What about the Bible?

 

If the bible has inconsistencies, how can you claim it to be ‘written by God.’? 

Most Christians don’t claim it was written by God.  Many claim it was inspired by God.  Article of Religion # 6 in the Book of Common Prayer of the Anglican Church states (language updated for clarity):

‘VI. Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation.

Holy Scripture (i.e.: the bible) contains all things necessary to salvation.  Anything not in (nor proved by) the bible is not required to be believed as part of the Christian faith nor thought needed for salvation.’  

So, first, the bible contains everything needed for our salvation, and second, nothing that is not of the bible or can be proved from it, is necessary for our salvation.  From that point of view, it is Inspired and Godly.

So it’s not written by God, but inspired by God?

It was written by people.  Some may have had an idea they were writing down ‘holy scripture’, some may not.  For example, it’s pretty sure that the Apostle Paul was intending to write letters to specific communities about issues living the Christian life, while the authors of the Gospels and the book of Acts were intending more scripture-like documents, and the writer of Joshua was probably intending to write something to be accepted by the community as holy scripture.  Probably Paul never sat down with the thought “and now I shall dictate holy scripture.”  On the other hand, he did probably think “and now I shall dictate to my problematic little congregation, rebuke them for their conduct, and explain to them the life which God really wants them to lead instead.”  And the community felt his letters were worth saving.

Explain the claim ‘the bible contains everything necessary to salvation.’  What are your personal feelings on this?

 

Share your answers with others whom you trust.

 

 

 

+David