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Nagel hit it on the head. The Bible (King James Edition) is a wonderful translation of folk lore from a portion of the area that was conquered by the Romans. It is great reading but untrue. But somehow over the years has gained a place in our literature that gives a lot of people something to quote when they run out of things to say.

The Claim of Inspiration

by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

 

Do biblical claims of divine inspiration really mean anything? Should we stress the fact that thousands of times in the Bible a person can find sentences prefaced by the words “God said…” or “Thus said the Lord God…”? Recently I received a letter that read: “To say that ‘all scripture is by inspiration of God’ is pointless double-speak that proves nothing!” Is this an accurate statement?

Admittedly, the mere claim that a certain document is inspired of God does not mean He actually inspired it. If a person attempts to defend the inspiration of the Bible solely on the premise that the Bible claims inspiration, likely his efforts to convince an unbeliever will fail. Simply because a particular book claims to be from God does not mean that it is from God. However, to say that the claim of inspiration “is pointless double-speak” greatly diminishes the importance of such a claim.

The fact is, the claim of inspiration at the hand of God is extremely rare. Many books assert special importance, while others claim to be a kind of “creed book.” But, as Kenny Barfield noted in his book, Why the Bible is Number 1, only seven documents exist in the whole world that openly claim divine inspiration (1997, p. 186). Sadly, misguided devotees of various religions clamor about, defending books and various writings as allegedly being “inspired of God” when, in fact, the books themselves do not even make such a claim. Take for instance, the many Hindu writings. Of their six most notable “sacred” texts, including the Vedas, the Laws of Manu, and the Puranas, only the section of the Vedas known as the Rig Veda claims inspiration. Similarly, the Christian Science group has led many to believe that the writings of Mary Baker Eddy are inspired. Yet, even though her writings claim special importance, they never openly claim divine inspiration (Barfield, p. 186). Why would anyone want to follow a creed book and claim it is from God when the book itself does not even make such a claim?

I repeat: the claim of inspiration at the hand of God is extremely rare. For this reason, one of the best places to begin a Bible study with someone concerning the Bible’s divine origin is with these claims of divine inspiration (cf. 2 Samuel 23:2; Acts 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; etc.). Such claims are only “pointless double-speak” if we never continue to give evidence proving that the Bible truly is a book from Almighty God.

Are there other books in the world that claim inspiration? Yes, but they are few and far between. And none of them exhibits such amazing qualities as the predictive prophecy and scientific foreknowledge that can be found in the Bible. Furthermore, the unity of the Bible and its accurate historical documentation of biblical people, places, and events is unparalleled in human history and bears testimony to the fact that the very existence of the Holy Scriptures cannot be explained in any other way except to acknowledge that they are the result of an overriding, superintending, guiding Mind.

SSDD

 

Christian-"Read your bible, it's the word of gawd".

Atheist-"I have read the bible, it doesn't make sense".

Christian-"You're not reading it with an open mind".

Atheist-"Open mind? Of course I did, why wouldn't I"?

Christian-"Because you don't want to believe it".

Atheist-"OK, explain the XYZ part".

Christian-"Oh we don't follow the XYZ part".

Atheist-"Why not"?

Christian-"Well, uh, because it doesn't mean what it says".

Atheist-"Doesn't mean what it says? Well, what does it mean"?

Christian-"Well read it again, then you will understand that what it says isn't what it means".

Atheist-"And you have no problem with this"?

Christian-"No because it is the word of gawd our lord and what he says we believe".

Atheist-"How do you believe when it's all contradictions"?

Christian-"There are no contradictions!! I just told you it's the word of gawd and he said it and I believe it"!

Atheist-"Yes but you also said it didn't mean what it says. How do you decide what parts to follow and which parts to ignore"?

Christian-"Why are you so bitter? Why are you so full of hate for gawd? The bible is clear, follow gawd and you will have a beautiful eternal life in heaven, streets of gold and mansions. Reject gawd and you will burn forever in a river of fire!! Gawd loves you and it would hurt him to have to toss you into those flames, but he will, he'll toss you so fast your head will spin. I'll be sitting up there on a cloud watching you burn, not smirking mind you, but feeling so bad that you couldn't accept the beautiful gift of luvvvvvvvv he offered you."

Atheist-"Hmmm, well if he is so powerful and all, and everyone is his creation, why didn't he just build the belief of him into humans? You know, make it a given that we believe with no questions ask".

