Well, the fact of teh matter is, there are about 100 major contradictions in Scripture. We could devote a whole thread to just those. I find Genesis provides two conflicting chronologies, for example. I don't see how one can miss that. In Gen. 1, first animals, then man and woman together. In Gen. 2, first man, then animals, then woman. Also there is the matter of 2 Sam. 21:19, which, in the original Hebrew, states that Elhanan killed Goliath of Gath. If you Bible says "brother of," that was something added in by the translators. So there two for you right here to think on. Also, there is the sticky matter of the canon. Which Bible is the right one? The Septuagint or the Masoretic? In other words, should the Bible include the Apocrypha or not? Largely, that whole matter rests on some arbitrary human decision-making down the line.The jury is out for me Hoghead. Until then, I'll keep the more literal understanding of God's word as what I believe, at least until something comes along that causes me not to (and so far, I'm not convinced by the things I've learned ).
Also (for whatever it's worth), I don't believe in a "passive reception" of the word of God. Rather, I believe that God worked through the human authors and their personalities, perspectives, etc. (which He is responsible for creating) when the Bible was written, and I believe that He did so in such a way that every verse and passage says exactly what He meant them to say.
Otherwise, the Bible is simply a collection of the sayings of men and not the word of God. So that explains the literary style differences. As for true contradictions, I've read the entire Bible at least once or twice and have yet to find any (or at least any of grave significance). Please post a couple so I/we can see what you mean. Thanks!
And if it's true that God is not omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, or for that matter, if there is a single "maverick molecule" that is outside of His purview and ordination, then at least two other things are true as well, 1) He's a very powerful being, but He's not "God" and 2) there isn't a single thing He's said to or promised us that I would be able to depend on coming true.
How does the saying go, "He's either God of all, or He's not God at all" .. or something like that.
God ordaining whatsoever comes to pass can simply mean that He has "approved" of it happening (IOW, that He's "allowing" it to happen), it doesn't have to mean that He is the "cause" behind it This is especially true, for instance, when He ok's something that is sinful.
We're getting pretty far away from Genesis 1-2, yes?
--David
Next, correct me if I am wrong, but you seem to be assuming that God is a cosmic dictator with complete and total monopolistic control over the universe. Everything that happens was all predetermined by God to happen. I take issue with the model of God. I believe divine omnipotence is a major theological mistake. It undercuts any sense of freedom and choice. If wee have some real degree of freedom, then we have to decide for ourselves. God cannot decide for us. Also, omnipotence makes God the author of all evil. I view the universe as more like a democracy. I believe it takes far more skill to rule over a democracy, participate in the free self-decisions of others, than to be a dictator.
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