The Bible -- What is it?

That was the title of a thread on a Christian forum I frequent. There were a number of interesting answers posted. But there was one that I found I really liked after I read it.

It wasn't the more technical answer that I had chosen to give, but I think it captured the essence of how Christians feel about the Bible better than any of the rest of us did.

To me, it's 2 different things.

First, it's a love letter from God to the world. It's the writers telling us "this is how much God loves you, this is why he loves you, & this is why he'll never stop loving you."

Second, it's man's religious interpretation of historical events, how he explained (or believed God explained to him) what had happened & was happening around him.

Third, it's what Schnerples described in the first reply: a very long book that gathers dust in most homes, but is well-worn & beloved in others.

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Comments? Questions? Reflections?

And here's an idea. Let's try to write in the affirmative.

In other words, Christians should not try to compare the Bible and the Qur'an in ways in which puts the Qur'an down, and vice versa. It's possible to have opposing views without resorting to put downs and being negative. Say what it is, not what it is not.

If this is a love letter then what's the concept of Hell all about and according to this I understand a corrupted and rebelious evil doer the same as a righteous saint - because this is how much god loves you?

Walaahu la yahiboo zalimeen (And Allah does not love the evil doers)

Do the Jews believe that the OT(tanakh) is the literal word of God, or the inspired word of God, or a religious interpretation of historical events?

'Abd-al Latif said:

If this is a love letter then what's the concept of Hell all about and according to this I understand a corrupted and rebelious evil doer the same as a righteous saint - because this is how much god loves you?

Walaahu la yahiboo zalimeen (And Allah does not love the evil doers)

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I would say that the Bible tries to warn people who are living lives outside of God about hell so that they would return and submit to him rather ending up spending eternity apart from him. I think that type of warning is a way of showing love.

Do the Jews believe that the OT(tanakh) is the literal word of God, or the inspired word of God, or a religious interpretation of historical events?

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Some do. Some don't.

Then god isn't all love if there is a hell, because if one is thrown into Hell fire then he is obviously unloved by god and i'm sure you agree that he will abide in Hell fire forever.

'Abd-al Latif said:

Then god isn't all love if there is a hell, because if one is thrown into Hell fire then he is obviously unloved by god and i'm sure you agree that he will abide in Hell fire forever.

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That doesn't mean that the Bible couldn't be a love letter. My momma loved me, but would punish me if I walked across the street without permission.

However, this thread isn't about the nature of God, but what you understand the Bible to be. Maybe you think it is the product of some fancy religious imaginations? Or a book composed by humans about God? Or God's divine word that was for a certain group of people at a time now in the past? But I think we should take questions about the nature of God elsewhere if you want to continue discussing that issue.

Well, I've heard this used before in describing the Bible. The Bible=Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Abd-al Latif - There has to be a place for the soul of those that do evil, do not repent and haven't had their debts of sin paid. Is it that GOD is mean or is it that He is so holy that it can't be the way humans think it should be for Him to be loving?

back on topic:

The Holy Bible, the inspired WORD of GOD is- In the Old Testament the history of man's relationship with GOD, how we really messed things up and how we need Jesus. The New Testament shows us how to get right with GOD.

Peace,

NT and OT are for Christians, OT is only for Jews. Both OT and NT are in a book called Bible :statisfie.

I'd say it is indeed Man's personal interpretation as you have quoted in the first post, but would add that it isn't historically accurate at that.
should indeed be valued as one values Chaucer's, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Whitman etc.

Its a largely Human written text which is based on stories and historical events and mostly rewritten for political and power driven gains which has a very small portion of Jesus's true teachings.

At first I thought I had an easy answer, but reflecting on my past I see the Bible has held many meanings for me in my lifetime, depending at what stage of my life I was in.

But, having been raised as a Catholic and venturing from Catholicism into Fundamentalism (Baptist, Church of Christ, Assembly of God etc) it has been many diferent things, a complex book that can only be understood after years of study, a message of love, a Holy Revelation necessary for salvation, a religion in itself.

Today I see it as a guide book that lead me from nothing to finding God(swt) and from there to the Qur'an and acceptance of Islam. I owe much to my early interest in the bible as I now feel it was an essential part of my finding Islam.

Often I tell people I found Islam through Jesus(as)

Woodrow said:

Today I see it as a guide book that lead me from nothing to finding God(swt) and from there to the Qur'an and acceptance of Islam. I owe much to my early interest in the bible as I now feel it was an essential part of my finding Islam.
Often I tell people I found Islam through Jesus(as)

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Excellent response and today I find it to be a written text that strengthens my faith in islam.

The Bible is as written in 2nd Timothy 3:16" All scripture [is] given by inspiration
of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

It is the inspired word of God. He communicated His nature and attributes.
The Bible is for Doctrine- it is the Holy book for Christians all over the world. Reproof,correction, instruction and righteousness. It always bears a word that will apply to your situation, you get rebuked (reproof) if you are on the wrong path just like a parent scolds a wayward child. Correction, getting you back on track after we have gone our way and hoped that it will fit into God's plan for us. it reminds you of His mercy and Kindness. Instruction, a manual on what to expect in this life and how to handle it. If you are mourning, joy comes in the morning, if you are brokenhearted it reminds us that A broken a nd contrite spirit God can never despise etc
Lastly for righteousness: Upright,Honest, Moral, Just- all the qualities required from a christian if only they follow the teachings and live a life worthy of this calling.

