Agemegos

Someone already gave you a link to the Skeptic's Annotated Bible. There just doesn't seem much to add to that.

Bboyneko

the bible prophesied birttany spears?????

RED DAVE

I think people have been rough and cruel to jeffevnz. The idea has potential, and in these days any decent actions that exposes the bible and weakens the fundies has potential worth. I could even see a book like that done in comic strip format.

Too many people here are just a little too sophisticated and likely to jump on other people's ideas that don't fit their misconceptions of how things ought to be done. I've been builty of this myself.

People know damn well they'd be happy if they saw a book entitled "101 Things You Probably Don't Know About the Bible" prominently displayed at Barnes & Noble.

RED DAVE

jeffevnz

I'm being a little bit of a baby, but I appreciate the support, Dave.

I also might not have been clear in my OP. This is not so much about thoroughness or originality. I think the Skeptic's Annotated Bible does a great job of documenting all the problems in the Bible. This is more about picking the best ones and repackaging them in a really accessible way. "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible" is not the kind of title that jumps off the shelf at you, and I doubt it would be a real page-turner for the average theist.

John Kesler

You can add this site. I apologize if I came across too strong to jeffevnz. It's just that there are numerous Web sites, books, etc. which try to make the Bible look silly, but in the end, only make the skeptic look bigoted, ignorant, and desperate to find errors in the Bible. Perhaps jeffevnz's book would be different; I hope that would be the case. And...is that a picture of Britney Spears? Right click...save picture as...

jjramsey

I pointed out on another thread a book called The Unauthorized Version: Truth and Fiction in the Bible by Robin Lane Fox. The book is by and large quite fair, so far as I could see, and miles above the Skeptic's Annotated Bible in quality. I suggest that anyone writing a book critiquing the Bible should read it to see how a good critique is done.

missus_gumby

It might be nice to have a biblical bestiary chapter - with pictures. My favourite beastie from the bible is the cockatrice:



...the human-headed chicken with a serpent's tail. (Isaiah 11:8, 14:29, 59:5, Jeremiah 8:17.)

Missus Gumby

Agemegos

Okay then. You don't need any help to do that. Read through the SAB. Note the points that seem either funny or real shockers. Ignore the points that seem like nit-picks or forced interpretations. Go through your list and prune it. Select your 101 posers. Write your book. You don't need us to point out contradictions and idiocies in the Bible because you already have a huge list of them.

Good luck with your book.

Jesse Leigh

G'morning!

Write this book. I dare you. However, I recommend the more modern roller coasters if it's shock value your looking for. I doubt you'll infuse much of that into any serious Christian.

I think you grossly underestimate Christians who actually study the Bible. They number in the millions, and nothing I've seen suggested here so far would raise anyone's eyebrows.

There are several varieties of Christians. There are those who never read the Bible, but go to church and just try to live decent lives. In practice they're usually very nice people, but not much different from secular nice people. Perhaps you'll know some things they don't - in fact you likely will.

There are those new to the faith who may know little. Perhaps you'll enlighten a few of those, but more likely you'll send them searching. ALWAYS a good thing if TRUTH is what you're looking for and new believers usually are.

There are those who are serious Theologians, who have made a career out of being Biblical scholars - you won't shock them either.

Then there is the rest of us - just serious Bible students. Highly unlikely you'll shock anyone in this camp at all. (BTW, this is the camp I would probably place myself in. I'm not a "scholar" per se, but as a missionary, certainly a serious student. I'm not easily shocked. )

It's amusing to read many of the threads on this DB and note how many of them are thought to be original by their owners and participants. Most serious Bible students have heard/read/discussed just about everything on here, yet you actually believe we've never run into these quandaries you spend so much time swirling round and round in your minds - not getting anywhere. :Cheeky: I doubt I've seen such a concentration of confused people in my life - and I've seen a lot.

I'd be fascinated to see what kind of "shocking" book you could come up with. I write for a living, so put me down for one. Who knows, if it's sufficiently interesting I may even have fun and write a rebuttal. - Jesse.

John Kesler

Since we are "confused," maybe you can open another thread in which you construct a coherent resurrection narrative--based on Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20-21--which doesn't leave out any of the details provided and doesn't resort to speculation. I don't even request that 1 Corinthians 15 or anything else from Paul be included.