Christian-"Cause he gave you free will. He doesn't want to force you to believe or love him. That's why you have the choice to accept his wonderful gift, and if you don't you go to hell". (No force or threats there.)

 

And around and around it goes and christians have no problem with all the double talk and contradictions, all the hatred they promote, and they wonder why people are turning away from all that silly crap. It's like someone reached inside their heads and scooped out their common sense.

 

Originally Posted by Jennifer:

SSDD

 

Christian-"Read your bible, it's the word of gawd".

Atheist-"I have read the bible, it doesn't make sense".

Christian-"You're not reading it with an open mind".

Atheist-"Open mind? Of course I did, why wouldn't I"?

Christian-"Because you don't want to believe it".

Atheist-"OK, explain the XYZ part".

Christian-"Oh we don't follow the XYZ part".

Atheist-"Why not"?

Christian-"Well, uh, because it doesn't mean what it says".

Atheist-"Doesn't mean what it says? Well, what does it mean"?

Christian-"Well read it again, then you will understand that what it says isn't what it means".

Atheist-"And you have no problem with this"?

Christian-"No because it is the word of gawd our lord and what he says we believe".

Atheist-"How do you believe when it's all contradictions"?

Christian-"There are no contradictions!! I just told you it's the word of gawd and he said it and I believe it"!

Atheist-"Yes but you also said it didn't mean what it says. How do you decide what parts to follow and which parts to ignore"?

Christian-"Why are you so bitter? Why are you so full of hate for gawd? The bible is clear, follow gawd and you will have a beautiful eternal life in heaven, streets of gold and mansions. Reject gawd and you will burn forever in a river of fire!! Gawd loves you and it would hurt him to have to toss you into those flames, but he will, he'll toss you so fast your head will spin. I'll be sitting up there on a cloud watching you burn, not smirking mind you, but feeling so bad that you couldn't accept the beautiful gift of luvvvvvvvv he offered you."

Atheist-"Hmmm, well if he is so powerful and all, and everyone is his creation, why didn't he just build the belief of him into humans? You know, make it a given that we believe with no questions ask".

Christian-"Cause he gave you free will. He doesn't want to force you to believe or love him. That's why you have the choice to accept his wonderful gift, and if you don't you go to hell". (No force or threats there.)

 

And around and around it goes and christians have no problem with all the double talk and contradictions, all the hatred they promote, and they wonder why people are turning away from all that silly crap. It's like someone reached inside their heads and scooped out their common sense.

 

 

 

 

Are you SURE you don't drink???

No cage I don't drink. If I did you might be more appealing. I don't know why you singled me out to have a problem with but it's fine by me. You say you're not a christian but you seem to take offense at my posts. That's odd since they shouldn't apply to you. Maybe you should give up drinking for a while and let your head clear. It's a shame you can't put me on ignore since I seem to bother you so.

Originally Posted by Jennifer:

No cage I don't drink. If I did you might be more appealing. I don't know why you singled me out to have a problem with but it's fine by me. You say you're not a christian but you seem to take offense at my posts. That's odd since they shouldn't apply to you. Maybe you should give up drinking for a while and let your head clear. It's a shame you can't put me on ignore since I seem to bother you so.

 

 

You know...you need to adjust that stiff rod up your azz  and relax a little. Then maybe you could tell satire from fact.  I don't have to be a christian, or an atheist, to recognize someone with an obvious mental problem. I call out the mental christians on here too. Well, the ones that I think might have a little thinking capacity left. The ones that are totally "gone" there is no use is trying.

I thought maybe you were one that might could recognize "JOKES".   SATIRE...you CAN Google that one if you need to. But you're pizzed...that's obvious.

You pizz on everyone here that doesn't share your "ideas". You even jump up a fellow atheists azz if you think you've been called out.

Why any of the christians on this forum would even answer some of your dumbazzed posts I haven't a clue.Even though you are a faceless voice on an internet forum, I  sometimes cring out of embarrassment for you at some of the ignorant shyt you post. I'm sure some of the atheists cringe also. I feel sorry for you and your miserable life, that you feel you have to be  "top dog"...the last word...on every post that is addressed to you.

I don't like bullies. No matter what the cause. Especially ignorant ones attempting to act like they are intelligent.

Here's your shoe...

Originally Posted by JimiHendrix:

Bill, in many of his posts, says that the Bible is true because the Bible says that it is true. Can anyone please explain why they think that this is logical?


