Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeI’d rather approach this by looking at parts of the Bible that are meant to be convincing and convincing of what, and people’s opinion of whether they are successful. People more studied than I.
To Christians and non-Christians alike. Which book of the Bible is the least convincing?
Yes, I know for Christians it is all the word of God, but I am curious if there are particular books of the Bible that you personally struggle with?
I will share my own particular struggles shortly.
Originally posted by @fmfI find it interesting that you are able to identify a specific book of the Bible that was 'the first to go' when you lost your faith and was actually a factor in the loss of your Christian beliefs.
I wonder if any other NT book has contributed as much to Christians questioning and then abandoning their faith as the Book of Revelation has. Or perhaps it is only me amongst the ex-Christians here.
Over the years, there have been a few Christians here on this Forum who have expressed some reservations about it, but I cannot remember who exactly.
I've ...[text shortened]... e Bible to "go" when I entered into the process that resulted in me realizing I'd lost my faith.
Was it a bit like a bad and unbelievable ending ruining a potentially good book?
Originally posted by @whodeyYes, the book of Job would top my list as well. (For obvious reasons).
The book of Job.
One of these days I will find work.
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Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeJob shows that bad things happen to good people and there is no rational explanation. (Not that it stops people from trying. The lion's share of the book is futile attempts at explanation. Only God is smart enough not to bother with one.)
Yes, the book of Job would top my list as well. (For obvious reasons).
My personal "least convincing" book is Genesis, hands down. However, it may be the most interesting to discuss. The Noah's Ark story alone has provided many hours of entertainment, thanks to people who insist on using physical evidence to prove it happened.
Originally posted by @bigdoggproblemThere is also the question as to why such an omnipotent deity needs to prove anything to the devil in the first place, especially at the expense of a pious man.
Job shows that bad things happen to good people and there is no rational explanation. (Not that it stops people from trying. The lion's share of the book is futile attempts at explanation. Only God is smart enough not to bother with one.)
My personal "least convincing" book is Genesis, hands down. However, it may be the most interesting to discuss ...[text shortened]... s of entertainment, thanks to people who insist on using physical evidence to prove it happened.
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Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeOddly, the OT God seems not to be fully omnipotent. He had to go down and check if the evil in Sodom and Gomorrah was as bad as he'd heard. He had a back to turn to Moses (implying he might not see something behind him). Adam and Eve hid from him, and he had to call out to find them.
There is also the question as to why such an omnipotent deity needs to prove anything to the devil in the first place, especially at the expense of a pious man.
Originally posted by @rajk999Did Paul believe Christians were under the law? Did the Apostle John?
If that is what you think then you are as dense as a doorknob. Even people with no interest in religion or Christianity can see that I quote directly from what Jesus and the Apostles preach. Never once have I quoted the writings of men or churches, neither have I ever presented my own opinions, unless the bible silent on that topic.
When Jesus and the Apostles speak, I repeat it. Unlike you.
Originally posted by @rajk999It’s you that routinely flies off the handle and spews insults, invective and hate at Christians as you puff out your chest and condemn them to hell.
You cannot handle the heat. You are accustomed to having your little meetings where you can boss around others who have no opinion and all they do is nod in approval ... 😀
Originally posted by @romans1009It used to be in the KJV, but not anymore. It is part of what the RCC calls the "Apocrypha", along with books like Tobit and the Book of Enoch.
What Bible is that in (which version?) I don’t recognize it from the KJV, NIV or any other Bible I’ve read.
Originally posted by @suzianneWhat books of the Bible were the ones that the ex-Christians you've known cited as having been problematical or corrosive to their faith?
But I have to make this clear: there is nothing in the Hebrew or Greek Bible which would lead me to disavow my faith. Even the suggestion is nothing short of ludicrous to me.
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeNo it wasn't so much an ideological objection at that point. The question mark was over its authorship, how it came into being, and why it was in the Bible. This led to the simple question of why does one assume ~ or more to the point, why MUST a believer accept ~ that such a screed from such a source is divinely inspired. I suppose it was to me a bit like a spell being broken.
I find it interesting that you are able to identify a specific book of the Bible that was 'the first to go' when you lost your faith and was actually a factor in the loss of your Christian beliefs.
Was it a bit like a bad and unbelievable ending ruining a potentially good book?
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeFor the record, I'm fully convinced of and by all 66 books of the Bible.
To Christians and non-Christians alike. Which book of the Bible is the least convincing?
Yes, I know for Christians it is all the word of God, but I am curious if there are particular books of the Bible that you personally struggle with?
I will share my own particular struggles shortly.