what does the bible really teach?

Is the study publication JW use as a study guide along with the bible, to help make it easier to understand the bible. I will post a chapter each mon, along with questions to help keep the thoughts expressed, freshly in mind after each subsequent chapter. Feel free to ask any questions. Very good read. Enjoy!

Is This What God Purposed?
READ any newspaper. Look at television, or listen to the radio. There are so many stories of crime, war, and terrorism! Think about your own troubles. Perhaps illness or the death of a loved one is causing you great distress. You may feel like the good man Job, who said that he was “drenched with misery.”—Job 10:15, The Holy Bible in the Language of Today.Ask yourself:Is this what God purposed for me and for the rest of mankind?Where can I find help to cope with my problems?The Bible provides satisfying answers to these questions.THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD WILL BRING ABOUT THESE CHANGES ON THE EARTH.
“He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”—Revelation 21:4

“The lame one will climb up just as a stag does.”—Isaiah 35:6

“The eyes of the blind ones will be opened.”—Isaiah 35:5

“All those in the memorial tombs will .*.*. come out.”—John 5:28,*29

“No resident will say: ’I am sick.‘”—Isaiah 33:24

“There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth.”—Psalm 72:16

BENEFIT FROM WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES Do not quickly dismiss what is presented as mere wishful thinking. God has promised to bring these things about, and the Bible explains how he will do so.But the Bible does more than that. It provides the key to your enjoying a truly satisfying life even now. Think for a moment about your own anxieties and troubles. They may include money matters, family problems, loss of health, or the death of a loved one. The Bible can help you to deal with problems today, and it can provide relief by answering such questions as these:Why do we suffer?How can we cope with life‘s anxieties?How can we make our family life happier?What happens to us when we die?Will we ever see our dead loved ones again?How can we be sure that God will fulfill his promises for the future? what the Bible really teaches!GET TO KNOW YOUR BIBLE

THERE are 66 books and letters that make up the Bible. These are divided into chapters and verses for easy reference. When scriptures are cited in this publication, the first number after the name indicates the chapter of the Bible book or letter, and the next refers to the verse. For example, the citation “2*Timothy 3:16” means the second letter to Timothy, chapter*3, verse*16.

You will quickly become familiar with the Bible by looking up the scriptures cited in this publication. Also, why not start a program of daily Bible reading? By reading three to five chapters a day, you can read the entire Bible in a year.

What Is the Truth About God?

Does God really care about you?
What is God like? Does he have a name?
Is it possible to get close to God?
HAVE you ever noticed the way children ask questions? Many start asking as soon as they learn to speak. With wide, eager eyes, they look up at you and ask such things as: Why is the sky blue? What are the stars made of? Who taught the birds to sing? You may try hard to answer, but it is not always easy. Even your best answer may lead to yet another question: Why?

2 Children are not the only ones who ask questions. As we grow up, we keep asking. We do this in order to find our way, to learn of dangers that we need to avoid, or to satisfy our curiosity. But many people seem to stop asking questions, especially the most important ones. At least, they stop searching for the answers.

3 Think about the question on the cover of this book, the questions raised in the preface, or those at the beginning of this chapter. These are some of the most important questions you can ask. Yet, many people have given up trying to find the answers. Why? Does the Bible have the answers? Some feel that its answers are too hard to understand. Others worry that asking questions could lead to shame or embarrassment. And some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teachers. What about you?

4 Very likely you are interested in getting answers to life’s big questions. No doubt you sometimes wonder: ‘What is the purpose of life? Is this life all there is? What is God really like?’ It is good to ask such questions, and it is important that you do not give up until you find satisfying, reliable answers. The famous teacher Jesus Christ said: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you.”—Matthew 7:7.

5 If you “keep on seeking” for answers to the important questions, you will find that the search can be very rewarding. (Proverbs 2:1-5) Despite what other people may have told you, there are answers, and you can find them—in the Bible. The answers are not too hard to understand. Better yet, they bring hope and joy. And they can help you to live a satisfying life right now. To begin, let us consider a question that has troubled many people.
IS GOD UNCARING AND HARDHEARTED?

6 Many people think that the answer to that question is yes. ‘If God cared,’ they reason, ‘would not the world be a very different place?’ We look around and see a world full of war, hatred, and misery. And as individuals, we get sick, we suffer, we lose loved ones in death. Thus, many say, ‘If God cared about us and our problems, would he not prevent such things from happening?’

7 Worse yet, religious teachers sometimes lead people to think that God is hardhearted. How so? When tragedy strikes, they say that it is God’s will. In effect, such teachers blame God for the bad things that happen. Is that the truth about God? What does the Bible really teach? James 1:13 answers: “When under trial, let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.” So God is never the source of the wickedness you see in the world around you. (Job 34:10-12) Granted, he does allow bad things to happen. But there is a big difference between allowing something to happen and causing it.

8 For example, think about a wise and loving father with a grown son who is still living at home with his parents. When the son becomes rebellious and decides to leave home, his father does not stop him. The son pursues a bad way of life and gets into trouble. Is the father the cause of his son’s problems? No. (Luke 15:11-13) Similarly, God has not stopped humans when they have chosen to pursue a bad course, but he is not the cause of the problems that have resulted. Surely, then, it would be unfair to blame God for all the troubles of mankind.

9 God has good reasons for allowing mankind to follow a bad course. As our wise and powerful Creator, he does not have to explain his reasons to us. Out of love, however, God does this. You will learn more about these reasons in Chapter*11. But rest assured that God is not responsible for the problems we face. On the contrary, he gives us the only hope for a solution!—Isaiah 33:2.

10 Furthermore, God is holy. (Isaiah 6:3) This means that he is pure and clean. There is no trace of badness in him. So we can trust him completely. That is more than we can say for humans, who sometimes become corrupt. Even the most honest human in authority often does not have the power to undo the damage that bad people do. But God is all-powerful. He can and will undo all the effects that wickedness has had on mankind. When God acts, he will do so in a way that will end evil forever!—Psalm 37:9-11.
HOW DOES GOD FEEL ABOUT INJUSTICES WE FACE?

11 In the meantime, how does God feel about what is going on in the world and in your life? Well, the Bible teaches that God is “a lover of justice.” (Psalm 37:28) So he cares deeply about what is right and what is wrong. He hates all kinds of injustice. The Bible says that God “felt hurt at his heart” when badness filled the world in times past. (Genesis 6:5,*6) God has not changed. (Malachi 3:6) He still hates to see the suffering that is taking place worldwide. And God hates to see people suffer. “He cares for you,” the Bible says.—1*Peter 5:7.

