bible stories

[WannaLearn]

If someone tells you that they believe the bible is just a bunch of stories how do you start to prove them wrong?

[RickD]

If someone tells you that they believe the bible is just a bunch of stories how do you start to prove them wrong?

Maybe you could ask them to give you a specific example. Then do a little research and maybe show them how history agrees with the story.

You need to be careful you're not just getting into an argument with an atheist who isn't open to the truth. If they're not open, there may not be anything you could say that would convince them.

[WannaLearn]

What if they think all of it is? How was the bible brought up? and how do you know people writing the bible like john and all them weren't making it up?

[1over137]

What if they think all of it is? How was the bible brought up? and how do you know people writing the bible like john and all them weren't making it up?

For example, like was said many times on this forum: the stories does not show noble, glorious men, but sinful folks. Then women were witnesses which was not usual those times.

[Bigburger]

Thats it? thats all you have??

[PaulSacramento]

Nothing wrong with stories, especially since:
\sto·ry1 [stawr-ee, stohr-ee] Show IPA
noun, plural sto·ries.
1.
a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale.
2.
a fictitious tale, shorter and less elaborate than a novel.
3.
such narratives or tales as a branch of literature: song and story.
4.
the plot or succession of incidents of a novel, poem, drama, etc.: The characterizations were good, but the story was weak.
5.
a narration of an incident or a series of events or an example of these that is or may be narrated, as an anecdote, joke, etc.

[1over137]

Thats it? thats all you have??

Sorry, but am just baby Christian (ok, already 2+ years). Not good in this. So, i just wrote few examples.

[Bigburger]

sorry if I came off rude, I just thought there were better answers out there. The bible to me just doesn't seem reliable and is know way of knowing if it was ever true.

[Furstentum Liechtenstein]

If someone tells you that they believe the bible is just a bunch of stories how do you start to prove them wrong?

I don't. They wouldn't believe any proof, so why bother? Serious seekers after God don't come out and say ''The Bible is just a bunch of stories written by men''. Nor would they say something along these lines:

The bible to me just doesn't seem reliable and [there] is [no] way of knowing if it was ever true.

Christians would do well to know the difference between a serious enquiry from an honest seeker and a veiled spit-in-the-face from a senseless God-hater.

FL

[RickD]

Bigbooger,

Please change your profile to show that you are not Christian.

Thank You

[SeekingSanctuary]

First, Bigburger, I love your username. No idea why, I just love it a lot.

Secondly, you'd be surprised the info you pick up here. Here's some stuff I got from a guy name Bippy, seriously if you are reading a thread by that guy read every single word they are usually packed with info and explained in an easy way.

There once was a man named Sir William Ramsey (if you google it there were two, so double check you get the right one), this guy was an archeologist, and thanks to the time and place he grew up and was educated in he had a very strong antibible bias. Eventually he decided to research the books of Luke and Acts. They go into a lot of detail and should be easily falsifiable. So he went to work.

And worked.

And worked.

And worked.

Eventually he verified most of the book. Every title he got right, even minor events that would have been recorded. For example, a lot of armchair atheists say that there was no way a census would force people to go back to their home town. That it was a stupid idea. Totally verified by this guy in the mid-19th century. So you'd be surprised. Also he converted to Christianity because of his work.

If you want to learn a little more detail here's a link: http://pleaseconvinceme.com/2012/the-ne ... erifiable/ It is a bit biased for Christianity, seems pretty fact based. (What? Biases in either direction should be noted). The site has some other historical apologetics you might want to look into.

As for the miracles, history has a hard time verifying those. Some stuff came up in conversation on the Shroud of Turin thread and, Bippy once again, found some stuff. If you ever read the Bible there is a pretty awesome scene that is overlooked a lot. When Jesus died everything went dark, like an eclipse but there wasn't supposed to be one. http://www.reasonablefaith.org/thallus- ... ss-at-noon
This is recorded by nonChristian sources. Now, the argument does get complicated, but if you end up reading any of it yes the Jewish calendar has changed since the Crucificixion, as far as I know the moon was still located opposite side of the sky like recorded. Also the darkness was recorded in other sources as being out of the ordinary.
Another similar event is the Earthquake. Here's another link http://www.nbcnews.com/id/47555983/ns/t ... 2m7201eFUE
So, yes, there was an Earthquake at about the right time. In fact, some have tried to argue the earthquake caused the image on the Shroud (which is how I first heard of it) (not that I believe the Shroud, that thing is just freaking weird).

So, in summary: We have titles turn out to be accurate, geography turning out be accurate, and it looks like the eclipse and earthquake, at least so far, seem a pretty good chance of being accurate. While we cannot confirm those two 100%, this certainly seems weird.

As to other miracles, they were talked about by the Aposltic Fathers. This is talked about on the mainsite, apparently it was discussed in great detail about what Jesus could actually do and how he did it. Based on the fact that at no point did they feel the need to address whether he did it or not, it certainly seems there were enough eye witness testimonies at the time to say the miracles were real. They did have to argue against him being some sort of Egyptian Wizard of some sort (black magic was more believable to some people, go figure).

So, there is a lot that backs is up. The miracle stuff I know isn't enough to say diddly on their own, but with the ton of work in archaeology backing up the historic facts like politicians and titles it is certainly worth looking into. A lot is backed up by science.

As far as the Old Testament goes: Yeah I got nothing. Its a lot older.

[neo-x]

sorry if I came off rude, I just thought there were better answers out there. The bible to me just doesn't seem reliable and is know way of knowing if it was ever true.

Faith is more than just a belief in the book.

[1over137]

Thanks SeekingSancturary for more detailed info.