I can give you a link to a list of over 300 directly contradictory statements in the Bible, if you're interested. Many of them are pretty trivial, like how many sons some patriarch had and how many people god killed off in some fit of displeasure with humanity, but some are significant, like the issue of whether or not the Old Testament rules given in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, still apply. Jesus is cited in the New Testament as supporting both positions. No amount of verbal gymnastics can explain away all the contradictions, which is one of the reasons I view the Bible purely as a work of human literature, not a revelation from god. I know of no good reason to think such a being even exists, and I know of many good reasons to think he doesn't. And that is in fact exactly what I think: there is no god, and anyone who thinks there is, is simply wrong, has failed to understand the evidence. Or lack of it.
I certainly respect your views. There might be, I don't know of any contradictory verses which would take away from the underlying theme of the whole bible, which is God's love to wards us.
I guess I don't see them because I can clearly see Gods plan for mankind which over rides any distraction to that cause.
The bible is written with the writers own abilities to word things as they are given to write (Inspired) and may have used words, phrases or ideas (envisioned) as their abilities allowed them to.
But, the over riding theme remains true and in tact throughout the whole of the bible as a clear understanding of Gods love to wards mankind.
Now, as a father of six, I have first hand experience in understanding of what means, measures, truths and lies I have used in order to coach, shape , mold and or disciplined my kids in order for them to walk the straight path.
I've kept secrets form them until they were ready to handle the revelations.
To all of them, at one time or another, seemed to them that I contradicted myself when they saw a need to justify their own ways.
In my years of analyzing human behavior with or without God, I have determined that the make up of the individual has a major impact on that individuals abilities to seek and to find what drives them to wards God.
To some it is a very light desire, a fleeing thought, a possibility maybe but never quite gotten a good taste what God really is.
Then theres those who have just enough desire to fall for whatever wave like the sea is, and wind up confused, distracted by events, wars and human tragedy's.
And then there are those who are driven to earnestly seek out truths about the God they believe in and are not so easily swayed one way or the other.
To all three types, regardless, the struggle to identify self compared to what is, what one knows against what one doesn't know is a struggle within one's own soul.
Life takes on meaning when through suffering one is able to rise above that which this life would destroy, against dying, against wars and against our own inner doubts.
Uncertainty, fear, self doubt, plague everyone given in a condition where these things come to bear.
But God, a stable and sure hope, a refuge comforts the inner man against all that comes against him, if but only the inner man has some understandings of Gods love for him.
In a tornado, a sinking ship, a plane falling from the sky, a prisoner in a death camp, God can give a serene feeling of comfort of hope of a better life worth the sufferings one is going through.
The difference then between all three, is faith. Faith to a degree determines ones ability to measure one's own abilities to endure sufferings and being victorious.
When I look at God, I tend to see through His eyes, for there in I see not through mankind's influences, how mankind thinks, but rather how God tends to think.
My best and honest answer to you and all others is that regardless of ones beliefs, God is represented by humanity as one who loves, or one who hates, but only mankind can show of what God is, in its actions, one to wards another.
I hope to stress Gods love by my actions, my words and my compassion, bearing witness to His attributes as He really is in me.
Peace>>>AJ
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