12 How can we be sure that God hates to see suffering? Here is further proof. The Bible teaches that man was made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26) We thus have good qualities because God has good qualities. For example, does it bother you to see innocent people suffer? If you care about such injustices, be assured that God feels even more strongly about them.

13 One of the best things about humans is our ability to love. That also reflects God. The Bible teaches that “God is love.” (1*John 4:8) We love because God loves. Would love move you to end the suffering and the injustice you see in the world? If you had the power to do that, would you do it? Of course you would! You can be just as sure that God will end suffering and injustice. The promises mentioned in the preface of this book are not mere dreams or idle hopes. God’s promises are sure to come true! In order to put faith in such promises, though, you need to know more about the God who has made them.
GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW WHO HE IS

14 If you want someone to get to know you, what might you do? Would you not tell the person your name? Does God have a name? Many religions answer that his name is “God” or “Lord,” but those are not personal names. They are titles, just as “king” and “president” are titles. The Bible teaches that God has many titles. “God” and “Lord” are among them. However, the Bible also teaches that God has a personal name: Jehovah. Psalm 83:18 says: “You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” If your Bible translation does not contain that name, you may want to consult the Appendix of this book to learn why that is so. The truth is that God’s name appears thousands of times in ancient Bible manuscripts. So Jehovah wants you to know his name and to use it. In a sense, he is using the Bible to introduce himself to you.
When you want someone to get to know you, do you not mention your name? God reveals his name to us in the Bible

15 God gave himself a name that is full of meaning. His name, Jehovah, means that God can fulfill any promise he makes and can carry out any purpose he has in mind.* God’s name is unique, one of a kind. It belongs only to him. In a number of ways, Jehovah is unique. How is that so?

16 We saw that Psalm 83:18 said of Jehovah: “You alone are the Most High.” Similarly, Jehovah alone is referred to as “the Almighty.” Revelation 15:3 says: “Great and wonderful are your works, Jehovah God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are your ways, King of eternity.” The title “the Almighty” teaches us that Jehovah is the most powerful being there is. His power is unmatched; it is supreme. And the title “King of eternity” reminds us that Jehovah is unique in another sense. He alone has always existed. Psalm 90:2 says: “Even from time indefinite to time indefinite [or, forever] you are God.” That thought inspires awe, does it not?

17 Jehovah is also unique in that he alone is the Creator. Revelation 4:11 reads: “You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.” Everything that you can think of—from the invisible spirit creatures in heaven to the stars that fill the night sky to the fruit that grows on the trees to the fish that swim in the oceans and rivers—all of it exists because Jehovah is the Creator!
CAN YOU BE CLOSE TO JEHOVAH?

18 Reading about Jehovah’s awe-inspiring qualities makes some people feel a little uneasy. They fear that God is too high for them, that they could never get close to him or even matter to such a lofty God. But is this idea correct? The Bible teaches just the opposite. It says of Jehovah: “In fact, he is not far off from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27) The Bible even urges us: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.”—James 4:8.
The Bible teaches that Jehovah is the loving Creator of the universe

19 How can you draw close to God? To begin with, continue doing what you are doing now—learning about God. Jesus said: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) Yes, the Bible teaches that learning about Jehovah and Jesus leads to “everlasting life”! As already noted, “God is love.” (1*John 4:16) Jehovah also has many other beautiful and appealing qualities. For example, the Bible says that Jehovah is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6) He is “good and ready to forgive.” (Psalm 86:5) God is patient. (2*Peter 3:9) He is loyal. (Revelation 15:4) As you read more in the Bible, you will see how Jehovah has shown that he has these and many other appealing qualities.

20 True, you cannot see God because he is an invisible spirit. (John 1:18; 4:24; 1*Timothy 1:17) By learning about him through the pages of the Bible, however, you can come to know him as a person. As the psalmist said, you can “behold the pleasantness of Jehovah.” (Psalm 27:4; Romans 1:20) The more you learn about Jehovah, the more real he will become to you and the more reason you will have to love him and feel close to him.
The love that a good father feels for his children reflects the greater love that our heavenly Father feels for us

21 You will come to understand why the Bible teaches us to think of Jehovah as our Father. (Matthew 6:9) Not only does our life come from him but he wants the best life possible for us—just as any loving father would want for his children. (Psalm 36:9) The Bible also teaches that humans can become Jehovah’s friends. (James 2:23) Imagine—you can become a friend of the Creator of the universe!

22 As you learn more from the Bible, you may find that some well-meaning people will urge you to stop such studies. They may worry that you will change your beliefs. But do not let anyone stop you from forming the best friendship you can ever have.

23 Of course, there will be things that you do not understand at first. It can be a little humbling to ask for help, but do not hold back because of embarrassment. Jesus said that it is good to be humble, like a little child. (Matthew 18:2-4) And children, as we know, ask a lot of questions. God wants you to find the answers. The Bible praises some who were eager to learn about God. They checked carefully in the Scriptures to make sure that what they were learning was the truth.—Acts 17:11.

24 The best way to learn about Jehovah is to examine the Bible. It is different from any other book. In what way? The next chapter will consider that subject.
***There is more information on the meaning and the pronunciation of God’s name in the Appendix.


WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
God cares about you personally.—1*Peter 5:7.
God’s personal name is Jehovah.—Psalm 83:18.
Jehovah invites you to draw close to him.—James 4:8.
Jehovah is loving, kind, and merciful.—Exodus 34:6; 1*John 4:8,*16.