The Bible is mostly true because the Spirit of Christ tells you most of it's true.

Those of you that have never expirienced the overwhelming guidance of His Spirit.

If you would open your minds and hearts, you could to experience this and build faith.

 

Skippy

You'd be the last person qualified to call someone else "mental". I've never seen you contribute one thing to any discussion.  It seems to me that all you're interested in is drinking and other mind altering things. I don't worry about you, you have no reason to worry about me. You call no one "out".  I feel sorry for you if you think you do have an impact on anyone, or if you do have an impact on them I pity them. This is a forum for discussion.  You don't like bullies? Is that because you are a bully wannabe and you just don't have the firepower to carry it out?  Who have I bullied? What have I posted that others haven't posted the same thoughts about? I don't "suck up" to people, never have and never will. I "speak" my mind just like everyone else on here and you can't stop that. My shoe? Where did you find it? Up your azz? Maybe I didn't recognize your attempt at "satire" and "joking" because you're so bad at it. Show me posts where I have "jumped" anyone's azz as you put it. It would be very hard for everyone to agree on everything, and posting opposing opinions isn't "jumping" on anyone. If I aspired to be a "top dog" it would be somewhere a lot more important than a newspaper forum. Top dog? Well there are some who would love to think they are, and when they get to feeling they aren't they start pouting, or demanding that the TD do things their way or they're "leaving".  I notice you never pass up a chance to get in your "last word" even though it's never an opinion other then to try to put someone down.

Originally Posted by Jennifer:

You'd be the last person qualified to call someone else "mental". I've never seen you contribute one thing to any discussion.  It seems to me that all you're interested in is drinking and other mind altering things. I don't worry about you, you have no reason to worry about me. You call no one "out".  I feel sorry for you if you think you do have an impact on anyone, or if you do have an impact on them I pity them. This is a forum for discussion.  You don't like bullies? Is that because you are a bully wannabe and you just don't have the firepower to carry it out?  Who have I bullied? What have I posted that others haven't posted the same thoughts about? I don't "suck up" to people, never have and never will. I "speak" my mind just like everyone else on here and you can't stop that. My shoe? Where did you find it? Up your azz? Maybe I didn't recognize your attempt at "satire" and "joking" because you're so bad at it. Show me posts where I have "jumped" anyone's azz as you put it. It would be very hard for everyone to agree on everything, and posting opposing opinions isn't "jumping" on anyone. If I aspired to be a "top dog" it would be somewhere a lot more important than a newspaper forum. Top dog? Well there are some who would love to think they are, and when they get to feeling they aren't they start pouting, or demanding that the TD do things their way or they're "leaving".  I notice you never pass up a chance to get in your "last word" even though it's never an opinion other then to try to put someone down.

 

 

 

 

 

You need to see a shrink...

Maybe one could help you get over the  "Last One Chosen In Sports - Never Asked For A Date- I Feel Bad About Myself" complex...

 

Jeez...

Originally Posted by Jennifer:

Seriously dude? I mean really? Do you even read what you post? Third grade would still be over your head.

 

 

 

Jennifer, I'm simply telling you what I see.  As one concerned human being to another. I see the anger, which I feel is due to an unhappy life you have. You know it has been discussed here the statistics on atheist mental problems and suicide.

I have seen people that exhibited your symptoms. It did not turn out pretty for some of them. Most of the ones that got help were able to return to a happy, productive life.

I would hope that you would admit to yourself that you need professional help, and get it, before it is to late.

It is nothing to be ashamed of.

If I can be of help with any of my knowledge, just let me know.

Originally Posted by CageTheElephant:
Originally Posted by Jennifer:

Seriously dude? I mean really? Do you even read what you post? Third grade would still be over your head.

 

 

 

Jennifer, I'm simply telling you what I see.  As one concerned human being to another. I see the anger, which I feel is due to an unhappy life you have. You know it has been discussed here the statistics on atheist mental problems and suicide.

I have seen people that exhibited your symptoms. It did not turn out pretty for some of them. Most of the ones that got help were able to return to a happy, productive life.

I would hope that you would admit to yourself that you need professional help, and get it, before it is to late.

It is nothing to be ashamed of.

If I can be of help with any of my knowledge, just let me know.

