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Could the bible be confirmed in Court if put on trial?
Fellow blogger Jeff asks us all the following questions: “If the Bible was put on trial, by the same argument standards as any other litigation, would it be confirmed or denied by an unbiased judge? I would suggest before everyone ways in, that you look at how many centuries have been put into studying this, from the inspection at the tomb, to the discovery of Noah’s Ark. Is there enough supporting evidence even to say it’s historically accurate, for which it should be argued that at least it should be taught in schools as history. Also, how do you discredit the millions of drastically changed lives by adhering to its principles?”
If I were the attorney, I would call all the “witnesses” of the bible to share their testimony. I would then show the discovery channel’s story that verifies that Jesus tomb was indeed found and verified by DNA evidence. I would also have the ARP {Ark Research Project} tell the court that Noah’s Ark has been located and exists in the ice fields on Ararat. I personally believe that the bible has been the most scrutinized and studied book on the planet. It has been studied to prove its accuracies and has been studied to disprove its facts. With all this research, surely it should be taught in schools from a historical perspective.
Obviously, you know by now that I am playing along with this idea of trying to confirm all the stories of the bible. I will share with you my true feelings as the dialogue goes forth. So tell me fellow bloggers-could the bible be confirmed in Court if put on trial?
Comments
By cantw82leave
April 22, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Not a chance. But then that depends on how you want to define “confirmed”. Are there things in the bible that have historical accuracy? Of course, I wouldn’t deny that. Are there principles, teachings and concepts that are positive? Yes, (teach them at home please!) Can it be shown that the Bible has been edited, abridged, amended and omitted? Absolutely. Should the Bible be taught in public school as history? Unequivocally, absolutely, positively, emphatically NO!! The bible is not history, the bible is not science (nor is it reading, writing or arithmetic.) The bible is subject to prejudices, selectivity and interpretation. (hence all of your various ‘denominations’.) If “the bible” is going to be taught in public school, are you going to let me come into public school and teach students about Christianity’s pagan foundations? Are you going to let me teach public school kids about Druidism, Paganism and Wicca? Are you going to let me discuss pre-Christianity belief systems that held women in high esteem instead of forbidding them from hearing a service because they were unclean?? Or let’s allow someone from the 10 major belief systems in the world come in and talk about their beliefs? No, you want to teach your kids religion? Do it at home or at church. Public education has enough demands, they shouldn’t have to teach beliefs any more than they should have to teach morals, ethics or values. That is the job of the parent. Don’t like it? Then don’t have kids. (Sorry, once again for sounding harsh, no offense was intended.)
By KDF
April 23, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
I know that much of the Bible has been proven as fact, and as the years go by, more and more will be proven. That is secondary now to my love for Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit. My faith comes easy, and every day God shows me more and more of His wisdom in what He does.
I read the Bible every day, so God shows me just what I need for the day, or sometimes later in life I see the meaning. Athiest and ex-believers show more faith than I do in what they believe. Faith to believe in nothing is easy. But Hebrews 11:1 says “Faith is being sure of what is hoped for, and certain of what we do not see.”**
Any non-believers know of Roman historian that was a contemporary of Jesus. His name was Josephus, a historian and Roman officer. He had no reason to write for or against the Christian sect. But he did write about what was going on and declared appearant truth to much of it.
Yes, Pastor. There is much truth from the Bible in our science classrooms, but it is usually tied to Darwinism. <><
By Obadiah Sheeply, Jr.
April 23, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this
Come on, Pastor Joe. I just went to the ARP website, figuring that I would find the great new of the discovery of the ark. Not there. I guess the New York Times and even Fox News missed it.
And DNA evidence of the tomb? Exactly where would the DNA of Jesus to match to “the tomb” have come from? This story makes no sense.
And how , pray tell, if you don’t mind the pun, could the court “verify” the Bible when it contains so many contradictions? Not to mention that the Bible strongly implies that pi is three, which would have surprised Archimedes among others.
By KDF
April 23, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I would enjoy hearing one “contradiction” in the Bible. And tell me where pi equals three. Thanks. <><
By Jeff
April 23, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
For the past year and some change, I have been reading from the Evidence Bible. It has the “Comfortable” King James Version, along with answers to the top 100 accusations of Christianity, the myths propogated by anti-believers, and comparisons of all the major religions. It does not in any way shy away from science, paganism, or anti-Christian sentiment, but educates believers to the reality surrounding it. ISBN-10: 0882709704 ISBN-13: 978-0882709703 In modern day times, faith in the Bible actually means acceptance. The facts are overwhelming. With programs like Logos and the plethora of info. available, the claims Christian “ignorance,” lack of facts, or “look at that person do such and such,” do nothing to discredit the Bible itself. It’s just the exercising of free will. I just caution that we will be answerable based on what we know, whether or not we pretend we don’t.
By :)
April 23, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
With the rich tradition that Christianity has in the founding of the U.S., I don’t put that in the same catogory as Paganism, Druisim, Wicca, etc… in all the other twisted beliefs that society will never “Unequivocally, absolutely, positively, emphatically” allow in our school syste, even if you have the right to do so. I know the constitutiion fairle well, and understand it protects minorities but, just face it, Christianity will always be the majority religion thats accepted by most. Its already being taught in shcools and money is given to private schools. To answer teh blog question, a defense against the bible might be strong, but the bible would win. Consider everyone that spendsT there life trying to disprove the bible. They do a pretty good job, like Hollywoods Da Vinci Code, but after all the smoke clears, people dismiss it and the left wing anti-religion sector goes back into hiding and continue to search for new ways to disprove Christianity for the rest of their lives. Like recently, The director of Basic Instinct claims in his new book that Mary waas raped by a Roman soldier during a Jewish uprising! Can you believe what people say just to disprove it, Sick, sick, people Like I said, anything to try to cash in and at the same time, attempt to disprove the major tenets of our belief. It never succeeds.
