Honest Bible Question

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Sep 14, 2014
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#1
I can't think of any way of asking this without sounding bad. But its meant with the best possible intention.

I've always wondered, how do you know that the authors of the books in bible intended them to be non-fiction?

There is no doubt about the age of the texts etc, but how exactly to we know the intention of the authors?
 
May 15, 2013
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#2
I can't think of any way of asking this without sounding bad. But its meant with the best possible intention.

I've always wondered, how do you know that the authors of the books in bible intended them to be non-fiction?

There is no doubt about the age of the texts etc, but how exactly to we know the intention of the authors?
Well, there's been prophesies in which certain things will come to pass, and so that makes it authentic.
 

Ella85

Senior Member
May 9, 2014
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#3
Because there is proof.
 

Ella85

Senior Member
May 9, 2014
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#7
Well this is what I'm asking. What is the proof?
When you look at the stories do yourself a favour and do some research on them. You will find that there are biofacts which come from sodom and gomorrah, Noah's ark, giant skeletons (nephlim), the shroud of turin.
That is a brief PHYSIOLOGICAL list of biblical occurrences.
As far as prophecies, read the bible, pray and ask for the Lord to help you understand. Because if you can't just by reading see that all that has been painted in the old testament is a picture of what is about to come then read it again, and again until you get it. Study the words.
 
May 15, 2013
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#8
OK, what prophecies are these?
The people Holy scriptures speak about Jesus, and in Jeremiah, it speak about how they were going to become slaves. At the time, the people had thought of these prophecies as you think of them now, not for sure about , until it has happened, they'd became believers. But right now, we aren't paying any attention to the prophecies, it is because we are so caught up in life, there's people that are trying to straighten out their disobedient children and worrying about if their bottoms are too small, but not focusing on the scriptures, and I wonder is that is written in the Bible as well. Do you have a Buns of steel tape on hand? You probably doesn't since you are worrying about others that doesn't have nothing to eat.
 
Jan 25, 2015
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#9
Colin, in the days when the Bible was written resources was scarce without the invention of proper written material. To give you an idea, in those days only the kings (or the very rich) could afford to own a Bible because they had to kill almost a whole flock of sheep to write down the Torah. It wouldn’t make sense to imagine that they would kill a whole flock of sheep to write down a nice Tinkerbell fairytale. The scrolls were used to capture history as the Hebrew nation experienced it.
 
Jan 25, 2015
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#10
And also because YHWH told Moses and the other authors to write down the history (the Biblical answer :) ).

There is somewhere an article on how little chance you would have of 30 authors to write down the same prophecies. It is impossible... or VERY close to... :)
 

Jon4TheCross

Senior Member
Oct 19, 2012
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#11
We know by the Holy Spirit who teaches us. The more time you invest in planting according to the spirit...the more incorruptible reward you will recieve.
Galatians 6:6-8King James Version (KJV)

6*Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

7*Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8*For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
 
U

Ukorin

Guest
#12
Intent is not given, it is understood by simple reading.
The story's main characters are not usually heroic or fantastical, as would be seen in fiction, but are relatable and often borderline failures.
In other religions, there are only good characters and bad characters. In the Bible, no one is good except God, and all others are accounted as good based on faith in God, or remain in wickedness based on lack of faith in God.

It does not read like other ancient tales. There are a few similarities here and there, which actually show validity of the facts in the story, but not similarities in structure or intent.
We see other stories from Mesopotamia that have the intent on showing a certain moral, or to give a glorified view of a present leader,
whereas the Bible rarely gives a moral to the story, and rarely glorifies any figure but God. A few glorious moments perhaps, but then immediately showing a failure or flaw.
 
Feb 7, 2013
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#13
'but how exactly do we know the intention of the authors?'
By the HELP of the HOLY SPIRIT and our LORD JESUS CHRIST, only when "if' one is born from above, in order to learn and understand the author's intention, not only born of water but also of the HOLY SPIRIT. They believe with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, all Scripture are inspired, they are already written and established Spiritual knowledge. They are 'built up' in that knowledge faith and in faith action practice them and have a hope that never lets them down.

That is why Apostle Paul's epistle to the Corinthians reveals to the church (even today's churches) that the carnal/fleshly thinking and whose works are according to them world, considers that GOD's gospel is 'weak' and 'foolish'.

Please notice the complete opposite between the Kingdom of GOD and the kingdom of this world and also it's wisdom, is in complete 'enmity' with each other.

As it is written;

"GOD considers the wisdom of this to be folly."

"In order to become wise, you need to become folly."

"Those who love the world and it's things, are in enmity with GOD."


"My Kingdom is not of this world."
 
A

AnnaBou

Guest
#16
the authors of the bible wrote it through the inspiration of God.. thus making it true..
Yes, I believe that. But I find it hard to argue when someone asks how I know that all of the Bible is the word of God when it was compiled by men? How do we know that something wrong didn't get in and something that should be there isn't? I know that there is continuity and prophesy. And why has nothing been added since?

We do not ask for proof it we have faith though.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
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#17
I can't think of any way of asking this without sounding bad. But its meant with the best possible intention.

I've always wondered, how do you know that the authors of the books in bible intended them to be non-fiction?

There is no doubt about the age of the texts etc, but how exactly to we know the intention of the authors?
I see by your profile that you are NOT a Christian..................are you sincerely seeking to learn of Christianity here? Or what? I have to wonder, because there are so many that come here and it seems their only intent is to cause dissent/disruption within the Church body. Not saying this is your intent, because this is the first comment of yours I have read, so that is why I am asking.

Now, regarding your question.............Believers know that the True Author of ALL SCRIPTURE is God..........The Holy Spirit inspired the Written Word. The earthy men who penned the Word to parchment were simply vessels through which God worked. So the "intent" to be considered is the "intent" of God...................God is not a fairy tale, and that is what your question implies whether you mean it to or not............

As for your demanding "proof." Prove they are fairy tales first.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
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#18
We could let the Bible speak for it's self

2 Peter 1:21

21for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God

2 Timothy 3: 16 & 17

16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
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#19
The other thing is that what other book do you know that can really change men's/women's lives? I mean do an about face and change the way they were living and now they are productive citizens living lives that are following the principles of the Bible treating all with love and respect? When one reads the Bible prayerfully and gives their heart to God in full submission they do love the Lord with all their hearts and their neighbor as themselves. Real Christians always reflect Jesus/God and others see the difference in their lives. The light is hard to hide can't be put under a bushel but it is up on a lampstand and all can see the light and give glory to God. I have known some of these lights and they shine brightly.
 
Dec 18, 2013
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#20
I can't think of any way of asking this without sounding bad. But its meant with the best possible intention.

I've always wondered, how do you know that the authors of the books in bible intended them to be non-fiction?

There is no doubt about the age of the texts etc, but how exactly to we know the intention of the authors?
For the most part the books in the Bible discuss actual people and actual events. Thus it is obvious for those certain books the intention is a historical record. Of course this is not the case with all the books. For example Proverbs is mostly a collection of sayings and logic. Thus the intention of Proverbs is therefore literally a collection of proverbs.

The best way to tell the intention of an author is to read what they wrote.