Tigers!

Abortion?

Corona688

A fetus is not a child until it's very late in term, not any more than a sperm cell is a child. I don't see you rallying for the cause of the poor lost sperm... You're making an emotional argument with no basis in reality. Learn more biology.

If you're done making cheap shots, could you actually discuss the topic please?

DBT

Very - It makes it hard to add anything new.

I think so, but many verses are self contained, and should be able to be judged on their own merit.

WCH

Skeptic's Annotated Bible is very bad at keeping things in context. His complaint is entirely valid.

That doesn't change the fact that some of its verses are in context. Gotta do it on a case by case basis.

Dean Anderson

Whilst the SAB does have a problem with verses being taken out of context, this is really a case of the Pot calling the Kettle black...

After all, Christianity attempts to take the Entire Hebrew Bible out of context in its re-interpretations of Jewish theology to make it point to Christ.

As well as this general reinterpretation, there are - of course - two very specific ways that Christians constantly take Bible verses out of context:

1) To take a normal verse out of the context of its surroundings and turn it into a "Prophecy", claiming it has a double meaning.

2) The great tradition of "Proof-texting" where individual verses are quoted to demonstrate that the Bible "agrees" with the theology of the Christian in question.

So basically, although the SAB takes things out of context - it is a useful tool to show how the Christian interpretation of "difficult" verses often takes them just as far from their context in their explanation of what the verses "really" mean.

Codec

Taking things out of context and reinterpreting has never been better put than this:

DBT

In many cases I don't see how context matters, an individual verse can carry its own implications - for instance;

15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

What does it say about the bible God? Can this verse be put into some context that implies that this is the act of a God of love?

seebs

The SAB is a particular source of frustration to me, because it stretches so hard and misreads so aggressively that the fairly substantive points it could be raising about naive inerrantism are lost. It's simply not a credible source.

seebs

Well, let's see.

The Second Book of Moses, called Exodus, Chapter 15, Verses 1-19

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

What it says most importantly, in context, is that the fact-claim being made is "Moses sang this song". We are not told that Moses described God accurately; only that this is what Moses sang.

Reading the thing as a whole, it seems unexceptional; it accurately depicts the way the early Hebrews appeared to feel about God.

DBT

That is quite possible - but doesn't that also bring into question the authority of the bible as a reliable guide on the nature of God?