Study Questions
1, 2.*Why is it often good to ask questions?
3. Why do many stop trying to find answers to the questions that matter most?
4, 5.*What are some of the most important questions we can ask in life, and why should we seek the answers?
6. Why do many people think that God is uncaring when it comes to human suffering?
7. (a)*How have religious teachers led many to think that God is hardhearted? (b)*What does the Bible really teach about the trials we may suffer?
8, 9.*(a)*How might you illustrate the difference between allowing wickedness to exist and causing it? (b)*Why would it be unfair for us to find fault with God’s decision to allow mankind to pursue a wayward course?
10. Why can we trust that God will undo all the effects of wickedness?
11. (a)*How does God feel about injustice? (b)*How does God feel about your suffering?
12, 13.*(a)*Why do we have good qualities such as love, and how does love affect our view of the world? (b)*Why can you be sure that God will really do something about world problems?
14. What is God’s name, and why should we use it?
15. What does the name Jehovah mean?
16, 17.*What may we learn about Jehovah from the following titles: (a)*“the Almighty”? (b)*“King of eternity”? (c)*“Creator”?
18. Why do some people feel that they could never get close to God, but what does the Bible teach?
19. (a)*How can we begin to draw close to God, and with what benefit? (b)*What qualities of God are most appealing to you?
20-22.*(a)*Does our inability to see God prevent us from getting close to him? Explain. (b)*What may some well-meaning people urge you to do, but what should you do?
23, 24.*(a)*Why should you continue to ask questions about what you are learning? (b)*What is the subject of the next chapter?

^^^ that's a lot of writing lol

I plan on reading the Bible from front to back, once I get some free time ..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KING~POETIQ

^^^ that's a lot of writing lol

I plan on reading the Bible from front to back, once I get some free time ..

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I am not a Christian, but I have a tremendous love for Jesus and his apostles.

The bible, especially the new testament: home to Jesus' main teachings, is full of hidden meanings (hidden because we can't wrap our head around many of Jesus and his apostles' sayings, unless we come to the teachings with innocence and a humble mind, ready to learn slowly and contemplatively, looking to reform errors in our understanding, daily).

Here are just a few biblical quotes that I have saved on my FB page, because they struck me as very profound and meaningful, along with my personal explanations (based on my understandings).

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -The Apostle Paul

• Explanation: Don't focus on that which is temporary, e.g., cars, money, health, or losses of either. In fact, if you lose any of these, be happy, in the knowledge that this has always been the case (with temporary things) and your spirit only yearns for the eternal

"Where your treasure is there your heart will be also." -Jesus

• Explanation: Reflect on what you treasure. If it is something petty, cheap (as is the case for all of us in this world), what does it say about you? Where can you practice, daily, directing your love?

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death." -John The Apostle

• Explanation: Love is the practice central to Jesus' ministry, not rules or hierarchy, just wordless love. Clearly, John wants us to know that we cannot be liberated, ascend to spirituality, without practicing real love.

"Whoever has been forgiven little loves little." -Jesus

• Explanation: This is part of Jesus' reply to a pharisee who looked down on Jesus for allowing an adulteress to touch him. He explained, as he does throughout the new testament, that he forgives even the greatest of sins, more so than all of the powerful men who showed no mercy when Jesus always did, for all people. This should make all spiritual men and women who judge others seriously question their actions. In addition, here we learn that, without real love, we are cut off from the divine.

"My beloved brethren... hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" -James the Apostle

• Explanation: Poverty goes beyond material possessions. Inner poverty (of ideology, racial identity, nationalism, organizational affiliation, etc.) is the state necessary for an individual to be enriched, i.e., be heirs to the kingdom of God. And again, love is key.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." -Jesus

• Explanation: Jesus' message is about giving us rest, peace. And he calls himself meek (i.e., submissive); he says his burden is light, i.e., it is easy. Anything that feels painful about serving Christ is false, either on an individual's part or his religion's part.

My suggestion for taking on Jesus' light burden: get yourself a NIV (New International Version) bible, which is non-denominational and used throughout English-speaking nations; and read with one goal: to truly know Jesus' message. If you want to ask me some questions, I will certainly answer them.

PEACE & LOVE to all

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OGKnickfan

I am not a Christian, but I have a tremendous love for Jesus and his apostles.

The bible, especially the new testament: home to Jesus' main teachings, is full of hidden meanings (hidden because we can't wrap our head around many of Jesus and his apostles' sayings, unless we come to the teachings with innocence and a humble mind, ready to learn slowly and contemplatively, looking to reform errors in our understanding, daily).

Here are just a few biblical quotes that I have saved on my FB page, because they struck me as very profound and meaningful, along with my personal explanations (based on my understandings).

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -The Apostle Paul

• Explanation: Don't focus on that which is temporary, e.g., cars, money, health, or losses of either. In fact, if you lose any of these, be happy, in the knowledge that this has always been the case (with temporary things) and your spirit only yearns for the eternal

"Where your treasure is there your heart will be also." -Jesus

• Explanation: Reflect on what you treasure. If it is something petty, cheap (as is the case for all of us in this world), what does it say about you? Where can you practice, daily, directing your love?

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death." -John The Apostle

• Explanation: Love is the practice central to Jesus' ministry, not rules or hierarchy, just wordless love. Clearly, John wants us to know that we cannot be liberated, ascend to spirituality, without practicing real love.

"Whoever has been forgiven little loves little." -Jesus

• Explanation: This is part of Jesus' reply to a pharisee who looked down on Jesus for allowing an adulteress to touch him. He explained, as he does throughout the new testament, that he forgives even the greatest of sins, more so than all of the powerful men who showed no mercy when Jesus always did, for all people. This should make all spiritual men and women who judge others seriously question their actions. In addition, here we learn that, without real love, we are cut off from the divine.

"My beloved brethren... hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" -James the Apostle

• Explanation: Poverty goes beyond material possessions. Inner poverty (of ideology, racial identity, nationalism, organizational affiliation, etc.) is the state necessary for an individual to be enriched, i.e., be heirs to the kingdom of God. And again, love is key.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." -Jesus

• Explanation: Jesus' message is about giving us rest, peace. And he calls himself meek (i.e., submissive); he says his burden is light, i.e., it is easy. Anything that feels painful about serving Christ is false, either on an individual's part or his religion's part.

My suggestion for taking on Jesus' light burden: get yourself a NIV (New International Version) bible, which is non-denominational and used throughout English-speaking nations; and read with one goal: to truly know Jesus' message. If you want to ask me some questions, I will certainly answer them.

PEACE & LOVE to all

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I'm one of those "Christians" cause my parents are. I really haven't ever given the bible a good look. The New Testament looks interesting the way you put it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MBlackVJesusP7

I'm one of those "Christians" cause my parents are. I really haven't ever given the bible a good look. The New Testament looks interesting the way you put it.