 

 

 

 

All you see of life is only what you can see by looking at it through the bottom of a beer bottle. Atheist mental problems and suicide? LOL!  Give it up, it's not working and you're beginning to make ME feel embarassed for you. Apparently you can't help yourself. How about you try AA or maybe let your family hold that intervention for you? That's the funny thing about people like you, they think they're "deep" and know how things should work when they can't even run their own lives. If you get a rational moment read your posts and see how happy you sound.
Originally Posted by Jennifer:
Originally Posted by CageTheElephant:
Originally Posted by Jennifer:

Seriously dude? I mean really? Do you even read what you post? Third grade would still be over your head.

 

 

 

Jennifer, I'm simply telling you what I see.  As one concerned human being to another. I see the anger, which I feel is due to an unhappy life you have. You know it has been discussed here the statistics on atheist mental problems and suicide.

I have seen people that exhibited your symptoms. It did not turn out pretty for some of them. Most of the ones that got help were able to return to a happy, productive life.

I would hope that you would admit to yourself that you need professional help, and get it, before it is to late.

It is nothing to be ashamed of.

If I can be of help with any of my knowledge, just let me know.

 

 

 

 

All you see of life is only what you can see by looking at it through the bottom of a beer bottle. Atheist mental problems and suicide? LOL!  Give it up, it's not working and you're beginning to make ME feel embarassed for you. Apparently you can't help yourself. How about you try AA or maybe let your family hold that intervention for you? That's the funny thing about people like you, they think they're "deep" and know how things should work when they can't even run their own lives. If you get a rational moment read your posts and see how happy you sound.

 

 

i had something clever and pithy to add to this, but i swear to god i don't have a clue what it was after all of that.

 

/nods at Pup.

popcorn and rum, you betcha.  bring it on folks!

 

 Oh.. i remember now -

if the bible is the literal and inerrent word of God... why aren't more "christians' out there killin Homasexshuls?

the bible says they are to be put to death, whay aren't you following God's law? isn't that more important than man's laws?

we know you're supposed to adhere to the laws of man, but not when they conflict with the laws of god.

 

care to explain why no one is follow the word of the lord except a few dumb rednecks in texas?

 

 

Wow, I really got some folks' panties in a wad over this one. Just as I expected, no one has offered any LOGICAL thoughts about why this particular religious logical fallacy has any merit. Only some more vague statements about "faith" and the "Spirit of Christ" and such. Also that Skippy still hasn't found the spell check button and Cage is still in elementary school. His avatar has to be the most perfect one for him.

Originally Posted by JimiHendrix:

Wow, I really got some folks' panties in a wad over this one. Just as I expected, no one has offered any LOGICAL thoughts about why this particular religious logical fallacy has any merit. Only some more vague statements about "faith" and the "Spirit of Christ" and such. Also that Skippy still hasn't found the spell check button and Cage is still in elementary school. His avatar has to be the most perfect one for him.

 

 

If anything of logic was offered to you...you wouldn't understand it...especially if it contained more than 8 letters of the alphabet. 

Originally Posted by The Nagel:

i had something clever and pithy to add to this, but i swear to god i don't have a clue what it was after all of that.

 

/nods at Pup.

popcorn and rum, you betcha.  bring it on folks!

 

 Oh.. i remember now -

if the bible is the literal and inerrent word of God... why aren't more "christians' out there killin Homasexshuls?

the bible says they are to be put to death, whay aren't you following God's law? isn't that more important than man's laws?

we know you're supposed to adhere to the laws of man, but not when they conflict with the laws of god.

 

care to explain why no one is follow the word of the lord except a few dumb rednecks in texas?

 

 

Because as

Crazy foaming fundy shortwave radio preacher says:

 

 

jpeg

 


 

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Last edited by Road Puppy
Originally Posted by CageTheElephant:
Originally Posted by JimiHendrix:

Wow, I really got some folks' panties in a wad over this one. Just as I expected, no one has offered any LOGICAL thoughts about why this particular religious logical fallacy has any merit. Only some more vague statements about "faith" and the "Spirit of Christ" and such. Also that Skippy still hasn't found the spell check button and Cage is still in elementary school. His avatar has to be the most perfect one for him.

 

 

If anything of logic was offered to you...you wouldn't understand it...especially if it contained more than 8 letters of the alphabet. 

Oops, he did it again.

