Paradox

Ah, but that's not quite the same is it? Without actually getting properly involved in a church you aren't able to share your spiritual gifts that the Bible insists on.

Inaccuracies were only a minor thing to me. If you really are interested and you have the time, you're welcome to read the full story here:
http://www.ezkeel.com/Life/Paradox.htm

I'm rarely bored, but even though I no longer believe, I still find the subject interesting and like talking about it. Again, the majority of what I learned about that particular subject I put here:
http://www.ezkeel.com/Theology/Escha...schatology.htm
I guess I should shut up now as I've dragged this off topic!
Have fun.

Jenn6162

Thanks Paradox,
I am looking forward to reading.

buckshot23

A literal interpretation is not always warrented and I don't think Jenn takes EVERYthing literally. I don't think she thinks Jesus will have a sword in his mouth. Each metaphor in the bible as it relates to reality is true. I think what she means is that the bible is word for word inspired by God. Not that every passage should be taken literally.

Jack the Bodiless

This is the world, according to the Bible's authors:


(From the New American Bible, St. Joseph edition)

This is what numerous Bible verses, from Genesis to Revelation, are talking about. It's described in detail in the Book of Enoch: now considered non-canonical and excluded from the Bible (probably out of embarrassment), but Enoch is endorsed as a "true prophet" by Jude, whose own book IS still in the Bible.

So this is the world that a "Biblical inerrantist" should believe in.

Jenn6162

This does not make the message of the Bible any less true. I don't know enough about this illustration to make any comment.

Jenn6162

I am curious since you are no longer a believer, how do you reason the fact that so many of the prophecies have come to pass? Specifically that relate to Israel. That they would be scattered, come back, and that the earth would be cultivated when before they came back there was only desert. I could find the prophecies if you would like to discuss. I read about this the other day, and it was a very interesting read.

John A. Broussard

Yes, please do.

I only ask that the prophecies be clear and unambiguous. They must specify Israel, they must give some sort of time frame for the events, they must be referring to a "desert," a barren place of sand dunes. Othewise they are no better than the prophecies of Nostradamus which can be squeezed to predict anything.

John A. Broussard

Right. The map simply shows the world as it was then. God, through a miracle, has now shifted to round earth that moves around the sun.

John A. Broussard

What criteria do you use to determine which verses must be taken literally and which are simply figurative?

Thank you.

buckshot23

By reading. Some are obvious. Like Jesus having a sword coming out of his mouth. Some aren't as obvious. Common sense basically.