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I grew up kind of like that: my folks were Christians, so I was one. However, I knew nothing about Jesus (though I thought I did, basing that belief on what I was taught). I would read the bible on my own and not be able to understand the meanings behind what was said. Preachers could not reach me (thankfully) with their warped interpretations and the parts of the bible they focused on, usually violent and threatening: hell and death or salvation (as leverage to force obedience, with no regard to the gaining of my love), as well as endless, pointless rules that could not bear the fruit Jesus asked be borne: love and compassion for all.

This was a huge turn off and caused me to pursue other religions, as well as atheism, a journey which taught me a lot that would later help me understand and appreciate Jesus' message for what it is and not for what baggage-laden humans that we are confuse it for.

I discovered that Jesus taught we should love all and hate none. He taught that we should love our enemies, which essentially means we should eventually have no enemies, as we continue to practice, and grow in, the law of love. Jesus taught never to judge and that in our efforts not to judge, we should even violate religion, as he did, protecting an adulterous woman from stoning (in spite of it being mandated in the old testament that she be stoned).

He constantly rebuked his apostles for essentially trying to get him to follow old testament customs and laws that he, the "Good Shepherd," as he referred to himself as, felt were unfair to his sheep. Why? Because real love, one can see, was always what Jesus felt should win the day, not rules or the piling up of people into black-and-white categories of good and bad. Jesus, contrary to preachers I have spoken to, I am sure would never condemn a good Buddhist, Muslim or Hindu. Jesus understood and understands people, when we could not, would not, will not and cannot. This should inspire humility in us, when we dare consider condemning others, even those who we have allowed ourselves to believe have harmed us.

Ultimately, you must find Jesus for yourself. The words of the bible are a guide to find what is behind the words. Find what is behind them and do not become trapped in words!

Some resources: go to biblegateway.com and just read some new testament scriptures (read a couple of gospels and then check out the epistles, i.e., the letters of the apostles to the early Christian communities... the themes of light, of peace, of justice will shine through, if you abandon all search for a way, for rules, in your reading and focus on the heart and the law of love which has no conditions, taught by "the light that shines in the darkness," Jesus.

Jesus surely even loves the devil and pities him for his ignorance, contrary to what many would say. Hate is only a hindrance, Jesus taught.

Number two: The greatest Christian mystic, in my opinion, is Thomas a Kempis, a Catholic medieval monk. Here is his devotional medieval text, The Imitation of Christ (the most read Christian text outside of the bible) it's precious:
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Of course, feel free to stay in touch, if you get stuck on a concept or teaching, in the course of your spiritual journey. I will offer my point of view, but ultimately you should find the truth on its own merits, denying others' egos but most of all your own, in which the biggest barrier to wisdom lies, is key.

Lastly, I should say that I am not proselytizing, as I am not a Christian: I am spiritual and love God, my concept of which is definable only in feeling and not words. If you were a Buddhist or showed interest in Buddhist texts, I would steer you in a different direction (appropriate to your interests). My goal is to help people find God (as they see It, She or He) and not just books or membership in an organization, which if not done for the sake of union with God (as called for in Hinduism, Christianity and other religions) is worthless.

Divine Grace to you all, my Beloved.

The bible- A book from God


In what ways is the Bible different from any other book?
How can the Bible help you cope with personal problems?
Why can you trust the prophecies recorded in the Bible?
CAN you recall a time when you received a fine gift from a dear friend? Likely, the experience was not only exciting but also heartwarming. After all, a gift tells you something about the giver—that he or she values your friendship. No doubt you expressed gratitude for your friend’s thoughtful gift.


2 The Bible is a gift from God, one for which we can be truly grateful. This unique book reveals things that we could never find out otherwise. For example, it tells us about the creation of the starry heavens, the earth, and the first man and woman. The Bible contains reliable principles to help us cope with life’s problems and anxieties. It explains how God will fulfill his purpose and bring about better conditions on the earth. What an exciting gift the Bible is!


3 The Bible is also a heartwarming gift, for it reveals something about the Giver, Jehovah God. The fact that he has provided such a book is proof that he wants us to get to know him well. Indeed, the Bible can help you to draw close to Jehovah.

4 If you have a copy of the Bible, you are far from alone. In whole or in part, the Bible has been published in more than 2,300 languages and thus is available to more than 90*percent of the world’s population. On the average, more than a million Bibles are distributed each week! Billions of copies of either the whole Bible or part of it have been produced. Surely, there is no other book like the Bible.
The “New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures” is available in many languages

5 Furthermore, the Bible “is inspired of God.” (2*Timothy 3:16) In what way? The Bible itself answers: “Men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.” (2*Peter 1:21) To illustrate: A businessman might have a secretary write a letter. That letter contains the businessman’s thoughts and instructions. Hence, it is really his letter, not the secretary’s. In a similar way, the Bible contains God’s message, not that of the men who wrote it down. Thus, the entire Bible truthfully is “the word of God.”—1*Thessalonians 2:13.

HARMONIOUS AND ACCURATE
6 The Bible was written over a 1,600-year period. Its writers lived at different times and came from many walks of life. Some were farmers, fishermen, and shepherds. Others were prophets, judges, and kings. The Gospel writer Luke was a doctor. Despite the varied backgrounds of its writers, the Bible is harmonious from beginning to end.*

7 The first book of the Bible tells us how mankind’s problems began. The last book shows that the whole earth will become a paradise, or garden. All the material in the Bible covers thousands of years of history and relates in some way to the unfolding of God’s purpose. The harmony of the Bible is impressive, but that is what we would expect of a book from God.

8 The Bible is scientifically accurate. It even contains information that was far ahead of its time. For example, the book of Leviticus contained laws for ancient Israel on quarantine and hygiene when surrounding nations knew nothing about such matters. At a time when there were wrong ideas about the shape of the earth, the Bible referred to it as a circle, or sphere. (Isaiah 40:22) The Bible accurately said that the earth ‘hangs on nothing.’ (Job 26:7) Of course, the Bible is not a science textbook. But when it touches on scientific matters, it is accurate. Is this not what we would expect of a book from God?

9 The Bible is also historically accurate and reliable. Its accounts are specific. They include not only the names but also the ancestry of individuals.# In contrast to secular historians, who often do not mention the defeats of their own people, Bible writers were honest, even recording their own failings and those of their nation. In the Bible book of Numbers, for instance, the writer Moses admits his own serious error for which he was severely reproved. (Numbers*20:2-12) Such honesty is rare in other historical accounts but is found in the Bible because it is a book from God.