Originally Posted by CageTheElephant:
Originally Posted by JimiHendrix:

Wow, I really got some folks' panties in a wad over this one. Just as I expected, no one has offered any LOGICAL thoughts about why this particular religious logical fallacy has any merit. Only some more vague statements about "faith" and the "Spirit of Christ" and such. Also that Skippy still hasn't found the spell check button and Cage is still in elementary school. His avatar has to be the most perfect one for him.

 

 

If anything of logic was offered to you...you wouldn't understand it...especially if it contained more than 8 letters of the alphabet. 

And the sad thing is that he doesn't have a clue about how clueless he really is.

I dunno Jimi. He seems to be pretty articulate, and has an extensive vocabulary. He appears to be well versed in the subjects he chooses to comment on. He has a quick wit and can take it as well as he dishes it out. I'm not sure clueless is the descriptive term I would use. Calling him ignorant, or stupid, clueless..etc just makes it look like you have no real argument  and he outsmarted you again. I'm sure you can do better. Like my good friend Opie says...try to keep up.

Originally Posted by bluetick:

I dunno Jimi. He seems to be pretty articulate, and has an extensive vocabulary. He appears to be well versed in the subjects he chooses to comment on. He has a quick wit and can take it as well as he dishes it out. I'm not sure clueless is the descriptive term I would use. Calling him ignorant, or stupid, clueless..etc just makes it look like you have no real argument  and he outsmarted you again. I'm sure you can do better. Like my good friend Opie says...try to keep up.

 

 

Take it easy on jimi, blue. He's probably experiencing flashbacks from when he won the Viet Nam war.

Originally Posted by bluetick:

I dunno Jimi. He seems to be pretty articulate, and has an extensive vocabulary. He appears to be well versed in the subjects he chooses to comment on. He has a quick wit and can take it as well as he dishes it out. I'm not sure clueless is the descriptive term I would use. Calling him ignorant, or stupid, clueless..etc just makes it look like you have no real argument  and he outsmarted you again. I'm sure you can do better. Like my good friend Opie says...try to keep up.

Please repeat anything that he has said on this topic that was logical. I double-dog-dare you.

Originally Posted by CageTheElephant:
Originally Posted by bluetick:

I dunno Jimi. He seems to be pretty articulate, and has an extensive vocabulary. He appears to be well versed in the subjects he chooses to comment on. He has a quick wit and can take it as well as he dishes it out. I'm not sure clueless is the descriptive term I would use. Calling him ignorant, or stupid, clueless..etc just makes it look like you have no real argument  and he outsmarted you again. I'm sure you can do better. Like my good friend Opie says...try to keep up.

 

 

Take it easy on jimi, blue. He's probably experiencing flashbacks from when he won the Viet Nam war.

Was this one of his "witty" retorts? Just checking.

Originally Posted by CageTheElephant:
Originally Posted by bluetick:

I dunno Jimi. He seems to be pretty articulate, and has an extensive vocabulary. He appears to be well versed in the subjects he chooses to comment on. He has a quick wit and can take it as well as he dishes it out. I'm not sure clueless is the descriptive term I would use. Calling him ignorant, or stupid, clueless..etc just makes it look like you have no real argument  and he outsmarted you again. I'm sure you can do better. Like my good friend Opie says...try to keep up.

 

 

Take it easy on jimi, blue. He's probably experiencing flashbacks from when he won the Viet Nam war.

Still waiting for your military service. The Civil War doesn't count.

Originally Posted by JimiHendrix:
Originally Posted by CageTheElephant:
Originally Posted by bluetick:

I dunno Jimi. He seems to be pretty articulate, and has an extensive vocabulary. He appears to be well versed in the subjects he chooses to comment on. He has a quick wit and can take it as well as he dishes it out. I'm not sure clueless is the descriptive term I would use. Calling him ignorant, or stupid, clueless..etc just makes it look like you have no real argument  and he outsmarted you again. I'm sure you can do better. Like my good friend Opie says...try to keep up.

 

 

Take it easy on jimi, blue. He's probably experiencing flashbacks from when he won the Viet Nam war.

Still waiting for your military service. The Civil War doesn't count.

 

 

 

Didn't do military service...NEVER have CLAIMED it...Rambo.

Originally Posted by JimiHendrix.

Please repeat anything that he has said on this topic that was logical. I double-dog-dare you.

originally posted by Cage the Elephant

If anything of logic was offered to you...you wouldn't understand it...especially if it contained more than 8 letters of the alphabet. 

 

 

 

 

sounds logical to me.

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