Do you consider the Bible to be poetic?
955530
the psalms, ecces. and song of solomon are
1011180
The passages you cite from Ecclesiasties and Psalms are, Mr. Skeptic, poetry. Not all of the Bible is a scientific journal. Archaelogy has supported the history that is recorded in the Bible. But if you really want to think that the Bible is full of nonsense, I guess the upside is that you can take a pass when it says thou shall not steal, lie, murder, covet your neighbor's wife, etc. And the parts that say the wages of sin is death ... poof! Irrelevant, right?\n\nWhen Genesis says that God created the world in 6 days, then rested on the 7th, it is also poetry. The first day was light, but the sun moon and stars weren't created until the third "day." The Bible is the story of how God created us and how he is trying to reach out to us, even though we are fallen creatures. There are recitations of events and facts that can be checked out and proven or not through historical study. The evidence for the veracity of the scriptures is good. The more important thing is that it tells us how to live lives of virtue and peace with our neighbor. \n\nIf it is all nonsense, then life has no purpose or meaning. Heck, you have no purpose or meaning so why bother arguing with all of us who say that life does have meaning? Bertrand Russell (you can look him up in your library) was a very bright and educated man but insisted that there was no God that was the author of creation. Shortly before his death he wrote that he looked at the universe and found it convenient to believe that it happened by chance. If life has no meaning, he reasoned, he was free to indulge in the pleasures of life without moral compunction. Think about it.
1101825
Yup I do and its funny in a weird sort of way how people will adapt what is in the Bible to suit their own needs. The book hasnt changed in a few thousand years I doubt its going to any time soon. Its all a matter of personal interpretation I guess but it shouldnt change every time you read it or speak about it to someone if you are a person of your convictions then it will stay the same.
1148590
1. Yes and No. The Bible (if read in the origional languages) has so much more meaning that any English translations - so much so that it can make the Bible very confusing to us today.  Additionally, the Bible wasn't written to speak to you and me. It was written to speak to the people of the Biblical world with completely different cultures and values.  Again, when you map Biblical stories and ideology on their paradigm, again, it makes much more sense.\n\nThe most important thing to take out of the Bible - whether figurative or literal - is the overriding message that God loves each of us and desired a personal relationship.\n\n2. No. I do not think we will see another prophet ever.  There are people with prophetic giftings, but Jesus was sent to a world full of prophets.  Today we have a completely different frame of mind and do not need "prophets" to speak God's word to us.  With a personal relationship with Him, prophets really become unnecessary.
650908
Well as a writer of poems and short stories, take this into consideration.  Most of my poems I draw inspiration from either past life events or my g/f.  Now did my g/f write those poems???  No!  She inspired me to write them.  So pretty much to say, inspiration does do the bible some justice.  However it lacks credibility in just so many ways.  There are stories of the flood that predates the story of Noah by thousands of years, stories of a man-god, who just like Jesus, born of a virgin, born in a cave, fed the hungry, healed the sick, made the lame walk, died by crucifixion, and rose on the third day.  And to add to all this.  The earliest gospel was written 30+ YEARS after his "death" or after he "rose to heaven".  And to add to this, the coucil of Nicea was convened to discuss what books out there fit the bill.  In my view religion is a creation of man so they don't feel so ignorant and fell all special.  It gives them a false hope into thinking that if they follow it, they can live forever.  I could jot down all the beliefs out there on a piece of tissue paper and wipe my backside with it, for that's all it's good for.  Look at all the crap that's going down in the world!!!  Wars, famine, bigotry, hate crimes.  Religion was the beginning of the fall of civilization.  It turns normal people into fanatics.  They'll die for their beliefs cause they are right and just.  But they are just as human as me, same two eyes, arms, legs, ten fingers and toes, and organs.  They are no more special than the person living right next to them.  So if a person tries to tell you that you need religion, you can politely tell them to go away or just tell them to fuck off.  Me, it depends on my mood that day.  Hope this helps and sorry for ranting on like a complete nutcase.  Later....