A BOOK OF PRACTICAL WISDOM
10 Because the Bible is inspired of God, it is “beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight.” (2*Timothy 3:16) Yes, the Bible is a practical book. It reflects a keen understanding of human nature. No wonder, for its Author, Jehovah God, is the Creator! He understands our thinking and emotions better than we do. Furthermore, Jehovah knows what we need in order to be happy. He also knows what pathways we should avoid.

11 Consider Jesus’ speech called the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew chapters*5 to*7. In this masterpiece of teaching, Jesus spoke on a number of topics, including the way to find true happiness, how to settle disputes, how to pray, and how to have the proper view of material things. Jesus’ words are just as powerful and practical today as they were when he spoke them.

12 Some Bible principles deal with family life, work habits, and relationships with others. The Bible’s principles apply to all people, and its counsel is always beneficial. The wisdom found in the Bible is summarized by God’s words through the prophet Isaiah: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself.”—Isaiah 48:17.
A BOOK OF PROPHECY

13 The Bible contains numerous prophecies, many of which have already been fulfilled. Consider an example. Through the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the eighth century*B.C.E., Jehovah foretold that the city of Babylon would be destroyed. (Isaiah 13:19; 14:22,*23) Details were given to show just how this would happen. Invading armies would dry up Babylon’s river and march into the city without a battle. That is not all. Isaiah’s prophecy even named the king who would conquer Babylon—Cyrus.—Isaiah*44:27–45:2.
The Bible writer Isaiah foretold the fall of Babylon

14 Some 200 years later—on the night of October*5/6, 539*B.C.E.—an army encamped near Babylon. Who was its commander? A Persian king named Cyrus. The stage was thus set for the fulfillment of an amazing prophecy. But would the army of Cyrus invade Babylon without a battle, as foretold?

15 The Babylonians were holding a festival that night and felt secure behind their massive city walls. Meanwhile, Cyrus cleverly diverted the water of the river that flowed through the city. Soon the water was shallow enough for his men to cross the riverbed and approach the walls of the city. But how would Cyrus’ army get past Babylon’s walls? For some reason, on that night the doors to the city were carelessly left open!

16 Regarding Babylon, it was foretold: “She will never be inhabited, nor will she reside for generation after generation. And there the Arab will not pitch his tent, and no shepherds will let their flocks lie down there.” (Isaiah 13:20) This prophecy did more than predict a city’s fall. It showed that Babylon would be desolated permanently. You can see evidence of the fulfillment of these words. The uninhabited site of ancient Babylon—about 50*miles south of Baghdad, Iraq—is proof that what Jehovah spoke through Isaiah has been fulfilled: “I will sweep her with the broom of annihilation.”—Isaiah 14:22,*23.%
Ruins of Babylon

17 Considering how the Bible is a book of reliable prophecy is faith strengthening, is it not? After all, if Jehovah God has fulfilled his past promises, we have every reason to be confident that he will also fulfill his promise of a paradise earth. (Numbers*23:19) Indeed, we have “hope of the everlasting life which God, who cannot lie, promised before times long lasting.”—Titus 1:2.^

"THE WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE”
18 From what we have considered in this chapter, it is clear that the Bible is truly a unique book. Yet, its value extends far beyond its internal harmony, scientific and historical accuracy, practical wisdom, and reliable prophecy. The Christian apostle Paul wrote: “The word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.”—Hebrews 4:12.

19 Reading God’s “word,” or message, in the Bible can change our life. It can help us to examine ourselves as never before. We may claim to love God, but how we react to what his inspired Word, the Bible, teaches will reveal our true thoughts, even the very intentions of the heart.

20 The Bible truly is a book from God. It is a book that is to be read, studied, and loved. Show your gratitude for this divine gift by continuing to peer into its contents. As you do so, you will gain a deep appreciation of God’s purpose for mankind. Just what that purpose is and how it will be realized will be discussed in the following chapter.

***Although some people say that certain parts of the Bible contradict other parts of it, such claims are unfounded. See chapter*7 of the book The Bible—God’s Word or Man’s? published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

#**For example, note the detailed ancestral line of Jesus set out at Luke 3:23-38.
%**For more information on Bible prophecy, see pages*27-9 of the brochure A Book for All People, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

^**The destruction of Babylon is just one example of fulfilled Bible prophecy. Other examples include the destruction of Tyre and Nineveh. (Ezekiel 26:1-5; Zephaniah 2:13-15) Also, Daniel’s prophecy foretold a succession of world empires that would come into power after Babylon. These included Medo-Persia and Greece. (Daniel 8:5-7, 20-22) See the Appendix for a discussion of the many Messianic prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
The Bible is inspired of God and thus is accurate and reliable.—2*Timothy 3:16.
The information found in God’s Word is practical for everyday life.—Isaiah 48:17.
God’s promises found in the Bible are certain to be fulfilled.—Numbers*23:19.

Study Questions
1, 2. In what ways is the Bible an exciting gift from God?
3. What does the provision of the Bible tell us about Jehovah, and why is this heartwarming?
4. What impresses you about the distribution of the Bible?
5. In what way is the Bible “inspired of God”?
6, 7. Why is the harmony of the material in the Bible particularly noteworthy?
8. Give examples showing that the Bible is scientifically accurate.
9. (a)*In what ways does the Bible show itself to be historically accurate and reliable? (b)*What does the honesty of its writers tell you about the Bible?
10. Why is it not surprising that the Bible is a practical book?
11, 12. (a)*What topics did Jesus discuss in his Sermon on the Mount? (b)*What other practical matters are considered in the Bible, and why is its counsel timeless?
13. What details did Jehovah inspire the prophet Isaiah to record regarding Babylon?
14, 15. How were some details of Isaiah’s prophecy about Babylon fulfilled?
16. (a)*What did Isaiah foretell about the final outcome of Babylon? (b)*How was Isaiah’s prophecy about Babylon’s desolation fulfilled?
17. How is the fulfillment of Bible prophecy faith strengthening?
18. What powerful statement does the Christian apostle Paul make about “the word of God”?
19, 20. (a)*How can the Bible help you to examine yourself? (b)*How can you show your gratitude for God’s unique gift, the Bible

The bible is not scientifically accurate...at all. Go ahead and claim the moral teachings, although that is debatable, but please don't claim the bible is scientifically accurate or accurate about the creation of the starry heavens, the earth, and the first man and woman. This is just false.

