Reader Poll - Where did the Bible come from?

[St. SteVen]

A couple of comments.

Thanks for weighing in on this, Carl.

As the Bible is not understood without the Holy Spirit assisting the inspired reader, any errors of text that might exist will not be witnessed as Truth to the inspired reader.

Agree.
I like your term, "the inspired reader".

Have you had this experience?
Something read in the Bible didn't sit right with your spirit? (or the Spirit)

I would extend your thought to say that a text (or thing) doesn't have to be inspired, in-and-of itself to be inspiring.

An example I like to use is, how many people walked by the Potter's house the day the Lord sent Jeremiah there?
Yet he was the one to get the message. Inspired message, uninspired source. (see chapter 18)

I think a lot of questions that arise are answered as one comes to understand the character of God.

Agree.
But does everyone agree on what the character of God is?
I think you and I differ on that point.

If you know God's character you will know that what we have in our hands serves the purpose intended for those chosen to understand.

Agree.
But I think we both agree that God speaks to us in other ways as well.
And not every believer agrees on that point.

/

 

[Carl Emerson]

Thanks for weighing in on this, Carl.

Agree.
I like your term, "the inspired reader".

Have you had this experience?
Something read in the Bible didn't sit right with your spirit? (or the Spirit)

I would extend your thought to say that a text (or thing) doesn't have to be inspired, in-and-of itself to be inspiring.

An example I like to use is, how many people walked by the Potter's house the day the Lord sent Jeremiah there?
Yet he was the one to get the message. Inspired message, uninspired source. (see chapter 18)


Agree.
But does everyone agree on what the character of God is?
I think you and I differ on that point.


Agree.
But I think we both agree that God speaks to us in other ways as well.
And not every believer agrees on that point.

/

First question - yes when reading a non-mainstream translation.
Second question - yes our attention can be drawn to a happening around us as He speaks meaning to us.
On the character of God it is good to accept the encounters of Moses, Isaiah, Jacob, Lot and Co. when accessing God's character. Paul speaks of the Kindness and Severity of God.

 

[Peterlag]

A couple of comments.

As the Bible is not understood without the Holy Spirit assisting the inspired reader, any errors of text that might exist will not be witnessed as Truth to the inspired reader.

I think a lot of questions that arise are answered as one comes to understand the character of God.

If you know God's character you will know that what we have in our hands serves the purpose intended for those chosen to understand.

I read your post 3 times and I still don't know what you are saying.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I read your post 3 times and I still don't know what you are saying.

Questions welcome.

 

[Duck Muscles]

Spencer Day compiled a timeline chart on the subject.

It's rather interesting. However, the origins of our Bible still remains somewhat of a mystery

 

[Stumpmaster]

Spencer Day compiled a timeline chart on the subject.

It's rather interesting. However, the origins of our Bible still remains somewhat of a mystery

The Bible itself speaks about mysteries and revelations.

At my parent's insistence I enrolled at University and began to study Law. The very first lessons were on The Legal System and included text books which cited the Bible to explain the source of various principles enshrined in Law.

Legislation focuses on creating laws, while the judiciary ensures their proper application and resolves legal disputes. Both branches play essential roles in maintaining a balanced system of government.

One revelation I have received is that God has supplied mankind with the Truth, including the knowledge of good and evil.

 

[St. SteVen]

One revelation I have received is that God has supplied mankind with the Truth, including the knowledge of good and evil.

Where did the Bible come from?
Did you vote?

/

 

[Stumpmaster]

Where did the Bible come from?
Did you vote?

/

Yes. All Scripture is God-breathed.

 

[St. SteVen]

Yes. All Scripture is God-breathed.

Thanks! (for voting)

How do you define those terms?
1) What is All Scripture?
2) What was All Scripture at the time that verse was written?
3) What does god-breathed mean?


/

 

[Stumpmaster]

Thanks! (for voting)

How do you define those terms?
1) What is All Scripture?
2) What was All Scripture at the time that verse was written?
3) What does god-breathed mean?


/

All Scripture = All the Bible
When Timothy was written to by Paul his use of the term "all Scripture" covered:

• All the Books of what became known as the Old Testament
• All the Books that would become known as the New Testament

God-breathed means originating from God, the expelling of His Spirit upon His Creation.

Heb 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

1Pe 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

2Pe 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Joh 16:13-14 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (14) He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

 

[St. SteVen]

Cast your votes. Thanks.

/

Interesting poll results. What do they tell us?

The poll may still be open to response, not sure.

]

 

[Stumpmaster]

Interesting poll results. What do they tell us?

Percentages.

 

[St. SteVen]

Percentages.

Indeed. But what do the percentages tell us?

