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Kasenka
Guest
How do you know that the bible is true? Who was it written by? What about the contraditions between the old and new testaments? What to believe? I’m just curious what you all think
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kempo1
Guest
hi, one thing to consider is the bible isnt just a bunch of stories, a lot of the bible is much historical documentation of things witnessed by many many people. That being said their are books contained in the bible that are prophetic visions. The gospels are living witnesses to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ that were witnessed by thousands of people. Their are also writtings from the time of Christ that are not contained in the bible from non christians who also gave witness to Jesus. The old testament books were a lot of historical recordings. Even the muslims have these books contained in the tora. I am no foremost expert but i just wanted to give you what i know. Thanks
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kempo1
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Forgot to answer about the contradiction question. The new testament is really just a continuation of the old testament, really the fullfilment of the old testament. The old testament talked a lot about the coming savior of the jews Jesus. It also contained a lot of laws the jews were called to follow. Once Jesus came in the new testament a lot of the laws were not valid anymore because they are now in a new covenent with Jesus.
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kepha1
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Proving inspiration of each book of the Bible was a long and complicated process. It took 4 councils to complete the list of books for the Bible as we know it, and many councils over several centuries affirmed the list of books canonized at the Synod of Hippo in 393 AD. which was finalized by Pope Siricus and the Catholic Bishops in the year 397 A.D.
- On the first level we argue to the reliability of the Bible insofar as it is history.
- From that we conclude that an infallible Church was founded.
- And then we take the word of that infallible Church that the Bible is inspired.
- This is not a circular argument because the final conclusion (the Bible is inspired) is not simply a restatement of its initial finding (the Bible is historically reliable),
- and its initial finding (the Bible is historically reliable) is in no way based on the final conclusion (the Bible is inspired).
Several authors over dozens of centuries.
There aren’t any.
Countering Bible Contradictions
Suppose you receive a letter from a friend whose word you trust implicitly. A glance at the handwriting and signature assures you that the letter is actually from this friend. You thereby establish its genuineness and authenticity, and even before you read the letter or know its contents you are assured that your friend has sent you a message, and that you have his message in your hands. This corresponds to the preparatory stages (the praeambula fidei, as theologians call them), described above. Then you read the letter and learn certain facts, which you accept as true on the authority of your friend. This corresponds to the formal act of faith.
There is nothing blind about Catholic faith. It is not based on sentimentalism, not credulity, and not conjecture.
The steps that lead to Faith are these: -
(1) I assure myself by reasoning and argument that God has actually spoken and communicated knowledge to mankind - that He is a witness to men of truth.
(2) I prove that this knowledge is still available for use, is actually preserved somewhere in the world, is in the keeping of somebody from whom I can obtain it.
(3) I learn the contents of the message, and accept them as God’s revelation, on His authority. This last mental act is the formal act of faith. The other two processes, for the carrying out of which we rely on our own intellectual acumen and activity (aided by God’s grace), are preparatory, and lead up to the formal act of faith.
The Catholic bases his/her faith on sound intellectual principles. Beware of imitations.
I invite you to keep searching.
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chaunceygardner
Guest
Depends on what you mean by “true”. If you mean true as in factually correct, we know that much of it is not. If you mean true as in containing eternal truths, than we know this through collective wisdom and faith.
By many different people over hundreds and hundreds of years; it is a compilation, containing various ideas and points of view.
Yes, there are many, as well as errors and contradictions within the OT and within the NT, and sometimes between writings of the same author (Paul is a great example). But do not read it for facts, read it for spiritual truth and inspiration.
Look for what God is telling you, look for what is essential, look for the core teachings. When you do that, you may be surprised how the same message and meaning appear; whether you are reading the Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Gospels, or Epistles. As you read it, ask yourself: What is God telling ME? What is critical to my relationship with God?
It is there for all to find, but we unfortunately spend most of our time arguing over what individual passages mean or which verse takes precedence over another, when our time would be more wisely spent asking what God is really telling us. We worry about the minutia and the incidentals while totally missing what is most important. Go figure.
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Ignatius
Guest
Kudos!!! What an erudite and cogent exposition of the case. Incredible clarity on each and every point. U R Awsome!!!
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kepha1
Guest
(looks down, shuffles feet)- Status