What Is God’s Purpose for the Earth?




What is God’s purpose for mankind?

How has God been challenged?

What will life on earth be like in the future?

GOD’S purpose for the earth is really wonderful. Jehovah wants the earth to be filled with happy, healthy people. The Bible says that “God planted a garden in Eden” and that he “made to grow .*.*. every tree desirable to one’s sight and good for food.” After God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, He put them in that lovely home and told them: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28; 2:8, 9,*15) So it was God’s purpose that humans have children, extend the boundaries of that garden home earth wide, and take care of the animals.

2Do you think that Jehovah God’s purpose for people to live in an earthly paradise will ever be realized? “I have even spoken it,” God declares, “I shall also do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11; 55:11) Yes, what God purposes he will surely do! He says that he “did not create [the earth] simply for nothing” but “formed it even to be inhabited.” (Isaiah 45:18) What kind of people did God want to live on the earth? And for how long did he want them to live here? The Bible answers: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:29; Revelation 21:3,*4.

3 Obviously, this has not happened yet. People now get sick and die; they even fight and kill one another. Something went wrong. Surely, however, God did not purpose that the earth should be as we see it today! What happened? Why has God’s purpose not been fulfilled? No history book written by man can tell us because the trouble started in heaven.


THE ORIGIN OF AN ENEMY
4 The first book of the Bible tells of an opposer of God who showed up in the garden of Eden. He is described as “the serpent,” but he was not a mere animal. The last book of the Bible identifies him as “the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth.” He is also called “the original serpent.” (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9) This powerful angel, or invisible spirit creature, used a serpent to speak to Eve, even as a skilled person can make it seem that his voice is coming from a nearby doll or dummy. That spirit person had no doubt been present when God prepared the earth for humans.—Job 38:4,*7.

5 Since all of Jehovah’s creations are perfect, however, who made this “Devil,” this “Satan”? Put simply, one of the powerful spirit sons of God turned himself into the Devil. How was this possible? Well, today a person who was once decent and honest may become a thief. How does that happen? The person may allow a wrong desire to develop in his heart. If he keeps thinking about it, that wrong desire may become very strong. Then if the opportunity presents itself, he may act upon the bad desire that he has been thinking about.—James 1:13-15.

6 This happened in the case of Satan the Devil. He apparently heard God tell Adam and Eve to have children and to fill the earth with their offspring. (Genesis 1:27,*28) ‘Why, all these humans could worship me rather than God!’ Satan evidently thought. So a wrong desire built up in his heart. Eventually, he took action to deceive Eve by telling her lies about God. (Genesis 3:1-5) He thus became a “Devil,” which means “Slanderer.” At the same time, he became “Satan,” which means “Opposer.”

7 By using lies and trickery, Satan the Devil caused Adam and Eve to disobey God. (Genesis 2:17; 3:6) As a result, they eventually died, as God had said they would if they disobeyed. (Genesis 3:17-19) Since Adam became imperfect when he sinned, all his offspring inherited sin from him. (Romans 5:12) The situation might be illustrated with a pan used for baking bread. If the pan has a dent in it, what happens to each loaf of bread made in the pan? Each loaf has a dent, or an imperfection, in it. Similarly, each human has inherited a “dent” of imperfection from Adam. That is why all humans grow old and die.—Romans 3:23.

8 When Satan led Adam and Eve into sinning against God, he was really leading a rebellion. He was challenging Jehovah’s way of ruling. In effect, Satan was saying: ‘God is a bad ruler. He tells lies and holds back good things from his subjects. Humans do not need to have God ruling over them. They can decide for themselves what is good and what is bad. And they will be better off under my rulership.’ How would God handle such an insulting challenge? Some think that God should simply have put the rebels to death. But would that have answered Satan’s challenge? Would it have proved that God’s way of ruling is right?

9 Jehovah’s perfect sense of justice would not allow him to put the rebels to death right away. He decided that time was needed to answer Satan’s challenge in a satisfying way and to prove that the Devil is a liar. So God determined that he would permit humans to rule themselves for some time under Satan’s influence. Why Jehovah did that and why he has allowed so much time to pass before settling these issues will be discussed in Chapter*11 of this book. Now, though, it is good to think about this: Were Adam and Eve right to believe Satan, who had never done anything good for them? Was it right for them to believe that Jehovah, who had given them everything they had, is a cruel liar? What would you have done?

10 It is good to think about these questions because each of us faces similar issues today. Yes, you have the opportunity to support Jehovah’s side in answer to Satan’s challenge. You can accept Jehovah as your Ruler and help to show that Satan is a liar. (Psalm 73:28; Proverbs 27:11) Sadly, only a few among the billions of people in this world make such a choice. This raises an important question, Does the Bible really teach that Satan rules this world?

WHO RULES THIS WORLD?
How could Satan have offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he did not own them?
11 Jesus never doubted that Satan is the ruler of this world. In some miraculous way, Satan once showed Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” Satan then promised Jesus: “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” (Matthew 4:8,*9; Luke 4:5,*6) Think about this. Would that offer have been a temptation to Jesus if Satan was not the ruler of these kingdoms? Jesus did not deny that all these worldly governments were Satan’s. Surely, Jesus would have done that if Satan was not the power behind them.

12 Of course, Jehovah is the Almighty God, the Creator of the marvelous universe. (Revelation 4:11) Yet, nowhere does the Bible say that either Jehovah God or Jesus Christ is ruler of this world. In fact, Jesus specifically referred to Satan as “the ruler of this world.” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) The Bible even refers to Satan the Devil as “the god of this system of things.” (2*Corinthians 4:3,*4) Regarding this opposer, or Satan, the Christian apostle John wrote: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.”—1*John 5:19.

HOW SATAN’S WORLD WILL BE REMOVED
13 With each passing year, the world is becoming more and more dangerous. It is overrun with warring armies, dishonest politicians, hypocritical religious leaders, and hardened criminals. The world as a whole is beyond reform. The Bible reveals that the time is near when God will eliminate the wicked world during his war of Armageddon. This will make way for a righteous new world.—Revelation 16:14-16.

