You seem very knowledgeable and intelligent and that to many degrees is tough on you because you can't just relax and believe, but that is what you must do. Like a child. I know, it seems foolish
Not only does it seem foolish it's against the Bible's own teachings.
We are told to reason to find the truth many times in the Bible. It does not say "Relax and believe."
"Prove all things, hold fast that which is good."
1 Thessalonians 5:21.
I believe that the bible is inspired by God himself, therefore, all words are God's and since Jesus is God, all words are in fact Jesus' words.
You believe the Bible is inspired by God? What proof do you have? Where does the Bible ever say that the whole book is inspired by God? Or is this a teaching from your church?
You cannot say "Jesus is God" until you've first proven that the Bible is totally inspired by God. Do you know that the Bible's contents were being debated over 3 centuries after Jesus' (PBUH) departure? Do you know its final contents were decided by a council? Did you know the Bible from 100 - 200 CE are missing some books that are in today's bible (Like Paul's works) and contain books that are not in today's Bible (Like the Shepherd of Hermas).
The fact is that the entire Bible never claims to be from God. It's a collection of books that were never meant to be a collection. That's why we find contradictions, errors, and such between verses.
For example, a clear and easy one to demonstrate is:
Mark 15:25 (crucified by third hour)
John 19:14 (not crucified by sixth hour)
So which is it? Let me guess, they used different minutes? Right?
The errors in verses such as these prove that not all of the Bible is inspired by God (as I have pointed out over and over again, only a few books mention being from God. The rest make no claim). The council that chose the arrangement of the Bible were not God inspired. They were simply putting into the Bible those books which they thought were from God. They had no authority but their own.
but This World is not what I am concerned with. :o)
You're beginning to sound like a Muslim (i.e. one who submits to God). The Muslim is not concerned with this life but of the one in the hereafter. According to Islam, this life is a prison for those that keep God's commandments but the afterlife shall be a Paradise for them. Conversely, this life is a paradise for the unbelievers while their afterlife shall be a prison. It's comparing 100 years to eternity. Hmm...I think I know which choice to make <g>
Unless you can give suitable responses on why you accept the Bible, in its eternity, with the contradictions, than your premise is subject to challenge.
May the Peace and Blessings of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Be Upon You,
Ray |
