm about half way through reading "Forgery In Christianity" by Joseph Wheless and looking forward to reading "Is It God's Word".

I was hoping to hear what others thought of these writings/books.

If you have read either or both, would you mind commenting on them.

Looking forward to any feedback

Bede

Wheless is first class polemic and useless history. Don't quote him as an authority here or you will be torn apart by us meanies .

Seriously, if you would like to read some stuff on early Christianity and the Bible check out the top post on recommended reading and you won't go far wrong.

Yours

Bede

Bede's Library - faith and reason

Secular Pinoy

Yep, caveat emptor.

Peter Kirby

You would be interested in Roger Pearse's web page on Checking the Quotes.

best,
Peter Kirby

Wayin

Thanks for the replies, Thanks for the caution. - Bede, Secular Pinoy & Peter,


Peter, I`ll read "checking the quotes" today or when I get a chance, looks informative, thanks mate.

Vorkosigan

I wouldn't bother with Forgery in Christianity, too polemical, I couldn't sit through it. But parts of Is It God's Word are absolutely hilarious. His dissection of the miracles of Exodus is priceless. That's the better of the two books.

Vorkosigan

Roland

His comments on the Star of Bethlehem in "Is it God's Word?" are very funny too. He points out absurdities about that celestial phenomenon that I had never noticed before but which are glaringly present in the story (such as the Wise Men needed to ask Herod where Jesus was if they we were following the star all along).

malookiemaloo

If you were one of the wise men, would you not ask someone where the Messiah was to be born even although you were following the star?

After all, the wise men travelled in faith and must have had some doubts. There questions of Herod would give them exciting confirmation that they were on the right track

In the event of the star leading to Jerusalem or somewhere else and their inquiries revealing that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem would mean they could turn and go home!!


m

Roland

No, I would just follow the star. What's the point in following it just to stop and ask directions? Moreover, the star took them to THE WRONG PLACE - Jerusalem instead of Bethlehem! They had to find out from people in Jerusalem that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. Why didn't they just follow the star in the first place? Then, you will note that AFTER they ascertain that the child will be found in Bethlehem, THEN they continue following the star which is supposedly going ahead of them (even though Bethlehem is only six miles or so from Jerusalem).

The story is internally inconsistent and stupid.

malookiemaloo

Let me get this right.

A star leads the wise men dear knows how many hunderds of miles and is, according to you, six miles out therefore the story is rubbish!!

I think it far more likely that in addition to making inquiries they would 'check in' with the authorities to explain their visit. Herod was not the type to allow high profile individuals on a mysterious visit to wander around his kingdom without knowing why.

Ever thought that the star lead them to Jerusalem, then Bethlehem-which is what appeared to have happened?


m