14 Jehovah God selected Jesus Christ to be Ruler of His heavenly Kingdom, or government. Long ago, the Bible foretold: “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called .*.*. Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6, 7, King James Version) Regarding this government, Jesus taught his followers to pray: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:10) As we will see later in this book, God’s Kingdom will soon remove all the governments of this world, and it itself will replace all of them. (Daniel 2:44) Then God’s Kingdom will usher in an earthly paradise.

A NEW WORLD IS AT HAND!
15 The Bible assures us: “There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to [God’s] promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.” (2*Peter 3:13; Isaiah 65:17) Sometimes when the Bible speaks of “the earth,” it means the people who live on the earth. (Genesis 11:1) So the righteous “new earth” is a society of people who receive God’s approval.

16 Jesus promised that in the coming new world, those approved by God would receive the gift of “everlasting life.” (Mark 10:30) Please open your Bible to John 3:16 and 17:3, and read what Jesus said we must do to receive everlasting life. Now consider from the Bible the blessings that will be enjoyed by those who qualify for that wonderful gift from God in the coming earthly Paradise.

17 Wickedness, warfare, crime, and violence will be gone. “The wicked one will be no more .*.*. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth.” (Psalm 37:10,*11) Peace will exist because ‘God will make wars cease to the ends of the earth.’ (Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 2:4) Then “the righteous one will sprout, and the abundance of peace until the moon is no more”—and that means forever!—Psalm 72:7.

18Jehovah’s worshipers will live in security. As long as the Israelites in Bible times obeyed God, they lived in security. (Leviticus 25:18,*19) How wonderful it will be to enjoy similar security in Paradise!—Isaiah 32:18; Micah 4:4.

19Food shortages will not exist. “There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth,” sang the psalmist. “On the top of the mountains there will be an overflow.” (Psalm 72:16) Jehovah God will bless his righteous ones, and “the earth itself will certainly give its produce.”—Psalm 67:6.

20The whole earth will become a paradise. Lovely new homes and gardens will occupy land that had once been ruined by sinful humans. (Isaiah 65:21-24; Revelation 11:18) As time passes, parts of the earth already subdued will expand until the whole globe is as beautiful and productive as the garden of Eden. And God will never fail to ‘open his hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.’—Psalm 145:16.

21There will be peace between humans and animals. Wild and domestic animals will feed together. Even a little child will have nothing to fear from animals that are now dangerous.—Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25.

22Sickness will vanish. As Ruler of God’s heavenly Kingdom, Jesus will do healing on a far grander scale than when he was on earth. (Matthew 9:35; Mark 1:40-42; John 5:5-9) Then “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’”—Isaiah 33:24; 35:5,*6.

23Dead loved ones will be restored to life with the prospect of never dying. All those sleeping in death who are in God’s memory will be brought back to life. In fact, “there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”—Acts 24:15; John 5:28,*29.

24 What a marvelous future awaits those who choose to learn about our Grand Creator, Jehovah God, and to serve him! It was to the coming Paradise on earth that Jesus pointed when he promised the evildoer who died alongside him: “You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) It is vital that we learn more about Jesus Christ, through whom all these blessings will be made possible.

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
God’s purpose to make the earth a paradise will be fulfilled.—Isaiah 45:18; 55:11.
Satan now rules this world.—John 12:31; 1*John 5:19.
In the coming new world, God will bestow many blessings on mankind.—Psalm 37:10, 11, 29.


Study Questions
1. What is God’s purpose for the earth?
2.*(a)*How do we know that God’s purpose for the earth will be fulfilled? (b)*What does the Bible say about humans living forever?
3. What sad conditions now exist on earth, and what questions does this raise?
4, 5.*(a)*Who actually spoke to Eve by means of a serpent? (b)*How might a formerly decent, honest person become a thief?
6. How did a powerful spirit son of God become Satan the Devil?
7. (a)*Why did Adam and Eve die? (b)*Why do all of Adam’s offspring grow old and die?
8, 9.*(a)*What challenge did Satan evidently make? (b)*Why did God not destroy the rebels immediately?
10. How can you support Jehovah’s side in answer to Satan’s challenge?
11, 12.*(a)*How does a temptation of Jesus reveal that Satan is the ruler of this world? (b)*What else proves that Satan is the ruler of this world?
13. Why is there a need for a new world?
14. Whom has God selected to be Ruler of His Kingdom, and how was this foretold?
15. What is the “new earth”?
16. What is a priceless gift from God to those whom he approves, and what must we do to receive it?
17, 18.*How can we be sure that there will be peace and security everywhere on earth?
19. Why do we know that food will be abundant in God’s new world?
20. Why can we be sure that the whole earth will become a paradise?
21. What shows that peace will exist between humans and animals?
22. What will happen to sickness?
23. Why will the resurrection bring joy to our hearts?
24. How do you feel about living in Paradise on earth?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LJ4ptplay

The bible is not scientifically accurate...at all. Go ahead and claim the moral teachings, although that is debatable, but please don't claim the bible is scientifically accurate or accurate about the creation of the starry heavens, the earth, and the first man and woman. This is just false.

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Given the Bible's track record of being correct on scientific issues it does address, I will put trust in the things that limited, and I do stress limited human science disagrees with, or can't explain.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Knicks4lyfe

Given the Bible's track record of being correct on scientific issues it does address, I will put trust in the things that limited, and I do stress limited human science disagrees with, or can't explain.

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To each his own. Given the track record of the bible with factual knowledge, I will not put trust in the bible. It is clearly wrong. So please, continue with the other claims if you want, but stop claiming it is scientifically accurate. It is not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LJ4ptplay

To each his own. Given the track record of the bible with factual knowledge, I will not put trust in the bible. It is clearly wrong. So please, continue with the other claims if you want, but stop claiming it is scientifically accurate. It is not.

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It is scientifically accurate on the things it specifically addresses. The earth hanging on nothing, and some others. It does not address Adam n Eve, other than noting we were formed from dust, which coincidentally, is also scientifically correct. If for instance, it would have attempted to explain how two people can populate the earth, and it was incorrect, then you would have a point.

Also this thread is for those interested in learning bible truths. If you're not, fine. But lets try not to turn this thread into a back n forth affair of right n wrong please , thx.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Knicks4lyfe

It is scientifically accurate on the things it specifically addresses. The earth hanging on nothing, and some others. It does not address Adam n Eve, other than noting we were formed from dust, which coincidentally, is also scientifically correct. If for instance, it would have attempted to explain how two people can populate the earth, and it was incorrect, then you would have a point.

