Sympneology

Descent into the underworld etc. etc. an embellishment of a true story and keeping the core narrative is not fiction? Did they keep the core narrative? All rather Barbra Cartland to me.

I would regard it as fictions as I would a movie that starts with the 'Based on a true story.' I am satisfied by your answers that the originators of the Dead Sea Scrolls where capable of writing fiction.

From my readings I am satisfied that the only thing that has changed is technology. The ancients were no less or more intelligent than we are. Why would we want to deny them the ability to write fiction unless it was to support a particular agenda?

Sympneology,

Daviy is correct. Since time in memorial humans have told stories. Some true, some fiction, some a mixture of both to varying degrees.

When Jesus allegedly said to his disciples when answering a question why he taught in parables Matthew 13:11 "...Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." a jar of worms was opened.

Does Dr Thiering suddenly becomes one of the only people who has unlocked "the code" whilst not a disciple?

Other Christians calling themselves "born again" think they have unlocked the code.

The problem is there isn't a code.

But back to the Bible.

I would like to concentrate on Moses for awhile.

Moses is considered a hero of the Bible because he allegedly led his people out of Egypt. But do people really read how terrible God was in these events culminating in the passover.

In Exodus 7:3 God allegedly says "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart..."

GOD HARDENS PHARAOH'S HEART!

If the Bible had stated that "The Devil" hardened Pharaoh's heart that may have made sense.

God stated he would do it...culminating in

Exodus 12:29 "And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt..."

God did it, he allegedly planned it, and it was the culmination of this allegedly intelligent God's murderous plot!

I'm sorry, but I just can't see the most intelligent being in the Universe doing such a thing!

Why do Churches "Celebrate the Passover"? What is to celebrate with such an ugly story?

Who in their right mind could justify this in any way, shape or form, let alone celebrate it?

Exodus 9:12, 10:20, 10:27, 11:10 repeats how God made Pharaoh's heart hard!

Once again the Bible is telling of an unintelligent God who waged a allegedly murderous campaign against the Egyptians when he could have just organised the Israelites to leave...Afterall he is GOD!

Why don't people have major problems with these fictions? Aren't they a blasphemy against your loving God?

Dear Opiniated 2,
Do a word study on the word, Repent and you may start to get an understanding of one word in the bible as all words have a meaning and without understanding you are only presuming.

Richie 10

Thanks for the advice BUT I don't think I need to repent for these postings or this thread.

Isn't Christianity supposedly based on honesty? Well I am telling the truth, quoting directly from your Bible, and proving that the Bible is a dubious set of reference books at best.

It seems to me the people who state the Bible is true and God's word may be the greatest sinners. Surely it is a blasphemy to present falsehoods as God's inerrant word... isn't it?

Surely it is a blasphemy to believe God is such an unintelligent God?

Are preachers who teach this stuff the real problem in society?

Let's look at Moses for Moses was not a model citizen! NUMBERS 31:13-19

Was Moses a witch doctor who performed magic to get approval and power Exodus 4:2-5 then had all competitors killed Exodus 22:17 so to remain in power.

Egyptian magicians did the same tricks Exodus 7:8-13 Did God give them their powers?

But God had previously TRIED to kill Moses - Exodus 4:24 He was only saved by Zipporah, his wife cutting the foreskin off their son and touching the foreskin on Moses' feet.

Firstly how could the most powerful entity in the Universe FAIL to kill Moses if he wanted to? Secondly rubbing Moses feet stopped God killing him... This is crazy stuff!

But back to Numbers 31:13-18 Moses orders the killing of women and boys in anger, but allows the Israelites to keep the virgins and girls!

How can a caring compassionate God allow ethnic cleansing?

Seeing we are in the period of Passover (9th - 15th, although Jews commence it on the evening of the 8th) it is a great time to reflect on the ugliness of this time and to ask yourselves "Could my God have ordered these things?"

If your answer is "YES" I pity you!

If you are looking in the wrong direction what you see is not what you think you see. I have proved my case with one word for your gaise is fixed 180 degrees from your professed target. And you don't have a clue because you don't know what repent means and I don't mean the common usage religious meaning but the true meaning

Richie 10 wrote "And you don't have a clue because you don't know what repent means and I don't mean the common usage religious meaning but the true meaning."

Dear Richie 10,

The meaning of words is determined by usage. Dictionary definitions merely follow usage. Words only have meaning according to the way people use those words. You apparently favour a particular definition for the word, repent. That is only the definition you prefer. If it is not the definition used by other people you do not communicate.

There is no such thing as a true meaning of a word apart from its common usage.