723817
YES\n\nIt means it is made up to try to make Jesus seem more than a the son of a carpenter.\n\nWithout that the bible wouldn't be much of a novel would it
837696
When I was a kid I went to church, and I really liked the sign on the wall that read, "God is Love." \n\nThen I started to read the Bible, and in shock and dismay I read about an angry, murderous, misogynist, spoiled brat of a deity who is in seeeerrrrious need of a time-out. Or a spanking, for preference.\n\nI could not reconcile the two in my head, and I decided that I really believe in Love over anything the Bible had to say. So, when the two clashed, the Bible lost. Later studies of the history of the Bible confirmed my hunch that it was a man-made document and not divine.\n\nOver the years, my study of religions made me start to think that people's religious experiences had some interesting things in common... and perhaps all the personification of deities are mere metaphors for something bigger even than 'God', and are well-meaning but misguided attempts to define something indefinable.\n\nSo THAT's what I really believe in... not a deity and most certainly not the Christian deity, but something more abstract.
1028373
No.  The Bible is a compilation of stories written by different authors.  Consider it more of an anthology put together by the Catholic Church around 324 AD (the New Testament... the Old Testament is the Jewish Holy Book, which is also a compilation of stories written by different authors).
376945
I dont know the poem.  But I think its beautiful.  Seems like an interesting topic, poem.
473538
No the bible is nothing more then a book, based mostly on fiction but I am sure there is a hint of truth to it. For example I believe someone with the name Jesus probably did exist and was a really great man, but that is it, he was not the son of some God, but as time passed the story took twists and turns and now comes to us in this ridiculous fictional book we refer to as the bible. The bible was actually written in a language where punctuation did not exist so adding periods and commas here and there can corrupt a meaning of sentence entirely.
614932
Nope. On the Rock of the Word is where my foundation is planted. Winds of fiction will come and go--always have, always will. But the Bible continues on as the Word of God.
819416
I'm agnostic, but here's the deal: of course the Bible is metaphor. Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark, parting of Red Sea, Sodom & Gomorrah, Virgin Birth, Lazarus rasied from the Dead, etc. But we have to remember that those stories were all told by a group of semi-nomadic, largely illiterate people living 2000 years ago. They were simply using metaphor and allegor and symbolism to convey as best they could their understanding of God. So yes, they ARE a bunch of stories, if you want to over-simplify like that, but the big question is: what compelled them to go to such lengths to create such myths? And why would Jesus' disciples risk death--and incur death--if they thought he was a fake? After his death they could have simply disbanded, yet they continued on. To me--the reasons for the stories are more important than the literal accuracy. To read the Bible like a history book is to totallt miss the point!
1533
The entire Bible, old and new testament should be used as truth.  All scripture is inspired by God.  Extrabiblical accounts should only be used cautiously if at all.
133376
Actually, you come very close!  I suggest an excellent book, "Idioms of the Bible", the author's name is beyond me for now.  It was created by  a Bible scholar who is very familiar with both modern and ancient Hebrew and Aramaic, and has done some wonderful research in various areas relating to the Bible and religion.
261765
I love the Bible. It amazes how it was written so-o-o long ago and yet is applicable  to today's modern times...it goes to show you that the feelings of the human heart surpasses the tests of time...and yes, i get different messages--and with the different messages--comes different meaning...though my emotions change, the words in the Bible remain the same.....so my interpretation will change depending on what state-of-mind or situation I am in.....but, no matter what, it always comes back to humility,charity, love and patience..........god bless you!!!
1183397
I hope this helps you.\nhttp://www.dltk-bible.com/poems.htm
1113126
Yes! I believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God!\n\n2 Timothy 3:16 says: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.\n\nImperfect humans were utilized as vessels and/or instruments to transcribe the Word of God in print. They were chosen by God.\n\nIt's no different than if a secretary transcribes the words of a  doctor or lawyer for others to read in print.\n\nIf the Lord can create galaxies, the earth, life....surely...he can perfectly guide imperfect man to put words upon a page. \n\nBlessings, Kiki