Also this thread is for those interested in learning bible truths. If you're not, fine. But lets try not to turn this thread into a back n forth affair of right n wrong please , thx.

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I'm sorry, I can't allow you to claim it is scientifically accurate. This is incorrect. I'm tired of you and other religious people making false claims and not being held accountable. The bible is filled with hundreds of scientific innaccuracies and complete falsehoods. If people are interested in the bible truths, then they should know the whole truth.

The claim that the earth is a circle hanging on nothing is wrong. 1.) The earth is not a circle 2.) It is not hanging on nothing.

This is wrong. This is obviously from a naive human being ignorant of science basing an observation of the earth from looking at the moon and the sun.


Ironically, from the above text you have obviously copied and pasted from a JW website and have not bothered to verify it's accuracy, you cite the book of Leviticus and it's great understanding of cleanliness. Leviticus is filled with complete falsehoods.

Leviticus 11: 4-8

4 “‘There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them. The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you. 5 The hyrax, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. 6 The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. 7 And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. 8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.

A rabbit does not chew it's cud. Again, this is an obvious incorrect observation from a naive human being ignorant of scientific truth. A human being back then could easily mistake the constant twitching of a rabbit's nose to be chewing it's cud. But clearly it is not a ruminant as Leviticus suggests.


11: 13-19

13 “‘These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle,[a] the vulture, the black vulture, 14 the red kite, any kind of black kite, 15 any kind of raven, 16 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, 18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, 19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.

Uhhmm. Bats are not birds, they're mammals. Again, an observation from a human being ignorant of scientific fact.


11: 20-23

20 “‘All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you. 21 There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. 22 Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. 23 But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean.

All insects have six legs, not four. Locusts, grasshoppers, etc have six legs. I don't know, you would think god would have known the details of the things he created. Woops!


Kings 7:23

23 He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits[x] to measure around it. 24 Below the rim, gourds encircled it—ten to a cubit. The gourds were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea.

Woops. Looks like god forgot that pi = 3.141592653. The bible is also mathematically incorrect. Like the example from our last debate that you conveniently ignored:

So, since you say evolution is false, that means Noah had to have two of every plant and animal in the ark (plants reproduce sexually too). Two of every species. Not just two bears and two pine trees. Since evolution is false, two Ponderosa Pine, two Red Pine, two Lodgepole Pine, two White Pine, etc, etc....two black bears, two grizzly bears, two gobi bears, two polar bears, two panda bears, two brown bears, two kodiak bears, two asian bears, two Bergman's bears, two blue bears, two MacFarlane's bears, etc, etc, etc, etc. and since there are roughly 5 million species (very conservative estimate) of plant and animal on earth that means Noah must have had approximately 10 million individuals stuffed into the ark.

The size of the ark was:
length = 300 cubits (450 feet, or 135 meters), width = 50 cubits (75 feet, or 22.5 meters). it had three stories and its height was 30 cubits (45 feet, or 13.5 meters).

This is not large enough to contain all of the individuals. This is not even taking into consideration the amount of food required to feed all of the animals for 150 days.

This is not "fairly reliable" science. This is fact.

Now, even if you want to ignore all of those undeniable facts, as I've stated numerous times, it is genetically impossible for two species of any complex organism to successfully maintain a viable population. Two lions can not create a population of lions.

These are facts. Not "fairly reliable". All you're left with is that God changed the rules with his magic. And then changed them back.

Also, rain is fresh water. The amount of rain needed to flood the earth in 40 days would have diluted the oceans salinity to the point that every salt water adapted ocean inhabitant would have died as well. So technically Noah would have also had to have two great white sharks, two hammerhead sharks, two tiger sharks, two mako sharks, two sand sharks, etc, etc, etc. All contained in separate salt water tanks for 150 days.


I can go on. The bible is filled with inaccuracies, falsehoods and contradictions. So, please, just stop claiming the bible is scientifically accurate. Please?!?

A lot of ur argument against the bible being factual scientifically, is trivial.

He is relating truth to a fairly primitive group of humanity. The same way it says we are made of dust, its to get the gist of the idea. We are made up of more than dust, but does it make the biblical account any less accurate, because it does not say we are also made of water?

Does the earth not appear to be sphere that hangs on nothing when looking at out in text books? Only a nut bag would say it doesn't. No one sees that it's actually held in sockets. So it looks like a sphere that hangs on nothing.

If one picks up a grasshopper, u can see it has more then 4 legs. Obviously, the term all fours is used as a blanket statement for all insects. I mean, really? You only have two legs, but on ur hands n knees all fours would apply in that instance, correct?

Far as Noah is concerned, this is the same God that fed millions of people everyday in the wilderness with bread from the ground everyday. I'm sure he could feed Noah n the animals. And as for the rain, and salt water and what have you, again, science is young and learning each day, because they say X can only happen today, does not mean with new learnings, it wont be revised. Maybe Jehovah did something beyond our comprehension. Or maybe man has not learned how it could have happened yet. Just a few short years ago neanderthals were hairy monkey men who couldnt mate with modern man. How'd that turn out? Science has flaws. Period.

• “Why are you talking about having no bread [i.e.,Truth"]? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?" -Jesus

Both of you, LJ and K4L, have more in common than you like to think. You come to the feet of a great teacher, hoping to be justified and confuse self-justification with truth. As such, your ability to perceive truth is conditional and, as a result, self-restricted.

How difficult, then, is it for you to be made wholly aware, by Jesus or any other enlightened being, of that which you know little, or nothing, of!

You remain trapped within yourselves, even when the words spoken have nothing to do with what you have come to know in your lives, however great that may be.

Because you only listen for self-justification, there is great frustration in being challenged to assume the selfless state necessary for one to find truth, as evidenced by the fact that not one line of your posts is a pure reflection on the teacher's message; instead, all your posts on the teacher are commingled with self-justification.

Jesus speaks, and you look for congruence [of his teachings with yourselves], as created, in part, by watchtower magazines, sermons, science teachers or science books. Why not try to make yourselves congruent with the teacher's call for peace, mercy, etc.

You speak of your frustrations and your justifications [when it comes to Jesus, others, each other, etc.], and not of the teacher's message, on its own merits.

You must realize that, as Jesus and all of the other great teachers have tried to tell us, you must deny yourself. Self-denial is very tricky. Many who believe they deny self find a way to subtly continue to worship themselves.

PEACE