My thread on Hell got totally derailed, which I accept responsibility for, because I wanted to address the topic of miracles and magic in the Bible. Rather than keep that thread derailing (because I'm still interested in the topic I started it for), I would like to talk about the miracles and magic here.
OK, firstly, when I read the Old Testament, I get the strong impression that the people were used to miracles and magic. This, I believe, was my main point. The manner and quickness with which the Israelites abandoned a seemingly powerful God for other gods, described with great frequency in the Bible, is astounding. These people had witnessed mighty acts of God, and yet they can turn away from him so easily. Why is this? I would have to admit, even as an agnostic, that if I saw pillars of fire and smoke leading me every day, that there was a God. If I saw the sea parted and I walked through it, I would not be able to deny the existence of God. If I lived under a mountain of which the summit was rumbling with the voice of God, I would do my best to please that deity. Such things are irrefutable. And yet, the Israelites are rightly described by God as "playing the harlot" all too frequently.
My point is that I have trouble believing such stories of the miraculous and magical world of the Israelites. Maybe the miracles weren't that frequent, but there are enough of them in the Bible to make me believe that such occurances were, at least, regular.
You question why atheists frequently ask why such things do not occur today but you didn't give an answer.
I've never heard of this before. Where are you getting this from?
That's quite a bit different from your previous statement! Here you have qualified yourself to talking exclusively about a 40-year period, perhaps a little longer. Out of a 4,000 year history BC, please notice this "golden age" represents 10%, the tithe, that "belongs to the Lord." Also please notice all these numbers were recorded (or concocted, if you prefer) before Christ was born, by people that still do not believe Jesus is Messiah. I know I know, coincidence, right?
So out of the entire history of the Jews, there was this brief moment where Israel as a whole came to take not only miracles, but G-d's Presence for granted. Very astute observation! What we should be taking away from this
is, among other things, the answer to some very demanding questions posed by atheists here lately: why G-d does not furnish any such proofs with such regularity that we can take them for granted.
Now to address magic:
there is VERY little occurrence of it anywhere in the Bible. Did you know "Pharaoh's magicians" was the same guy that was a Prophet from outside Israel, who had a donkey talk to him? Him and his sons. He was sought out by Kings at age 16; a very unusual character. I know of 2 other instances of any sort of magic, one in the OT and one in the new. Again, not at all a frequent occurrence as you suggested.
Clearly they did NOT explain sticks into snakes Even if this were later embellishment, and even if the Exodus never even happened, the rich collection of points in the text are still applicable in the daily life of the believer, today. This is why we have it!
No, we have no indication from the text any such event was common in those days. The implication is the opposite!
Miracles of God vs mishaps of nature = false dichotomy.
OK, firstly, when I read the Old Testament, I get the strong impression that the people were used to miracles and magic. This, I believe, was my main point. The manner and quickness with which the Israelites abandoned a seemingly powerful God for other gods, described with great frequency in the Bible, is astounding. These people had witnessed mighty acts of God, and yet they can turn away from him so easily. Why is this? I would have to admit, even as an agnostic, that if I saw pillars of fire and smoke leading me every day, that there was a God. If I saw the sea parted and I walked through it, I would not be able to deny the existence of God. If I lived under a mountain of which the summit was rumbling with the voice of God, I would do my best to please that deity. Such things are irrefutable. And yet, the Israelites are rightly described by God as "playing the harlot" all too frequently.
My point is that I have trouble believing such stories of the miraculous and magical world of the Israelites. Maybe the miracles weren't that frequent, but there are enough of them in the Bible to make me believe that such occurances were, at least, regular.
You question why atheists frequently ask why such things do not occur today but you didn't give an answer.
Did you know "Pharaoh's magicians" was the same guy that was a Prophet from outside Israel, who had a donkey talk to him? Him and his sons. He was sought out by Kings at age 16; a very unusual character. I know of 2 other instances of any sort of magic, one in the OT and one in the new.
I've never heard of this before. Where are you getting this from?