Discussions

May 7, 2023

Two ideas which are usually considered acceptable in all discussion are these:

• Facts are essential to understanding and accurate conclusions.
• If we do not learn from History, then we are bound to repeat it.

This implies to me the importance of fact based history, in which we all can learn from Humanity’s past mistakes. Unfortunately, historical records — called “books” — have recently been placed on the Executive Editors’ cutting table — butchering the lessons people — especially the youth of the world — the important lessons we all might learn, so as not to repeat the same mistakes over and over and over again. Naturally, my intellectual challenge is to those self-appointed Superiors who have presumed to be qualified to do the editing.

Another idea that apparently is highly debatable in all discussions is this:

• The Bible is an accurate historical account recorded by people who lived it and expressed it in various literary styles, including eyewitness accounts, prophetic revelation, poetry, allegory, and other personal mindsets.

These are usually considered variables in all discussions that lead to the conclusions that all the ideas are simple conjecture and matters of opinion. So, the Bible is a justifiable target for criticism and consequential rejection.

I wish people were more cynical about historical texts that have deleted the ugly in favor of the more pleasant whitewashed view. I would note here that, as I have written before, the Bible is a history of people, showing a “warts and all” view and a “meat and potatoes” realism of the lives recorded therein.

One instance in the recorded life teachings of Jesus is just after the crowds had listened to what is referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount,” in which, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority — quite unlike their teachers of religious law.” — Matthew 7:28–29, NLT

In other words, He knew exactly what He was talking about — even though oftentimes even His Disciples did not quite get the right idea — and Jesus backed up His words with actions — healings and miracles which also amazed those present…

Again, because these eyewitness accounts are doubted by so many, and like lions tearing up their prey, they feel in their guts an unrelenting need to “intellectually” devour the life changing ideas contained in them. Cynically refusing to listen, to see the light of the ideas contained therein. They consider it to be their highest calling and duty to prove the Bible as Fantasy, not an historical work, and therefore, not worth reading in any pragmatic or intellectually honest sense.

However, one famous Believer, the apostle, Paul, answered this way: “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.’ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” — 1 Corinthians 1:18–21, NLT

You see, the Bible history says repeatedly — and unfortunately — that people quickly forget how God provides, protects, and purposes Humanity for their own good — not His, because God does not need us whatsoever.

That begs the question, “So why does He go to all the trouble to save us from ourselves and our continual forgetfulness?” Or, as the Cynics might ask, “Why do people think that there exists or that Humanity needs the God of the Bible?”

Admittedly, the answer to both those questions is a personal choice. We all must decide by each individual’s own free will. Everything is always a choice. Everyone is free to choose. That is also recorded in the Bible.

You can Google this Biblical principle at many such sites as https://www.quora.com/Why-did-God-give-us-the-freedom-of-choice

Anyways, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” — Galatians 5:1, NIV

Finally, many Cynics and Critics base their conclusions with logical questions based on what they believe are “facts,” but are actually based on archaic words and misinterpretations and passages wrenched from their context. Otherwise, they would be logical and justifiable challenges to the veracity of the Bible. However, just like basing Scientific theories on weak, unproven, or wrong information — like “the world is flat” — basing conclusions on weak, unproven, or wrong information about the Bible also leads to error and an avalanche of further errant conclusions. (If “A” plus “B” equals “C,” but “B” is untrue, then the calculated answer “C” is also untrue.)

In conclusion, two passages from the Bible:

• Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10, NIV
• Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:31 NIV

It remains your decision, your choice. You can actually choose to believe, and God will not force Himself upon you. So, you can also choose not to believe…