[EZE]

Abel married his sister, as was the common practise in those days. Next question?!

[teejay]

Wajibu, your view of the bible is not a new thing. The view that the bible is unreliable has gained wide acceptance over the years. Thus many dismiss what is written therein as untrustworthy.

On the other hand Christ said in his prayer to God promotes trust: “Your word is truth.” John 47:10.The bible itself adds on, by firmly asserting its authenticity as a word inspired by God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Tim 3:16

Is there sound basis for trusting the bible? Or is there really evidence that the bible is unreliable, that it contradicts itself and is inconsistent? These are some of the questions widely asked.

But does the bible really contradict itself? Many a people may claim that it does, though am yet to see an actual example of such contradictions that can stand scrutiny. Reading the through Holy Book, there may appear to be discrepancies in certain bible accounts, but the problem is lack of knowledge regarding the details and circumstances of the times.

One example would be that question of, where Cain got His wife from. The assumption here is that can and Abel were the only Children of Adam and Eve. This is an assumption that is based on misunderstanding of what the bible says. Careful reading can easily eliminate such doubts, in this case Gen 5:4, “Adam became father to sons and daughters.” Cain thus married one of his sisters.

What about history and science? The bibles historical accuracy has been widely doubted. Its critics, for instance questioned the existence of biblical characters such a King Sargon of Assyria, Belshazzar of Babylon, while others till dismiss the existence of the tower of Babel and what conspired thereafter God confused people and made then speak different tongues. Other still regard as impossible the act of halting the movement of earth along its orbit and axis. But recent discoveries have verified one Bible account after another. Historian Moshe Pearlman wrote, “ Suddenly, skeptics who had doubted the authenticity even of historical parts of the OT began to revise their views.”

Isn’t it right that we trust the bible with regards to matters of science? In recent times scientist in contradiction of the bible urged upon us that the earth had not beginning. However astronomer Robert Jastrow recently pointed to newer information that rubbishes this explaining: “ Now we see how the astronomical evidence leads to a biblical view of the origin of the world. The details differ, but the essential elements in the astronomical and biblical accounts of Genesis are the same.”

Did you know that the bible has records that the earth is a sphere Is 40:22 “It is he that sitteth upon the CIRCLE of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in..” This as you can see refutes the belief that most people had that the earth was flat. Thus more people can learn, the greater evidence is that the bible can be trusted.
Sir Fredric Kenyon, ex-director of British Museums wrote: “ the results already achieved confirm what faith would suggest, that the bible can do nothing but gain an increase of knowledge.

I could go on and on, but I desire not hold you up with my long message.

[ATLian]

>But does the bible really contradict itself? Many a people may
>claim that it does, though am yet to see an actual example of
>such contradictions that can stand scrutiny.

Teejay,

the Bible is filled with contradictions. And these contradictions have been discussed by many intelligent saved Christians too, so don't give me that spew of I need to be saved so as to realize that they are not contradictions. I just gave an example of the Bible contradicting itself regarding whether we can or cannot eat pork. The Bible clearly says different things about pork numerous times. What are we to believe, the last verse regarding pork eating or the first one?



>Reading the
>through Holy Book, there may appear to be discrepancies in
>certain bible accounts, but the problem is lack of knowledge
>regarding the details and circumstances of the times.

Teejay, you arrogantly and erroneously assume that YOU know the details and circumstances of those Biblical times and that everyone who thinks there are discrepancies in the Bible doesn't. Come on man, get real.



>One example would be that question of, where Cain got His wife
>from. The assumption here is that can and Abel were the only
>Children of Adam and Eve. This is an assumption that is based
>on misunderstanding of what the bible says. Careful reading
>can easily eliminate such doubts, in this case Gen 5:4, “Adam
>became father to sons and daughters.” Cain thus married one
>of his sisters.

Teejay, you mention that you have never seen a Biblical discrepancy, well here's one. We know that god is against incest, and the punishment for incest is death. So how can you then say that the only option god gave Cain had for starting a family was by having an incestuous relationship with his sister. And also for god a sin has always been a sin, so incest could not have been OK for Cain, then a sin for everyone else. What makes sense is that since god was so against incest, there were other people out there who Cain met and married. Which again brings up the question - who were they and where did they come from?



>Did you know that the bible has records that the earth is a
>sphere Is 40:22 “It is he that sitteth upon the CIRCLE of the
>earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that
>stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them

The Bible also records the earth as flat many times. Yet again another discrepancy?

[jarabuon]

>
>Teejay, you mention that you have never seen a Biblical
>discrepancy, well here's one. We know that god is against
>incest, and the punishment for incest is death. So how can you
>then say that the only option god gave Cain had for starting a
>family was by having an incestuous relationship with his
>sister. And also for god a sin has always been a sin, so
>incest could not have been OK for Cain, then a sin for
>everyone else. What makes sense is that since god was so
>against incest, there were other people out there who Cain met
>and married. Which again brings up the question - who were
>they and where did they come from?
>
>

i like the kikuyu version of creation where god creates 9 young men to marry the daughters of gikuyu and mumbi carefully avoiding the incest story.