How is it beneficial when the knowledge is limited?
Knowledge should be unlimited, and adoptable to change and the environment.
The bible isn't that. Its outdated, closed minded, limited and its against humanity.
If the bible was editable and open to new ideas, I would embrace it fully.
Keep in mind I was raised roman catholic due to my environment and my family tradition. I have nothing against religious people, I just wish they actually used the theology into good and productive use. You don't have to agree my brother. I just say it how it is.
I completely agree with your statement, on this being a closed book. In the new testament, Jesus is saying the same thing you are.
He wants people to find something that exists beyond the words, he did not speak just to have the words written down. So, to get stuck on the words is to miss the point. The problem is that people often do not understand that: as Jesus said, one must come to him like a little child or be utterly lost in oneself: in the form of one's own impediments, which one often believes are great characteristics, e.g., faith in money or romance as the path to happiness.
Many religious people, instead of coming to Jesus as little children (full of innocence), come to Jesus and other spiritual teachers with loads of baggage: anger, hate, bitterness, greed, and so their understanding is colored by such, when they actually need the pure knowledge of Jesus, to overcome the baggage that colors their practice of "religion."
When such people spoke to me, in my younger years, I confused their message with Jesus', because this is how they presented things. I wonder if this has been your experience.
In any case, only recently did I re-read the new testament, beginning to end, with no end in mind (no one directing me to a page, no one interpreting for me, just me and the book). I let the message speak for itself and came to understand Jesus cared not for rules: he never condemned anyone, he in fact broke biblical rules regularly for the sake of those in need of help. He simply wanted peace and happiness for all beings.
I'm not saying this as a Christian, by the way, just someone who loves Jesus' message.
After over a decade of studying many religions, Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, Jainism, being an atheist and an agnostic, etc., I have come to see that every person has a conception of something supreme, be it Krishna or the physical universe, naming it is insignificant. All the great teachers directed us toward something supreme, some name it, others do not. It is in spite of ourselves, and not because of ourselves: names, religious membership, it exists.
When a self tries to define the supreme, rather than telling you it exists and that you should find it for yourself, he is psychologically imprisoning you. This is why people like you and LJ and me, who question the cage, are capable of the most spirituality.
I know, it seems ironic, but I think it's clear. Anyway, I hope this is not offensive to you, I'm not trying to tell you what to think and hopefully this does not come off that way.
I do recommend you read the new testament, as I did, with no end in mind, no one directing you, from either side: atheists/agnostics or Christians, so that perhaps you find the message of Christ. Let me know what you find: it would be interesting to know.
Here are a couple of links I use:
Sacred Texts has some of the most important books from almost every religion:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/
This is the online version of The Imitation of Christ, which is the book that made me want to read the new testament, after years of having given up on the bible. It is basically the point of view of a medieval monk, Kempis, who writes on his love for Christ, addressing various topics: anger, selfishness, love, etc.
http://www.leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imitation.html#b1
EDIT: Biblegateway is very good, if you want to read the new testament at home (Matthew is the first book of the new testament, I copied that link in here for you. Just use the arrows to move from section to section)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NIV
PEACE