From: "Bill Lucy" 


"Randall Parker"  wrote in message
news:MPG.1328f1af6a25541e98a01c{at}news.barkto.com...
> > a number of theologians on the topic. From what I recall, there was no
> > consensus.
>
> So how am I supposed to know whether the Bible conflicts with my own
> views of the subject? I have to say, if the Bible does conflict with my
> views on this matter that to me is another reason to not take it as
> anything that can be considered the word of God.

That's a fundamental question, Randall, and not easily answered by amateur
exegetes like us.

I do understand though how you struggle with this. How can 10, or 100, or
1,000, educated people come to different decisions on what's in a book?
Well, think of Tom Clancy. There are some who think he's great. Some think
that he's written some really good stuff, and the other is not so good.
Some say that he's written nothing but dribble with some technological
googaws in it to keep it interesting.

Is Clancy devinely inspired? I don't doubt it. I think anyone who writes
has something magical or God-inspired in them. Is his writing perfect? If
it were, wouldn't everyone love it?

Well, no. We are human, and our frailties as humans prevent acceptance of
perfection at times.

That same thing becomes true of the Bible. We find parts of the Bible easy
and/or fulfilling and parts difficult to read and understand.

I highly recommend Peter Gomes "The Good Book". It's a bit
difficult to go through, because Gomes is meticulous. But it does give some
understanding of the struggle.



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