This Old Bible?

[Pophead]

In the arena of apologetics, most Christians tend to bang heads with each other about inerrancy, inspiration and what have you. Basically stuff that is from believer to believer.

However, the presentation to the person who does not really have much confidence in the Bible and regards it more as something that is a book about a being that does not exist, and they regard Christians as the idiots who believe in it, as if there were not strong reasons for believing in this wonderful book, which we have chosen to call, ‘The Holy Bible’, ‘The Sacred Scriptures’, ‘The Message’, ‘The Living Bible’ etc. etc.

Now I have read a ton of books that present the arguments that I often see on forums about inspiration, innerancy and stuff, but very few that explore the gigantic volume of manuscripts from which this most controversial of all books has it’s roots.

I often wonder if Christians had lovingly shared with me the facts about this instead of trying to convince me that all I needed was blind faith, or a leap of faith, I wonder if I might have come to my senses sooner…maybe, maybe not?

Maybe it is time to let this lonely world know that this book, is the most reliable sourse that we have on the planet…or do you know of another one ?

My favourite reads on this are F.F. Bruce and John Blanchard.

Who are the apologetic giants at Catholic Answers Forums…?
I would be interested to read your favourite reads and some of your thoughts.

Pophead.

 

[FightingFat]

Great post Pophead. I find the whole discussion goes on in two completely distinct spheres: those who believe in something other than Christianity (or nothing) and those who believe in Jesus, but not in Catholicism…Or whatever.

The second sphere I find mainly about semantics and not terribly profitable field for discussion. I can understand how in America it is none-the-less an important field for a couple of reasons:

1. It promotes deeper understanding and knowledge of the wonderful, amazing faith we profess.
2. It leads to a desire for deeper study. Theology, a great priest friend of mine once said, is unlike other subjects, you don’t so much study it, but catch it, like a disease!

The first sphere interests me much more. England is a rather relativist, atheistic society these days and I find myself constantly challenged by questions about whether God exists or not rather than whose version of him is correct. It’s almost like we’ve confused everyone so much about him no one can be arsed to listen anymore.

I do alot of this kind of discussion here. It is an extremely challenging environment for a Christian thinker, but that is what I like really: to be challenged and to analyse what I know in the light of that challenge, allowing reason to aid my consciousness on the journey to understanding, and allowing Revelation to take it that extra step, to unite it with God.

As for books, I could do not better than recommend Ratzinger “Jesus of Nazereth”; “An Introduction to Christianity”; “Truth & Tolerance”; “Principles of Catholic Theology”; Boadt’s “Reading the Old Testament”; Redford’s “Bad, Mad or God” and Aidan Nichol’s “The Shape of Catholic Theology”.

 

[Pophead]

The first sphere interests me much more. England is a rather relativist, atheistic society these days and I find myself constantly challenged by questions about whether God exists or not rather than whose version of him is correct. It’s almost like we’ve confused everyone so much about him no one can be asked to listen anymore.

FightingFat,

I am of English descent, and will be coming home to that mushy sod early in 2008. I believe there has been a philosophical renaissance building steam in England. My own excursion through apologetics has been gathering steam. From Os Guiness, to Gordon H. Clark, to Vishal Mangalwadi, to Dr. Francis Schaeffer and finally chewing my way through Michael Sudduth’s lectures. (still chewing) I recently read a tiny bit of Peter Kreeft and I am still to get a grip on Alvin Plantinga. It is very hard going for me as I have no background in Philosophy and my poor grades in mathematics mean I cannot get a grip on guys like Godel. Pity, I know I am missing so much.

I have no problem with Atheists, my own roots trace back to a hard core doubters. I was nicknamed, ‘Thomas’ for good reason. God had to literally blow my brains out with a dramatic revelation to unearth this skeptic.

I do alot of this kind of discussion here. It is an extremely challenging environment for a Christian thinker, but that is what I like really: to be challenged and to analyse what I know in the light of that challenge, allowing reason to aid my consciousness on the journey to understanding, and allowing Revelation to take it that extra step, to unite it with God.

I think that Michael Sudduth’s work has been really beneficial in getting me to hold onto my Bible with a loose grip. I was regular pain in the butt. I used to pump our Bible verses like a machine gun, until I started to lighten up a little and just flow. It seems in a way I have gone full circle and find myself sauntering over to Os Guinesses corner again. I always loved his approach. Very, laid back.

When this Contemplative thing exploded in the Evangelical Churches, I must admit at first I was worried, but then I did a bit of research and reading and I think it is the best thing that could have happened and I believe that ultimately it will move the true seekers closer together. It will however show up the Bible thumpers on both sides of the camp. What will it take for all of us to put down our Bible Machine Guns and just talk to each other ? I have always been more attracted to the Mystic than to the dry mental ascent that too many get themselves locked into, and so I started reading Thomas Merton. What a story. He ended up going right over to Zen Buddhism (not renouncing Catholicism, just exploring unity with the Godhead to the max.) That is where I am as well. I used to be afraid of reading Mormon litreture, but actually find it a challenge, and recently started reading the autobiography of George Fox. The mystic fascinate me. So many parallel’s between Yoga and what people are getting into.

Personally, I spent eight solid months exploring God and getting rid of all my preconceptions. It was absolutely fantastic. I did before I got into Os Guiness and the journey, but it has been wonderful to find ways of sharing the little light that God shone down on this sinner.

As for books, I could do not better than recommend Ratzinger “Jesus of Nazereth”; “An Introduction to Christianity”; “Truth & Tolerance”; “Principles of Catholic Theology”; Boadt’s “Reading the Old Testament”; Redford’s “Bad, Mad or God” and Aidan Nichol’s “The Shape of Catholic Theology”.

With my head so in the clouds most of the time, I find it really great to explore very earth based stuff. That is why I was attempting to look away from the biblical theology, and philosophical arguments for Christianity…I blew my brain out on that stuff…

Hence, I want to look at the Old Bible’s manuscript evidence, I did a very long course on this a few years back and I guess it has all settled down at last…now I just want to learn what others know about the volume of manuscripts…

Pophead.