0% say: God write it himself
0% say: God wrote it through infallible human authors
50% say: God wrote it through fallible human authors
50% say: The Bible was written by inspired human authors
18.8% say: Some parts of the Bible was written by inspired human authors
25% say: The Church chose from available writings to form the Bible
18.8% say: Other

The majority of respondents say:
God wrote the Bible through fallible yet inspired human authors. 50%
The Church chose from available writings to form the Bible. 25%

]

 

[Stumpmaster]

Indeed. But what do the percentages tell us?

0% say: God write it himself
0% say: God wrote it through infallible human authors
50% say: God wrote it through fallible human authors
50% say: The Bible was written by inspired human authors
18.8% say: Some parts of the Bible was written by inspired human authors
25% say: The Church chose from available writings to form the Bible
18.8% say: Other

The majority of respondents say:
God wrote the Bible through fallible yet inspired human authors. 50%
The Church chose from available writings to form the Bible. 25%

]

I like the meetings where everyone believes that the 66 books of the Canon, from Genesis to Revelation are the exhaustive, inerrant and inspired word of God.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I like the meetings where everyone believes that the 66 books of the Canon, from Genesis to Revelation are the exhaustive, inerrant and inspired word of God.

What do you mean by 'exhaustive' and which translation are you referring to ?

 

[St. SteVen]

I like the meetings where everyone believes that the 66 books of the Canon, from Genesis to Revelation are the exhaustive, inerrant and inspired word of God.

An echo chamber is a safe place. Nothing to challenge the status quo.
And "exhaustive" is a curious and pseudo-religious term to use.
Might apply to a concordance, like the Strong's.
What do you make of this?

John 21:25 NIV
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down,
I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

]

 

[Stumpmaster]

What do you mean by 'exhaustive' and which translation are you referring to ?

Kia Ora @Carl Emerson

The 66 books of the Canon, from Genesis to Revelation, hold a central place in Christian theology. Let’s break down what this statement means:

1. Exhaustive: These 66 books cover a wide range of genres, including history, poetry, prophecy, letters, and apocalyptic literature. Together, they provide a comprehensive account of God’s interaction with humanity.
2. Inerrant: The belief in biblical inerrancy asserts that the original manuscripts (autographs) of these books were without error or contradiction. While copies and translations may have variations, the core teachings remain consistent.
3. Inspired: Christians affirm that the Bible is divinely inspired. God worked through human authors, using their unique perspectives and writing styles, to convey His message. The Holy Spirit guided the process, ensuring accuracy and relevance.

These books collectively reveal God’s character, His plan for salvation, and the way to live in relationship with Him. They offer wisdom, guidance, and hope to believers across generations.

 

[Stumpmaster]

John 21:25 NIV
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down,
I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Trying to read all the books in the world would be exhausting. Next please!

 

[Carl Emerson]

Together, they provide a comprehensive account of God’s interaction with humanity.

In general terms yes, the problem with using the term 'exhaustive' is it implies for example to be a record of all Jesus said - which we know is untrue.

Inerrant - applies to 'original' manuscripts, you suggest...
Which manuscripts are 'original' ???

For me I am happy that God weaves His perfect purpose through imperfect mankind by His Soveriegn Spirit.

Further He has watched over providing us with Scripture with which He reveals His Truth as the Holy Spirit gives understanding - and translations doesn't have to be inerrant or perfect either - simply because the Holy Spirit of Truth will never deceive, and He is the ultimate source of understanding. Jesus opened the disciples eyes to understand the scriptures - this holds today - without eyes being opened Scripture is a closed book.

For this reason imperfection in translation is not an issue. Just as an imperfect church is not an issue as long as they are open to the Holy Spirit.

 

[Stumpmaster]

In general terms yes, the problem with using the term 'exhaustive' is it implies for example to be a record of all Jesus said - which we know is untrue.

Inerrant - applies to 'original' manuscripts, you suggest...
Which manuscripts are 'original' ???

For me I am happy that God weaves His perfect purpose through imperfect mankind by His Soveriegn Spirit.

Further He has watched over providing us with Scripture with which He reveals His Truth as the Holy Spirit gives understanding - and translations doesn't have to be inerrant or perfect either - simply because the Holy Spirit of Truth will never deceive, and He is the ultimate source of understanding. Jesus opened the disciples eyes to understand the scriptures - this holds today - without eyes being opened Scripture is a closed book.

For this reason imperfection in translation is not an issue. Just as an imperfect church is not an issue as long as they are open to the Holy Spirit.

You're in a different group. The non-inerrants.

I've met regular church-goers who believe the Bible is a collection of myths, legends, religious fantasies, and entertaining fables.

Exhaustive is to be understood in terms of what God has deemed necessary to communicate through the written word, not implying all that has transpired.