jonesg

Its your opinion, but others find it compelling.
Arguments which rely on opinion are just that, arguing over opinions.

If you state , it isn't the same as a technical text on steam engines, which are provable. Sure.

But its the bible, not a science textbook.

JoeNothin

Actually, I'm one of those people who find the Bible compelling, well at least parts of it. For instance, I think Ecclesiastes is beautifully written and profound. It is my veiw that the Bible is not the Word of God. Mainly because I don't believe there is a God to inspire it. But as a piece of history and, in places, beautiful poetry, I do find it compelling. That is my opinion of the Bible.

I completely agree that the Bible is not a science textbook. I mean, it would be really silly for anyone to claim that a science textbook is the inspired Word of God, sufficient to inform us on God's nature and our responsibilities to God. In fact, I doubt anyone would claim that there's a single science textbook sufficient to inform us on the complete nature of reality.

So, I gave an agrument to support my opinion that the Bible is insufficient to know the nature of God. And I gave as evidence to support my conclusion biblical descriptions of God that don't seem to match the actions of God written in the Bible. I acknowledge that arguments can be made to reconcile these apparent contradictions. However, in order to reconcile these apparent contradiction, one would need information about God not found in the Bible. It seems obvious to me, with my understanding of what 'sufficient' means, that by definition this fact means that the Bible is not sufficient to inform us of the nature of God.

I think I'm right about this. If you're not claiming that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then we agree already. However, I put this argument up here to see whether someone could point out a flaw in my reasoning. And I know there are a lot of very smart people here. So, are there any critiques of my argument out there? I would love to here them.

NearNihil Experience

Yes you will! Its your fault Jesus, the innocent, was punished for you. You are guilty of killing Jesus because you were born sinful and flawed!

If God is perfectly Just and Merciful in all accounts, then YOU are to be punished for being who you were born as and take on yourself the burden of Christ's death. If your life is not suffering, then your life is sinful!

Its not a free gift. You have to pay with your life. When you accept that "gift" you sacrifice your "life" to God, His will and His Ways. If you are not being punished now, then you are living in sin.

Your salvation comes after your death. you will rest in peace. This is your gift. Your sacrifice is your lifetime to pay the debt you have brought upon yourself. only then, at the end of your timne on earth, will you pay your debt and receive your reward.



The Bible is sufficent enough to come up with this answer...like it or not.

Chris Weimer

Since you won't be punished, then God is an accessory to your crimes and thus not perfect.

dancer_rnb

How is it MY fault that I was born sinful and flawed?

It's God's fault

NearNihil Experience

God created you in His image...its up to you to live up to that image.



[ from waaayyyy across the fence/]

dancer_rnb

I don't think free will is in the bible.

....No man comes to me save the farter moves him

.....God hardened Pharoah's heart.

JoeNothin

I think most of what we need to know to live good lives isn't in the Bible. Which, of course, is my point. I'm sure there are many people who will claim that free will is "in the Bible." However, I would guess that the reasons they believe that are extra-biblical. I'm not certain of this, but I think "free will" is a pretty modern concern.

NearNihil Experience

:rolling: :rolling: :devil3:

dancer_rnb

If I believed the bible........

God created Adam in his image, not me. I suffer the results of Adam's falll through no fault of my own. I can't even choose to do right unless God moves me to do so, because of my inherited sinful nature. And since God is all poerful, and all knowing, and knew what Adam would do .....ITS HIS FAULT