MacFall
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- Nov 24, 2007
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I already believe that men, especially those seeking power, have messed with the Bible quite a bit - not directly, but indirectly, using errors as leverage. Most English translations bear serious errors in terms of differences from the original languages in which they were written, and often people's ignorance of the idiomatic meanings of what was written colors their beliefs. Some people, either in like ignorance, or in some cases knowing better, have used Man's faith in the Bible (a printed work, to be distinguished from God's Word, which is the person of Christ) to evil ends.
There is also the question of compilation. If we believe the Bible is true, then we must accept that it is the last dispensation of direct inspiration given to man by God, because that is in the Bible. In that case, we must ask by what authority did the Synod of Hippo, three centuries after the cessation of direct inspiration, decide what books should be canon and which should not? How do we know the individuals involved did not omit certain things that might have been edifying, and ensure that some things that could be used for their agendas were included? The fact is, we don't.
And yet I remain a Christian. I believe that God's word is written on the hearts of Man, and the Bible is only a tool for helping Man discern it. It is a tool crafted by the hands of men, and so will contain imperfections. I have unlimited faith in God, but I do not have unlimited faith in man to accurately transcribe His word. And if the latter were a condition of the former, I probably would not believe. Because of that faith, I believe that God has ensured that the Bible remains a useful tool. He also gives us reason, through the application of which we can resolve the apparent contradictions that result from poor translation or idiomatic misunderstanding. And He will be faithful to convict us of the truth if we earnestly seek Him.
As I've said before, the only thing that would seriously challenge my faith would be evidence, sufficient to overcome the testimony borne unto death by his disciples, that Christ was never crucified and raised from the dead. The world's cleverest anti-theists have failed to present me with such evidence, and I doubt that anything better for their case will ever turn up than that which has already been contrived.
There is also the question of compilation. If we believe the Bible is true, then we must accept that it is the last dispensation of direct inspiration given to man by God, because that is in the Bible. In that case, we must ask by what authority did the Synod of Hippo, three centuries after the cessation of direct inspiration, decide what books should be canon and which should not? How do we know the individuals involved did not omit certain things that might have been edifying, and ensure that some things that could be used for their agendas were included? The fact is, we don't.
And yet I remain a Christian. I believe that God's word is written on the hearts of Man, and the Bible is only a tool for helping Man discern it. It is a tool crafted by the hands of men, and so will contain imperfections. I have unlimited faith in God, but I do not have unlimited faith in man to accurately transcribe His word. And if the latter were a condition of the former, I probably would not believe. Because of that faith, I believe that God has ensured that the Bible remains a useful tool. He also gives us reason, through the application of which we can resolve the apparent contradictions that result from poor translation or idiomatic misunderstanding. And He will be faithful to convict us of the truth if we earnestly seek Him.
As I've said before, the only thing that would seriously challenge my faith would be evidence, sufficient to overcome the testimony borne unto death by his disciples, that Christ was never crucified and raised from the dead. The world's cleverest anti-theists have failed to present me with such evidence, and I doubt that anything better for their case will ever turn up than that which has already been contrived.
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