By cantw82leave
April 23, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Lets see, contradictions in the bible: Deuteronomy 5:17 KJV “Thou shalt not kill” (seems pretty simple, short, sweet and direct.) and you know what??? I will even keep it all in the OT.
vs. Deuteronomy 7:2 KJV “And the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them and utterly destroy them, thou shalt make no covenant with them nor shew mercy unto them.” So which is it? Either it’s ok to kill or it’s not? Or is only ok to slay your ‘enemies’ because God says so?? If that’s the case, are you sure it’s God telling you it’s ok or only your own agenda?? Hmmmm….this sounds suspiciously like a concept known as ‘blood atonement’, I’ll give you three guesses what that concept is and where it comes from. I don’t want to get into a pi$$ing contest with you KDF, but seriously, even you cannot possible deny that the Holy Bible is full of contradictions. And hey, if you can, we will just agree to disagree and I will wish you all the best. I’m just curious how you will respond to this?
By KDF
April 23, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
My conception of “contradiction” is appearantly different than yours. I will not argue the points that you have tried to make. If you would like to read online about whether “Noah’s Ark” existed or “Bible Contradictions”, call them up online as I did. Before you read dissenting views read the Christian or Jewish veiwpoint. As I mentioned before, I read Dr. Chopra’s homepage and no others. I ask you to read for the “proof”, then if you wish read sceptic viewpoints.
Upon his resurection, Jesus says to Thomas, John 20:29 “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Everyone please understand; we are all people created to love one another. None of my entries are written with malice. I “stand firm” in my beliefs but do not intend to bring hurt to anyone. Thank you, folks!! <><
By GJ
April 23, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Noah’s Ark has not been found. Pi equals 3 according to 1 Kings 7:23. The Bible is loaded with contradictions, which is one of the many reasons that a lot of Christians don’t believe it literally.
I also stand firm and want to provide encouragement to others who have escaped Christianity.
By cantw82leave
April 23, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
ok GJ…help me out here. I referred to my old stand-by the KJV and I have nothing about pi in that verse (nor was there any mention of brownies either, much to my chagrin!!! :D ) What version are you using?? I’m interested.
For that matter, it was interesting to note that in my KJV, nearly the entire sixth & seventh chapters were detailed descriptions of the Temple of Solomon, evening mentioning the ‘keeper of the Word’ Hiram Abif. (Any Freemasons out there?)
But what really got me was Chapter 6 verses 13-22 which discussed details of the temple as well as the ‘treasures’ Solomon adorned the oracle with. Anybody want to take a stab at explaining this to me when I thought “thou shalt have no other gods before me”? Or are you going to tell me that ‘oracle’ translates differntly than my current definition????
By KDF
April 23, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
First of all, the brownies sound wonderful.
In reference to the Temple built by King Solomon: I don’t understand the question about “having no other gods before me.” Nobody is worshiped in the OT (by Israel or Judah) but God. These things that were used to build the temple were ordained by God. An ornate temple which holds the Arc of the Covenant is what God commissioned because the Covenant (10 Commandments were holy) and demanded respect.
King David was granted permission to draw the plans of the temple, but God denied him permission to build it, but gave Ol’ King Solomon that commission. King David was guilty of sinning with Bathsheba, whom produced Solomon, and this was his “consequense” of his sin. God forgives, but our actions often bring consequenses that we live with. Believe me first hand as I write this. And King David had many wives and paid for having those.
I’m no mathmatician (can’t even spell it!), so I cannot answer the pi question. <><
By KDF
April 23, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
For all to see, the word is “Ark”, not “Arc”.
And for all to remember, I don’t spell well. :) <><
By GJ
April 23, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
“And he [Hiram] made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one rim to the other it was round all about, and…a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about….And it was an hand breadth thick….” — First Kings, chapter 7, verses 23 and 26
There is a similar description in Second Chronicles 4, verses 2 through 5.
The Bible recipe for pi!
I don’t think this is the most compelling reason to doubt the Bible, but I believe this is what Obadiah was referring to.
By cantw82leave
April 23, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
Thanks to all! KDF-My question is specifically about references to an ‘oracle’. In my own definition of oracle, I understand that to be a person or object through which the words of a god or goddess are imparted. In my KJV, it doesn’t really seem to be used that way, but does anyone have any enlightenment on the matter? Because if it is referring to an oracle in the way I define it, then that indicates some confusion to me about how the Hebrew God’s messag(es) were delivered? Would that not seem suspiciously like idolatry to have the word of God imparted to the Hebrews via an ‘oracle’? GJ-thanks! It took me 3x to pass college algebra so maybe that’s why I didn’t get ‘3’ out of that verse? ha/ha Brownies for All!!
By KDF
April 23, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
My studly paperback bound encyclopedia defines “oracle” as a source of wisdom and prophecy. Kind of tired tonight, but oracles were delivered by prophets.
AAArrgh. Bedtime. May He watch over us all. <><
By Obadiah Sheeply, Jr.
April 23, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
I hear that the length of the “Arc” of the Covenant is(central angle)/360 times (2 pi times r)
Joke.
GJ has indeed found the references. The “explainers away” will stray form what is actually written to say ” but if,… and if we assume” all sorts of other facts not in evidence, things that they hardly ever grant to anyone else doing biblical interpretation because “their interpretation”, of course, the right one.