GOD revealed thoughts to men who recorded them in their own language. GOD used 40 men to pen the Holy Bible over 1400 years to record the Word of GOD.

The Holy Bible -who we believe to have written it down-

Genesis Moses ? - 1445 B.C.
Exodus Moses 1445 - 1405 B.C.
Leviticus Moses 1405 B.C.
Numbers Moses 1444 - 1405 B.C.
Deuteronomy Moses 1405 B.C.
Joshua Joshua 1404-1390 B.C.
Judges Samuel 1374-1129 B.C.
Ruth Samuel 1150? B.C.
First Samuel Samuel 1043-1011 B.C.
Second Samuel Ezra? 1011-1004 B.C.
First Kings Jeremiah? 971-852 B.C.
Second Kings Jeremiah? 852-587 B.C.
First Chronicles Ezra? 450 - 425 B.C.
Second Chronicles Ezra? 450 - 425 B.C.
Ezra Ezra 538-520 B.C.
Nehemiah Nehemiah 445 - 425 B.C.
Esther Mordecai? 465 B.C.
Job Job? ??
Psalms David 1000? B.C.
Sons of Korah wrote Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87; Asaph wrote Psalms 50, 73-83; Heman wrote Psalm 88; Ethan wrote Psalm 89; Hezekiah wrote Psalms 120-123, 128-130, 132, 134-136;
Solomon wrote Psalms 72, 127.
Proverbs Solomon wrote 1-29
Agur wrote 30
Lemuel wrote 31 950 - 700 B.C.
Ecclesiastes Solomon 935 B.C.
Song of Solomon Solomon 965 B.C.
Isaiah Isaiah 740 - 680 B.C.
Jeremiah Jeremiah 627 - 585 B.C.
Lamentations Jeremiah 586 B.C.
Ezekiel Ezekiel 593-560 B.C.
Daniel Daniel 605-536 B.C.
Hosea Hosea 710 B.C.
Joel Joel 835 B.C.
Amos Amos 755 B.C.
Obadiah Obadiah 840 or 586 B.C.
Jonah Jonah 760 B.C.
Micah Micah 700 B.C.
Nahum Nahum 663 - 612 B.C.
Habakkuk Habakkuk 607 B.C.
Zephaniah Zephaniah 625 B.C.
Haggai Haggai 520 B.C.
Zechariah Zechariah 520 - 518 B.C.
Malachi Malachi 450 - 600 B.C.

New Testament

Matthew Matthew 60's
Mark John Mark late 50's
early 60's
Luke Luke 60
John John late 80's
early 90's
Acts Luke 61
Romans Paul 55
1 Corinthians Paul 54
2 Corinthians Paul 55
Galatians Paul 49
Ephesians Paul 60
Philippians Paul 61
Colossians Paul 60
1 Thessalonians Paul 50 - 51
2 Thessalonians Paul 50 - 51
1 Timothy Paul 62
2 Timothy Paul 63
Titus Paul 62
Philemon Paul 60
Hebrews (Paul, Apollos, Barnabas...?) 60's
James James, half brother of Jesus 40's or 50's
1 Peter Peter 63
2 Peter Peter 63 - 64
1 John John late 80's
early 90's
2 John John late 80's
early 90's
3 John John late 80's
early 90's
Jude Jude, half brother of Jesus 60's or 70's
Revelation John late 80's
early 90's

Although it is a book concerning the relationship between GOD and man - all scientific and historical facts are correct in terms of how people of long ago would understand them.

When did man learn about germs? Ashes from the red heifer contain lye which kills germs and hyssop contains antibacterial agents.
Numbers 19
17 "For the unclean person, put some ashes from the burned purification offering into a jar and pour fresh water over them. 18 Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water and sprinkle the tent and all the furnishings and the people who were there. He must also sprinkle anyone who has touched a human bone or a grave or someone who has been killed or someone who has died a natural death

Wait to circumcise until the 8th day when there is Vitamin K and prothrombin present in the blood. When did man learn this?
Genesis 17
12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring.

When did people know that unavailable energy was increasing? Around 1850.
Psalm 102
25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
and they will be discarded.
Romans 8
21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

The people of the time believed many strange things about how the earth was held up on the backs of animals, etc. When did people learn about the earth’s atmosphere?
Job 26
7 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
he suspends the earth over nothing.

Isaiah 40
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

The bible is like a jungle. you can't find your way through it. who here has read the bible (all of it)?

About the bible being a love letter, I've heard a lot of christians emphasizing that God is a god of love, and loves everybody unconditionally.
But then they argue about how his holiness requires a payment for every single sin, and that's why there is punishment.
Now my question is, how can a holy god love a sinning person who insists on sinning?

muhaba said:

The bible is like a jungle. you can't find your way through it. who here has read the bible (all of it)?

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I have. I believe you will find that many if not most of us reverts were quite religious when we were Christians and read the bible frequently and completely.